(File Photo of Pittsburgh Penguins Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) On Sunday, a new program was established to expand hockey for girls, thanks to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Pennies Girls Hockey Program, which is named after the first women’s hockey team in the city, is working to give more opportunities for girls to play hockey while promoting equality for both males and females in the sport. According to USA Hockey, the growth of women in the sport of hockey in Western Pennsylvania is much more prevalent over the previous fifteen years, increasing by eighty percent. Some of the original members of the Pittsburgh Pennies will have a clinic for girls ten to twelve years of age today to get on the ice and have a conversation with them about how women’s hockey has prospered in Pittsburgh.  

(File Photo of Police Lights)

(Reported by Beaver Coutny Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on December 2nd, 2024 at 7:53 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa Police are looking for four black males after an incident over the weekend. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024, they were dispatched to the 200 block of Linmar Terrace for a report of four black males wearing masks hanging out of a black Lincoln sedan, discharging firearms. Officers, as they were in route, spotted the vehicle and on Kennedy Boulevard and Waugaman Street, the vehicle fled from police, and was found abandoned on Spring Street. It was reported that the males fled on foot. Police reported the vehicle was towed from the scene and is being processed.  Anyone having information on the males is asked to contact police at 724-775-0880 

(Photo Credit to Misty Lane of Farm Performance Horses provided with Release and/or Flyer)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on December 2nd, 2024 at 6:51 A.M.)

(Ambridge, PA) A Christmas celebration returns to Old Economy Village in Ambridge this weekend. The streets of Ambridge will be filled with lights and carol singing, along with some carriages drawn by horses, and festive shops that you can get a tour of for a Christmas from the past in the village located in Ambridge. According to a release from the Ambridge Historic District and their Economic Development Corporation, “Christmas in the Village” will occur on Saturday, December 7th from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, December 8th from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and you can visit AmbridgeHistoricDistrict.org for more information.

(File Photo of Beaver County Sheriff’s Office Logo Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office is using a coloring contest to give out joy to the community. Sergeant Jenn Hamrick has done this since 2017, and she has enjoyed the effect that it has on the kids that have made the winning drawings, both interacting with those who work at the office as well as Carl, the therapy dog there. Hamrick also gives out prizes to four age groups, given by the money that Hamrick provides, with the prizes from local businesses. If your child wants to participate, they can stop at the Brady’s Run Ice Arena or the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office to pick up a picture, which needs to be returned by December 20th to be able to have a chance at winning a prize. 

File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A shopper carries bags down Fifth Avenue on Black Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in New York. Holiday sales rose as shoppers showed some resilience during the most important shopping season despite surging prices on everything from food to rent. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File )

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pennsylvania) A survey that was conducted across the nation confirmed that policies to return items are causing buyers here in America to keep things that people do not want instead of returning them, according to Media Specialist Jen LeMair. The survey concludes that:

• 75% of consumers have kept unwanted items due to complicated or expensive return processes, losing an average of $78 

• 71% avoid shopping from online retailers that charge for mailed returns 

• 89% believe retailers should extend their return windows during the holiday season 

LeMair finds that the survey listed close to half of people in America returning a single gift or either two or three as the holiday season continues and that a quarter of people that buy products look at the policies for returns before buying something.

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Second-grade students select their meals during lunch break in the cafeteria at an elementary school in Scottsdale, Ariz., Dec. 12, 2022. On Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, U.S. agriculture officials proposed new nutrition standards for school meals, including the first-ever limits on added sugars, with a focus on sweetened foods such as cereals, yogurt, flavored milk and breakfast pastries. (AP Photo/Alberto Mariani, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) If you are looking to stay healthy this weekend after a hearty Thanksgiving meal, several restaurants in Beaver County offer meals that are gluten-free. From new local spots like “The Grumpy Beaver” in Bridgewater to literally writing the option in the name at “Seriously, It’s Gluten Free” at the Beaver Valley Mall, finding options to adjust for those with gluten allergies are becoming more prevalent in Beaver County.

Here are some places that you can try out gluten-free items locally:

Beaver Bagel Company in Bridgewater, Beaver Falls Coffee and Tea in Beaver Falls, Crumbs and Cones Bakery in Beaver Falls, Firehouse Subs in Center Township, Hank’s Frozen Custard in Rochester Township, Harrold’s Inn in Hopewell Township, Java Hut in Chippewa Township, Jersey Mike’s Subs in Center Township, Jimmy Johns in Center Township, Katy’s Homestyle Bakery in Ellwood City, Kopicko’s Pizza in New Brighton, Merchant Coffee in Ambridge, Pizza Joes, Pizza Masters in Hopewell Township, Punks Ice Cream in Baden, Seriously, It’s Gluten Free at the Beaver Valley Mall, ShuBrew in Zelienople, The Grumpy Beaver in Bridgewater, The Ultimate Pastry Shop in Sewickley and Vesuvio’s in Center Township.

(File Photo of Hopewell Area School District Logo)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on November 28th, 2024 at 8: A.M.)

(Hopewell, PA) At Tuesday night’s school board meeting, it was announced that the PIAA approved the cooperative agreement with the schools.

(Photo Provided with Release)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Midland, PA) According to a release from Rick Orienza, the Director of Marketing and Corporate Relations for Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, their 2024-2025 Clearview Federal Credit Union Subscription Series, Raise Your Voice! goes on with the show The Gift of the Magi, which brings an O. Henry classic story to life this holiday season. Orienza confirms that the Blackbox Theater will be the stage for this production with show dates of December 6-8, 12-15, and 19-22, as audience members will follow two poor lovers, Jim and Della, in their journey in which love is better than anything that people possess. Orienza also states that $20 is the price of tickets, which can be accessed by checking out LincolnParkArts.org or you can contact the Lincoln Park Box Office at 724-576-4644. 

(File-Photo of Rep. Matzie speaking at the Pa. House)

 AMBRIDGE, Nov. 27 – New safety resources and mental health supports are coming to public schools in the 16^th Legislative District thanks to new grants totaling nearly $1.1 million from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

“A safe place to learn is the foundation for every other educational resource we provide our students,” Matzie said. “But creating a secure learning environment isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition, and our school administrators are continually assessing safety needs and updating plans. The new funding, which comes from the FY 2024-25 budget, will ensure that the schools in our district are able to meet those evolving needs.”

Matzie said the following funding was awarded to District 16 public schools for safety resources and student mental health programs:

• Aliquippa SD – $122,772
• Ambridge Area SD – $147,195
• Baden Academy CS – $70,000
• Beaver County CTC – $70,000
• Beaver Valley IU 27 – $70,000
• Central Valley SD – $141,117
• Freedom Area SD – $123,809
• Hopewell Area SD – $139,024
• Provident Charter School West – $70,000
• Rochester Area SD – $114,790

In addition to the public school funding, Matzie said the following grants were awarded for Beaver County nonpublic school safety resources:

• $75,000 to the New Sewickley Township Police Department for security resource services to Freedom Area SD.
• $70,000 to McGuire Memorial, which operates a school.
• $63,715 to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School.
• $33,000 to Beaver County Christian School – Upper.

The awards are part of the $120 million FY 2024-25 budget package signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro supporting improved safety and security and mental health supports for students and staff in Pennsylvania’s public and private K-12 schools. A complete list of funding is available on PCCD’s website here: https://www.pccd.pa.gov/schoolsafety/Pages/default.aspx.

Photo of sign in front of New Brighton Borough Building taken by Frank Sparks, Beaver County Radio General Manager in 2018

The Thanksgiving holiday will not affect refuse and recycling collection in New Brighton Borough.  Aiken Refuse will continue to provide daily service this entire week, including Thursday.

The New Brighton Borough Municipal Building will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, December 2.