Author: Beaver County Radio

Grace Ann (Faulk) Bussard (1947-2026)

Grace Ann (Faulk) Bussard, 79, of Ohioville Borough, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 21st, 2026.

She was born in Darlington on January 15th, 1947. She was a longtime resident of Ohioville Borough before moving in recent years to Pepperberry Suites in Chester, West Virginia. She was a daughter of the late Mervin Faulk and Geraldine (Hairhogger) Reed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Darlene and Nancy, her beloved husband, Paul Bussard and her son, Mark Bussard. She is survived by her loving children: Brian (Deb) Bussard of Ohioville, Pam Lewis-Betke of Newell, West Virginia, Jeremy (Katie) Bussard of York, Pennsylvania, and Jennifer (Dave) Mester of New Cumberland, West Virginia. She will be dearly remembered by her grandchildren: Bradley Lewis; Tyler (Caitlynn Yerger) Betke of Ohioville, Ashley (Caleb) Kress of Hookstown, Allison Blake of New Cumberland, West Virginia, Gabriella and Alexandra Bussard of York, Pennsylvania, Jennifer Badgett of Sanford, North Carolina and Melissa (Ryan) Presutti of Ohioville; along with four great-granddaughters and her loving friend who became her sister, Mitzi Delaney of Midland.

Grace will be remembered for her love of family, her strength, and the care and love she gave to those around her. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion and cherished memories that will live on through her family.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 24th from 4-7 p.m. and a service will be held on Wednesday, March 25th at 11 a.m. at the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland, who was in charge of her arrangements. Her son, Pastor Brian Bussard, will be conducting the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer & Association or the Susan G. Coleman Breast Cancer Foundation.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Grace Ann Bussard, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Broadway musicals headed to Pittsburgh

Scott Tady

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced its 2026-2027 season highlighting more than 50 live events, including 11 Broadway musicals, for all ages.

Headed to the Benedum Center, 237 Seventh St., Pittsburgh:

PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh | Subscription Series 

The 2026-2027 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh season brings 11 show to Pittsburgh, including six winners of the Tony Award for Best Musical and four that are new to Pittsburgh.

The schedule:

  • Disney’s “The Lion King,” Sept. 9-27.
  • “Hadestown,” Oct. 27-Nov. 1 (Season Option)
  • “The Notebook,” Nov. 10-15 (Premiere)
  • Dr. Seuss’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!: The Musical,” Nov. 24-29, (Season Option)
  • “Maybe Happy Ending,” Dec. 29-Jan. 3 (Premiere)
  • Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music,” Jan. 19-24.
  • “Beetlejuice: The Musical,” Feb. 5-7 (Season Option)
  • “Death Becomes Her,” | Feb. 23-28, (Premiere)
  • Cameron Mackintosh presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of The Opera,” March 17-28, 2027
  • “The Outsiders: A New Musical,” April 27-May 2, 2027 (Premiere)
  • “The Who’s Tommy,” | May 18-23, 2027.

Subscriptions and group tickets are on sale now at TrustArts.org, along with a full list of subscriber benefits.

Dentons Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents

Annually delivering a diverse array of entertainment the Dentons Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents delivers again with marquee attractions, family favorites, global sensations, uproarious comedy, and beyond.

  • “Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story,” Sept. 16, Byham Theater.
  • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Oct. 17,  Byham Theater.
  • Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration, Nov. 28, Byham Theater
  • YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan, Feb. 3, Byham Theater
  • Rhiannon Giddens, Feb. 20, Byham Theater
  • “Sh*t-faced Shakespeare: Macbeth,” Feb. 24-March 7, Greer Cabaret Theater.
  • “Couples Therapy,” | March 12-13, Greer Cabaret Theater
  • Kaiju Big Battel, April 3, 2027, Byham Theater
  • Cirque Mechanics: “TILT! A Circus Thrill Ride,” | April 16, 2027, Byham Theater
  • Niladri Kumaar: The Space Between the Notes, April 22, 2027, Byham Theater
  • The Doo Wop Project: Echoes of the Street, May 7, 2027, Byham Theater
  • “Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Musical,” May 15, 2027, Byham Theater.

Gene Kershbaumer (1954-2026)

Gene Kershbaumer, 71, of Daugherty Township, passed away peacefully on March 22nd, 2026, at Mercy Health Hospice of the Valley in Youngstown, Ohio. He was born on July 21st, 1954, a son of the late Eugene and Thelma (Morgan) Kershbaumer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Terry and his mother-in-law, Betty Cochran. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his daughter, Erin Kershbaumer, his sister, Barbara and her husband, John Fowler, his brothers-in-law Mel Cochran, Jr. M.D. and Kenneth (Tina) Cochran, as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

Gene was a 1972 graduate of North Western High School in Darlington. He retired from working at Consolidated Supply Chain Services as a Director of Strategic Sourcing. There will be no public visitation for Gene. Professional Services and arrangements were entrusted to CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

Penn State women’s basketball hires alumna and former women’s college basketball star Tanisha Wright as its new head coach

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Penn State Athletics, New Penn State women’s basketball coach Tanisha Wright speaks to the media during her introductory press conference at Beaver Stadium on Monday, March 23, 2026 in University Park, Pa.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(State College, PA) Penn State introduced Tanisha Wright its new women’s college basketball head coach yesterday after they hired her last week. Wright most previously had a five-year stint coaching in the WNBA, which included three seasons as a head coach. She is an alumna of Penn State and she led the Lady Lions to back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances from 2001 to 2005 as one of the most decorated players in that program’s history. Wright replaces Carolyn Keiger, who had an 84-123 record over seven seasons with the Lady Lions.

Pitt women’s college basketball hires Robin Harmony as their new head coach

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Pitt Women’s Basketball, Posted on Facebook on March 23rd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pitt Panthers hired a new head coach for their women’s college basketball program. According to Talia Goodman of On3 in a post on social media yesterday, sources told On3 that Pitt hired College of Charleston head coach Robin Harmony. Harmony led the College of Charleston Cougars to their first ever appearance in the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament and a 27-6 record this season. Harmony replaces Tory Verdi, who went 29-66 in three seasons with the Panthers. Harmony is a native of Hershey and has 369 career wins across nineteen seasons as a women’s college basketball head coach.

Irwin man charged for allegedly pointing a fake black handgun at a victim in Cranberry Township while driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that a man from Irwin was charged because he allegedly pointed a fake black handgun at a victim while driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This incident occurred yesterday at 2:08 p.m. in Cranberry Township and Brian Scott Podorson is accused of this action. He denied it, but after he was stopped by police, a fake black handgun was found inside his vehicle. Podorson is charged with one count of harassment, which is a summary charge, and one count of simple assault. 

Kennywood and the Phantom’s Revenge roller coaster nominated for best theme park and roller coaster in the country in recent USA Today 10Best polls

(File Photo of the Kennywood Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(West Mifflin, PA) Kennywood Park has been nominated for the best theme park in the country and one of its roller coasters, the Phantom’s Revenge, has been nominated for the best roller coaster inv the country in recent USA Today 10Best polls. A panel of experts nominated twenty parks and twenty roller coasters across the United States and now readers have the chance to vote on their favorite until April 20th. You can vote for Kennywood by clicking here and you can vote for the Phantom’s Revenge by clicking here.

Route 68 Lane Restrictions Today in Beaver County

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that lane restrictions on Route 68 (Adams Street, Virginia Avenue) in Rochester Borough and Rochester Township, will occur today, weather permitting. From 9 A.M. to 3 P.M., single-lane restrictions will occur on Route 68 between the Virginia Avenue and Jefferson Street intersection and Adams Street and New York Avenue intersection to allow crews to inspect gas main depths there. Flaggers will also help with traffic control and Lindy Paving, Inc. is the prime contractor on this project, which is worth $5.49 million.

Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen will open 18th MLB season on Rangers’ roster after 3 weeks with team

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen sits in the dugout before a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sept. 6, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed, File)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Andrew McCutchen will be on the opening day roster for the Texas Rangers, who expect the 39-year-old former MVP outfielder to split some time at designated hitter, maybe play a few games in the field and be a mentor to their young, talented outfielders.

Chris Young, the team’s president of baseball operations, said Monday that McCutchen, who joined the team on a minor league contract less than three weeks ago, will be part of the 26-man squad when the Rangers begin the season Thursday at Philadelphia. The 2013 National League MVP and five-time All-Star more than a decade ago with Pittsburgh won a roster spot over Mark Canha, another veteran outfielder also in camp on a minor league deal.

“I was wrote off in a lot of places, honestly told to retire. But I knew deep down there was something in me that told me that there was still more in the tank and that I could continue to keep playing,” McCutchen said. “For them giving me the opportunity … I’m going to make sure that it’s worth it from both of our ends.”

The right-handed-hitting McCutchen, who will make $1.5 million playing in the majors this season, batted .444 (8 for 18) in seven spring training games, with three doubles, a home run and seven RBIs.

“There were a number of factors that went into it, but ultimately we felt like Cutch earned it just with his performance,” Young said.

McCutchen is a .271 career hitter with 332 homers and 1,152 RBIs in 2,262 games over 17 big league seasons, all but five of those with the Pirates. He spent the past three seasons back in Pittsburgh, batting .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs last year when 120 of his 135 games were as the DH.

“This is the beginning of for me to continue to keep doing what I’ve been doing since I got here. And understanding that just because I’m here doesn’t mean that I’m here to stay,” McCutchen said. “I have to remind myself of that every single day that I’m out here and that I am on the field. Even the days that I’m not starting, always knowing that there’s a way to improve, and for my peers and teammates, there’s something that I can do to be able to help them.”

The Rangers have rising standouts Wyatt Langford in left field and Evan Carter in center, with veteran newcomer Brandon Nimmo in right after they acquired him from the Mets in a trade that sent second baseman Marcus Semien to New York.

Carter was limited to 63 games last season because of injuries. Left-handed-hitting DH Joc Pederson missed about two months because of a broken hand after getting hit by a pitch.

Pittsburgh drafted McCutchen in the first round in 2005 and promoted him in 2009 for his major league debut. McCutchen played his first nine years with the Pirates, making five straight All-Star teams from 2011-15. He played for San Francisco, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia and Milwaukee from 2018-22 before reuniting with the Pirates.

“He came in and performed well right away. He fit right in in the clubhouse, can still play the outfield at times,” new Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said. “I don’t think you’ll see him all the time out there, but if we need him, he’ll play out there. But just a really valuable piece to either come off the bench in a high-leverage spot or also potentially start against left-handed pitching.”

McKees Rocks native and NFL safety Damar Hamlin launches scholarship initiative at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Buffalo Bills safety and McKees Rocks native Damar Hamlin went back to the high school that he attended yesterday to launch a new scholarship initiative. Hamlin went to Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and his Chasing M’s Foundation announced that ten $1,000 Heroes Scholarships will be given each year to qualified Central Catholic students and five more scholarships will go to area high schoolers looking to attend a trade or vocational school. The Heroes Scholarship program already exists in Buffalo, which is where Hamlin plays, and Cincinnati, which is where he went into cardiac arrest after collapsing on the field during a “Monday Night Football” game on January 2nd, 2023 while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin is proud of what Central Catholic High School has given him and what he is giving to it, and he expressed that giving back to his alma mater is something he’s always wanted to do.