(Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Aliquippa, PA) Dozens of firefighters were called to battle flames at a home in Aliquippa last night. The fire broke out around 11:45 p.m. on Baker Street and it caused damage to an upper floor of the home. A woman, who has not been identified yet, was evaluated at the scene even though she was not taken to a hospital. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this image released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP, File)
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon pronounced Ryan Routh’s fate in the same Fort Pierce courtroom that erupted into chaos in September when he tried to stab himself shortly after jurors found him guilty on all counts.
Prosecutors had asked for life without parole, saying Routh is unrepentant and has never apologized. A defense attorney brought in for his sentencing asked for 27 years, noting that Routh is already turning 60.
Routh also received a consecutive seven-year sentence for one of his gun convictions.
Routh’s sentencing had initially been scheduled for December, but Cannon agreed to move the date back after Routh decided to use an attorney during the sentencing phase instead of representing himself as he did for most of the trial.
Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Routh has yet to accept any responsibility and should spend the rest of his life in prison, in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines. He was convicted of trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm as a felon and using a gun with a defaced serial number.
“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk, and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” the memo said.
Routh’s new defense attorney, Martin L. Roth, asked for a variance from sentencing guidelines: 20 years in prison on top of a seven-year, mandatory sentence for one of the gun convictions.
“The defendant is two weeks short of being sixty years old,” Roth wrote in a filing. “A just punishment would provide a sentence long enough to impose sufficient but not excessive punishment, and to allow defendant to experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.”
Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as the Republican presidential candidate played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.
At Routh’s trial, a Secret Service agent helping protect Trump on the golf course testified that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and run away without firing a shot.
In the motion requesting an attorney, Routh offered to trade his life in a prisoner swap with people unjustly held in other countries, and said an offer still stood for Trump to “take out his frustrations on my face.”
“Just a quarter of an inch further back and we all would not have to deal with all of this mess forwards, but I always fail at everything (par for the course),” Routh wrote.
In her decision granting Routh an attorney, Cannon chastised the “disrespectful charade” of Routh’s motion, saying it made a mockery of the proceedings. But the judge, nominated by Trump in 2020, said she wanted to err on the side of legal representation.
Cannon signed off last summer on Routh’s request to represent himself at trial. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have the right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.
Routh’s former federal public defenders served as standby counsel and were present during the trial.
Routh had multiple previous felony convictions including possession of stolen goods, and a large online footprint demonstrating his disdain for Trump. In a self-published book, he encouraged Iran to assassinate him, and at one point wrote that as a Trump voter, he must take part of the blame for electing him.
Jennifer Lee Campbell, 38, of Beaver Falls, passed away on February 2nd, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver, surrounded by her family.
She was born in Frederick, Maryland on December 3rd, 1987 and she cherished time spent with family and friends. Jennifer was known for her quick wit, warm sense of humor, and love of shared memories. She was a fan of Pittsburgh sports and her greatest joy came from her beloved Labrador Retrievers, Buddy and Bella.
She is survived by her parents, Barry and Donna Campbell of Beaver Falls, her brother, Scott (Kimberly) Campbell of Monaca, her nephew and niece, Rory and Lily Campbell of Monaca, her aunt, Beverly Cavalier of Beaver Falls and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Lois “Gum Gum” Wahl.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, February 15th, at 1:30 p.m. at the New Brighton Croatian Club, 820 Third Avenue, New Brighton.
Arrangements and cremation services entrusted to SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVCIES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.
Geraldine B. “Gerri” Dorn, 73, of Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on February 1st, 2026, at University Hospitals – Geauga Medical Center in Chardon, Ohio.
She was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania on December 29th, 1952, a daughter of the late Ralph L. and Gladys O. (Locke) Cain. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David A. Dorn, her siblings: Charles W. Cain, Esther E. Cain, Ralph D. “DuWayne” Cain, Howard P. Cain and Ada A. Cain-Hargest. She is survived by her sons, Aaron L. (Melissa) Dorn and Bryon A. Dorn, three grandchildren, her sisters, Elva Jones and Darlene Cain, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Geraldine was a graduate of Geneva College in Beaver Falls having obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a dual major in business management.
Friends will be received on Friday, February 6th from 1 P.M. until the time of services at 4 P.M. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements.
Interment will be private in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, along side her husband.
(File Photo of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) Leaders of the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus responded yesterday to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget proposal in Harrisburg that day with the following comments:
House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton):
“As with past budget proposals from this administration, the product unveiled today spends too much, grows government too much and relies too much on unsustainable sources of revenue. I am also deeply concerned about the illegitimate use of the Rainy Day Fund to create a $100 million slush fund that obscures the lines of federalism. Our number one priority must be providing the foundation for substantial economic growth in the Commonwealth to balance any future state budgets. We also must begin—right now—the hard work of reducing the size and scope of government so we do not continue to take too much from hardworking Pennsylvania taxpayers who are already struggling to make ends meet.”
House Republican Whip Tim O’Neal (R-Washington):
“The affordability crisis is real and people are struggling. This proposal by Gov. Shapiro is irresponsible and will contribute to rising costs across the state. We cannot continue to rely on new taxes and accounting tricks to fill in the gaps. The only way to raise revenue without digging deeper into the pockets of Pennsylvanians is to inject new life into our state’s economy. Get government out of the way by making it easier for people to save money, get to work and earn in Pennsylvania.”
House Republican Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana):
“The governor’s proposal today is just the start of the budget process. This $53.26 billion budget is an increase of $2.72 billion, or 5.4%, over the current fiscal year. I have major concerns not just on the spending side, but also on the revenue proposals and fiscal solvency of the Commonwealth in future years. I look forward to our three weeks of budget hearings to review this budget line-by-line and work toward a comprise budget that meets the needs of all Pennsylvanians.”
(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of KDKA)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Filming is set to begin soon in Pittsburgh for the final season of “Mayor of Kingstown” and a casting call is now going out that is looking for extras. Movie Casting Pittsburgh announced yesterday that filming is scheduled to begin in early March and is expected to continue through June. Earlier this year, Paramount+ announced plans to renew “Mayor of Kingstown” for its fifth and final season. The drama stars Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner and Emmy winner Edie Falco and centers around the McLusky family in the fictional town of Kingstown, Michigan. You can apply for this opportunity by clicking here.
(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)
Noah Haswell, Baver County Radio News
(Homewood Bourogh, PA) A man is now accused of fleeing from police in a Jeep and brandishing a gun at them in a snow-covered borough located in Beaver County. According to court documents, police were called to Third Avenue in Homewood Borough on Sunday for reports of a Jeep that was stuck on a snow drift with the driver nearby acting strange. Officers confirmed that the driver, who was later identified as forty-eight-year-old Benjamin Carl Hertweck, was arguing with a nearby homeowner when they arrived and he got back into the Jeep and took off after seeing emergency lights. Then, police mentioned that after the Jeep drove through a yard to avoid getting stopped, it got stuck in snow again in a nearby alley. Police state that Hertweck eventually ran into his house on the 100 block of Fourth Avenue and officers stated he appeared in the upstairs window brandishing a shotgun and told police they “should’ve shot him when they had the chance.” Police also noted that Hertweck smelled strongly of alcohol and told officers that he was “just having fun.” The situation did not escalate at that point and police expressed they were able to convince Hertweck to come out of his home. Hertweck faces thirteen misdemeanor charges and a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude officers.
(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)
Noah Haswell, Baver County Radio News
(Moon Township, PA) A Moon Township mother is now saying she is lucky to be alive after a massive piece of ice flew off a tractor-trailer and crashed through her windshield on the Parkway West. Madeline Grace was driving on the Parkway West Saturday morning when a large sheet of ice flew off a tractor-trailer on the opposite side of the highway and crashed straight through her windshield. State police are trying to track down the truck that the ice came from and are asking anyone who might have been in the Parkway West area Saturday morning around 10 a.m. to check their dash cams.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of St. Barnabas)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Cranberry Township, PA) St. Barnabas Charities will honor Kat Timpf at the annual St. Barnabas Founder’s Day Celebration to be held on April 23rd, 2026 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township. Tickets are on sale now and the event proceeds support residents and patients who rely upon the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. Timpf will receive the 2026 St. Barnabas Hance Award. Timpf is a prolific writer, comedian, and television personality who is currently the co-host of “Gutfeld!” on Fox News as well as a Fox News analyst. You can call 724-625-3770 or click here to get tickets for this event. According to a release in Gibsonia from St. Barnabas in Gibsonia yesterday, the St. Barnabas Founder’s Day Celebration will bring together corporate sponsors, prominent business people and community leaders to honor Timpf, with the event beginnng at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, auction and raffles, followed by a dinner celebration. A VIP photo pass will also be available to guests. Timpf will deliver an inspirational and motivational speech following the Hance Award presentation.
(File Photo of Congressman Chris Deluzio)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Washington, D.C.) According to a release in Washington, D.C. from Congressman Chris Deluzio’s office, Deluzio (D-PA-17) marked the three-year anniversary of the Norfolk Southern train derailment yesterday by joining with Members of Congress from both parties, union leaders, and local leaders to call for Congress to pass rail safety legislation. Deluzio called for the Railway Safety Act of 2025, which is his bill, to pass through committee or to be included in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization.