(File Photo of Lancaster County Farm)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) You might be surprised to learn that surplus chocolate candy and other treats often find a new home on industrial farms. In Pennsylvania, since 2011, Hershey has been selling its candy waste to meat producer Cargill, which transforms it into feed for cows, pigs and other animals. Economics Professor Kathryn Bender at the University of Delaware says food waste is a significant issue, and companies are trying to minimize the amount that ends up in landfills and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The North American Pet Pig Association says candy in all forms is unhealthy for pigs. Bender points out that to reduce food waste, companies must first measure it. Only by tracking waste can businesses make adjustments to reduce overproduction and increase efficiency.

(File Photo of Pittsburgh Penguins Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) On Sunday, a new program was established to expand hockey for girls, thanks to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Pennies Girls Hockey Program, which is named after the first women’s hockey team in the city, is working to give more opportunities for girls to play hockey while promoting equality for both males and females in the sport. According to USA Hockey, the growth of women in the sport of hockey in Western Pennsylvania is much more prevalent over the previous fifteen years, increasing by eighty percent. Some of the original members of the Pittsburgh Pennies will have a clinic for girls ten to twelve years of age today to get on the ice and have a conversation with them about how women’s hockey has prospered in Pittsburgh.  

(File Photo of Police Lights)

(Reported by Beaver Coutny Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on December 2nd, 2024 at 7:53 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Police are looking for four black males after an incident over the weekend. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024, they were dispatched to the 200 block of Linmar Terrace for a report of four black males wearing masks hanging out of a black Lincoln sedan, discharging firearms. Officers, as they were in route, spotted the vehicle and on Kennedy Boulevard and Waugaman Street, the vehicle fled from police, and was found abandoned on Spring Street. It was reported that the males fled on foot. Police reported the vehicle was towed from the scene and is being processed.  Anyone having information on the males is asked to contact police at 724-775-0880 

(Photo Credit to Misty Lane of Farm Performance Horses provided with Release and/or Flyer)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on December 2nd, 2024 at 6:51 A.M.)

(Ambridge, PA) A Christmas celebration returns to Old Economy Village in Ambridge this weekend. The streets of Ambridge will be filled with lights and carol singing, along with some carriages drawn by horses, and festive shops that you can get a tour of for a Christmas from the past in the village located in Ambridge. According to a release from the Ambridge Historic District and their Economic Development Corporation, “Christmas in the Village” will occur on Saturday, December 7th from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, December 8th from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and you can visit AmbridgeHistoricDistrict.org for more information.

(File Photo of Beaver County Sheriff’s Office Logo Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office is using a coloring contest to give out joy to the community. Sergeant Jenn Hamrick has done this since 2017, and she has enjoyed the effect that it has on the kids that have made the winning drawings, both interacting with those who work at the office as well as Carl, the therapy dog there. Hamrick also gives out prizes to four age groups, given by the money that Hamrick provides, with the prizes from local businesses. If your child wants to participate, they can stop at the Brady’s Run Ice Arena or the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office to pick up a picture, which needs to be returned by December 20th to be able to have a chance at winning a prize. 

File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A shopper carries bags down Fifth Avenue on Black Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in New York. Holiday sales rose as shoppers showed some resilience during the most important shopping season despite surging prices on everything from food to rent. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File )

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pennsylvania) A survey that was conducted across the nation confirmed that policies to return items are causing buyers here in America to keep things that people do not want instead of returning them, according to Media Specialist Jen LeMair. The survey concludes that:

• 75% of consumers have kept unwanted items due to complicated or expensive return processes, losing an average of $78 

• 71% avoid shopping from online retailers that charge for mailed returns 

• 89% believe retailers should extend their return windows during the holiday season 

LeMair finds that the survey listed close to half of people in America returning a single gift or either two or three as the holiday season continues and that a quarter of people that buy products look at the policies for returns before buying something.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Second-grade students select their meals during lunch break in the cafeteria at an elementary school in Scottsdale, Ariz., Dec. 12, 2022. On Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, U.S. agriculture officials proposed new nutrition standards for school meals, including the first-ever limits on added sugars, with a focus on sweetened foods such as cereals, yogurt, flavored milk and breakfast pastries. (AP Photo/Alberto Mariani, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) If you are looking to stay healthy this weekend after a hearty Thanksgiving meal, several restaurants in Beaver County offer meals that are gluten-free. From new local spots like “The Grumpy Beaver” in Bridgewater to literally writing the option in the name at “Seriously, It’s Gluten Free” at the Beaver Valley Mall, finding options to adjust for those with gluten allergies are becoming more prevalent in Beaver County.

Here are some places that you can try out gluten-free items locally:

Beaver Bagel Company in Bridgewater, Beaver Falls Coffee and Tea in Beaver Falls, Crumbs and Cones Bakery in Beaver Falls, Firehouse Subs in Center Township, Hank’s Frozen Custard in Rochester Township, Harrold’s Inn in Hopewell Township, Java Hut in Chippewa Township, Jersey Mike’s Subs in Center Township, Jimmy Johns in Center Township, Katy’s Homestyle Bakery in Ellwood City, Kopicko’s Pizza in New Brighton, Merchant Coffee in Ambridge, Pizza Joes, Pizza Masters in Hopewell Township, Punks Ice Cream in Baden, Seriously, It’s Gluten Free at the Beaver Valley Mall, ShuBrew in Zelienople, The Grumpy Beaver in Bridgewater, The Ultimate Pastry Shop in Sewickley and Vesuvio’s in Center Township.