(AP) Lottery players will have another shot Tuesday night at a massive Mega Millions prize that ranks as the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history.

The estimated $1.55 billion prize has been gradually building for months thanks to 31 straight drawings without a jackpot winner. The last time someone won the game’s top prize was April 18.

Each drawing without a winner pushes the prize closer to the record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot that someone in California won last year.

Mega Millions jackpot winners are so rare thanks to odds of 1 in 302.6 million.

The $1.55 billion payout would go to a winner who opts for an annuity, doled out over 30 years. But people usually prefer a lump sum option, which for Tuesday’s jackpot would be an estimated $757.2 million.

The money would be subject to federal taxes. Many states also tax lottery winnings.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie infielder Liover Peguero had two hits in a six-run third inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates chased Spencer Strider early before holding off the Atlanta Braves for a rain-delayed 7-6 victory Monday night.

Connor Joe homered in the fourth to help the fourth-place Pirates hand the major league-leading Braves their third consecutive defeat. Pittsburgh ended an eight-game losing streak to Atlanta that dated to 2021.

Strider (12-4), runner-up in NL Rookie of the Year voting last season, matched a career low by pitching just 2 2/3 innings. He also lasted only 2 2/3 innings a year to the day prior against the New York Mets.

Strider had gone 8-1 in his previous 12 starts. He allowed five hits, walked three and struck out three.

“You’re going to have bad starts from time to time,” Strider said. “But you can’t have a bad start to this level.”

Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2) retired all four batters he faced for the win.

The Braves closed to 7-6 in the ninth when Michael Harris II hit a leadoff double and scored on Ozzie Albies’ groundout, but closer David Bednar held on for his 23rd save in 25 opportunities.

“These last three games, we’ve been right there. We’ve been a hit away, but it makes it hard when you have to come from behind,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “We brought the tying run or the winning run to the plate each of the last three days, but we didn’t make it happen.”

Matt Olson had two hits and drove in two runs for Atlanta, raising his season total to 99 RBIs. Albies hit his 26th home run and Austin Riley had two hits.

The Pirates broke a scoreless tie with their big third inning on the way to their third win in four games.

Peguero led off with a double and scored on Joe’s groundout. Pittsburgh added five more in the inning with two outs as Andrew McCutchen hit an RBI double and scored on Henry Davis’ single before Jared Triolo had a two-run single. Peguero capped the rally by greeting reliever Michael Tonkin with a run-scoring single.

“When I made good pitches they were spoiling them or putting them in play, and then I stopped making good pitches,” Strider said. “Maybe I needed to be more aggressive, needed to go right at them. Again, it’s easy to say in hindsight.”

A week after trading four veteran players at the deadline, the Pirates were happy to beat a team like the Braves and one of the better young pitchers in the game.

“It was awesome. It was a great inning,” Triolo said. “I think it really helped change the momentum of the game, obviously. Putting up early runs like that, it was really good. Running (Strider) out of there, too, that was awesome.”

The Braves chased Pirates starter Osvaldo Bido during a four-run fourth that drew them within 6-4. Albies homered with one out before Olson and Marcell Ozuna hit RBI singles. The fourth run scored on Davis’ error in right field.

Bido allowed four runs — three earned — in four innings.

Joe led off the bottom half with a home run against Tonkin. The Braves got a run back in the fifth when Olson singled to make it 7-5.

The game was delayed for 78 minutes after the fifth because of rain.

St. Barnabas Charities hosted the 32nd annual Free Care 5K on Saturday, August 5, 2023 presented by Paracca Interiors Flooring America. The race was held at the St. Barnabas Gibsonia campus on Meridian Road.

Top honors went to first place finisher Jed Christiansen, of Greenville, crossing the finish line with a time of 15:12. Overall female winner is Claire Anderson of Jamestown, PA with a time of 17:58.

Followed by:

Male 2nd Place: Dale Hall, Allison Park, PA 15:23

Female 2nd Place: Meg Griffith, Pleasant Hills, PA 19:07

Male 3rd Place: Julian Paul, Pittsburgh, PA 15:44

Female 3rd Place: Amy Brown, Valencia, PA 19:10

Wheelchair finisher: Andrew Grossmann, Butler, PA 21:54

Master Category: Terry Beacom, 17:53 and Erika Shuhy, 19:47

Grand Master: Eric Shafer 18:04 and Tammy Slusser, 21:32

Team Results
First place: Cute Men Running Track with a total time of 48:43
Second place: Tom Cat Elite clocked a time of 49:53
Third place: Team Beer 61:24

Participants enjoyed a post-race party that included four food trucks, live music by The Rock Station DJ Jay Kline, and free drink and protein bar samples by Ready Nutrition.

To view full results from the 32nd annual St. Barnabas Free Care 5K, visit www.RunHigh.com.

Competitive and amateur runners, joggers, walkers, teams, stroller pushers and wheelchair racers of all ages enjoyed a rolling 3.1 mile out and back course. Cash prizes and medals were awarded during a post-race party that also featured raffle prizes and food.

Proceeds benefited the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which provides more than $6 million in care to residents and patients that cannot afford their care. To learn more, visit FreeCare5K.com, call 724-625-3770 or to donate to the Free Care Fund, TEXT the word GIVE to 41444. Save the date for the next Free Care K on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Gas prices are four cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.909 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                      $3.909
Average price during the week of July 31, 2023                                                $3.863
Average price during the week of August 8, 2022                                             $4.435

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.987      Altoona
$3.816      Beaver
$3.905      Bradford
$3.944      Brookville
$3.898      Butler
$3.939      Clarion
$3.977      DuBois
$3.972      Erie
$3.903      Greensburg
$3.891      Indiana
$3.911      Jeannette
$3.883      Kittanning
$3.920      Latrobe
$3.967      Meadville
$3.997      Mercer
$3.795      New Castle
$3.871      New Kensington
$4.001      Oil City
$3.852      Pittsburgh
$3.754      Sharon
$3.878      Uniontown
$3.999      Warren
$3.852      Washington

Trend Analysis:

The national average for a gallon of gas is continuing to trend higher, rising seven cents over the last week to $3.82. Pump price increases are primarily due to the price of oil, which has been staying close to $80 per barrel. Last month’s extreme heat also played a role in the recent gas price spike as some refineries pulled back on production, but operations are now returning to normal. Today’s national average is 29 cents more than a month ago but 24 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased slightly from 8.94 to 8.84 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 1.5 million barrels to 219.1 million barrels.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate decreased by $1.88 to settle at $79.49. Oil prices temporarily dropped after the U.S. credit rating declined, increasing market fears that oil demand could decline if the economy eases. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic, commercial crude inventories decreased by 17 million barrels to 439.8 million barrels.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Seven years after its establishment, a local food pantry cemented a milestone in their journey to combat food insecurity in Beaver County.

Families Matter Food Pantry held an official ribbon-cutting for their new distribution center at 186 Wagner Road in Monaca. The former site of the Steamfitters Union building is now responsible for maintaining and preserving different types of food for those in need. The event was hosted by director Rachel Triscila and assistant director Quina Price, in cooperation with the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce.

According to Price, Families Matter takes in roughly 239,000 pounds of food a month; ranging from fresh produce to packaged meals. The non-profit organization is an agency of the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, and they also receive local donations from farmers and other donors. The new facility of operation in Monaca has two major storage areas for produce and packaged foods, several cold storage areas for refrigerated foods and dairy, and a expansive walk-in freezer for frozen goods. The staff maintain the quality of the foods donated to Families Matter, before they are distributed during their hours of operation each week.

Families Matter has been cooperating with Lowe’s in Monaca for distributing food three days a week: Monday (for veterans only), Tuesday, and Thursday. Food is also distributed through several trucks to its parent distributor in the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank throughout the week.

Triscila and Price showed much gratitude and gratefulness that their operation, which started out under the Faith Restorations Inc. moniker back in 2016, but Triscila hinted at the possibility that this may not be the mountaintop. “We’re always looking to expand,” she told Beaver County Radio during the tour of the facility.

For now, though, they’re focusing on this new chapter of the pantry’s evolution, albeit with the same goal they’ve been pushing towards for nearly a decade.

FILE – Damarra Atkins pays respect to George Floyd at a mural at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, April 23, 2021. Tou Thao, the last former Minneapolis police officer to face sentencing in state court for his role in the killing of Floyd, will learn Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, whether he’ll spend any additional time in prison. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The last former Minneapolis police officer to face sentencing in state court for his role in the killing of George Floyd is expected to learn Monday whether he’ll spend any additional time in prison. Tou Thao has said he merely served as a “human traffic cone” in 2020 when he held back the crowd as former Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes as the Black man pleaded for his life. Minnesota guidelines have recommended four years for Thao’s conviction on an aiding and abetting manslaughter charge. He would serve that concurrently with his 3 1/2-year sentence on a federal civil rights charge.

HARRISBURG – To better inform local seniors of programs and services available to them, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) will be hosting his annual FREE Senior Expo on Friday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community College of Beaver County located at 1 Campus Drive in Monaca.

Representatives from various state and local organizations will be present to offer helpful information concerning healthcare, government services, and more to attending seniors.

Additionally, there will be refreshments, door prizes, and health screenings which are also free of charge.

Vendors for this event include, but are not limited to: AAA East Central, AARP, AARP- Driver Safety Program, Aetna Medicare Solutions, Allegheny County Health Department- Injury Prevention Program, Anova Health Care System, The American Legion, Beaver County Association for the Blind, Beaver County District Attorney, Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, Cambridge Retirement Living, CapTel Outreach, Columbia Gas of PA, Den-Mar Consulting, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley, Franciscan Manor Senior Living, Gallagher Home Health and Hospice, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medic Rescue, MRS Physical Therapy, Patriot Home Care, PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PA Relay, Senior Select Plans, Inc/ Alyson Gross, St. Barnabas Beaver Meadows, Successful Financial Solutions/ American Senior Benefits, and Tri Rivers Musculoskeletal Centers.

For further information, contact Vogel’s Cranberry District Office at 878-978-2575.

BEAVER FALLS, PA – Stray Cat Studio, the new owner of the former PNC branch at 2200 9th Ave in Beaver Falls, and home to the “Baby Bello”, phase one of the county’s newest Portobello Cultural Life & Arts Center. We welcome the public to a Grand Opening celebration for both on Saturday, September 9 from 4-7 PM, rain or shine.

With a ribbon cutting, local business basket raffles, music, pottery demonstrations, a clay project (open to the public), and food trucks (offered partly in sponsorship with Brighton Music Center, Jumet Financial, and Chelsea Party Center), the celebration will also include a birthday cake cutting and tours of the newly renovated building. RSVPs, though not required, are highly recommended as they include an entry into a prize drawing offered by co-sponsor, Stray Cat Studio.

Celebrating 10 years in business, Stray Cat Studio’s new location will allow it to house a much larger and more exclusive pottery production department than the former location, and an expanded space for members and classes, including 12 pottery wheels, a separate kiln room, event spaces, and 2nd-floor offices for the staff.  The Baby Bello, a scaled-down first phase of the future Portobello Cultural Life & Arts Center, waylaid by the COVID-19 pandemic, will offer a flexible-use space for community-driven programming as well as Bello-hosted events including, but not limited to lectures, yoga, social gatherings, business meetings, book clubs, script/author readings, music, spoken word, performing arts classes, & pop-up gallery showings.

After years of pivoting to get this project up and running for the community, Renee Suhr, Owner of Stray Cat Studio reflects, “This will be an amazing place to hang out or meet up with friends. One person might be coming in for a fundraiser and bump into a friend who is there for a yoga or a pottery class, for instance. Our building will be a place where all kinds of people can meet on common ground and shared interests.”

Stray Cat will continue to provide all the same classes and pottery production they have been, only on a slightly larger scale and now alongside the vitality of the Baby Bello activities and presence in the building.

 “The Baby Bello will answer the lack of community gathering spaces we heard a need for prior to the pandemic,” stated Joline Atkins, Director of Artistic Programs for the Baby Bello, adding, “Now, as many are craving in-person gatherings, even on smaller scales, we have the answer for artistic, educational, and civic gatherings – and in a setting surrounded by artists, which comes with an added dollop of inspiration!”

Community members will be glad to know the PNC ATM will remain operable at the site. Because the Baby Bello and Stray Cat strive to be good neighbors, community members can expect a cleaner, more well-lit experience. Patrons should also expect some changes to the parking lot for safety and ATM convenience.

“To be a part of a growing small business that has such a dynamic, positive impact on the community is thrilling,” shared Stray Cat Studio’s new Operations Manager, Helen Kissick. The former President & Executive Director for the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce continued, “We’re eagerly looking forward to this new space that will serve our community and staff for years to come!”

PITTSBURGH — Duquesne Light Holdings (DLH), which encompasses Duquesne Light Company, The Efficiency Network and DQE Communications, today announced the promotion of Samantha Hartzman to head of social impact and chief diversity officer, effective Aug. 1. Hartzman, who previously served as the organization’s senior manager of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate giving, will further build upon DLH’s culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as it continues advancing the region’s clean energy future.

“As DLH makes greater strides in delivering a clean energy future for our customers and communities, we remain steadfast in our work to have a positive social impact,” said Christine Waller, vice president of communications and corporate responsibility at DLH. “As Sam creates a performance framework to enhance our DEI initiatives, we’ll be able to drive even better and more inclusive results that benefit our workforce, customers and region. Additionally, as we conducted deliberate and thoughtful efforts to find the right candidate for this critical role, we leveraged the opportunity to reflect on our strengths and opportunities through meaningful dialogue with members of the DEI community, and I believe that these trusted partnerships will continue to be an essential ingredient to our success.”

Following a comprehensive internal and external search, the decision to promote Hartzman demonstrates DLH’s commitment to empower leaders who have a proven and positive influence on the organization and those it serves. Hartzman’s new role also further aligns the company’s DEI aspirations to broader social impact initiatives as part of its ESG journey.

“Sam’s vision for the untapped potential of our culture, community initiatives and ESG efforts stood out as strengths in her candidacy for this incredibly important position,” added Kevin Walker, president and CEO at DLH. “Under her leadership, we will continue to amplify our efforts to create a workplace that is inclusive and equitable for all and representative of the diversity that enriches our region, while also supporting the vibrant and unique neighborhoods where we work and live.”

Hartzman has a bachelor’s degree in English and American studies from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also recently graduated from The Advanced Leadership Institute’s Executive Leadership Academy, delivered in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. The program includes executive coaching and mentoring and provides hands-on guidance from renowned academic and industry experts.

Hartzman resides in the North Hills with her husband and son.