Butler County Man Charged with Receiving a Firearm and Ammunition With Intent to Commit Terrorism on Behalf of ISIS

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that a resident of Valencia, Pennsylvania, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with receiving a firearm and ammunition, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the firearm and ammunition would be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism, including providing, attempting to provide, and conspiring to provide
material support or resources to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Twenty-one-year-old Jonathan Hunter Kramer received this charge and FBI agents
interdicted him this weekend as he returned to a hotel in possession of three 30-round capacity rifle magazines and five boxes of rifle ammunition.

The FBI executed search warrants, seized a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition from his hotel room, and arrested him outside of the Cranberry Park Hotel.

One subsequent investigation confirmed that Kramer had been using the online persona of “Hamza Al Rashid” who claimed affiliation with ISIS and put up an offer to share explosive manuals with others, as well as making an expression for his intent to prepare for his “mission” and that he was just missing a “weapon.”

The United States has requested detention of Kramer and that he be held without bond pending trial, because the U.S. asserts that he is a danger to the community.

Kramer waived a detention hearing during his initial appearance in court yesterday,  but requested a preliminary examination hearing on the complaint, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

Matzie: Nearly $2.7 million secured for Beaver County water infrastructure upgrades, public safety equipment, other capital projects

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) State Representative Rob Matzie announced today that new grants totaling nearly $2.7 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund multiple water infrastructure improvements and the purchase of new police and fire vehicles for Beaver County municipalities.

Matzie confirmed that many of the 17 grants secured will support construction and engineering costs to improve municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater services. 

According to a release from Matzie’s office, Matzie said the funding includes:

  • $300,000 to Ambridge Borough for the purchase of a new ladder fire truck to replace the current unit, which has exceeded its useful life.
  • $300,000 to Baden Borough to allow the Baden Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new fire engine to replace an aging, malfunctioning one.
  • $250,000 to Center Township Water Authority to replace deteriorating and undersized infrastructure in the water distribution system along Old Brodhead Road, including replacement of 2,300 feet of waterline plus service reconnections and site restoration.
  • $250,000 to Hopewell Township to address frequent, localized flooding at Hopewell Community Park through 500 feet of stream restoration, riparian buffer planting and storm sewer installation.
  • $200,000 to the Aliquippa Municipal Water Authority to replace 35,000 feet of antiquated cast iron waterlines joined with leaded sealant in the Plan 6 area constructed in the1900s-1930s. Work will include 50 water service line replacements, service reconnections and site restoration.
  • $200,000 to Center Township Water Authority to replace 1,500 feet of aging/undersized waterlines on Elm Drive, part of Highland Avenue, and Chestnut Drive between Old Brodhead Road and Highland Avenue (plus service reconnections and site restoration) to improve reliability and fire protection.
  • $200,000 to Center Township Water Authority to replace 1,700 feet of aging/undersized waterlines along Wickham Drive to reduce line breaks, service disruptions and improve pressure and fire safety. Work will include two new hydrants, service reconnections and site restoration.
  • $150,000 to Baden Borough to repair an aging stormwater system causing poor drainage along State Route 2012/Philips Street. Work will include replacing 258 feet of pipe and treating another 1,459 feet with cure-in-place pipe lining.
  • $150,000 to Center Township for storm sewer improvements to reduce flooding along Golfview Drive adjacent to Beaver Valley Mall, including replacing 770 feet of storm sewer pipe, seven inlets, and one manhole; spot repair to 200 feet of concrete curb; and site restoration work.
  • $100,000 to Center Township to replace the existing stormwater culvert that carries the Moon Run stream under Wolfe Drive to improve water quality and motorist safety. Work will include installing a new culvert, storm sewers and related infrastructure, plus site restoration.
  • $100,000 to Conway Borough to help the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department purchase six new patrol vehicles for use in Baden, Conway and Freedom boroughs and Rochester Township.
  • $100,000 to the Freedom Borough Collection and Conveyance Authority for critical rehabilitation work to 3,785 feet of aging sanitary sewer infrastructure on 6th to 8th avenues between 14th and 18th streets, to restore pipe integrity and prevent blockages and overflows.
  • $100,000 to Harmony Township for landslide remediation work to address areas of slope movement along Forest, Ridge and Valley roads. The project will include stabilizing active slide areas, anchoring unstable soils, constructing reinforced walls and other work.
  • $100,000 to Rochester Area Joint Sewer Authority to replace the treatment plant’s belt filter press, which filters out sludge from water.
  • $75,000 to Ambridge Water Authority to replace 650 feet of aging waterline along Maplewood Avenue in Ambridge, install 1,560 feet of restrained joint ductile iron pipe, replace lead lines as identified, reconnect 80 water services, install hydrants and perform site restoration.
  • $75,000 to Rochester Township to demolish the existing exposed salt storage structure and construct a new, enclosed salt storage pole barn to safely house winter deicing materials.
  • $25,000 to Rochester Borough for equipment for the Rochester Borough Police Department.

These grants come from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account, which is funded by gaming revenue and local share assessments that are generated by licensed gaming facilities such as casinos and racetracks. 

“The Pitt,” HBO Max medical series based on medical work in Pittsburgh, wins 2 Emmys at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Los Angeles, CA) The HBO Max medical series “The Pitt,” which is a day-in-the-life series based on the medical work in Pittsburgh, earned two Emmys at the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards last night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. 

Actor Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in the series, won the 2026 Emmy for best lead actor in a drama. 

Wyle’s character was introduced in the pilot episode of “The Pitt” as the senior emergency attending physician at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s emergency room. 

“The Pitt” also earned the 2026 Emmy for best drama series after earning the 2025 Emmy in that same category. 

The drama also earned four wins for Emmys in a pre-ceremony on September 6th at the Peacock Theater and it is the year’s top nominee for Emmys with 25. 

It won on September 6th in categories that included prosthetic makeup and best guest actor in a drama. 

That best guest actor in a drama award went to 73-year-old first-time nominee Ernest Harden, Jr. 

Harden portrayed the last days of Louie Cloverfield, who was the emergency room’s constant presence and constantly struggling alcoholic on “The Pitt.”

McKees Rocks woman arrested for DUI in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported today that twenty-nine-year-old Destiney Williams of McKees Rocks was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Pittsburgh on September 7th.

Williams was stopped by police at 2:09 a.m. because she committed traffic violations and was subsequently arrested for DUI.

Charges against her are pending. 

Beaver County Humane Society looking for owners of five lost animals at the shelter

(Credit for Photos Below: Photos Courtesy of the Beaver County Humane Society, Posted on Facebook on September 14th, 2026, Headline Photo: File Photo of the Beaver County Humane Society)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Beaver County Humane Society issued a Facebook post yesterday that they want to get five lost animals that are currently at the animal shelter in Aliquippa home to their owners.

The pictures of these lost animals and more information about them can be found below, and those at the shelter are looking to find the owners of four dogs and one cat.

If you are the owner of one of these animals, you can call 724-775-5801, extension 105.

Monaca man charged after three-vehicle crash in Raccoon Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Raccoon Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that twenty-year-old Jeffrey Vogel of Monaca was charged after a three-vehicle crash occurred in Raccoon Township.

It happened on 1541 Frankfort Road at 10:39 p.m.

Vogel tried to pass a vehicle driven by forty-two-year-old Mark Thys of Orlando, Florida by utilizing the passing lane.

Vogel’s vehicle hit the vehicle driven by fifty-three-year-old Sharon Dabb of Langeloth, Pennsylvania, and subsequently hit the vehicle of Thys. 

Possible injuries were reported on the scene of this crash.

Vogel and Dabb refused transportation and Thys was not transported.

Thys was not injured, but Dabb had a suspected minor injury and it was unknown if Vogel was injured. 

Illinois man charged after two-vehicle crash in Independence Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Independence Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that twenty-eight-year-old Huseyin Ece of Niles, Illnois was charged after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Independence Township on September 2nd.

This happened on a straightaway section on State Route 151’s westbound lane near the intersection with Stone Quarry Drive at 2:20 a.m.

Twenty-eight-year-old Mustafa Oncu of Pittsburgh was driving on the westbound lane until he noticed a fallen tree on the road.

After putting on his vehicle’s hazard lights, Oncu stopped his vehicle and exited his vehicle to try to clear the road before continuing on the road. 

Ece failed to maintain the speed of his vehicle and was unable to stop before his vehicle rear-ended the vehicle of Oncu

There were no reported injuries.  

Father of boy whose mother is missing from Washington D.C. arrested in Brighton Township

(File Photo of a Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) The father of a 10-year-old boy whose mother has been missing from Washington, D.C. since September 4th was arrested during a traffic stop in Brighton Township on Saturday. 

He has not been charged in the woman’s disappearance but he is being held in the Beaver County Jail. 

Antoinette Forbes was last seen close to her home in Washington, D.C. on September 4th.  

Forbes’ sister stated that they spoke on FaceTime the next morning. 

However, she did not connect to their usual family phone call on Sunday. 

Sixty-five-year-old Russell Ashford, who is Forbes’ son’s father, was arrested during a traffic stop at around 10:20 a.m. on Saturday in Brighton Township for violating his parole. 

Ashford was on parole after he was convicted of assaulting Forbes in 2021 and served 5 years of probation. 

Court records that are from a lengthy custody battle show that Ashford lives in an apartment at Bridgewater Crossing. 

Aliquippa woman charged with DUI after two-vehicle crash in Bridgewater Borough

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brigewater Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that a twenty-two-year-old woman from Aliquippa was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Bridgewater Borough on July 31st.

The crash happened in the 1200 block of Sharon Road at 3:03 a.m. The woman was going north in her vehicle and hit the vehicle of a thirty-eight-year-old man from Beaver when the man’s vehicle was parked legally on the right side of the road.

The vehicle of the woman ended up on its side after the crash and according to police, the woman had a blood alcohol content of 0.16% or more.

There were no reported injuries.  

Aliquippa man charged and injured; E-bike hits FedEx delivery truck in Beaver County

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that forty-seven-year-old Kenneth Torres of Aliquippa was charged after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Beaver County on September 8th.

This happened on Jordan Street at its intersection with Hill Road in South Heights Borough at 2:04 p.m.

Torres was riding an E-bike at a high rate of speed on Hill Road towards Jordan Street and hit a FedEx delivery truck that was driven by forty-one-year-old Joshua Briancesco of New Brighton, which was coming to a stop near a post office.

Torres was disabled from his vehicle, sustained an injury with an unknown severity and was taken by helicopter for evaluation of his injuries.

Briancesco was not injured.