(File Photo: Source for Photo: Police respond to an active shooter situation at the Tree of Life synagogue on Wildins Avenue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa., on Saturday, October 27, 2018. (Pam Panchak/Post-Gazette via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Over two years after a jury sentenced the Tree of Life synagogue shooter, Robert Gregory Bowers to death, his attorneys are taking the next step to reverse the decision by seeking a resentencing. Bowers shot and killed eleven people and wounded six others at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on October 27th, 2018. Bowers was sentenced to death in August of 2023. In an almost 500-page appeal, the lawyers of Bowers asked for a new sentencing hearing after accusing the prosecution and the court of “overreach.” They brought up 16 issues, which included jury selection, whether a juror who said they reviewed death sentences and oversaw executions in China should have been seated, and whether two jurors who shared reservations about the death penalty should have been struck. 

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are six cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $3.16 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of unleaded gas has fallen three cents to $2.82 over the past week. The report states that at this time a year ago, the average price for a gallon of gas in Western Pennsylvania was around $3.36, and the average price that you can expect for a gallon of gas in Pittsburgh is about $3.17. According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various areas:   

$3.076      Altoona
$3.180      Beaver
$3.424      Bradford
$3.028      Brookville
$3.148      Butler
$3.068      Clarion
$3.014      DuBois
$3.090      Erie
$3.053      Greensburg
$3.129      Indiana
$3.181      Jeannette
$3.275      Kittanning
$3.134      Latrobe
$3.054      Meadville
$3.322      Mercer
$3.035      New Castle
$3.151      New Kensington
$3.159      Oil City
$3.167      Pittsburgh
$3.148      Sharon
$3.085      Uniontown
$3.554      Warren
$3.124      Washington

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that a resident of Beaver Falls has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law. The sole defendant of the one-count Indictment was twenty-three-year-old Javon Turner. According to the Indictment, on or about August 16th, 2025, Turner had a firearm and ammunition in his possession after previously having been convicted of a felony on a state robbery charge. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon possessing a firearm or ammunition. According to Revetti, Turner could receive a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, provided by the law. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This April 2, 2021, file photo shows bridges spanning the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that it’s more advantageous to oppose President Joe Biden’s ambitious rebuild America agenda than to lend support for the costly $2.3 trillion undertaking for roads, bridges and other infrastructure investments. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park will be closed for the next two months so that preparations can be made for the hosting of the 2026 NFL Draft in the Steel City and for celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States. According to the Fort Pitt Museum, while it is closed through the months of January and February, exhibitions will be updated and facilities will be improved. March 1st, 2026 is when the museum is expected to reopen. When it reopens, there will be a new exhibit there called “Pittsburgh’s Revolution” which will feature rare artifacts, interactive activities, and pictures from Fort Pitt’s role in the Revolutionary War. A temporary exhibition will also open in June of 2026 ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States that will focus on weapons and tactics used during the 18th century.

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium was closed yesterday because of a water main break and it will be closed to the public during the day today as well. Officials told WTAE that a water main break on One Wild Place kept the zoo closed yesterday, which started at 12:30 p.m. Wild Illuminations, the Pittsburgh Zoo’s holiday lantern experience, was also closed last night. In addition, Donation Day at that zoo, which was scheduled for today, will be rescheduled to a later date. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(North Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that three deer entering the roadway of I-76 East caused a four-vehicle crash in North Sewickley Township at 3:22 p.m. on December 17th, 2025. All four drivers involved were driving on I-76 East when traffic became congested before coming to an abrupt stop. These four drivers were neither charged nor injured. The three deer that caused this crash were also dispatched at the scene.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Vehicles move past signs that indicate payment methods for driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the entrance ramp in Gibsonia, Pa. in this file photo from Aug. 30, 2021. Gov. Tom Wolf gave final approval on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, to legislation aimed at getting owners or operators of some 25,000 vehicles to pay their overdue bills for turnpike usage, The law that could trigger the suspension of thousands of vehicle registrations early next year. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Somerset County, PA) The Pennsylvania Turnpike eastbound reopened in New Stanton this morning after a crash occurred east of the Allegheny Tunnel. According to Pennsylvania State Police in Somerset, a commercial vehicle rolled on its side shortly before 6 a.m. near mile 129 between the Somerset and Bedford interchanges, blocking all of the lanes. Forty-three-year-old Ying Fu of La Puente, California lost control of the tractor-trailer that he was driving while trying to stop for the overturned vehicle, and he hit a guide rail and crashed, which also blocked all of the lanes. Fu was taken to a hospital with a suspected minor injury and he was charged by police. A few hours after the incident, the Pennsylvania Turnpike east from New Stanton Exit 75 to Breezewood Exit 161 reopened.

(Original photo credit: Courtesy of Rachel Rausch, Screen shot from social media post)  

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Former Ellwood City police officer Robert Magnifico of Ellwood City pleaded guilty on December 18th, 2025 to a single summary charge of harassment, while five second-degree misdemeanor charges were withdrawn in the case. According to public court records, Magnifico appeared at a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Jerry G. Cartwright Jr. Five misdemeanor charges were withdrawn at that hearing, including two counts of official oppression and one count each of tampering with public records, unsworn falsification to authorities and simple assault and the summary charge of harassment was moved to a non-traffic case. Court documents show that Magnifico pleaded guilty to the summary charge of harassment and was fined $100. Magnifico was charged in October of 2025 by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday regarding a June incident at a Sheetz store. Magnifico, then a sergeant with the Ellwood City Police Department, pushed a 19-year-old man, denied the man of his rights, then filed a report about the incident that was not an accurate version of what took place. On June 6th, 2025, the 19-year-old victim and a 16-year-old friend purchased food at the Sheetz store on 5th Street in Ellwood City. Realizing he forgot his phone, the 19-year-old called the store and was told he could return and retrieve the phone. At the store, staff did not return the phone to the victim and police were called. The victim provided information about the phone, including its passcode, but still did not receive the phone back. The victim, who was in a public area of the store, became verbally frustrated. Magnifico came from behind a counter and shoved the man to the ground and verbally berated him. The 16-year-old recorded the interaction on his phone. The 19-year-old asked for the officer’s badge number and name. Magnifico provided the information while walking towards the man and bumping into him in an intimidating manner. Magnifico then grabbed the 16-year-old’s phone and threw it onto a table. The two customers then left the store. The 19-year-old was treated at an area hospital. Magnifico is also the current Riverside Varsity Football Coach.