Route 65 Mercer Road Drilling Work Begins Tuesday in North Sewickley

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(North Sewickley Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that drilling work on Route 65 (Mercer Road) in North Sewickley Township is scheduled to begin tomorrow, weather permitting.

The work will take place weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through June 19th on Route 65 between Brighton Road and Grandview Road.

The roadway is currently restricted to a single lane of alternating traffic controlled by stop signs. Beginning Thursday, flaggers are expected to be on site to assist motorists while crews conduct roadway borings.

Crews from Armstrong Drilling will perform the work.

Celebrate 50 years of Greek food and culture at this week’s event at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Aliquippa

(File Photo of the Weclone to Aliquippa Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church will celebrate 50 years of Greek culture, food and music during the Aliquippa Greek Food Festival from June 11-13 at the church at 2111 Davidson Street.

The three-day festival will feature traditional Greek cuisine, including gyros, moussaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, Greek pastries and other specialties. Greek coffee and spirits also will be available.

Tours of the church will be offered at 1 p.m. each day, with additional tours available by appointment. You can schedule one by emailing theodosiospalis@gmail.com by clicking here.

Live music and Greek dancing are planned throughout the festival, with The Meraklides performing traditional Greek music from 5 to 8 p.m. each evening.

Indoor and outdoor seating will be available. Organizers also are introducing online ordering and advance payment for takeout orders this year. According to the church, phone orders will not be accepted.

AAA: As Summer Travel Season Begins, Gas Prices Still Falling

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania fell 8 cents this week to an average of about $4.52 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline decreased 16 cents over the past week to $4.16, marking the second consecutive weekly decline. AAA attributed the drop to crude oil prices remaining below $100 per barrel, though uncertainty remains regarding shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand fell from 9.25 million barrels per day to 8.59 million barrels per day last week. Domestic gasoline supplies increased from 211.6 million barrels to 215 million barrels, while gasoline production averaged 9.4 million barrels per day.

At the close of Wednesday’s trading session, West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $2.26 to settle at $96.02 per barrel. The EIA reported that U.S. crude oil inventories decreased by 8 million barrels from the previous week to 433.7 million barrels, about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.

The national average cost of electricity at public EV charging stations remained unchanged this week at 41 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The report states that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of regular unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $4.77.

According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various areas:

$4.384      Altoona
$4.773      Beaver
$4.438      Bradford
$4.333      Brookville
$4.590      Butler
$4.497      Clarion
$4.445      DuBois
$4.433      Erie
$4.335      Greensburg
$4.532      Indiana
$4.343      Jeannette
$4.698      Kittanning
$4.388      Latrobe
$4.491      Meadville
$4.632      Mercer
$4.569      New Castle
$4.628      New Kensington
$4.778      Oil City
$4.678      Pittsburgh
$4.176      Sharon
$4.649      Uniontown
$4.486      Warren
$4.577      Washington

Exact route for Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 train determined; passing through Beaver and Allegheny Counties in July of 2026

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Beaver County Events on Facebook, Posted on Facebook on April 28th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The route has been finalized for Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, which is scheduled to pass through Beaver and Allegheny counties on July 11th and 12th.

According to Union Pacific Railroad, the locomotive is making a rare trip to the eastern United States as part of its 2026 tour.

Big Boy is expected to enter the Pittsburgh area after 11:15 a.m. on July 11, traveling through Trafford before crossing the Monongahela River and passing through communities including Homestead, Duquesne and Pittsburgh’s South Shore.

The locomotive will continue along the Ohio River through Bellevue, Avalon, Emsworth, Haysville and Sewickley before making a scheduled public stop in Leetsdale at about 6:15 p.m. The approximately 30-minute stop near First Street, Avenue A and Ferry Street will be the locomotive’s only public appearance in Western Pennsylvania.

Following an overnight stay at Conway Yard, Big Boy is scheduled to depart at about 9 a.m. July 12 and travel through Rochester, New Brighton, Beaver Falls and New Castle before continuing west.

Union Pacific noted that all times are approximate and may change due to railroad operating conditions.

The exact route and pictures of it can be found by clicking here.

Canadian man released after being arrested for theft incident in Robinson Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA0 Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported today that a 31-year-old Canadian man was arrested in connection with an alleged theft scheme involving packages containing precious metals at a FedEx facility in Robinson Township.

Matthew Francois was charged with theft, theft of mail, receiving stolen property, forgery and corrupt organizations. He was released Saturday on a nonmonetary bond, according to police.

State police said the Organized Crime Unit was contacted by FedEx security on or about May 17th regarding multiple packages containing gold and silver that had allegedly been stolen.

Investigators said they arranged for a “bait package” containing purported precious metals valued at about $75,000 to be shipped to a location near the FedEx shipping office in Robinson Township.

According to police, Francois attempted to pick up the package Friday and used a false identification card and tracking information to obtain it. He was taken into custody and transported to the Allegheny County Jail to await arraignment.

Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to five months in federal prison for violating federal firearms laws, U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Michael Allen Barnes, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman IV, who also ordered him to serve two years of supervised release following his incarceration. The first 150 days of supervised release will be served on home detention with location monitoring.

According to federal prosecutors, Barnes was arrested in downtown Pittsburgh on April 11, 2024, on an outstanding arrest warrant from Georgia. Authorities said they recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband during the arrest.

Prosecutors said Barnes had previously been convicted of burglary in Gwinnett County, Georgia, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

Shapiro Administration Launches Specialized 511PA Website to Help Travelers Headed to the World Cup, MLB All Star Week, and America250 Events this Summer

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT is encouraging travelers attending major events in Philadelphia this year to use a new online resource that provides real-time traffic and travel information.

The page, available through PennDOT’s 511PA traveler information system, includes traffic maps, travel times, incident reports, construction updates, traffic camera feeds and message board information for routes serving FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, FIFA Fan Festival™ events, MLB All-Star Week and America250PA celebrations.

According to PennDOT, the maps also include real-time SEPTA information, including service status and next departure times.

Travelers using the “My Routes” feature can access event-related points of interest when selecting their starting point or destination.

PennDOT said its Southeast Regional Traffic Management Center will support the events by providing real-time travel information on electronic message signs. The agency plans to activate 40 additional traffic cameras and 32 additional message boards to help monitor conditions and direct travelers.

Officials are advising motorists in the Philadelphia area to expect changing traffic patterns, delays and increased pedestrian activity during the events.

PennDOT said it is coordinating with transportation agencies and government partners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, as well as the City of Philadelphia and SEPTA, to manage traffic throughout the event season.

You can access the website by clicking here.

Route 1037 Reno Street Culvert Replacement Underway in Beaver County

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that a culvert replacement project is underway on Reno Street (Route 1037) in Rochester Township. Culvert replacement work requiring the closure of Reno Street over Dutchman Run between Unionville Road and Noonen Street will occur through late August, and through traffic will be detoured. Drivers will be detoured during the replacement work via Pine Run Road, Big Knob Road, and Deer Lane Extension. Crews from A. Merante Contracting, Inc. will conduct the replacement work on this $787,000 project.

Pirates star second baseman Brandon Lowe tests negative for fracture in his right knee

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Erik S. Lesser/Associated Press) Caption for Photo: Pirates designated hitter Brandon Lowe, center, is helped off the field by Pirates manager Don Kelly, right, and a trainer after hitting the ball off of his right knee during the ninth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Atlanta.

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Atlanta, GA) Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said yesterday that tests on second baseman Brandon Lowe’s right knee were “negative for any sort of fracture.”

Lowe was removed from Saturday’s game in the Pirates’ 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta after injuring his knee in the ninth inning. He was helped off the field with two outs remaining.

Cherington described Lowe as “day to day.”

Lowe also appeared as a pinch hitter in yesterday’s 3-2 loss to the Braves in Atlanta, where he delivered a double before being replaced by pinch runner Oneil Cruz.

Lowe has been one of the key players for the Pirates, and his stats this season include a hitting average of .252, 15 home runs, and 41 RBIs.

Fine Wine & Good Spirits Helps Pennsylvanians Raise a Glass to the Summer’s Biggest Global Soccer Celebration, the FIFA World Cup 2026™

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Fine WIne and Good Spirits)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FW&GS) announced a promotional campaign tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ that will bring matches to Philadelphia this year.

The retailer said it plans to highlight products and offers aimed at consumers hosting watch parties, cookouts and other gatherings during the tournament, which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region.

The campaign comes during a busy year for Pennsylvania, which will host a variety of major events in 2026, including celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, sporting events, festivals and concerts.

According to a release from Fine Wine & Good Spirits, here is more information about this campaign:

Match-Day Favorites from Around the World

 

FW&GS stores throughout Pennsylvania will feature special displays highlighting limited-edition products and globally inspired selections perfect for watch parties and celebrations.

 

Featured products, which are at select stores and only while supplies last, include:

 

Whether customers are cheering for a longtime favorite, celebrating their heritage, or simply looking for something new to try, FW&GS offers bottles and flavors that reflect the global spirit of the season.

 

Bringing the Celebration into Stores

 

FW&GS will also host a series of special tasting events featuring premium brands associated with the tournament.

 

Participating stores will offer opportunities to sample products and receive commemorative giveaways.

 

Featured events include:

  • Casamigos Sampling Events: Customers can sample Casamigos Blanco, Reposado, and ready-to-drink margaritas while receiving custom keepsakes inspired by the summer’s global soccer celebration.
  • Buchanan’s Scotch Events: Guests can sample Buchanan’s Deluxe and Buchanan’s Pineapple and personalize commemorative bottle labels to mark the occasion.

 

Event dates, participating locations, and details are available at FWGS.com/events by clicking here.