(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A nurse, prepares a combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for a patient at a pediatrics clinic in Easley, S.C., March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon, File)

(LANCASTER COUNTY, PA-AP) Pennsylvania health officials reported a fifth measles-associated death Wednesday as the U.S. endures its worst year for the disease since 1991.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said the person was from Lancaster County and was unvaccinated. The state did not provide any further information about the person who died. Lancaster County’s coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, said that his office did not handle the death and that state officials have not provided him with any details.

The state’s other deaths have included an 18-year-old resident of Mifflin County, in the center of the state; a 40-year-old woman from Jefferson County, a rural area in western Pennsylvania; and two infants in Lancaster County, in the southeastern part of the state.

None of them were vaccinated, according to the state health department. The infants were too young for vaccinations, according to current recommendations.

The U.S. has now seen eight reported measles-associated deaths in the last two years — more than the combined total of reported deaths over the previous three decades.

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak continues to grow, with 943 illnesses reported so far this year across 39 counties. The measles-associated deaths are the first reported in the state in 35 years, state officials say.

The nation eliminated the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but they have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. Meanwhile, measles infections have been surging in recent years.

In November, international health officials will meet to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.

The problem has been years in the making, as fewer kids get routine vaccines because of parental waivers, healthcare access issues and rampant disinformation. More recently, Trump administration health officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have questioned and sown doubt about the established safety of vaccines at an unprecedented level while also defunding local efforts to improve vaccination rates.

(File Photo of the Vitalant Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) A nurse and mother who celebrated her fourth anniversary of beating a fast-growing aggressive form of invasive breast cancer recently is now joining nonprofit Vitalant to call for more community members to give blood during the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Blood donors played a key role at two different points in the treatment of Amy McCarter. A platelet transfusion first helped her to have the strength to continue her chemotherapy. When she prepared for surgery and radiation, a blood transfusion assisted in counteract anemia so she can be able to move forward, keep going her treatment, take care of her kids and eventually return to work. 

According to McCarter: “I am here today because of incredible medical care, an army of people who supported me, and yes, because someone donated blood. Blood donation is life-giving. Blood donation is lifesaving. And somewhere, right now, someone is counting on a stranger to give. Please be that stranger.” 

Over one-quarter of the nation’s blood supply helps patients that are receiving cancer treatment, while chronic illnesses, trauma care and transplant surgeries require blood each day, which makes regular donation a community need that is constant

Donors of all blood types are constantly needed to help patients, especially those that have the most-transfused type O. O-negative blood can help any patient, which makes it vital in emergencies, and O-positive blood can help patients with a positive blood type, which is over 85% of the population.   

Vitalant donors who give between October 1st-31st will be entered automatically to win one of two $10,000 gift cards. You can give in these ways: visit vitalant.org, use and download the Vitalant blood donor app (click here) or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). 

According to a release from Vitalant, here are some upcoming local blood drives:

Upcoming Blood Drives
  

Beaver County

Darlington
Monday, Oct. 19
Lions-Little Beaver – Darlington Twp Building/Banquet Room
3590 Darlington Rd.
1 PM – 7 PM 

New Brighton
Friday, Oct. 9
DeFilippi Rich Replenishment – YMCA/Multi-Purpose Gym
2236 3rd Ave.
12 PM – 6 PM 

Lawrence County 

New Castle
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Shenango High School – Gymnasium
2550 Ellwood Rd.
8 AM – 1 PM 

Friday, Oct. 30
Holy Spirit Parish-New Castle – St. Camillus Church/McGurk Hall
314 West Englewood Ave.
11 AM – 4 PM 

New Wilmington
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Wilmington Area High School – Gymnasium
400 Wood St.
8 AM – 12:30 PM 

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at today’s Beaver County Commissioners’ work session at the County Courthouse.

One of them was when Commissioner Jack Manning praised a program from CCBC during the commissioners’ report.

Manning stated that it is the 10th anniversary of the Youth Ambassador Program, which is a program made up of middle school and high school students that are selected from their respective schools.

They are selected to learn about themselves when it comes to mental health and other topics like suicide prevention.

Manning noted that the Commissioners have a proclamation to celebrate the work that those that are involved with that program have done.

County Solicitor Garen Fedeles also noted that if anybody wants to be a poll worker in the conty, they should contact the County’s Elections Office.

Fedeles confirmed that 12,033 mail-in ballots have been processed, and most of them are out in the mail and have been received at this time.

Manning also let the audience of the session know that every county in Pennsylvania will be receiving a William Penn Peace Tree, which is an eastern pine tree.

The county will also get a plaque to symbolize the history that Pennsylvania has with William Penn.

More details are to come about a ceremony for planting that tree outside of the County Courthouse.

(Credit for Headline Photo and Photo Below: Photo Courtesy of Aliquippa Police, Posted on Facebook on September 29th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(File Photo of a Candle)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently awarded $1,975,000 in grants to three community organizations which provide suicide prevention services to Veterans in Pennsylvania.

This funding is part of grants worth a total of $112 million that were awarded to 191 organizations nationwide to support suicide prevention efforts.

These funds are made available through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) and they will become available at the start of fiscal year 2027.

(File Photo of Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Representative Emily Kinkead (D-20) were joined by state and local leaders and hunger advocates today at the Capitol Hunger Garden in Harrisburg as they discussed the increased effects of hunger across Pennsylvania and reflected on the end of the 16th Hunger Garden season.

According to Feeding Pennsylvania, one in seven Pennsylvanians are experiencing food insecurity. 

Vogel authored Senate Resolution 371, which designated September of 2026 as Hunger Action Month in Pennsylvania,

He also hosted a capitol and district food drive in September, which is when he collected nonperishable food items which were donated to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and a local food bank that was in the 47^th Senatorial District.

Kinkead sponsored House Resolution 317, a companion to Senate Resolution 371 that recognizes September in both 2025 and 2026 as Hunger Action Month.

She is also the prime sponsor of legislation which would provide universal school meals to all K-12 public schools students.

This will ensure that every child gets access to breakfast and lunch at school, regardless of their family’s ability to pay for it.

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported yesterday that forty-nine-year-old Kandace Baker of Ellwood City was charged after a single-vehicle crash occurred in Lawrence County on Sunday.

Baker was driving south on Highway 65 in Wayne Township at 3:50 p.m. and she fell asleep when she was driving.

She hit a concrete guide rail with her vehicle and was not injured as a result of this crash.

However, her eighteen-year-old passenger, Aiden Baker of Ellwood City complained that he had a right arm injury from the crash.

He was transported to the hospital.  

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a man from Idaho and his business for allegedly deceiving Pennsylvanians and businesses into purchasing fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits and associated training.

The lawsuit alleges that Kevin Wardell and Diverse Solutions, LLC, solicited and sold the fraudulent permits and training under the name “Spotted Lanternfly Commission.”

According to the lawsuit, Wardell and his business solicited Pennsylvanians, successfully in some cases, by mailing letters that included deceptive logos and terminology to appear as if they were from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Pennsylvania remains under a Quarantine Order that is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture so the state can address the infestation of the spotted lanternfly.

This order requires that certain businesses need to obtain a permit from the Department of Agriculture so they can ensure that the spotted lanternfly population does not increase or expand to neighboring areas.

BEAVER COUNTY RADIO

PITTSBURGH — The annual Women Who Rock benefit concert returns to Stage AE on Oct. 17, headlined by global pop icon Taylor Dayne.

More than just a concert, Women Who Rock (WWR) is a movement that brings together music, advocacy and philanthropy to support critical women’s health research. Tickets are at womenwhorock.info

Presented by Gibson Gives, this year’s concert will feature a dynamic, all female-fronted lineup. In addition to Dayne, the evening will showcase groundbreaking guitarist and vocalist Malina Moye, who will open the show with her signature National Anthem performance.

Returning to the WWR stage, The Vindys, out of Youngstown, Ohio, will deliver their high-energy blend of rock and soul, while Kalie Shorr will perform her empowering anthem “Fight Like A Girl” as part of the Survivors Who Rock tribute presented by UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. The event will also include DJ Formosa and a special appearance by the 2026 WWR Rising Star Contest winner.

Beyond the music, attendees will experience the signature Pink Carpet entrance presented by UPMC Health Plan, a Beauty Bar featuring complimentary beauty activations, a social sharing photo booth, and the Rockstar Silent Auction. A limited number of VIP tickets will provide access to an exclusive VIP Lounge, Gifting Suite, and pre-show happy hour. To see all event details visit: https://womenwhorock.info.

Women make up more than half of the global population, yet women’s health research receives less than 10 percent of federal funding. At a time when funding pressures continue to grow, the mission of Women Who Rock has never been more urgent. The benefit concert brings together artists, fans, and partners to raise awareness and provide critical funding for research that impacts women at every stage of life. All proceeds directly benefit the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation (MWRI), the nation’s first and largest research institute dedicated to women’s health.

Funds raised through Women Who Rock support research across a wide range of critical areas, including breast and gynecologic cancers, heart health, infectious diseases such as HIV and COVID-19, infertility, maternal and infant health, mental health, substance use disorders, and more. MWRI currently supports hundreds of active studies and has engaged more than 160,000 clinical trial participants globally, helping to advance life-saving discoveries and improve outcomes for women worldwide.

Melinda Colaizzi, founder & CEO of Women Who Rock, discussed the concert’s mission when she guested Wednesday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show with Scott Tady.

Listen here to Colaizzi’s WBVPO-WMBA  interview:

In a media release, Colaizzi said, ““Women Who Rock was built on the belief that music can spark real change. As women’s health research faces critical funding gaps, our mission has never been more urgent. We’re proud to welcome an extraordinary lineup of women who embody strength, resilience, and purpose, while helping raise vital funds for the life-saving work taking place every day at Magee-Womens Research Institute. Together, we’re proving that when women come together, we don’t just amplify voices—we accelerate progress and create meaningful, lasting impact. This concert is more than a performance—it’s a movement uniting voices to drive progress, fund life-saving research, and put women’s health where it belongs: center stage.”

Michael Annichine, CEO, Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation, added, “Women’s health continues to face significant gaps in clinical research, clinical trials, and funding As federal funding cuts and uncertainty impact research nationwide, the need for community support has never been greater. Partnerships with organizations like Women Who Rock and Gibson Gives help close critical funding gaps, fuel innovation, and raise awareness about the importance of investing in women’s health. Together, we can accelerate progress and change the way the world understands and treats women’s health.”