Bridge Washing Operations Next Week in Beaver County

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing daylight bridge washing activities on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in Brighton Township and Route 51 in Darlington Township, Beaver County will occur Monday through Thursday, October 14-17 weather permitting.

Bridge washing operations requiring traffic shifts and lane restrictions will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. according to the following schedule:

  • Monday through Thursday – Route 51 in each direction between Cannelton Road and Lemp Way.
  • Tuesday through Thursday – I-376 in each direction between the Chippewa (Exit 31) and Brighton (Exit 36) interchanges.

Crews from Green Acres Contracting will conduct the bridge washing.

Motorists should allow extra time if traveling in the area.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh waiving adopting fees for “HARP-O-Ween”

(Pittsburgh, PA) Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh is waiving adoption fees for cats and dogs six months and older this weekend for “HARP-O-Ween,” sponsored by the BISSELL Pet Foundation. Each day, adopters will be registered to win a Halloween-themed prize package to make the adoption process even sweeter. Adoption of any pet includes:

  • Spaying/neutering 
  • Vaccinations appropriate for their age at the time of adoption 
  • Microchipping 
  • Basic health check 
  • Flea/tick protection 
  • Dogs 6 months or older are tested for heartworm.

For more information, you can visit humaneanimalrescue.org.

Columbia Gas still investigating gas leaks from homes in Cranberry Township

(Cranberry Township, PA) On Wednesday, over thirty homes in Cranberry Township had gas leaks, as Cranberry firefighters and crews from Columbia Gas checked for gas leaks in homes in the Fox Run neighborhood. Cranberry fire chief Scott Garing confirmed the department got bunches of calls from homeowners around 3 p.m. complaining of gas odors coming from their basements. A Columbia Gas spokesperson said no gas lines were hit or damaged and the pressure was normal in the lines. Columbia Gas will continue to investigate what caused the leaks, and Fire Chief Garing suggests that you call either 911 or a gas company if you smell either gas odors or a rotten egg smell in your house. 

Winning lottery ticket sold in Findlay Township worth over a million dollars

(Findlay Township, PA) A winning Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket for the Oct. 6 drawing matched all five balls drawn, 1-3-24-25-32, was sold to win $1,003,457 less withholding.

A $10,000 bonus was given to Center Independent Oil (Shell), 1424 Route 30, in the Clinton area of Findlay Township, for selling the winning ticket.

After prizes are claimed and tickets are validated, winners can be identified.  The prize must be claimed within one year of the drawing date for a main Cash 5 game. Any Quick Cash game prizes won must be claimed within one year of the purchase date. Anyone holding this ticket should contact the nearest office of the Pennsylvania Lottery or call 1-800-692-7481.

Western Psychiatric Hospital nurses getting ready to strike for understaffing and low pay

(Pittsburgh, PA) UPMC nurses with Western Psychiatric Hospital in Pittsburgh are planning to strike for both increased staff and better levels of pay. These nurses assert that both closing beds and understaffing has affected the hospital’s ability to provide vital services. According to a news release from the union, Western Psychiatric Hospital has experienced staff turnover of about 100% over the past three years, with about 123 nurses exiting their jobs in that period, as well as the unanimous vote to authorize a strike this week. 

Lead detected in drinking water in several Pennsylvania schools

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Pennsylvania) Concerning levels of lead have been detected in the drinking water at some Pennsylvania schools, according to a new report. The investigation examined nine large school districts across the state and reveals widespread noncompliance with safety regulations. David Masur with PennEnvironment says his organization filed a set of “Right to Know” requests with school districts across the state – and in all nine cases, found the districts were not implementing best practices to protect kids from lead in drinking water. 

Kennywood to sell pieces of wood from three of their most iconic roller coasters

(West Mifflin, PA) Kennywood announced on Wednesday that you can literally get a piece of three of their most iconic roller coasters. At Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest, parkgoers will be able to purchase pieces of wood from the Jack Rabbit, the Thunderbolt, and the Racer at the Arcade Gift Shop costing $49.99 each. All three of these coasters opened in the 1920s, the Jack Rabbit in 1920, the Racer in 1927, and the Thunderbolt in 1924, originally named the Pippin, then designed and reopened as the Thunderbolt in 1968. 

WPIAL football game between Ringgold High School and Thomas Jefferson postponed

(Carroll Township, PA) A WPIAL high school football game has been postponed after cited “incidents of misconduct” from the Ringgold High School football team. According to a statement from the Ringgold School District’s website, the district was aware of the incidents on Thursday, and Thursday night, students from the football team gathered to protest and chanted “keep our coaches!” A video of this scene was shared on Snapchat and was seen by parents. WPIAL chief operating officer Vince Sortino decided that a postponement instead of a forfeit of Ringgold High School’s game against Thomas Jefferson, which was supposed to happen Friday, was made. Sortino also confirmed that if the game is not replayed within three weeks, the WPIAL will decide when to replay the game before the season ends. 

Roberta Marion Beaudway (1935-2024)

Roberta Marion Beaudway, 89, passed away on October 9, 2024. She was born on April 25, 1935, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a daughter of the late Roland and Nina Hawley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Brant Beaudway. She is survived by her son, Scott (Karen) Beaudway, grandchildren, Jacob and Sophie Beaudway, and sister Patricia Nesler.

Roberta attended Wheaton College of Wheaton, Illinois, for her undergraduate studies and Trinity College of Burlington, Vermont for her graduate studies. She worked as a teacher, librarian, bookkeeper, QA/QC auditor and later as a counselor with Pressley Ridge Schools, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She also served as the Mayor and President of the Council of Arona, Pennsylvania. She loved art, music, literature and helping others.

In accordance with Roberta’s request, there will be no services held. Funeral services were entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to People In Need, pinpa.org/donate/

Emma P. Schneider (1933-2024)

Emma P. Schneider, 91, of Economy, passed away on October 10, 2024. She was born on April 15, 1933, the daughter of the late Fiore and Tommasina Floro. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Schneider, as well as her siblings: Frank Floro, Fiore Floro Jr., Colorinda Floro, and Antoinette Toth.

She is survived by her children, Cindy (Leo) DeGori and Rick Schneider, along with her grandchildren, Jaymie DeGori, Levi (Kristen) Schneider, and Matthew Schneider, as well as her great-grandchildren: Marquel, Weslyn, Wyatt, Aubrey, Brantley, and Colton.

Emma had a passion for baking her famous cookies and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and camping. In accordance with her wishes, funeral services will be private. Arrangements are entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.