(Ambridge, PA) State Representative Rob Matzie announced yesterday that new funding of $650,000 to the Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board will strengthen training and apprenticeship opportunities for Beaver County workers in the steel and construction industries. Matzie confirmed that the new opportunities for training will help workers maintain skills that are cutting-edge amidst changing industry demands. The funding was awarded through the state Department of Labor and Industry’s Industrial Partnership grant program. According to a release from Matzie’s office in Ambridge, the funding includes:
$350,000 to support the Southwest Corner Building and Construction Industry Partnership’s efforts to upskill workers through registered apprenticeship programs and recruit workers from communities that are underrepresented in the construction trades. The grant will serve workers in Beaver County and several other counties.
$300,000 to support the Pennsylvania Steel Alliance Industry Partnership’s efforts to upskill and reskill the existing steel workforce, expand access to innovative training models, strengthen the talent pipeline through youth and career pathway development, and support industry adaptation to emerging economic opportunities. The grant will serve workers in Beaver, Allegheny and a number of other western Pennsylvania counties.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Lehigh catcher Owen Walewander (5) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a three-run home run against Saint Joseph’s in the third inning during an NCAA college baseball game, March 31, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek, File)
BALTIMORE (AP) — Lehigh set an NCAA Division I record by scoring 20 runs in the first inning of a 38-6 victory over Coppin State on Tuesday night.
The Mountain Hawks broke the first-inning record of 18 runs set by Princeton and matched by Air Force, both in 1974. Lehigh’s 38 total runs were a Patriot League record and the most in a game between Division I teams since New Mexico State beat Texas Southern 38-6 in 2019.
Of Lehigh’s 20 first-inning runs, 13 were scored consecutively on bases-loaded walks, hit by pitches or wild pitches. Owen Walewander’s grand slam accounted for the final runs in the inning. Lehigh sent 23 men to the plate, three shy of the record for an inning.
Lehigh’s Aidan Quinn was walked seven times, also a Division I record.
(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced that a federal jury has returned a verdict against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster, LLC., regarding monopolistic practices that violated antitrust laws. Sunday and a coalition of states continued to pursue the lawsuit, despite a recent settlement agreement between the companies and the U.S. Department of Justice, which was an agreement the coalition believed fell short of being a fair remedy for consumers. In 2024, 40 attorneys general joined the federal agency in an antitrust lawsuit, alleging that Live Nation, the owner and operator of numerous venues nationwide, including Pennsylvania — and Ticketmaster, the ticketing service giant, form an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry. The jury found the companies liable on all monopolization counts and awarded damages to the states. The federal judge who oversaw the trial will determine remedies for the illegal conduct at a separate proceeding on a later date.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Guedes da Silva family, Caption for Photo: Bruno Guedes da Silva of Sewickley, with flowers, reunites with his family at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh after being held in federal immigration custody for about two months. (Courtesy of the Guedes da Silva family)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Allegheny County, PA) A father from Sewickley reunited with his daughter on Tuesday after being released from ICE custody. Bruno Guedes da Silva was released on bond this week by an immigration judge after he was detained by ICE agents in February during a traffic stop on Beaver Street in Sewickley while he and his wife were driving to work. Online court documents also show that the man from Brazil was wanted for a felony warrant for charges that were related to making a false written statement so he could obtain a firearm in McCandless. His criminal defense lawyer Thomas N. Farrell claimed that authorities alleged this happened in July of 2024.Guedes da Silva gave a big hug to his daughter who is battling cancer in her second fight against Hodgin’s lymphoma at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
(Harrisburg, PA) Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. announced yesterday the approval of more than $740,000 in Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) and Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grants for two projects in the 47th Senatorial District. The Aliquippa School District was awarded $296,305 to launch Healthy Minds Club, which is a new after‑school initiative serving approximately 180 elementary students in grades 1–6 and it was approved for a BOOST grant. The program provides structured academic support alongside weekly physical and mental wellness activities and it is designed to address academic challenges, chronic absenteeism, social‑emotional needs and barriers such as poverty, housing instability, disabilities and limited English proficiency. Community Health Challenge of Southwestern Pennsylvania DBA Keystone Wellness Programs was awarded $446,627 to expand the Drug Free Aliquippa Youth Coalition, strengthen Aliquippa Impact’safter‑school and summer programs and launch a new cross‑age mentoring initiative connecting high school coalition leaders with elementary students. This project was approved for a VIP grant and is partnered with Aliquippa Impact.
(File Photo of Frye Transportation Group Inc Picture with Bus Behind It)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Rochester, PA) Frye Transportation Group is excited to share that shuttle service will be available both days of the Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival. According to a Facebook post from the bus company yesterday, here are some more details:
Two 40‑ft buses will run continuous loops from Freedom Elementary School to the festival grounds from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on both April 18th & 19th.
Festival Location
Big Knob Grange Fairgrounds
336 Grange Road, Rochester
On‑Site Parking Options
There will be multiple parking areas open on the grounds, clearly marked with flags to help you find the right spot:
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Allegheny County Airport Authority)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) A new push is underway to convert the old terminal building at the Pittsburgh International Airport into a film studio. The old terminal was shuttered last fall as the airport opened its new landside terminal worth $1.7 billion and now the Pittsburgh Film Office is pushing to convert the building into a filming location. The film office’s proposal has been dubbed “Terminal P” and is complete with a new website with several officials included in the push to turn the old facility into a location that could attract Hollywood. The proposed redesign of the terminal would convert the space into a 440,000 square-foot production location with 60-foot ceilings, according to the Terminal P website. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is among those included who recorded statements as part of the push to convert the airport space, saying that he’s thrilled to invite filmmakers, producers and creatives to choose Pittsburgh’s brand new production facility for their next project.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Ambridge, PA) A fallen tree damaged a historically significant building at the Old Economy Village. A thunderstorm knocked the tree down onto its community kitchen around 5 p.m. on Tuesday. According to a Facebook post from Old Economy Village, the kitchen is “a historically accurate rebuild that houses artifacts and serves as a gathering space for the village’s programs and events.” According to a release from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), their Department of Architecture and Preservation is conducting a thorough assessment and a recovery plan will be executed in three critical phases:
Phase One – Debris Removal: A local tree removal company has already assessed the site and provided a quote. Extracting the tree safely is the immediate priority.
Phase Two – Building Stabilization: Once debris has been removed, the PHMC’s Department of Architecture and Preservation will assess the damage and enact plans to stabilize the structure.
Phase Three – Artifact Preservation: Once the structural integrity of the building is deemed safe, Curatorial Specialists will enter the space to properly recover, document, and securely store the historic artifacts that were on display inside the kitchen.
PHMC and Old Economy Village leadership are working to restore the space as quickly as possible and to safeguard collections.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A mixture of Hershey’s chocolates is displayed in the company’s Times Square store, March 1, 2017, in New York. Hershey is cautioning on its 2024 profit growth as the company contends with rising cocoa costs that are leading to higher prices for chocolate. Cocoa futures prices have doubled over the past year and hit an unprecedented $5,874 per metric ton Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in intraday trading. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) The trailer for a biopic called “Hershey” was released this week. It is based on the life of the famed late businessman and chocolatier who founded the Hershey Chocolate Company, Milton Hershey. It was filmed across the Pittsburgh-area last summer, including Harmony in Butler County, and stars Finn Wittrock as Milton Hershey and Alexandra Daddario as Catherine “Kitty” Hershey. This movie is about the rags-to-riches story of Milton Hershey as he builds his chocolate empire. The movie will be released in theaters on Thanksgiving, which is on November 26th this year. According to IMDb, “Hershey” is the origin story of Milton and Kitty Hershey, “who, when confronted by tragedy, determine to leave their amassed chocolate fortune in the hands of children.” The Hershey company expressed that the movie was shot across over a dozen locations in Pennsylvania, using over 70 sets to recreate the time period. More than 1,500 background actors from around the state also helped build the world that is seen in the movie.
SEWICKLEY — Explore the Sweetwater Center for the Arts and embrace your artistic side at a special open house April 19.
Sponsored by Allegheny County’s RAD Days, and completely free to the community, the open house at Sweetwater provides an opportunity for people to meet the Sewickley arts center’s teaching artists, and experience hands-on crafts in each department.
“Wander through the studios, meet the artists and instructors, and experience live music, arts, crafts, and hands-on creativity,” Sweetwater’s website said. “Bring the whole family and explore, create and connect.”
Lasting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are asked to register at sweetwaterartcenter.org, helping the staff know how many bagels or other baked goods to prepare.
Class activities that day for visitors:
Make a bracelet in metalsmithing with Pat Falbo
Get creative with fiber arts with Lizzy Bablak
Build a unique collage with Claria Barilar
Mix up your own trail mix with Michelle George
Create a comic storyboard with Armand Ceres
Animate your own flip book with Dani Wesserman
Try needle felting with Bea Angeles
Sweetwater Executive Director Christine Brondyke spoke about the facility’s many art classes and special events when appearing Wednesday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show with Scott Tady.
Here is Brondyke’s interview:
RAD Open House Event
From noon to 2 p.m., Brondyke will host a behind-the-scenes look at all Sweetwater has to offer. Green Hen Farms will be popping up with fresh, locally grown flowers.
Visitors also can learn about SweetRide, a mobile art unit that enables Sweetwater to bring art experiences directly into neighborhoods, schools and organizations that may not have easy access to the arts.
There’s also live music throughout the day.
Take a tour Sunday of Sweetwater Center for The Arts.
“It’s such an inviting way for families and community members to see what we’re all about,” a Sweetwater press release said.
Other Sweetwater events this season:
• Sweetwater Blooms – Saturdays May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, and September 19 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) on Bank Street. A vibrant outdoor market featuring local flower farmers, artisans, food vendors, and small businesses — truly a celebration of community.
• Sweet Jazz – Four evenings of live regional jazz in June and July, both outdoors at the Walnut Green and indoors in our Community Room. Each concert features talented local and regional musicians, creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere for jazz lovers of all ages. From smooth classics to contemporary grooves, Sweet Jazz is the perfect way to enjoy music, community, and the beautiful summer evenings in Sewickley.
• Mavuno Festival – September 26, celebrating BIPOC artists, small businesses, and community voices. This vibrant festival highlights creativity, culture, and connection, with live performances, interactive art experiences, and locally curated food and artisan vendors. Mavuno is a chance for the community to come together, celebrate diversity, and support local artists and businesses in a meaningful way.
