(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This Oct. 17, 2023 file photo shows the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County jail could significantly increase its mental health staffing and provide more training about use of force and restraint after five inmates alleged that the Pennsylvania facility treats those with mental illness unfairly, under proposed settlement filed Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Three men are now facing charges of criminal conspiracy, contraband and criminal use of a communication facility because a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Allegheny County Jail was busted after police said they found a Dorito bag containing drugs in the bathroom of a magistrate’s office. According to Allegheny County police, detectives last month learned about plans between 31-year-old Tyreace Platt and 39-year-old Chaz Coles to smuggle synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2, into the jail, where they were incarcerated. Detectives confirmed that they reviewed jail records on Monday that indicated Platt and Coles were working with someone outside of the jail. Police stated that the duo planned to get this man to put drugs in a bathroom at a local magistrate’s office on Tuesday, which was when Coles was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing. Around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, police note that detectives went to the magistrate’s office and saw 33-year-old Tyrique Craighead arrive and go into the bathroom. After he left, police said detectives went in and searched the bathroom. Detectives expressed that they found an open bag of Doritos that appeared to contain “multiple items of suspected contraband.” and police also discovered that there were multiple pieces of rolled paper in the bathroom, which tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids.  Police noted that Craighead was taken into custody. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This photo provided by NEPA Fire Photography, shows firefighters battling a blaze at the Lehigh Valley Hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Dickson City, Pa. (NEPA Fire Photography via AP)

DICKSON CITY, Pa. (AP) — Emergency crews battled a blaze and evacuated patients from a hospital Wednesday night in Pennsylvania as fire engulfed part of the facility, according to officials.

All patients, staff and visitors were safely evacuated from Lehigh Valley Hospital in Dickson City, according to a hospital spokesperson. Emergency responders continued to work at the scene early Thursday.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said on the social platform X that the state’s police, emergency management agency and health department had responded to the fire.

“Thank you to every first responder running toward danger to help their fellow Pennsylvanians,” he said. “Lori and I are praying for the staff, patients, their families, and the entire community tonight.”

In video and photos posted online, flames can be seen shooting out from the top of what appears to be the hospital’s Orthopedic Institute.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire in Dickson City, which is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) north of Scranton.

“Deep gratitude goes to the first responders and hospital teams whose swift, professional actions ensured the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., whose district includes the city, posted on X.

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that a citizen of Nicaragua illegally residing in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Pittsburgh has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of assaulting a federal officer. Thirty-three-year-old Darwin Alexander Davila-Perez was the sole defendant of the one-count indictment. Davila-Perez was charged initially in a December 23rd, 2025, Criminal Complaint and according to the Indictment and Criminal Complaint, on December 17th, 2025, he assaulted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer while being apprehended for being illegally present in the United States. According to Revetti, Davila-Perez could face a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in jail, an up to $250,000 fine, or both, provided by the law.

(File Photo of State Representative Aaron Bernstine)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County radio News

(Valencia, PA) Representative Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) will be hosting a Protect Our Kids Seminar at the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company in Valencia on Monday, February 9th, from 5:30-7 p.m. This seminar will focus on internet safety and the ways that parents and caregivers can help protect children from online predators. According to Bernstine, as children spend more time online, it is important for families to understand the risks and learn how to spot potential dangers. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release yesterday that they are investigating a report of trespassing that happened in Beaver County on January 13th, 2026. It occurred at 1:51 p.m. along Hill Road in Greene Township and the victim was an unidentified fifty-one-year-old man from New Castle. 

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Senate Republican Communications Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Lawmakers and advocates highlighted the Senate’s approval of Senate Bill 1014 in Pennsylvania yesterday afternoon, which establishes a statewide, bell-to-bell ban on student cellphone use for the full school day. According to a release in Harrisburg from the Senate Republican Communications Office, this legislation will make a consistent statewide standard that prohibits cellphone use during instructional hours. The measure is designed to reduce distractions in the classroom, improve academic performance, and address the growing concerns about both youth mental health and social development.   

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published February 4, 2026 10:38 P.M.

(New Brighton, Pa) Emergency crews responded to what appeared to be a person struck by a vehicle on 3rd Avenue around 9:30pm Tuesday.

Beaver County Radio witnessed a person laying in the road being attended to by emergency personnel.

A vehicle was also seen stopped in the southbound lane of the road.

The scene was cleared shortly before 10pm. We have no additional details to share at this time.

 

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning at the Beaver County Courthouse in Beaver. One of them was during the audience participation segment of the session. Jeff Pflug, the executive director of the Beaver County Conservation District, notified the Commissioners during that time that even though there were concerns from citizens last year about the streambank located in Brush Creek Park, a grant was awarded through the Department of Environmental Protection to help out that community. Specfically, the Beaver County Conversation District received three grants last month for three different streambank stabilization projects, one of which was a total of $42,238 along Brush Creek. Pflug stated that he will be working with people including the Commissioners to set up meetings for this endeavour. In other business, Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Director Tony Caltury mentioned during the Department Head Report of the session about several items for America250PA, the event to celebrate the 250th year since the founding of the United States of America in Pennsylvania. Caltury suggested with moving forward to planning a kickoff event “later in February” for America250PA. Caltury also stated that Brush Creek is one of five courses in the region that was part of Pittsburgh being given the 2026 Professional Disc Golf Association World Juniors Tournament last week. This three-day event will be held in July of 2026 with about 600 people participating in disc golf. Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles also mentioned during the Solicitors’ report of the session that he spoke with Beaver County Emergency Services Director Eric Brewer recently and Brewer indicated that “at this point, there’s not been any funding released from the state for the purposes of assisting with the snow removal that occurred over the last week.” This was brought up because some communities reached out about whether state of emergencies should be declared in regards to the snow in which funding can be opened up and would become available for them.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership/Klavon Design Associates)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Smithfield Street, one of the most popular corridors in Downtown Pittsburgh, will be undergoing a significant transformation that is aimed at improving accessibility, safety and the overall vibrancy of the city. According to the City of Pittsburgh and the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, the goal is to reimagine Smithfield Street as a place where people want to spend time, not just pass through. New renderings show a brighter, more open streetscape designed to support drivers, local businesses and pedestrians. The first changes that are visible will take place between Forbes Avenue and Sixth Avenue. The first phase of construction for this project is expected to begin this summer and it could take nearly two years to complete. The next phase of the Smithfield Street reconstruction project includes a full rebuild of the roadway, sidewalks that are extended, landscaping that is new, signage that is improved, as well as other upgrades intended to make the area more inviting.

(Photo of Jason Lando Courtesy of Justin Guido/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Two new members of the administration of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor became official today. Pittsburgh City Council took a vote that was unanimous to confirm Jason Lando as the police chief and Sheldon Williams as the public safety director of the Steel City. Lando is a Pittsburgh native who spent over twenty-one years as a commander with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Williams began his career with the city of Pittsburgh as a paramedic before spending over thirteen years with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.