(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania fell 8 cents this week to an average of about $4.52 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline decreased 16 cents over the past week to $4.16, marking the second consecutive weekly decline. AAA attributed the drop to crude oil prices remaining below $100 per barrel, though uncertainty remains regarding shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand fell from 9.25 million barrels per day to 8.59 million barrels per day last week. Domestic gasoline supplies increased from 211.6 million barrels to 215 million barrels, while gasoline production averaged 9.4 million barrels per day.

At the close of Wednesday’s trading session, West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $2.26 to settle at $96.02 per barrel. The EIA reported that U.S. crude oil inventories decreased by 8 million barrels from the previous week to 433.7 million barrels, about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.

The national average cost of electricity at public EV charging stations remained unchanged this week at 41 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The report states that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of regular unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $4.77.

According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various areas:

$4.384      Altoona
$4.773      Beaver
$4.438      Bradford
$4.333      Brookville
$4.590      Butler
$4.497      Clarion
$4.445      DuBois
$4.433      Erie
$4.335      Greensburg
$4.532      Indiana
$4.343      Jeannette
$4.698      Kittanning
$4.388      Latrobe
$4.491      Meadville
$4.632      Mercer
$4.569      New Castle
$4.628      New Kensington
$4.778      Oil City
$4.678      Pittsburgh
$4.176      Sharon
$4.649      Uniontown
$4.486      Warren
$4.577      Washington

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Beaver County Events on Facebook, Posted on Facebook on April 28th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The route has been finalized for Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, which is scheduled to pass through Beaver and Allegheny counties on July 11th and 12th.

According to Union Pacific Railroad, the locomotive is making a rare trip to the eastern United States as part of its 2026 tour.

Big Boy is expected to enter the Pittsburgh area after 11:15 a.m. on July 11, traveling through Trafford before crossing the Monongahela River and passing through communities including Homestead, Duquesne and Pittsburgh’s South Shore.

The locomotive will continue along the Ohio River through Bellevue, Avalon, Emsworth, Haysville and Sewickley before making a scheduled public stop in Leetsdale at about 6:15 p.m. The approximately 30-minute stop near First Street, Avenue A and Ferry Street will be the locomotive’s only public appearance in Western Pennsylvania.

Following an overnight stay at Conway Yard, Big Boy is scheduled to depart at about 9 a.m. July 12 and travel through Rochester, New Brighton, Beaver Falls and New Castle before continuing west.

Union Pacific noted that all times are approximate and may change due to railroad operating conditions.

The exact route and pictures of it can be found by clicking here.

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA0 Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported today that a 31-year-old Canadian man was arrested in connection with an alleged theft scheme involving packages containing precious metals at a FedEx facility in Robinson Township.

Matthew Francois was charged with theft, theft of mail, receiving stolen property, forgery and corrupt organizations. He was released Saturday on a nonmonetary bond, according to police.

State police said the Organized Crime Unit was contacted by FedEx security on or about May 17th regarding multiple packages containing gold and silver that had allegedly been stolen.

Investigators said they arranged for a “bait package” containing purported precious metals valued at about $75,000 to be shipped to a location near the FedEx shipping office in Robinson Township.

According to police, Francois attempted to pick up the package Friday and used a false identification card and tracking information to obtain it. He was taken into custody and transported to the Allegheny County Jail to await arraignment.

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to five months in federal prison for violating federal firearms laws, U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Michael Allen Barnes, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman IV, who also ordered him to serve two years of supervised release following his incarceration. The first 150 days of supervised release will be served on home detention with location monitoring.

According to federal prosecutors, Barnes was arrested in downtown Pittsburgh on April 11, 2024, on an outstanding arrest warrant from Georgia. Authorities said they recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband during the arrest.

Prosecutors said Barnes had previously been convicted of burglary in Gwinnett County, Georgia, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that a culvert replacement project is underway on Reno Street (Route 1037) in Rochester Township. Culvert replacement work requiring the closure of Reno Street over Dutchman Run between Unionville Road and Noonen Street will occur through late August, and through traffic will be detoured. Drivers will be detoured during the replacement work via Pine Run Road, Big Knob Road, and Deer Lane Extension. Crews from A. Merante Contracting, Inc. will conduct the replacement work on this $787,000 project.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of CCBC)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) announced that its Veterinary Technology Program has received Initial Accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).

The accreditation was approved during the CVTEA’s April 23 meeting following a review of the program’s evaluation report from a Jan. 21-22, 2026, site visit and the college’s action plan response.

CCBC launched the Veterinary Technology Program in fall 2024 through its School of Health Sciences.

According to the college, the accreditation review evaluated the program’s curriculum, facilities, clinical experiences, student outcomes and operations. The accreditation allows the program to continue preparing students for careers as veterinary technicians.

(File Photo of the American Red Cross Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood and platelets as it works to maintain an adequate blood supply heading into the summer months.

According to the organization, donors of all blood types and platelet donors are needed to help ensure hospitals have access to lifesaving blood products.

As an incentive, individuals who donate blood or platelets between June 1 and June 28, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. Donors also will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards, the Red Cross said.

According to a release from the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, here are some links to donate and more information about donating blood:

Take action today. To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org by clicking here, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

As a thank-you for those who step up to give, all who come to give June 1-28, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June by clicking here for details.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org by clicking here, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass by clicking here or use the Blood Donor App.