(File Photo of State Representative Roman Kozak)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Representative Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) issued this statement yesterday following the House passing a General Appropriations bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year:

“In February, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a $53 billion spending plan. If enacted, his proposal would have drained our Rainy Day Fund, created a significant structural deficit and ultimately led to tax increases for Pennsylvanians. That would have been completely irresponsible and unacceptable. In this divided legislature, it was our duty to ensure that didn’t happen. We were able to come to an agreement while scaling back the governor’s excessive proposal and land on a number that is within our financial means. I’m very happy to see the final product got rid of unnecessary spending. This budget agreement spends less than $51 billion, almost $2.5 billion short of the governor’s ask. This is a plan Pennsylvania can actually afford. I’m really happy rural roads and bridges will be receiving a much-needed funding boost and many infrastructure needs are being addressed. While the budget is not perfect, this is the reality of budget negotiations in a divided government. In the days ahead, we must continue to focus on policy that makes Pennsylvania competitive and affordable while tackling fraud at all levels.”

(File Photo of the AAA East Central Logo, Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hermitage, PA) An event will be held this Wednesday, July 15th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting, at the AAA branch office in Hermitage and local law enforcement will distribute free steering wheel lock devices to only Hyundai and Kia owners to deter vehicle theft. 

There has been an increase that is significant in the theft of these vehicles that are manufactured between 2011 and 2022.  

AAA and its partners will be distributing the locks on a first-come, first-served basis and those that attend this event will be asked to show their insurance card or vehicle registration. 

(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services, Caption for Photo: Gov. Josh Shapiro signs the state’s 2026-27 budget alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis on Sunday.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) said yesterday that the Fiscal Year 2026-27 state budget and related legislation passed the Pennsylvania General Assembly and headed to Governor Josh Shapiro for his signature.  

Topper released a statement yesterday on the budget passing:

“The budget passed by the General Assembly today continues our recent history of scouring every corner of state government for existing taxpayer dollars to avoid tax increases, cuts to government services or tapping into the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day fund. I am also glad to see important investments in education where we are combatting the ongoing issue of growing waitlists at career and technical centers, expanding the successful GROW PA program to ensure Pennsylvania’s graduates have incentive to stay here, and ensuring our largest state-related universities receive funding based upon meeting new performance metrics and accountability provisions.”

He expressed that the budget prioritizes improvements that are in rural Pennsylvania by adding:

“The state budget we just passed makes critical investments in our transportation infrastructure so we can move ahead shovel-ready road and bridge projects in areas across Pennsylvania.”

However, Topper gave a warning that work still remains on reversing troubling fiscal trends in Pennsylvania to avoid tough budgetary decisions in the future despite the passage of the budget as he continued:

“While revenues higher than budget estimates have shown some of the Republican-led policy wins in prior budgets are starting to have an impact, we must continue the work of providing pathways for significant economic growth and development in Pennsylvania if we stand any chance at reversing the challenging demographics of our ever-shrinking population. Pennsylvania must use the tools at our disposal to create an environment welcoming to investment while getting government out of the way of job creators so we can continue righting the ship of economic growth and development in Pennsylvania.”

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Ralph and Kathy Bischak)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Borough, PA) There will be a plaque dedication ceremony celebrating America 250 at the Fort McIntosh Park in Beaver Borough.

This event will be held on July 25th at 11 a.m. and it is presented by the General Anthony Wayne Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. 

The ceremony will honor Revolutionary War Patriots.   

Colonial era music will play over a speaker system starting at 10:20 a.m. and a Bugler will sound attention at 10:42 a.m.

The Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. with Speeches by the Sons of American Revolution. The event will feature a performance from the Beaver Valley Choral Society, a color guard and an appearance from The Daughters of the American Revolution.

The keynote speaker will be Captain Robert Mercer and descendants of patriots who were at Fort McIntosh will speak.

The public can attend this ceremony so they can honor the Patriots who established the freedom for them to enjoy in the United States of America. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported today that forty-eight-year-old Jaime Mullen of Monaca was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Brighton Township on May 20th.

According to police, Mullen was stopped for committing a vehicle violation in the area of 374 I-376 West at 11:15 a.m., and she was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported today that twenty-nine-year-old Bryant Henson of Aliquippa was arrested for possessing drugs in Aliquippa on May 22nd.

According to police, Henson was found in possession of drugs in the area of Englewood Street and Elm Alley at 12:29 a.m., which was where they conducted a traffic stop.

Charges against Henson are pending. 

(Photo Courtesy of the City of Beaver Falls Fire Department, Posted on Facebook on July 12th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The City of Beaver Falls Fire Department had their 3rd Smoke Detector Blitz with the American Red Cross on Saturday. 

They installed 50 smoke detectors in ten houses which are located in Beaver Falls and West Mayfield to prevent tragic events from happening. 

That department also has more detectors at their firehouse, and you can call them at 724-843-1135 to schedule a time for them to install either carbon monoxide detectors or smoke detectors in your house. 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services, Caption for Photo: Gov. Josh Shapiro signs the state’s 2026-27 budget alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis on Sunday.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro signed the 2026-2027 Budget for the state of Pennsylvania into law in Harrisburg yesterday. 

This will invest $50.85 billion to support students, grow the economy, expand the workforce and make communities safer in the Commonwealth.