Joe Block returned to Beaver County Radio airwaves on Wednesday, fielding questions about the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff.
Is Mitch Keller primed for a bounce-back season? Has the relief pitching corps solidified?
Here’s what Block, one of the Pirates’ broadcasters, had to say:
Block will be back on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show at 7:40 a.m. Friday and Monday, chatting with host Scott Tady.
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Jeanette L. Tuffie, 82, passed away peacefully on March 15th, 2026. She was born in Frostburg, Maryland. She spent the majority of her life in Monaca and most recently made her home in Center Township, Pennsylvania. She was a loving daughter of the late Charles Dyche and Thelma Dyche Shriner. Her family’s roots in Monaca stretched back to 1953. She is survived by her devoted husband, August J. “Buzz” Tuffie and their union began on March 14th, 1964, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca. Even though she was preceded in death by her son, Trent Tuffie, Jeanette’s spirit lives on through her son, Dean Tuffie and her daughter and son-in-law, Lainie and Benjamin Liptak. Her joy was multiplied with the arrival of her grandchildren, Trent and P.J. Liptak. She is also survived by her caring sister, Donna Michael, and her brother, John (Patty) Shriner.
Jeanette was a proud graduate of Monaca High School, class of 1962. Her professional journey was marked by a notable tenure as the Director of Activities for Providence Health and Rehabiliation Center in Beaver Falls. She was a longtime member of the Monaca Junior Women’s Club and St. John’s School PTA while her children were students there. Her service extended to the Beaver County Council of Governments and she also held numerous offices with the American Heart Association, demonstrating her commitment to the well-being of others. As we mourn the loss of Jeanette L. Tuffie, we also celebrate a life lived with purpose, joy, and an abundance of love.
Friends will be received on Saturday, March 21st from 12 noon until 3 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements.
Edward C. Dambach, 76, of Chippewa Township, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on March 16th, 2026, at Danbury Hudson Assisted Living in Hudson, Ohio. He was born in New Castle on December 4th, 1949. He is survived by his mother, Marian Dambach, his daughter and son-in-law, Gretchen and Steven Fritsch, his granddaughters, Hallie and Adrienne “Addy” Fritsch, his sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Thomas Bishop, his brother-in-law, Carl Hillard, his nieces and nephews including: Kimberly (Kirk) Haberman, Timothy (Anna) Bishop, Robyn Mullin, Abigail (Nathan) Donolo, Allison (Ryan) Boyles; as well as his several great nieces and nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Dean Dambach, his wife, Diana Dambach, and infant brother, Gary Dambach.
Edward graduated from Laurel High School in 1967. He then went on to graduate from Westminster College in 1971 and received his Master’s degree from Westminster in 1976. He taught mathematics at Blackhawk High School for 35 years and at Geneva College for 40 years. He received multiple distinguished teaching awards throughout his careers. He was passionate about education and authored two math textbooks that are still used at Geneva College today. He also served on the Noyse Grant program that contributed to enriching the abilities of STEM teachers. In his spare time, he was an avid golfer who enjoyed refinishing furniture and tutoring many math students. He was incredibly active in his community and church serving on multiple boards. He lived a life of warmth, kindness and an unwavering devotion to the people around him and he treasured time with family and friends. A visitation will occur on Thursday, March 19th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge in his arrangements. A funeral service will also be held on Friday, March 20th at 11 a.m. at Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls. A procession will follow to Sylvania Hills Mausoleum, 273 PA-68, Rochester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Edward C. Dambach Funded Scholarship at Geneva College or the Multiple Myeloma Program at The Cleveland Clinic.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds the trophy after their win against Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh native Curt Cignetti will drive the honorary pace car this year at the Indianapolis 500. Cignetti is the head coach of Indiana University’s college football team, and he led the Hoosiers to their first college football national championship on January 19th, 2026 in Miami. Race organizers made the announcement last night during the World Baseball Classic championship game, which was also held in Miami. Cignetti will drive a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X, which is touted as the most advanced Corvette ever made, at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 24th.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) reacts after getting sacked during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pitt Panthers’ upcoming Blue-Gold spring football game at Acrisure Stadium will not be open to the public. Pitt stated on Monday that the annual spring game that’s being held on April 11th will be closed to the public because of ongoing preparations for the upcoming NFL Draft that will be taking place in and around Acrisure Stadium. The draft will be in the Steel City from April 23rd-25th with the Main Stage and NFL Draft Theater expected to take up more area than a football field outside of Acrisure Stadium.
(FIle Photo of the Blackhawk School District Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Allison Park, PA) Blackhawk’s girl’s high school basketball team lost 45-44 to Oakland Catholic last night in Allison Park because of a game-deciding play in one of the semifinal games of the girls Class 4A PIAA state playoffs. Blackhawk senior guard Grace Huston went up for a shot to win it for the Cougars with less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation, but it was blocked by Oakland Catholic guard Luci LaMendola and after a scrum ensued for the loose ball, Oakland Catholic came away with possession and dribbled out the clock.
(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of KDKA Photojournalist Brian Smithmyer, Caption for Photo: A man from Beaver County was arrested and charged with ethnic intimidation and terroristic threats after police said a bomb threat was part of a threatening voicemail message left at the Islamic Center of Western Pennsylvania late last week.Ted Frank, 54, of Center Township, is accused of leaving a voicemail that threatened the well-being of Muslims and caused panic within the mosque on Warrendale Bayne Road, which was evacuated.)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Marshall Township, PA) A man from Beaver County has been arrested and charged with leaving a threatening voicemail message at the Islamic Center of Western Pennsylvania mosque in Marshall Township. Fifty-four-year-old Ted Frank of Center Township, has been charged with felony counts of ethnic intimidation and terroristic threats after police stated that a bomb threat was called into the mosque as part of what police described in court paperwork as a threatening voicemail left on the center’s phone on Friday. Northern Regional Police expressed in court documents that the voicemail threatened the well-being of Muslims and caused panic within the mosque on Warrendale Bayne Road, which was evacuated. According to the criminal complaint, investigators traced the phone number the voicemail was left from and were able to link the phone call to Frank. Police quoted Frank as saying in the alleged message that Muslims should leave the United States and “go back to Iran.” Court records state that Frank was denied bail and he is being held in the Allegheny County Jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for early April.
(File Photo of the Borough of Ambridge Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Ambridge, PA) Street Sweeping begins in Ambridge Borough on April 6th, 2026. Residents are advised to follow the signs posted on their streets and anyone parked on the street during the Borough designated street sweeping day will receive a ticket as of April 6th. The Street Sweeping Calendar can be found on the Ambridge Borough Website under printable forms at ambridgeboro.org. You can also pick up a copy of the calendar at either the Ambridge Borough Police Department or their Borough Administration office.
(File Photo of the Beaver County Humane Society)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Aliquippa, PA) Charges have been filed against two people in connection with a suspected dog-fighting ring in Beaver County. According to The Beaver County Humane Society, Ronald Kidder and Terry Decarlos have been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and neglect after 23 dogs were seized from an Aliquippa property. Officials stated that the dogs were found during the severe snowstorm that swept through the area on January 25th, 2026. The humane society will continue to care for the dogs and will continue to do so until the owners give up their rights. The dogs will eventually be put up for adoption. Court papers confirm that Kidder and Decarlos are not in custody and that arrest warrants have been issued.
(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release yesterday that seventy-six-year-old Kathleen Miller of Pittsburgh was not charged after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Pittsburgh yesterday. This crash took place because Miller was tailgating the vehicle of fifty-two-year-old Koffie Hammond of Pittsburgh on I-376 West at approximately 3:53 p.m. Both drivers were transported to hospitals in the Pittsburgh area because they had injuries with unknown severities.