Author: Beaver County Radio

2026 Beaver County Boom on the Bridge supporting acts announced

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Visit Beaver County, Posted on Facebook on March 18th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bridgewater, PA) The supporting acts were recently announced for the 2026 Beaver County Boom on the Bridge, which will take place in Bridgewater on June 27th, 2026. The headliner is country singer Dustin Lynch and the acts that will take place after him are Gene the Werewolf, North to Nashville and Lincoln Arts Performing Arts Charter school graduate Ashley Marina, who made it onto John Legend’s Team on the NBC reality singing competition show, “The Voice: Battle of Champions.” The festival will take place at 3 p.m. and the Zambelli fireworks show will take place at 9:45 p.m. 

Frank J. Namath (1967-2026)

Frank J. Namath, 58, of Baden, passed away on March 16th, 2026 at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was born in Monaca on April 18th, 1967, a son of the late Robert Sr. and Billie (Bonamn) Namath. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his pet, Memphis. He is survived by his wife, Carol Namath, his son, Caleb Namath, his sister, Connie (Steve) Sluzynsky of Monaca, his brothers, Bobby Namath Jr. of Monaca, Richie (Sara) Namath of Conway and Danny Namath, of Weirton, West Virginia, nieces and nephews: Timmy Namath, Steven and Meghan Sluzynsky, and Madison, Abigail, and Hunter Namath; as well as aunts, Edith Namath of Beaver Falls and Sharon Namath, of New Brighton, his uncle, Joseph Namath of Florida and lastly his pet, Carlos Santiago Namath, the Golden Retriever; as well as numerous other family members.

Frank will be remembered as a devoted family man whose greatest joy in life was the time he spent with those he loved most. He took immense pride in his son, Caleb, who was truly his pride and joy. He was a constant presence at every event and milestone, always showing unwavering support and love. He had a passion for the simple things in life. He especially enjoyed canning (most notably peppers) with his cousin, Frank. He also carried on a love of cooking passed down from his father, often spending time grilling and crafting his own homemade barbeque sauce. He was an avid outdoorsman and was a dedicated fisherman who would travel to destinations such as Florida and Erie in pursuit of the perfect catch, though he was just as happy casting a line anywhere he could. When he wasn’t fishing, he could often be found riding his tractor and tending to his lawn. He was also a lifelong and enthusiastic Steelers fan who rarely missed a game and always cheering on his team with passion. Among his proudest personal accomplishments was being part of the 1985 WPIAL championship football team for Monaca, a memory he carried with him throughout his life. He will be remembered for his strong sense of family, his dedication to those he loved, and the joy he found in life’s everyday moments.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, March 19th, from 4-7 p.m., at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home Inc., 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements. An additional viewing will be held at that funeral home on Friday, March 20th from 10 a.m. until the time of a blessing service at 11 a.m., with Father Joe Carr officiating. A procession to St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 2045 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, will follow immediately after the service.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frank J. Namath, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Blackhawk School District teacher honored as a recipient of the National State Teachers of the Year-PA Apple Award for Excellence in Education

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Blackhawk School District, Posted on Facebook on March 18th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) Blackhawk School District made an announcement on Facebook yesterday that one of its teachers, Mrs. Dana Cox, has been named a recipient of the National State Teachers of the Year-PA Apple Award for Excellence in Education. Mrs. Cox, who is a middle school English teacher and Technology Facilitator, was nominated by a colleague for her leadership, innovation, and dedication to student success. Cox has played a key role in guiding district initiatives for technology, supporting teachers, and helping to shape responsible practices for the use of AI in education. 

Walker’s OT goal lifts Hurricanes past Penguins 6-5 in matchup of Metropolitan Division’s top teams

 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho (20) controls the puck in front of Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rickard Rakell (67) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sean Walker scored with 28.3 seconds left in overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes beat Pittsburgh 6-5 on Wednesday night, spoiling Sidney Crosby’s return to the Penguins’ lineup.

Jackson Blake had a goal and two assists, Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall and Walker each had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes. Jordan Martinook and K’Andre Miller also scored and Nikolaj Ehlers finished with three assists. Frederik Andersen made 30 saves.

Erik Karlsson had two goals and an assist, Crosby added a goal and an assist, and Bryan Rust and Ben Kindel also scored for Pittsburgh. Stuart Skinner stopped 38 shots in the second matchup in nine nights between the top teams in the Metropolitan Division that went beyond regulation.

Pittsburgh completed a 2-1-2 trip that began with last week’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Eastern Conference- and Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes.

Each team scored twice in the final 7:01 of regulation, beginning with Stankoven’s goal and capped by Miller’s score with 2:51 left. In between, Karlsson and Kindel scored in a 23-second span.

Walker’s goal was his third in an eight-game stretch.

After Stankoven’s goal with 7:01 left gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 lead, Karlsson and Kindel scored 23 seconds apart for the Penguins.

Crosby missed 11 games after suffering a lower-body injury while playing for Canada in the Milan Cortina Olympics. He logged about 18½ minutes in his return, scoring the Penguins’ first goal midway through the second period. It was his 28th of the season.

Karlsson’s tying goal 59 seconds into the third came on a 5-on-3 power play to begin a period that included seven total goals.

Martinook’s short-handed goal was the only scoring in the first period.

Up next

Penguins: Host Winnipeg on Saturday.

Hurricanes: At Toronto on Friday.

 

Pittsburgh-area contractor found guilty on thirteen counts of violating federal fraud and tax laws by defrauding the Defense Logistics Agency

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A federal jury has recently found a Pittsburgh-area defense contractor guilty on 13 counts of violating federal fraud and tax laws. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, 75-year-old Donald Smith was found guilty of eight charges of wire fraud and five counts of failing to file a corporate tax return. Evidence showed that from 2019 to 2023, Smith underwent a process that defrauded the Defense Logistics Agency. That is the department that provides material to every branch of the U.S. military. Smith presented products to the agency and charged payments of over $1 million dollars, but the products were not what he promised or described. Smith also failed to file corporate tax returns reporting any of the payments his company received during that time on top of the scheme he planned. Smith is facing a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000 for the wire fraud counts and in regards to the tax violations, he is facing up to a year in jail on each count or a fine of no more than $100,000 or twice the gain from the offense. He will be sentenced at a later date.  

Enjoy Free Admission to Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on March 20th to Celebrate the #1 Children’s Museum in the Country on Fred Rogers’ Birthday

(File Photo: Source for Photo: 393868 02: (File Photo) Fred Rogers, The Host Of The Children’s Television Series, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Rests His Arms On A Small Trolley In This Promotional Portrait From The 1980’s. “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” Will Broadcast It’s Last New Episode August 31, 2001 It Was Announced August 30 In A Statement By Rogers From Nantucket, Ma. Rogers Has Been Broadcasting His Gentle Entertainment To Children For Thirty-Four Years. (Photo By Getty Images)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will offer free admission for all guests on Friday, March 20th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate it being named the number one children’s museum in the United States by the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. March 20th is also the birthday of the late television personality and minister, Fred Rogers, who is featured in some exhibits and programs at that museum. Those exhibits are part of the reason that the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh earned the nod from USA Today for the best children’s museum in the country. You can visit pittsburghkids.org for more information on its admission, hours and more. 

Winning $1 million Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off ticket sold at a gas station in Pittsburgh

(Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A scratch-off lottery ticket recently revealed a prize of $1 million for a big winner in the city of Pittsburgh who played the “$1,000,000 Winnings” game. According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, the winning ticket was sold at the GetGo convenience store on East Carson Street in the South Side. That store will get a $5,000 bonus for selling this winning ticket. Winners are advised to sign the back of their ticket immediately and call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 1-800-692-7481. The “$1,000,000 Winnings” game costs $20 to play, and it offers top prizes of $1 million. 

Sheetz Aims to Hire 500 Employees in Pennsylvania Through Upcoming Hiring Events

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Sheetz)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Altoona, PA) Sheetz announced today its immediate plans to hire 500 employees in Pennsylvania. Sheetz will be hosting hiring events with on-the-spot interviews on Wednesday, March 25th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time at each of its 315 Pennsylvania locations. According to a release in Altoona from Sheetz, they are focused on hiring for the following key roles across its Pennsylvania stores:

  • Store Team Members: Prepare Made-to-Order® food in the kitchen, provide Total Customer Focus at the register, and maintain store cleanliness.
  • Supervisors: Prioritize in-store tasks, delegate effectively, and foster a positive work culture.
  • Assistant Managers: Lead and manage day-to-day store operations in the manager’s absence, ensure fully staffed stores, and foster positive relationships with employees and the community.

Candidates that are interested in attending a hiring event will need to apply for a store position online at jobs.sheetz.com before arriving. Once inside the store, individuals can scan the QR code that is provided by Sheetz to sign in and then check in at the cash register. Once they are checked in, candidates may enjoy a complimentary soda and take a seat while they await their interview. Sheetz is looking for people who bring some energy and thrive in environments that are fast-paced, where no two shifts are the same. Ideal candidates tackle their challenges head-on, stay positive during the times that are busy, and genuinely care about their customers, community and team.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will return to the lineup three weeks after being put on the injured reserve for injury he suffered at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, left, celebrates his second goal of the first period with Rickard Rakell during an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse confirmed today that when the Penguins take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh, their captain Sidney Crosby will be back in the lineup. The thirty-eight-year-old center suffered an injury in a quarterfinal men’s ice hockey game between Canada and Czechia at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy on February 18th, 2026. The right leg of Crosby appeared to buckle when Czechia defenseman Radko Gudas hit him in the second period of that game. Crosby was put on the injured reserve three weeks ago. 

State Representative Josh Kail presents new Eagle Scout with an official Pennsylvania House citation for work on Eagle Scout restoration project

(Photo Courtesy of State Representative Josh Kail)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(McGuffey, PA) State Representative Josh Kail recently presented Benjamin Michael Piatt of Troop 1103 with an official House citation in Pennsylvania to commemorate his dedication, hard work and leadership. Piatt earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and his Eagle Scout project consisted of restoring the McGuffey Park Flag Area. This project will assist his community by enhancing that patriotic and meaningful space for the residents to enjoy. Kail also thanked Piatt for making a difference in a post on Facebook today.