Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 13, 2024 11:15 A.M.

(Crescent Township, Pa) The names of the victims in Tuesday’s house explosion in Crescent Township have been released. The incident claimed the lives of Helen H. Mitchell, 87, and her husband David L. Mitchell, 89. Mrs. Mitchell was pronounced dead at 9:16am, her husband at 9:29am, according to the Allegheny County Fire Marshal.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 13, 2024 9:19 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Uncommon Grounds, located at 380 Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa is hosting a free breakfast for military veterans on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 9-11am. All non-veterans are being  asked for a $5 donation for their breakfast.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 13, 2024 9:15 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Dan Engen of Draw Collective was present at Tuesday night’s works session and reported that 60 residents and a dozen on-line, participated in a community meeting recently concerning the possibilities of consolidating district schools to 3 buildings. Some concerns were addressed at that meeting included bussing students, is there enough land, playground space, and traffic. A  PowerPoint Presentation was presented options outlining what the district can do if consolidation is done.

AMBRIDGE, March 12 – Center Township and Rochester Borough were awarded $33,000 in combined grant funding to help hire and train new police officers, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, announced today.

Matzie said the funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency – which includes $28,000 to Center Township and $5,000 to Rochester Borough – will help departments ensure that any gaps in staff or training do not compromise public safety.

“The funding is going to give our local departments more resources for officer recruitment and retention,” Matzie said. “More police on the beat means safer streets and communities, keeps individual officers safer and helps ease workload and burnout. It’s a smart investment that also benefits taxpayers.”

The funding is part of a package of grants awarded statewide to support Act 120 mandatory training and recruitment activities for law enforcement officers.

Eligible law enforcement agencies that do not cover the costs of Act 120 training may request up to $7,000 per new officer to support costs associated with the training, or – if they currently hire officers that are already Act 120-trained or the agency already covers training costs – may apply for up to $5,000 per new officer to support stipends, signing bonuses or marketing efforts.

Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published March 12, 2024 2:04 P.M.

(Greene Township, Pa) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that they responded to the scene of a crash in late February on Old Mill Creek Road in Greene Township. The operator of the vehicle, identified as 26 year old Dalton Alford, was said to have crashed his vehicle into an embankment and fled from the scene. The vehicle was removed and Alford has been charged with a primary violation of Duty to give information and render aid.

FILE – U.S. Postal Service trucks park outside a post office, Jan. 29, 2024, in Wheeling, Ill. The number of robberies of postal carriers grew again in 2023 and the number of injuries nearly doubled, even as the U.S. Postal Service launched crackdown aimed at addressing postal crime. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

The number of robberies of postal carriers grew again last year and the number of injuries nearly doubled, even as the U.S. Postal Service launched crackdown aimed at addressing postal crime. Figures provided to The Associated Press indicate postal carrier robberies reached 643 last year. That’s an increase of nearly 30%. Also, robberies resulting in injuries doubled to 61 among letter carriers last year. Houston postal carrier Tijuana Abbott says postal carriers feel like “sitting ducks.” The Postal Service began a crackdown last year that included hundreds of arrests while replacing tens of thousands of the universal keys sought by criminals, and robberies slowed over the past five months.

Beaver County Radio News Staff. Published March 12, 2024 1:56 P.M.

(Beaver County, Pa) The Connect Beaver County Broadband Program team have released an interactive map that shows locations and businesses that offer free Wi-Fi. From Route 228 to Raccoon Creek, nearly 150 locations throughout the County offer residents and visitors access to free Wi-Fi. The new Beaver County Free Wi-Fi Map at connectbeavercounty.com makes it easy for residents to find a hotspot nearby. When visiting the website, the map is accessible by visiting the affordability programs tab.

Story by Curtis Walsh and Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 12, 2024 12:41 P.M.

(Crescent Township, Pa) Numerous responders were on scene Tuesday morning following the explosion of a house in Crescent Township on Riverview Road. Crews received the call at 8:55am. Crescent Township Fire Chief Andrew Tomer reported “There was a smell of natural gas and propane”. The Chief said a man and woman were found dead upon arrival.  Numerous emergency vehicles were seen leaving Riverview Road shortly after of 11am. In addition to Crescent Township, Moon and Ambridge were among the fire departments assisting. The State Fire Marshal is investigating the incident.

A view of Riverview Drive in the distance going up the hill: 

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 12, 2024 9:58 A.M.

(Crescent Township, Pa) Police fire, EMS, and the state fire marshal are on scene in the 1400 block of Riverview Road of Crescent Township. As of 9:45 am Tuesday, no one was able to comment on what caused the explosion. Allegheny County Police had no details to share on the explosion.