Author: Beaver County Radio

Michael K. Perri (1954-2026)

Michael K. Perri, 71, of Beaver, passed away on March 4th, 2026, after a courageous battle with Cancer. He was born on in Rochester on July 23th, 1954, a son of the late Ernest and Florence Perri. He was a Christian by faith. Michael worked as a Chief Industrial Estimator for many years. He was also a proud veteran of the United States Airforce. Michael served as a volunteer firefighter with the Beaver Fire Department as well as belonging to the VFW in Baden. He was a quarterback for the Beaver Bobcats in 1972, when his team won the WPIAL football championship. Michael was known as a helpful and generous neighbor, always willing to lend a hand to those around him. He was an avid fly fisherman, outdoorsman, and found joy in traveling and music. Michael also had a tremendous love for his two grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his younger brother, Gregory (Joe) Perri. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy (Mary) Perri, his daughters: Ellinor (Greg) Lehman, Ashley (Jacob) Perri-Smaszcz, and Rachel Perri; as well as his brother, Ernie Perri, his sisters, Ann Naim, Joan Whelan, Susan Weatherly and his grandchildren, Emma Lehman and Anna Lehman.

Friends will be received on Monday, March 9th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, March, 10th, at 11 a.m. Private interment to take place at Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver. Online condolences can be made at nollfuneral.com.

Memorial contributions in Michael’s name can be made to Tunnels to Towers through their website https://t2t.org/donate/.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael K. Perri, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

UPDATE: Male juvenile found safe after he previously went missing in Freedom

(Source for Photo Below and Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Mt. Lebanon Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Beaver Valley Regional Police Department, along with numerous assisting agencies, were searching for a fourteen-year-old male juvenile. His picture can be found below and he has now been found safe. According to police, he left his home in an Uber at 1 a.m. on Friday and his health “put him at risk.” He was last seen on foot at approximately 1:50 a.m. on Friday morning in the area of 1st Street and 4th Avenue in Freedom Borough before he went missing.

Bob Walk gives Pirates Spring Training report

Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Bob Walk shared his thoughts on the team’s Spring Training efforts when interviewed this morning on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show.

Walk spoke about rookie phenom Konner Griffin, the battle for the fifth spot in the Pirates starting pitching rotation, and discussed Paul Skenes pitching tonight against Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Here is the full interview with Bob Walk:

Walk will be back on air with WBVP-WMBA’s Scott Tady at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday and Friday.

 

Some local teams move on to the second round of the PIAA boys and girls high school basketball playoffs

(File Photo of a Basketball Broadcast Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) It was a mostly good day for the local teams after the results of the first round of the PIAA boys and girls high school basketball playoffs in Pennsylvania. For the boys’ games, Aliquippa defeated Cranberry in an 87-52 blowout in Aliquippa on Saturday, with senior guard Qa’lil Goode getting 15 points and reaching 1,000 points for his career. The Sewickley Academy boys also won in a blowout over Seagertown in Sewickley on Saturday by winning 65-25. Other local boys teams that moved on to the second round of the PIAA state playoffs were: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart with their 47-35 victory over Conemaugh Township on Saturday in Coraopolis, North Catholic High School with their 64-52 victory over Sharon in Sharon on Friday, Moon with their 55-49 victory over Hershey in Hershey on Friday and New Castle with their 68-38 victory over West Lawn Wilson in New Castle on Saturday. A few teams for the girls advanced to the next round, which were Blackhawk with their 45-34 victory over Fairview in Beaver Falls on Saturday, Beaver Falls with their 54-52 victory over Seneca in Beaver Falls on Friday, North Catholic High School with their 50-37 victory against Forest Hills on Saturday in Cranberry Township, and Slippery Rock High School with their 54-46 victory at Slippery Rock High School on Saturday. The Aliquippa, Quaker Valley, Rochester and Sewickley Academy girls all lost their respective games.

According to a report from TribLive and HSSN, here is the complete Boys and Girls PIAA second round schedule, with the local teams in bold:

Boys Schedule:

Wednesday, March 11th (Class 6A)

Upper St. Clair (25-1) vs. Red Lion (23-4) at Hollidaysburg, 6 p.m.

Central Catholic (23-3) vs. Chambersburg (20-7) at Pitt-Johnstown, 6 p.m.

New Castle (24-2) vs. Methacton (23-4) at Penns Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Souderton (20-7) vs. Central Dauphin (23-3) at Hamburg, 7:30 p.m.

Plymouth-Whitemarsh (23-4) vs. Bethlehem Liberty (18-10) at Pottstown, 7 p.m.

Central York (23-3) vs. Father Judge (16-11) at Geigle Complex in Reading, 6 p.m.

Imhotep Charter (22-6) vs. William Penn (18-8) at Geigle Complex in Reading, 7:30 p.m.

Delaware Valley (19-8) vs. Parkland (23-6) at Hazleton, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10th (Class 5A)

Chartiers Valley (24-2) vs. Cocalico (20-7) at Altoona, 5 p.m.

Gateway (18-9) vs. Johnstown (19-4) at Armstrong, 7:30 p.m.

Thomas Jefferson (24-3) vs. Moon (21-4) at Peters Township, 7:30 p.m.

Penn Hills (20-7) vs. West York (21-1) at Altoona, 6:30 p.m.

Upper Dublin (22-4) vs. Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast (20-6) at Bensalem, 7:30 p.m.

Springfield-Delco (22-4) vs. Octorara (24-3) at Coatesville, 7:30 p.m.

Upper Moreland (18-9) vs. Penncrest (22-4) at Norristown, 7 p.m.

Neumann-Goretti (21-5) vs. Crestwood (18-8) William Allen, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10th (Class 4A)

Knoch (23-4) vs. North Catholic (20-6) at Plum, 7:30 p.m.

Dallas (20-4) vs. Carver Engineering & Science (21-6) at Bethlehem Liberty, 7:30 p.m.

Hickory (21-6) vs. Deer Lakes (13-14) at New Castle, 7:30 p.m.

Obama Academy (17-9) vs. Cathedral Prep (25-1) at Sharon, 7:30 p.m.

Archbishop Carroll (15-10) vs. Bishop McDevitt (20-3) at Exeter Township, 7 p.m.

Pope John Paul II (22-7) vs. Lewisburg (23-4) at Martz Hall in Pottsville, 6 p.m.

Devon Prep (6-18) vs. Valley View (20-6) at William Allen, 6 p.m.

Salisbury (24-4) vs. Scranton Prep (21-5) at Pleasant Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11th (Class 3A)

Aliquippa (19-6) vs. Forest Hills (24-4) at Norwin, 6 p.m.

Mohawk (24-2) vs. Camp Hill Trinity (21-2) at Richland, 6 p.m.

Westmont-Hilltop (20-6) vs. Seton LaSalle (20-7) at Indiana University of Pa, 7:30 p.m.

South Park (22-4) vs. Bishop Guilfoyle (24-4) at Norwin, 7:30 p.m.

West Catholic (13-12) vs. Executive Education (16-7) at Norristown, 5:30 p.m.

School of the Future (16-8) vs. Taylor Riverside (24-1) at Bethlehem Liberty, 7:30 p.m.

Notre Dame-Green Pond (25-3) vs. Lancaster Mennonite (21-3) at Hamburg, 6 p.m.

Universal Audenreid Charter (9-15) vs. Warrior Run (24-2) at Pleasant Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11th (Class 2A)

Sewickley Academy (26-1) vs. Port Allegany (20-8) at PennWest Clarion, 7:30 p.m.

McConnellsburg (26-1) vs. Clairton (19-5) at Pitt-Johnstown, 7:30 p.m.

Jefferson-Morgan (24-3) vs. Jeannette (23-2) at Peters Township, 7:30 p.m.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (22-5) vs. Mercyhurst Prep (20-6) at Sharon, 7:30 p.m.

Constitution (16-11) vs. Delone Catholic (24-1) at Ephrata, 7:30 p.m.

Old Forge (19-6) vs. Delco Christian (20-7) at Bethlehem Liberty, 6 p.m.

Susquehanna(20-6) vs. Paul Robeson (21-6) at Executive Education, 7:30 p.m.

United (28-0) vs. Clarion (19-8) at Armstrong, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10th (Class A)

Neighborhood Academy (22-3) vs. Johnsonburg (20-7) at Punxsutawney, 7:30 p.m.

North Clarion (17-9) vs. Conestoga Christian (15-11) at Penns Valley, 6 p.m.

Serra Catholic (15-10) vs. Elk County Catholic (25-2) at Punxsutawney, 6 p.m.

Forbes Road (15-10) vs. Erie First Christian Academy (19-6) at DuBois, 7 p.m.

High Point Baptist (15-8) vs. Phi-Mont Christian (13-11) at Pottstown, 6 p.m.

Plumstead Christian (11-14) vs. Coventry Christian (20-5) at Souderton, 7:30 p.m.

Bethlehem Christian (26-2) vs. Sankofa-Freedom (19-8) at Souderton, 6 p.m.

York Country Day (22-4) vs. Chester Charter (19-6) at Pottstown, 7:30 p.m.

Girls’ Schedule:

Tuesday, March 10th (Class 6A)

Canon-McMillan (22-4) vs. Allderdice (20-6) at Peters Township, 6 p.m.

Emmaus (21-7) vs. Dallastown (24-3) at Ephrata, 7 p.m.

Altoona (20-4) vs. Pennsbury (21-5) at Mechanicsburg, 5 p.m.

Cardinal O’Hara (22-4) vs. West Lawn Wilson (24-2) at Coatesville, 6 p.m.

Upper Dublin (25-2) vs. Perkiomen Valley (22-5) at Bensalem, 6 p.m.

Hazleton (25-2) vs. Parkland (20-6) at Martz Hall in Pottsville, 7:30 p.m.

Easton (26-3) vs. Red Lion (23-3) at Geigle Complex in Reading, 6 p.m.

Downingtown West (26-3) vs. Archbishop Carroll (22-5) at Norristown, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11th (Class 5A)

South Fayette (26-1) vs. Penn-Trafford (21-6) at Peters Township, 6 p.m.

Indiana (22-5) vs. Baldwin (22-5) at Fox Chapel, 7 p.m.

Manheim Central (19-8) vs. Peters Township (16-11) at Altoona, 6:30 p.m.

Trinity (19-8) vs. York Suburban (23-2) at Altoona, 5 p.m.

Lampeter-Strasburg (19-8) vs. Mount St. Joseph (19-5) at Coatesville, 7:30 p.m.

Marple Newtown (18-8) vs. Crestwood (24-3) at Catasaqua, 7:30 p.m.

Bethlehem Catholic (24-4) vs. Villa Maria Academy (16-10) at Norristown, 7 p.m.

North Pocono (22-5) vs. Archbishop Wood (13-12) at Executive Education, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11th (Class 4A)

Oakland Catholic (22-2) vs. Slippery Rock (20-5) at North Allegheny, 6 p.m.

Penn Cambria (20-5) vs. Delone Catholic (21-4) at Chambersburg, 5 p.m.

Blackhawk (23-1) vs. Belle Vernon (19-6) at North Allegheny, 7:30 p.m.

Harbor Creek (22-4) vs. North Catholic (21-6) at Sharon, 6 p.m.

Susquehanna Township (21-4) vs. Universal Audenreid Charter (23-5) at Ephrata, 6 p.m.

Scranton Prep (21-5) vs. Allentown Central Catholic (15-12) at Hazleton, 6 p.m.

Central Columbia (28-0) vs. Villa Joseph Marie (14-11) at Lehighton, 6 p.m.

Valley View (20-6) vs. Neumann-Goretti (16-10) at Lehighton, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10th (Class 3A)

Shady Side Academy (24-2) vs. Beaver Falls (24-2) at Hampton, 7 p.m.

Karns City (25-2) vs. Central Cambria (21-6) at Plum, 6 p.m.

Greensburg Central Catholic (20-7) vs. Northwestern (22-3) at Sharon, 6 p.m.

Troy (24-4) vs. Camp Hill Trinity (22-2) at Milton, 7 p.m.

Imhotep Charter (16-10) vs. Holy Redeemer (19-8) at Bethlehem Liberty, 6 p.m.

Pequea Valley (21-4) vs. Schuylkill Haven (23-5) at Geigle Complex in Reading, 7:30 p.m.

Hughesville (25-3) vs. Notre Dame-Green Pond (23-6) at Berwick, 7:30 p.m.

Dunmore (23-3) vs. Executive Education (18-7) at Pleasant Valley, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10th (Class 2A)

Neshannock (23-3) vs. Penns Manor (22-5) at Armstrong, 6 p.m.

Kennedy Catholic (23-2) vs. Keystone (15-10) at Grove City, 7 p.m.

Bishop McCort (18-8) vs. Chartiers-Houston (22-4) at Norwin, 7 p.m.

Winchester Thurston (22-4) vs. Wilmington (22-4) at New Castle, 6 p.m.

Shalom Christian (16-6) vs. Southern Columbia (13-13) at Mechanicsburg, 6 p.m.

Faith Christian (15-10) vs. Mountain View (20-6) at Pittston, 7 p.m

Wyoming Seminary (18-7) vs. Marian Catholic (15-11) at Berwick, 6 p.m.

York Catholic (22-4) vs. Berlin-Brothersvalley (22-5) at Big Spring, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11th (Class A)

Williamsburg (23-5) vs. Elk County Catholic (18-8) at Clearfield, 6 p.m.

Farrell (12-12) vs. Bishop Carroll (24-4) at PennWest Clarion, 6 p.m.

Clarion-Limestone (20-7) vs. St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy (25-3) at Clearfield, 7:30 p.m.

Bishop Guilfoyle (19-4) vs. Aquinas Academy (22-3) at Indiana University of Pa, 6 p.m.

New Covenant Christian (23-2) vs. Delco Christian (26-2) at Coatesville, 6 p.m.

Phi-Mont Christian (13-11) vs. Benton (18-8) at Pleasant Valley, 6 p.m.

Lourdes Regional (26-2) vs. Motivation (12-4) at Catasaqua, 6 p.m.

Linville Hill Academy (16-6) vs. Southern Fulton (19-5) at Chambersburg, 6:30 p.m.

Eastbound I-376 Parkway West Shoulder Restriction Monday Night in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of a Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that an overnight shoulder restriction on eastbound (inbound) I-376 (Parkway West) in the City of Pittsburgh will occur tonight, weather permitting. From 10 P.M. tonight to 2 A.M. tomorrow morning, a shoulder restriction will occur on eastbound I-376 between the West End (Exit 69C) interchange and the Fort Pitt Tunnel as crews from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will conduct landscaping operations.

New Castle man apprehended for DUI in Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release yesterday that an unidentified thirty-three-year-old man from New Castle was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Lawrence County early that morning. At 3:49 a.m., the arrestee was highly intoxicated on 3208 US Highway 422 in Slippery Rock Township and the smell of alcoholic beverage was emitting from his breath and person. He was subsequently taken into custody for a legal blood draw and was arrested for DUI. Charges against the arrestee are pending. 

Coraopolis teenager not charged after single vehicle crash in Neville Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Neville Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release on Saturday that eighteen-year-old Addison Musta of Coraopolis was not charged after causing a single-vehicle crash in Neville Township on the early morning of February 25th, 2026. At 2:41 a.m., Musta was trying to negotiate a right curve on the I-79 South off-ramp and exited the roadway before eventually hitting a concrete barrier. According to police, no injuries were reported or observed by Musta and she refused transportation even if a minor injury to her was suspected. 

Pittsburgh man apprehended after three-vehicle crash occurs in Scott Township

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Scott Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release on Saturday that thirty-two-year-old Bryan Leipold of Pittsburgh was taken into custody at the scene of a three-vehicle crash that occurred in Scott Township on Tuesday evening for suspicion of DUI. At 8:33 p.m., Leipold was driving the wrong way on the I-376 East off-ramp (Exit 65) to Carnegie when he hit the vehicle of thirty-nine-year-old Desh Bandhu Gupta of Pittsburgh. The vehicle of Gupta then hit the vehicle of thirty-six-year-old Edward Knotek of Coraopolis. There were no injuries. 

Governor Shapiro Orders U.S., Commonwealth Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Fallen Officer in Chester County

(File Photo of an American Flag)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro ordered today in accordance with the United States Flag Code that United States and Commonwealth flags on all Commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff to honor Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr., of the Pennsylvania State Police, who was killed in the line of duty in Chester County. O’Connor was shot and killed yesterday by an “erratic” driver in West Caln Township. The flags need to be lowered to half-staff immediately and will remain lowered until the date of interment for O’Connor, which has not yet been announced, and all Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute to honor him.

Keep the blood supply stable: Give blood or platelets with Red Cross in March of 2026

(File Photo of the American Red Cross Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The American Red Cross urges donors in Pennsylvania and beyond to help the national blood supply recover following a severe shortage and empower their health by making an appointment to give blood or platelets this March. Donors of all blood types remain critical to keeping this momentum up and the blood supply steady headed into spring. Those who donate blood, platelets or plasma from March 1-31st, 2026, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email. The Red Cross will also perform A1C testing on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made on those dates with one result in 2026.  Details about those opportunities can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/March by clicking here. According to a release today from the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, here is some more information about giving blood and volunteering with the American Red Cross:

 

  • Help is needed right now ─ and a simple act of donating blood or platelets can be the lifesaving gift people are counting on. Book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
  • How to donate blood
  • Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
  • Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
  • Amplify your impact − volunteer! 
  • Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
  • Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact Volunteer Services at 1-800-422-7677 or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.