(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) Sherwin-Williams’ Rochester plant is facing new legal action and ongoing complaints from nearby residents who say emissions from the facility are creating strong odors and impacting quality of life.

The plant formulates coatings that are transported by truck to distributors and blending facilities.

Residents living near the facility described a persistent chemical smell. “It’s a very strong chemical odor,” said neighbor Lynn Goettman. “It almost coats the back of your throat.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a violation notice in late January, stating the plant had not yet installed a thermal oxidizer — an air pollution control device designed to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

A Sherwin-Williams spokesperson previously said the company was working with DEP to address the issues.

A federal lawsuit filed May 14th alleges that 45 homeowners have expressed interest in joining the case, claiming the odors are hazardous and interfere with their ability to enjoy their homes. The complaint includes allegations of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and headaches.

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Iconic jazz guitarist Joe Negri performs during the guitar and bass workshop at Duquesne University Mary Pappert School of Music Saturday, July 21, 2018. (Nate Guidry, Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Joe Negri, known to generations of Pittsburghers as Handyman Negri on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, has died at the age of 99, just days before his 100th birthday, Fred Rogers Productions confirmed to KDKA-TV yesterday evening.

Negri was a pioneering broadcaster, accomplished musician and beloved Pittsburgh television personality. For more than three decades, viewers of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” watched him portray Handyman Negri, a friendly fixture in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Community College of Beaver County)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) Community College of Beaver County Foundation has announced a $50,000 leadership gift supporting the college’s “Future Takes Flight” aviation capital campaign, marking the first public contribution toward the initiative.

The donation will fund the purchase of an air traffic control tabletop simulator designed to replicate real-world runway environments, including layouts modeled after Beaver County Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration training academy in Oklahoma City.

College officials said the simulator will provide hands-on training for students in CCBC’s James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences.

The “Future Takes Flight” campaign supports construction of a 30,000-square-foot Aviation Sciences Center at Beaver County Airport. The project is intended to expand training capacity and incorporate new aviation technologies to meet workforce demand.

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported that a 26-year-old Mars man was charged following a three-vehicle crash in Allegheny County on Thursday. 

Police said Aidan Upton was traveling on I-79 South in Franklin Park Borough when he allegedly failed to stop in time and struck the rear of a vehicle driven by 43-year-old Carmen Dileo of Wexford as traffic slowed ahead. 

The impact of Upton swerving to the right caused a third vehicle driven by 69-year-old Thomas Sikora of Coraopolis to hit Upton’s vehicle, police said. 

No injuries were reported. 

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported that a 57-year-old Cranberry Township man was charged for tailgating following a three-vehicle crash in Allegheny County on Friday. 

Police said Werakul Laoworakiat was traveling on I-279 South in Marshall Township at about 6:04 p.m. when he allegedly struck the rear of a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Marcus Haswell of New Castle, who had slowed for traffic. 

The impact caused Haswell’s vehicle to strike the rear of a third vehicle driven by 48-year-old Stephen Casker of Sewickley, who was also stopped due to traffic, police said. 

No injuries were reported. 

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) A man is facing charges after allegedly stabbing his Lyft driver during a ride on Interstate 79 in Robinson Township, according to state police. 

Pennsylvania State Police said troopers were called to the interstate near the Neville Island exit around 11:03 p.m. for a report of a disturbance involving a rideshare driver and passenger. This occurred yesterday.

Police said a Lyft driver suffered a laceration to the right side of his neck following a fight with a passenger. 

The driver continued to a Sheetz on Grand Avenue in Neville Township, where officers responded. Investigators said they found blood on the rear passenger door of the vehicle and a folding knife on the hood. 

The driver was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition, police said. 

The passenger, identified as Saul Baxin, 31, fled the vehicle on foot toward Coraopolis Road, according to police. While fleeing, Baxin allegedly punched another driver and damaged the side mirrors of two vehicles, investigators said. 

Police said Baxin was later struck by a vehicle and suffered a leg injury. He was taken to a hospital. 

According to a criminal complaint, Baxin told investigators he believed the driver was taking him somewhere unfamiliar and became frightened. He said he was not trying to kill the driver, but “just scare him off.”

Baxin, the arrestee, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment. 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Mechanicsbrug, PA) With motorcycle riding season in full swing, the Shapiro Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians that training, preparation and safe riding can help reduce crashes and save lives. 

There were 2,927 motorcycle crashes on Pennsylvania roadways in 2025, resulting in 186 fatalities, according to state data. That marks a decrease of 376 crashes and 33 deaths compared to 2024. 

“Any decrease in crashes and deaths on our roads is great news, but the only acceptable number of deaths is zero,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Drivers and motorcyclists should continue to share the road safely and watch out for each other so this encouraging downward trend continues until we reach zero deaths.”

Through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program, riders with a motorcycle permit or license can receive training or refresh their skills through free courses designed to improve safe riding practices, regardless of experience level.

The link to find out more about this program can be found below:

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program | Driver and Vehicle Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the City of Aliquippa Police Department, Posted on Facebook on May 29th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Police are emphasizing gun safety following an incident involving a child in Aliquippa on Friday. 

In a social media post, the Aliquippa Police Department said a sergeant was patrolling the Valley Terrace area at about 2 p.m. when he observed a child standing in front of a building. 

According to police, the child appeared to remove a gun from his waistband and point it toward the sergeant’s patrol vehicle. The sergeant stopped and attempted to make contact with the child, who then fled on foot. 

Police said the 10-year-old was later located at a nearby apartment and released to his mother’s custody after she was informed of the incident. 

The gun was recovered and determined to be a realistic-looking replica, police said. 

In their statement, police said the incident highlights the importance of gun safety and responsible supervision of children. 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Yuengling Black and Tan cans are stacked in the warehouse of the D.G. Yuengling & Son Brewery Mill Creek plant on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (Lindsey Shuey/Republican-Herald via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced Friday that more than $1.36 million in grants will be awarded to support Pennsylvania’s craft beer and brewed beverage industry. 

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, nine grants totaling $1,363,416 will help fund festivals, beer trails and promotional efforts aimed at increasing sales, production and product quality across the state. 

State officials said the funding supports Pennsylvania’s craft brewing industry, which ranks second nationally in economic impact and number of craft breweries, according to the Brewers Association. 

The Brewers Association reported that Pennsylvania’s craft brewing industry generated an economic impact of $4.887 billion in 2025, with 538 craft breweries producing more than 1.9 million barrels annually.