Author: Beaver County Radio

Pennsylvania groups rally in Harrisburg against data centers and deportation

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A pedestrian passes the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Nov. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

(Reported by Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) About 150 Pennsylvanians representing around 15 advocacy groups are organizing a rally at the Capitol in Harrisburg this Wednesday (4/22). They plan to protest the tech industry’s growing influence in data centers for artificial intelligence and urge legislators to safeguard residents and the environment. Mary Collier with Pennsylvania Stands Up says that they’re meeting with lawmakers to push for policies that protect residents, affordability, and natural resources.Collier says a new report out Wednesday details Big Tech’s growing footprint in Pennsylvania and its impact on local communities. She adds the group’s lobby day also highlights state Senator Katie Muth, who plans to introduce a Moratorium on Construction of New Data Centers bill, which will protect local communities from corporate exploitation by establishing a statewide three-year moratorium on hyperscale data center development.

Eugene George Kuhn (1944-2026)

Eugene George Kuhn, 81, of Baden, passed away on April 18th, 2026. He was born on October 21st, 1944, a son of the late Eugene G. Kuhn Sr. and Irene Kuhn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria, and the mother of his children, Patricia. He is survived by his children, Hope Kuhn, Chad Kuhn, and Brandy (Matt) Brooks, his siblings: Irene (Roger) Linden, Mary Jane (Bill) Dyda, Rose Zimmers, Helen Kacitur, and Matt (Judy) Hermes; as well as numerous grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Eugene proudly served his country with two tours in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, a service he held in great pride. Following his military service, he worked at J&L Steel until his retirement. He was a private individual with a strong work ethic who found enjoyment in hunting, fishing, and spending time in nature.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23rd, from 2-4 P.M. and 5 P.M. until the time of a funeral service at 7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. Interment will take place on Wednesday, April 29th, at 2 P.M. at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville.

Mafalda “Muffy” Tomei Cappabianco (1937-2026)

Mafalda “Muffy” Tomei Cappabianco, 89, of Baden, a beloved mother and cherished Nana (“Nana-Nana”) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on April 19th, 2026. She was born on April 9th, 1937, a daughter of the late Giovanni and Maria Tomei and the loving sister of the late Vickie Simoni and Mimi Zuccaro. In addition to those relatives, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Cappabianco. She is survived by her loving children: John (Mary) Cappabianco, Debbie (Doug) Ferguson, and Diane (John) Gagliardi, her grandchildren: Dana (Jordan) Boyle, Ashley Ferguson, Melissa (Alex) Thomson, Tony (Madison) Cappabianco, and Rocco (Christa) Gagliardi, Stephane (Kevin) Carrell, and Andrew Pierce; as well as her great-grandchildren: William, Josephine (“Bella Bella”), Lucas, Isabella, Chloe, Taylor, Ethan, Dylan, and Christian.

Mafalda was a proud graduate of Aliquippa High School with its Class of 1955. She married the love of her life, the late John Cappabianco, and together they built a life centered on family, faith, and community. Throughout the years, she was deeply involved in her community and gave generously of her time and energy. She was a devoted PTA mom, led the St. John’s Pierogi Project, served as president of the Christian Mothers, worked as a voting election official, and was an active member of the Baden Women’s Club and the Baden Legion. Anyone who knew her knew her passion for Pittsburgh sports teams and her love of bingo, which brought her great joy and many lasting friendships.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Concordia Villa St. Joseph Personal Care, Baden, as well as the doctors, nurses, and hospice care team at AHN Wexford, for their compassion and exceptional care.

Friends and family will be received on Tuesday, April 21st, from 2–7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Good Samaritan Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge, on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 10:30 A.M., followed by interment at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.

Sewickley man charged for tailgating after three-vehicle crash in Robinson Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release today that twenty-year-old Wesley Cowan V of Sewickley was charged for tailgating after a three-vehicle crash occurred in Robinson Township on April 1st, 2026. Cowan was driving on I-79 North at 3 p.m. and fifty-four-year-old Damian Lauderdale of Bear Creek, Alabama engaged the brakes of his vehicle due to traffic conditions. Cowan hit the vehicle of Lauderdale when merging into the left lane, which caused the vehicle of fifty-year-old Anthony Sabat of Pittsburgh to hit Cowan’s vehicle. Lauderdale was the only one that was injured as a result of this incident. He had an injury with an unknown severity but refused transportation.

Pennsylvania group urges Congress to save Chesapeake Bay restoration funding

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives attend a session at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, June 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

(Reported by Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) An environmental advocacy group is voicing concerns about a Trump administration budget proposal that cuts funding for multiple Chesapeake Bay restoration programs. The plan would slash the overall E-P-A budget by 52 percent, threatening grants for tree plantings, oyster restoration, and other water quality projects. Keisha Sedlacek with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says the federal cuts would leave cash-strapped Pennsylvania struggling to meet its commitments to reduce pollution to the Susquehanna River. She adds that the foundation is urging Congress to pass a budget that ensures nearly 19 million residents have clean air, clean water, and healthy communities, since the President’s budget does not meet these needs. Congress has 12 appropriations bills for the fiscal year 2027 budget, which must be passed by September 30.

Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Welcome TINCUP Mountain Whiskey Jeep Gladiator

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) announced that the TINCUP Mountain Whiskey Jeep Gladiator will appear in conjunction with special tastings of TINCUP Mountain Whiskey at select Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FW&GS) locations across the state. TINCUP Mountain Whiskey (code 1534; $33.99) is a “high rye” straight bourbon whiskey and Colorado single malt that is aged in charred-oak barrels and is cut with Rocky Mountain water. According to a release from the PLCB, the events will take place at Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations on the following dates:

·        330 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, on Friday, April 24th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

·        Robinson Town Centre, 1106 Park Manor Boulevard, Pittsburgh, on Saturday, April 25th, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

·        The Benner Pike Shops, 323 Benner Pike, State College, on Tuesday, April 28th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

·        1158 Mae St., Hummelstown, on Wednesday, April 29th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

·        Quakertown Plaza, 1465 W. Broad Street, Quakertown, on Friday, May 1st, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

·        Metroplex, 2426 Chemical Rd., Plymouth Meeting, on Saturday, May 2, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

You need to be at least 21 years of age to participate in these tastings.

Peoples Natural Gas Reminds Customers and Contractors: Practice Safe Digging by Calling 811 First

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Peoples Natural Gas)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Peoples Natural Gas and its parent company, Essential Utilities, is reminding businesses, contractors and homeowners in Pennsylvania to contact 811 before beginning any projects that involve excavation, no matter the size. This simple process is designed to prevent unnecessary hazards through the PA One Call System. According to a release from Peoples Natural Gas, they recommend following these steps before beginning any project: 

  • Call 811 at least three (3) business days before digging. 
  • Wait for utility locators to identify and mark the location of underground lines. 
  • Respect the markings and use appropriate excavation techniques throughout your project. 
  • Notify the appropriate utility company immediately if damage occurs to pipelines, line markers, locator wires or warning tape. 

New Castle man arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Lawrence County

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that thirty-four-year-old Joshua Pitts of New Castle was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Lawrence County on February 14th, 2026. PSP New Castle was dispatched to State Route 18 near Wear Drive in North Beaver Township at approximately 7:20 p.m. for a single motor vehicle crash. An investigation revealed that Pitts showed indicators of impairment at the time of the incident. He was subsequently arrested for DUI and charges were filed against him. 

Shapiro Administration Launches Specialized 511PA Website to Help Travelers, Visitors Headed to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT is now encouraging drivers traveling to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh to plan their trip using the enhanced real-time travel information available on a specialized web page at www.511PA.com/map/page/NFL by clicking here. These enhancements support the commitment of Governor Josh Shapiro to provide accessible, real-time digital services to every Pennsylvanian and ensuring that the hundreds of thousands of visitors and fans alike enjoy Draft week. The page is dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on primary travel routes to the event and is hosted through the department’s www.511PA.com traveler information website which can be accessed by clicking here.

American Heart Association, Damar Hamlin working to set CPR training world record during NFL Draft

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) walks onto the field for warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin isn’t sure what to expect when he steps back on the field in Cincinnati on Sunday, the place where the Buffalo Bills safety’s life nearly ended in January. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The American Heart Association and the Chasing M’s Foundation of McKees Rocks native and NFL football player Damar Hamlin are working to set a Guinness World Record during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. According to the American Heart Association, the goal is to train the most people in hands-only CPR in one hour. They hope to accomplish this by training at least 4,000 people from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium on Friday. The American Heart Association also stated that CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival when cardiac arrest strikes. Hamlin has been giving back and saving lives since surviving his life-altering experience of suffering cardiac arrest on an NFL football field at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio when the Buffalo Bills safety was playing against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2nd, 2023.