Author: Beaver County Radio

Person hospitalized after explosion occurs at a Westmoreland County apartment building

(Photo Courtesy of WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on January 22nd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Westmoreland County, PA) According to the police chief of Westmoreland County, one person was flown to the hospital after an explosion at an apartment building in Delmont yesterday. The cause of the blast is unknown at this time. Westmoreland County dispatchers confirm that crews were called to the 100 block of Spring Lane at 3:16 p.m. and officials note that a medical helicopter was requested. Police state that the explosion may have been related to a propane tank and the Westmoreland County police chief expressed it is believed that the tank was in a hallway leading to the garage. A neighbor told WPXI that he found a man on the ground with burns after hearing an explosion. The status of the man that got hurt from this explosion is unknown at this time.

Pittsburgh International Airport falls just short of its 2024 passenger record

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh International Airport Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh International Airport almost broke its post-hub passenger record after 2025 ended. That record was set in 2024, but the airport came close to surpassing it. According to data released today by the Allegheny County Airport Authority, there were 9.84 million passengers either flying into or out of Pittsburgh International Airport in 2025, down from 9.94 million in 2024. The third-highest amount of passengers at the airport in Pittsburgh was 9.82 million at 2007.

Officials: Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus begins smoking with passengers on board

(Photo Courtesy of WPXI-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on January 23rd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aspinwall, PA) Officials state that a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus began smoking with passengers on board this morning. According to a PRT spokesperson, a coolant leak caused smoke at the rear of a 75-Ellsworth bus around 10:20 a.m., ten people were on the bus when the smoke began, but it did not appear that the smoke got inside. At the time the bus started smoking, it was on Freeport Road near Western Avenue in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania. There were no reported injuries.

Duquesne Light Company prepping entire fleet for major winter storm expected to move through Western Pennsylvania this weekend

(File Photo of Duquesne Light Company Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to Duquesne Light Company, its entire fleet of more than 1,200 vehicles is ready as its region prepares for a major winter storm expected to move through western Pennsylvania this weekend. Utility officials state that workers have been outfitting vehicles with snow chains, checking equipment and making sure everything is operating properly ahead of the storm. Duquesne Light Company confirmed its priority will remain with local customers in the Pittsburgh region despite receiving requests for assistance from outside of the state of Pennsylvania.

Representatives Bernstine and Mustello Highlight Rail Investments Supporting Jobs, Economic Growth in Butler County

(File Photo of Representative Aaron Bernstine)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg from the offices of Representatives Aaron Bernstine and Marci Mustello, Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) and Mustello (R-Butler) announced today more than $7 million in rail freight investments will improve transportation infrastructure, strengthen supply chains and support hundreds of family-sustaining jobs in Butler County and across western Pennsylvania. Funding was awarded through Pennsylvania’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP) and according to that same release, the railroads that received money and why they will use it are as follows:

  • Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad:

$4 million to make extensive upgrades across 218 miles of its Main Line and P&W Subdivisions. The project includes the replacement of 40 grade crossings, installation of 80,000 feet of rail, replacement of 30,000 ties, and surfacing 48 miles of track to improve safety and reliability.

  • Pittsburgh and Shawmut Railroad:

$3.1 million to rehabilitate approximately 20 miles of track on the Laurel Subdivision, along with upgrades to an additional six miles of track. The project also includes the installation of two switch machines and improvements to a grade crossing in the Butler Yard, a key hub for regional freight movement.

 

Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate at 4.2 Percent in December, Remaining Below National Average for 31 Consecutive Months Since May of 2023

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) released its preliminary employment situation report for December of 2025 today. The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was unchanged over the month at 4.2 percent in December of 2025. The unemployment rate in the United States was down one-tenth of a percentage point from November of 2025 to 4.4 percent in December of 2025.

New lawsuit claims there is more to death of a businessman from Coraopolis whose 2025 death was deemed a homicide

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA)A new lawsuit now claims there is more to the death of a local businessman that occurred last year. On March 12th, 2025, fifty-nine-year-old Donald Miller of Coraopolis died after an incident that occurred on the 200 block of Broadstone Drive in Mars. Attorney Wayne Chiurazzi and Attorney Al Lindsay filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Miller’s son. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner released new information on Wednesday,expressing that Miller died from complications caused by manual strangulation and deemed his manner of death a homicide. According to his obituary, Miller spent 25 years as the president and owner of Miller Plastics in Washington County. No one has been charged at this time in relation to Miller’s death.

Marjorie Rose Morrison (Passed on January 15th, 2026)

Marjorie Rose Morrison, 90, affectionately known as Marjorie to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on January 15th, 2026, in her home in Zephyrhills, Florida.

She was born in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Clarence Elmer and Marjorie Ellen (Bostwick) Stephens.

Marjorie was one of seven children and her early years were filled with the camaraderie that only a large family can provide. Marjorie married Roger Warren Morrison on August 14th, 1952, in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Together they raised four children, Roger Warren (Jr.), Keith Eugene, Blaine Jayce and Molly Elizabeth Shaw. All were raised with discipline and faith in Christ. Though she experienced the profound loss of her son, Roger Warren Morrison, Jr., in June of 1993, Marjorie resilience brought her through this tragedy. She was also preceded in death by four of her siblings, Gordon Stephens, Barbara Starcher, Glenna Watkins, and Bonita Foltz, whose memories she held close to her heart.

Marjorie’s resilience and strength shone as a testament to her character. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her early eighties she endured chemotherapy and survived until she was ninety.

As we bid farewell to Marjorie Rose Morrison, we celebrate a life lived with purpose, love, and an enduring faith.

Friends will be received on Saturday, January 24th from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at the SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, 450 Penn Avenue, Aliquippa.

Esther Nell Patterson (1940-2026)

Esther Nell Patterson, 85, of Clinton, passed away on January 17th, 2026 in her home. She was born on June 4th, 1940, a daughter of the late Frank and Irene Cooke. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray and her six brothers and sisters and a grandson, Lance Patterson. She is survived by her beloved children: Doug Patterson, Brenda & Karl Orndoff, Frank & Terri Patterson and Betty & Ron McElhaney; as well as nine grandchildren: Alex Patterson, Danny Orndoff, Kody Orndoff, Ashley Stein, Kasi Patterson, Megan Patterson, Miranda Patterson, Jessie McElhaney, and Nikki McElhaney; along with ten great grandchildren: Jayden, Aspen, Braelyn, Keagan, Phoenix, Seylah, Kenny, Kyra, Meilani, and Zephyr.

Esther was a beloved mother who did everything she could to help her family. She loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a great cook, she especially enjoyed preparing food for her family get togethers, holidays, and other special occasions. Her cooking will be missed by all. She and her husband Ray would spend their winters in Florida, which was always a fun time for them. She also enjoyed watching game shows and playing bingo.

Friends will be received on Monday, January 26th from 3-7 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of her arrangements and where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at 11 a.m.

Interment will follow in Mt. Olivet Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.

$2.65 million settlement made in the 2017 death of a man shot by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officer in Luzerne County

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Luzerne County, PA) A settlement of $2.65 million has now been made in the 2017 death of a man that was involved in a shooting incident with a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission officer in Luzerne County. According to online court records, thirty-seven-year-old Sean Bohinski of Nanticoke was fatally shot by Waterways Conservation Officer Aaron Lupacchini on October 24th, 2017, during an incident along the Susquehanna River. No criminal charges were filed against Officer Lupacchini in the incident. However, the mother of Bohinski, Peggy Boucher, filed a wrongful death suit against the agency in 2019 alleging that Lupacchini violated Fish and Boat Commission policies and used excessive force when he confronted Bohinski.