(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT is announcing several state-owned roadways will close for the 2026 NFL draft in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County continued yesterday and will remain closed for the duration of the Draft, unless otherwise noted. This event is expected to be extremely well attended. PennDOT encourages fans to plan for it in advance and to take mass transit, which may be the most efficient way to travel between the events of the Draft. A comprehensive transportation guide including public transportation, parking, road closures, and other travel information for the NFL Draft can be found by clicking here at NFLDraftPittsburgh.com. The following state roadways and ramps will close to traffic, and drivers will be detoured, according to the following schedule:

Two hours after the end of the Pittsburgh Penguin’s game (Yesterday)

• The I-279 and I-579 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes will close to traffic to accommodate emergency vehicle and bus traffic. All other vehicles will be prohibited. The HOV lanes will reopen to traffic Monday morning, April 27.

Tonight at approximately 8:00 PM:

• Southbound Route 65 ramp to the Fort Duquesne Bridge.
• Northbound I-279 (Fort Duquesne Bridge) ramp to northbound Route 65.
• 10^th Street Bypass ramp to the I-279 Portal Bridge.
• Eastbound I-376 ramp to Liberty Avenue (Exit 70A).
• Liberty Avenue to I-376 (Fort Pitt Bridge).
• Allegheny Avenue/Ridge Avenue/Reedsdale Street ramp to the Fort Duquesne Bridge.

The following detours will be in place:

Southbound I-279 (Parkway North) ramp the North Shore (Exit 1B)

• No detour route will be provided as all local roadways off the exit are closed to traffic. However, the ramp will reopen to traffic for specific Pirate games listed below.

Northbound I-279 (Upper deck of the Fort Duquesne Bridge) left-hand ramp to the North Shore (Reedsdale Street – Exit 1B)

• No detour route will be provided as all local roadways off the exit are closed to traffic.

Southbound Route 65 ramp to the Fort Duquesne Bridge

• From southbound Route 65, continue straight onto the ramp to North 28/North 279/Truck North 19
• Merge onto northbound I-279 (Parkway North)
• Take the Hazlett Street (Exit 3) off-ramp
• Turn left onto East Street
• Turn right onto the ramp to southbound I-279 at Venture Street
• Follow I-279 southbound back to the Fort Duquesne Bridge
• End detour

Northbound I-279 (Fort Duquesne Bridge) to northbound Route 65

• From the upper deck of the Fort Duquesne Bridge, continue to North 28/279
• From northbound I-279 (Parkway North), take the ramp to North 28 toward Chestnut Street/East Ohio Street/Etna (Exit 1D)
• From northbound Route 28, take the left-hand off-ramp to North 279 toward East Ohio Street
• At the traffic light, turn left onto East Ohio Street
• Turn left onto the ramp to southbound I-279
• From southbound I-279 take the ramp to North 65 toward Ohio River Boulevard (Exit 1C)
• End detour

 

10^th Street Bypass to the I-279 Portal Bridge

• From westbound 10^th Street Bypass, turn left onto Fort Duquesne Boulevard
• Turn left onto 9^th Street
• Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
• Turn left onto Stanwix Street
• Take the ramp to West 376 toward the Fort Pitt Bridge/Airport
• End detour

Eastbound I-376 ramp to Liberty Avenue (Exit 70A)

• From eastbound I-376, take the ramp to the Boulevard of the Allies/Liberty Bridge/PPG Arena (Exit 70A)
• Take the ramp to the Boulevard of the Allies
• Turn left onto Stanwix Street
• Follow Stanwix Street to Liberty Avenue
• End detour

Liberty Avenue to westbound I-376 (Fort Pitt Bridge)

• From Liberty Avenue, turn left onto Stanwix Street
• Take the ramp to West 376 toward the Fort Pitt Bridge/Airport
• End detour

Allegheny Avenue/Ridge Avenue/Reedsdale Street ramp to the Fort Duquesne Bridge

• No detour route will be provided as Allegheny Avenue and Reedsdale Street will be closed. Ridge Avenue will remain open. Drivers can access southbound Route 65 at the West End Bridge interchange.

Additional items of note:

• Line striping work will occur on Monday, April 20 on the northbound (upper deck) Fort Duquesne Bridge. The new two-lane traffic configuration will be implemented when the striping operations are complete.
• The I-376 Fort Pitt Bridge sidewalk will close to pedestrian traffic on Wednesday, April 22.
• The northbound I-279 (Parkway North) ramp to northbound Route 28 (Ramp 1D) will be modified to two lanes of traffic.
• Lane restrictions will occur throughout the draft in both directions of the Portal Bridge which spans a portion of Point State Park.
• For those visiting Pittsburgh, the section of I-279 (Parkway North) just north of the Fort Duquesne Bridge is occasionally referred to as the North Shore Expressway.

Congestion that is significant is expected to occur during this event. PennDOT encourages drivers that are not attending draft week events to delay unnecessary travel to Pittsburgh or consider alternate routes around the city. Drivers should also allow extra time for travel. They also need to remain calm and courteous and be patient.

Beaver County Radio

OHIOVILLE — Blue Notes & Blessings brings together some of Pittsburgh’s finest jazz artists for an elegant evening benefitting Our Lady of Fatima School, Saint Monica Catholic Academy and Saints Peter & Paul School.

Blue Notes & Blessings takes place 6:30 p.m. May 7 at Seven Oaks Country Club, 132 Lisbon Road, Ohioville.

Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Eric DeFade and acclaimed vocalist Kelley DeFade headline the night, performing two sets of jazz classics alongside a band of all-star players.

The program will feature selections by Mary Lou Williams — the legendary Pittsburgh jazz pianist and composer whose conversion to Catholicism profoundly shaped her work.

Guests will enjoy exceptional food and handcrafted cocktails in a warm, sophisticated atmosphere.

Adding a distinctive touch to the evening, noted local cigar sommelier Vince Orend will be on hand with custom cigars rolled especially for the occasion — or for those feeling adventurous, the chance to roll their own under his expert guidance.

The night concludes with coffee and desserts, leaving guests with a memorable send-off into spring.

Blue Notes & Blessings is a unique opportunity to celebrate the season with extraordinary music, fine dining and the company of those who share a commitment to Beaver County Catholic schools.

Tickets are $150 at bluenotesandblessings.org. Cocktail attire and evening dress are encouraged.

(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

(Clinton County, PA) According to Pennsylvania State Police, a mother and her six children died when their Central Pennsylvania home exploded and caught on fire yesterday. The explosion and fire happened at around 8:30 a.m. at a home on Long Run Road in Lamar Township of Clinton County, which is roughly 35 miles from State College. Crews arrived on the scene and found the home fully engulfed in flames, with the mother and her six children trapped. State police confirmed that they identified the 34-year-old woman who died in the fire as Sarah B. Stolzfus, and her 11-year-old son, 10-year-old son, 8-year-old daughter, 6-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son and 3-year-old son also died in the flames. State police also expressed that a propane leak inside the house might have caused the explosion and fire and propane tanks outside the home did not explode or contribute to the fire. The explosion and fire are under investigation by state police.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Allegheny County Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A man from Cranberry Township is facing charges after police said a gun was found in his carry-on bag at Pittsburgh International Airport today. TSA officers found the loaded handgun in the passenger’s bag at the main security checkpoint and alerted Allegheny County Police. Police determined that the passenger, forty-three-year-old Garrett Beattie, did not have a valid concealed carry permit. He is charged with carrying a firearm without a license. The FBI was also notified about this incident. According to Allegheny County police, passengers who bring firearms into an airport security checkpoint can face federal civil fines from the Transportation Security Administration up to $10,000 and repeat offenders can also be fined up to $13,910.

(File Photo of the Sewickley Bridge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Sewickley, PA) The Sweetwater Center for the Arts is set to take ownership of the historic Old Sewickley Post Office building after occupying the building since 1988. The Old Sewickley Post Office Corporation (OSPOC) and the Sweetwater Center for the Arts have been working together over the past year and a half on the transition. The OSPOC is a nonprofit that was founded in the early 1980s to purchase the post office and maintain the building as a National Historic Landmark. According to a release, the Pennsylvania Attorney General has approved the OSPOC to dissolve and gift building ownership to the Sweetwater Center for the Arts.

SCOTT TADY

WARRENDALE — Scott Patterson savored his role as Luke Danes, the grumpy-yet-golden-hearted diner owner in the beloved TV series “Gilmore Girls”

Before taking on such an iconic TV part, Patterson played minor league baseball for the top affiliates of the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.

Though the Philly/Jersey native’s earlier passion was music, a craving he satisfies today as a songwriter and touring rock-and-roll artist.

With a bevy of original songs featuring elements of power-pop, punk, Americana and straight-up rock, Patterson brings his band to Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale on May 4. Tickets are at etix.com, starting at $37.15 and going up to $316 for the included backstage meet-and-greet.

Patterson appeared by phone on Monday’s Beaver County Radio Show with Scott Tady.

If you missed it, here’s the interview with Scott and Scott:

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Beaver Valley Choral Society formally announced last week that Pittsburgh resident Dr. Douglas-Jayd Burn has been appointed the organization’s new Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, effective June 1st. Sharon R. Burchill is retiring from these positions to devote more time to her family and teaching career. Dr. Burn will conduct the BVCS Principal Choir and supervise the BVCS Orchestra, Jubilation Bells! Mary Inman Honors Hand Bell Choir, and Treble Youth Chorale. Dr. Burn will lead the BVCS organization in several appearances as part of Beaver County’s America 250 celebratory events this summer. The native of Richmond, Virginia previously served on the collaborative piano faculty at Westminster College, as an instructor at the University of Arizona, and as a teaching fellow at the Hartt School. He has performed with members of the Zurich Opera Orchestra; Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Deutsch Oper Berlin, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Symphony, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and Richmond Symphony Orchestra.

(File Photo of a Scam Alert Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Attorney General Dave Sunday is now alerting Pennsylvanians to a  new twist on a cash scam where criminals demand immediate payment to resolve a fake emergency, such as an unpaid fine or family member in trouble. The Office of Attorney General received two separate reports of scammers collecting cash from their victims, in person, through an intermediary. According to a release from Sunday’s office, here is some more information about this scam and some tips that Sunday recommends to avoid it:

In two recent Pennsylvania cases, victims were told they would need to provide cash to someone, in person, to resolve an issue (which was a lie). Those victims collectively paid over $30,000.

In the two recent cash scams in Pennsylvania:

• A mother received a call claiming her out-of-state daughter had been in an accident and urgently needed $16,000. The cash was later picked up by an Uber driver unknown to the victim, while scammers kept her on the phone the entire time to prevent verification.
• A woman received a pop-up on her iPhone claiming there were fraudulent Apple Pay charges and directing her to call a toll-free number. She was instructed to withdraw $15,000 in cash and told a “government agent” would come to her home to collect it, providing a so-called “exclusive code” as proof of legitimacy.

The Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection is offering the following tips to help you keep yourself safe from potential scams:

• Never click on links that you did not request to be sent to you.
• Don’t answer unexpected calls or texts, especially from unknown numbers.
• Don’t click on computer pop-ups.
• SLOW DOWN. Scammers want to rush you, so stop and check it out! Before you take any action, talk with someone you trust. If the caller is insisting you remain on the line and not to discuss this with anyone else, it is a scam and you should hang up immediately.
• Never withdraw cash in response to an unexpected call or message. Only scammers will ask for cash for services that you otherwise would be able to pay for with a credit or debit card.
• Never share sensitive information like your bank account information, Social Security Number, passwords, pins, or other personal information. If someone is asking for this information, it could be a scam.
• If someone claims to be from a business or government agency, check online for the number to contact that business or agency and contact them directly with any questions or concerns. Legitimate callers will often leave a voicemail message for you to return their call. Scammers often will not leave a message.

Consumers who feel they may have been involved in a scam are encouraged to contact the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting its website by clicking here, by calling the Office at 1-800-441-2555, or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov by clicking here.

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of State)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt reminded eligible Pennsylvanians today that the May 4th deadline to register to vote in the May 19th primary election is only two weeks away. You can visit vote.pa.gov by clicking here to register for it. According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of State, here is some more information about this election:

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to use the Department’s online voter registration site, which can be found by clicking here, which is fast, secure, and convenient. Current registered voters can also use that site to update their name, address, or party affiliation.

Because Pennsylvania has a closed primary, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party’s nominees in the primary election. However, all voters can vote on any local ballot questions, as well as in any special elections that run simultaneously to the primary. For example, all voters in York County’s 196th House District can participate in the May 19 special election to fill the vacant seat for their state representative.

In the primary, eligible Democratic and Republican voters will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for their parties’ nominees for U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, even-numbered state Senate districts, and all state House districts, as well as Democratic and Republican State Committee. The Department’s candidate database, which can be accessed by clicking here, lists candidates who are running for office.

To be eligible to register to vote in the May 19 primary, a person must be:

·   a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the primary,

·   a resident of the election district in which the person plans to register for at least 30 days before the primary, and

·   at least 18 years old on or before May 19.

In addition to registering online, Pennsylvanians can receive an application to register to vote at:

• their county voter registration office,
• county assistance offices,
• Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program offices,
• Armed Forces recruitment centers,
• county clerk of orphans’ courts or marriage license offices,
• area agencies on aging,
• county mental health and intellectual disabilities offices,
• student disability services offices of the State System of Higher Education, and
• Americans with Disabilities Act-mandated complementary paratransit providers.

In 2023, PennDOT driver and photo license centers began offering automatic voter registration, which you can learn more about by clicking here, which provides eligible Pennsylvanians with a convenient way to apply to register to vote when they obtain a new driver’s license or ID card or when they renew their existing identification. The Shapiro Administration launched the initiative as part of its continued commitment to ensuring free, fair, and secure elections.

Regardless of which method eligible Pennsylvanians use to register, county election offices must receive their voter registration application by close of business May 4th.

Registered voters can request a mail ballot by clicking here and vote from the convenience of their home or their county elections office, which you can find by clicking here, or they can vote at the polls on Election Day, Schmidt said.

Mail ballot applications must be received by county elections offices by 5 p.m. on May 12. The deadline for county elections offices to receive completed mail ballots is 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day, May 19. Mail ballots received after that time will not be counted.

Pennsylvanians who prefer to vote in person can find their polling place, which you can find by clicking here, at vote.pa.gov, by clicking here. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and any voter in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

The Department’s voter information website, vote.pa.gov, which you can access by clicking here, is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese and offers a polling place locator, which you can access by clicking here, and contact information for county elections offices, which you can learn about by clicking here. It also includes tips for first-time voters (click here for information), mail-in and absentee voters (click here for information), elderly and disabled voters, (click here for information), and members of the military (click here for information).