FILE – A makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Pittsburgh, Oct. 29, 2018. The man charged in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history has for years been trying unsuccessfully to avoid having a federal jury decide whether to convict him of shooting to death 11 people during services in a Pittsburgh synagogue, a trial scheduled to get underway with jury selection in less than two weeks. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

The Pennsylvania man charged with killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue tried for years to avoid a federal jury trial. Ultimately those efforts failed, and jury selection is less than two weeks away. The 50-year-old Robert Bowers had offered to plead guilty to the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history only if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table. But the Justice Department rejected that offer. Some argue the death penalty was made for egregious cases like the Tree of Life massacre. But families of some victims wanted the deal, in part to avoid painful testimony when the case goes to trial.

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published April 13, 2023 3:04 P.M.

(Brighton Township, PA) A Brighton Township pharmacy is growing fast and working everyday to better serve area residents. Hometown Pharmacy opened in Brighton Township roughly 5 years ago. Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Operations, Ron McDermott RPh, told Beaver County Radio he is happy the business is in a position to grow with special thanks to the help and support of St. Barnabas as well as the great work of their employees. “Now we’re serving residents next door at Beaver Meadows, and in Gibsonia”.

The pharmacy recently moved across the street from the St. Barnabas Tusca Plaza into the former Huntington Bank building on Tuscarawas Road.  McDermott says work isn’t done just yet, as crews are currently installing a drive thru. He says it should be finished by mid-may.  McDermott says they are trying to get the word out that they’ve moved, as customers have still been arriving at their former location. While a new sign is set to be built out front in the near future, new and existing customers can look for the flags waving alongside the road in the meantime. Photos of the new location can be viewed below.

ROCHESTER, PA – In a continued effort to promote beneficial family services, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) will be hosting his 12^th Annual Kids Extravaganza on Saturday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at CCBC – Athletics and Events Center, 1 Campus Drive in Monaca.

While vendors will be present to share information about services they can provide for parents and their children, there will be plenty of fun activities offered for kids to take part in including face painting, a coloring contest, special character performances, a selfie station, and more.

Families are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for a chance to throw a pie at Vogel. The Beaver County District Attorney Dave Lozier will be present with a Drug Take Back box for disposal of expired or unused medications.

“There are many instances where parents aren’t aware of all the services available to them on a local level, which is why I host this event each year.” said Vogel. “It is a great opportunity to see families come together for not only a day of fun activities but a day for parents to gather helpful information to continue to propel their families forward. I look forward to seeing all who can attend this year!”

This event is sponsored by Brighton Hot Dog Shop, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Heritage Valley Health System, Provident Charter School, Riverside Family Chiropractic, Rosalind Candy Castle, and Spokane Orthodontics.

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

Artist rendering submitted by Kennywood shown above
Kennywood released the following statement regarding their partnership with Primanti Bros.:

In the ultimate 412 Day celebration, Kennywood announces a partnership with Primanti Bros. to create the ultimate fan and guest experience with its first-ever theme park-based location. In celebration of Kennywood’s 125^th and Primanti Bros. 90^th birthday, it’s the perfect marriage of two iconic Pittsburgh brands.

The new restaurant will be located in Lost Kennywood and feature the almost-famous Primanti Bros. sandwiches, featuring house-made coleslaw, fresh-cut fries, Italian bread, and your meat of choice.

“I’ve been going to Kennywood and Primanti Bros. for more than 40 years – just like many Pittsburghers,” said Adam Golomb, CEO of Primanti Bros. “So, finalizing this partnership to open Primanti Bros. inside Kennywood has us very excited. And to be able to announce on 412 Day – it’s about as big a yinzsplosion as we can handle. We’ll see you this spring inside the park.”

“As a staple in the Pittsburgh community, we are thrilled to bring another beloved Pittsburgh brand to Kennywood this season as we both celebrate milestone years,” said Mark Pauls, Kennywood General Manager. “There’s no better present for our guests on this 412 Day than to announce this iconic partnership.”

Primanti Bros. Restaurant is expected to open in the park later this spring. Kennywood will open for its 125^th season on Saturday, April 22.

TSA officers prevented a Beaver Falls, Pa., man from carrying this handgun through the security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport on April 9. (TSA photo)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A Beaver County, Pa., man was arrested on Sunday, April 9, after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) stopped the man with a loaded gun in his carry-on bag. The 9 mm firearm was loaded with five bullets.

When the TSA officer spotted the gun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, airport police were alerted, came to the checkpoint and confiscated the weapon and arrested the man, a resident of Beaver Falls, Pa. In addition to being arrested, the man also faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty. Federal penalties for bringing weapons to the checkpoint can run as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.

“The spring travel season is upon us and checkpoint operations are very busy,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “We’ve seen an increase in travelers, and I am personally grateful that TSA officers here at Pittsburgh and across the country remain focused on their mission. Let this incident serve as a reminder to others who are traveling with a firearm, to take a few moments before you come to the airport to refresh your familiarity with the proper procedures on how to pack a gun for a flight. Firearms should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage.”

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms only in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. Then the locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

Firearms are not permitted through a security checkpoint because passengers should not have access to a firearm during a flight. This even applies to travelers with concealed carry permits or are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, who will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint.  Individuals who bring their gun to a security checkpoint also face a federal financial civil penalty.

This is the 6th weapon caught in a checkpoint so far in 2023 at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 13, 2023 7:40 A.M.  

(Ambridge, PA) Ambridge Borough Manager Mario Leone announced at Tuesday’s council meeting on March 16 the borough was notified that they will receive a $400,000.00 CFA Multi-Modal Grant for its Streetscape Project. On March 17, the borough submitted Federal Appropriations to both Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman and Congressman Chris Deluzio for $2 million for the borough’s proposed Community Center/Recreational Complex. The borough received a $12,500.00 Humanities Grant for the continuation of the Heart and Soul Program, they have to apply to PA DCED for an additional $12,500.00. A Creative Communities Grant for $6,500 was received for the 5th Street Park Mural for the 2024 Bicentennial for Old Economy and Ambridge Mr. Leone reported that the borough applied for a DCNR  grant for $600,000.00 with a 50% match for the P.J. Caul Park Improvement Project.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 13, 2023 7:29 A.M. 

(Ambridge, PA) Ambridge Fire Department responded to a fire in nearby Bell Acres Borough recently. Jordan Turner, one the department’s firefighters,  saved the resident’s dog, he also conducted a program on Career Day at Highland Elementary School.  He was named the borough’s Employee of the Month.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published April 13, 2023 7:26 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) PA State police were called to the Eleanor Roosevelt Apartments , 740  Sheffield Avenue at 12:07 a.m. Wednesday to assist Aliquippa Police and take over the investigation into the death of a 40 year old female. No foul play is suspected, and the investigation is still open, according got a state police report issued Wednesday afternoon.