Author: Beaver County Radio

Lawyers for man charged with killing Charlie Kirk question reliability of evidence

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Tyler Robinson, who is accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, listens during a preliminary hearing at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps, Pool)

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk plan to call a final witness on Friday as they try to raise doubts about the prosecution’s case before it can go to trial.

A Utah judge is deciding whether prosecutors have enough evidence to put Tyler Robinson on trial on a charge of aggravated murder. Kirk, 31, was killed as he spoke to a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

One of Robinson’s attorneys, Michael Burt, tried to inject uncertainty into the case Thursday by challenging the reliability of ballistics tests on a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk’s body. Authorities sought to tie the fragment to the suspected murder weapon, but the results were inconclusive.

“Saying anything but inconclusive was inappropriate,” said Samantha Karner with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.

Burt earlier in the week questioned the reliability of DNA evidence that investigators said linked Robinson to the scene. Experts say the science behind DNA testing is sound.

Robinson has not entered a plea. He turned himself in a day after the fatal shooting of Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump credited with helping galvanize young voters for the Republican in the 2024 election.

The defense said it would call a final witness to testify Friday, the final day of the weeklong preliminary hearing.

However, a decision from state District Judge Tony Graf won’t come until after Sept. 1, when he scheduled oral arguments in the matter.

Prosecutors on Thursday aired portions of a recorded interview with Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs.

The day after Kirk was shot in the neck, Robinson allegedly told Twiggs “he wishes he hadn’t done it,” a recording played in court revealed.

Later that same day — and only about an hour before turning himself in — Robinson posted “it was me at UVU yesterday,” in a chat room on the Discord social media platform, according to investigators and messages shown by prosecutors.

Defense attorneys unsuccessfully fought the public release of the statements from Twiggs and the chat room messages. They argued prosecutors would characterize the material as a confession, undermining Robinson’s right to a fair trial.

Prosecutors contend the shooting endangered others at Kirk’s campus event — an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law. Robinson also faces possible sentence enhancements based on claims by prosecutors that he targeted Kirk because of his political views.

Twiggs said in the April interview with prosecutors and investigators that Robinson sometimes talked about politics, including Trump. But Twiggs said he never heard Robinson talk about Kirk before the shooting. The defendant also did not talk much about gender issues or LGBTQ rights, Twiggs said.

New Castle teenager charged for tailgating after two-vehicle crash 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 yesterday that eighteen-year-old Dakoma Reeg of New Castle was charged for tailgating after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Lawrence County on June 30th.

This crash occurred in the area of US 19 and Rock Springs Road at approximately 3:15 p.m. in Scott Township.

Fifty-year-old Kevin Carlson of New Castle stooped on US 19 and tried to turn left on Rock Springs Road and Reeg hit the vehicle of Carlson with his vehicle.

According to police, Reeg was transported to UPMC Jameson Hospital for a suspected minor head injury.

Carlson was not injured and both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of this crash.  

Funeral services held for fallen Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services, Caption for Photo: Funeral honoring fallen Pennsylvania State Trooper First Class Michael E. Pahira Jr. on July 8th, 2026 in Ashland, Pa.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ashland, PA) Funeral services were held for fallen Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr. at the North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School in Ashland on Wednesday. Pahira was killed in the line of duty on July 1st, 2026 after getting hit by a tractor-trailer along Interstate 81 South in Schuylkill County.

Pahira was conducting a commercial motor vehicle inspection at the time of the accident and suffered serious injuries after he was hit. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Pahira enlisted with the Pennsylvania State Police in January of 2007 as a member of the 124th Cadet Class.  

He was assigned to the patrol unit at Troop N, Lehighton upon his graduation from the State Police Academy in August of 2007.

He was transferred to Troop L, Schuylkill Haven, in March of 2013, before he transferred to Troop L, Frackville, in March of 2016, which was where he served as a Motor Carrier Inspector in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit.

Pahira was forty-four years old and he is the 106th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to give his life in the line of duty.  

Mike Yastrzemski hits grand slam in Braves’ 10-5 win over Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Atlanta Braves’ Mike Yastrzemski tosses his bat as he runs down the first base line after hitting a grand slam off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski hit a game-sealing grand slam in the ninth inning, Matt Olson hit a first-inning home run while tying the franchise record for consecutive games played and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-5 on Thursday.

The Braves were leading 6-5 when Yastrzemski connected off Dennis Santana for his third career slam.

Olson’s homer was a solo shot and his 25th season, opening the scoring. The first baseman played in his 740th straight game, going back to the start of the 2022 season, and tied the mark set by Dale Murphy from 1982-86.

Atlanta’s Jim Jarvis hit his first career home run, connecting for a two-run blast off Cam Sanders in a three-run fourth inning that extended the lead to 6-2. The rookie shortstop had three hits.

Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez hit back-to-back homers in the third to cut the Braves’ lead to 3-2. Jake Mangum had four hits and three RBIs, including a two-run homer in the fourth that brought the Pirates to 6-4 and an RBI double in the sixth that made it a one-run game.

Atlanta’s Bryce Elder allowed four runs in four innings. Mitch Keller (6-7) gave up three runs in three innings to fall to 1-5 with a 7.94 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves.

Dylan Dodd (2-0) pitched a perfect fifth inning for the win.

The game was delayed by rain for 35 minutes at the end of the fifth inning.

Up next

Braves: Begin a three-game series in St. Louis on Friday night with LHP Chris Sale (9-6, 2.27 ERA) starting against RHP Kyle Leahy (7-4, 3.86).

Pirates: RHP Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.24) will pitch against visiting Milwaukee and rookie RHP Brandon Sproat (3-4, 5.13) on Friday night to open a three-game series.

Swimming prohibited in Raccoon Lake until further notice at Raccoon Creek State Park because of an elevated count of coliform in the lake

(File Photo of Raccoon Creek State Park)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Representatives from Raccoon Creek State Park posted on Facebook yesterday that swimming is prohibited in Raccoon Lake until further notice because routine water testing of the lake has returned an elevated count of coliform.

Re-test results for this testing are expected this Monday, July 13th. The beach of Raccoon Creek State Park will re-open if the results that are received show acceptable levels. 

However, the beach remains open to both land recreation and picnicking, and all other recreational activities that are water-based are permitted. 

Boat rental at the park will also stay open, and the beach food concession will re-open for its regular hours this Monday.  

For more information, you can call the Raccoon Creek State Park office at 724-899-2200 between 8 A.M. and 4 P.M.  

Joseph “Joe” Brian Budavich (1959-2026)

Joseph “Joe” Brian Budavich, 67, of Ellwood City, passed away on July 6th, 2026.

He was born in Pittsburgh on March 22nd, 1959, a son of the late William and Virginia Budavich.

He is survived by his fiancé, Donna Lallement, his daughters, Melanie Budavich and Tiffany Budavich, his step-daughters, Kourtney Lallement, Krista (Josh) Morrow and Kaitlyn (Zach Mangan) Lallement, his step-sons, Jonathan (Heather) Dusenberry and Joe Kachmar, his brother, Bill (Sue) Budavich, his sisters, Catherine Dionese and Cheryl Hutcheon, his grandchildren, James and River, and additional grandchildren he considered his own, as well as numerous additional extended family members.

Joseph had worked for Youngblood Paving, which was a job he enjoyed very much. He will be remembered for his passion of riding his motorcycle, but most importantly spending time with his grandchildren.

A Memorial Visitation will be conducted on Friday, July 17th from 4-8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Elizabeth “Beth” Anne Fabian (1973-2026)

Elizabeth “Beth” Anne Fabian, 52, passed away on July 7th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family after a courageous journey with cancer.

She was born in Rochester on October 5th, 1973, a daughter of Carol and Andrew Fabian, Sr. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her beloved sons, Austin Bonacci and Trevor Moraski, her siblings: Andrew Fabian (Michele), Diane Fabian, Ray Fabian (Abbey), and Rebecca Kelch (Stephen) and her cherished nieces and nephews: Jordan, Sidney, Savannah, Jacob, Matteo, Brooke, Haley, Natalia; and Crosby, the family dog, who became her quiet protector throughout her journey. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Mary (Viccari) Fabian, Andrew W. Fabian, Mary Regina (Burns) Deppenbrook, and Howard W. Deppenbrook.

Elizabeth lived a life defined by kindness, compassion, creativity, and unwavering love for those closest to her. She was a graduate of Beaver Falls Area High School and dedicated much of her life to caring for and nurturing children. She worked for many years as a full-time nanny, touching the lives of countless families with her patience, warmth, and loving heart. She later continued her passion for education as a preschool teacher aide at Saint Monica Catholic Academy. She was also a faithful member of Saint Augustine Parish, where her faith remained a source of strength throughout her life. She had a gift for making every day a little brighter. She loved shopping and was always known for her stylish outfits. Her creativity shined through her love of crafting. She made sure every birthday party had a theme with matching shirts, creating designs with her Cricut. Whether creating a personalized gift or decorating for a special occasion, she poured love into everything she made. Above all else, she cherished her family. Nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her loved ones, especially her two sons. She was their biggest supporter and proudest fan, never missing an opportunity to cheer them on at sporting events, attend school performances, or celebrate their accomplishments. Her love for her boys was limitless and was the center of her life. Her family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate team at Advanced Hospice for the exceptional care, comfort, and dignity they provided during her final days. They are especially grateful to her nurse, Cami, whose extraordinary kindness, compassion, and unwavering support brought comfort not only to her, but to her entire family. Her extraordinary care allowed her to spend her final days with dignity, peace, and the love of those around her, and will never be forgotten. She will be remembered for her generous heart, beautiful smile, creative spirit, and the love she freely gave to everyone fortunate enough to know her. Though her earthly journey has ended, her faith, the love she shared, and the countless lives she touched will continue to shine through all who knew and loved her.

A visitation will occur on Monday, July 13th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where prayers will be held on Tuesday, July 14th at 9 a.m. at the followed by a procession to Saint Monica Catholic Church, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls, where a funeral mass beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 2927 Clayton Road, Beaver Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Saint Monica Catholic Academy Angel Fund, c/o Saint Monica Catholic Academy, 609 10th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Jack W. Enslen (1942-2026)

Jack W. Enslen, 83, of South Beaver Township, passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2026, with his loving wife of many years by his side.

He was born on October 9th, 1942, a son of the late Roy and Mary Enslen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Enslen, Jr. and a sister, Marjorie Gehley.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy, his son, Jack R. Enslen and his wife, Natalya of Ashburn, Virginia, his cherished granddaughters, Jordan, Lindsey, and Becca, his great-grandson, Cameron, a sister, Shirley Park, his sister-in-law, Sue Enslen, of Reno, Nevada, brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Cindy Richner and Mark and Jill Richner, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and his faithful companion, Tazzie.

Jack retired from Babcock and Wilcox Company after more than 25 years of faithful service. He was proud to serve his community as a member of the Beaver County Democrat Committee. He was also member of the Chippewa United Methodist Church. To know him was to know a man whose heart belonged to his family. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather and great-grandfather, and a loyal friend. His family was his greatest joy and the center of his world. He found happiness in the simple things. He took great pride in keeping our home and property looking beautiful, often spending hours on his Kubota tractor mowing the lawn to country club standards. He loved tinkering in his shed, fixing just about anything that managed to break, and taking his quad for a ride whenever he had the chance.  He rarely sat still, and he was always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor, a friend, or anyone in need. His kindness, dependability, and quiet strength touched so many lives.

His family extends our heartfelt gratitude to Jack’s dear neighbors and friends, Paul and Susan Stepek, Marc and Raeann Grivna, Theresa Antoniazzi, as well as Jill Richner, for their unwavering friendship, kindness, and support during this difficult time.

They are also deeply grateful to the nurses and physicians in the CCU at AHN for the compassionate care they provided to Jack and the comfort and dignity they showed their family throughout his final days.

He leaves behind a lifetime of love, laughter, and memories that will be treasured forever. He will be deeply missed every day and lovingly missed always.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, July 10th from 4-7 p.m. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s name to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa PA 15001.

Attorney General Sunday Pushes Feds to Expand Crackdown on Robocallers by Cutting Scammers’ Access to Legitimate Phone Numbers

(File Photo of a Scam Alert Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and forty-eight other attorney generals recently called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen rules that would cut off scammers’ access to legitimate telephone numbers. 

Scammers often use real phone numbers in efforts to appear legitimate when targeting people for robocalls which is called “spoofing.”   

Americans received nearly 30 billion scam robocalls and text messages last year. 

Midland teenager charged with DUI and unsafe driving after crashing an electric bike in Beaver County

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Midland, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported today that a fifteen-year-old boy from Midland was charged with driving under the influence and unsafe driving after being seriously injured from crashing an electric E-bike in Beaver County.

This crash occurred on July 2nd on Upper Service Road in Greene Township at 7:20 p.m.

According to police, the teenager was illegally operating an E-bike and he was traveling downhill before losing control of the bike and crashing in the center of the road.

He was suspected of being under the influence at the time of this crash and he sustained suspected serious injuries.

He was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for treatment of those injuries.