Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published May 15, 2026 1:18 P.M.

(New Brighton, Pa) On a sunny and warm Friday morning in May, third graders from New Brighton Elementary School took time away from the classroom to honor our local veterans who have passed away.

Students walked from the school to two local cemeteries, St. Joseph and Grove, with flags to place on the graves of our veterans.

Beaver County Radio witnessed the students walking through rows of memorial stones, identifying veterans and taking time to give them a flag. The students appeared to be excited and appreciative while placing the flags.

To some, the event meant more than just honoring our fallen soldiers, it also honored a beloved teacher, coach, and community member, Donald Mittner, who passed away in March.

Donald Mittner was on the New Brighton Memorial Day Association and is the one who started the flag tradition with students.

His sister, Diane Mittner-D’Addio, who is also a New Brighton Elementary teacher, says she wanted to keep the tradition going. When Mittner’s spot in the association was open following his passing, she stepped up and into the role.

“I decided to fill his spot, not only for him, but for my father who was big and involved with the Memorial Day association for New Brighton, so today is an extra special day because we’re not only doing this for Mr. Mittner, we’re doing this for the veterans”.

Mittner-D’Addio went on to say this event also helps demonstrate community service and respect to the children.

She says they talk about the importance of Memorial Day immensely with the students and “the respect it shows our community and the veterans.”

“They’re really taking their time with it this year. They’re really thinking about it and processing everything as they walk by the grave sites.”

The students involved are also being encouraged to walk in the New Brighton Memorial Day parade this year.

Among others who helped in the effort were New Brighton Elementary School Educators Laura Schooley and Aimee Mayer, New Brighton football players, and John Proano of the New Brighton Memorial Day Association.

As the morning was wrapping up, the students along with everyone involved gathered at Grove Cemetary and gave a big “1 ‘clock yell”. An iconic pep chant Mittner would do with students on Fridays before football games.

However, this time it was for honoring our fallen veterans and honoring Mittner, who helped give the students a way to show their appreciation on Memorial Day.

“E-I-E-I-E-I-O, COME ON LIONS LET’S GO!” was surely heard echoing through the neighborhood.

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Middletown, PA) The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has launched its 11th annual “Go Orange” campaign, urging drivers to prioritize safety in work zones during construction season from May through October.

The campaign focuses on protecting highway workers and motorists through public awareness efforts and safety initiatives across the turnpike system.

According to the commission, there were 179 crashes in Pennsylvania Turnpike work zones in 2025, including one fatality.

Officials marked the start of the campaign by displaying the Lost Worker Memorial outside the commission’s Middletown headquarters. The memorial features orange traffic cones topped with hard hats and plaques honoring employees who died in the line of duty.

Drivers are being reminded to obey posted work zone speed limits, avoid distractions, move over for emergency scenes when possible and pay attention to changing traffic patterns.

The commission also highlighted several safety programs, including Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras operated in partnership with PennDOT and Pennsylvania State Police. Officials said speeding in enforced work zones dropped to 15.8% of traffic during the 2025 construction season.

(File Photo of the City of Aliquippa Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane released a statement this week addressing concerns circulating on social media regarding an officer with the Aliquippa Police Department.

Lane said the department is aware of the concerns and is taking all matters involving the fitness and conduct of its personnel seriously.

He also said the city of Aliquippa is bound by Pennsylvania law, medical privacy protections and labor agreements that limit what information can be shared publicly when questions arise about municipal employees.

(File Photo of a Scam Alert Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Findlay Township, PA) Police are asking residents of Findlay Township to stay alert as a “food truck scam” spreads throughout the area.

On Thursday, the Findlay Township Police Department posted a warning on social media about the ongoing scheme.

According to police, scammers are targeting local food truck vendors by asking them to sign up for community events and requesting payment upfront.

Police said Findlay Township does not require pre-payment from food vendors for events.

Anyone who receives a suspicious email matching this description is asked to contact the department at 724-695-7777.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of ANNA Shelter, Posted on Facebook on May 13th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Erie, PA) A total of 29 dogs and four horses were rescued from a property in Pennsylvania where they had been abandoned, according to the ANNA Shelter.

The Erie-based shelter said in a Facebook post Wednesday that Pennsylvania State Police contacted staff Monday evening about a property where dogs and horses had been left behind. While some animals had already died, the remaining animals needed immediate help.

The nearly three dozen animals had no food or water and were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, the shelter said. On Tuesday morning, staff members removed the dogs and horses in what the organization described as its largest large-scale rescue of 2026.

Because of an ongoing investigation, the shelter said it could not provide additional details.

The shelter also thanked BB’s Truck and Auto Service Inc. for helping during the rescue effort. Staff said their box truck would not start Monday night while they were preparing to load the animals. A repair crew arrived around 4 p.m., diagnosed the issue, ordered a part and had the vehicle running again by 5:15 p.m.

All of the animals will be available for adoption once they are cleared by veterinarians, the shelter said.

(File Photo of a Leetsdale Fire Department Fire Truck)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Leetsdale, PA) Three volunteer fire departments in the Quaker Valley area are planning to merge into a new regional fire district in an effort to improve staffing, reduce response times and lower costs.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Feb. 5, 2020, file photo, a W-4 form is viewed in New York. The IRS will delay the traditional April 15 tax filing due date until May 17, 2021, to cope with added duties and provide Americans more flexibility. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Shapiro Administration has extended the deadline for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to Dec. 31, 2026, giving eligible Pennsylvanians additional time to apply for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025.

The extension applies to older adults, widows and widowers, and individuals with disabilities who qualify for the program.

State officials said the change provides additional time for residents to apply as they continue to face rising costs across the Commonwealth.

You can apply online through myPATH in English by clicking here and Spanish by clicking here.

No account is required.

The system provides helpful tools including automatic calculators, and instant confirmation, to guide applicants through the process.

(Headline Photo and Photo Below Provided with Release Courtesy of Caryn Acs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) After gaining attention from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Beaver County Radio during their debut exhibition last fall, the sibling artists known as the 3 Crafty Kids will return to Ambridge this summer with a new collection of artwork, handmade items, and a community donation drive benefiting local cats in need.

The 3 Crafty Kids Summer Art Show will run from June 17 through June 27 at Bella’s Wishes Creative Arts Center.

The siblings — Connor, Oliver, and Andrea Acs — were previously featured by Beaver County Radio ahead of their first public exhibition in 2025, which showcased a range of mixed media, watercolor, crafts, and maker projects.

This year’s exhibit will include new work along with updated versions of pieces from their debut show. Visitors will be able to view and purchase original paintings, pottery, fused glass, photography, stickers, fairy wands, 3D prints, magnets, clothing, and other handmade items.

In addition to the artwork, the siblings are organizing a donation drive for a local cat rescue, collecting supplies including cat food, kitten litter, and toys.

“We were so grateful for how Beaver County showed up for the kids last year,” the family said. “The second show felt like the perfect opportunity to create something new while also giving back.”

An artist meet-and-greet will take place Wednesday, June 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., with light refreshments for attendees.

The show highlights a growing number of community arts events in Ambridge and the creativity of young local artists working through spaces like Bella’s Wishes Creative Arts Center.