(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Dave Sunday announced that a Butler County man is facing multiple felony charges involving alleged unlawful contact with a child, including attempted rape.

According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Justin L. Pavetto, 37, of Cranberry Township, was employed as a teacher at New Horizon School at the time of his arrest over the weekend. Officials said the allegations are unrelated to his employment.

Authorities said Pavetto was arraigned on nine felony charges, including unlawful contact with a minor, attempted rape, criminal solicitation to commit rape, and related offenses. Bail was set at $500,000.

According to investigators with the Attorney General’s Child Predator Section and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pavetto allegedly communicated online with someone he believed was the father of an 11-year-old boy. Investigators said the “father” was actually an undercover agent.

Officials alleged that during multiple conversations, Pavetto discussed sexually assaulting the child and later arranged a meeting with the purported father and child at a McDonald’s along Route 19 in Cranberry Township.

Authorities said Pavetto drove to the meeting location, where he was taken into custody.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Special Agent Steven Adametz at 800-385-1044.

“This is very disturbing criminal conduct by someone trusted to help young people — not abuse them,” Sunday said in a statement. He also commended investigators and the FBI for their work on the case.

The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

Criminal charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Raccoon Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported that a 21-year-old Beaver Falls man was injured in a rollover crash Friday in Raccoon Township. 

According to police, the driver was traveling on Moffett Mill Road around 5 a.m. when he attempted to move over to allow a southbound vehicle to pass. Investigators said the vehicle entered the soft shoulder, which collapsed under its weight, causing it to overturn down a hillside. 

Police said both the driver and a passenger suffered minor injuries and were taken to Allegheny General Hospital for treatment.

Scott Mervis, an award-winning music journalist in Pittsburgh, appeared Thursday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show.

Mervis shared his thoughts on Western Pennsylvania’s concert scene with WBVP-WMBA morning man Scott Tady.

The two Scotts — longtime colleagues and competitors who have sat next to each other at countless concerts — got into topics like the stadium shows, recent tour cancellations, wild concerts, the upcoming Star Lake season and the new Citizens Live at The Wylie venue.

Mervis also mentioned his career plans post-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Here is the interview (just press play):

(File Photo of the Sign for the Center Township Municipal Center)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Residents in Center Township found a new charge in their mailboxes this week: a stormwater management fee from the township.

The township is charging most residents $78 annually, or $6.50 per month, for stormwater runoff services. The fee increases to $85 if it is not paid by June 15.

Some residents said they were surprised by the new bill and believe the township should have provided advance notice before issuing the charge.

Michael Sisk, Center Township supervisor, said the township previously covered the costs associated with stormwater inspections, drainage maintenance, and pollution control.

(File Photo of the CCBC Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) Community College of Beaver County hosted hundreds of graduates and their families Thursday for its 57th annual commencement ceremony, which also marked the beginning of the college’s 60th anniversary celebration.

The ceremony began at 6 p.m. and featured traditional commencement elements including “Pomp and Circumstance,” the national anthem, remarks from CCBC President Roger W. Davis, and the conferring of degrees for graduates from the college’s four academic schools.

Officials also highlighted student success stories during the ceremony.

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania municipalities could receive additional funding to maintain local roads under a House proposal that would increase payments through the state’s highway restoration program. 

PennDOT’s Highway Transfer Turnback Program allows municipalities to assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities for low-volume or “functionally local” state roads. The program currently provides $4,000 per mile of roadway transferred to local governments. 

The program is intended to shift roads better suited for local use from state control to municipalities, according to PennDOT Deputy Communications Director Zachary Appleby. 

While the voluntary program has promoted local control, the per-mile reimbursement rate has not increased since the program began in 2006. 

House Bill 2266 would raise the reimbursement rate to $6,000 per mile by redirecting an additional $1.25 per $1,000 from the state’s Motor License Fund. The increase would be offset by reduced funding from the bridge improvement account. 

Appleby said roads eligible for the program typically have low daily traffic volumes or provide social or economic benefits to municipalities. 

According to PennDOT, 1,167 municipalities participate in the program and collectively received about $19.3 million in 2026 funding. 

The bill was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee on May 4. 

(File Photo of a Deer Approaching Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee and the Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee approved several bills May 6 aimed at lowering hunting and fishing license costs and expanding deer hunting opportunities on private land. 

The House committee advanced legislation that would allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission to designate private lands where hunters could use bait to attract deer for purposes including wildlife disease management and habitat protection. 

The committee also approved House Bill 2460, which would allow students to learn about hunting and trapping in school-related programs. 

Meanwhile, the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee approved two measures related to reduced license fees. 

Senate Bill 469 would reduce hunting and fishing license fees to $1 for law enforcement personnel, including police officers, correctional officers, game wardens, waterways conservation officers, and county sheriff employees. 

The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1313, which would allow Pennsylvania natives who move out of state to purchase Pennsylvania hunting licenses at resident rates.