Author: Beaver County Radio

Steelers activate rookie quarterback Will Howard from injured reserve and sign veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad

(File Photo: Source for Headline Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Aug. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt, File)

(File Photo: Source for Photo Below: FILE – Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Asante Samuel Jr. spent the last few months recovering from spinal fusion surgery by doing some distance running in hopes of being ready whenever a team called looking for help in the secondary.

Now it’s time to sprint.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed the veteran cornerback to their practice squad on Wednesday in hopes the 26-year-old can eventually give the NFL’s worst pass defense a boost.

Samuel hadn’t been on the field in a team situation in more than a year until he jogged out for practice shortly after his signing was announced.

“It meant the world to me,” Samuel said. “Just being out there, putting on a helmet, putting on cleats, going at it, competing with other guys that’s trying to accomplish the same goal as me.”

Well, maybe not the exact same goal.

Samuel spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, who selected him in the second round of the 2021 draft. He collected six interceptions in 50 games, plus three in a playoff loss to Jacksonville in 2022.

Yet his time in Los Angeles was cut short last fall, when Samuel was limited to just four games as the series of “stinger” injuries that had been a constant for years became too much. He ended the year on injured reserve, then entered free agency in March before undergoing surgery in April.

“I just wanted to take my time and weigh all the options,” he said. “I didn’t want to rush anything and just let my body heal on its own and then get the surgery and let it heal again.”

The idea of the surgery was initially daunting for a player who had never been under the knife before. He knew, however, that plenty of others had faced the same procedure and successfully returned. So he kept the faith and now considers himself as healthy as he’s ever been.

Samuel had the surgery done in Pittsburgh. He was cleared to return to football activities in October and now finds himself back in the Steel City trying to get up to speed as quickly as possible for an injury-riddled and inconsistent secondary that will face another stiff test when Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) visit Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.

While Samuel declined to say whether he could be available by this weekend, he doesn’t have to look far to find someone who worked their way onto the field in short order. Safety Kyle Dugger started for the Steelers against Indianapolis earlier this month just days after being acquired in a trade with New England.

“I’m trying to maximize every day and do whatever the coach is telling me,” Samuel said.

That might be getting in the game this weekend.

Veteran cornerback Darius Slay remains in the concussion protocol and did not practice on Wednesday, leaving the Steelers thin behind Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols and James Pierre.

Pittsburgh was torched by Joe Flacco & Co. in Cincinnati a month ago. Chase set a Bengals single-game record with 16 receptions on a night Flacco lit up the Steelers for 342 yards and three scores, symbolic of a season in which Pittsburgh has allowed more yards passing than any other team in the league.

Pierre, in line to make the fourth start of his five-year career if Slay is unavailable, welcomes the help.

“Like Coach (Mike) T(omlin) says, just jump on a moving train, stick your hand in the pile,” Pierre said. “We know what he can do.”

NOTES: Pittsburgh activated rookie quarterback Will Howard from injured reserve on Wednesday. The sixth-round pick had been out with a hand injury. … The Steelers also released running back Trey Sermon from the active roster and cut defensive back Darrick Forest from the practice squad.

(File Photo: Source for Headline Photo and Photo Below: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Aug. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt, File)

Victor Frederick “Fred” Mannerino (1945-2025)

Victor Fredrick “Fred” Mannerino, 80, of Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on November 10th, 2025, when his family surrounded him. He was born on April 5th, 1945, the devoted husband of Barbara (Forsythe) Mannerino, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage. He was also a son of the late Victor Joseph Mannarino and A. Jane (Brocious) Mannarino. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Vincent Mannerino, sisters, Thelma Mannerino and Anita Reese and his life friend, Jerry Cornecki. He is survived by his children: Christopher Mannerino (Jennifer), Colleen LaNeve (Brian), and Natalie Holewski (Richard). He was the proud grandfather: Nicholas Holewski (Jennifer), Brianna Jennings (Matthew), Christopher Mannerino (Leah), Tyler Mannerino (Paige), Lena Fox (Lee), Michaela Sutherland (Ian), Marissa Mannerino, Jonathan Mannerino and Andrew Scialdone. His legacy continues through 22 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Jean Hessenaur (Bob), brother Daniel Mannerino (Ginger), brother-in-law Dennis Reese, sister-in-law Helen Bartholomew and many loving nieces and nephews. Cherished friends Sherry Cornecki, Lynwood Alford, Paul Popovich and Joe Namath. Victor dedicated 43 years of his career as a tooling engineer with Westinghouse/Cutler Hammer, where his precision, dedication, and work taught work ethic to his family. Beyond his professional life, he lived with passion and purpose. He had a love for photography, which he shared with all he photographed, capturing moments at banquets, graduations, weddings, and many political events. His eye for detail and genuine connection with people made his photos more than just pictures; they were reflections of the joy and spirit of those around him. He was an avid supporter and frequent visitor of Gettysburg, a place that held deep historical and personal meaning for him. He was a proud member of the Model Railroad Society, his lifelong interest in trains led him to partner with his dear friend Paul Popovich in running the Little Beaver Creek Valley Railroad, a true labor of love that combined craftsmanship, friendship, and fun. He gave back to his community through years of coaching baseball at many levels in Beaver Falls, mentoring young athletes and fostering teamwork and sportsmanship. Together with Barbara, Fred enjoyed researching their family ancestry, uncovering stories that deepened their shared appreciation for family roots. The two loved traveling, especially to Berlin, Ohio, Myrtle Beach and Maine, creating countless memories along the way. Above all, he will be remembered for his kind heart, love of family, and generous spirit. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through all who were blessed to know him. There will be a private family burial for Victor. Professional Services and arrangements were entrusted to CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

Senator Elder Vogel, Jr: Bipartisan Budget Bill Advances Key Investments in Our Schools, Our Workforce and Our Farmers

(File Photo of Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. broke down some of the key investments made through the bipartisan $50.1 billion state budget approved by the General Assembly yesterday in Pennsylvania. According to Vogel, “Through these critical reforms, we have prevented Pennsylvanians from being affected by Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed plan which would have increased our spending by 7.5% and in turn set our state on the path toward mass broad-based tax increases next year. After months of intense negotiations, we were able to agree on a more reasonable, fiscally responsible solution that invests in our schools, our workforce and our farmers all while protecting Pennsylvania taxpayers.” 

Representative Rob Matzie votes “yes” on new budget, citing public education, jobs, no new taxes

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Representative Rob Matzie cast a “yes” vote yesterday on the 2025-26 Pennsylvania budget worth $50.1 billion. According to Matzie, the budget invests taxpayer dollars wisely without adding any new tax burden on residents. Matzie also confirmed that the new plan for spending includes an increase of $105 million for basic education, then $40 million more for special education, as well as an increase of $565 million in Ready to Learn block grant funding for adequacy and finally tax equity payments including $178 million in savings from cyber charter reform. 

Republican House Leader Jesse Topper: State Budget Puts Pennsylvania in a Winning Position

(File Photo of the Seal of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper commented yesterday on the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 state budget that day with the following statement: “The process that led to the passage of this year’s budget was not perfect, but the result is significant progress for the people of Pennsylvania and this Commonwealth’s future well-being. From the beginning of this session, House Republicans have emphasized that no budget will truly balance unless we prioritize our economic growth in ways that capitalize on what we have, prepare our students for the future and make necessary government reforms particularly relating to benefit integrity. I am proud to say this budget has major accomplishments in all these areas. By getting out of RGGI and making significant strides in permitting reform, Pennsylvania is poised to take advantage of the economic opportunity under our feet by jumpstarting our energy industry, driving investment from tech companies and removing government as an impediment to growth while holding state bureaucrats accountable. The enhancement to the supplemental scholarship for students attending economically disadvantaged schools is another step forward in allowing more students to achieve a quality education regardless of their ZIP code, empowering students and parents in educational outcomes, and ensuring the generation of tomorrow is prepared with a solid foundation today. This budget also prioritizes essential learning skills, such as reading, by requiring structured literacy in Pennsylvania’s public schools so we can ensure every student in Pennsylvania has the necessary elements to achieve success in future learning endeavors. This budget also delivers on real benefit integrity by ensuring taxpayer benefits are going to those who truly need them and creating a benefit system that is more secure for long-term viability and availability for the most vulnerable. I am also proud we are returning taxpayer dollars back to working Pennsylvanians in a structured tax credit program that secures a reinvestment of their money into Pennsylvania communities while guaranteeing government is not sitting on unutilized funds better spent by hardworking Pennsylvanians. Overall, this is not just a budget for this fiscal year. This budget contains transformative policy that is really about the future of this Commonwealth. I am proud to support this budget and look forward to seeing the fruits of our hard work in the coming success of Pennsylvania, its children and its communities.”

Representative Josh Kail Praises Removal of Consequential Carbon Tax in State Budget

(File Photo of State Representative Josh Kail)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Representative Josh Kail announced yesterday the House passed a $50.1 billion budget for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year in Pennsylvania. Kail recently released the following statement: “While not every budget is perfect, and I voted against the general appropriation because it spends too much, there were wins today I voted for that are a victory for common sense. For years, Gov. Josh Shapiro and his fellow Democrats have openly voiced support for an assault on Pennsylvania’s energy industry through the implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) – a carbon tax that drove energy prices up and eliminated many jobs. I am pleased to report that, as part of the agreement, we will reassert the authority of the General Assembly by repealing, by law, the regulations that put us into RGGI. From the very beginning, I voiced significant concerns about this plan because of the dire impacts it would have on our district and Pennsylvania as a whole. For years, Pennsylvania has cemented itself as one of the top energy exporters in the nation, generating much-needed revenue for the state. RGGI was a classic case of authoritarianism, the opposite of productivity where we became more reliant on others for energy. I am grateful to see our efforts finally pay off. Let’s live up to our earned reputation as an energy producer by using the abundance of natural resources right beneath our feet. Doing so creates significant affordability for families across this great Commonwealth. We want to be a shining example for all to follow. Not only do we want to take care of the people who are here; we also want to show out-of-staters who are looking for new opportunities to look no further than Pennsylvania because we have a competitive, pro-family environment.”

Driver not charged after hitting an unoccupied vehicle in Bridgewater Borough

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bridgewater Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release yesterday that an unidentified driver was not charged after hitting a vehicle in Bridgewater Borough on Sunday afternoon. That driver was driving west in the 700 block of Market Street at 12:06 p.m. and hit another vehicle that was unoccupied at the time that was legally parked facing east in front of 798 Market Street. The driver that hit that vehicle left the scene and did not leave vehicle or driver information.

Pennsylvania Representative Dan Moul Bill to Allow Cash as Payment for School Events Now Law

(File Photo of a Dollar Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release yesterday in Harrisburg from Representative Dan Moul’s office in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania House passed legislation yesterday sponsored by Moul (R-Adams) that will make cash an acceptable form of payment for admission to school-sponsored events in Pennsylvania. Many Pennsylvania schools have been rejecting money as a form of payment for events and activities that are school-sponsored, instead having a requirement for spectators to use debit or credit cards, or order through an app or online. Moul states that these policies have disenfranchised many children, poor people and seniors who may not have smart phones, credit cards or the technical capabilities to access the internet so they can purchase tickets. 

Shapiro Administration Highlights $512 Million of Infrastructure Investments in Pittsburgh Region in 2025

(File Photo of the PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from PennDOT in Pittsburgh yesterday, local officials highlighted the accomplishments of the 2025 construction season, including $512 million in infrastructure investments in Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties spotlighting upcoming work on the I-376 Commercial Street Bridge replacement project. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said: “The Shapiro Administration is dedicated to continuing to invest in our Pennsylvania roadways and bridges to enhance the commute and safety of the customers we serve. We are proud to announce with the infrastructure funding in the greater Pittsburgh region this year, PennDOT District 11 delivered dozens of quality projects for local residents and others traveling through.” That same release from PennDOT states that the highlights in the 2025 construction season for their District 11 include: “49 projects put out to bid, approximately 724 miles of paving and roadway maintenance, 44 bridges repaired or replaced, including 13 in poor condition and 42 slides repaired.”

Pirates ace Paul Skenes wins first Cy Young Award and Tigers star Tarik Skubal goes back-to-back

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The individual trophy cases for Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal are growing increasingly full.

The next step in the evolution of baseball’s two best pitchers is winning — preferably where they are.

The 23-year-old Skenes capped his blistering rise to stardom by capturing the National League Cy Young Award on Wednesday night. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace was a unanimous choice by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, the honor coming minutes after Skubal won baseball’s premier pitching prize in the American League for the second straight year as the anchor of the Detroit Tigers.

As gratified as they are by the recognition, both said they are eager for their respective teams to get in on the act in 2026.

That’s where things get tricky.

The 28-year-old Skubal is entering his final year of club control, and while he would like to stay in Detroit beyond next season, he’s also well aware the Tigers could trade him as a business decision, considering the hefty raise the left-hander figures to command should he hit the open market as a free agent.

It’s much the same for Skenes, who remains under team control for the rest of the decade but found himself pushing back against a report that he’s already told teammates he is eager to move on.

“I don’t know where that came from,” Skenes said. “The goal is to win and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh.”

The Pirates finished last in the NL Central in 2025, well off the pace of front-running Milwaukee. The first pitcher since Dwight Gooden with the New York Mets in the mid-1980s to win Rookie of the Year one season and a Cy Young Award the next remains optimistic Pittsburgh is closer to contending than most think.

“The way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is not supposed to win,” Skenes said. “There are 29 fan bases that expect us to lose. I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that.”

Skenes — selected first overall by the Pirates in the 2023 amateur draft after a standout career at Air Force and LSU — did his part in 2025, leading the majors in ERA (1.97) while striking out 216 batters in 187 1/3 innings during his first full season in the big leagues.

Yet even with his brilliance, Skenes needed a little late help from Pittsburgh’s woeful offense to avoid becoming the first Cy Young-winning starting pitcher to finish with a losing record. Skenes won three of his final four decisions to finish 10-10.

That so-so win/loss mark didn’t stop the towering 6-foot-6 right-hander from placing atop all 30 ballots. Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sánchez received every second-place vote, and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers finished third.

Sánchez’s 2029 option price increased by $1 million to $15 million and his 2030 option price by $1 million to $16 million as a result of being a Cy Young Award finalist.

Skubal received 26 first-place votes in the AL from a separate BBWAA panel. The other four went to runner-up Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox. Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros came in third.

Although disappointed to be out of contention, Skenes said playing out the string was “a blessing” individually in some ways.

“It allowed me to try some new things in August and September that I wouldn’t have gotten to try if we were playing for the playoffs,” he explained.

Skubal and the Tigers have gotten a taste of October baseball each of the last two seasons, thanks in large part to his ascendance.

A year after taking a massive step forward by winning the AL pitching Triple Crown on his way to being a unanimous Cy Young winner, Skubal backed it up by serving as the anchor for the Tigers during a volatile season in which they squandered a 15 1/2-game lead in the AL Central and were caught by Cleveland down the stretch.

Detroit got a bit of revenge in the wild-card round, beating the division-champion Guardians in three games following a 14-strikeout gem by Skubal in the series opener.

Yet as fun as the season was at times, the disappointment of falling short of the ultimate goal lingers.

“Ending the season on a loss is not a fun thing,” Skubal said. “You can be proud of what we accomplished, but you want to end the season with a win … the one in October or maybe deep in November you get to play in.”

Skubal is the 12th hurler to win baseball’s top pitching honor in consecutive years, joining a group that includes Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Pedro Martínez, who was the last American League pitcher to go back-to-back, for Boston in 1999 and 2000.

“I think a lot of it is not being complacent with who I am today,” Skubal said. “I still think there’s more to tap into. I don’t think this is the finished version of myself.”

And he doesn’t think this is the finished version of the Tigers.

“You want to win this award as many times as you can in your career, but I’d gladly trade a Cy Young for a World Series,” Skubal said.

Skubal was 13-6 with an AL-leading 2.21 ERA and 240 strikeouts in 195 1/3 innings during the regular season. Then he went 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA in three playoff starts for Detroit, which was eliminated by Seattle in their Division Series.

Crochet led the American League in innings (205 1/3) and strikeouts (255).

Brown’s top-three finish earned Houston an extra pick after the first round of next July’s amateur draft under the prospect promotion incentive in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.

Skubal’s historic run comes with a chance for him to cash in as potential free agency looms. Economics aside, Skubal would be just fine sticking in the Motor City.

“I’ve given everything I have to this organization. I want to be a Tiger for a very, very long time,” he said. “I’m just going to do what I do and not really focus on any of that stuff.”

Skenes and Skubal both started the All-Star Game this year. The only other time the two All-Star Game starters won the Cy Young Awards in the same season was 2001, when Johnson and Roger Clemens accomplished the feat.

MVP awards for both leagues will be handed out Thursday.

Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is a heavy favorite to repeat in the NL and win for the fourth time overall, including twice in the AL.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is seeking his third AL MVP in what could be a close vote with another top contender, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh.