(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Navy Office of Community Outreach)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Millington, TN) When NASA’s Artemis II crew returned to Earth following its planned mission around the moon, U.S. Navy sailors were ready to assist with recovery operations in the Pacific.
Wyatt Conley, a Petty Officer 3rd Class from Weirton, was among those who supported the retrieval of the Orion spacecraft and its crew.
Conley, a 2020 graduate of Weir High School, is assigned to the USS John P. Murtha, the ship which is tasked with the recovery mission.
Serving as an interior communications electrician, Conley said his role is to ensure reliable communication between critical stations during the operation.
“My role in the Artemis II recovery is to make sure everyone has the ability to communicate with vital watch stations for a safe recovery,” Conley said.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Freedom, PA) Firefighters responded to a house fire on Fifth Avenue in Freedom around 11 p.m. Monday.
Freedom Volunteer Fire Department said flames were coming from two windows when crews arrived, indicating the fire was fully involved in at least one room.
The fire spread to the attic and first floor before crews brought it under control after more than an hour.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania rose 49 cents over the past week to an average of $4.65 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s latest report.
After declining for nearly two weeks, prices are climbing again, with the national average increasing by 34 cents over the same period.
The national average is now $1.29 higher than this time last year, as oil prices top $100 per barrel amid uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
In Beaver County, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is about $4.69.
According to AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various Pennsylvania areas:
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Allegheny County Election Division Deputy Manager Chet Harhut explains the process of sorting mail-in and absentee ballots in preparations for Pennsylvania’s primary election on April 23, at the Elections warehouse in Pittsburgh, April 18, 2024. Pennsylvania election officials said Wednesday, May 8, 2024 that the number of mail-in ballots rejected for technicalities, like a missing date, saw a significant drop in last month’s primary election after state officials tried anew to help voters avoid mistakes that might get their ballot thrown out. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver County, PA) As the 2026 Pennsylvania primary election approaches, voters in the Beaver Valley will soon decide a number of contested local races on May 19. According to the Beaver County Times, here are the positions available in the primary election and the candidates who are trying to earn your vote:
US Representative, 16th District
Democrat (vote for one)
Justin Wagner of Mercer is a senior controls engineer.
Republican (vote for one)
Mike Kelly, incumbent, of Butler, has served the office since 2011.
US Representative, 17th District
Democrat (vote for one)
Chris Deluzio, incumbent, of Aspinwall, has served the office since 2023.
Republican (vote for one)
Tony Guy of Hopewell Township is Beaver County’s sheriff.
Jesse James Vodvarka of Robinson Township runs a family-owned spring-manufacturing business. He previously ran for this seat in 2020, but was removed from the ballot before the primary.
PA Representative, District 14
Republican (vote for one)
Roman Kozak, incumbent, of Beaver Falls, has served since 2025.
PA Representative, District 15
Democrat (vote for one)
Sydney Speicher of Midland is a law student at the University of Pittsburgh.
Republican (vote for one)
Joshua Kail, incumbent, of Brighton Township, has served since 2018.
PA Representative, District 16
Democrat (vote for one)
Robert Matizie, incumbent, of Harmony Township, has held office since 2008.
Republican (Vote for one)
John Costanza of Center Township is co-owner of Cesina’s Sausage Co. in Aliquippa.
Member of Democratic State Committee (vote for three)
Hannah Brooks of Pulaski Township
Joe Janos of Hopewell Township
Mary Jane Jones Gilliam of Ambridge
Michael Jackson of Ambridge
Member of the Republican State Committee (vote for three)
(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of New Horizon School, Beaver County, Posted on Facebook on May 10th, 2024)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Butler County, PA) A teacher at a school for students with special needs in Beaver County has been charged with multiple child sex offenses.
Justin Pavetto, who worked at the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit’s New Horizon School, faces nine felony charges, including attempted rape of a child. He was arrested Friday.
According to a criminal complaint, Pavetto communicated online and by phone with an undercover officer posing as the stepfather of an 11-year-old child. Investigators said Pavetto allegedly expressed interest in sexual activity with the child and discussed meeting in person.
Police said the two discussed meeting at a McDonald’s along Route 19. Authorities also allege Pavetto took part in a video call during which he attempted to observe sexual activity involving the purported child.
Pavetto, a resident of Cranberry Towsnhip, is being held in the Butler County Prison on $500,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 29.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services: Caption for Photo: Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) honor fallen troopers and commemorate PSP’s 121 years of service to the Commonwealth.)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police honored the service and sacrifice of Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr. during a memorial ceremony at department headquarters in Harrisburg.
The service marked the 121st anniversary of the agency’s founding and paid tribute to members who have died in the line of duty.
O’Connor was killed March 8 in West Caln Township when he was shot during an encounter with a driver, according to authorities.
Louis “John” Bender, 95, of Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on May 3rd 2026, at Passavant Community in Zelienople. He was born in Beaver Falls on April 4, 1931, a son of the late Louis P. and Naomi Goettman Bender. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Bender. He is survived by his children: John Robert (Patti) Bender of Wisconsin, Ronald (Beth) Bender of Beaver Falls, Kathy (Randy) Miller of North Carolina and Karen (Dan) Thumm of Beaver Falls; as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren, his brothers, Dave (Joanne) Bender and Walt Bender and his sister, Mary Bender. Louis was a member of the IBEW Local 712 and a proud U.S. Army Veteran. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 7th from 6-8 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a service will be held on Friday, May 8th at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.
Donna L. Reina, 92, of Pittsburgh, passed away at home on May 3rd, 2026.
She was born in New Brighton on October 16th, 1933, the daughter of the late Donald and Vera (Shingleton) Grim. She is survived by two daughters, Mary Reina of Blawnox and Elizabeth (Mark) Amsdell of Sierra Vista, Arizona, her son, Michael (Jana) Reina of Tucson, Arizona, her grandhchildren: Sereny (Jeremy) Moore, Casey Welsby, Jake (Chelsea) Welsby, Abigail (Christian) LaLiberte, Lorraine Johnson, Courtney (Alex) Baldish, Erica Amsdell, Leah Amsdell, Riley Amsdell, Kaitlyn Reina; as well as her great grandchildren: Tobias Brulia, Max Dezort, Arthur, Alma Welsby and Adriean, Logan, Alleah and Athena Johnson.
Donna was a retired American Airlines Stewardess.
Friends and family will be received on Thursday, May 7th from 5-7 p.m. in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where prayers will he held on Friday, May 8th at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton.
Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 1501 1st Avenue, New Brighton.
PITTSBURGH —The 67th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival will debut next month, June 5-7 and 11-14, in its new long-term home—Arts Landing, the Cultural Trust’s four-acre outdoor civic space in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
Marking a new chapter for one of the region’s most beloved traditions, the Three Rivers Arts Festival will bring together hundreds of artists – from Grammy Award-winning musicians and internationally acclaimed performers to standout local artists – for seven days of free art and music spanning two weekends. The Festival will run 12-9 p.m. daily. A full schedule of performing and visual arts attractions is available now at TrustArts.org/TRAF.
“This year’s lineup reflects both the global spirit and local heart of the Festival,” Brooke Horejsi, chief programming and engagement officer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said. “With a mix of nationally touring and local musicians, premieres by local favorite, Squonk, and internationally renowned Bandaloop, as well as a visual arts market with hundreds of artists, we can’t wait to welcome all of Pittsburgh to Arts Landing as we celebrate this exciting new chapter in our Festival’s history.”
The $31 million Arts Landing space is a key part of the Downtown Revitalization Vision announced in 2024 by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh as part of Governor Shapiro’s 10-year $600-million-dollar plan to rejuvenate Downtown Pittsburgh.
Spin Doctors launch the free concerts at this June’s Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival.
FEATURED MUSIC LINEUP
The following concerts will take place on the Dollar Bank Stage in Arts Landing from 7:30-9 p.m. Low chairs and blankets are welcomed on the one-acre Great Lawn.
June 5 | Spin Doctors |The band’s new album finds the alt‑rock veterans in top form, loaded with hooks and the warm, funky groove that longtime fans love. Face Full of Cake is a full‑circle moment that echoes the spirit of their 1991 breakthrough Pocket Full of Kryptonite, radiating the joy and camaraderie of a band that still finds something new every time they plug in and play.
June 6 | The Pharcyde | The alternative hip-hop icons bring their classic sound with a legacy that helped define ’90s hip-hop. The group’s debut album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde (1992), featuring the hit single “Passin’ Me By,” was highly acclaimed and is widely cited as one of the greatest albums in alternative hip-hop. In 2025, “Passin’ Me By” was certified platinum in the U.S. and the group was named one of Billboard’s greatest rap groups of all time.
June 7 | Trousdale | The trio of Quinn D’Andrea, Georgia Greene, and Lauren Jones creates harmony‑rich songs that explore the ache and beauty of growing through change. With country‑warm tones, pop finesse, and three‑part harmonies that shine both on record and on stage, Trousdale turns life’s messiest moments into uplifting, resonant music.
June 11 | Buffalo Rose | This Pittsburgh-focused night of music features Buffalo Rose, whose vibrant take on Americana combines pop, rock, soul, and musical theater influences, along with high-powered vocal harmonies and kaleidoscopic instrumental arrangements. Coltt Winter Lepley and the Briar Valley Rangers perform from 6-7 pm.
June 12 | The War and Treaty | Founded in 2014 by the husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, The War and Treaty has emerged as one of the most electrifying new acts in American music. They were nominated for the Best New Artist and Best American Roots Song at the 2024 Grammy Awards, and have also been nominated for Duo of the Year at the CMA Awards two years in a row and for Vocal Duo of the Year at the ACM Awards.
June 13 | Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra | The Grammy‑winning producer, trombonist, composer, and NEA Jazz Master has built an extraordinary international career performing with legendary artists such as Ray Charles, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, and Slide Hampton. He has also produced more than 125 recordings since beginning his producing career at age 17.
Earlier on Saturday, June 13, 2-3 pm, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra makes a return to the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. Associate Conductor Jacob Joyce leads a virtuoso string ensemble in a delightful selection of musical favorites—from the music of Mozart and Grieg to Tchaikovsky and more.
Sunday, June 14 | Joan Osborne | Across three decades, Grammy-nominated Joan Osborne has built a career defined by vocal power, artistic curiosity, and fearless genre exploration. Osborne first explored the Bob Dylan songbook on her acclaimed 2017 release, Songs of Bob Dylan, offering soulful and revelatory interpretations that expanded an already celebrated career. Now, Dylanology Live stands as another testament to her unparalleled skill as both songwriter and interpreter.
PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS
The popular Artist Market returns with 350+ artists from around the region and nation selling fine art and fine crafts. Visit the Festival a second time to see new artists rotating into the Festival, with some artists participating for three, four, and seven days. A full list of artists and their exhibition dates is available at TrustArts.org/TRAFmarket (Daily, 12-8 pm).
Celebrated as one of the region’s longest-running, juried exhibitions, the 2026 edition of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival’s annual Juried Visual Art Exhibition is presented in partnership with Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. This open call invites artists within a 150-mile radius of downtown Pittsburgh and highlights the exceptional talent and perspectives of artists in our region. 2026 Jurors: Davine Byon, Atiya Jones, and Isaac Pleta. (Daily, 12-8 pm, SPACE Gallery).
The Giant Eagle Creativity Zone returns to the Festival featuring arts organizations and community partners from throughout the region. Families can expect hands-on activities with new organizations rotating on-site throughout the Festival (Daily, 12-6 pm).
The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival Dance Battle returns for its 12th year! This year will include an All Styles battle with cash prizes and trophies for the finalists. A live DJ will be spinning for the entire event (Saturday, June 6, 2-5 pm).
NEW SPECTACLES
Squonk: Joy Machine (World Premiere)
Friday, June 5 | 7 pm
Saturday, June 6 | 1 & 5 pm
Sunday, June 7 | 1 & 5 pm
This world premiere performance will transform Arts Landing into a kinetic, music-filled playground where the audience powers the performance. In Joy Machine, Squonk pushes participation further than ever before. For the first time, the audience is invited fully onstage—into Squonk’s world of imagination. The central idea is simple and radical: joy is not something to be consumed, but something we build together.
BANDALOOP: The Sky is Not the Limit
Friday, June 12 | 5 & 7 pm
Saturday, June 13 | 1 & 7 pm
A vertical performance – seamlessly weaving dynamic physicality, intricate choreography, and climbing technology – will turn the dance floor on its side, using the façade of the BNY Visitor Center in Arts Landing. BANDALOOP honors nature, community, and the human spirit through perspective-bending dance. An innovator in vertical performance, BANDALOOP has performed for millions of people in over 30 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia, and on screens in films and digital media.
Dozens of additional events are listed at TrustArts.org/TRAF. All events are subject to change.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust thanks presenting sponsor Dollar Bank for its generous support. Additional funding comes from Allegheny Health Network, the Bessie F. Anathan Charitable Trust of The Pittsburgh Foundation, Colcom Foundation, Giant Eagle, The Grable Foundation, Laurel Foundation, LYFT, and Neighborhood Ford Store and Bronco Wild Fund. Media partners include 91.3 WYEP and 90.5 WESA, CityCast, NEXT Pittsburgh, and Visit Pittsburgh. Operational support is provided by Flyspace Productions.
Individuals can support the non-profit Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, producer of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, at TrustArts.org/supportTRAF, unlocking access to membership benefits in the Cultural District all year long.
A schedule of post-Festival summer activities in Arts Landing will be announced in May. The new civic space is designed to build on the Cultural Trust’s mission, creating a destination where people come together, stay Downtown longer, and return more often. Arts Landing will enhance the Cultural Trust’s impact on Downtown, already supporting more than 1,700 jobs and generating more than $175 million for the regional economy each year ($1 billion cumulatively post-pandemic).
For more information and to sign up for email updates about Arts Landing, visit TrustArts.org/ArtsLanding
Rev. Dr. Ann Paton, 97, passed away on May 2nd, 2026. She was born in New Castle on December 12th, 1928, a daughter of the late Margaret and John Paton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her older sister, Jean, her brother- in-law, Walter Baughman, her nephew, Andrew Paton, her nephew-in-law, James Rogers, and her friend and mentor, Margaret (Peg) Cowmeadow. She is survived by her brother, John G. (and Joan Thompson) Paton, her nephew, Walter D. Baughman, her niece, Margaret Ann Rogers, her great-niece, Carrie Ann (Trevor) Krontz and her great-grandnephew, Roland Krontz and her dear friends and former students, Romaine Jesky-Smith, Shirley Kilpatrick, Joan McBurney, Rev. Suzanne Perkins, and Lynda Szabo. Rev. Dr. Ann graduated from Shenango High School and Geneva College, where she was Valedictorian, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Colorado, where she earned her Ph.D. Further study in literature and theology followed. Her teaching career began at Mt. Jackson (now Mohawk) High School. She then began her tenure at Geneva College (1958-1994). There, she distinguished herself in a variety of roles, earning numerous awards, including the Excellence in Teaching Award, the Distinguished Service Award, and the Life G. She co-created the Humanities Program, a legacy that continues to the present day. Baylor University, the University of the Nations, and Trinity School for Ministry also benefitted from her teaching prowess. In 2024, she was inducted into the Beaver County Education Trust’s Hall of Fame. In 1991, She was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood, in time becoming a founding mother of The Anglican Church in North America. She served the Church in a variety of capacities, most especially as a Liturgical Assistant at the Church of the Ascension, Oakland. More privately, she served many in the role of Spiritual Director. She wanted always to be an encourager known for her love of Christ and God’s Word. Over the course of her life, she enjoyed travel at home and abroad, visiting every continent except Antarctica. But the place most dear to her was St. Davids, Wales which became a special spiritual home, revisited many times over twenty-five years. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6th, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16th at 10:30 A.M. at the Church of the Ascension, 4729 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh.
