Category: News

Retired Brighton Township police captain sentenced for possessing child pornography

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) A retired Brighton Township police captain and a former school resource officer has been sentenced after he pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.

Sixty-nine-year-old Peter James Benedict of Beaver was charged with 11 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and one count of criminal use of a communication facility in 2025.

According to investigators they found explicit images of children that all appeared to be under the age of ten on Benedict’s computer.

Online court records show that Benedict pleaded guilty to seven counts of possessing child sexual abuse material back in April of 2026.

Four possession charges as well the criminal use of a communication facility charge was dropped.

Benedict was sentenced to fifteen to thirty months in the Beaver County Jail on Wednesday for all seven charges against him.

Plans for recreation center in Cranberry Township headed to supervisors

(File Photo of the Cranberry Township Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Initial steps to consider making a recreation engagement center for Cranberry Township will be talked about this Thursday, August 6th, which is when supervisors will decide whether to move forward with a plan for it.

The plans for the center have been in stages of early planning stages since a feasibility study was approved in June of 2025, and it can incorporate a survey’s results from residents to guide officials in evaluating some options.

The renderings unveiled last year imagine the proposed recreation engagement center as a facility that offers amenities, including an artificial turf field, gymnasiums, fitness rooms, rentable multipurpose rooms and tracks.

A bid award could happen in late 2027, with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2028.

According to Cranberry Assistant Township manager Kyle Beidler, Cranberry Township locked down a 10-acre property at Rochester Road and Thompson Park Drive for its location.

That property was approved to be acquired from St. Ferdinand Church at Cranberry Township’s agenda preparation meeting that took place on May 28th.

Three people displaced after fire occurs at a home in New Castle

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) Three people were displaced after a fire occurred in New Castle today.

Flames broke out in a home located on East Lutton Street at around 5 a.m.

According to a report from WFMJ, the inside of the home was heavily damaged.

Investigators believe that the fire was caused by an electrical problem.

The Red Cross assisted the residents of the home in finding shelter and other needs.

Aliquippa Police looking for wanted suspect accused of stealing from a Dollar General store

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the City of Aliquippa Police Department, Posted on Facebook on August 3rd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) The Aliquippa Police Department is seeking the assistance of the public in locating thirty-three-year-old Hasan Turner of Aliquippa, because a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

He is accused of committing a retail theft at a Dollar General store before escaping from police custody.

Turner’s photo can be seen below, and he is currently wanted on charges of escape, evading police on foot, possession of drug paraphernalia, and retail theft.

Turner is now on probation for second degree murder and people should not approach him.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Turner is asked to either call 911 or the Aliquippa Police Department at 724-378-8000.

Riverfront Throwdown country music festival set for Pittsburgh Brewing property

Beaver County Radio

CREIGHTON — Live music, mechanical bull-riding and other fun awaits this Saturday as Pittsburgh Brewing Co. debuts its Iron City Riverfront Throwdown country music festival.

Located along the Allegheny River in Creighton, the iconic local brewery will feature a concert headlined by recording artist Chris Higbee, bringing his signature high-
energy style. Joining Higbee are special guest performances by Josie Sal plus Joe Patrick & Four on the Floor.

“The Iron City Riverfront Throwdown will deliver a full day of live country music, cold Pittsburgh Brewing Co. favorites, riverfront views, food vendors, daring games and prizes, and an unforgettable festival atmosphere designed to celebrate country music,” a press release for the event said.

Higbee appeared Monday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show to highlight all the festival has to offer, including a mechanical bull and contests for keg lassoing, boot strutting and fanciest cowboy hats.

Here is the Higbee interview in full:

Tickets
● General Admission – $30 + fees
● Parking Pass – $10 per vehicle
Event is rain or shine. Chairs are permitted (no tents and/or umbrellas are allowed).
Tickets can be purchased at: etix.com

 

 

Pirates activate first baseman Spencer Horwitz from the 10-day injured list

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz watches his single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/ David Zalubowski)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates activated first baseman Spencer Horwitz from the 10-day injured list yesterday and he returned to play that day for the team’s game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati. 

Horwitz was placed on the injured list on June 25th because of a left hamstring strain and was diagnosed with a concussion on July 28th after being hit in the helmet by a pitch during his rehab assignment. 

Brighton Township Police Department Chief Howard Blinn retiring

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Brighton Township Police Department, Posted on Facebook on July 31st, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Brighton Township Police Department Chief Howard Blinn is retiring after working for over 35 years, and he worked with that police department for 26 of those years.

Chief Blinn started in 2000 as a Patrolman before attaining the rank of Sergeant in 2002 and was subsequently appointed as Brighton Township Chief of Police in 2007. 

Pirates acquire former All-Star reliever Camilo Doval from the Yankees

(File Photo: Source for Photo: New York Yankees pitcher Camilo Doval throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday, July 9, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees in hopes of giving their struggling bullpen a boost.

Pittsburgh is sending prospects Omar Alfonso, a catcher, and Luis Cruz, an outfielder, to New York for Doval.

The 29-year-old Doval, an All-Star in 2023 when he served as the closer for the San Francisco Giants, provides Pittsburgh with a much-needed experienced arm as the Pirates try to hang around in the crowded race for a National League wild-card spot.

Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been an issue all season. The club has blown 20 saves this season, perhaps the biggest reason the Pirates entered Saturday at 55-56 despite scoring the second-most runs in the majors. The latest setback came on Friday night, when a two-run lead in the eighth inning in Cincinnati morphed into an 8-7 loss.

Doval went 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 44 games this season for the Yankees. He has had issues with walks recently, issuing at least one free pass in four of his last five appearances with New York, including two while taking the loss against the Chicago White Sox on July 29. Doval has only thrown 56% of his first pitches for strikes this season, among the worst first-strike percentages in the majors.

The durable Doval is one of only eight pitchers to appear in at least 60 games in each of the last four seasons.

Pittsburgh is hoping a new setting provides a fresh start. The Pirates could also use the help. The club designated former closer Dennis Santana for assignment last month and has few viable right-handed options near the back end of the bullpen.

Beaver County DUI Task Force conducting enforcement operations this Friday through Sunday

(File Photo of the Hopewell Township Police Department Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Beaver County DUI Task Force will be conducting enforcement operations from August 7th through August 9th and those operations will be in the form of Sobriety Checkpoints and/or roving DUI patrols.  

Officers from the Brighton Township, Center Township, Chippewa Township, Hopewell Township, Monaca Borough, New Sewickley Township and Rochester Borough Police Departments, as well as other task force Police Departments will be taking part in the operations.

The Beaver County DUI Task Force is prioritizing road safety and it is encouraging all drivers to find alternatives to driving if you drink alcohol or using controlled substances.

They also recommend to make the best decision for both yourself and those around you to plan your way home ahead of time.  

You can call 724-378-0557 if you have any questions about these operations.

Pirates place first baseman Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Ryan O’Hearn (29) is helped off the field after an injury during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, July 31, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained left quad and he is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

O’Hearn pulled up and grabbed his left leg while running to first base on a groundout in the ninth inning on Friday night’s 8-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He was helped off the field by manager Don Kelly and a member of the training staff.

The Pirates signed O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million free-agent contract in January. He is batting .270 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 96 games. He missed two weeks in May with a right quad injury.

O’Hearn has made 49 appearances at first base, 42 in right field, and 17 as the designated hitter. He homered three times and set a Pirates single-game franchise record with 10 RBIs against the Braves on July 7.

In other moves, the Pirates recalled right-hander Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis, activated catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores Jr. from the IL and optioned right-hander Antwone Kelly to Triple-A.