Category: News

Various Sign Inspections this Week in Beaver and Lawrence Counties

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT is announcing sign inspections on various roadways in Rochester, East Rochester, and New Brighton boroughs and Chippewa Township and Shenango, and Union townships in Lawrence County will occur today and tomorrow, weather permitting. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, single-lane restrictions will occur as needed according to the following schedule:

Thursday, April 23rd
 

  • Route 422 in each direction at the I-376 interchange in Union Township 

Friday, April 24th
 

  • Route 18 in each direction between 5th Street and 2nd  Street in New Brighton Borough 
  • Route 422 in each direction at the Route 65 interchange toward E. Washington Street in Shenango Township 
  • Route 65 in the northbound direction at the Route 51/Route 68 exit toward Chippewa in Rochester and East Rochester boroughs 
  • Route 65 in the northbound direction at the East Rochester Monaca Bridge in East Rochester Borough 

Crews from Mackin Engineers & Consultants and the Sofis Rigging Company will conduct the inspection work. 

Passenger vehicle hits a PennDOT traffic control vehicle in Brighton Township

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63, Posted on Facebook on April 22nd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63, responded to a motor vehicle collision on Interstate 376 Eastbound involving a passenger vehicle that struck the rear of a PennDOT traffic control vehicle on Tuesday. Crews worked to quickly secure the scene and implement traffic control measures upon arrival, which included lane closures to protect emergency personnel and motorists traveling through the area. Firefighters and EMS personnel assessed the incident and provided care and treatment to a patient involved in the crash. Crews remained on scene to ensure continued safety for responders and the public while working in coordination with partner agencies throughout the response. All lanes of Interstate 376 Eastbound were reopened and normal traffic flow resumed once the vehicles were removed from the roadway and conditions were deemed safe. 

State Senator Nick Miller to Introduce Legislation to Curb ATV and Dirt Bike Use on Urban Roadways

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This image provided by the Utah Highway Patrol shows a multi-vehicle, multi-fatality crash on US-6 near Price, Utah, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (Utah Highway Patrol via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Senator Nick Miller (D-14) will introduce legislation to improve safety by incorporating ATVs and dirt bikes into the existing laws concerning evading police and reckless driving. Miller previously introduced similar legislation in the 2023-2024 session called Senate Bill 834. It will focus on urban areas while honoring local rules, permitting the use of ATVs on designated rural roads. This legislation strengthens the penalties for repeat offenders and addresses the growing group mentality that often drives riding behavior that is dangerous.  It builds on Act 92 of 2022, which is a bipartisan initiative passed by the General Assembly. This bill aims to improve public safety by reducing the improper use of motorbikes and ATVs on busy streets. It was prompted by an incident in July of 2022 on Interstate 78, where 40 vehicles were racing, leading to a multi-vehicle crash. In addition, an unmarked state attorney general’s office car, responding to transport an injured Allentown police detective in South Whitehall Township, was obstructed by dirt bike and ATV riders, despite its lights and sirens being activated.

Senator Camera Bartolotta: Senate Acts to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports

(File Photo of Senator Camera Bartolotta)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46) said in Harrisburg yesterday that the Senate has approved legislation to protect the safety and opportunities of female athletes by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex. Senate Bill 1293 would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states that only biological females can join teams designated for women. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. The legislation will be sent to the House of Representatives. 

Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday: Counterfeit NFL merchandise seized from Pittsburgh’s Strip District

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, its agents seized counterfeit merchandise from Pittsburgh’s Strip District ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. The merchandise that was recently seized appeared to include blankets, hats, sunglasses and more. Sunday’s office confirms that it wants everyone to have a safe and draft experience while warning people that the spectacle event provides opportunities for “criminals and bad actors” to take advantage of people. Fans are encouraged to shop only at retail locations that are trusted and to be careful of deals that may seem too good to be true. 

Oneil Cruz’s 3-run homer off top of foul pole powers Pirates to 8-4 win over Rangers

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz (15) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Oneil Cruz had the hardest-hit homer in the majors this season, a three-run shot off the top of the right-field foul pole in the ninth inning that powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

The Pirates took a 5-4 lead in the ninth when Nick Gonzales broke for the plate on pinch-hitter Jake Mangum’s one-out chopper to third base off Cole Winn (1-1). Josh Jung’s throw home pulled catcher Kyle Higashioka into foul territory, and Higashioka could not make the tag.

Cruz followed with his 116.9 mph liner that bounced off the top of the foul pole and into the stands. It was the second hardest-hit ball in the history of Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020.

Pittsburgh’s big ninth gave Gregory Soto (1-0) his first win as a Pirate, following his first blown save. The lefty reliever allowed Jake Burger’s two-run single in the eighth that tied the score at 4-all. Dennis Santana pitched a perfect ninth for his third save in four opportunities.

Bryan Reynolds’ fifth-inning single, which produced his 500th career RBI, was part of a three-run frame that gave the Pirates a 4-2 lead. Reynolds is tied with Bobby Bonilla for the most RBIs by a Pirates switch-hitter. He also scored Pittsburgh’s first run on Marcell Ozuna’s first-inning double.

Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft set career highs with seven innings and 94 pitches, allowing Jung’s two-run homer in the second inning among four hits. Ashcraft grew up about 100 miles south of Globe Life Field near Waco.

Jung has an RBI in a career-best six consecutive games.

Texas starter Jack Leiter, who turned 26 on Tuesday, allowed four runs, three earned, in five innings. He hasn’t won since his first start this season, at Baltimore on March 30.

With a single and a walk, Pittsburgh’s Ryan O’Hearn has reached base in 20 of 22 games.

Up next

Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0, 2.29 ERA) will pitch on five days’ rest in Wednesday night’s series finale against Pirates rookie RHP Bubba Chandler (1-1, 3.15).

Old Economy Park pool liner, Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival among topics discussed in most recent Commissioners’ work session

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning at the County Courthouse. One of them was when Dan Cole, the director of Public Works for the Commissioners, brought up some things like a old gas well on a property back by Economy Park. It was leaking, but the situation is being taken care of at this time. Cole also brought up the reminder that the ongoing movement of boxes with documents from the Wampum Mushroom Mines to a facility owned by St. Barnabas could be faster if grass could be cut. However, he said that his department is doing the best that they can in that instance. In other business, Beaver County Recration and Tourism Director Tony Caltury let the audience know about the third annual “Tap for Sap” Race event take place at Brady’s Run Park this Saturday. This is a 25k trail race with 300 participants. It will not have any road closures affecting it. After Caltury mentioned this, Commissioner Jack Manning questioned him about an update on the liner of the pool at Old Economy Park in Baden. The goal is to get a new liner installed because at the Commissioners’ work session on March 4th, 2026, Caltury noted that it was been determined that the liner of that pool is “no longer viable for the last couple of years.” According to Caltury, the first invoice for it has been submitted, and “we are waiting for the project manager to assign the timeline from there and then we’ll know when exactly it’s getting installed. I’ve been in contact with the YMCA as well.” As for the opening of the pool, Caltury noted of a possible Fourth of July start. Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles mentioned twenty-four resolutions for tomorrow, which included money for demolition regarding a building in Beaver Falls. Manning also congratulated the work of those at the Big Knob Grange in Rochester after they hosted the Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival this past weekend. It replaced the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival that was cancelled this year. Manning hopes that it can become a permanent event in the county after its initial success. He also congratulated the Cornerstone of Beaver County for their event at the Fez in Hopewell for their tenth anniversary of the work they have done to support those that do not have homes in Beaver County. He also let the audience know of an event at the Larry Bruno Foundation in Beaver Falls from 12 noon to 8 p.m. tonight with things like food trucks to celebrate the upcoming NFL draft that begins in Pittsburgh tomorrow through Saturday.

2026 NFL Draft is ready to take its place in Pittsburgh

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) An estimated 500,000 to 700,000 fans are expected to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, which will take place from tomorrow through Saturday. The next generation of football stars will become professional football players in the National Football League (NFL) as all 32 of its teams will make their selections in the seven-round event. Round 1 will begin at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Rounds 2 and 3 will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 noon on Saturday The NFL previously announced that the North Shore will host the event while both Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park will have elements of the city during the draft. The expected attendance for the event could make it the biggest event in the history of Pittsburgh for its visitors.

Highmark Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Riveters, renamed F.N.B. Stadium after agreement with First National Bank

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Posted on Facebook on April 22nd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Highmark Stadium, the home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Riveters, now has a new name. The Riverhounds announced today a multi-year stadium naming rights agreement with First National Bank. The new name of the stadium is F.N.B. Stadium as a result. First National Bank also becomes the official bank of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and the official banking partner of the stadium as part of this agreement. The stadium opened in 2013 and Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network are still long-term partners with the Riverhounds even with the name of it changing. Soccer fans will soon notice updated signage and other improvements in the stadium, alongside upcoming renovations and expansion.

U.S. Steel Announced as Naming Rights Partner for New Youth Sports Field at Hazelwood Green

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – The United States Steel logo is pictured outside the headquarters building in downtown Pittsburgh, April 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Project partners, community leaders, student athletes, and local supporters gathered today for a ribbon cutting of the newly named U. S. Steel Community Field at Hazelwood Green on the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The new multipurpose field is designed to provide expanded access to recreation, sports, and community space for the Hazelwood community, the adjacent Mon Valley and residents across the Pittsburgh area. Project partners, including the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Tishman Speyer, Hazelwood Green Youth Sports Charities and Steelers Charities, were joined by National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell, U. S. Steel CEO David Burritt and members of the community to commemorate this historic milestone. Under the naming rights agreement, the field will be officially known as U. S. Steel Community Field at Hazelwood Green, reflecting U. S. Steel’s commitment to supporting the communities where it operates. Programming at the new field will highlight the company’s dedication to bringing long-term benefits and vitality to Hazelwood, the neighboring Mon Valley and broader Pittsburgh area.