(File Photo: Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Sebastian Foltz/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Caption for Photo: A sign welcomes guest to new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (Sebastian Foltz/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Transportation Security Administration shared advice yesterday for people flying through Pittsburgh International Airport this Thanksgiving.

TSA recommends that all passengers should get to the airport two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.

Passangers are only allowed to pack certain items in terms of food.

According to TSA regional spokesperson Eric Guthier, “The kind of foods you can carry on are going to be those solid items. Those are your marshmallows, your chocolate chips, things that are hard. Things that kinda stand on their own. If it’s an item that if you take it out of its container and it’s gonna fall apart and be a mess in your bag, like peanut butter or liquids, things like that, those are the ones that need to go in a checked bag.”

TSA is rolling out PreCheck touchless ID for the first time, which is biometric technology that allows TSA PreCheck members to go through security without needing a boarding pass or a physical ID.

Officials state that anyone else with questions can go to the TSA website at tsa.gov, or they can text the word “TRAVEL” to 275-872, which spells out “ASK-TSA,” for live support and updates that are from before a passenger leaves home all the way up until they get to the security checkpoint.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: A large billboard sign beckons customers to this Family Dollar store in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 16 other states, recently secured a $63 million national settlement with Family Dollar Stores to resolve allegations that the company routinely charged customers more at the register than the prices that were displayed on shelves, price tags, and advertisements.

In a proposed order that was filed by Pennsylvania and the partners, Family Dollar will be prohibited from misrepresenting the price of its goods and services.

According to the complaint, thousands of Family Dollar stores nationwide have overcharged shoppers while failing to correct the issue despite thousands of failed inspections, hundreds of consumer complaints, and multiple enforcement actions.

Consumers have reported widespread pricing discrepancies consistently, and regulatory inspections confirmed inaccurate price labels in Family Dollar stores nationwide.

The complaint also alleges that Family Dollar charged customers more at the register than as labeled and on its website and mobile app.

Family Dollar will be required to establish a $40 million consumer redress fund, payable to eligible consumers, and a $20 million discount program for Family Dollar consumers under the proposed order.

Family Dollar must also notify customers of their redress fund eligibility by clearly posting notices on its digital platforms and in its stores.

The company also must establish a pricing accuracy program that requires it to regularly monitor and verify prices, train employees to identify discrepancies, and promptly correct errors to ensure that customers are charged the prices that are advertised or displayed.

The enforcement action against Family Dollar also included: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin, in addition to the FTC.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News, taken by him)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(East Rochester, PA) The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at 9:45 a.m. to celebrate the reopening of the Long John Silver’s seafood quick-service restaurant at 750 Ohio River Boulevard in East Rochester.

This restaurant is open from Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Fridays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midnight.

It was rebuilt at its original location from the ground up and it offers a setting for guests to enjoy the favorite meals that they love with chicken and seafood that is updated, which includes batter-dipped fish, chicken, hushpuppies, grilled salmon, shrimp, shrimp tacos and more.

It features a coastal-inspired interior that is along with digital menu boards, kiosks for self-order, and an updated layout which still includes seaworthy seating and ordering options that are personalized.

These enhancements create an environment that is more welcoming while supporting carryout, dine-in and mobile orders.

Some representatives from the County Chamber of Commerce were present at the event, including its president, Lance Grabel.

Grabel commented about what the reopening of the restaurant means for Beaver County by saying: “I think it means that a restaurant that has been a staple of East Rochester for years and years and years, is back, refreshed, reopened, and ready to go, and I think it is spectacular for Beaver County. It just shows the support of community and organizations that wanna come in and be a part of Beaver County.

The employees of the establishment were also present, including Susan Staub, who is the District Manager of the East Rochester Long John Silver’s restaurant.

Staub shared her thoughts about what the reopening of the restaurant means for Beaver County and she thought about the process that it took for the restaurant to reopen again.

Staub stated: “We ended badly, as at the old store. It was hard. This gives Long John Silver’s a chance at rebirth, with a new store, new people; get everything that they need to get done done. We didn’t have enough employees, like a month before we closed. So, it’s our chance to make it up to Beaver County.”

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the United States Deaprtment of Justice

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) The Department of Justice, through the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team, joined Europol yesterday to announce the results of Operation TorNado, which is a coordinated, multi‑agency and international law enforcement effort targeting criminal enterprises that use Dark Web markets to traffic fentanyl, opioids, and other illicit drugs.

This operation was conducted across the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

It included actions against Dark Web vendors and buyers that were active on prominent Dark Web drug markets seized by law enforcement which included: Archetyp, Bohemia, Nemesis, Kingdom, and Tor2Door.

Operation TorNado actions have resulted in the arrest of 354 Dark Web drug traffickers and fraudulent criminals that engaged in tens of thousands of sales of illicit goods and services across the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

The operation resulted in the seizure of over $234 million in both cash and virtual currencies, approximately 5.7 metric tons of illicit drugs worldwide, and these included fentanyl and other opioids, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamine, and MDMA, as well as 38 pill presses and 209 firearms.

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that a resident of McKees Rocks has been sentenced in federal court to 151 months of imprisonment on his conviction of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

Thirty-five-year-old Glendale Smith was sentenced on November 6th, 2026.

According to information presented to the Court, on July 24th, 2024, police officers approached Smith, who was the subject of multiple active arrest warrants, in the Larimer area of Pittsburgh.

As Smith escaped from the officers, he threw a bag that contained 22 grams of crack cocaine and 30 stamp bags of fentanyl, as well as the keys to his vehicle.

Law enforcement found a stolen firearm loaded with an extended magazine inside the vehicle.

At the time that he committed the instant offense, Smith was on parole for illegally possessing a firearm and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance in an Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case.

This federal conviction is his third adult conviction, and fourth conviction overall, for illegally possessing a firearm, as well as his third drug trafficking conviction.

Federal law prohibits a convicted felon possessing either ammunition or a firearm.

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bridgeville, PA) PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll and local officials highlighted the ongoing construction of the Interstate 79/Route 910 Wexford Interchange project yesterday and discussed the 2026 construction season, which includes $316 million in infrastructure investments in Beaver, Allegheny and Lawrence counties. 

Over 3,100 miles have been improved statewide under the Shapiro Administration, and work has advanced on more than 2,100 state and local bridges. Between January and October of 2026, PennDOT has improved 3,992 miles of road, which includes 1,231 miles of paving. 

506 state and locally owned bridges are also set to be preserved, repaired, or replaced. 

According to a release from PennDOT District 11, overall highlights in the 2026 construction season for District 11 include:

• 56 projects went out to bid.
• Approximately 892 miles of paving and road maintenance.
• 40 bridges were repaired or replaced, including 10 in poor condition.
• 36 slides repaired.

That same release confirms that notable projects in PennDOT District 11 completed or near completion in 2026 include:

• Route 28 Wrong Way Detection System project in Allegheny County, $4.8 million.
• I-376 Parkway East (Churchill to Monroeville) Betterment project in Allegheny County, $70.17 million.
• Country Club Drive over Route 19 Replacement project in Allegheny County, $2.5 million.
• Route 65 Country Club Bridge Replacement project in Beaver County, $9.45 million.
• Route 68 – Virginia Avenue to Adams Street Betterment project in Beaver County, $7.04 million.
• Route 158 North Jefferson Street Betterment project in Lawrence County, $3.84 million.

The same release noted that notable projects continuing in 2027 include:

• Route 22/30 over I-376 Parkway West Interchange project in Allegheny County, $57.93 million.
• I-376 “Bathtub” Flood Control Improvement project in Allegheny County, estimated $14.34 million.
• I-376 Parkway East (Edgewood to Churchill) Betterment project in Allegheny County, $100 million
• Route 2114 McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge Preservation project in Allegheny County, $50.77 million.
• Route 18 Frankfort Road Bridge Replacement project in Beaver County, $29.2 million.
• Route 422 – Business 422 to Butler County Betterment project in Lawrence County, estimated $15.53 million.
• Route 2006 East Washington Street Bridge Replacement project in Lawrence County, $7.28 million.

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) According to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year for home cooking fires in the United States.

An estimated 1,139 home cooking fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. in 2024 on Thanksgiving Day, which reflects an increase of 321 percent over the daily average.

Christmas Day and Christmas Eve also ranked as the second and third leading days of the year for cooking fires, with both of them carrying nearly twice the daily average. 

Some tips and recommendations from the NFPA to help everyone cook safely on Thanksgiving can be found below, courtesy of a release from the NFPA:

• Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
• When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.
• Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
• Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
• Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If a small grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan, then turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Hot foods and liquids should be placed away from table and counter edges.

NFPA also strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers which use cooking oil, because this can cause devastating burns.

People can use an air fryer, electric turkey fryer or infared turkey frier for a safer alternative, which mimics the taste of a turkey that is oil-fried turkey.

People can also consider buying a fried turkey from either a grocery store or a restaurant.

(File Photo of the Christmas Star)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Columbiana, OH) The Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau (CATB) is kicking off its Christmas in Columbiana with three holiday happenings on Friday, November 20th, beginning at 6 p.m. on the Square in downtown Columbiana, Ohio.

There will be shops to buy items, and some options for dining before the 6 p.m. start with the annual Tree Lighting, Christmas Parade, and Opening Night for Joy of Christmas 2026.

According to a release from the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau, here is some more information about this event:

• TREE LIGHTING: 6:00pm on the Square (intersection of Main Street and Park Avenue, across from The Columbiana Arts Theater)
• COLUMBIANA CHRISTMAS PARADE: 6:00pm step-off; NEW ROUTE:
  • 4:30pm Parade line-up starts at West Railroad Street (by railroad tracks)
  • 5:30pm Parade line-up complete
  • 6:00pm Step-off timed to coincide with Tree Lighting on the Square
  • Parade heads north along South Main Street towards the Square; at the Square (Circle), Parade turns right down East Park Avenue towards Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park
  • Guests are invited to follow the Parade (on foot) to Joy of Christmas 2026 Opening Night
• JOY OF CHRISTMAS 2026: Immediately after the parade until 9:00pm
  • Opening Night + Walk It Night + $5 Hayrides + Media Night Guests are invited to follow Santa & Mrs. Claus from the Parade to Firestone Park on foot
  • LIGHT UP #JOC26: Begins when Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive at the Ice Castle (Mirror Lake pavilion)
  • $5 WALK IT NIGHT: Stroll through the light show on foot, or enjoy the show by a $5/person hayride; be sure to visit the Gingerbread House and Ice Castle
  • NO cars permitted; passes accepted; leashed, well-mannered dogs welcome (please clean-up after companions)
• SANTA’S SURPRISES: Stay-tuned to the Joy of Christmas 2026 (Columbiana OH) (click here) Facebook Event throughout the day on Friday, November 20, 2026, to see what surprises Santa’s bringing to Opening Night!

Now in it’s 18th year, Joy of Christmas Light Show 2026 takes place 6-9pm select nights, Friday, November 20—Sunday, December 27, 2026, and includes:

• 1+ million lights, plus indoor activities at the Ice Castle and Gingerbread House
• $1 concessions benefiting local nonprofit and civic organizations; indoor Christmas Village + train display, reindeer food (Ice Castle)
• Story Time with Mrs. Claus (Thursdays, Sundays & select special event nights only; Ice Castle)
• Photo with Santa ($15; Ice Castle)
• Story Time with CEE Carrie (Dec. 4., Dec. 11, Dec. 21 only; Gingerbread House)
• “I Spy”, letters to Santa, other children’s activities (Gingerbread House)
• Gingerbread display featuring student & professional designs (Gingerbread House)

Hosted by and benefiting the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau, this event raises funds to support Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park maintenance, plus activities and events in Columbiana. Costs are:

• $20/vehicle
• $40/seasonal pass
• $10 Sunday Nights for Veterans, First Responders + Seniors (adults 65 yrs.+) ONLY
• $5 Walk It Nights on Nov. 20, Dec. 16, Dec. 27 ONLY* (passes accepted)

• • Walk It Nights are subject to weather; no cars permitted as guests stroll by foot through the displays; leashed well-mannered dogs welcome (humans are responsible for cleaning up after their companions)

For more information on the Columbiana Joy of Christmas 2026 Tree Lighting, Parade and Drive-thru Light Show, please call 330.482.2282; or visit www.TourColumbianaOhio.org (click here.). Follow on Facebook: @ColumbianaTourismBureau and Joy of Christmas 2026 (Columbiana OH) (click here.)