Category: News

Reynolds hits 2-run homer in 9th to lift the Pirates past the Twins, 6-5

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz, right, is greeted by third base coach Tony Beasley, left, as he rounds third after hitting a solo home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning — after Oneil Cruz hit a mammoth shot early — to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 6-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Reynolds launched a 422-foot shot to left field off Taylor Rogers (1-2), scoring Tyler Callihan, who replaced Spencer Horwitz after an infield hit to begin the inning.

All the previous scoring came in the first three innings.

Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones struck out Byron Buxton on three straight fastballs that topped 100 mph in his first start in the majors since Sept. 27, 2024.

Kody Clemens hit sixth homer on Jones’ seventh straight pitch above 100 to give the Twins a 1-0 lead. The 24-year-old right-hander missed more than a year after undergoing UCL surgery in 2025. He allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Twins starter Taj Bradley threw eight straight balls to put Brandon Lowe and Reynolds on base with one out in the first. Nick Gonzales reached on an infield single with Lowe scoring on a throwing error by third baseman Brooks Lee.

Oneil Cruz drove in Reynolds with a grounder to first, and Konnor Griffin followed with a two-out RBI single for a 3-1 advantage.

Tristan Gray tied it 3-3 with a bases-loaded two-run single in the second, and Trevor Larnach followed in the third with his third homer — a 424-foot shot that left the park in right to put the Twins up 5-3.

Cruz hit his 12th home run — a two-out 450-shot that also left the park in right to cut it to 5-4 in the third.

Clemens threw Cruz out at home in the eighth to keep it 5-4 after the Pirates had runners on second and third with nobody out and failed to score.

Wilber Dotel allowed one hit in three innings of relief for Pittsburgh, and Gregory Soto (4-0) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.

Bradley gave up four runs on five hits in four innings.

Up next

Twins RHP Bailey Ober (6-2, 3.92) was set to start Saturday opposite Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (5-2, 3.64).

Happ homers again and Skenes loses his 3rd straight start as the Cubs sink the Pirates 7-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Brandan Bidois during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ian Happ homered for the second consecutive game and the Chicago Cubs handed Paul Skenes his third straight loss with a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

The win came one night after the Cubs ended a 10-game losing streak. Happ hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh inning of that game.

Happ had three hits on Thursday, including a two-run homer in the eighth that pushed the Cubs’ lead to 5-2. He has reached base safely in 41 consecutive games in Pittsburgh, the city where he grew up. Seiya Suzuki had two hits and two RBIs for Chicago.

Skenes (6-5) lost his third straight start despite striking out 10 in 5 1/3 innings. The 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner fanned six batters in a row from the first to the third.

Only one of the three runs against Skenes was earned, as third baseman Tyler Callihan and shortstop Jared Triolo made throwing errors in a two-run sixth inning that extended the Cubs’ lead to 3-0.

Colin Rea (5-3) won for the first time in five starts, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Hoby Milner, Caleb Thielbar and Trent Thornton combined for 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Bryan Reynolds homered for the Pirates.

Pittsburgh third baseman Nick Gonzales exited after the third inning with left knee discomfort.

Up next

Cubs: Open a three-game series Friday night at St. Louis with LHP Shota Imanaga (4-5, 4.04 ERA) facing RHP Andre Pallante (5-4, 3.76).

Pirates: Host the Minnesota Twins and former Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton in a three-game series beginning Friday. Pirates RHP Jared Jones will make his first major league appearance since 2024, a little more than a year after undergoing elbow surgery. RHP Taj Bradley (5-1, 2.77) starts for the Twins.

Central Valley School District school resource officer gives three district students the Higby Heroes Award for leadership qualities

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Center Township Police Department, Posted on May 28th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Central Valley School District School Resource Officer Sierra Higby presented three district students with the Higby Heroes Award yesterday in Center Township.

According to the Center Township Police Department, the students were recognized for demonstrating leadership, making positive choices, helping classmates and contributing to a safe and welcoming school environment.

Plan your visit to Beaver County farmers markets in 2026

(File Photo of a Farmers Market Truck Carrying Several Vegetables)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Spring and summer in Beaver County bring the return of weekly farmers markets, offering residents access to locally grown fruits and vegetables, artisan breads and baked goods, fresh meats, flowers and other products.

Many of the area’s farmers markets are now open or are scheduled to open soon for the season.

RiverWise is also reminding SNAP recipients who shop at the Ambridge and Chippewa Township markets to visit the RiverWise/SNAP table to exchange SNAP funds for tokens that can be used to purchase eligible items from vendors.

According to a report from the Beaver County Times, here is a short list of local farmers markets you can go to:

  • Ambridge: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays from May to October at St. Mary’s Byzantine Church, 624 Park Road.
  • Beaver: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May through December at the parking lot behind the county courthouse, on the corner of Market and Fourth streets.
  • Beaver Falls: 3-6 p.m. Mondays from May to November at 12th Street and Ninth Avenue.
  • Chippewa Township: 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays from May to November at the Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road.
  • Coraopolis Community Farmers Market takes place from 4-8 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month, June through September, at Riverfront Park.
  • Cranberry Town Square Market opens today and will be held from 3-7 p.m. Fridays through September 4th at the Cranberry Township municipal center, 2525 Rochester Road. No market to be held July 3rd or August 7th.
  • Ellwood City: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays from June 6th to October 3rd at the municipal building in the 500 block of Beaver Avenue.
  • New Brighton: 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays from May to November at the Diamond Milling Parking lot, 313 Fifth Avenue.
  • Moon Township: Moon Market and Music, 5-9 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays from June through September at Moon Park, 1350 Joe Denardo Way.
  • Sewickley Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, from April through November, at St. James Church parking lot, 200 Walnut Street.

“Suspicious” man connected to recent incident at the Beaver Valley Mall identified

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Center Township Police Department, Posted on Facebook on May 27th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) The Center Township Police Department said a male suspect involved in an incident at the Beaver Valley Mall on Tuesday has been identified.

Police had previously asked the public for help identifying the man, whom investigators described as suspicious in connection with the incident.

Additional details about the investigation were not immediately released.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Recognizes Military Appreciation Month

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is encouraging veterans, service members and their families to explore financial aid opportunities available through Pennsylvania military education programs during Military Appreciation Month.

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PHEAA administers the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Family Education Program, which provides tuition assistance for spouses and children of Pennsylvania National Guard members who commit to an additional six years of service.

The grant may be used for degree programs, certificate programs and career training for up to five academic years.

PHEAA also administers the Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program, which provides financial aid to Guard members who enter into a six-year service commitment.

Officials said recipients must attend an eligible Pennsylvania school, enroll in an approved program and maintain at least part-time enrollment.

Applications can be submitted through Account Access at PHEAA by clicking here. More information about the Military Family Education Program is available at MFEP Program Information by clicking here.

More resources on funding opportunities available to service members and their families can be found at pheaa.org/militarybenefits.

PLAN AHEAD: Interstate 79 Wexford Interchange Beam Placements to Begin in June in Allegheny County

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced beam deliveries and placements on Interstate 79 in Marshall Township and Franklin Park Borough, Allegheny County will begin in June, weather permitting.

Although the schedule is still being developed, the following restrictions are expected to occur between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM on various weeknights in June for beam deliveries and placement work:

  • Southbound I-79 will be reduced to a single-lane of traffic between Mingo Road and the on-ramp to southbound I-79 from Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road on three separate nights.
    • Additionally, single-lane restrictions are anticipated to occur on northbound I-79 between the off and on-ramps at the Route 910/Wexford (Exit 73) interchange.
  • Southbound I-79 will be closed and detoured on three separate nights.
    • Additionally, northbound I-79 will be reduced to a single-lane of traffic between the off and on-ramps at the Route 910/Wexford (Exit 73) interchange.
  • Northbound I-79 will be closed and detoured on three separate nights.
    • Additionally, southbound I-79 will have single-lane restrictions.

Local and State police will control traffic at signalized intersections during these closures and detours.

Once the schedule is determined, additional press releases with all relevant details will be issued in advance of the work occurring.

Posted detours:

Southbound I-79

  • From southbound I-79, take the Route 910/Wexford (Exit 73) exit
  • Cross over Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road onto the on-ramp to southbound I-79
  • End detour

Northbound I-79

  • From northbound I-79, take the Route 910/Wexford (Exit 73) exit
  • Cross over Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road onto the on-ramp to northbound I-79
  • End detour

New Castle Music Festival returns to Cascade Park

SCOTT TADY

NEW CASTLE — A pop star, an “American Idol” finalist and on-the-rise bands from Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties compose the lineup for the New Castle Music Festival.

Returning for its seventh year on August 8 at Cascade Park, the festival is headlined by MTV era, platinum-selling pop artist Ryan Cabrera.

Ryan Cabrera (Submitted)

Indie-pop artist Kayko, popular with “American Idol” viewers, also will entertain.

Beaver County bands Fyath and Better Think Twice are part of the lineup.

Other regional acts set to perform are Pop Baby, Darrin Salzano, the Rev. Gill & The Fishermen, Third Attempt, Parks & Company, Arden Webster, Oh Bother, Neglekted Channel, Suite 6 and DTSK.

From indie and alternative to acoustic and hip hop, the music runs all day across back-to-back stages with no downtime.

New Castle Music Festival spokesman Adam Alfano spoke about the event Friday as a guest on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show. Here is that interview:

Along with the music, expect local food trucks, vendors and family friendly activities throughout the park.

Gates open at noon. Music starts at 12:30 p.m. and runs through the early evening.

Tickets cost $20 on sale now at newcastlemusicfestival.com

 

Pirates send promising rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez back to the minors

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) can’t make the catch on Toronto Blue Jays Kazuma Okamoto double during the second inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates announced they optioned outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of yesterday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. 

Valdez joined the Pirates on May 22 before the team’s series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre and spent six days with the major league club. 

He hit his first Major League home run in a 4-1 victory over Toronto on Sunday, a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Valdez added his second career home run — and his first at PNC Park — during the Pirates’ 12-1 win over the Cubs on Tuesday.

Valdez started five of the Pirates’ previous six games in right field and recorded two hits in 16 at-bats with two walks and nine strikeouts.  

I-376 Fort Pitt Bridge Overnight Inspections Begin Sunday in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that overnight bridge inspection activities on the I-376 Fort Pitt Bridge in the City of Pittsburgh will occur Sunday through Thursday nights, May 31st-June 4th, weather permitting. 

Bridge inspection activities, requiring a single-lane restriction, will occur nightly from 8 P.M. to 5 A.M. in the following locations:
 

  • Westbound I-376 (the lower deck of the Fort Pitt Bridge) 
  • Ramp from southbound I-279 to westbound I-376 (the lower deck of the Fort Pitt Bridge) 
  • Ramp from Liberty Avenue to westbound I-376 (the lower deck of the Fort Pitt Bridge) 
  • Ramp from westbound I-376 (the lower deck of the Fort Pitt Bridge) to the West End (Exit 69C) 

Crews from GFT will conduct bridge inspection activities and all ramps will remain open as this work occurs.