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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are 13 cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $4.01 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Gas prices are increasing again, as the situation between the U.S. and Iran is still uncertain.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up by eight cents over the past week to $3.87 after it steadily dropped since late May.

Crude oil prices are now over $70 per barrel as volatility is lingering along the Strait of Hormuz.

Prices are still lower than they were in the spring, which was when the national average peaked at $4.56 on May 21st.

The national average for a gallon of regular gas is 21 cents less than a month ago and 72 cents more than a year ago.

The report states that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of regular unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $4.27.

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

$3.802      Altoona
$4.274      Beaver
$4.083      Bradford
$3.877      Brookville
$4.195      Butler
$3.964      Clarion
$3.870      DuBois
$3.789      Erie
$3.852      Greensburg
$3.990      Indiana
$3.797      Jeannette
$4.182      Kittanning
$3.965      Latrobe
$3.992      Meadville
$3.967      Mercer
$4.151      New Castle
$4.216      New Kensington
$4.186      Oil City
$4.318      Pittsburgh
$3.543      Sharon
$4.347      Uniontown
$3.774      Warren
$4.181      Washington

(Credit for Headline Photo and Photo Below: Photo Courtesy of the Center Township Police Department, Posted on Facebook on July 13th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) The Center Township Police Department is now hiring so people can join a staff that has a commitment of protecting both communities of Center and Potter Townships.

Benefits include paid training, growth for the career of the applicant and policing that is community oriented.

You can apply by either scanning the QR code in the picture below, going to the Center Township Police Department, or by calling its non-emergency number at 724-775-0880.

(File Photo of the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh reported today that an unidentified suspect unknowingly stole money from a woman from Harmony at that casino on July 12th at 1:55 a.m.

Kathleen Pandocchi reported to police that she left her voucher in a slot machine.

A suspect then inadvertently put a voucher into the machine before playing and cashing out Pandocchi’s money.

The suspect did not intend to commit a theft and they did not know that there was credit on the machine.

Pandocchi’s money was returned without incident as a result.

(File Photo of the Borough of Ambridge Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) The annual Ambridge Greek Food Festival will occur from July 14th-18th at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

According to Connie Barlamas, who is co-chairing this year’s event with Alex Barlamas and Raina Kanakism, the five-day festival includes over 20 Greek main and side dishes and over 30 different types of desserts to enjoy, along with Greek music, beverages, dancing and fun for all ages.

The line for food will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day and orders can be placed online by clicking here.

Barlamas also noted that phone orders will be accepted if they are placed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. by calling 724-266-5336.

Festival entertainment includes live music by a Greek band on July 17th and 18th, as well as a disc jockey playing Greek music on July 14th-16th, along with traditional performances of Greek dances on July 16th-18th.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the New Sewickley Township Police Department, Posted on Facebook on July 9th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Sewickley Township, PA) The New Sewickley Township Police Department is hiring for the position of full-time police officer and the applications are due by August 31st at 3 p.m.

You can get your applications at that department’s office in Rochester or call 724-744-2473 to apply.

You need to be a U.S. citizen that is 21 years or older with a valid driver’s license with an Act 120 appointment at the time of application and pass all background, physical and psychological testing successfully.

The benefits include vacation that is paid, having every other weekend off and coverage for dental/health/vision.

The top rate for the patrolman position is $84,091.

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Rep. Rob Matzie cast a “yes” vote yesterday for Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget as it was passed in Harrisburg, saying that the plan invests taxpayer dollars sensibly without raising taxes.

Matzie released this statement:

“I voted for this budget because it spends responsibly, in ways that will strengthen our schools, support our workforce and continue funding programs that help working families – all without adding any new taxes or raising taxes. Education is top priority of the new plan, which delivers across-the-board increases to our local school districts.”

Matzie also highlighted the investments to make life more affordable for families, which he noted were key to his support for the new budget.

He continued:

“The new plan continues the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, which puts money back in people’s pockets.”

Matzie also stated that other key features of the budget include increases for Medical Assistance, mental health programs, prescription drug assistance and other programs for seniors, as well as long-overdue cost-of-living increases to Beaver County’s retired teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public servants.

Matzie concluded:

“The budget we sent to the governor’s desk may not be perfect – no spending plan ever is – but it’s a commonsense plan that prioritizes real-life needs without adding new taxes or tapping into the state’s reserve funds. It keeps us on solid ground financially, keeps essential programs and services going, and invests in our students, our small businesses and our workforce. Those are smart calculations in my book.”

(File Photo of State Representative Josh Kail)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania House passed a $50.8 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 yesterday and Representative Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), who voted in favor of the spending plan, issued the following statement:

“Pennsylvania families deserve a state budget that lives within its means. While this budget is far from perfect, it is significantly more responsible than where the process began. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first proposal was a $53.3 billion budget. The final agreement comes in at $50.8 billion – nearly $2.5 billion less than his original request – and will result in no tax increases. This matters because it reflects months of pushing back against excessive spending and insisting on greater fiscal restraint. I would have preferred an even leaner budget, but this agreement includes meaningful investments that directly benefit our communities. It provides nearly $800 million in additional funding for rural roads and bridges, helping improve infrastructure that is essential for public safety, agriculture and economic development across our region. It also spends a historic amount for PreK-12 education, where no school district will see a decrease in funding. Just as importantly, the budget does not raid the state’s Rainy Day Fund, preserving reserves that should be available for true emergencies rather than routine government spending. Revenue projections were also stronger than normal, helping support this budget without relying on one-time withdrawals from our savings. No budget is perfect, and I remain committed to reducing the size and cost of government wherever possible. However, securing a spending plan that is nearly $2.5 billion below the governor’s original proposal, prevents tax increases, protects the Rainy Day Fund, strengthens our infrastructure and reflects stronger-than-expected revenues is a better outcome for Pennsylvania taxpayers than the alternative.”

(File Photo of State Representative Roman Kozak)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Representative Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) issued this statement yesterday following the House passing a General Appropriations bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year:

“In February, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a $53 billion spending plan. If enacted, his proposal would have drained our Rainy Day Fund, created a significant structural deficit and ultimately led to tax increases for Pennsylvanians. That would have been completely irresponsible and unacceptable. In this divided legislature, it was our duty to ensure that didn’t happen. We were able to come to an agreement while scaling back the governor’s excessive proposal and land on a number that is within our financial means. I’m very happy to see the final product got rid of unnecessary spending. This budget agreement spends less than $51 billion, almost $2.5 billion short of the governor’s ask. This is a plan Pennsylvania can actually afford. I’m really happy rural roads and bridges will be receiving a much-needed funding boost and many infrastructure needs are being addressed. While the budget is not perfect, this is the reality of budget negotiations in a divided government. In the days ahead, we must continue to focus on policy that makes Pennsylvania competitive and affordable while tackling fraud at all levels.”