(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Police, Caption for Photo: Pictured (left to right): Lieutenant Heather Clem-Johnston, Major Colette Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Joanne Reed, and Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) was recently recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) with the August Vollmer Leadership in Forensic Science Award for its innovative statewide Rapid DNA program.

This award recognizes law enforcement agencies which demonstrate proactive and innovative use of forensic technologies so they can advance criminal investigations that strengthen the analysis, collection and use of evidence.

This award is named for August Vollmer, who is often referred to as the “Father of American Policing,” 

Vollmer advocated for the use of forensic science and investigative technologies, which include crime laboratories and fingerprinting. 

Pennsylvania State Police’s Rapid DNA program has a network of 15 fully automated genetic analyzers across the state, and this provides law enforcement agencies with the ability to develop investigative DNA leads in hours rather than weeks that are traditionally associated with laboratory processing. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Shown is the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Jan. 5, 2021, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. Six weeks after Pennsylvania state representatives elected a Democratic speaker and have not returned to session, the Republican leader on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 warned of chaos when they reconvene next week. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) A new law in Pennsylvania will require school coaches, staff and other mandated reporters to report suspected hazing in the same way that they are required to report other forms of suspected child abuse. 

This legislation passed unanimously in both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly on October 21st and it was signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro the next day.

It will take effect on January 20th, 2027.

Pennsylvania lawmakers and leaders of Cheltenham School District gathered on Tuesday at Cheltenham High School to discuss that law and the circumstances which led to its passage.

According to lawmakers, the legislation was prompted by the alleged hazing of a Cheltenham High School football player and concerns that coaches failed to report what happened.

(File Photo of Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Law enforcement officers confiscated five firearms as well as various narcotics during a series of raids across Beaver County last week.  

Four of the seized weapons were equipped with Glock switches, devices that convert standard handguns into fully automatic firearms. 

This joint operation involved Beaver County detectives, New Brighton Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible emphasized that removing these Glock switches from the streets is important for public safety and Bible recently confirmed that the ATF recovered three Glock handguns with switches after executing a search warrant on two homes in Aliquippa.

One of the guns was located on Carroll Street, and the other two guns were recovered on Main Street.   

The District Attorney shared doorbell video of one incident, which was a shooting on September 29th on Wade Street in Aliquippa.

Investigators recovered between 50 and 60 shell casings from this incident after a 19-year-old victim was wounded.

No one has been arrested in connection with that shooting.  

County detectives also partnered with the New Brighton Police on a narcotics investigation at a residence of Brightwood Manor, which was where officers discovered another firearm equipped with a Glock switch. 

Police arrested Salaam Mangum, who investigators say goes by the nickname “Glockaveli.” after that Brightwood Manor drug bust occurred.

(File Photo of Daylight Savings Time Logo with Don’t Forget to Fall Back Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Daylight Savings Time is about to end once again on November 1st, 2026 at 2 a.m.

During the season of fall, Americans are reminded to turn their clocks back one hour so the time can “fall back” to normal.

This gives most people another hour overnight and sunsets will occur an hour earlier.  

(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) Pittsburgh International Airport is currently on a pace to set a new annual record for flight diversions in 2026. 

According to the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s Blue Sky News, through September 30th, the airport accommodated 411 diverted aircraft, which places it on track to pass its previous record of 463 diversions that was set in 2018. 

The summer increase in flight diversions coincides with peak volume of air travel and severe thunderstorms. 

Technical disruptions could be another factor of these flight diversions. 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Health)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday that 1,398 measles cases have been confirmed across 44 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to lead the robust response in Pennsylvania to the ongoing outbreak of measles and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, deaths and hospitalizations available on their measles dashboard at pa.gov/measles (click here to learn more.) 

According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, here are the key updates that they include and more information about measles and how to treat it: 

• • • Newly Confirmed Cases (since October 26, 2026): 38
    • Total Counties: 44
    • Total Cumulative Cases: 1,398
    • Total Hospitalizations: 265
    • Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 5
    • Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)

Outreach and Response 

• DOH is proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the Commonwealth through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

• State health officials have administered nearly 5,200 MMR vaccinations at 156 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need. Overall, state health center staff have administered more than 7,700 MMR vaccine doses to residents across the Commonwealth in 2026. 

• Health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In August 2026, more than 49,000 MMR vaccines were administered across the Commonwealth and over the first three weeks of September 2026, more than 38,000 doses have been administered. 

Getting Vaccinated 

• The best protection against measles remains getting fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection. People who have two documented doses of MMR do not need another. Adults who have only one dose, or who cannot find their vaccination records, should talk with a health care provider or pharmacist about getting vaccinated. 

• Residents interested in getting vaccinated should contact their trusted health care provider. 

• MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. 

Measles Symptoms and Transmission 

• Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases. 

• Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area. 

• Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. 
• People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258). 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus announced yesterday that a man from East Pittsburgh who has been on the run for the past month, is now in custody after he was found hiding under bags of old clothes. 

Twenty-four-year-old D’Andre Freeman-Johnson was declared a fugitive on September 21st after bench warrants were issued for probation violations on two cases. 

The first one involved a guilty plea to aggravated assault and the second one involved a guilty plea to a firearms charge. 

Freeman-Johnson also has an active warrant out of the City of Pittsburgh for an unrelated firearms charge. 

Detectives from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office developed information that Freeman-Johnson was inside of a residence that was along Highland Avenue in Turtle Creek and arrived at the residence yesterday morning. 

After detectives started knocking and announcing their presence, they were granted access to the residence and started to search for the suspect. 

After detectives entered the basement, they noticed a small room off of the main area that was filled with bags of clothing. 

They started to move the clothing and Freeman-Johnson was discovered in the back corner underneath the bags, and at that point he was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Allegheny County Jail. 

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at today’s Beaver County Commissioners’ work session at the County Courthouse.

One of them was the November 3rd election in Pennsylvania, which is approaching.

County Solicitor Garen Fedeles reminded that the County Courthouse is closed for the public during that day, and this is regarding the front doors.

However, Fedeles stated that the back doors of the County Courthouse will be open only for any issues that are election related.

The return rate for the county’s mail-in ballots is 80%, which is the highest in the state for the size that has been sent out at this point.

Fedeles also confirmed that there are 90 ballots that are now defective and consistent of what was done in the past and on this Friday, these individuals will be posted on the website on the county so that they can get the opportunity to correct them before Election Day.

Fedeles also affirmed that there will tentatively be a voting meeting for the county budget on November 19th and another voting meeting to pass the budget on the date of December 17th.

There was also a presentation regarding the William Penn Peace Tree that has now been planted in Beaver County.

This is a white pine tree, and this tree will be placed in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.

According to County Recreation and Tourism Director Tony Caltury, Beaver County is one of the first counties to get this tree.

One of the reasons that this tree was received was because of a project to represent the values that William Penn believed in like friendship, and he believed that people that had different backgrounds and faiths could live togheter with mutual respect and as well as peace.

David Thompson, the Assistant Director of the Beaver County Office of Planning and Redevelopment, also stated to the Commissioners and the audience: “the county’s hazard mitigation plan has been accepted at the state level by FEMA. It is being forwarded on to FEMA for a final review and acceptance.”

Caltury also let the public know that there will be controlled goose hunts at Brady’s Run Park starting next week.

The dates that these will be happening are November 2nd, 5th, 9th, 12th, and 16th and signs at the ark will indicate where people can walk while these are taking place.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(East Rochester, PA) The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce will join Long John Silver’s on Friday, November 13th at 9:45 a.m. to celebrate the reopening of its remodeled location in East Rochester with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at the restaurant on 750 Ohio River Boulevard.

This event will celebrate the refreshed space and reopening of the restaurant.

Long John Silver’s is known for its offerings of seafood, which includes its signature battered fish, chicken, shrimp, and sides.