Category: News

Sources: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers to visit Steelers, likely to play for team in 2026

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) leaves the field after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar,File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend and is likely to play for the team this season, sources told NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on Thursday.

However, sources told ESPN there is currently no agreement between Rodgers and the Steelers.

Steelers president Art Rooney II told NFL Network last week that he remained confident Rodgers would be Pittsburgh’s quarterback in 2026 and believed the uncertainty would be resolved soon. Rooney previously said during the NFL’s annual meeting in late March that the organization expected a decision from Rodgers before the NFL Draft, though that deadline passed without an agreement.

With Rodgers still unsigned in free agency, the Steelers applied the rarely used unrestricted free agent tender to the quarterback late last month. The move ensures Pittsburgh could receive a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers signs elsewhere.

If Rodgers signs the tender, he would receive a 10% raise over last season’s salary, earning approximately $15 million this year. The tender also gives the Steelers exclusive negotiating rights if Rodgers does not sign with another team by July 22 or the first day of training camp, whichever comes later.

Breeze Airways adds nonstop service flight from Pittsburgh International Airport to Louisville

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh International Airport Airside Terminal)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Breeze Airways has launched new nonstop service from Pittsburgh International Airport to Louisville.

The route will operate twice weekly, with flights scheduled on Thursdays and Sundays. One-way fares start at $69.

Earlier this week, Breeze also announced three additional nonstop routes from Pittsburgh to Vero Beach, Punta Cana, and Cancun.

Two people taken into custody for possible “suspicious activity” in Chippewa Township

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Chippewa Township, PA) The Chippewa Police Department took two people into custody Thursday morning in Chippewa Township. 

Police said officers conducted a traffic stop near First National Bank at about 9:13 a.m. and apprehended two individuals in connection with reported suspicious activity. The individuals were reportedly spotted outside the Home Depot prior to the stop. 

Authorities said the individuals were identified at the scene and transported to the police station in Chippewa. 

Springdale woman hits deer with her vehicle in New Sewickley Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported that a 30-year-old Springdale woman was involved in a single-vehicle crash Sunday in New Sewickley Township. 

Police said Sonitha Louissaint was traveling eastbound on Interstate 76 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike when her vehicle struck a deer at about 10:38 p.m. 

No injuries were reported. 

Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds reaches 1,000th career hits

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds, left, connects for a single as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno reaches for the ball during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds recorded his 1,000th career hit in the third inning of the team’s 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Wednesday.

It was one of two hits Reynolds collected in the game, and he also added a stolen base.

Reynolds became just the fifth player in Pirates history to record 1,000 hits, 200 doubles, and 140 home runs, joining Andrew McCutchen, Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, and Roberto Clemente.

Kennywood recognizing two employees who have worked at the park for 50 years

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Kennywood Park)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(West Mifflin, PA) Kennywood will honor two longtime employees this weekend for each reaching 50 years of service at the park. 

Larry Russ and Bobby Trygar will be recognized during a special ceremony Saturday. The park plans to unveil and dedicate benches in their honor. 

Russ began working at Kennywood in 1976 as a games employee at the Big Apple dart game before joining the park’s security department. Over the past 45 years, he has served in several roles, including corporal, lieutenant, chief and captain. Park officials said he continues to work security at both Kennywood and Sandcastle Water Park. 

Trygar also started at the park in 1976, working at the Parkside Cafe before moving into the maintenance department. Officials said he has helped maintain several of the park’s iconic attractions, including the Racer, the Log Jammer and the Merry-Go-Round. 

The ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday near the Old Mill. 

Police chase through several Beaver County communities concerns residents

(File Photo of a Center Township Police Department Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Viewer video sent to WPXI captured part of a police chase Tuesday evening near Temple Road and Edgewood Avenue in Hopewell Township. 

The video appears to show a white Toyota speeding down a residential street while being pursued by several police vehicles from the Center Township Police Department and Monaca Police Department. 

Witnesses reported seeing the chase in multiple communities, including Monaca and Aliquippa. One driver said the vehicle sped past her on Route 18 near the Shell cracker plant, while another person wrote on social media that the car nearly struck her head-on on Buchanan Street in Aliquippa. 

Monaca police said information about the incident would be released by Center Township police. 

Center Township police confirmed the pursuit began in their jurisdiction and continued into neighboring communities before officers ended the chase near the Hopewell line. 

Police have not said why the driver was being pursued, citing the ongoing investigation. 

State Representative Rob Matzie: $250,000 secured for HVAC pre-apprenticeship program

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) Beaver County students will gain new pre-apprenticeship opportunities in the HVAC industry through a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, according to Rob Matzie. 

Matzie said the Schools-to-Work grant was awarded to the Steamfitters Local Union No. 449 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee to launch an HVAC pre-apprenticeship program. 

The program is designed to connect students with in-demand careers through hands-on training and industry partnerships and will serve students in Beaver County and other parts of western Pennsylvania. 

Schools-to-Work grants support employers, schools and community organizations in developing apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pathways that help students transition from school into the workforce.

Trailer catches on fire in Brighton Township

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Fire crews were dispatched to the 1000 block of Dutch Ridge Road following reports of an equipment fire Wednesday. 

Units responded within two minutes and arrived to find a trailer fully engulfed in flames. 

Firefighters used foam to battle the fire because of the materials involved, and crews brought the blaze under control without further incident. 

No injuries were reported. 

Paul Skenes throws 8 innings of 2-hit ball, leads Pirates to a 1-0 win over the D-backs

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes warms up during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX (AP) — Paul Skenes threw eight brilliant innings in one of the best outings of the young star’s career, Brandon Lowe hit a solo homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Skenes — the defending National League Cy Young award winner — retired the first 14 batters he faced until Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a soft dribbler down the third-base line for a single. The right-handed pitcher tried to make the play, but his throw was well wide of first base.

Nolan Arenado followed with a line drive single to left, but that was the final baserunner Skenes allowed. The 23-year-old struck out seven, including the final three batters he faced in the eighth.

He threw 97 pitches, including 65 strikes.

Gregory Soto worked around a one-out walk in the ninth to earn his second save.

Lowe’s homer to center field was a towering shot that traveled 435 feet and bounced off the batter’s eye. Bryan Reynolds earned his 1,000th career hit on a single in the third, finished the night with two hits and also had a stolen base.

D-backs right-hander Michael Soroka (4-2) gave up several hard-hit balls in the first — including Lowe’s homer — but had more success as the game progressed. He went 6 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and two walks while striking out six.

Skenes (5-2) has never thrown a nine-inning complete game in his big-league career. He threw 8 1/3 innings once in 2024 and threw an eight-inning complete game last season in a 1-0 loss against the Phillies.

Up next

The D-backs start RHP Zac Gallen (1-2, 4.45 ERA) on Thursday while the Pirates counter with RHP Mitch Keller (3-1, 2.85) in the finale of the three-game series.