(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported today that twenty-one-year-old Bradley Potts of Pittsburgh was charged after a three-vehicle crash occurred in Pittsburgh on July 4th.

Potts was driving on I-376 East at 1:52 p.m., merged onto the highway, hit a concrete barrier, and hit the vehicle of forty-one-year-old Brandon Archer of Freedom.

A vehicle driven by thirty-eight-year-old Christopher Guttridge of Pittsburgh was hit by debris.

Potts was transported for a suspected minor injury after the crash occurred.

Thirty-six-year-old Kayla Kelly of Freedom was also transported for a suspected minor injury as a result of this crash.

Kelly was a passenger in the vehicle that was driven by Archer at the time of the crash. 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the City of Aliquippa, Posted on Facebook on July 18th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker was named the 2026 Pennsylvania State Mayors Association Mayor of the Year over the weekend.  

He has served the City of Aliquippa and its residents for the last sixteen years. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania State Police is now encouraging anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement to apply to join its ongoing mission to protect Pennsylvania as a state trooper as part of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to public safety and service.

Applications for the current cadet hiring cycle need to be submitted through the Commonwealth’s employment website by July 31st, 2026 by clicking here.

You must have a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license from any state to apply. You also must be at least 20 years old at the time of application, be at least 21 years old and cannot have reached age 40 upon entry into the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.

Training for cadets lasts approximately 28 weeks and it includes formal coursework in the crimes and vehicle codes of Pennsylvania, physical fitness activities, as well as training in firearms, police vehicles and specialized equipment.

Cadets are promoted to the rank of trooper upon completion of the PSP Academy and after five years of service can earn approximately $103,319.

August 1st, 2026 is when the next cadet hiring cycle will open for the PSP.

Those that are interested in becoming a state trooper can find application requirements, job benefits, and other details at PATrooper.com by clicking here.

(File Photo of the Top of a School Bus)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Verizon authorized dealer Round Room LLC is giving away free backpacks to school-aged children as families across western Pennsylvania start planning for a new school year. 

The 14th annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 26th at participating Wireless Zone stores in Beaver County and beyond, including the stores at these locations:

• Cranberry Township
• Chippewa Township
• East Liverpool, Ohio
• McMurray
• New Castle
• Sewickley

Each child that is in kindergarten to 12th grade who attends the event in person will receive one free backpack, while supplies last. 

One backpack with a golden ruler keychain will also be placed at 47 randomly selected stores across Round Room LLC’s over 1,200 stores nationwide.

The recipients of these backpacks called the 47 “Golden Ruler” backpacks will receive a $250 Visa gift card to use for other school-related items.

Backpacks that are left over after this giveaway event will be donated to local schools that are selected by each store. 

(File Photo of the National Weather Service Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Westmoreland County, PA) The National Weather Service recently confirmed that four tornadoes touched down in Pennsylvania on Saturday. 

NWS used video evidence over the weekend to confirm tornadoes in Derry Township in Westmoreland County and Summerville in Clarion County. 

Tornadoes in Latrobe in Westmoreland County and Punxsutawney in Jefferson County, were also confirmed as of Monday. 

The NWS spent those past two days surveying these areas. 

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) A former Pennsylvania House representative who served parts of Beaver, Allegheny and Washington counties is now facing federal charges after officials said he possessed photos and videos of sexually explicit content depicting underage teenagers. 

According to court papers obtained by WTAE yesterday, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received complaints via their CyberTipline on June 19, which were flagged as “child pornography possession, distribution, manufacture.” 

The report was also flagged for what appeared to be produced or homemade files. 

Court papers state that former Democratic state House representative Jesse White was identified as the person behind the generated report, and they affirm yesterday that the FBI executed a search warrant at his residence in Mechanicsburg, where multiple computers and hard drives were seized. 

Court papers also note that one of the laptops was found to contain numerous files containing images of child pornography which depicted minors between the ages of seven and fifteen. 

White allegedly told agents he used Telegram and the Tor Browser to access the content. 

White previously represented the 46th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2007 to 2015. 

(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), John Thune (R-SD), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Broadband Mapping Accurate Providers (MAP) Act of 2026 in Washington D.C. last week.  

This bill is bipartisan legislation that directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to evaluate and improve its broadband mapping process.  

The FCC has made strides that are significant in enhancing the accuracy of its National Broadband Map.  

However, providers have reported difficulties with the challenge process of the FCC, which allows providers to dispute the serviceability of certain locations. 

The Broadband MAP Act of 2026 would instruct the FCC to assess and review its mapping and challenge procedures. 

Scott Tady/Beaver County Radio

BEAVER FALLS — A fun, fine mix of musical talent will grace the stage again as the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association gets set for its 2026-2027 season.

The four-show series returns to Beaver Falls Middle School, with a new start time of 7 p.m.

The 2026-’27 schedule:

Sept. 29 – A Band Called Honalee, the modern-day folk trio inspired by the music of Peter, Paul & Mary, energetically entertains and interacts with its audiences, performing famous songs like “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in The Wind” and “Puff The Magic Dragon.”

Oct. 29 – Radio Recall, starring Broadway’s Aaron LaVigne (“Jesus Christ Superstar”) and Jenna Rubaii (“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Groundhog Day”) in a high-energy throwback concert packed with the biggest radio hits of the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond.

April 26, 2027 – Yaniv Zarif, a fluent speaker of six languages, is a gifted singer and ambassador of song whose music provides an around-the-world trip minus the hassle of airport security.

May 3, 2027 – Jimmie Ross and The Jaggerz, Beaver Valley’s chart-toppers with “The Rapper” showcasing their rich melodies and soulful vocal harmonies that have satisfied concertgoers since the 1960s.

Season membership subscriptions for all four shows begin Aug. 1, costing $70 for adults and $10 for students.

For more information, contact Peggy McCullough at 724-846-3203 or visit the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association website at bvcommunityconcert.org

Single tickets will be sold at the door, costing $25 for adults and $5 for students.

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported today that forty-three-year-old Nicholas Knaff of West Alexandria, Ohio was not charged after he crashed his vehicle in New Sewickley Township on Saturday.

Knaff was driving on I-76 West on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 7:50 p.m. and his vehicle hydroplaned on the wet road before it hit a center barrier.

There were no reported injuries.