(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Office, Caption for Photo: Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers remarks during the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Main Rotunda.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Yesterday, the holiday season kicked off with Governor Josh Shapiro, First Lady Lori Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil were among those attending the 2025 Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg that day. The approximately 25-foot Douglas Fir that was in the Main Rotunda was grown by Crystal Spring Tree Farm in East Lehighton of Carbon County and was adorned with over 2,400 LED lights and 1,700 handmade ornaments created by both children from Pre K for PA and older adults from across Pennsylvania, which reflects the creativity and care of communities statewide. According to a release in Harrisburg yesterday from the office of Governor Shapiro, attendees experienced a celebration where craft, community and history came together that could stand the test of time as they were surrounded by the glow of the Capitol and scenes that were inspired by classic artistry of Christmas.  

(Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A winning Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket that was worth $350,000 was sold in Allegheny County for a Saturday drawing. It matched all five numbers drawn, 5, 12, 19, 21, and 22 and the ticket was purchased by an unidentified person at Wilson’s Pharmacy located in Pittsburgh. That store will receive a $500 bonus for selling the winning ticket and over 12,300 other Cash 5 with Quick Cash tickets also won prizes in the Saturday drawing. 

(File Photo of the Top of a School Bus)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders held a public hearing yesterday and they confirmed that they will not propose raising taxes beyond the 4% increase proposed in the weeks leading up to a vote despite a vote on November 25th, 2025 against closing schools. The preliminary budget would have seen a budget surplus in the budget and that preliminary budget factored in the school closing. $6.5 million is where the deficit now stands, which is still down from past years, according to district leaders. If these school board members vote not to raise taxes, that increase would be closer to a total of $14 million in 2026.   

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) According to officials with the Allegheny County sheriff’s office yesterday, Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus was hospitalized last week. WTAE was told that Kraus was “under the weather all week” and that he woke up Thursday and decided to see a doctor. The doctor suggested to Kraus that he should go to the hospital for treatment. Kraus is said to be in stable condition after he was admitted to the hospital. No other information has been released at this time. 

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Wayne Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release yesterday that thirty-nine-year-old Joshua McQuiston of Ellwood City was charged after causing a single-vehicle crash in Wayne Township of Lawrence County on Friday afternoon. McQuiston was driving on Wurtemberg Road north of Lundys Lane and at 4:01 p.m., he went off the left roadway and then the right roadway. McQuiston struck the embankment on the right roadway with his vehicle which caused it to roll over onto its roof. McQuiston and his passenger, forty-three-year-old Matthew Caldwell of Ellwood City, were both wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. They both refused medical transportation because they got out of the crash on their own, even though McQuiston had a suspected minor injury and Caldwell had a possible injury. Frank’s Towing, Medevac EMS, Perry Wurtemberg Volunteer Fire Department and another crew from Wayne Township assisted on the scene of this crash.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Snow coats the trees and cars in Edwards, Colo., Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The new snow was wet and heavy. (Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Cranberry Township’s Snow Angel program is now urgently seeking volunteers to help residents with snow shoveling as the demand for assistance far exceeds the current number of volunteers. This program connects community volunteers with senior residents or those with issues of mobility to help clear snow from sidewalks and driveways, which ensures safer conditions for everyone. You can apply online to become a volunteer for the Cranberry Township Snow Angels Program by clicking here.

(Photo Courtesy of the Borough of Monaca, Posted on Facebook on December 8th, 2025)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) A black bear was spotted on camera yesterday in the Borough of Monaca. According to a Facebook post yesterday from the Borough of Monaca, the bear was in the Stone Quarry and the Front Street area, and their Borough Manager Dave Kramer has contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bear was seen near bird feeders in a yard and residents are advised to bring in bird feeders, remove any food from their vehicles, ensure garbage cans are both closed and secure and most importantly, use caution if you are in the Monaca Borough area.

(File Photo of the Seal of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is encouraging Pennsylvanians to use any gift cards for American Signature Furniture and Value City Furniture stores before December 22nd, 2025, following a recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement. While store closure plans have only been announced for one Pennsylvania location, Value City in Mechanicsburg, there are several other store locations in Pennsylvania expected to be impacted, possibly in the near future. Following the November 22nd bankruptcy filing, the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Sections successfully argued for an extended deadline, December 22nd, to use any gift cards with a balance. “Our team is working on behalf of Pennsylvanians to make sure a company’s bankruptcy filing is not used as a shield to avoid obligations to customers with unused gift cards,” Attorney General Sunday said. “We fought hard to extend an unreasonable deadline and provide consumers a bit more time to use these cards — so act fast.” Gift cards will not be accepted at any locations that have begun store closing sales. Consumers who would like more information on how the bankruptcy process is or will affect the operations of American Signature and Value City, including gift card, return, and refund policies, can review the Frequently Asked Questions provided for both American Signature Furniture by clicking here and Value City Furniture by clicking here. Though the bankruptcy court has not yet established a proof of claim deadline, consumers who believe they may have a bankruptcy claim against American Signature, due to a gift card issue or otherwise, can file a proof of claim in the bankruptcy at https://www.veritaglobal.net/americansignature by clicking here. Consumers who feel that their rights have been affected by the American Signature bankruptcy may submit a complaint to the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection online by clicking here or by calling 717-787-3391.