Category: News

“Founder’s Day” Anniversary Broadcast Planned For Thursday

(Beaver County, PA)  On May 25, 1948, Beaver County residents got to listen to their own radio station for the first time as WBVP started broadcasting on that day. To commemorate the 69th anniversary, Beaver County Radio will air a special “Founder’s Day” Program on Thursday May 25, 2017, as part of “Teleforum” from 9 until 11 A.M.  The show will honor the legacy of the original owners and founders, Frank Smith, Tom Price and Charlie Onderka, and share stories of the early days of radio in Beaver County.

Owen Simon in 1954

Greg Benedetti will will anchor the segment for the the vacationing Frank Sparks.  Long time WBVP sports anchor, General manger, and show host from the 80’s and early 90’s, Chris Shovlin will co host the show.  Special guests include Bobbie Wilson-Tkacick and Becky Wilson-Atkinson, daughters of legendary WBVP announcer from the original line up in 1948, Chuck Wilson at 9:10 A.M.   In Addition, Judy Rowse, Daughter of founding partner Tom Price, will share stories at 10:10 A.M.,  and Owen Simon,  a WBVP staffer from 1949 will be a part of the program at 10:35 A.M.

A special announcement regarding the station’s 70th anniversary, happening on May 25, 2018, a year away, will be aired during the “Founder’s Day” broadcast.

Central Valley Middle School Teacher Brings Gun Into Bar

After being asked to leave a bar for “being obnoxious and creating a disturbance”, Matthew Kupper, a Central Valley Middle School teacher, returned carrying a gun. Police were called and eventually found Kupper at his Kennedy Drive home along with the firearm. Center Township Police said he did not have a license for the gun. Nick Perry, the Central Valley School District Superintendent, said he was unable to comment on personal matter.

Teen Riding Bike Dies After Struck By Vehicle In Big Beaver

A teenager riding his bicycle has died after he was struck by a vehicle in Big Beaver borough yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. in the 7600 block of Big Beaver Boulevard (Route 18) near Old Wampum Road. According to state police, Jordon Bobin was crossing Route 18 when he was struck by a vehicle headed north. State police say the teenager was transported to Ellwood City Hospital and then flown to UPMC Presbyterian, where he was later pronounced. Police say the driver of the vehicle was unhurt. The 17-year-old victim was about to graduate from high school.

Shell Secures Needed Parking

SHELL CHEMICALS IS LEASING PARKING SPACES AROUND THE FORMER SEARS AUTO BUILDING AT THE BEAVER VALLEY MALL FOR THEIR WORKERS AND SHUTTLE BUSES THAT WILL TRANSPORT THOSE WORKERS TO THE SHELL SITE IN POTTER TOWNSHIP. IN TOTAL, THE COMPANY HAS SECURED ABOUT 31-HUNDRED PARKING SPOTS. MORE ARE BEING SOUGHT. CONSTRUCTION ON THE SIX-BILLION-DOLLAR CRACKER PLANT IS EXPECTED TO START TOWARD THE END OF THIS YEAR.

Beaver County Seeing Increase In Meth Lab Calls

Beaver County is reporting an increase in crystal meth lab calls to the county. Emergency Services Director Eric Brewer tells Beaver County Radio News Director Pat Septak that while they don’t have any concrete numbers, officials have definitely noticed in increase in such calls. Brewer says recent training on how to handle meth lab calls are provided through the attorney general’s office. By law, the Hazmat team is only able to contain releases, not remove or dispose of any materials.