Author: Beaver County Radio

John James Topper (1943-2026)

John James Topper, 83, of New Castle, formerly of Patterson Township, passed away peacefully on July 22nd, 2026, at Transitions Autumn Grove Care Center in Harrisville.

He was born in Beaver Falls on June 12th, 1943, a son of the late John Russell and Dorothy (Gumpf) Topper.

John was a graduate of Beaver Falls High School and worked in retail sales. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing and spending time with family.

He is survived by his son, Gregory Topper, a grandson, Gaetano (Guy) Topper, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Topper.

In accordance with John’s wishes, all services are private.

Inurnment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road Beaver Falls, was honored to provide care and guidance to John’s family, and was the funeral home that was in charge of his arrangements.

Dorothy “Dutch” Loraine Hall (1935-2026)

Dorothy “Dutch” Loraine Hall, 91, of Center Township, passed away on July 21st, 2026 in her home.

She was born on July 13th, 1935, the daughter of the late Nellie and Thomas David.  Nellie died when Dorothy was very young and she was raised by her father Thomas, and her step mother, Gloria David.

Dorothy was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. Her life revolved around her family. In her spare time, she enjoyed planting flowers and other plants, and participating in the Women’s Club in Aliquippa.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 71 years, Melvin “Dick” Hall, one son, Richard “Brad” Hall and her brother, Richard David.

She is survived by her two children: Susan & Gary Loverich of Spring, Texas and Daniel Hall of Industry, a daughter-in-law, four granddaughters, two great granddaughters, three half sisters and one half brother.

In accordance with her wishes, all services are private.

Private burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Aliquippa.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

The family wishes to thank Gallagher Home Health Services and the other caregivers that were there daily. The care given to both Dorothy and her husband throughout their illnesses was greatly appreciated.

Pirates center fielder Jake Mangum injured after fouling ball off of his right foot; considered day-to-day

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum celebrates as he stands on second after driving in a run with a double off Atlanta Braves pitcher Jr. Ritchie during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Jake Mangum was scratched from the second game of yesterday’s doubleheader against the New York Yankees after he fouled a ball off his right foot in the opener at Yankee Stadium. 

His injury status is considered day-to-day as the Pirates prepare to go back to PNC Park for a three-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs starting tomorrow.

Mangum will go through further tests to determine how severe his injury is and the Pirates will give an update on his status for their next game.

Saint Vincent College hosting 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers training camp

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left, fakes a handoff to running back Kaleb Johnson during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp in Latrobe, Pa., Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Latrobe, PA) The 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers training camp will be held at its long-time location at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe from Wednesday, July 29th through Monday, August 17th.  

Players will report on Tuesday, July 28th and tickets are free for fans. 

However, those who attend must have a mobile ticket. 

You can see the full schedule and get tickets for this event by going to this website:

https://www.ticketmaster.com/pittsburgh-steelers-training-camp-tickets/artist/2901876

Court Strikes Down Coplay Borough Firearm Ordinance, Orders Repeal

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Firearms Owners Against Crime Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Educational Action)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lehigh County, PA) The Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County has ruled in favor of the Firearm Owners Against Crime – Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Educational Action (FOAC-ILLEA) and another plaintiff against Coplay Borough.  

The Court specifically found that an ordinance which prohibited the discharge of guns or other firearms within the borough (with limited exceptions) violates Pennsylvania law as well as the state Constitution.

The Court ruled that Coplay Borough may not enforce the ordinance and issued a directive that the borough would formally repeal it.  

The order was issued by the Honorable Melissa T. Pavlack on July 14th declared Coplay Borough’s Ordinance Section 6-201 unlawful under both the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act (UFA), Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S. § 6120, and the Pennsylvania Constitution. 

Shapiro Administration Announces Interstate Anticipated to Reopen Ahead of Schedule after Successful Interstate 376 Commercial Street Bridge Slide

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Alexandra Wimley/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) After the successful lateral slide of the new $95 million Interstate 376 Commercial Street Bridge in Allegheny County, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll and PennDOT District 11 Executive Jason Zang announced yesterday that I-376 is anticipated to reopen next week, ahead of the original targeted date of August 3rd.

At approximately 10 A.M. on Sunday, the innovative lateral slide operations began.

Crews moved the structure 96 feet in seven hours using Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques.

The remaining six feet of the slide was completed on Monday morning and was one of the largest lateral slide projects ever performed in Pennsylvania.

A skidding system was then used to move the bridge into alignment with the I-376 Parkway East. Each of the 42 skid shoes installed can operate on its own, with integrated hydraulic jacks used to lift the load from its temporary supports and set it down on the permanent bearings.

Before the slide occurred, the explosive demolition occurred at approximately 8 A.M. last Thursday morning.

Crews continued to demolish the remnants of the former bridge and cleared the necessary debris before beginning the slide of the new bridge.

I-376 was closed to traffic on July 10th and the new projected reopening is now ahead of the original date of August 3rd that was anticipated.

The exact opening date will be determined dependent on weather conditions, with Commercial Street and Nine Mile Run Trail expected to reopen soon after.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules that the Pennsylvania Game Commission must have a warrant based on probable cause before entering private property

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A sign on a door at The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made a ruling on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Game Commission must have a warrant based on probable cause before entering private property. 

This ruling was made based on arguments that were presented on April 9th, 2025, by Institute for Justice attorneys for the Punxsutawney and Pitch Pine hunting clubs in Clearfield County. 

According to a statement in a news release about the ruling from Institute for Justice senior attorney Joshua Windham: “Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed that private land is not public property. It’s yours, and that means you get to decide who enters it. If government officials want to invade your posted land without your consent and spy on you, they need to get a warrant. By restoring that foundational protection, the court bolstered the property and privacy rights of millions of Pennsylvanians – and sent a warning to officials across the country who still believe they can invade private land at will: Watch your step.”

Three tornadoes confirmed after recent storms in Pennsylvania, hitting Butler and Lawrence Counties

(File Photo of the National Weather Service Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Three tornadoes came from Tuesday evening’s severe storms in Pennsylvania and they hit communities in Lawrence and Butler counties. 

National Weather Service Pittsburgh confirmed three separate EF-0 tornadoes came from the storms which swept through western Pennsylvania around 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

According to the NWS, one of them touched down near Pulaski Township in Lawrence County, and the other two hit Butler County, south of Moraine State Park’s Lake Arthur.

The severe weather prompted multiple tornado warnings in the northern counties of the Pittsburgh region.   

Aliquippa Police address recent social media posts falsely reporting shots fired in the Plan 12 area

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) The Aliquippa Police Department sent out a Facebook post yesterday saying that they were aware of social media posts recently reporting that shots were fired in the Plan 12 area. 

That department did not receive any calls or reports of shots fired in the Plan 12 area or anywhere else within Aliquippa.

Officers responded to and checked the Plan 12 area after becoming aware of these Facebook posts out of an abundance of caution and they found no evidence of shots fired and no suspicious activity. 

Aliquippa Police are encouraging residents to report emergencies or suspicious activity to 911 directly rather than relying completely on social media.  

Report of smoke comes in at Center Township Primanti Bros.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Center Township Fire Rescue was dispatched before 1 p.m. on Tuesday to Primanti Bros. because of a report of smoke that was coming from the walls.

Fire alarms were received for the Center Township building as the response occurred.

A reportedly partially severed electrical cord for a cooler was discovered during the incident.