Author: Beaver County Radio

Steelers working with “great optimism” that QB Aaron Rodgers will return against Buffalo

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers and his broken left wrist could play on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Buffalo Bills.

The 41-year-old Rodgers practiced in a limited capacity last week, but ended up watching Pittsburgh’s 31-28 loss to Chicago from the sideline in sweatpants after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin decided to make Rodgers inactive and start Mason Rudolph instead.

Tomlin called the decision to sit the four-time MVP a “prudent” one but declined to get into specifics. There seems to be a far greater chance of Rodgers returning when Pittsburgh (6-5) tries to snap out of a midseason funk against the Bills (7-4) in a game that could have serious playoff implications for both teams.

“We’re comfortable with the general trajectory (of Rodgers),” Tomlin said.

Tomlin made the final call to sit Rodgers against Chicago on Saturday. He isn’t sure if he will keep the window open a little longer this time around.

Whichever player is at quarterback will have a new face protecting his blindside. Left tackle Broderick Jones will sit out with a neck injury sustained late in the fourth quarter against Chicago when Bears defensive lineman Dominique Robinson jumped and appeared to grab Jones’ head.

Calvin Anderson filled in during the game and would be in line to make his first start with the Steelers, who have dropped four of six to drop into a tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North. Pittsburgh also has veteran Andrus Peat available.

Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, who has been effective as part of a rotation that includes fellow rookie Yahya Black, will also sit out with a knee injury. Tomlin said the injury is not related to the one that Harmon suffered at the end of training camp and caused him to miss Pittsburgh’s first two games.

Black could see an uptick in playing time. The Steelers also have Brodric Martin-Rhodes available.

Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith could also be back after missing two games with a pectoral injury. Highsmith also sat out two games earlier this season with an ankle injury.

Pittsburgh’s defense, whichever players are out there, will have to find a way to keep Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen in check in a game that could carry significant postseason implications. There are currently seven teams in the AFC at 7-4 or 6-5.

Allen has toyed with the Steelers through the years. He is 4-1 against Pittsburgh in his career, with the past three victories all by at least 11 points. He will face a defense that is uncharacteristically ranked near the bottom of the league in yards and points against, symbolic of the club’s wildly uneven season.

Asked why consistency has been an issue, the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach shrugged.

“You know, I think oftentimes your record reflects that,” he said. “You know if we were sitting here at 9-2, we’d probably be having less of the discussion at 6-5. I think 6-5 in general speaks to that.”

Sources: Pittsburgh police officer on leave because of assault charge

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Dormont, PA) Sources recently told WPXI that a Pittsburgh police officer is off of his job after he was charged with assault. Police arrested thirty-four-year-old Officer Adam Germeyer along Eastmont Street in Dormont on Sunday morning. Germeyer, who is now on leave, is accused of pushing his wife to the ground and causing her to cut her chin. According to police, the wife of Germeyer had tried to drive off with their children after a night out. Germeyer stated to officers he knew that his wife had been drinking and he tried to stop her from driving with the kids. 

Pittsburgh Public Schools board votes against plan involving closures

(File Photo of a Top of a School Bus)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The board of Pittsburgh Public Schools voted against a plan which called for wide-ranging changes across its district, which included closing nine buildings. The board voted 6-3 against the Future-Ready Facilities Plan yesterday. This plan would have placed reorganization on the district of Pittsburgh which called for the closing of twelve schools. A motion to table a decision failed in a 5-4 vote, which was how the final decision was made.

Allegheny County police remind people not to pull over or park on road leading into the Pittsburgh International Airport

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh International Airport Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny County Police are currently letting people going to the Pittsburgh International Airport know that they are not allowed to park or pull over along the side of the road which leads into the airport. The Free Wait lot of the airport in Pittsburgh is where passengers that are picking up people for Thanksgiving should go and those going into the airport need to park in either the Terminal Lot or the Terminal Garage. Police would like to issue the importance of keeping roadways clear at the airport and Allegheny County Police will begin the issuing of tickets moving forward for violators.

Representative Aaron Bernstine to Host Senior Citizen Breakfast in Ellwood City

(File Photo of Representative Aaron Bernstine)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ellwood City, PA) Representative Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) is inviting senior citizens who are from the 8th Legislative District to attend his Senior Citizen Breakfast on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Wayne Township Fire Hall in Ellwood City. A complimentary breakfast will be served that morning and seniors will learn about services and programs available to support the senior population of Pennsylvania, with information on resources such as assistance programs in the state, services for transportation and other tools that are designed to help their older population remain independent, informed and healthy. There is no RSVP necessary for this event and you can call the district office of Bernstine for more information at 724-752-2120.

Zugliani Hair Designs hair salon closes after thirty years of business in downtown Beaver

(File Photo of the Clock in Beaver)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Zugliani Hair Designs, a hair salon in downtown Beaver, will be closing after thirty years of business in its community. The owner of that salon, Sherry Holcolmb, recently announced that the business on Third Street will close. However, Holcolmb will continue to provide some hair services at Sense of Eden Salon and Spa in Bridgewater, which is where her longtime clients can still see her.

Fire destroys a garage before spreading to a home in Conway

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Conway, PA) A fire destroyed a garage before it spread to a home in Beaver County early this morning. The fire was reported in Conway on the 1300 block of Foote Street around 2:15 a.m. There were no reported injuries. There was no word initially on the cause of fire, which is unknown at this time. According to Conway Fire Captain Bill Giska, the fire marshal is investigating, but this fire is not being considered as suspicious.

FEDEX Driver Saves Harmony Twp. Homeowner by Calling 911

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio Staff

(Harmony Twp., Beaver County, Pa.) The Harmony Twp. Fire Department shared a post on their Facebook on Tuesday afternoon thanking a FedEx driver for his heroic efforts that saved a township homeowner’s life.  The post stated John Shurko was making a delivery on Pioneer Drive and as he walked onto the porch, he thought he smelled something burning and heard a smoke detector going off. He knocked several times but did not receive a response. At this point he called 911 to report the incident. Within 4 minutes Harmony Township and Economy firefighters arrived on scene. They checked the doors, and both were locked. Forcible entry was used on the rear kitchen door, firefighters noticed that the entire first floor was full of smoke and there was a pan of Pierogies burning on the stove. They found the homeowner unconscious in the living room. Firefighters were able to move him to the outside. Economy paramedics were on scene and treated and transported the patient to the hospital. The post reported that the homeowners condition was unknown but critical. Crews ventilated and secured the home before leaving. Ambridge and Baden Fire Departments also assisted on the scene. 

“This Winter Is Different”: PUC Chairman Shares Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude to Frontline Human Service Workers

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a recent release in Harrisburg from The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, (PUC), they recently released an open letter from Chairman Steve DeFrank, expressing his deep appreciation for the frontline staff of human service agencies, nonprofit organizations, community programs, faith-based groups, and local assistance networks across the Commonwealth. This message was issued ahead of Thanksgiving and Chairman DeFrank acknowledges the extraordinary challenges that families in Pennsylvania are facing this winter, following the weeks of disruptions of federal programs and household costs that are rising. DeFrank also highlights the essential role that advocates, caseworkers and partners in the community play in both connecting at-risk residents to utility assistance programs that are critical and assisting families in staying connected, warm and safe.

Robert E. Blake (1947-2025)

Robert E. Blake, 78, of New Sewickley Township, passed away at his home on November 21st, 2025. He was born in Glen Easton, West Virginia on July 26th, 1947, the son of the late Linduff E. and Imogene Crow Blake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Michael and Louise Gerace. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Kathleen M. (Gerace) Blake, two daughters and a son-in-law, Michele R. Blake of Daughterty Township and Colleen M. and Damion Nickel of Florida, two grandsons, Dawson and Cody Nickel, one sister and brother-in-law, Patricia I. and Lonnie Vodenichar of New Sewickley Township, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joann and Bill Teets of Rochester, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, two great-great-nieces and his K-9 companion, Maddie.

Robert was a retired furnace operator with Horsehead Industry in Potter Township. He was baptized Lutheran through the Oak Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Sewickley Township. He was a 1966 graduate of New Brighton High school and was a member of the Rochester Sportsman Club, the Unionville American Legion Post 512, the Center Township V.F.W Post 1821, the New Brighton Croatian Club and the Beaver Falls Turners Club. He also loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran who served in the Vietnam War.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, November 30th, from 4-8 p.m., at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements and where a service will be held Monday, December 1st, at 10 a.m. Officiating will be Reverend Steve Slepecki, the Pastor of Oak Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA 68, Rochester. The Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 862 will provide full military honors for their fallen comrade following the service. The family wishes memorial contributions go to the Rochester Sportsman Club, Sportsman Lane, Rochester, PA 15074. The family would also like to thank Three Oaks Hospice for the care and comfort they provided.