Author: Beaver County Radio

State Representative Ana Tiburcio introduces bill to enhance support for Pennsylvania’s craft beer industry

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Yuengling Black and Tan cans are stacked in the warehouse of the D.G. Yuengling & Son Brewery Mill Creek plant on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Lindsey Shuey/Republican-Herald via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lehigh, PA) State Representative Ana T. Tiburcio, (D-Lehigh), recently introduced a bill in Harrisburg to make it easier for small Pennsylvania craft breweries to get up and running. She is co-sponsoring the bill with Reps. Rob Matzie, (D-Beaver), Steve Samuelson, (D-Northampton) and Dan Deasy, (D-Allegheny). The malt beverage tax credit program allows breweries that invest in their facility or equipment to claim a tax credit that is equal to the amount of capital expenditures they incurred, up to a maximum of $200,000. These tax credits can currently be carried forward for just three years and credits may not be sold to other Pennsylvania breweries. This legislation from Tiburcio would extend the carry forward period of the malt beverage tax credit to five years and let tax credit recipients sell their credits to other Pennsylvania breweries. That bill will be referred to the House Liquor Control Committee for consideration.

Pennsylvania parents charged after their toddler slips into wolf enclosure and gets hurt at HersheyPark zoo

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hershey, PA) Forty-three-year-old Carrie Sortor and sixty-one-year-old Stephen Wilson, both of Lititz, Pennsylvania, were charged on Sunday by Derry Township Police with one count each of a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of children after police expressed that their seventeen-month-old child went through a wooden barrier perimeter fence and put a hand in a metal fence of the wolf enclosure at ZooAmerica in Hershey on Saturday. The area was restricted and police stated in a news release that evidence showed they both walked about twenty-five to thirty feet away from the child to a seating area with benches and appeared to be paying attention to their cellphones. The child suffered minor injuries in the incident because according to a statement from the zoo, a wolf approached “and made contact with the child’s hand,” and the wolf’s response “is consistent with natural animal behavior, and was not a sign of aggression.”

Cranberry Township woman not charged after hitting a rock with her vehicle in Allegheny County

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release today that fifty-seven-year-old Monique Brada of Cranberry Township was not charged after causing a single-vehicle crash in Allegheny County on March 20th, 2026. Brada was driving on I-79 North in Marshall Township when a rock rolled onto the road from a rocky bank which was along the north-bound travel lanes. She did not stop in time before hitting it with her vehicle at 6:28 p.m. There were no reported injuries.

Duane J. Swaney (1948-2026)

Duane J. Swaney, 78, of Beaver, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on April 4th, 2026, following an extended illness. He leaves behind not only a legacy of faith, kindness, and devotion to the Lord, but also a lifetime of laughter, warmth, and unforgettable memories. He was born in Rochester on January 25th, 1948, a son of the late Hall and Geraldine Swaney. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Swaney. He is survived by his wife of 43 and a half years, Linda Swaney of Beaver, his son, Jason Latchaw of Brighton Township, his daughter, Lori (JD) Tharp of Beaver, and his grandchildren: Madison, Jocelyn Latchaw, Gavin Swaney-Latchaw, and Isaac and Ella Tharp, who were the pride of his life. Each of them carries forward his love, his laughter, and his spirit.

Duane was raised in Hookstown and proudly served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He went on to have a long career as a Journeyman Electrician with IBEW Labors Union #712. He was a faithful attendee of Northway Christian Community, Beaver Valley in Rochester. More than anything, he was a family man. He had a great sense of humor and a way of making those around him laugh, even in the simplest moments. His jokes, stories, and playful spirit will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him. He found his greatest joy in being with his family, and he made sure they always knew how much they meant to him.

Friends will be received on Friday, April 10th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements. A memorial service will also take place on Saturday, April 11th, at 10 a.m. at Northway Christian Community, Beaver Valley, 300 Brighton Avenue, Rochester. Interment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Duane’s name may be made to Habitat of Humanity of Beaver County, 47 Bridge Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

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

MaryAnn (Golubic) Merriman (1945-2026)

MaryAnn (Golubic) Merriman, 80, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully on March 30th, 2026 with her daughter and a close family friend by her side. She was born in Pittsburgh on November 20th, 1945, a daughter of the late Stephen & Florence Ann (Pavlick) Golubic. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill. She is survived by her son, Damien Merriman of Vancouver and Melissa (Merriman) Leach of Coraopolis, her three granddaughters, Sydney, Hailey and Riley, who were her pride and joy, a brother, Robert Golubic, a sister, Stephanie Vukmanic (Walter Jr.), her niece, Michelle Vukmamic and Walter Vukmanic, (Dannelle), along with many other nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

MaryAnn and her husband Bill started the company W.K. Merriman, Inc. in 1986. She was thrilled that the company will be celebrating 40 years this May. She lived a life marked by generosity, humor, Pittsburgh sports teams and a passion for learning. She devoted her life to her family and her “team” at W.K. Merriman, Inc. She touched many lives through work and personal hobbies. Her kindness, love and devotion to her family and friends will be forever remembered and deeply missed.

A celebration of life for MaryAnn will be held in the month of May and details on it will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, Coraopolis.

Brian Keith Liberty (1963-2026)

Brian Keith Liberty, 63, of Darlington Township, passed away on April 5th, 2026 at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was born in New Brighton on January 30th, 1963, a son of the late Leroy “Buck” and Joyce (Cunning) Liberty. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert “Slim” Cunning. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Rose M. (Ours) Liberty, his children, Hailie Liberty and Henry Liberty, his brothers, Donald “Beak” (Chris) Liberty, Jeff (Amy) Liberty and Jimmy (Jen) Kosloski; his sister, Carrie Krupa and her son, Levi, his dog, Winnie, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Brian was a graduate of Beaver Falls High School. He was a devoted husband, father, and hardworking man whose life was rooted in the things he loved most: his family, his animals, and the outdoors. He dedicated himself to a career in construction for many years. He found his greatest joy in the company of his horses and dogs, spending countless hours showing & breeding horses and embracing the peace of being outdoors. Above all, he cherished his family, sharing the loving years with his devoted wife, Rose, and raising two children who were the center of his world.

There are no services at this time for Brian. The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to care for Brian and his family during this most difficult time and was the funeral home that was in charge of his arrangements.

Penguins center Rickard Rakell becomes NHL’s first star of the week for the week starting March 30th, 2026

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Frank Franklin II, AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The NHL recently named Pittsburgh Penguins center Rickard Rakell as last week’s first star of the week. Rakell scored seven goals and notched eight points in five games last week. He scored two of those goals against the Florida Panthers on Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins have won four of five games and are now just two points away from clinching their first playoff berth since 2022. Rakell has 11 goals, including three multi-goal games in the last ten games for the Penguins.

Laurel Caverns unveiled as Pennsylvania’s first underground state park

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Posted on Facebook on April 6th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Fayette County, PA) Laurel Caverns in Fayette County was unveiled yesterday as Pennsylvania’s newest state park. The unique trait about this park is that it is the state’s first underground state park. It boasts 4 miles of cave passages, as well as over 400 acres aboveground. The park also adjoins thousands of acres of Forbes State Forest and State Game Lands 138, and its nearby other Laurel Highlands attractions like Ohiopyle and Nemacolin. It will open on Wednesday, April 22nd.

Shots fired incident occurs near Aliquippa apartment

(File Photo of a City of Aliquippa Police Department Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) The Aliquippa Police Department was dispatched at approximately 7:18 p.m. yesterday to the area of the 300 block of Superior Avenue, Valley Terrace C Building, for a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they conducted a thorough canvass of the area. Multiple shell casings were located in front of the Valley Terrace B Building during the investigation. No injuries have been reported in connection with this incident. The investigation into it is still ongoing and anyone with information related to it should call the Aliquippa Police Department at 724-378-8000. 

Large part of a barge still stuck on dam on the Beaver River; small part of it stuck on dam near Beaver Falls-New Brighton bridge

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Curtis Walsh, Beaver County Radio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The largest part of the barge that broke free from a construction site on the Beaver River is still stuck on the dam near the Eastvale Bridge in Beaver Falls. A smaller piece broke free yesterday morning and is now stuck on top of the dam near the Beaver Falls – New Brighton Bridge, on the New Brighton side of the river. The barge initially got stuck on Thursday and according to the PA Turnpike, one of its contractors, Fay S&B, has been developing a plan for how to remove the barges from the river.  The Turnpike noted that the Beaver Falls Municipal Authority is in charge of the dam structure and will assess any potential damage after the barges are removed.