(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of the Allegheny County Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) According to Allegheny County police, detectives seized marijuana, illegal drug products and cash while executing search warrants at two vape shops in Ross Township last week. Authorities noted that the Allegheny County police department’s Narcotics Unit, working with Ross Township police, served warrants on Friday at Smoke World and Vape in the 4800 block of McKnight Road and Powerful Smoke in the 7300 block of McKnight Road. Investigators confirm that the businesses were involved in a large-scale illegal marijuana sales operation. Police reported seizing over two kilograms of marijuana, thousands of illegal THC- and psilocybin-infused products and over $9,000 in cash from the two locations. Allegheny County police state that the investigation into this incident is ongoing and they are working with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release yesterday that a theft of a motor vehicle occurred in Lawrence County on Saturday from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. This happened along 1600 Marr Road in Pulaski Township and forty-four-year-old Dustin Klamer of New Castle reported that a red in color 1996 Suzuki Trailboss 250 four-wheeler was stolen from him. If you have any information about this incident, you can contact PSP New Castle Trooper Bartosiewicz by calling 724-598-2211. 

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release yesterday that twenty-nine-year-old Aaron Bertovich of Hubbard, Ohio was arrested for trespassing in Lawrence County on January 6th, 2026. This happened at 3:27 p.m. along 3539 Wilmington Road in Neshannock Township. Bertovich trespassed on the property of Hillcorp Energy Company in New Castle and an amethyst Toyota Tacoma vehicle was involved. Charges were filed against Bertovich.

(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) Pittsburgh Parking Authority is now expanding its ticket-by-mail program. If you get a ticket in the Steel City, there could be an increased chance that instead of getting it on the windshield of your car, you are getting it in the mail. This program began in 2024.

(Photo Courtesy of WPXI-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on January 13th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hopewell Township, PA) According to Hopewell Zoning Officer John Bates, late last year, the township approved a request from Revival Today to allow assemblies at 400 Commerce Drive in the Hopewell Business and Industrial Park. That building permit is still working through the process for approval, which would allow renovations inside the building. Bates expects that to be approved in the coming weeks. Neighbors near the location of the church on Coraopolis Heights Road were complaining about the noise of the outdoor events being held there in 2024. Last month is when Moon Township denied the permit of the church to operate. Revival Today has been around the area of Pittsburgh for the last few years. Bates also expressed that by approving the request to allow assembly at the Hopewell location, there will be language that is said to control the noise. There is no word yet on when services will start at the new location.

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), will award lottery registrants the opportunity to purchase 1,434 bottles of rare whiskeys from the Van Winkle set, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC), and E.H. Taylorthrough its Limited-Release Lotteries. Three separate lotteries will be conducted, with one for each collection of these limited-release whiskeys and one for the E.H. Taylor bourbon. One entry per household, per drawing is allowed and entries that are duplicative will be disqualified. Each participant may opt in to either one, two, or all of these lotteries and/or drawings and residents and licensees from Pennsylvania will have until 5 P.M. this Friday, January 16th, to opt in by visiting the Limited-Release Lottery web page by clicking here. According to a release in Harrisburg yesterday from the PLCB, here is some more information about these three lotteries, which will be held in the following order to award the right to purchase individual bottles:

The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Lottery

The first lottery will feature 324 bottles from the BTAC.

 

Winning entries are limited to one bottle per participant, and if a participant wins a bottle in a drawing within this lottery, they will be removed from subsequent drawings in this lottery. Purchase is limited to one bottle per participant for the BTAC lottery.

 

The retail price for each 750-milliliter bottle in this collection is $149.99:

• Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 18 Year Old – nine bottles for individual consumers, three for licensees
• Eagle Rare Straight Bourbon 17 Year Old – 18 bottles for individual consumers, six for licensees
• William Larue Weller Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof – 45 bottles for individual consumers, 15 for licensees
• George T. Stagg Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof – 45 bottles for individual consumers, 15 for licensees
• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof – 126 bottles for individual consumers, 42 for licensees

 

The Van Winkle Lottery

The second lottery will feature 1,062 bottles of Kentucky whiskeys, produced by Pappy Van Winkle’s grandson using recipes dating back four generations.

 

Winning entries are limited to one bottle per participant, and if a participant wins a bottle in a drawing within this lottery, they will be removed from subsequent drawings in this lottery. Purchase is limited to one bottle per participant for the Van Winkle lottery. Drawings will be held, in the following order, to award the right to purchase individual bottles:

• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon 23 Year Old, $449.99 each – 32 bottles for individual consumers, 10 for licensees
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon 15 Year Old, $199.99 each – 34 bottles for individual consumers, 11 for licensees
• Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon 20 Year Old, $319.99 each – 34 bottles for individual consumers, 11 for licensees
• Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Straight Bourbon 10 Year Old, $129.99 each – 118 bottles for individual consumers, 39 for licensees
• Van Winkle Special Reserve Straight Bourbon 12 Year Old, $149.99 each – 580 bottles for individual consumers, 193 for licensees

 

The E.H. Taylor Lottery

The third lottery will feature 48 bottles of Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Straight Bourbon Limited Edition Bottled in Bond, $149.99 each – 36 bottles for individual consumers, 12 for licensees.

 

Both retail entrants and licensee entrants are encouraged to review the lottery Terms and Conditions before entering the Limited-Release Lotteries.

 

Individual consumers and licensees interested in entering one or more lotteries or drawings must have an active account with FWGS.com with billing information on file. Each participant is encouraged to verify that accurate, up-to-date billing information is associated with his or her customer account, to prevent transaction delays or cancellations. Once the Limited-Release Lottery registration period closes, entrants will not be able to update their payment information. If someone is selected as a winner and the payment is declined for any reason, the entrant will forfeit their entry and the opportunity to purchase the bottle. Entrants are encouraged to review their account to verify that payment/billing information and the delivery location is accurate before entering the lottery.

 

Store delivery of Limited-Release Lottery products is required; failure to identify a valid store for delivery may result in the loss of the right to purchase that product. All lottery item(s) purchased will be delivered to the Fine Wine & Good Spirits location chosen by the entrant at the time of entry. Only individuals submitting eligible entries will be able to pick up their lottery purchases in their designated stores after presenting valid photo ID; bottles will not be released by stores to alternate pickup persons or anyone other than the lottery entrant. Winning entrants who fail to personally appear to pick up their lottery purchase(s) or who otherwise attempt to circumvent these requirements will be disqualified.

 

In light of attempts by previous lottery winners to illegally resell products obtained through Limited-Release Lotteries, the lottery Terms and Conditions remind residents that the sale of alcoholic beverages without a license is strictly prohibited under Pennsylvania law. When entering a Limited-Release Lottery, a participant will be asked to acknowledge that he or she has read and understands these terms and conditions.

 

Limited-Release Lotteries are open to Pennsylvania residents and licensees age 21 or older who provide both a verifiable Pennsylvania billing address and a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store address at registration. Any registrant with a billing address that cannot be verified as a Pennsylvania address will be removed from the lottery. Entries will be vetted for duplicative names, addresses, and other information, and duplicates will be deleted from the lottery pool.

 

Lottery drawings will be witnessed by an independent third party. Winners will be selected at random by computer program. Participants will be notified by email when the lottery process is complete.

 

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide, and licenses more than 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. For more information about the PLCB, visit pa.gov/lcb.

 

Fine Wine & Good Spirits is Pennsylvania’s go-to destination for wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink cocktails, as well as in-store tastings and events. With more than 560 stores, 13 licensee service centers and a robust online shopping experience at FWGS.com, Fine Wine & Good Spirits offers a wide selection of products for customers to discover new favorites, find trusted classics, and explore exclusive, limited-release selections. Fine Wine & Good Spirits and the PLCB contribute to the state’s economy by returning taxes and profits – nearly $23.5 billion since the agency’s inception – to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, financing Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety and community initiatives. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state.

 

Every purchase made at a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store or at FWGS.com helps strengthen Pennsylvania, supporting nearly 6,000 employees and more than 2,500 communities across the commonwealth.

(File Photo of Winter Driving in Beaver Falls)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) As Winter Driving Awareness Week starts in Pennsylvania, AAA and PennDOT are reminding motorists there and beyond to use extra caution when they are driving during inclement weather. According to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about 46 percent of all crashes involving bad weather take place during the colder months. Accordign to a recent release from AAA East Central, here are some tips that AAA East Central recommends for driving during the winter weather:

AAA East Central offers the following tips for driving in winter weather:

• Stay Home. This is the number one way to avoid a crash in the winter.
• Leave Early. Running late to work leads to anxiety which can cloud judgment and possibly lead to risky driving behaviors.
• Slow down. Accelerate, turn, and brake as gradually and smoothly as possible. This will help maintain control in rough conditions.
• Don’t tailgate. Normal following distances of three to four seconds on dry pavement should be extended to a minimum of five to six seconds when driving on slippery surfaces. The extra time will provide additional braking room should a sudden stop become necessary.
• Never use cruise control on slippery roads. If a vehicle hydroplanes or skids, motorists will lose the ability to regain some traction simply by lifting off the accelerator. It will be harder to recover from the loss of traction if cruise control is active.
• Turn against the skid. If a car begins to skid, continue to steer in the direction you want the car to go.

To prepare a vehicle for winter driving, AAA recommends the following tips:

• Have the vehicle’s battery tested. Last winter, AAA East Central contractors responded to more than 66,000 battery calls, the number one call received by the Club.
• Replace worn windshield-wiper blades. Purchase one-piece, beam-type or rubber-clad “winter” blades to fight snow and ice buildup. Use cold-weather windshield washer solvent and carry an ice scraper.
• Inspect tires. Make sure tires have adequate tread depth – at least 4/32” – as worn tires can affect a motorist’s ability to stop in slick conditions. An easy way to check for wear is by inserting a quarter into the tread groove. If the top of Washington’s head is exposed, the tread depth is less than 4/32″ and it’s time to replace tires. Also, check that the vehicle has a spare tire and keep it properly inflated. In harsh winter climates, a set of snow tires may be a wise investment.
• Carry an emergency kit equipped for winter weather. The kit should include sand or cat litter, a small shovel, flashlight, an ice scraper or snow brush, booster cables, a blanket, gloves or mittens and flares or reflective triangles.

More AAA winter car care tips can be found by clicking here.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE Former counselor to the President of the United States Dina Powell McCormick smiles during the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative Roundtable, Sept. 23, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook owner Meta has named Dina Powell McCormick, a former Trump administration adviser and longtime finance executive, as president and vice chairman of the tech giant.

Powell McCormick previously served on Meta’s board of directors — where, the company notes, she was “deeply engaged” in accelerating its artificial intelligence push across platforms. In her new management role, Meta says Powell McCormick will help guide its overall strategy, including the execution of multi-billion-dollar investments.

The news, announced Monday, quickly gained the applause of U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, the Republican president said the move was a “great choice” by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg — and noted that Powell McCormick had “served the Trump Administration with strength and distinction.”

Zuckerberg said in a statement that Powell McCormick’s experience in global finance, “combined with her deep relationships around the world,” made her “uniquely suited to help Meta” in its future growth.

Powell McCormick is a veteran of two presidential administrations and the Republican National Committee. She worked as a national security adviser at the start of Trump’s first term, and also held roles in the White House and the Secretary of State’s office under President George W. Bush. She is married to U.S. Sen. David McCormick, who served in high-level positions in the Commerce and Treasury departments under Bush — before he joined hedge fund Bridgewater Associates and rose to become CEO.

And Powell McCormick has a long background in finance. She spent 16 years in senior leadership at Goldman Sachs, but was most recently vice chair, president and head of global client services at merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners. She’s also held a handful of other corporate board positions — including at oil giant Exxon Mobil.

According to a securities filing, Powell McCormick had previously resigned from Meta’s board in December, eight months after joining as a director.

The addition of Powell McCormick to Meta’s management team arrived amid wider efforts from California-based Meta to boost its ties with Trump, who was once banned from Facebook. Like other powerful tech CEOs, Zuckerberg has dined with the president at the White House and doubled down on U.S. investment promises worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Last year, the company also appointed Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White to its board, another familiar figure in Trump’s orbit.

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania State Police is now accepting applications for its annual youth camp, and they are collaborating with the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania American Legion. The Elmer Hafer–American Legion–State Police–National Guard Youth Camp will take place at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania from June 7th-13th, 2026. The six-day program is for teenagers that are 15 to 17 years old who are interested in exploring careers in either Pennsylvania law enforcement or the military. Cadets will take part in a wide range of hands‑on learning experiences and physical fitness training designed to build their understanding of law enforcement as well as their confidence, teamwork, and leadership abilities. You can apply for this camp by clicking here.