Category: News

Northbound Interstate 79 Lane Closure Saturday in Allegheny County

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that on Saturday, December 6th, weather permitting, a lane restriction on northbound Interstate 79 in Kennedy, Robinson, and Neville townships in Allegheny County will occur. From 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, a single-lane restriction will occur on northbound I-79 between the Route 60 Crafton/Moon Run (Exit 60 A/B) interchange and the Neville Island Bridge to allow crews to conduct tree trimming operations there.

Santa Claus is coming back to Beaver County at these local Christmas events

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Santa Claus waves during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 28, 2019, in New York. Macy’s said Santa Claus won’t be greeting kids at its flagship New York store this year due to the coronavirus, interrupting a holiday tradition started nearly 160 years ago. However, Macy’s said the jolly old man will still appear at the end of the televised Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Santa Claus is coming back to town in Beaver County before the joyful season of Christmas comes at events which include meals with him along with other special appearances. According to the Beaver County Times, here is a short list of some local events where Santa will be spotted in 2025 before Christmas kicks off:

  • Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, December 6th at the Beaver County Career & Technology Center, 145 Poplar Avenue in Center Township. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids, tickets can be purchased via a QR code at the school’s Facebook page by clicking here. This includes a breakfast buffet with pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, home fries, fresh sliced fruit, assorted in-house baked pastries and milk, juice, hot chocolate or coffee.

 

  • The Santa Parade takes place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 6th in Sewickley. After the parade, Santa will welcome fans until 1 p.m. at the gazebo at Wolcott Park, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of the Quaker Valley.

 

  • Brunch with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 6th at St. Cecilia Church Hall, California Avenue, Rochester. Reservations are required by calling 724-601-6228. Cost is $10 each for children and adults; children must be accompanied by an adult. This includes photo with Santa (parents take the photo with a cell phone or camera), a small gift from Santa, story time, ornament making, write a letter to Santa and make a birthday card for baby Jesus.

 

  • Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Sunday, December 7th at Center Stage, 1495 Old Broadhead Road, Center Township including a special sensory-friendly hour from 9-10 a.m. Tickets are $25 per adult, $15 per child ages 3-12 and free for children under 3. Tickets can be ordered online at Eventbrite by clicking here and limited tickets will be sold at the door. This includes a buffet breakfast, meet and greet and take pictures with Santa and his elves, a holiday craft, an “Elfie Selfie” station, write a letter to Santa, “reindeer games,” airbrush tattoos, a coloring station and more. Proceeds benefit Seeable Inc., a local charity that serves individuals with disabilities.

 

  • Santa at the Station from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 7th at the Cochran Hose Company station, 601 Thorn Street in Sewickley. This includes crafts, snacks, fire truck rides and photos with Santa. This is a free community event, but new and unwrapped toys will be collected for local families as part of the Western PA Police Athletic League’s toy drive.

 

  • Pizza with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 7th at the Shippingport Community Building, 164 Route 3016. Cost is $3 and includes pizza and a drink. Proceeds from the event support the Shippingport Volunteer Fire Company.

 

  • Fireside Chats with Santa from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9th and Wednesday, December 10th at the Moon Park Rotary Pavilion. Cost is $5 for Moon Township residents and $8 for non-residents; registrations are required and limited seats are available. This includes holiday caricatures, make-your-own magic reindeer food, decorate a holiday donut, complete a candy cane scavenger hunt and write a letter to Santa.

 

  • Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 13th at the Patterson Township Volunteer Fire Company, 319 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls. It is $7 for adults and children under 10 are free with the purchase of an adult meal. Pancakes, sausage, milk and coffee will be served and vendors will sell other items. All tickets will be sold at the door.

 

  • Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 13th at the Beaver Area High School cafeteria. Cost is $12 per adult, $7 per child ages 3-12 and children under 3 are free. Registration is required; use the online link at the Beaver Bobcats HS Cheer Facebook page by clicking here. It includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk. Guests can visit with and take a photo with Santa and the Beaver Cheer “elves.” There will be a special appearance by Buddy the Elf. A basket raffle is also planned. Sponsored by the Beaver Area High School Cheerleaders.

 

  • Breakfast or lunch with Santa at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Breakfast is from 9:30-11 a.m. and lunch is 12 noon-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 6th, Sunday, December 7th, Saturday, December 13th, Sunday, December 14th, Saturday, December 20th and Sunday, December 21st at the Education Complex. Ticket price includes zoo admission and a breakfast or lunch buffet, meet the ambassador animals, write a letter to Santa and deliver it in person.

Pittsburgh sets New Year’s Eve party plans

 PITTSBURGH –  A full-on New Year’s Eve celebration returns to the Cultural District on Dec. 31, featuring live performances, a variety of family-friendly activities, and a countdown to midnight.

Presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2026 welcomes the entire community for arts-focused fun.

First-time visitors will discover a curated mix of attractions that invite attendees to chart their own course through the Cultural District based on interest—live music, magic, ice carving, a holiday market, film, hands-on activities, and more. Returning visitors may notice a few thoughtful updates to this year’s schedule.

“We refreshed this year’s schedule to make sure we’re truly offering something for everyone,” Brooke Horejsi, chief programming & engagement officer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said. “The kid-friendly ‘early eve’ celebration offers families a fun night out while new events like the Dollar Bank Battle of the Bands will charge up the crowd all the way to midnight.”

 

All events are free and open to everyone except as noted (two indoor ticketed performances). The full lineup can be explored at this link by clicking here.

Highlights include:

 

 New Year’s “Early Eve” Celebration 

Highmark Stage (Penn & Stanwix)

 

  • Welcome & Kick-Off (7-7:05 pm) | Event organizers and elected officials provide brief welcoming remarks.
  • GBU Life SING-OFF Winner (7:05-7:15 pm) | A local student singer (TBA in late December), in grades 6-12, will be chosen by special guest judge Justin Wirick (cast member of the “Wicked” National Tour), and given a chance to kick-start the New Year’s Eve festivities on the main stage.
  • Family Dance Party (7:15-8 pm) | This “family rave” will keep the youngest revelers and their families on their feet. Featuring DJ Todd Griffin of Next Level Entertainment.
  • Dollar Bank Children’s Fireworks (8-8:15 pm) | Somewhere in the world it’s already midnight. Enjoy an early countdown and fireworks at 8 pm—celebrate the New Year with all your little ones, without having to keep them up way past their bedtime!

Live Music & Performances 

  • Dollar Bank Battle of the Bands (Highmark Stage, 10 pm-midnight) | Come see the four finalist bands live: Broom, NASH.V.ILL, Lindsay Liebro, and The Pit Crew. Experience them going head-to-head in this high-energy inaugural showdown hosted by the Queen of Emcees, Black Benatar, with special guest judges FRZY, Mike Canton, and Amy Kline.
  • Black Benatar’s Community Lip Sync Spectacular (Trust Arts Education Center, 7:30-8:30 pm) | This high-energy, interactive experience blends playful performance, audience participation, and the pure joy of moving your lips to your favorite bangers. Part tutorial, part show, the event invites folks of all ages and experience levels to step into the spotlight.
  • *New Years Eve Cabaret Soirée with FireWALL Dance Theater (Greer Cabaret Theater, 8-9 & 10-11 pm; ticketed, 18+) | Step into a night of glamour and glitter with sultry burlesque, plus acts that spark imagination and delight the senses. Sip champagne and experience a playful, seductive, and unforgettable evening. Dress to impress!
  • Megan Paullet & The HR Department (Lounge at the Greer Cabaret, 7-8 & 9-10 pm) | Come in from the cold for some bubbly, a bite, and to enjoy soulful grooves and vibrant pop-rock in an intimate cabaret setting as Megan Paullet celebrates the release of her debut single.
  • *The Harmon Brothers (Liberty Magic; 7, 8:30, & 10 pm; ticketed) | The comedy magic duo works together like a well-oiled machine, but it doesn’t stop them from butting heads. Join as they demonstrate the power of their fraternal bond, make connections with the audience, and settle their differences in some truly bizarre ways.
  • Pittsburgh Samba Group and Timbeleza (Highmark Stage, 8:15-8:45 pm) | Two of Pittsburgh’s premier Brazilian performance groups – Pittsburgh Samba Group and Timbeleza – bring the rhythm and spirit of Brazil to Pittsburgh.
  • Ping Pong Game Show with O’Ryan the O’Mazing (Trust Arts Education Center, 9:30-10:30 pm) | Enjoy a high-energy, immersive gameshow hosted by a despotic clown.

 

Variety & Roaming Entertainment 

 

  • Citizens Live Ice Sculpting (Magnolias for Pittsburgh, 8-11 pm) | Watch master ice carver Richard Bubin of Ice Creations sculpt the Pittsburgh skyline out of a 2,400-pound ice block. Perfect for an icy photo opp!
  • Peoples Gas Holiday Market presented by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (Katz Plaza & Trust Oasis, 7-11 pm) | Find one-of-a-kind wares from local makers along with beautiful and practical gifts created by artisans from around the world.

This year, the celebration comes to you. Instead of a single parade route (paused due to construction), guests can expect surprise encounters with roaming performers bringing music, magic, and joy to every corner of the Cultural District.

 

  • Pittsburgh Samba Group Roaming Dancers (7-8 pm) | Bringing the rhythm and spirit of Brazil to the streets of downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
  • O’Ryan The O’Mazing (7-8:30 pm) | Do some O’Mazing tricks with the tallest clown around!
  • Lovely Lady Lydia (9-11 pm) | Catch the stilt-walker and circus arts performer in an LED Ice Queen costume.

 

More Creative Fun & Holiday Activities 

 

Fifth Avenue Place (indoors) and the Benedum Lot (outdoors at 7th & Penn) flank the footprint, plus other locations offer engaging hands-on activities for kids and creatives in multiple locations throughout the night.

 

  • Highmark | (un)Hungry (Fifth Avenue Place, 7-10 pm) | As the event’s presenting sponsor, Highmark is showcasing its (un)Hungry initiative. This campaign aims to raise awareness and complement existing food and monetary donations during the holiday season, a time when individuals are more inclined to give and seek support. To promote the campaign’s animated film, Highmark collaborated with Canstruction Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh-based architectural firm AE7. Together, they constructed a “CANstruction” sculpture of over 2,000 cans of food, shaped like Montague the Dog (one of the film’s characters), located in the lobby of Fifth Avenue Place. Highmark encourages individuals to visit unHungry.org to watch the animated film, make a donation to a regional food bank, or find assistance.
  • Citizens Activity Zone (Fifth Avenue Place, 7-10 pm) | Warm up indoors and join local artists and organizations like Beanie Paints, Mike the Ballon Guy, Scouting America, TeraBridges, Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Arts Education team for engaging activities for all ages.
  • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Book Giveaway sponsored by PNC & Steel City Lego User Group (Benedum Lot, 7-10 pm) | These activities are located within the holiday market footprint across from the Benedum Center.
  • Tarot Card Readers (Trust Oasis, 7-10 pm) | An annual favorite, Dr. Amber Epps, owner of Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop (Wilkinsburg), with Elizabeth Kivowitz and Maggie Negrete, return for free tarot card readings.
  • Caricature Artists (SPACE Gallery, 7-8 & 8:30-9:30 pm) | Another annual favorite, Vince Ornato and Sam Thong return for live sitting caricature drawings.
Fireworks are part of Pittsburgh’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

Visual Arts & Film 

 

  • Celebrating 45 Years of CAPA: Alumni and Faculty Exhibition (SPACE Gallery, 7-10 pm)
  • Fleischer Fairy Tales (Harris Theater, 7-10 pm) | Warm up and step back in time with The Cartoons of Max Fleischer, featuring beautifully restored classics with Betty Boop, Popeye, Koko the Clown, and more.

Countdown to Midnight & Future of Pittsburgh Grand Finale 

 

New Year’s Eve culminates with a Pittsburgh tradition. Above the Highmark Stage on Penn Avenue Place, the Future of Pittsburgh Ball will rise nearly 75 feet to its pinnacle position (symbolizing a city on the rise) as Fireworks sponsored by Visit PA fill the sky and the audience joins in harmony for a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

 

Community Support 

 

Generous support for Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2026 comes from Highmark, Allegheny Health Network, Dollar Bank, GBU Life, Citizens, Visit PA, PNC, PPG, and The Grable Foundation. Media partners include KDKA-TV. Operational support is provided by Flyspace Productions.

 

All events are subject to change. Explore the full lineup of events at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.

Megan Moroney to play PPG Paints Arena

PITTSBURGH — Country-pop singer Megan Moroney saved a Pittsburgh date for her forthcoming The Cloud 9 Tour.

Moroney will  entertain June 16 at PPG Paints Arena. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at meganmoroney.com.

Launching on May 29 at Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH, the tour is named for her globally anticipated third studio album due out Feb. 20.

The tour announcement arrives as Moroney gets set to receive the Storyteller of the Year honor at Variety’s Hitmakers event this Saturday (12/6) in Los Angeles. As part of the ninth annual Hitmakers celebration, the Emo Cowgirl will join the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Addison Rae, Rosé, and other elite honorees recognized for their breakthrough success in 2025.

“Cloud 9″ will follow the gold-certified “Am I Okay?” — 2024’s third-biggest Billboard 200 debut from a female country artist and served up  hits like “No Caller ID.”

Moroney sold out Pittsburgh’s Stage AE this summer.

Pitt football Heisman Trophy winning running back Tony Dorsett one of nineteen inductees for the 2026 National High School Football Hall of Fame

(File Photo: Source for Photo: ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, right, visits with Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett before an NCAA college football game between Pittsburgh and Notre Dame in Pittsburgh, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brook Park, OH) According to a release yesterday, former University of Pittsburgh running back Tony Dorsett is one of nineteen people that will be inducted into the National High School Football Hall of Fame on July 11th, 2026, in Brook Park, Ohio, during a special ceremony. Dorsett is the only player in Pitt college football history to win the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the country when he won it in 1976. Dorsett also played football at Hopewell High School and he will be part of the fourth induction class for the National High School Football Hall of Fame. All nineteen inductees are as follows:

  • Brian Bosworth – (LB) MacArthur High School
  • Henry Butler – (HB) University School
  • Channing Crowder – (LB) North Springs High School
  • Randy Crowder /P – (DL) Farrell High School
  • Tony Dorsett – (HB) Hopewell High School
  • Charles Follis – (HB) Wooster High School
  • Lou Groza /P – (OL) Martins Ferry High School
  • John Heisman/P – (OL) Titusville High School
  • Jim Kelly – (QB) East Brady High School
  • Vince Marrow – (TE) Cardinal Mooney High School
  • Terrence Metcalf – (OL) Clarksdale High School
  • Ozzie Newsome – (TE) Colbert County High School
  • Drew Pearson – (WR) South River High School
  • Greg Pruitt – (HB) B.C. Elmore High School
  • Sports Stars of Tomorrow – (Media)
  • Andrew Stockey – (Media) / (HB) Simsbury High School
  • Lee Tressel /P – (Head Coach) Mentor & Massillon High School
  • Joe Vadini /P – (Head Coach) Brecksville High School
  • Vince Young – (QB) Madison High School

Ten suspects taken into custody for incident in Washington County after tactical sweep across three counties

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington County, PA) Seventy-five-year-old Daniel Ullrick of Pittsburgh was one of ten people who was taken into custody in Washington County on Tuesday in connection to an incident that occurred in August of this year. Details are limited about it, but it occurred on August 17th, 2025 in North Franklin Township. WPXI confirms that the ten arrests were made because of a tactical sweep which happened across three counties and involved Pennsylvania State Police, SERT, Washington County District Attorney’s Office detectives, Sheriff’s deputies, officers from West Virginia, The FBI, The ATF and Three SWAT teams, Washington Regional, Westmoreland, and Pittsburgh. The arrestees are as follows:

  • Paul Prevost, 30, of Washington 
  • Clark Young, 40, of Washington 
  • Corey Palmer, 55, of Washington 
  • Jerry Barnett, 31, of Canonsburg 
  • Benjamin Bowman, 32, of Bulger 
  • Robert Conner, 53, of Uniontown 
  • Kristiopher Gardner, 43, of McDonald 
  • Eric Haydrch, 44, of Avella and 
  • Zack Williams 

According to the available charging documents, the suspects are facing a range of serious allegations, including riot, corrupt organizations, robbery, and assault. 

The hearing for these suspects will be in Washington on December 16th, 2025. 

AAA awards given to local police departments in Pennsylvania for their safety efforts

(File Photo of the AAA East Central Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) AAA East Central honored local police departments yesterday at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township for their efforts that were outstanding to increase road safety for all motorists. Platinum Awards were given to Sixty-five Western Pennsylvania departments and an additional 23 departments received either Gold or Silver awards. The Platinum awards were given to police departments in:  

Allegheny County, Allegheny County Port Authority, Baldwin Borough, Beaver, Bellevue, Bethel Park, Brentwood Borough, Butler, Cambridge Springs, Canonsburg, Castle Shannon, Cecil, Chartiers Township, Clairton, Cranberry Township, Edgewood Borough, Edgeworth, Elizabeth Township, Erie, Findley Township, Greensburg, Hermitage, Hopewell, Indiana, Jefferson Hills, McCandless, McDonald, Meadville, Millcreek Township, Monroeville, Moon Township, Mount Lebanon, Neshannock, New Brighton, New Sewickley, North Strabane Township, Northern Regional, Oakmont, Ohio Township, Penn Hills, Peters Township, Pittsburgh Bureau, Pleasant Hills, Plum Borough, Punxsutawney, Rochester, Shaler Township, Shenango Township, South Buffalo Township, South Fayette, South Strabane Township, South Park, Southwest Greensburg, Swissvale, University of Pittsburgh, Upper St. Clair, West View and Worthington.  

Sheriff’s Departments that are in these following counties received Platinum awards: 

Allegheny and Washington; and Pennsylvania State Police Troops A (Greensburg), B (Washington), D (Butler), E (Meadville), and T (Somerset). 

Gold awards, which were the second highest recognition to be given, were awarded to police departments in: 

Bridgewater, Cochranton, Hampton Township, Heidelberg, Linesville, Monessen, North Huntingdon Township, Rankin, Scott Township, Springdale Borough, and Waynesburg as well as Sheriff’s Departments in the following counties: Greene, Indiana, and Venango. 

Silver awards were given to these police departments: 

Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Carroll Township, Cumberland Township, Greentree, Jeannette, Munhall, New Castle, and New Wilmington.   

Man charged in scamming scheme in Springdale Township wanted for escaping an Allegheny County corrections facility

(Photo Courtesy of WPXI/WPXI)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) A man who was charged in a scamming scheme is now wanted for escaping a corrections facility in Allegheny County. According to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, forty-year-old Zhudi Chen, was transferred from the Allegheny County Jail to alternative housing on October 22nd, 2025. Chen was then moved on November 8th, 2025 to a Renewal community-based corrections facility on the Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police confirm that Chen used a fourth-floor fire escape to get out of the facility and never came back. FBI agents arrested Chen in October on charges of defrauding a 76-year-old man out of $130,000 in Springdale Township. Chen remains at large and now faces an escape charge at this time. 

Autonomous vehicle tech company Waymo will expand into the Pittsburgh region

(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Terry Chea/ Associated Press)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The autonomous vehicle technology company Waymo made an announcement yesterday that it will be expanding into the Pittsburgh region. This service for ride-hailing is a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. and it will also expand into the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore and St. Louis. 

Congrats to This Year’s CCBC Players of the Game for Football

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) Now that the 2025 High School Football season is in the books for Beaver County Radio it is time to celebrate this year’s CCBC Players of the Game.

Please join CCBC and Beaver County Radio in Congratulating the following players:

08-22-25: Blackhawk: Brayden McCarthy    Beaver Falls: Xavier Clark

08-29-25: Western Beaver: Amari Marshall Southside: Andrew Corfield

09-05-25: Avonworth: Dimitri Velisaris  Aliquippa: Marques Councill

09-12-25: Western Beaver: Wyatt Sparbanie   Beaver Falls: Christian Dawkins

09-19-25: Central Valley: Braddock Ambrose  Beaver: Jonah Justice

09-26-25: Ellwood City: Dailonn Currie  New Brighton: Heath Lewis

09-27-25: Rochester: Jason Clinton  Summitt Academy: Demetris Crosby

10-03-25: Freedom: Kaden Bailey  Riverside: Tanner Richards

10-10-25: Beaver Falls: Xavier Clark  New Brighton: Jojo Montanez

10-17-25: Montour: Brandon Bennett  Aliquippa: Akiva Woods

10-24-25: Ellwood City: Tyler Smiley Beaver Falls: Kenny Jewell

10-31-25: Aliquippa: Marques Councill  Trinity: Jonah Williamson

11-15-25: Aliquippa: Marques Councill   McKeesport: Kemon Spell

11-22-25: Aliquippa: QaLil Goode    Oil City: Findlay Cole