Senate approves legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s no-cost breast cancer screening law in Harrisburg

(File Photo: Background of a October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month Picture)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from the Senate Republican Communications Office, the Senate approved legislation Tuesday to strengthen Pennsylvania’s no-cost breast cancer screening law. This was in Harrisburg and will ensure fully covering diagnostic imaging, which will remove barriers of finance for patients. Senate Bill 88 ensures people who get abnormal results from screenings that are supplemental can get access now for diagnostic imaging that is necessary at no cost.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passes bill to crack down on deed fraud from State Representative Chris Rabb and Representative Tim Bonner

(File Photo of the Seal of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from State Representative Chris Rabb’s office, Rabb announced his bipartisan bill passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously on Tuesday. This bill known as House Bill 1406 has the intention of grading theft involving property titles or deeds as a second-degree felony. Rabb worked on this bill with Representative Tim Bonner. The State Senate will now look over the bill for consideration.

Scam in which scammers pretend to be an employee from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by getting older Pennsylvanians to pay money out of their texts and emails is spreading in Pennsylvania

(File Photo of Scam Alert Background Photo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) A scam has been recently going around in which the Shapiro administration has been recently telling Pennsylvanians to avoid. A reported scam was identified when the scammer pretended to be an employee for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They are assisted by a fake email to make older Pennsylvanians pay through an inheritance that is a fraud and licensed financial institutions. According to a release from the the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS), and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), here are some ways to protect yourself from these scams:

  • Don’t respond to suspicious emails or texts;
  • Don’t trust messages about winning money or getting an inheritance from someone you do not know;
  • Do not feel pressured to act quickly or in secrecy;
  • Check email addresses. Scammers can spoof emails, sending an email that looks like it is from a trusted source. Official emails from Pennsylvania state agencies always end in @pa.gov;
  • Watch out for fake websites. Official Pennsylvania Commonwealth websites end in pa.gov and will always display the Commonwealth logo with the text “Official website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” on the top left corner of a web page; and know that Pennsylvania agencies will not threaten immediate legal action or license suspension without proper notice.

 

2025 Beaver County Boom sure to start off summer with a bang with fireworks, live music and more

(File Photo of Fireworks)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The 2025 Beaver County Boom will be held in Bridgewater on Saturday, June 28th. There will be artisans that are local, live music, a variety of foods and an award-winning Zambelli fireworks show. That show is called “Cosmic Connections,” and it won Festival Grand Champion at the GlobalFest International Fireworks Competition in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 2024. The full schedule and more information can be found at boomonthebridge.com.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission providing some tips to stay safe and save energy during the summer

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commisssion)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania continues to be affected by the heat this summer, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is providing some tips to stay safe and save energy during the summer. Accoridng to a release form the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, here are the tips they recommend to stay safe and conserve energy as well as a link fro more information.

#WaysToStayCool

Even simple, low-cost changes can make a noticeable difference:

  • Use Fans – Circulating air can make you feel several degrees cooler.
  • Follow the Shade – Spend time in cooler rooms away from direct sunlight.
  • Block the Heat – Use blinds or curtains to block the sun and reduce indoor heat.
  • Skip the Heat – Postpone use of stoves, ovens, dryers, and dishwashers until cooler hours. Consider grilling outdoors or using a microwave instead.

#SaveInPA – Conserve Energy and Support the Grid
Reducing energy use during peak hours helps manage electric bills and supports grid reliability across the state:

  • Adjust the Thermostat – Raising it a degree or two can lead to significant savings.
  • Clean is “Green” – Keep filters clean and vents clear to maintain efficiency.
  • Turn It Off – Switch off unnecessary lights and electronics to reduce heat and usage.
  • Cool What You Use – Close off unused rooms and focus cooling where it’s needed most.
  • Seal It Up – Prevent hot air from entering by sealing cracks around windows and doors.

Shared Responsibility = Resilient Energy
Late afternoon and early evening hours see the highest electricity demand. Collective efforts during these times can make a meaningful impact:

  • Delay Laundry & Dishwashing – Run large appliances late-evenings or early-mornings.
  • Limit High-Energy Use – Avoid using multiple energy-heavy devices at once.
  • Use Smart Thermostats – Program slight temperature increases during peak hours.

Safety First – Especially During Heat Events

 

  • Check on Neighbors – Especially older adults, children, or individuals with health issues.
  • Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous activity during peak heat.
  • Know Where to Go – Check for community cooling centers and/or public buildings like libraries or community centers for relief from extreme temperatures.

More Information and Resources
For additional summer energy tips and links to utility programs and tools, visit www.PAPowerSwitch.com. (Scroll over the website name for a link to click on.)

AAA: Children and Pets in Vehicles at Risk During Extreme Heat

 

As millions of Americans deal with periodic heat waves this summer, AAA East Central reminds motorists about the dangers of leaving children and pets in a hot car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 900 children have died of heat stroke in the last 25 years after being left or trapped in a vehicle. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a vehicle can heat up by 20 degrees and become deadly.

“A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s and when a child is left in a hot vehicle, the situation could become life-threatening very quickly,” says Terri Rae Anthony, safety advisor, AAA East Central. “As parents, caregivers, and bystanders, we all play a role in ensuring children and animals are protected from these dangerous conditions.”

AAA East Central Urges Motorists To ACT:

  • A—Avoid heatstroke by never leaving a child in the car alone, not even for a minute.
  • C—Create electronic reminders or put something in the backseat like a cell phone, purse, or briefcase that will be needed when exiting the car.  Always lock vehicles and never leave car keys or car remote where children can get to them.
  • T—Take action and immediately call 9-1-1- if a child or pet is found unattended in a car.

When it comes to heatstroke, animals are also at risk. Leaving them in a vehicle while running errands, taking a break at a rest stop during a road trip or for any other reason, can have deadly consequences. Animals left in hot cars can face irreversible organ damage, heatstroke, brain damage and, in extreme cases, death.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs and cats can include:

  • Panting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Reddened gums and tongue
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Wobbly, uncoordinated movement

Animals are also at a more severe rate of risk when they have factors like age (very young, very old), obesity, poor heart/lung conditioning, are a short-nosed, flat-faced breed, or have a thick hair coat.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 69 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

3 new Beaver County restaurants nearing completion

Three new Beaver County restaurants are finalizing plans to open.

Three Rivers Roundup, a Tex-Mex restaurant specializing in steaks, seafood and tequila, will be at 1440 Riverside Drive in Bridgewater. Three Rivers Roundup’s Facebook page announced Monday a “Now Hiring in Beaver County” notice, with front-of-house, kitchen and management spots available.

The dinner menu includes appetizers like Chili Rubbed Chicharrons, Mussels Del Rio, Street Corn Nibblers and Three Rivers Chips & Dip with creamy queso, fresh guacamole and smoky fire-roasted pepper salsa. Fajitas, Citrus Stone Salmon, Stone-Fired Half Chicken and a 14-ounce ribeye steak are among the entrees.

With a full-service indoor and outdoor bar, Three Rivers Roundup would be in the former Spanky D’s Restaurant, which also previously housed the Jeffries Landing restaurant.

A new Tex-Mex restaurant in Bridgewater has begun the hiring process.

Meanwhile in Monaca, the Steel House aims to open in July at 919 Pennsylvania Ave. Steel House pledges “elevated dining and classic bar culture.” A menu on Steel House’s website includes items like Gourmet Hot Dogs, such as a Pittsburgh Dog with crispy fries, coleslaw, tomato and garlic aioli, Fried Cod & Chips, Pulled Pork Mac n Cheese, Tavern Tacos, a Goat Cheese & Portobello Salad and Flatbread Pizzas.

Sandwiches include the Millworker, with grilled chicken, steak or portabella with pepper aioli, cheddar, onions and arugula.

The Burger menu includes eight varieties, such as a Buffalo Bleu Burger, Pepper Jack Crunch Burger, Beyond Burger and the Steel House Burger with beef, cheddar, bacon jam, arugula and aioli on a brioche bun, plus a build-your-own option.

Also: Philly Originals in Beaver announced it will expand to a second location at 1507 Duss Ave., Ambridge.

The Ambridge location is now hiring, according to the Philly Originals Facebook page, with a grand opening date expected to be announced soon.

State Rep Kozak Announces More Than $862,000 in Natural Gas Impact Fees Awarded to 14th District

(File Photo)  

 CHIPPEWA TOWNSHIP – State Rep. Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) announced today Beaver County will receive more than $495,000 in impact fees from the natural gas industry. In addition, the municipalities in the 14th Legislative District will receive an additional sum of more than $366,000.

Impact fees are levied in addition to regular business taxes paid by every corporation in Pennsylvania. The disbursements were established in 2012 to ensure communities affected by drilling receive their fair share of funding for projects such as road and bridge repairs, housing and other infrastructure needs.

“The real benefit the natural gas industry provides to Pennsylvania is a stable, reliable source of energy to power our homes and businesses,” Kozak said. “These impact fees are a welcome bonus to improve our communities.”

A complete list of disbursements to counties and municipalities is available on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.pa.gov.

State Police to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint in Beaver County

(File photo provided with previous release)

(Beaver County, Pa.) The Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver sent out a release on Tuesday stating that in a continuing effort to decrease incidence of injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers that they will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint in the month of July at undisclosed time and location in Beaver County. No other information was available.

Monaca Resident Sentenced to Two Decades in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Obstructing Justice

(File Photo)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Monaca, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 20 years of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his convictions for sexual exploitation of a minor and obstructing justice, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Nicholas Sittig, 28, on June 23, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, from in and around August 2023 until in and around April 2024, Sittig induced a minor, who resided in California, to produce a visual depiction of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct for Sittig’s sexual gratification. In and around December 2023, when Sittig became aware that federal law enforcement officers were investigating him, Sittig induced the minor to aid him in destroying records and documents related to his sexual offenses against
the minor—namely, his contact information in the minor’s cellular telephone and social media messages between himself and the minor—with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation.
The Court was further advised that agents with Homeland Security Investigations had identified a second minor, residing in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, whom Sittig similarly exploited online from December 2023 through March 2024.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman acknowledged the seriousness of Sittig’s offenses and the harm Sittig caused his minor victims.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the
government. Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations— Pittsburgh, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (San Francisco and Pittsburgh), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the Monaca Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sittig.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.