Author: Beaver County Radio

Joyce Anne (Prokopovich) Cahill (1956-2026)

Joyce Anne (Prokopovich) Cahill, 70, of Dublin, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her home early on April 10th, 2026. She was born in Baden on February 22nd, 1956, a daughter of the late Andrew and Thelma (Barry) Prokopovich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Tom McKernan and her sister-in-law, Cheryl Prokopovich.

She is survived by her two children, Eva Cahill (Greg) Stockmaster of Powell, Ohio and Charlotte Cahill (Tim) Shields of Chicago, Illinois, their father, Kenneth Cahill, of Columbus, Ohio, her two grandchildren, Fiona Stockmaster and Henry Shields, and five siblings: Deacon Mark (Tracy) Prokopovich of Baden, Gayle McKernan of Beaver, Karen Rudolph of Baden, Robert Prokopovich of Ambridge and Paul (Carol) Prokopovich of Virginia.

Joyce attended school at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic School and Ambridge Area High School. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, and from The Ohio State University with a Masters in Nursing (NP). She was a member of the cheerleading squad at Pitt and in 1978, was awarded “Miss Cheerleader USA.” As such, Joyce was a cheerleader to her family and friends, always showing her support through encouragement, mentorship, and unconditional love. She lit up every room she entered and brought us all joy with her big smile, sense of humor and infectious laugh. She knew no stranger and cared for those with illness or who were less fortunate through her nursing vocation with The Ohio State University Hospital and in her membership at Saint Joan of Arc Church in Powell, Ohio in their choir, and at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge.

She was unfortunately diagnosed with melanoma in 2016 and faced this challenge head on to fight the disease for almost the next decade. She was determined to fight against the diagnosis. Joyce leaned on the support of her family, friends, caretakers, her strong faith in God and an ongoing quest for new treatments and trials with her dedicated care team at The James Cancer Hospital (OSU), no matter how challenging for her to endure. After all, this meant more time with the family and friends so dear to her heart. Despite the ups and downs of her journey, and its progression to Stage 4 in the last few years, Joyce was persistent in her fight up until the end, with a smile on her face even in the toughest of moments.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 14th, from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a Panachyda service will be held on Friday, May 15th, at 10:30 A.M., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 A.M., in SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 404 6th Street, Ambridge, with Father Michael Polosky and her brother, Deacon Mark Prokopovich, officiating. Immediately following the service, Interment will take place in SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, 404 6th St, Ambridge.

Donations in her honor can be made to SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 404 6th St, Ambridge, PA 15003 Saint Joan of Arc Church, 10700 Liberty Rd, Powell, OH 43065 or James Care for Life Garden of Hope at OSU.

Center Township residents caught off guard by new stormwater management bill

(File Photo of the Sign for the Center Township Municipal Center)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Residents in Center Township found a new charge in their mailboxes this week: a stormwater management fee from the township.

The township is charging most residents $78 annually, or $6.50 per month, for stormwater runoff services. The fee increases to $85 if it is not paid by June 15.

Some residents said they were surprised by the new bill and believe the township should have provided advance notice before issuing the charge.

Michael Sisk, Center Township supervisor, said the township previously covered the costs associated with stormwater inspections, drainage maintenance, and pollution control.

CCBC Celebrates Class of 2026 at 57th Annual Commencement Ceremony

(File Photo of the CCBC Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) Community College of Beaver County hosted hundreds of graduates and their families Thursday for its 57th annual commencement ceremony, which also marked the beginning of the college’s 60th anniversary celebration.

The ceremony began at 6 p.m. and featured traditional commencement elements including “Pomp and Circumstance,” the national anthem, remarks from CCBC President Roger W. Davis, and the conferring of degrees for graduates from the college’s four academic schools.

Officials also highlighted student success stories during the ceremony.

Pirates fans rank second in the MLB in new study that measured MLB fans wearing team merchandise at games

(File Photo: Source for Photo: An opening day crowd watches a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A new study by Bovada analyzed fan photos from across Major League Baseball to measure how many spectators wore team merchandise during games.

According to the study, fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates ranked second in MLB for visible team support.

The study found that an average of 45.01% of Pirates fans attending games wore team-branded merchandise.

Penguins sign forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Ilya Solovyov to contract extensions

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins’ Connor Dewar, left, celebrates after his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Penguins forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Ilya Solovyov have signed contract extensions with the team.

Dewar’s two-year extension runs through the 2027-28 season and carries an average annual value of $2.25 million.

Solovyov signed a one-year extension through the 2026-27 season worth an average annual value of $850,000.

Dewar, 26, has spent parts of five NHL seasons with the Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Minnesota Wild.

Last season, he recorded career highs with 14 goals, 16 assists, 30 points, and a plus-16 rating.

Solovyov, 25, appeared in games for both Pittsburgh and the Colorado Avalanche last season, recording one goal and seven assists for eight points.

He was originally selected by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

PennDOT turnback payments could jump under Pennsylvania proposal

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania municipalities could receive additional funding to maintain local roads under a House proposal that would increase payments through the state’s highway restoration program. 

PennDOT’s Highway Transfer Turnback Program allows municipalities to assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities for low-volume or “functionally local” state roads. The program currently provides $4,000 per mile of roadway transferred to local governments. 

The program is intended to shift roads better suited for local use from state control to municipalities, according to PennDOT Deputy Communications Director Zachary Appleby. 

While the voluntary program has promoted local control, the per-mile reimbursement rate has not increased since the program began in 2006. 

House Bill 2266 would raise the reimbursement rate to $6,000 per mile by redirecting an additional $1.25 per $1,000 from the state’s Motor License Fund. The increase would be offset by reduced funding from the bridge improvement account. 

Appleby said roads eligible for the program typically have low daily traffic volumes or provide social or economic benefits to municipalities. 

According to PennDOT, 1,167 municipalities participate in the program and collectively received about $19.3 million in 2026 funding. 

The bill was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee on May 4. 

Bills advance in Pennsylvania that make hunting and fishing more affordable and accessible

(File Photo of a Deer Approaching Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee and the Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee approved several bills May 6 aimed at lowering hunting and fishing license costs and expanding deer hunting opportunities on private land. 

The House committee advanced legislation that would allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to designate private lands where hunters could use bait to attract deer for purposes including wildlife disease management and habitat protection. 

The committee also approved House Bill 2460, which would allow students to learn about hunting and trapping in school-related programs. 

Meanwhile, the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee approved two measures related to reduced license fees. 

Senate Bill 469 would reduce hunting and fishing license fees to $1 for law enforcement personnel, including police officers, correctional officers, game wardens, waterways conservation officers, and county sheriff employees. 

The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1313, which would allow Pennsylvania natives who move out of state to purchase Pennsylvania hunting licenses at resident rates. 

Lowe goes deep again, Keller solid as Pirates take series with 4-2 victory over Diamondbacks

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Brandon Lowe, left, connects for a home run as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann reaches for the ball during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX (AP) — Brandon Lowe had three hits, including his 10th homer, and Joey Bart also went deep to back Mitch Keller, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 Thursday.

Keller (4-1) went six-plus innings, retiring 10 straight between Corbin Carroll’s solo home run in the third and Ildemaro Vargas’ single leading off the seventh. That hit ended Keller’s day after 84 pitches. He gave up four hits and two runs, walked two and struck out four.

Ryan O’Hearn and Spencer Horwitz delivered two-out RBI singles in the fifth inning to put Pittsburgh ahead 3-2. The Pirates won two of three in the series.

Gregory Soto retired the side in order the ninth for his third save.

Arizona starter Zac Gallen (1-3) pitched six innings, allowing six hits and four runs, walking two and striking out five.

For the second straight game, Lowe homered in the first inning. This time, it was a 436-foot drive into the right-field seats. On Wednesday, Lowe’s homer against Michael Soroka was all NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes needed as Pittsburgh won 1-0.

The Diamondbacks also scored in the first against Keller, who was battling control issues early. Geraldo Perdomo walked, moved up on an infield out and scored on Adrian Del Castillo’s two-out single.

Bart hit his second homer, a line drive into the left-field stands, in the sixth.

Pirates center fielder Jake Mangum was a late scratch with left hamstring discomfort, the Pirates said. Billy Cook replaced him and was hitless in four at-bats.

Up next

Pirates: Continue their West Coast trip in San Francisco on Friday night. RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2, 4.76 ERA) faces the Giants’ LHP Robbie Ray (2-4, 2.95).

Diamondbacks: Host the Mets on Friday night. RHP Ryne Nelson (1-3, 6.61) goes against New York RHP Nolan McLean (1-2, 2.97).

I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Restrictions Begin Next Week in Beaver County

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that single-lane restrictions on Interstate 376, also known as the Beaver Valley Expressway, in Center Township and Hopewell Township will begin Monday, May 11, weather permitting. 

Interstate 376 will be reduced to a single lane of traffic in each direction between the Center interchange (Exit 42) and the Hopewell interchange (Exit 48) on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, June 5. 

According to PennDOT, crews from ECS Mid Atlantic, LLC, will conduct concrete core drilling operations. 

Representative Aaron Bernstine Announces Upcoming Town Hall Meetings, Veterans Event

(File Photo of Representative Aaron Bernstine)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Butler, PA) Representative Aaron Bernstine announced three upcoming community events, including two town hall meetings and a veterans gathering. 

Bernstine will host an Ellwood City town hall meeting Monday, May 11, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department. 

A veterans event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Department. The free event is open to veterans and active-duty military personnel, and a light lunch will be served. 

A second town hall meeting will take place Thursday, May 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Penn Township Municipal Building. 

According to Bernstine’s office, topics at both town hall meetings will include legislative priorities, statewide issues, and matters affecting Butler and Lawrence counties. Residents will also have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions. 

No registration is required. For more information, call 724-752-2120.