Author: Beaver County Radio

Pirates sign teenage shortstop Konnor Griffin to a 9-year deal worth at least $140 million

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin takes infield practice before making his Major League Baseball debut in the Pirates’ home-opener against the Baltimore Orioles in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Konnor Griffin is with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the long haul.

The 19-year-old shortstop agreed to a nine-year, $140 million contract with the Pirates early Wednesday, less than a week after the former first-round pick made his major league debut.

The deal, the largest in club history, includes escalators that could raise the total value to $150 million.

“Signing Konnor is a meaningful commitment to this team, this city and our fans,” owner Bob Nutting said in a statement. “It reflects our belief in Konnor, in this season’s club and in the future of the organization.”

The agreement comes less than 24 hours after general manager Ben Cherington said the “ingredients” were in place for a long-term pact.

The Pirates selected Griffin with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft. He sprinted through the team’s farm system, hitting .333 with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases. He was one of the final cuts during spring training last month, and his stay at Triple-A Indianapolis was brief.

Pittsburgh called Griffin to the majors after just a week, and he has played well through his first handful of games. Griffin laced an RBI-double in his first big-league at bat against Baltimore last Friday, and added a pair of hits, including a two-run single, in a 7-1 win over San Diego on Tuesday night that helped the Pirates to their sixth win in seven games.

Griffin, who has said repeatedly he wants to stay in Pittsburgh for as long as possible, has impressed teammates with his maturity and his unique skillset.

Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes called Griffin “a big leaguer through and through,” though Griffin is doing his best to ignore the attention that has surrounded his arrival for a team that is trying to return to relevance and end a playoff drought that’s now over a decade old.

“Just sticking to being myself, not trying to do too much,” Griffin said Tuesday night. “Just let the game tell me the situation. Compete one pitch at a time and let it all happen.”

Family Matters Food Pantry in Need of Donations

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff

(Center Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Family Matters Food Pantry in Center Twp. is in need of donations. They posted on Facebook yesterday that they’ve asked for help in the past and have appreciated all that the community has done for the pantry, unfortunately they are asking for help again, the shelves are empty, and donations are way down. The Pantry feeds over 500 families a week. You can get more information on their Facebook Page or by calling (724) 709-7718

Beaver Falls Coffee and Tea Moving to New Location

Story by Beaver County radio Staff

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Beaver Falls Coffee and Tea announced via their social media that they will be moving to street level, right next door to their current location. They are looking for your input to help by filling out a feedback survey and let them know what you want and need in their neighborhood. You can fill out the survey by using the QR code below.

Matthew Yanosich, Sr. (1931-2026)

Matthew Yanosich, Sr., 95, of Center Township, passed away peacefully on April 6th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver, surrounded by the family who adored him. He was born in Rochester on February 21st, 1931, a beloved son of the late Matthew and Barbara Yanosich. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carol and his sister-in-law, Fran Yanosich. He is survived by his sons, Matthew (Maureen) Yanosich Jr. of Bedford, New Hampshire, and John (Lori) Yanosich of Mentor, Ohio, his brother, Nicholas Yanosich of Beaver, his grandchildren, Eric (Kate Tannura) Yanosich and Grace Yanosich and his nieces, Debra Yanosich, Stephen and Rosanne (Darryl) Thornton.

Matthew was a proud 1950 graduate of Midland High School who excelled in multiple sports and carried that same determination into his years at Penn State University, where he lettered in football as a running back during the 1951-52 season. His time at Penn State was cut short when he was drafted into the United States Army a call to service he answered with pride and humility. After returning home, he built a long and dedicated career as a lab technician at the former Arco Chemical Plant, where he worked for 38 years. He was a devout Catholic who lived his faith quietly but deeply, leading the Rosary at St. Barnabas – Beaver Meadows and finding joy in community, fellowship, and service. He was also honored as a member of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame. During his seven years at St. Barnabas, he became a cherished presence-known for his positivity, his kindness, and the way he made everyone feel seen. He embraced life there fully: contributed to resident meetings, enjoying musical performances, participating in bingo (always chasing that coverall), and taking treasured trips to Bruster’s for ice cream. He never missed his six daily walks – except, of course, on Sundays during football season. Even in his final days at Heritage Valley Hospital, the staff said, “he was special” and “a lovely gentleman”, a reflection of the warmth he carried with him every day. Family was the heart of his world. He delighted in annual birthday dinners at PF Chang’s, complete with salmon, sparklers, and ice cream. No treat brought him more joy than Penn State Creamery vanilla ice cream, a simple pleasure that never lost its magic. He created a lifetime of memories with those he loved: vacations to Myrtle Beach, milestone anniversaries celebrated in Hawaii and Scotland, stories from his days at the brickyard, and Christmas gatherings filled with laughter. His greatest joy, without question, was his grandchildren. He encouraged them endlessly with his signature reminder: “Do Your Best!” His nightly 8 p.m. calls, his cheerful spirit, and his gentle wisdom will be deeply missed.

Friends will be received on Thursday, April 9th, from 4-7 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Friday, April 10th, at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 200 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com. Entombment will follow at Beaver Cemetery Mausoleum, Buffalo Street, Beaver, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Carol.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Matt’s name to St. Barnabas – Beaver Meadows, 5130 Tuscarawas Road, Beaver, PA 15009.

Matthew’s family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff of St. Barnabas – Beaver Meadows and Heritage Valley Beaver for the compassionate, loving care they provided throughout his stay.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Matthew Yanosich, Sr., please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Kristin Joy Gornek (1981-2026)

Kristin Joy Gornek, 44, of New Brighton, passed away unexpectedly at her residence on April 4th, 2026. She was born in Pittsburgh on December 25th, 1981, a daughter of William Lee and Shirley Starrett-Schoen. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her loving husband of ten years, Kenneth W. Gornek, her sister, Kaitlyn Schoen, her brothers, Douglas William (Christy) Schoen and Michael Thomas Schoen and her step-son, Jalen Gornek.

Kristin was a dedicated professional who spent many years working in human resources for Foerster Instruments, where she was known for her kindness, reliability, and genuine care for the people she worked with. Outside of her career, she found joy in life’s simple pleasures and meaningful moments. She loved tending to her garden, taking pride in watching it grow and bloom. She also found peace and creativity in playing her guitar. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her warm heart, and the quiet passions that brought her happiness.

Family and friends are welcome for a memorial visitation on Saturday, April 11th from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kristin Joy Gornek, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Announces “Seeing Double: Pennsylvania’s Industrial Revolution in 3D,” a Serial Exhibit Highlighting America’s Industrial Heritage

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) recently announced the opening of Seeing Double: Pennsylvania’s Industrial Revolution in 3D, a unique serial exhibit showcasing the state’s rich industrial history through antique stereo photography in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary this year. It will open on Saturday, April 18th and will run through the summer jointly across four PHMC museums on the Industrial Heritage Trail at:

  • Cornwall Iron Furnace (Cornwall, Pennsylvania)
  • Drake Well Museum and Park (Titusville, Pennsylvania)
  • Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum (Scranton, Pennsylvania)
  • Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (Strasburg, Pennsylvania)

The exhibit originates from a 2023 show which was curated by Dr. Richard Healey at the Royal Geographical Society in London. Dr. Healey, a distinguished geographer at the University of Portsmouth, has dedicated much of his research to historic rail, iron, oil, and anthracite coal industries of Pennsylvania. Over the years, he cultivated a sizable collection of 19th and 20th-century stereo views: popular, inexpensive photographic novelties that originally offered three-dimensional images through a hand-held stereoscope. Dr. Healey transformed the antique stereo views into anaglyphs to bring these rare glimpses of the industrial past of Pennsylvania to a modern museum audience. Exhibit-goers will use red and blue offset glasses that were made popular by 3D movies in the 1970s to step back in time and experience a historical overview of the industries that built Pennsylvania.

Shapiro Administration Extends Customer Service Call Center Hours for Late-Season Tax Filing Assistance

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is extending its call center customer service hours to provide additional phone assistance to Pennsylvanians because the April 15th deadline for filing 2025 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns is next week. This is another way for the Shapiro Administration to help Pennsylvanians that are eligible to take advantage of the new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, which you can find out more about by clicking here and the expanded Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, which you can find out more about by clicking here: two programs that Governor Josh Shapiro fought for to cut taxes and lower costs for working families. According to a release in Harrisburg today from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, here is some more information about this opportunity:

Taxpayer Service and Assistance

  • Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 to connect with the Department of Revenue’s Customer Experience Center (CEC). Typical hours for phone assistance are 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M., Monday through Friday. Beginning today, April 7th, extended hours will be:

·       Tuesday, April 7th to Friday, April 10th — 8 A.M. to 7 P.M.

·       Saturday, April 11th — 10 A.M. to 3 P.M.

·       Monday, April 13th to Wednesday, April 15th — 8 A.M. to 7 P.M.

Take Advantage of Tax Credits, Deductions

The Shapiro Administration is encouraging Pennsylvanians to take advantage of state tax credits and deductions, including those championed by Governor Josh Shapiro. These can deliver meaningful tax relief to working Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth:

·      The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC), find out more by clicking here: – Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), anyone who qualifies for the federal EITC automatically qualifies for the state credit. The WPTC can put as much as $805 back in the pockets of eligible Pennsylvanians.

·      Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, find out more by clicking here: – Available to ease child and dependent care costs for working families in Pennsylvania. Eligible Pennsylvanians can receive between $600 and $2,100, depending on their income level and number of dependents.

·      Student Loan Interest Deduction, find out more by clicking here – Student loan interest is now an allowable deduction, up to $2,500 per taxable year.

·      Tax Forgiveness (Special Poverty), find out more by clicking here – Retired and low-income Pennsylvanians may reduce all or part of their Pennsylvania personal income tax liability.

How to File Your State Tax Return

  • Pennsylvanians can file their PA Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40) for free using myPATH by clicking here. The state-only filing system is accessible on computers, tablets, and mobile devices and includes automatic calculators to help reduce errors and provide instant confirmation once a return is successfully filed.
  • Taxpayers do not need to create a username or password to perform many functions in myPATH. That includes filing a PA-40 or making a payment, responding to department requests for information, and checking the status of a refund.
  • As a reminder, all taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2025 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.

Spanish Resources for Filing

Spanish-speaking taxpayers also have the option to file their PA Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40) in Spanish through myPATH. An informational video in Spanish, which you can find by clicking here, with step-by-step instructions is available as part of the Department’s Revenue411 video series, which you can access by clicking here.

Blood drives in Beaver County are available to donate blood during this month’s National Volunteer Month to help people like Parker

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Vitalant)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) This April, the nonprofit Vitalant is asking the community to give blood during National Volunteer Month to help maintain a steady and safe supply for local patients and hospitals for those that need it. Someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion every two seconds, and you can help people like Parker, a local five-year-old. He was diagnosed with Stage IV nephroblastoma at three years old. That is a rare kidney cancer that can spread to the lungs, liver, and brain.  Parker underwent surgery, radiation, and 10 months of chemotherapy as part of his treatment, and he relied on multiple blood and platelet transfusions throughout his care. Donations are essential for those that are experiencing cancer, trauma injuries, routine surgeries, and more. Most people are eligible so they can donate blood. You can learn more and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org by clicking here, download and use the Vitalant blood donor app by clicking here, or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). According to a release in Darlington yesterday from Vitalant, here are some upcoming Beaver County blood drives this month to donate blood to those that need it:

Aliquippa 

Tuesday, April 14th

B F Jones Library 

663 Franklin Ave. 

1 P.M. – 5 P.M.

  

Darlington 

Monday, April 20th

Darlington Township Building – Banquet Room 

3590 Darlington Road 

2 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.

Detroit Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Role in Interstate Drug Trafficking Operation Involving Large Quantities of Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that a resident of Detroit, Michigan, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating
federal narcotics and firearm laws. Twenty-six-year-old Christopher Barton was sentenced and he previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine between August of 2023 and August of 2024, and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. According to information presented to the Court, Barton was part of a drug trafficking conspiracy that was based in New Castle and in Detroit. Barton participated in the conspiracy by retailing controlled substances to customers in the New Castle area. A search warrant was served on February 7th, 2024 at a New Castle location from which members of the conspiracy were dealing drugs. Barton was present when the search warrant was executed and law enforcement also seized two pistols. Barton had prior felony convictions that prohibited him from lawfully possessing ammunition or a firearm.

Chippewa United Methodist Church Rummage and Book Sales April 28 and 29.

Rummage and Bake Sale
Rummage Sale – Tuesday April 28th
9:00am – 6:00pm
Bake Sale 9:00 – sellout
$2.00 a bag Sale Wednesday April 29th 9:00am – 2:00 pm
@ The Community Life Center
118 McMillen Ave.
Beaver Falls, Pa (Chippewa)
On McMillen Ave up from the
Get Go on the right.
No early birds, doors open at 9:00am
Plenty of parking, handicap parking and easily accessible entrance.
Huge Rummage sale with 1000’s of items at cheap prices.
Clothing, jewelry, toys, household items, some furniture and much more.
The Sale benefits the Methodist Women on Faith.
We accept donations; bring items to the CLC April 20th – April 26th.
Noon until 5:00pm. (Please no not leave items outside)