Author: Beaver County Radio

2 Pennsylvania men plead not guilty in alleged Islamic State-inspired bomb attempt outside New York mayor’s home

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Police detain Emir Balat after he attempted to detonate an improvised explosive device during a counterprotest against far right influencer Jake Lang staging an anti-Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion on March 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Julius Constantine Motal, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Two men pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges they brought homemade bombs to an anti-Islam protest outside the New York City’s mayor’s home in a failed attempt at a terror attack inspired by the Islamic State group.

Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, entered the pleas during a brief appearance in federal court in Manhattan.

The two, who are both from the Philadelphia area, face charges that include attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction.

Prosecutors say Balat and Kayumi drove from their home state to Manhattan in order to attack a March 7 anti-Islam demonstration in front of Gracie Mansion. The protest was hosted by Jake Lang, a far-right activist and critic of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim to hold the office.

Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate. No one was injured and the two were quickly detained. The mayor and his wife were not home at the time.

Balat and Kayumi later told police they were inspired by the Islamic State group, according to a federal complaint. The two were also recorded on their vehicle’s dashcam describing their plan to kill as many as 60 people in a bid to “start terror,” according to prosecutors.

Balat’s lawyer declined to comment after the hearing. Kayumi’s attorneys didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Their next court date is June 16.

Konnor Griffin’s $140M, 9-year contract with Pirates includes $14M signing bonus paid over 2 years

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin is hit by a pitch from Baltimore Orioles pitcher Shane Baz during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

(PITTSBURGH, PA-AP) Konnor Griffin’s $140 million, nine-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates includes a $12 million signing bonus payable over the next two years.

Pittsburgh’s deal with the 19-year-old shortstop, announced April 8, can increase to $150 million based on his finish in MVP voting, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.

Griffin gets $5 million of his signing bonus within 30 days of the contract’s approval by Major League Baseball and $3.5 million each next April 1 and on April 1, 2028.

He gets salaries of $1 million this year, $2 million in 2027, $4 million in 2028, $6 million in 2029, $12.5 million in 2030, $21 million in 2031, $26.5 million in 2032 and $27.5 million each in 2033 and 2034.

His 2032 and 2033 salaries can escalate by up to $2.5 million based on MVP voting from 2026-31: $1.5 million for winning, $750,000 for second or third and $500,000 for fourth through 10th. His 2034 salary can escalate by up to $5 million based on the same levels in MVP voting from 2026-33.

Griffin receives a limited no-trade provision allowing him to block being dealt to six teams without his consent. He gets a hotel suite on road trips.

His deal supersedes a one-year agreement calling for the $780,000 minimum salary while in the major leagues and a $127,100 salary in the event he was sent back to the minors.

Griffin, who turns 20 next week, debuted on April 3 and is hitting .189 with five RBIs in his first 12 major league games.

He is among four top prospects to get a big-money deal since late March, joined by a $150 million, eight-year contract for 21-year Detroit infielder Kevin McGonigle, a $95 million, eight-year agreement for 20-year-old Seattle shortstop Colt Emerson and a $50.75 million, eight-year pact for 21-year-old Milwaukee shortstop Cooper Pratt.

Shapiro Administration to Celebrate Opening of Keystone Animal Diagnostic Center at Penn State Beaver: $6 Million Investment in Supporting Western Pennsylvania Farmers

(File Photo of the Penn State Beaver Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Dr. Troy Ott will celebrate a milestone for Pennsylvania farmers, cutting the ribbon to open the Keystone Animal Diagnostic Center at Penn State University’s Beaver Campus today at 11 a.m. at the Michael Baker Building. The lab will expand the capacity of Pennsylvania to respond to animal disease outbreaks, speeding diagnoses for farmers in the western part of the state, lowering their business costs, and helping protect their animals and investments funded by a $6 million investment from Governor Josh Shapiro’s bipartisan 2024-2025 budget. The people who will be present at the event will be Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg, Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Dr. Troy Ott, Penn State University Regional Chancellor Carey McDougall, Pennsylvania State Senator Elder Vogel, and Pennsylvania State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski.

Blaine Eugene Young, Sr. (1939-2026)

Blaine Eugene Young, Sr., 86, of Ellwood City, passed away on April 14th, 2026, at Avalon Care Center in New Castle. He was born in Ellwood City on August 29th, 1939, the son of the late Eugene and Grace Young. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two of his siblings, Gayle Young and Marilyn Elliott. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Young, his children, Blaine (Jewel) Young, Pamela (Mike) Fellion and Ray (Lynda) Young, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and his three other siblings, Darlene Bruner, Sandy Wiechman and Elda Keil.

Blaine dedicated his entire career to Columbia Gas, serving in a variety of roles over the years. He was a passionate fan of the Pirates and Steelers who found great joy in following his favorite teams. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his family. A visitation will be held on Monday, April 20th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until the time of a service at 7:30 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements. A private burial will be held at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

Michael John Mulkerrin (1945-2026)

Michael John Mulkerrin, 80, of Beaver, formerly of Wilkinsburg, passed away on April 10th, 2026, at Passavant Hospital in McCandless.

He was born in Mweenish of Carna in County Galway, Ireland, on June 18th, 1945, a son of the late Coilin and Mary Mulkerrin. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Colm Mulkerrin and his sister, Una Mulkerrin. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Connelly Mulkerrin, his son, John Mulkerrrin, his daughters, Maureen (Scott) Helfrich, Margaret (Chad) Hasychak, Michelle Mulkerrin, his brothers: Joseph (Mary Pat) Mulkerrin, Peter (Catherine) Mulkerrin, Maitiu (Mary) Mulkerrin, Padraig Mulkerrin; as well as his sisters: Mary Ellen (Lily) Lindsey, Brid Mulkerrin, Sally (Ciaran) Folan, Nan (Josie) Cavanan; along with his grandchildren: Dara Helfrich, Eamon Helfrich, Clare Helfrich, Nora Hasychak, Annabelle Hasychak; as well as his sister-in-law, Catherine Mulkerrin, his uncle, Sean Mulkerrin, as well as many nieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews in the United States and Ireland.

Michael was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and Saints Peter and Paul Church in Beaver. He was a founding member of the Pittsburgh Irish Rowing Club, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh, which was where he was a former President.

Friends will be received on Friday, April 17th from 3-7 P.M. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday, April 18th, at 10:30 A.M. at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 200 3rd Street, Beaver.

Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

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

State Representative Rob Matzie: Nearly $750,000 secured for Beaver County youth programs

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie Speaking)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) State Representative Rob Matzie announced today that two grants totaling nearly $750,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) will support new and improved programs aimed at steering Beaver County youth away from high-risk behaviors and onto a path for academic success. Matzie expressed that a $446,627 grant to Keystone Wellness Programs will fund expanding the Drug Free Aliquippa Youth Coalition to strengthen Aliquippa Impact’s afterschool and summer programs and launching a cross-age mentoring initiative to connect high school coalition leaders with elementary school students. Matzie also confirmed that a second grant of $296,300 to the Aliquippa School District will allow it to launch “The Healthy Minds Club,” which is a comprehensive afterschool program focused on helping grade school students overcome learning barriers. The funding to the Keystone Wellness Programs was awarded under PCCD’s Violence Intervention Program, and the funding to the Aliquippa School District was awarded under PCCD’s Building Opportunities Through Out-of-School Time program.

Two CCBC Students Named to All-Pennsylvania Academic Team

(File Photo of the CCBC Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) recently recognized two Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) students as members of the prestigious All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, which honors their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service. The All-Pennsylvania Academic Team recognizes outstanding community college students across the state who excel in both transfer and workforce pathways. CCBC students Sarah Windsheimer of Hookstown and Christiana Schaefer of Industry were selected for this honor based on their academic achievement and campus involvement. Transfer students must complete at least 36 credits and maintain a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA, while workforce students must complete a minimum of 12 college-level credits with a 3.5 or higher GPA.

McKees Rocks man accused of stealing from estate owned by mother with dementia

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(McKees Rocks, PA) A man is now accused of forging documents to benefit from an estate owned by his mother with dementia. According to Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s Office yesterday, charges were filed against sixty-year-old William Suhoski of McKees Rocks on Tuesday. Police confirmed that he was one of three intended heirs of deeds that included property in Crawford County and property on Saint Leo Street in Pittsburgh that were signed in 2015. A spouse of one of the three intended heirs noticed that her husband never got any money from those deeds or sales of property. Investigators learned of a renunciation form that was reportedly signed in April of 2021 and police noted that Suhoski was given the right to administer the deeds that were originally signed by his now deceased father and his mother, who is currently suffering from dementia. He was charged with theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and forgery. He was released on nonmonetary bond and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.  Police and the spouse were suspicious because the renunciation showed that it was signed by Suhoski’s mother after she had dementia and they were concerned that she may not have known what the form meant. An investigator for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office contacted the woman, who notarized the form. When police spoke with that woman on March 13th, she told them that she worked for Universal Steel Buildings in McKees Rocks. She said that Suhoski was the controller for Universal Steel Buildings during April of 2021, which was the time when the renunciation form was allegedly notarized. This woman also told the police that she did not notarize any of the forms he used to take control of the estate and said her notary journal showed the same. Police expressed that the woman said he must have taken her notary stamp without her knowledge and forged her signature, two of the estate properties were later sold for $76,000 and the money appears to have gone to Suhoski. Investigators confirmed that he filed fraudulent paperwork with the Allegheny Department of Court Records to make this happen. Suhoski was charged with theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property and forgery. He was released on nonmonetary bond and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Carmen Mlodzinski tosses 6 dominant innings as the Pirates top the Nationals 2-0

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Carmen Mlodzinski allowed two hits over a career-high six innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Wednesday night.

Mlodzinski (1-0) took over for opener Mason Montgomery in the second and struck out five against two walks to lower his ERA to 1.77. Dennis Santana worked the ninth for his second save.

Ryan O’Hearn had three hits for the Pirates, who have won 10 of 14. Marcell Ozuna and Nick Gonzales had first-inning RBI singles against Jake Irvin (1-2), and it proved to be enough as four pitchers combined for Pittsburgh’s second shutout in less than a week.

Mlodzinski began this season as a full-fledged starter for the first time in his four-year career after bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen last season.

While he was excellent through his first three turns in 2026, manager Don Kelly opted to give the ball to the left-handed Montgomery in the first inning on Wednesday in hopes of dealing with the left-hand-heavy top of Washington’s lineup while also allowing Mlodzinski to work deeper into the game.

Montgomery allowed a one-out double to Curtis Mead. Mead advanced to third on a groundout but stopped there after Montgomery fanned Brady House to end the inning.

It would be as close as the Nationals, whose 99 runs through 17 games coming in were tied for the best offensive start in franchise history, would get to scoring all night.

Mlodzinski entered in the top of the second and hit CJ Abrams before settling down. His only real spot of trouble came in the fifth, when a single and a walk put two on with one out. He retired James Wood on a long flyout to left and then forced Mead into a grounder to third to end the threat.

Up next

The four-game series wraps up on Thursday. Foster Griffin (2-0, 1.76 ERA) starts for the Nationals against Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft (1-1, 2.12).

Police: Argument leads to shots fired outside Neville Island roller rink; man taken into custody

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of KDKA Photojournalist Bryce Lutz, Caption for Photo: A man was taken into custody after an argument led to shots fired outside of the Neville Roller Drome on Wednesday evening.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) A man was taken into custody last night after police said shots were fired outside of the Neville Roller Drome. According to Ohio Township Police, the incident started following an argument outside of the roller rink on Neville Island just before 9 p.m. and believed it began with a gathering of adults with no ties to the immediate area. Police noted that the suspect has been taken to the Ohio Township police station and four people were checked out by medical personnel at the scene. Police also stated that none of the four victims were shot and there is no threat to the community. It is unclear at this time what charges the suspect may be facing.