Author: Beaver County Radio

Top 2026 MLB prospect Konnor Griffin continues to perform for the Pirates in spring training

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin plays during a spring training baseball game, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Clearwater. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum,File)

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Top prospect Konnor Griffin homered for the third time this spring in the first inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Griffin, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect, started at shortstop for the Pirates and hit a two-run shot off Kyle Leahy to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead.

Griffin went deep twice against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.

The Pirates drafted Griffin in the first round in 2024. He reached Double-A last year, where he hit .337 with a .960 OPS in 21 games for Altoona.

U.S. Senator Dave McCormick Joins $53.7 Million Grant Announcement Ceremony for Affordable Housing in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Source for Photo: David McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, speaks during a campaign stop in Erie, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mar 2, 2026– U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick joined the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) during a ceremony today announcing $53.7 million in 2025 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and voluntary housing grant initiative awards in Pennsylvania. These grants, made in partnership with 19 FHLBank member institutions, will support more than 1,100 affordable homes. The funding will assist with home repairs, new home construction, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and housing for veterans and seniors. Local organizations also leveraged more than $250 million from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Historic Preservation Tax Credits, HOME funds, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and other sources to support these 45 projects.

FHLBank is a cooperative whose members can access reliable liquidity and community products to support community partnerships that foster job growth, economic vitality and long-term stability in Pennsylvania and communities across the country. AHP was created by Congress as part of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, and operations began in 1990. On an annual basis, each Federal Home Loan Bank must set aside at least 10% of its prior year’s net income to fund AHP. AHP is funded entirely through FHLBank earnings, and grants are available only through FHLBank members. The voluntary housing grant initiative is an additional voluntary pool of funding which is separate and distinct from FHLBank’s required, statutory AHP, and is provided to address the critical housing needs within FHLBank’s district.

“Affording a home – whether buying or renting – is a real struggle for too many Pennsylvanians. That is why I am proud to join FHLBank Pittsburgh in celebrating $53.7 million in affordable housing awards supporting more than 1,100 homes across our Commonwealth,” said Senator Dave McCormick. “These 45 projects will fund home repairs, new construction, and housing for veterans and seniors, which is the kind of local action our communities need. In Congress, I will keep fighting for affordable housing through legislation like the ROAD to Housing Act, a bill I cosponsored and helped craft that passed with unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate Banking Committee. I believe every Pennsylvanian deserves a safe, stable place to call home.”

“Today, we celebrate the opportunities that this funding brings to foster thriving communities and enhance the lives of our neighbors,” said David G. Paulson, president and CEO, FHLBank Pittsburgh. “We are grateful to the many individuals and our member financial institutions who are dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing across Pennsylvania. Thank you Senator McCormick for the partnership that allows Federal Home Loan Banks to provide this support.”

Joining Sen. McCormick and FHLBank President and CEO David G. Paulson were representatives from public, private and community partners including Lena G. Andrews, Chief Executive Officer ACTION-Housing; Maria Gonzalez, President, Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprises. Several directors from FHLBank’s Board attended, including: Brendan McGill, Chair of FHLBank Pittsburgh’s Board of Directors and President and Chief Executive Officer of Harleysville Bank; Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., member of the FHLBank Pittsburgh Board of Directors and President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh – who served as the emcee of the event; Jim Dionise, Director of NexTier Bank, N.A.; and Sheryl Jordan, Executive Vice President and Managing Director at PNC. Representing the FHLBank Affordable Housing Advisory Council was Jerrel T. Gilliam, Executive Director, Light of Life Rescue Mission and Varsovia Fernandez, CEO of the Pennsylvania CDFI Network.

A complete list of the AHP and voluntary housing grant initiative awards can be found at www.fhlb-pgh.com/ahp.

Man shot multiple times in Wilkinsburg; incident under investigation

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Wilkinsburg, PA) A man was shot multiple times in Wilkinsburg early this morning. Allegheny County 911 dispatchers were notified of the shooting in the 500 block of Ardmore Boulevard around 1:18 a.m. First responders arrived and they found the male victim shot multiple times. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Police are continuing to investigate this incident and anyone with information concerning it is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS, and callers can remain anonymous. 

Winning Fast Play Pennsylvania Lottery ticket worth just over $555,000 sold at an Allegheny County grocery store

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A winning Fast Play ticket from the Pennsylvania Lottery that was worth just over $555,000 was sold to someone in the Pittsburgh region on Saturday  According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, a $555,970 winning Money Power Progressive game was sold at the Shop ‘n Save on Babcock Boulevard in Shaler Township. The store will receive a bonus of $5,000 for selling this winning ticket. Prizes that are won on Fast Play must be claimed within one year of the date the person purchases it, and the winner should call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 1-800-692-7481 and immediately sign the back of the ticket. Money Power Progressive is a ticket that is worth $20 with progressive top prizes starting at $350,000.

Male pedestrian in critical condition after being hit by vehicle while on a sidewalk in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of a Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A man is in critical condition after he was hit by a vehicle in Pittsburgh early yesterday morning. Allegheny County 911 officials confirmed to WPXI that the pedestrian crash took place on West Warrington Avenue near Boggs Avenue around 1:45 a.m. A Pittsburgh Public Safety official stated that officers arrived on scene to find an unconscious man in the road with a head injury and preliminary information indicates the suspects got into an SUV, then hit the victim while he was on the sidewalk, then sped away on Warrington Avenue. Medics took the male victim to a hospital in critical condition. In relation to the cause of this incident, homicide detectives are reviewing all of the video footage in the surrounding area and the scene was processed for evidence. Police confirmed today that thirty-eight-year-old Chanel Dyer of Pittsburgh was facing felony charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault.

UPDATE: (3/3/2026) Investigators say a woman intentionally ran over her ex-boyfriend with his own SUV, while his mother was sitting in the front passenger seat. Police say Arnold Hardrick was found lying in the middle of Warrington Avenue early on Sunday morning, bleeding from the head, barely breathing. According to the criminal complaint, the SUV turned onto Warrington Avenue from Route 51 and pulled over on the median. Hardrick and the driver, identified as Dyer, exited the vehicle, then a physical altercation ensued. In an interview, Dyer admitted she was driving and said they had been drinking at several bars before the incident. She claimed Hardrick assaulted her inside the SUV and again after they stopped, including choking her. Dyer acknowledged she saw him standing in front of the vehicle, but told detectives she was unaware she struck him before pulling back onto Warrington Avenue. Hardrick suffered multiple internal injuries and a severe head injury and remains in critical condition as of yesterday evening.

AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report: Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania drop by five cents this week

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are five cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $3.24 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of gas is $2.99, and this increased by six cents over the past week as the season of spring approaches. The report states that the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Western Pennsylvania at this time a year ago was $3.49 and the average price that you can expect for a gallon of regular unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $3.23. According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various areas:

$3.321      Altoona
$3.225      Beaver
$3.377      Bradford
$2.911      Brookville
$3.305      Butler
$3.259      Clarion
$3.153      DuBois
$3.275      Erie
$3.254      Greensburg
$3.280      Indiana
$3.250      Jeannette
$3.352      Kittanning
$3.286      Latrobe
$3.304      Meadville
$3.301      Mercer
$3.150      New Castle
$3.193      New Kensington
$3.314      Oil City
$3.226      Pittsburgh
$2.920      Sharon
$3.281      Uniontown
$3.310      Warren
$3.232      Washington

Christopher Marchionda (1950-2026)

Christopher Marchionda, 75, of Big Beaver, passed away on February 27th, 2026, after a lengthy illness, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply and a legacy built on strength, loyalty, and heart. He was born in West Aliquippa on June 8th, 1950, a son of the late Frank and Anna Cellini Marchionda. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Francis, Louis, Robert, and Joseph Marchionda, and his sister, Anita Marchionda. He is survived by his devoted wife, Deborah (Dobich) Marchionda. Christopher and Debbie were blessed to celebrate their 51st anniversary on February 15th. He is also survived by his son, Brian, his beloved granddaughter, Celeste, his sister, Virginia (Melvin) Swogger, four sisters-in-law: Jeanie, Linda and Nancy Marchionda and Becky Gallagher; as well as his brother-in-law, William (Polly) Dobich, many cherished nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and many cousins who will carry his memory forward.
Christopher grew up surrounded by family and lifelong values that shaped the man he became. He was a 1969 graduate of Aliquippa Senior High School, he played fullback on the football team. He was a strong, determined person who was always moving forward. He carried that same drive through Youngstown State University, graduating in 1973 with a degree in Business, and later into his long career in construction with Local Union 833, New Brighton. He believed in showing up for work, family, and the people he loved. He worked hard, and he loved even harder. He never gave up on those he cared about. He was a member of Pathway Church in Chippewa and enjoyed the time he spent there. In earlier years he was active in teaching bible study.
He was happiest cooking a meal for his family, watching the Steelers, Penguins, or Pirates, or simply spending time with the people who meant the most to him. Above all, his greatest joy was being “Pap” to his precious granddaughter, Celeste Angel Marchionda. That role was his pride and his heart.
His strength, loyalty, and love will remain in the lives he touched forever.
A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd from 3-7 p.m. at the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of his arrangements. A homecoming service will be held on Wednesday, March 4th at 11 a.m. at Pathway Church, 239 Braun Road, Beaver Falls. Everyone is asked to meet at the church. Private Interment will follow at Grove Cemetery, 1750 Valley Avenue, New Brighton.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Christopher Marchionda please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Grace E. Benzio (1942-2026)

Grace E (Cox) Benzio, 83, of Brighton Township, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 27th, 2026, at her home.

She was born on August 28th, 1942, a daughter of the late Frank and Nora (Crow) Cox,  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Harold, Janet, Jack and Bea. She is survived by her husband, Richard (Dick) and two loving children and their spouses, Mark (Lurae) Benzio of Ohioville and Angel (Tim) Shepler of Ohioville, her nine grandchildren: Brian Benzio, Tascha (Bob) Biancucci, Alyssa Benzio, John (Jessica) Shepler, Philip (Nina) Shepler, Daniel Shepler, Anna Benzio, Sara Benzio, Rebecca (Curtis Kovalesky. Grace also had twelve great grandchildren, with one on the way and also 1 great-great grandchild with one on the way. Grace also leaves behind several nieces and nephews as well as wonderful friends and church family. She will be missed by many.

Grace graduated second in her class from Charleroi High School and went to Washington and Jefferson Nursing School following graduation and earned her RN degree in 1961. While in nursing school, she met Richard (Dick) Benzio and they knew this was the beginning of a long-lasting love. They married on June 22nd, 1962 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where Grace worked before starting their family. For 63 years, their marriage was full of love, trust and true companionship. Their relationship was a great example to their family and friends. She and her husband moved to Beaver County in the early 70’s and she worked in a nursing home before working at Aliquippa Hospital where she retired from there after 20 years. She was an ER charge nurse and prior to retirement was the Infection/Disease Control Director for the hospital. In retirement she enjoyed camping, fishing, watching sports, and spending time with her family. She was a member of the Fairview R.P. Church (PCA) in Ohioville and served on several committees.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, March 3rd, from 4-7 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of her arrangements. An additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 4th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Fairview Reformed Presbyterian Church, 6366 Tuscarawas Road, Industry. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

Private Interment to take place at Highland Cemetery, 339 Salem Church Road, Midland.

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

Timothy Duane Holman, Sr. (1958-2026)

Timothy Duane Holman, Sr., 67, of Dellroy, Ohio, formerly of Franklin County, Georgia, passed away peacefully, with his loving wife and children by his side, on February 26th, 2026.

He was born in Rochester on November 15th, 1958, the son of the late Duane and Elsie Holman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister. He is survived behind his beloved wife of 35 years, Barbara Holman, his sons, Michael (Samantha) Holman, Timothy Jr. (Tiffany) Holman, and Jake (Tarrah) Holman, his daughters, Daysha (Jeffrey) Brown and Samantha (Jesse) Wory, his grandchildren: Landon Bryant, Eyan Bryant, Gavin Holman, Timothy Holman III, Channing Holman, Anna Wory, Wyatt Wory, Sophia Wory, Lanie Brown, and Baby T. Holman; as well as his close friends: Doug Wory, Darrin Dalrymple, Dennis Brookshire and Brian Britton.

Timothy had been a Paramedic for 30 years and volunteer firefighter before and after his career. He also was an adjunct professor at North Georgia College, and a LifeFlight medic in Gwinnett County, Georgia. He touched many lives, was loved by many and highly regarded.

Friends will be received on Monday, March 2nd from 3-6 p.m., in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver,  who was in charge of his arrangements.

An additional visitation period will held on Tuesday, March 3rd at Ridge Pointe Family Church, 500 Dutch Ridge Road, Beaver, from 9 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service conducted by Pastor Bill Beatty, at 11 a.m.

Interment to follow in the Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Timothy Duane Holman Sr., please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc.