Author: Beaver County Radio

Beaver Falls man indicted on a charge of violating a federal firearms law

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that a resident of Beaver Falls has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law. The sole defendant of the one-count Indictment was twenty-three-year-old Javon Turner. According to the Indictment, on or about August 16th, 2025, Turner had a firearm and ammunition in his possession after previously having been convicted of a felony on a state robbery charge. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon possessing a firearm or ammunition. According to Revetti, Turner could receive a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, provided by the law. 

The Fort Pitt Museum will close for two months to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft and America’s 250th anniversary

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This April 2, 2021, file photo shows bridges spanning the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that it’s more advantageous to oppose President Joe Biden’s ambitious rebuild America agenda than to lend support for the costly $2.3 trillion undertaking for roads, bridges and other infrastructure investments. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park will be closed for the next two months so that preparations can be made for the hosting of the 2026 NFL Draft in the Steel City and for celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States. According to the Fort Pitt Museum, while it is closed through the months of January and February, exhibitions will be updated and facilities will be improved. March 1st, 2026 is when the museum is expected to reopen. When it reopens, there will be a new exhibit there called “Pittsburgh’s Revolution” which will feature rare artifacts, interactive activities, and pictures from Fort Pitt’s role in the Revolutionary War. A temporary exhibition will also open in June of 2026 ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States that will focus on weapons and tactics used during the 18th century.

Florence E. Moser (1944-2025)

Florence E. Moser, 81, of Munhall, passed away on December 24th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born in Pittsburgh on February 15th, 1944, the daughter of the late Ewing and Mildred (Eppley) Moser. She is survived by her brother, Wayne (Martha) Moser, two nephews, David Moser and Keith (Julie) Moser, a great niece and nephew, Charlie and Aubrey, as well as two special friends, Linda Parous of Munhall and Becca Antoz of Hampton.

Florence worked in Healthcare as an Licensed Practical Nurse at Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for over 40 years and was a member of Lincoln Place Church of the Nazarene in Pittsburgh.

Private interment will take place at Jefferson Memorial Park, 401 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh.

The GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, was honored to care for Florence and her family during this most difficult time and was the funeral home that was in charge of her arrangements.

Tammy Lynn Lealand (1971-2025)

Tammy Lynn Lealand, 54, of Hopewell Township, passed away unexpectedly on December 20th, 2025. She was born in Rochester on August 1st, 1971, a daughter of the late Garth and Andrea Wilson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two siblings, Scott Wilson and Debbie Harding. She is survived by her beloved blue and gold McCaw, Shane, a daughter, Taylor (Austin) Kelly, three grandchildren: Ashley, Scott and Kouvr, a brother, Terry (Tina) Wilson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tammy was a very giving person, she loved a lot and she lived a lot. She enjoyed her job as a security guard with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden for more than 23 years.  She most recently worked as a pharmacy tech for Giant Eagle in their warehouse in Freedom. She loved animals, crafting, and Pepsi. She also loved to volunteer and donate her time and crafts.

All services for Tammy are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Esker D. Casto (1937-2025)

Esker D. Casto, 88, of New Sewickley Township, passed away on December 7th, 2025 in East Palestine, Ohio. He was born in Buckhannan, West Virginia on April 18th, 1937, a son of the late Ottis Casto and Ada Casto Rutherford. In addition to his parents, was preceded in death by his wife Glenna M. “Pritt” Casto, two brothers, Darrel and Archie Casto and one sister, Barbara Coe. He is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Bradley K. and Teresa Casto of Patterson Township, Michael D. and Cathy Casto of Rochester, three grandchildren, Jacob Casto and Tim {Michelle} Casto and Matthew Casto, several great-grandchildren, one brother, Terry {Rita} Casto and his step-sister, Nancy Stinner.

Esker was a retired employee with Wyckoff Steel in Ambridge and Wyckoff Steel in Putman, Connecticut. Esker’s wishes were to be cremated. No events are scheduled at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to The William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Esker, please visit our floral store.

Brielle Marie Adkins (2024-2025)

Brielle Marie Adkins, 1, of Rochester, passed away on December 25th, 2025, at her home. She was born in Brighton Township on October 15th, 2024, the infant daughter of Justin J. Adkins, Jr., and Paige Hubert. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her paternal grandparents, Justin J. Adkins, Sr., and Shannon K. Nelson, her maternal grandmother, Gayle McDonald and her maternal grandfather, Brian Hubert, one aunt, Raven Higbee, one uncle, Joshua Avery, and her great-grandmother, Sonja Krassman. The wishes of Brielle’s family were to have her cremated and a memorial service for her will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Brielle, please visit the floral store of the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

All-Star first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and Pirates agree to a $29 million, 2-year deal, AP source says

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – San Diego Padres’ Ryan O’Hearn celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sept. 23, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP)(December 23rd, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Pirates took another step toward being a contender in 2026, agreeing to a $29 million, two-year contract with All-Star first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn that’s designed to give one of the worst offenses in the majors a boost.

A person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal includes $500,000 annually in performance bonuses. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because it was not yet official.

O’Hearn receives the first multiple-year free agent deal the Pirates have agreed to since 2016. The left-handed slugger is coming off the best season of his big league career. He hit .281 with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs in 2025 and made the All-Star team for the first time while playing for Baltimore and San Diego.

The rare splurge by the Pirates is their second significant acquisition in less than a week. Pittsburgh acquired two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay on Dec. 19 as part of a three-team deal that included sending starting pitcher Mike Burrows to Houston.

Pittsburgh has vowed to build around a pitching staff that includes reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and rookie Bubba Chandler. The Pirates are coming off a 71-91 season in which the offense finished at or near the bottom of the majors in most significant statistical categories, including runs and home runs.

O’Hearn gives Pittsburgh a bit of versatility. He has played both first base and a corner outfield spot. The Pirates have the left-handed hitting Spencer Horwitz at first, though O’Hearn could see time there and perhaps in the outfield alongside Oneil Cruz and two-time All-Star Bryan Reynolds.

O’Hearn is a career .252 hitter, but his numbers improved as he became a reliable contributor during his 2 1/2 seasons with the Orioles, who traded him to the contending Padres at the deadline. He is batting .277 with 46 homers and 182 RBIs since 2023 and now finds himself playing half his games in a ballpark where the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall starts just 320 feet from home plate.

Water main break temporarily closes Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium was closed yesterday because of a water main break and it will be closed to the public during the day today as well. Officials told WTAE that a water main break on One Wild Place kept the zoo closed yesterday, which started at 12:30 p.m. Wild Illuminations, the Pittsburgh Zoo’s holiday lantern experience, was also closed last night. In addition, Donation Day at that zoo, which was scheduled for today, will be rescheduled to a later date. 

Three deer in roadway cause four-vehicle crash in North Sewickley Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(North Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that three deer entering the roadway of I-76 East caused a four-vehicle crash in North Sewickley Township at 3:22 p.m. on December 17th, 2025. All four drivers involved were driving on I-76 East when traffic became congested before coming to an abrupt stop. These four drivers were neither charged nor injured. The three deer that caused this crash were also dispatched at the scene.

Eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike reopens in New Stanton after crash occurs in Somerset County

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Vehicles move past signs that indicate payment methods for driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the entrance ramp in Gibsonia, Pa. in this file photo from Aug. 30, 2021. Gov. Tom Wolf gave final approval on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, to legislation aimed at getting owners or operators of some 25,000 vehicles to pay their overdue bills for turnpike usage, The law that could trigger the suspension of thousands of vehicle registrations early next year. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Somerset County, PA) The Pennsylvania Turnpike eastbound reopened in New Stanton this morning after a crash occurred east of the Allegheny Tunnel. According to Pennsylvania State Police in Somerset, a commercial vehicle rolled on its side shortly before 6 a.m. near mile 129 between the Somerset and Bedford interchanges, blocking all of the lanes. Forty-three-year-old Ying Fu of La Puente, California lost control of the tractor-trailer that he was driving while trying to stop for the overturned vehicle, and he hit a guide rail and crashed, which also blocked all of the lanes. Fu was taken to a hospital with a suspected minor injury and he was charged by police. A few hours after the incident, the Pennsylvania Turnpike east from New Stanton Exit 75 to Breezewood Exit 161 reopened.