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Any opinion and other statement contained in Member News below in no way reflects the views and beliefs of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, its staff, or Board of Directors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Primary Health Network Continues to Increase Safety and Awareness Through Gun Locks Program

Sharon, PA – In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September, Primary Health Network (PHN) is highlighting the continued growth of its gun lock program and its commitment to helping patients and families create safer homes. Since launching the initiative in 2005, PHN has distributed more than 7,000 free gun locks to patients across its service area.

The program was established to strengthen the connection between healthcare, suicide prevention, and firearm safety. Through the initiative, PHN provides free gun locks to patients, generously donated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides services to eligible veterans. The program is now available to all PHN patients across its service area.

The initiative promotes safe firearm storage and provides patients and families with a practice resource that can help prevent firearm-related suicides and unintentional firearm injuries.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide was the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States in 2024, when 48,824 Americans died by suicide and an estimated 2.2 million adults attempted suicide. Suicide was also the second leading cause of death among people ages 15-34. Firearms were the most common method of suicide, accounting for approximately 57% of suicide deaths.

From 2020 to 2024, the firearm suicide rate increased by nearly 13%, reaching an all-time high in 2024. Suicide also continues to disproportionately affect rural communities, with the highest overall suicide rates occurring in the nation’s most rural counties.

Firearm safety is also an important component of preventing unintentional injuries. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearm injuries were among the five leading causes of death for people ages 1-44 in 2022 and were the leading cause of death among children and adolescents ages 1-19.

“As a hunter and father with children in my home, I believe responsible firearm ownership includes secure storage,” said Matthew Holtsclaw, Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Primary Health Network. “Through PHN’s partnership with the VA, we’re helping make that responsibility easier for families across our communities. Every lock distributed is an opportunity to protect a child, create critical time and distance during a crisis, and potentially save a life.”

By encouraging open conversations and collaborating with community partners, PHN is working to increase awareness, reduce stigma, help individuals recognize warning signs, and connect people with behavioral health support when they need it most. During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and throughout the year, PHN remains committed to advancing suicide prevention through initiatives like its gun lock program, promoting responsible firearm safety, and helping create safer, healthier communities.

For more information or to request a free gun lock, contact your local Primary Health Network (PHN) health center or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) office.

For more information about Primary Health Network and its services, please visit primary-health.net.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. For free, confidential mental health support, call, text, or chat 988. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is confidential and available 24/7/365, from any land line, cell phone, or voice-over internet device in the United States. Call services are available in Spanish, with interpretation services in over 150 languages.

About Primary Health Network:

Primary Health Network, one of Pennsylvania’s largest community health centers, is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care across a broad range of services, including primary care, behavioral health, dental, pediatrics, podiatry, chiropractic, and more. With a team of compassionate providers and staff, Primary Health Network offers comprehensive care focused on promoting overall health and empowering patients to lead healthier lives.

Last year, Primary Health Network served over across 16 counties in Pennsylvania and one county in Ohio. The network participates in most managed care plans, accepts a wide variety of insurances, and offers a Sliding Fee Discount for eligible patients.

For more information about Primary Health Network and its services, please visit primary-health.net.

Media Contact: Rebecca Dean, Media and Public Relations Coordinator

Email: rdean@primary-health.net

Phone: 724-456-3038

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You’re Invited to the

Grand Opening of Emmanuel Fine Art Photography

Join Chamber member Emmanuel Fine Art Photography for an evening celebrating art, culture, and community at the beautifully restored Historic Monaca Train Station.

Browse Emmanuel’s Timeless Collection of gallery-quality minimalist photography prints and limited-edition landscapes. The exhibition will also feature acrylic paintings by Barbara Brozich, along with photography by Jim Fotia and Neil Smilek.

Guests can immerse themselves in the evening’s Greek Night theme, featuring live acoustic music, a food truck serving authentic Greek cuisine, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

As part of the Art for a Cause initiative, 10% of sales from Emmanuel’s collections will benefit local resident Todd Richard and his family as they navigate Todd’s leukemia treatment.

Thursday, September 24, 2026

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Historic Monaca Train Station

1300 Pacific Avenue

Monaca, PA 15061

Admission is free. RSVPs are requested to assist with catering:

Written comments regarding the proposed changes will be accepted until 12:00 pm on Monday, October 5, 2026 to be included in the public hearing. All written comments should be emailed to customerservice@bcta.com, mailed or delivered in person to BCTA, 200 West Washington Street, Rochester, PA 15074.

Proposed “Fixed Route” Fare Structure:

BASE CASH FARE (per boarding, without a transfer):

In-County (Routes 1, 2 & 3): $1.00

Out-of-County (Route 5): $2.00

Express (Route 4): $6.00

½ Fare (Children and Disabled)

 UNLIMITED DAY PASS:

 In-County (Routes 1, 2 & 3): $3.00

Out-of-County (Route 5): $4:00

Combo (Routes 1, 2, 3 & 5): $7:00

Express (Route 4): $12.00

UNLIMITED WEEKLY PASS:

In-County (Routes 1, 2 & 3): $15.00

Out-of-County (Route 5): $20.00

Combo (Routes 1, 2, 3 & 5): $35:00

Express: No longer available

Proposed changes: current day passes, weekly passes and single ride tickets will be invalid on the modified cash-only fareboxes; the transfer system will be discontinued and a fare will be collected each time a bus is boarded; day passes will no longer be available for purchase from the bus driver on the bus.

Following the public hearing, written comments shall be accepted by BCTA until 12:00 pm on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. All comments received in person or in writing will be reviewed by BCTA’s Board of Directors and taken into consideration when making any final decisions regarding the proposed changes to the fares.

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Chamber Celebrates Entech Engineering Ribbon Cutting!

The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Entech Engineering with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, August 27.

Entech provides engineering design, planning, and consulting services across civil, environmental, water, wastewater, mechanical, electrical, and energy disciplines, helping clients make informed decisions about the infrastructure and facilities they rely on.

Congratulations to the Entech team, and thank you for your investment in Beaver County. We are pleased to welcome you to our business community!

Chamber Celebrates the 80th Annual Hookstown Fair

The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce was pleased to lead a commemorative ribbon cutting as part of the opening ceremony for the 80th Annual Hookstown Fair on Tues., August 25.

For eight decades, the fair has brought our community together through agriculture, local vendors, family-friendly entertainment, and traditions enjoyed across generations.

Congratulations to the organizers, volunteers, exhibitors, and participants who made this milestone year possible. Thank you for your continued commitment to Beaver County!

Submit your member news to info@bcchamber.com.

Any opinion and other statement contained in Member News below in no way reflects the views and beliefs of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, its staff, or Board of Directors.

Shared on behalf of the Beaver County CED

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The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce recognized the AHN/Heritage Valley Health Systems Beaver Emergency Department this week through a catered lunch from Chamber member Shop n’ Save in the Shoppes at Tusca Plaza. Employees in the Emergency Department enjoyed this meal as a thanks for their hard work and dedicated service to the community.

The Appreciation Lunch Series, sponsored by St. Barnabas, The Wright Promise, and Shop n’ Save in the Shoppes at Tusca Plaza, is a way to recognize the men and women who serve Beaver County everyday. View the full gallery here.

Submit your member news to info@bcchamber.com.

Any opinion and other statement contained in Member News below in no way reflects the views and beliefs of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, its staff, or Board of Directors.

Shared on behalf of the Beaver County CED

Join Us for a FREE Webinar

Powering Your Brand Through Influence and Social

Influencer marketing offers a powerful way for brands to build meaningful connections with their audiences.

This session explores how partnering with content creators can humanize your message, expand your reach, and influence action, especially when paired with a thoughtful social media strategy.

September 8, 2026

12:00-1:00 p.m.

______________________

Key Takeaways

In this session, you’ll:

• Learn why Influencer Marketing matters more than ever
• Understand the evolving role of creators in building brand credibility, authenticity, and community
• Explore how people are discovering products, ideas, and services through social search—and why your influencer content needs to be findable, relatable, and aligned with intent

Join the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce for a timely executive conversation featuring three influential leaders at the center of this historic transition:

REGISTRATION RATES

PAACC Member Rate: $60 | BCCC Member Rate: $60

Non-Member Rate: $85

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Visit our full Membership Directory to find a trusted partner to do business with today.

Submit your member news to info@bcchamber.com.

Any opinion and other statement contained in Member News below in no way reflects the views and beliefs of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, its staff, or Board of Directors.

The Wright Promise is looking for volunteers for SummerFest 2026. SummerFest helps students start the school year with confidence by providing essential back-to-school resources, encouragement, and community support. The entire event is designed to support students and families who may need additional experience preparing for the upcoming school year.

To Register to Volunteer:

Step 1: Complete the Volunteer Registration

Step 2: Sign up for one of three volunteer opportunities

• Event Setup
• Event Day
• Event Tear-Down

Transit Authority

The Beaver County Transit Authority will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 4:00 pm to receive public comments regarding proposed service changes to BCTA’s “Connect” service. Service changes and fare changes, which if approved, would take place Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The hearing will be held in the Board Room of the BCTA Transportation Center, located at 200 West Washington Street, Rochester, PA 15074.

Proposed “Connect” Service Changes

• Add Saturday “Connect” service between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Add In-County “Connect” service as a feeder into BCTA’s Fixed Route System at Park & Ride locations
• Add Out-of-County “Connect” service zone to include portions of Robinson Town Center and North Fayette
• New fare structure range of $4.00 – $7.00 based on mileage

In Need of a Product or Service?

Visit our full Membership Directory to find a trusted partner to do business with today.

Submit your member news to info@bcchamber.com

Any opinion and other statement contained in Member News below in no way reflects the views and beliefs of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, its staff, or Board of Directors.

Many employees are balancing their careers with the responsibility of caring for aging parents, spouses, children with special needs, or other family members. While these responsibilities occur outside the workplace, their impact is often felt throughout the organization.

Caregivers frequently face competing demands on their time, unexpected emergencies, and ongoing emotional stress. As a result, employers may experience increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, higher healthcare utilization, and greater turnover risk.

Because caregiving challenges are often personal and rarely discussed openly, many organizations underestimate how many employees are affected. Yet as the population ages, caregiver responsibilities are becoming increasingly common across all workforce demographics.

Forward-thinking employers are beginning to view caregiver support as a workforce strategy rather than simply an employee benefit. Flexible work arrangements, employee assistance programs, mental health resources, and caregiver support services can help employees better manage their responsibilities while remaining engaged and productive.

Organizations that recognize and address caregiver stress may be better positioned to improve retention, support employee well-being, and strengthen overall workforce performance. The hidden cost of caregiver stress extends beyond the individual. For employers, it represents a growing workforce challenge that deserves greater awareness and a proactive response.

The hidden cost of caregiver stress extends beyond the individual. For employers, it represents a growing workforce challenge that deserves greater awareness and a proactive response.

The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at bccc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3539.

In Need of a Product or Service?

Visit our full Membership Directory to find a trusted partner to do business with today.