PHOENIX (AP) — Pittsburgh’s bullpen wasted a strong start by All-Star Mitch Keller by giving up a late run and a walk-off hit Saturday night.

Given a second chance less than 24 hours later, seven Pirates took turns shutting down the dangerous Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ji Man Choi hit a two-run homer, Pittsburgh’s bullpen combined on a four-hitter and the Pirates ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

“It’s always nice to have a second chance the following day to redeem yourself,” said Pirates reliever Colin Holderman, who allowed a hit in the eighth inning after giving up the tying homer on Saturday.

Choi homered off Zach Davies (1-5) in the second inning and the Pirates bullpen took turns shutting down the Diamondbacks, a day after giving up a late lead in a 3-2 loss to Arizona.

Osvaldo Bido (1-1) allowed a hit in 1 1/3 innings for his first big league win and Jared Triolo hit a run-scoring single in the ninth inning for a two-run lead. All-Star closer David Bednar worked around a walk in the ninth inning for his 17th save in 18 chances after giving up the winning hit the night before.

“We played a really good game against one of the better teams in baseball and I’m proud of the way our group finished in this road trip going in the All-Star break,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “They did a really nice job.”

Alek Thomas homered for the second straight game for the Diamondbacks, who failed to score a runner from third three times. Arizona has lost five of seven, but still heads into the All-Star break tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the NL West at 52-39.

“Probably a little more of a frustration day for me,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We had some opportunities to score some runs. We didn’t.”

Davies gave up four runs on two homers in a no-decision against the New York Mets in his last start.

The long ball hurt him again on Sunday when Choi hit his third homer of the season out to center. Jack Suwinski put the Pirates up 3-2 with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.

Davies allowed three runs on five hits with five strikeouts in 5 1/2 innings.

“Zach, for me, was very good, but their designated hitter clipped him for a two-run homer that kind of changed the momentum of the game,” Lovullo said.

The Diamondbacks flashed their speed to score a run off Carmen Mlodzinski in the first inning.

Geraldo Perdomo initiated a double steal by breaking from second early and scored when Pirates catcher Austin Hedges threw the ball into center trying to get the trail runner.

Thomas provided a dose of power in the third inning, lining a solo homer to right to tie the game at 2, but the Diamondbacks didn’t put up much of a fight the rest of the way.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A fast-moving fire severely damaged an historic market building in Pennsylvania’s capital city early Monday, but no injuries were reported in the blaze.

The fire at the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg was reported about 1 a.m. but was brought under control a short time later. The site housed a stone building and a brick building that had stood for about 145 years, but the brick building was the only one damaged. Part of that structure was destroyed, but city officials said they are hopeful it can be rebuilt.

Authorities believe no one was in the building when the fire broke out, and the cause remains under investigation. It is believed to be the oldest continuously operated market house in the United States.

Harrisburg and other small cities scattered across central Pennsylvania have a long tradition of brick-and-mortar central market houses, where produce from local farms is alongside baked goods, prepared foods, artwork, craft beer and a variety of other things for sale. The Broad Street Market, about four blocks from the state Capitol, had in recent years bounced back from decay to become a thriving cultural and community spot.

Beaver Falls, PA – During a July 7 visit to the Carnegie Free Library in Beaver
Falls, Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA)
Executive Director Brandon Carson, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) discussed the Administration’s plans to use more than $1.16 billion in federal funds the Commonwealth will receive to expand broadband and ensure every Pennsylvanian can access the internet. The funding is through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding and is part of President Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative.

Last week, Governor Shapiro announced that the Commonwealth will receive the funding to extend broadband infrastructure to communities that currently lack reliable, affordable, highspeed internet access in order to connect Pennsylvanians and ensure they can go to school, start and grow businesses, and access telemedicine no matter where they live.

“When Pennsylvanians are connected to reliable broadband, they have better health outcomes, better education outcomes, and better economic outcomes,” said Governor Shapiro. “That’s why we need to invest in broadband, right now, to grow our economy and strengthen our communities. Accessible, reliable, affordable broadband is important for every community and every family across this Commonwealth – no matter your zip code. My Administration will continue to work with all our partners at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure that we can deliver real opportunity for every student, business, worker, and community in Pennsylvania.”

The $1.16 billion in BEAD funding to the Commonwealth will be administered by the PBDA – an independent, bipartisan agency created by law in December 2021. The PBDA is in the process of creating a five-year action plan that will put broadband in every community across Pennsylvania.

“This is truly about supporting the people of Pennsylvania and ensuring they have the resources to live prosperous and healthy lives. Everyone should have access to affordable, high-speed internet – and the PBDA is committed to making that a reality,” said Brandon Carson, Executive Director of the PBDA. “Our team has worked hard to make sure Pennsylvania received this historic level of federal funding, and thanks to this support from the Biden Administration and under the leadership of Governor Shapiro, we look forward to connecting communities across the Commonwealth.”

The PBDA worked with Penn State Extension to identify more than 50,000 locations in
Pennsylvania that lack access to high-speed internet but weren’t included in the federal government’s initial map. The Federal Communications Commission has upheld 32,000 of those submitted, making those locations eligible for federal BEAD funding and helping to ensure Pennsylvania received its share of the BEAD funding.

The PBDA is now working to complete a five-year action plan for the Commonwealth’s BEAD allocation, which must be submitted to the NTIA by August 12, 2023. Pennsylvania will receive the BEAD funding in 2024 following the NTIA’s approval of the plan. The Authority plans to begin awarding subgrants to approved, eligible applicants in 2024.

“Today we stand marking a once in a lifetime moment, a moment when our generation can stand up and bring opportunity, equity and access to all, a moment we can bridge the gap and expand infrastructure to every corner of this country,” said NTIA Senior Advisor for External Affairs Barbara Cottam. “We all know today the internet is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Governor Shapiro understands this and has made providing affordable, reliable high-speed internet a priority of his administration. Importantly, he understands the jobs coming with the internet build out and has already begun providing funding for registered apprenticeship programs to train the workforce. Pennsylvania is thinking ahead.”

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to participate in the community engagement events taking place around the Commonwealth throughout the summer. Feedback will be collected from these events, as well as an online survey, and will be used to help shape broadband programs, including the five-year BEAD action plan.

To date, Pennsylvania has received more than $1.5 billion in federal funding allocations for its broadband efforts. In addition to the BEAD funding, Pennsylvania also received $279 million in funding through the Capital Projects Fund and $6.6 million in federal planning funds in 2022.

The Governor was joined at the press conference by Congressman Chris Deluzio, Beaver Falls mayor Kenya Johns, PA State Representative Jim Marshall, State Senator Elder Vogel and County Commissioners Jack Manning and Dan Camp, among others.

Visit the PBDA’s website to learn more about its work to close the digital divide in the
Commonwealth.

(Image courtesy Commonwealth Media Services)

SEATTLE (AP) — LSU’s stars stole the spotlight at the College World Series. It carried over to the top of baseball’s amateur draft.

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected hard-throwing LSU right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes with the top pick in the draft on Sunday night, with teammate Dylan Crews going No. 2 to the Washington Nationals.

It’s the first time in the draft’s history teammates went 1-2.

“It’s super humbling. I was in shock when I heard,” Skenes said. “A year ago, two years ago, I never through it was a possibility to be the first overall pick. I don’t know what I was expecting going into today, but it means a lot.”

Skenes went 12-3 with 209 strikeouts in 122 2/3 innings in helping lead the Tigers to the College World Series championship. The pick was announced by Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., the top pick of the 1987 draft by the Seattle Mariners.

Skenes was the first college pitcher selected No. 1 overall since Casey Mize by Detroit in 2018.

“He had an incredibly special season at LSU. He obviously took another step forward this spring,” Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington said. “It’s a really special combination of pitches and just as much about the mix and command than any one pitch.”

For the second time in three years, the Pirates held the top overall selection thanks to winning the first draft lottery and jumping Washington in the selection order. The Pirates picked catcher Henry Davis at the top in 2021; he made his major league debut last month for Pittsburgh.

Skenes’ signing bonus is expected to be near the slot value of about $9.7 million. Cherington said the hope is an agreement can come quickly and Skenes could pitch somewhere in the Pirates organization in 2023.

“It will have been a little while since he last pitched in the World Series and we want to be sure that whatever that schedule and progression looks (like) makes sense for him,” Cherington said.

It seemed to be a debate between Skenes and Crews for the top pick. It didn’t take long for Crews to come off the board after hitting .426 with 18 home runs while playing center field for the Tigers. Crews had a 26-game hitting streak as part of his standout season for the Tigers and finished his career at LSU by reaching base in each of his final 75 college games.

Crews said he’s never been to Washington, but saw plenty of the Nationals while growing up and watching Bryce Harper.

“Seeing him in a Nationals uniform, it was pretty awesome,” Crews said. “I’m going to play my game and hopefully have as much impact as him. … He’s just a complete player.”

Crews is the first college position player taken by Washington with its first pick since Anthony Rendon in 2011.

“A guy we’ve watched since he was in high school,” Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo said. “He’s the type of guy that we want here in Washington. He’s a terrific person. He’s got great character. He’s very competitive and he’s a winner.”

Four LSU players total were selected on the first day, with right-handed pitchers Ty Floyd (No. 38 by Cincinnati) and Grant Taylor (No. 51 by the Chicago White Sox) also picked.

Detroit selected high school outfielder Max Clark from Franklin, Indiana, at No. 3. Clark was the Gatorade national player of the year after hitting .646 with six homers and 33 RBIs during his high school season.

But the first round was tilted to college players, with 17 of the 28 selections.

Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford went No. 4 to Texas, and high school outfielder Walker Jenkins, from Oak Island, North Carolina, went fifth to Minnesota.

Oakland took college shortstop Jacob Wilson, the son of former major league shortstop Jack Wilson, from Grand Canyon at No. 6.

Wake Forest right-hander Rhett Lowder went No. 7 to Cincinnati, Kansas City selected high school catcher Blake Mitchell, from Sinton, Texas, at No. 8, and Colorado picked Tennessee right-hander Chase Dollander.

The top 10 concluded with Miami selecting high school righty Noble Meyer from Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon.

The first round ended with Houston taking Nebraska shortstop Bryce Matthews at No. 28, but only after Commissioner Rob Manfred had to pause due to boos about the mention of the Astros.

Seattle was the only team with three picks in the first 39 selections after becoming the first team to be awarded an extra promotion incentive pick under the new collective bargaining agreement. That pick was the result of Julio Rodríguez winning AL Rookie of the Year last season and getting a full year of major league service.

Seattle used that incentive pick to take high school outfielder Jonny Farmelo, from Chantilly, Virginia. Seattle also selected high school shortstops Colt Emerson, from New Concord, Ohio, at No. 22 and Tai Peete, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, at No. 30.

The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers each had their first picks dropped by 10 spots for going more than $40 million over the luxury tax threshold last year. The Mets picked 32nd and Dodgers 36th.

The Mets took high school shortstop Colin Houck from Lilburn, Georgia, at No. 32 overall and the Dodgers picked high school outfielder Kendall George from Humble, Texas, at No. 36.

(Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published July 10, 2023 8:14 A.M.)

District Attorney David J. Lozier was joined by Mayor Dwan B. Walker, Aliquippa Police and PA State Police Sunday afternoon at Main and Knoll Streets for a press conference. This is the area where Dahvea Sparrow, 15, was shot to death at 11:19 p.m Saturday night. after he had left a party.

It was reported that Beaver County coroner David J. Gabauer announced Monday morning that the official cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head as the result of a homicide.

The DA told those in attendance that Aliquippa Police requested assistance from state police. Both agencies have been working non-stop since Saturday night which was 17 1/2 hours as of 5 p.m. Sunday. He said the city, citizens of the county, and Dahvea’s family ask for the public’s assistance.

Aliquippa school district superintendent Dr. Phil K. Woods spoke to those in attendance, about his cousin who liked football and boxing. Mayor Walker added that he coached him in the youth football program in the city.

Crime Solvers has posted a $5,000 reward for one week that is payable to anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of the murderer. The caller’s identity and information may remain confidential. Information will be accepted by calling PSP 724-773-7400, Aliquippa Police 724-375-6682 or Crime Solvers at 724-774-2000.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 9, 2023 7:44 P.M.

(Ambridge,PA) Police had an active standoff in Ambridge Sunday Evening just after 7pm. A juvenile was shot and killed on 11th street. Police searched through the area trying to locate the suspect before surrounding a structure on Olive Lane, just off of Duss Avenue. Beaver County Radio was told by police to vacate from the scene. Police were seen with guns drawn, trying to talk at least one person out of the building. The coroner was called to the shooting scene at church street. Stay tuned as we gather more details.

UPDATES: Added confirmation of coroner called.Confrimed juvenile was deceased. Structure location changed to Lane. 

(File Photo)
Story by Frank Sparks, Beaver County Radio General Manager
(Aliquippa, Pa.) Pa State Police in Beaver sent out a press release early Sunday morning, July 9, 2023, stating that they are investigating the homicide of a 15-year-old black male in Aliquippa. Troopers said in the release that the homicide occurred at 11:19 PM Saturday night in the area of Knoll and Main Streets in the city of Aliquippa. The investigation is currently ongoing and anyone with information on the juvenile’s death is asked to call State Police at 724-773-7400.

This is a developing story and stay with Beaver County as we will provide updates as soon as they are available.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published July 7, 2023 2:27 P.M.  

(Aliquippa, PA) Benjamin Selby, 43, who is accused of killing his aunt and mother in June was found dead in the Beaver County Jail Friday morning. District Attorney David Lozier is expected to share further details Friday afternoon. Selby was in jail on two counts of criminal homicide and one count of kidnapping for ransom. The homicides took place on June 24th in New Sewickley. His cause of death has not yet been revealed.
UPDATE 7/7/23: District Attorney David Lozier stated that Selby was being held in an isolation cell over the past week with frequent observation awaiting his preliminary hearing. It was also said that he uses a wheel chair, and was sleeping in it rather than the cell bunk. Prison guards were said to have realized something was off and checked on him. Lozier said Selby was uncooperative towards prison enforcement and did not request any medications or care. Lozier also stated that there was not any evidence of drug use by Selby in the cell, but toxicology tests are being conducted with results expected in up to eight weeks.
Previous coverage of this story: https://beavercountyradio.com/news/additional-details-revealed-in-new-sewickley-double-homicide/