(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.

(File Photo of Water)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa (MWAA) recently completed lead and copper sampling within their service area that have confirmed lead service lines as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) at several locations. Results of this 2024 sampling found that there is an exceedance in the EPA Action Level for lead at five of the thirty-five sample locations. Elevated levels of lead can cause health problems that are serious, especially for pregnant women and young children. This is a repeat notice from
2024 and no additional elevated lead levels have been recorded since the 2024 testing.

According to a release from the company, here are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in your water:
1. Run your water to flush out lead. Run water for 60 seconds to flush lead from interior plumbing or until it becomes cold or
reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking, if it hasn’t been used for several hours.
2. Clean your aerator. Regularly clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can
collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.
3. Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead
dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
4. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
5. Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter.
Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org
for information on performance standards for water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions to protect water quality.
6. Test your water for lead. Call us at 724-375-5525 to find out how to get your water tested for lead.
7. Get your child’s blood tested. Contact your local health department or health care provider to find out how you can get your
child tested for lead, if you are concerned about exposure.
8. Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. New brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as
“lead-free” may contribute lead to drinking water. Until 2014, the law allowed end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, with up
to 8% lead to be labeled as “lead-free.”