(File Photo of an American Flag)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Today is Memorial Day, a day where we honor our veterans that have passed away in the line of duty and thank the veterans that are currently serving. The U.S. Postal Service, all government offices, banks and some businesses will be closed. Governor Josh Shapiro ordered on Friday that all United States and Commonwealth flags on all Commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds statewide will fly at half-staff in accordance with the United States Flag Code. Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise until noon today. All Pennsylvanians can participate in the tribute. 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the FDA)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lynn, MA) Kettle Cuisine is recalling 24-ounce cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen minestrone soup due to potential undeclared shrimp allergens, federal officials said.

According to a news release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Lynn, Massachusetts-based company said the undeclared shrimp could pose a risk to individuals with shellfish allergies.

The recalled soup was distributed in 17 states and the District of Columbia, including Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, the FDA said. The product was also sold at Whole Foods Market locations and online.

The affected product is packaged in a 24-ounce clear plastic cup marked with lot code 1762181 and a “Use By” date of 05/27/26 on the top rim. It also carries a UPC code of 099482502065 on the back label, according to the FDA.

No illnesses have been reported.

The recall was initiated after a store discovered a single cup containing an incorrect product that included shrimp. No other soups or lot codes are affected.

Consumers who purchased the affected product are advised to return it for a full refund.

Customers with questions can contact the company at 617-409-1100 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that an Allegheny County jury has convicted a man for forging signatures on nomination petitions for a U.S. congressional candidate prior to the 2022 primary election.

Following a weeklong trial, Kirk Rice of Allegheny County was found guilty this morning of theft by deception, forgery, perjury and related charges. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 17.

According to testimony, Rice was paid $1,340 to collect 437 signatures for Democratic candidate Steve Irwin. Investigators determined the signatures — including one allegedly belonging to a federal judge — were falsified.

The Office of Attorney General said it interviewed dozens of people listed as signers, and none confirmed they had signed the petitions.

“This defendant deliberately undermined the integrity of Pennsylvania’s election process by falsifying signatures for financial gain,” Sunday said. “This type of conduct is taken very seriously as it threatens the foundation of our democracy. I applaud the agents and prosecutors whose work exposed the fraud and ultimately brought the offender to justice.”

According to testimony, Rice submitted 34 pages of signatures totaling 437 names, which were filed for Irwin’s nomination. He was paid per signature.

The campaign later discovered that Rice may have submitted fraudulent signatures, including the forged signature of U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Bissoon.

During the investigation, Rice admitted he did not go door-to-door, but instead collected signatures in Pittsburgh by entering businesses and gathering names without verifying whether signers were registered Democrats, a requirement of the petition process.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Alexander Cashman.

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Allegheny County Councilman Patrick Cetena will step down from his post as council president, his colleague announced. Council members had launched an effort to force him out of the position last week. (Giuseppe LoPiccolo/Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Following calls for Pat Catena to step down as the president of Allegheny County Council — including statements from seven council members saying they would vote to remove him — Catena has announced he will resign from the position.

According to a social media post from Councilman Dan Grzybek, council members will hold an election Tuesday to choose Catena’s replacement.

Calls for Catena to resign intensified last week after campaign mailers tied to his bid for state representative criticized transgender athletes. In a joint news release, seven council members, including Grzybek, called on Catena to step down.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Melissa Watkins)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(West Mifflin, PA) A crash temporarily shut down part of Kennywood Boulevard in West Mifflin yesterday.

Police in West Mifflin said both lanes of the boulevard were closed between Glenn Street in West Mifflin and Mifflin Street in Whitaker. The roadway has since reopened.

Video provided to WPXI shows a heavily damaged vehicle that appears to have struck a barrier.

It is unclear whether anyone was injured.

(File Photo of Water)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Butler County, PA) Pennsylvania American Water has begun monthly boat-based water quality sampling at Lake Oneida and Thorn Run reservoirs in Butler County.

The enhanced monitoring program is intended to help ensure safe, high-quality and reliable drinking water for more than 20,000 customer connections.

According to the company, the sampling program will help operators better understand changing reservoir conditions and make real-time adjustments to treatment processes to maintain water quality.

Pennsylvania American Water also uses solar-powered mixers in both reservoirs to improve water quality by creating continuous circulation that helps prevent algae growth.

Jake Gentile, senior director of operations for Pennsylvania American Water, said the work is important to maintaining reliable service.

“This work helps us deliver the high-quality water our customers depend on every day,” Gentile said. “By monitoring conditions across the reservoirs, we can make real-time adjustments to treatment and continue providing safe, reliable service.”

The Lake Oneida and Thorn Run reservoirs supply water to customers in the City of Butler; the boroughs of Connoquenessing, East Butler and Saxonburg; and the townships of Butler, Center, Clinton, Connoquenessing, Donegal, Forward, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lancaster, Oakland, Penn and Summit.

Recreational boating is prohibited on both reservoirs, though shore fishing is permitted.