Author: Beaver County Radio

Route 3087 Thorn Run Road Traffic Stoppages Tuesday in Moon Township

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that intermittent traffic stoppages on Thorn Run Road (Route 3087) in Moon Township will occur today, weather permitting. From 9 A.M. to 3 P.M., intermittent traffic stoppages of 15 minutes or less will occur on Thorn Run Road between University Boulevard and Old Thorn Run Road as crews from the Duquesne Light Company will conduct wire replacement work there. 

McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge Inspection Tuesday in Allegheny County

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that inspection activities on the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge, which carries Route 2114 over the Monongahela River in the cities of McKeesport and Duquesne will occur today, weather permitting. As needed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., single-lane alternating traffic will occur on the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge as crews from HDR, Inc. and the Sofis Rigging Company will conduct inspection activities there. 

John A. Rizzo (1941-2026)

John A. Rizzo, 84, passed away on February 1st, 2026. He was born on May 22nd, 1941, a son of the late Lewis and Georgia Rizzo. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Erica Anne and his brother, Francis Rizzo. He is survived by his wife, Ingrid Miller Rizzo, hs son, Michael (Stacey) Rizzo and his sister-in-law, Donna Rizzo. John was a Beaver Falls High School graduate in the class of 1959. He went on to study at Geneva College and graduated with a B.S.B.A. in Accounting in 1963. He also spent years working as the Chief Financial Officer for the Community College of Beaver County. In accordance with John’s wishes, there will be no public viewing and his burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Patterson Township Fire Department, 319 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Crash occurs near Heritage Valley Beaver

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) A crash happened this morning near Heritage Valley Beaver. It backed up traffic in the area. There were at least two people affected by the crash. That is all the information that we have at this time.

Peoples Natural Gas Promotes Heating Assistance Support Programs on National Energy Assistance Day

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of People’s Natural Gas)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Today is National Energy Assistance Day, and Peoples Natural Gas urges its customers to explore assistance programs that are available now that can help manage monthly bills. According to a release in Pittsburgh today from People’s Natural Gas, several programs to help customers keep their homes warm and manage their monthly bills can vbe found below:

  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Click here to find out more – A federally funded, state-run grant program that makes payments directly to Peoples on a customer’s behalf. Customers experiencing a heating crisis, such as broken heating equipment or a utility shut-off notice, may be eligible for additional funds through LIHEAP. Applications are open through April 10, 2026 or until funds are exhausted. 

 

  • Customers can check eligibility for various programs using the income guidelines chart below:
  • (Photo Below Provided with Release Courtesy of People’s Natural Gas)

 

 

 

You can learn more about these programs and apply by either calling 1-800-400-WARM (9276)  by visiting peoples-gas.com/help by clicking here.

 

Man from Imperial, Pennsylvania charged after single-vehicle crash in Center Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release today that twenty-year-old Joseph Verbeck of Imperial, Pennsylvania was charged after a single-vehicle crash in Center Township yesterday morning. At 7:24 a.m., Verbeck was driving too fast on I-376 East for a left-hand curve and lost control of his vehicle. Verbeck eventually hit a snow bank after leaving the right of the roadway and hit a guard rail, but he was not injured as a result of this crash.

Fire reported at a school in Midland

(Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Midland, PA) Midland Volunteer Fire Department Station 95 and their automatic aid were toned for an automatic fire alarm at around 6:15 p.m. yesterday evening at Lincoln Early Learning Center in Midland, which is located on 13th Street. A key holder arrived at the scene and a walkthrough of the school building was initiated. The result of the walkthrough was that there was no fire found and departments returned to service after this incident occurred.

Fire reported inside West Mayfield apartment

(Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(West Mayfield, PA) The City of Beaver Falls Fire Department and their first alarm responded just after 11:15 p.m. yesterday evening because of a structure fire in West Mayfield on West 10th Avenue. A caller reported an odor of something burning inside the apartment. After an investigation was held by firefighters, the incident was held to the personnel on scene and companies returned soon after it was handled.

Ellwood City man apprehended for making terroristic threats 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 fifty-one-year-old Brandon Falen of Ellwood City was apprehended on Saturday evening for making terroristic threats that evening in Lawrence County. This happened at 10:08 p.m. at a residence along Laurel Avenue in Wayne Township and Falen made threats of killing everyone in the residence, cutting off the head of his wife and killing all of the law enforcement that was responding to the incident. Falen was taken into Pennsylvania State Police custody without incident even though he tried to resist arrest and he is in Lawrence County Jail. Falen had charges of disorderly conduct, harassment of physical contact, resisting arrest and terroristic threats filed against him. The victims of this incident were an unidentified forty-five-year-old woman from Ellwood City and an unidentified twenty-two-year-old woman from Beaver Falls.

Catherine L. Budacki (Passed on January 31st, 2026)

Catherine L. Budacki, 93, passed away peacefully on January 31st, 2026, at Concordia Villa St. Joseph in Baden, her home for the last five years. Catherine spent her formative years in Monaca, where she was embraced by the love of her parents, the late John and Barbara (Jakovic) Budacki. She grew up alongside her siblings, sharing an unbreakable bond that only siblings understand. Her brothers John and Walter Budacki, a half brother, William Budacki and her sisters, Mary Budacki, Ann Kochanowski, and Diane McPherson have preceded her in death. She is survived by her beloved sister, Rosemary Budacki, along with several devoted nieces and nephews. She dedicated many years of her life as a medical secretary, working diligently alongside Dr. Pantalone and Dr. Conte. She was a long-standing member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca, now part of Mary, Queen of Saints Parish. As we bid farewell to Catherine L. Budacki, we are reminded of the impact one life can have on so many. Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 4th from 11 a.m. until the time of a service at 1 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements, where the blessing service will be held. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery of Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services.