(File photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(East Palestine, OH) A new report from the Government Accountability Project states that the EPA and Norfolk Southern allegedly manipulated soil samples after the 2023 East Palestine train derailment. According to a document from that group, Norfolk Southern’s contractor published a plan, but the Environmental Protection Agency then updated that plan the next day. The whistleblower group also confirms that more samples were given to be taken in locations that were heavily impacted. That same group also notes officials went to avoid some areas for them to show dioxin contamination.

(File Photo of the Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) A cold case that started in 1974 about who murdered a twenty-three-year-old woman at that time has been solved by a Beaver County detective. Patrick Young used genealogy earlier in 2025 to identify the killer of Annette Tokarz, who was the victim of a homicide that happened on March 6th, 1974 at Hopewell Community Park. Detectives have confidence to name a former boyfriend of Tokarz, Walton Sims, as the one who killed her. According to Young, the DNA match for Sims was “99.7%” for an identification through the genealogy test.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A Carnegie Mellon University sign is displayed outside Baker Hall on the university’s campus in Pittsburgh, June 7, 2019. Carnegie Mellon University and the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation, named for a home-building supplies entrepreneur and his wife who built their fortune despite early struggles, hope a $150 million initiative will support a new generation of students trying to achieve that American dream. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a recent letter from Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian, “The Fence” there is closing after a recent message protesting President Donald Trump. The Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit was held there on Tuesday and someone painted the words “no rapists on our campus” on “The Fence.” “The Fence” has been a way for students to express themselves at Carnegie Mellon University and it will reopen at an undecided time next week. Paint will also go over the message against President Trump on “The Fence.”

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The board of governors from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has recently voted to raise tuition in Pennsylvania for the first time in seven years. According to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the increase could be rolled back if funding is increased. The tuition is now just below $8,000 a year with an additional $139 each semester for students in colleges including IUP, Kutztown, Slippery Rock University and WCU.

(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) Starting on Sunday, July 20th, 2025, drivers will get ticketed for using or parking in the lanes that are the red Downtown Pittsburgh bus lanes in Pittsburgh. These lanes are for only emergency vehicles and busses. According to Pittsburgh Regional Transit, officers with the Pittsburgh Port Authority Police have been giving drivers verbal warnings since the lanes were installed in June of 2025. A violation costs $25 and the full cost will go to almost $200 with associated fees.

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a woman from Conway was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Aliquippa on July 3rd, 2025. Sixty-one-year-old Lynette Lucas was stopped by police after committing a vehicle violation on the 400 block of Franklin Avenue. According to police, Lucas was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. 

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a woman from West Park, Florida was arrested for possessing drugs in Aliquippa on July 4th, 2025. Twenty-two-year-old Rajana Drain was stopped by police during a traffic stop at both Franklin Avenue and Main Street. According to police, Drain had drugs with her and her charges are pending. 

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a woman from Aliquippa was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Aliquippa on July 5th, 2025. Forty-three-year-old Valerie McDermott got stopped by police after committing a vehicle violation on the 1500 block of Kennedy Boulevard. According to police, McDermott was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.  

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and several local police departments hosted a media event to remind motorists of the dangers that result from aggressive behavior behind the wheel.

PennDOT partnered with police departments from Avalon, Bellevue, Edgeworth, Leetsdale, and Sewickley boroughs, and Ohio Township to conduct an aggressive driving blitz along Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard). These and other enforcement activities are part of a statewide wave which runs through August 17.

Aggressive driving is one of the leading factors of highway crashes and fatalities in Pennsylvania. During the enforcement period, police will target drivers demonstrating unsafe behaviors such as speeding, careless driving, heavy truck violations, pedestrian safety, red light running, tailgating, and other aggressive driving actions.

This mobilization also comes in time for motorists to prepare for the upcoming school year. By practicing safe behaviors now, drivers can get into the habit of being particularly cautious in residential areas and school zones.

According to PennDOT data, in 2023 there were 5,897 crashes involving aggressive driving statewide. Also last year, there were 3,530 crashes involving speeding, which is the top offense law enforcement sees in aggressive driving citations.

For more information on aggressive driving, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

PennDOT’s media resources web page offers social media-sized graphics for numerous transportation-related campaigns, including safety topics such as aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.

For regional updates, follow PennDOT on X and join the Greater Pittsburgh Area PennDOT Facebook group.