(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Breeze Airways from Cean Orrett)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Breeze Airways recently launched nonstop service from Pittsburgh to Vero Beach, Florida. 

One-way fares for this new route start at $74 and flights will operate three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.  

Offerings onboard these flights include preferred seat options, family seating that is free and high-speed WiFi.  

Breeze Airways presently operates over 300 year-round and seasonal routes that serve 91 cities across the United States, the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. 

You can book a flight on Breeze Airways or learn more about the airline by visiting flybreeze.com, or by downloading the Breeze Airways app. 

(File Photo of a Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that weekend-long restrictions on southbound Interstate 79 in Robinson and Kennedy townships in Allegheny County will occur today through Monday, October 5th, weather permitting. 

Southbound I-79 will be reduced to a single-lane of traffic between approximately one-half mile north of the Route 60 Moon Run/Crafton (Exit 60 A/B) and the I-376 Airport/Pittsburgh (Exit 59 A/B) interchanges from 7 P.M. tonight continuously through 5 A.M. on Monday morning to accommodate patching operations. 

These restrictions could be lifted earlier if this work is completed sooner. 

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) Forty-six-year-old Matthew Dean Mullen of Ross Township was identified as the motorcyclist who died after a crash happened yesterday in Moon Township. 

Emergency responders went to the area between University Boulevard and Thorn Run Road because a crash between a vehicle and a motorcycle occurred. 

It took place at the intersection of Business 376 and Airside Drive and it happened at around 7 a.m. 

WPXI crews went to the scene and noticed a motorcycle that was lying in the middle of the road and an SUV with damage to its front end. 

Mullen was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Moon Township Police Department and the S.H.A.C.O.G. Crash Investigation Team are all investigating this crash. 

Eastbound Business Loop 376 was closed between University Boulevard and Thorn Run Road, but that area has since reopened. 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh International Airport, Posted on Facebook on September 9th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) announced $11,023,181 in federal funding yesterday to upgrade thousands of feet of lighting and pavement on Runway 10L/28R at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), which further modernizes the go-to airport for Western Pennsylvanians. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded this money through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  

This multi-phase funding will help extend the service life of the runway, minimize Foreign Object Debris (FOD), improve the ride quality of aircrafts and make the airfield safer at Pittsburgh International Airport.  

(File Photo of a Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that utility work on Routes 51 and 151 in Hopewell Township and the City of Aliquippa has been extended.

Alternating single-lane and shoulder restrictions will occur on Route 51 between Route 151 and Station Street and Route 151 between Route 51 and Brodhead Road to allow crews from Duquesne Light to rebuild light pole and cable lines.

These restrictions can occur through mid-November, according to this schedule below courtesy of a release from PennDOT District 11:

Weekdays 

• 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. 

• 6 P.M. to 6 A.M. 

Weekends 

• 7 A.M. to 7 P.M.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published October 1, 2026 5:04 P.M.

(Koppel, Pa) A tractor trailer and a vehicle collided near the intersection of Route 18 and 351 in Koppel around 4:30pm Thursday.

Numerous emergency crews were called to the scene including medics.

The 18 wheeler appeared to have sustained damage on the driver side of the tractor and the car had severe front end damage.

We have not received word on the condition of those involved or what caused the accident.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved a settlement today that substantially reduces rate changes sought by UGI Utilities Inc. – Gas Division (UGI), which cuts UGI’s initial request by nearly 35% while enhancing customer service, expanding programs for income-qualified residents, and advancing new gas safety measures.

The PUC voted 3-1 to adopt the recommended decision of PUC Administrative Law Judges F. Joseph Brady and Alphonso Arnold III, who recommended the approval, without modification, of a Joint Petition for Approval of Settlement which was filed by the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement, UGI, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, and the Retail Energy Suppliers Association.

The Coalition for Affordable Utility Services and Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania (CAUSE-PA) also filed a letter indicating that it does not oppose this settlement.

UGI provides natural gas distribution services to approximately 706,000 residents and businesses in 46 counties throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

The PUC conducted a total of 12 public input hearings in the UGI rate case proceeding in early spring.

(Credit for Headline Photo and Photo Below: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Peoples Gas)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Peoples Natural Gas is encourageing customers who need assistance with their natural gas bills to apply for a 2026-2027 Dollar Energy Fund grant.

Applications for the 2026-2027 program open today and income-eligible customers are able to receive a one-time grant of up to $500, which is applied directly to their Peoples Gas account.

These grants are awarded on a basis that is first-come, first-served, so customers are encouraged to apply early, ahead of the winter heating season.

According to a release from Peoples Gas, here is more information about eligibility for this program:

Households must meet the 2026-2027 income guidelines and the following requirements to qualify:

• Natural gas service has been shut off or is at risk of being shut off
• Applied for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)/Crisis benefits (when open beginning November 2, 2026)
• Account is for residential service (single family home or apartment)
• Account is in the name of an adult who currently lives in the household
• Payment made on the account within the last 90 days of applying (minimum payment amount required varies)

Customers can use the chart that is below to see whether their household’s total gross income falls within the guidelines for this year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peoples customers can visit the Dollar Energy Fund’s online application portal (click here) to apply or reach out to their local Dollar Energy Fund agency (click here) for an appointment.

Customers are encouraged to apply for LIHEAP, which is a federally funded assistance program through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, starting on November 2nd.

Peoples offers several programs below to help customers manage bills and make home repairs or improvements that increase energy efficiency in addition to Dollar Energy Fund grants:

• Peoples Customer Assistance Program (CAP) – Provides eligible customers with a monthly payment based on household income.
• Peoples Emergency Repair Program – Covers the cost of repair or replacement of eligible heating systems and gas lines.
• Peoples Budget Billing – Helps customers plan for their winter natural gas bills by spreading estimated annual costs across more consistent monthly payments.

If you or someone that you know needs assistance, you can either call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help (click here) to learn more about this program.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) recently announced that the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is available to college-bound students and families today, and this joins the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in presenting a FAFSA completion workshop event.

Filing the FAFSA online is the first step to determine if someone qualifies for federal student loans, institutional awards, scholarships, a Federal Pell Grant or a Pennsylvania State Grant.

PHEAA and PDE are offering a FAFSA Completion Workshop on Thursday, October 8th, to assist students and their families in successful FAFSA completion.

PHEAA Access Partners will provide some hands-on guidance in submitting and completing the FAFSA.

The FAFSA Completion Workshop is an event in person that will be held at the PHEAA Headquarters, located at 1200 North Seventh Street in Harrisburg.

Assistance will be offered in sessions of 30 minutes, beginning at 5:30 P.M., 6:00 P.M., and 6:30 P.M. Even though walk-ins are welcome, PHEAA will have a limited number of laptops available for these sessions, so registration is recommended (click here to register.).

All contributors and students (such as parents and spouses) need to establish their federal accounts on StudentAid.gov at StudentAid.gov/fsa-id/create-account (click here) before attending this event.

This workshop will be preceded by a brief press conference at 5 P.M. (ET) with leadership of PHEAA and PDE discussing the importance of successful FAFSA completion.

An informational fair will also be held during the FAFSA Completion Workshop and that allows students and families to learn about the financial aid programs of PHEAA, which includes the PA State Grant Program, the Student Teacher Support Program, and the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program, the PA Forward Student Loan Program and PA 529 plans.

There will also be representatives from Central Penn College, Harrisburg University, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and Penn State Harrisburg at this event.