Church robs Gonzales of what would have been walk-off homer, preserves Cards’ 5-4 win over Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) leaps to make the catch on a fly ball by Pittsburgh Pirates’ Nick Gonzales to end the baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie Nathan Church ended the game by robbing Nick Gonzales of what would have been a walk-off, two-run homer by making a leaping catch at the left-field wall, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Ryan O’Hearn singled with one out in the ninth off Riley O’Brien and Marcell Ozuna struck out on three straight pitches. Gonzales drove a first-pitch slider to left, and Church jumped and caught the ball above the top of the 6-foot wall, 373 feet from home plate.

Gonzales’ drive would have been a home run in 27 of the 30 big league ballparks, according to MLB Statcast, all but PNC Park, Camden Yards and Globe Life Field.

O’Brien escaped with his eighth save in 10 chances as the Cardinals won their third straight in a four-game series that ends Thursday.

Pittsburgh has lost a season-high four straight. The Pirates went 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.

Andre Pallante (3-2) allowed one run and five hits in a season-high six innings.

Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs, three hits and four walks in five innings.

JJ Wetherholt hit a go-ahead RBI double in the third and Alec Burleson boosted the lead to 3-0 with a two-run homer in the fifth.

Spencer Horwitz cut the deficit when he homered in the bottom half, but Iván Herrera and Jordan Walker boosted the lead to 5-1 in the seventh with RBI singles against Chris Devenski.

Devenski’s contract was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis, and the 35-year-old right-hander debuted for the Pirates, his seventh major league team. He was charged with one run in two-third of an innings.

Pinch-hitter Nick Yorke had a two-run single in the bottom half against JoJo Romero, and Oneil Cruz grounded into a run-scoring forceout in the eighth off George Soriano.

Up next

RHP Hunter Dobbins, acquired from Boston in the Willson Contreras trade in December, is slated to make his Cardinals debut Thursday when Pittsburgh starts reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (4-2, 2.48).

Keeping dogs on leashes among topics discussed during most recent Commissioners’ work session

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed during the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session today at the County Courthouse. The main topic was when Commissioner Manning addressed the problem of people walking their dogs without having them on a leash. Manning stated that he has received close to a dozen complaints over the last month about this issue happening at Brady’s Run Park because people are either jogging or walking through there and are being approached by dogs that are not on a leash. He made it very clear that “dogs are supposed to be on leash.” Treasurer Sandie Egley suggested asking the dog warden about this issue. The other complaint that Manning received was about speeders going through Brady’s Run. Solicitor Garen Fedeles told him that the Brighton Township Police “take a more aggressive approach as the weather gets warmer.” Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp also asked Dan Cole, Director of Public Works, about the possible placing of lights at the paved walking path at Brady’s Run along Route 51. An audience member from Brighton Township named Ed Gray mentioned this at the Commissioners’ work session last Wednesday about considering doing so because of their condition. Cole expressed that there are lights present, he has not serviced them yet, and “it sounds like something burned out.” Manning also mentioned that he participated in an Autism Walk yesterday at Brady’s Run and congratulated the Beaver County Bar Association in celebrating their 150th anniversary. In other business, Recreation and Tourism Director Tony Caltury mentioned a ribbon cutting for a story walk at the Brady’s Run loop this Saturday. The story was written by sixth graders from the county. Manning mentioned that the ribbon cutting is also the launch of Beaver County History weekend.

Penn State Master Gardeners hosting annual spring plant sale in Beaver

(File Photo of Wildflowers)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) The Penn State Master Gardeners will hold their annual spring plant sale in Beaver ahead of Mother’s Day and the start of the gardening season.

The sale is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until sold out, on May 9 at the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce office.

Organizers said a variety of plants will be available, including native perennials such as milkweed, monarda, purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and asters. Vegetable offerings include sweet and hot peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, squash and patio eggplant, along with herbs like dill, sage, basil and cilantro.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to help with plant selection and answer questions. Proceeds from the sale support gardening and community projects throughout the county.

Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Train coming to Beaver County

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Beaver County Events on Facebook, Posted on Facebook on April 28th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, is scheduled to visit Beaver County on July 11.

The train is expected in the Leetsdale, Pennsylvania area around 5:45 p.m. and in Beaver County by about 6 p.m.

Union Pacific Railroad said the locomotive is making a rare trip to the eastern United States, its first such tour since 1940.

The journey begins May 25 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with a planned stop in Philadelphia for Independence Day. The train is then scheduled to reach Altoona on July 8 before arriving in the Pittsburgh region.

The locomotive is expected to depart Conway Yard at 9 a.m. July 12, before heading to Struthers, Ohio.

Two Ambridge companies file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

(File Photo of Water)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) Creekside Springs LLC, a bottled water supplier based in Ambridge, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection April 22 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. 

An affiliated Ambridge company, Creekside Real Estate LLC, also filed for Chapter 11 protection last week. 

According to court filings, both companies reported assets and liabilities ranging between $1,000,001 and $10 million. 

Court documents indicate a reorganization plan must be submitted by August 20. 

Aliquippa Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Troy Rivetti, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, announced that an Aliquippa man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug trafficking.

Officials said 47-year-old Romaro Lanarie Foster Sr. was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release after being convicted of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

According to prosecutors, Foster was part of an interstate drug trafficking organization investigated between March and September 2022.

Authorities said a supplier in California mailed parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine to an Aliquippa residence. After law enforcement intercepted a shipment containing two kilograms of cocaine, the operation shifted.

Prosecutors said the supplier began sending packages to a co-defendant in West Virginia, who then transported the drugs to Foster in Aliquippa.

Investigators later learned Foster planned to travel to Georgia to obtain cocaine for distribution. In September 2022, law enforcement stopped Foster in South Carolina during his return trip to Pennsylvania and seized about four kilograms of cocaine from his vehicle.

Shapiro Administration Invests More Than $267 Million to Reduce Air Pollution, Cut Energy Costs, Create Jobs, and Combat Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Communities Across Pennsylvania

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services, Caption for Photo: Shapiro Administration Invests More Than $267 Million to Reduce Air Pollution, Cut Energy Costs, Create Jobs, and Combat Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Communities Across Pennsylvania)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Johnstown, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley announced more than $267 million in funding for 31 manufacturing projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions across Pennsylvania. 

The announcement was made during a visit to Gautier Steel Holdings, where state officials were joined by local leaders, labor representatives and environmental advocates. 

Officials said the projects are expected to lower energy costs and cut emissions by more than 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in their first year. The savings are projected to exceed $3.1 million annually for participating businesses. 

State officials said the emissions reduction is roughly equivalent to removing more than 320,000 cars from the road for a year. 

PennDOT Reports Decline in Fatal Crashes and Traffic Deaths in 2025, Reaching Lowest Level on Record

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT said traffic deaths in the state fell to a record low in 2025.  

Officials reported 1,047 fatalities, the lowest number since record-keeping began in 1928 and 80 fewer than in 2024. There were 979 fatal crashes, also a record low, compared to 1,060 the previous year. 

PennDOT said there were 109,515 total reportable crashes in 2025, the second-lowest total on record behind 2020, when traffic volumes declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The agency said it invested more than $70 million in federal grant funding for behavioral safety programs aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries. 

PIAA Public and Private High Schools Postseason Tournament Bill Moves Forward in State House

PIAA logo

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania House Bill 41, introduced by Representative Scott Conklin of Centre County, would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to separate boundary and non-boundary schools for postseason competition. 

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives considered two amendments to the bill yesterday. One passed unanimously, while the other failed on a 104-97 vote. 

The approved amendment, introduced by Representative Rob Matzie, would indemnify the PIAA. 

The bill advanced through second consideration in the House and could be brought up for a final vote as soon as today. 

If approved, the measure would not require the PIAA to change its current system but would give the organization the option to do so. 

Pennsylvania court grants public access to voting data in dispute from 2020 election’s aftermath

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A polling judge, right, helps guide a voter’s ballot into a voting machine during the Pennsylvania primary election, at Mont Alto United Methodist Church in Alto, Pa., on May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s high court ruled Tuesday that spreadsheets of raw data associated with every ballot are public records, providing access to the “cast vote records” that had been requested by an election researcher hired by the Trump Administration last year.

The Democratic-majority Supreme Court said its unanimous decision was a way to “satisfy the voting public that our elections are safe, secure and accurate” while preserving the state constitution’s requirement that votes remain secret.

The Lycoming County elections director in Williamsport had denied Heather Honey’s request for digital copies from the 2020 presidential election, saying that would amount to letting her review the contents of a ballot box, one vote at a time. Cast vote records are created when a voter’s choices are made electronically or scanned.

Pennsylvania election law provides wide public access to county election records, except for the contents of ballot boxes and voting machines and records of assisted voters. Lycoming Voter Services had argued its scanners and tabulators constitute voting machines and the cast vote records are the contents of ballot boxes.

As Honey did not live and vote in Lycoming County, she was succeeded in the litigation by three Williamsport area residents — a local businessman, a retired state trooper and Republican state Rep. Joe Hamm.

Their lawyer, Thomas Breth, said the data will allow people to review what happened in the hotly contested 2020 election.

“In short, it’s not solely about the past,” Breth said. “It’s about the future. This significantly improves election integrity moving forward in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Lycoming elections chief Forrest Lehman said Tuesday he does not believe the records, which contain randomized data, will reveal any secret ballot information and that he is ready to provide the records upon request.

“The court made its decision, and anybody who wants it can have at it,” Lehman said.

The Supreme Court ruled that the cast vote records “are spreadsheets of raw data pulled from the cast ballots. They are not the physical ballots contained in the ballot box.” Therefore, they are public records, the justices concluded: “This interpretation does not destroy the secrecy of the vote any more than a tally of all votes from a specific election.”

The high court said it was only ruling in the Lycoming County matter and said it was possible that other counties do not sufficiently randomize the data. “Whether the Election Code requires disclosure of CVRs that clearly link the contents of a ballot with personally identifying data is not before us,” wrote Justice Daniel McCaffery.

Breth dismissed that possibility, saying the state’s current election equipment standards require safeguards to protect voter identity.