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Health Study in East Palestine Launches

Three years after the derailment, residents are still left with questions about their long-term health and safety for themselves and their loved ones. But now, a major health study involving the collaboration of multiple universities has now launched in East Palestine, Ohio. (see video below) Three years after the derailment, residents are still left with questions about their long-term health and safety for themselves and their loved ones. But now, a major health study involving the collaborat

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Here's your content. Pete Buttigieg in the WildernessHe has a beard, a splitting maul, and a house in Michigan. Is that enough to convince America that he’s a man of the people?The AtlanticGraeme Wood Collective Power: East Palestine and other affected residents unite their voices to promote healing and demand changeHilary Flint’s cancer diagnosis took her on a journey to become an environmental and public health advocate. She lives right over the East Palestine border in Enon Valley, Pe

Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

Shell’s Pennsylvania petrochemical plant is unlikely to meet financial targetsShell’s petrochemical plant in western Pennsylvania faces challenges to meet its financial goals, in another example of the risky finances behind petrochemical plants. A new briefing note from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) shows how Shell is unlikely to meet its estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) by 2026.IEEFAGo to Profile Why we cho

East Palestine: Still Here

Hilary Flint’s cancer diagnosis took her on a journey to become an environmental and public health advocate. She lives right over the East Palestine border in Enon Valley, Pennsylvania. Although her health was a concern before the February 3, 2023 train derailment, the aftermath heightened her already weakened immunity. Hilary was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, in her late 20s.   “When you get stage three cancer when you’re in your 20s, it’s very shocking,” Hila

Community Matters: Energy innovation as tool for growing agency over Beaver County

Those of you who follow along with the work of RiverWise, the nonprofit organization I have the privilege of leading, may have heard that we recently received a second round of funding from the US Department of Energy. The award, provided by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, is part of a program known as the Energizing Rural Communities Prize. Last July, in Phase One of the program, DOE announced 67 awardees, of which RiverWise was one. Utilizing funds from our initial Phase One award

Community Matters: Re-creating local community in a season of national upheaval

For longer than I care to admit, my basement was overwhelmingly disorganized. The disorganization in my basement began when we first moved into our home a little more than a decade ago. The area wasn’t large enough for everything I was trying to store in it. I didn’t have the right shelving, containers, or patience to create a good system to manage all the stuff I was trying to shove into such a small space. And, since I didn’t regularly need most of the things I was storing, it made it easy to

The Bridge Gets a New Home

There are moments in the life of an organization when everything that has been quietly building beneath the surface finally breaks through into something visible. A publication finds its voice. A website becomes more than a digital brochure. A newsletter stops being a newsletter and starts being a conversation. For RiverWise — the Aliquippa, Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organizing community voice and power along the rivers of Beaver County — that moment is now. RiverWise has launched a new webs

The Bridge 2/26

Tabernacle Baptist Church Black History Forum celebrates 41 years in Beaver Falls "Lift Every Voice and Sing" rang triumphantly as dozens of attendees sang the Black National Anthem in a Baptist church on Second Avenue in downtown Beaver Falls. “My mother, Clara Mae Cox, in 1985 had a vision for this event,” said Lonzie Cox Jr. as his fingers moved along the keys of an organ. Since his mother's passing, Cox and Linwood Alford Sr. have continued the vision of bringing people together to honor B

HINDSIGHT IS 2020

Hindsight is 2020 is a documentary series intended to reflect on the year 2020 and how those different experiences and forces impacted residents in Beaver County. This first installment is intended to reflect on the local Black Lives Matter demonstrations that occurred after George Floyd was murdered in 2020. The film is the start of a conversation about a time when Beaver County came together to demand justice for not only George Floyd but for systemic injustice. Watch the full video on YouTub

Hindsight is 2020

As we near the end of 2025, we are quickly approaching six years since the world was turned upside down by a global pandemic that eventually killed more than 7 million people and caused devastation that's still being felt economically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. COVID-19 affected everybody — there were early retirements from folks who would still be clocking in each day if the pandemic hadn't hit; rehab and nursing facilities were maxed out and fought tirelessly to keep the virus fr

The Bridge 2/12

Feb. 12, 2026 THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES. Welcome to the first of two February editions of The Bridge. Here, you'll find resources, opportunities and reflections from The Bridge's staff. The intent of this first edition is to provide a space for connection, conversation and, perhaps, a fresh perspective on a familiar t

The Bridge 1/14

EDITOR'S NOTE: Two mistakes were published earlier this evening in our January edition: there was a typo in Chris Padgett's story headline and the "ICE protest in Ambridge" short clip had both missing audio and misnamed Sister Mary Parks. We apologize for the errors! Thanks for subscribing! JANUARY 2026 Welcome to our first edition of 2026. This abbreviated edition of The Bridge is a look back at some of our original stories from 2025. Christopher Padgett, storytelling and creative editor fo

The Bridge 12/18

Welcome to our fifth thematic edition of The Bridge:"Hindsight is 2020." As we near the end of 2025, we are quickly approaching six years since the world was turned upside down by a global pandemic that eventually killed more than 7 million people and caused devastation that's still being felt economically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. COVID-19 affected everybody — there were early retirements from folks who would still be clocking in each day if the pandemic hadn't hit; rehab and nu

Community Matters: We were made for this, Beaver County

This month’s installment of Community Matters was originally written nearly six years ago on March 19, 2020. On that day, all of Pennsylvania’s non-essential businesses were forced to close because of the growing threat of COVID-19. Over the coming days and weeks, additional measures were enacted at all levels of society to reduce the spread and impact of the virus. Ten weeks later, on May 25, 2020 George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, sparking a public outcry ab

The Bridge 11/5

Welcome to our fourth thematic edition of The Bridge. As the seasons change and autumn slowly turns to winter, the editors of The Bridge wanted to create an edition that asks you to pause. The increased darkness, approaching holidays and the many local and national crises can uncover complex thoughts and emotions. How are you caring for your body and mind during this time? In this edition, we feature several local residents who share what caring for mind and body looks like for them. The titl

Community Matters: Identity, imagination and energy innovation

I grew up in the 1950s in the 1980s. That’s an odd sentence. So, let me say it again. I grew up in the 1950s in the 1980s. My hometown of Clearfield was, and very much still is, a small, rural community in western Pennsylvania.

The Bridge 10/8

Welcome to our third thematic edition of The Bridge. At a time when many communities in Beaver County are experiencing loss and disunity, we wanted to create an intentional space for reflection and honest grappling with the heaviness of today. In this edition of The Bridge, you'll find a variety of responses from Beaver County residents. We asked Beaver County residents 1. Where do you see hope right now? 2. How do we dignify one another even when we disagree? 3. What makes a communi

Community Matters: Humanity desperately needs a different story

Have you ever stopped to think for a second about how a fish experiences water? Just so we’re clear, I understand that this is an odd question.Maybe it’s because I am an avid fisherman. Maybe it’s because I am a recovering academic. Or, maybe I just have too much time on my hands. Regardless of the reason, when I’m on the river, I often think about such things.I wonder what it must be like to be a fish. I wonder what they experience, and what they are thinking when they are ripped out of the wat

The Bridge 9/10

Welcome to our second thematic edition of The Bridge! This might be our longest edition yet — so be sure to hit "view entire message'" or "view in browser" once you've scrolled as far as your email will let you (there's plenty more to see 😊). As we enter into the fall season, this edition of The Bridge is intended to reflect upon and showcase the hope and creativity that's very much alive in Beaver County. While it's meant to be an expansive representation of many of the fun, thoughtful, and

Community Matters: Shell amplifies misleading claims about Beaver County population growth

The Shell ethane cracker plant recently amplified a report that contains misleading claims about Beaver County's population growth.

The Bridge 8/5

For many Beaver County residents, the term “food desert” conjures up images of their local main street, where a Dollar General or convenience store is synonymous with a grocery store. These same communities, like Beaver Falls, Aliquippa, and others, have felt the brunt of the region’s industrial decline. But in these same communities, hope is billowing. Watch the video below to learn more about the Aliquippa Food Co-op! Please note: the org’s/individuals shown in this video do not represent

The Bridge 7/8

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Hello! You may have noticed that we’ve taken a brief break from publishing “The Bridge” over the last month. During this time we have been huddled up as a team. We’ve been reviewing reader comments and trends from the last year. We’ve been strategizing and planning our next moves. And, we have been carefully planning a new website to house future editions of “The Bridge.” Over the next few months, each edition of “The Bridge” will be organized around a theme. This will h

The Bridge 5/27

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: About 1 in 5 children in Southwestern Pennsylvania are food insecure, per new estimates from Feeding America, according to an article in Axios by Chrissy Suttles. In Beaver County, approximately 19.2% of children live in food-insecure households, according to 2023 data. Read the article in Axios here to learn more about how food banks will be impacted if the Senate passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which last week narrowly p

The Bridge 4/29

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: Four local educators will be honored on May 6 during the Beaver County Educational Trust's "Coming Together for Education Educator Hall of Fame" event. The event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seven Oaks Country Club in Brighton Township. Tickets are $55. Purchase tickets here. This year's inductees are the following (according to the BCET's Facebook page): Sr. Mary Thaddeus Markelewicz: Sr. Thaddeus is a member of the Felician

The Bridge 4/15

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this datagram: The Center for Rural Pennsylvania recently created a datagram that lists the percentage of people working in local government in each Pa. county. "Local government," according to the center, includes municipalities, school districts, public sewer authorities and essentially any government agency that is not part of the federal or state levels of government. Beaver County has one of the highest percentages of employees working i

The Bridge 4/1

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: Around 42 million people use SNAP Benefits nationwide. There remains confusion over if and how the Trump administration plans to cut SNAP Benefits. What we know so far: A budget resolution was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that calls for $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over a 10-year period, and requires federal committees to find ways to reduce their budgets by a specific dollar amount. Members of the Agricultu

The Bridge 3/18

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: A Penn State study involving 2,169 first-time mothers in Pennsylvania with private insurance revealed that 8.3% had their childbirth bills sent to collections. The study also found that these women were less likely to have a second child within the next two years compared to those without debt in collections. Read more about the impact medical debt relief could have on families in this article by Spotlight PA. Why we chose to h

The Bridge 3/4

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: Community spaces are safe, public spaces where residents can connect. These "third spaces" are integral to what makes a vibrant community, according to reporting by Next Generation Newsroom. Read the full story here, which features Uncommon Grounds Cafe in Aliquippa. Why we chose to highlight this story: The arts are an invaluable component of what makes our communities distinct, robust and full of life and creativity. Learn mo

The Bridge 2/18

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: Supply chain disruptions and bird flu are increasing costs for eggs. Farm and Dairy shares some helpful details from agricultural experts about how to stay safe while getting the best bang for your buck when it comes eggs. Read the full article here. By Dani Brown for The Bridge Beaver Valley LaunchBox is seeking nominations for local women entrepreneurs to share their story during Queen B, an annual networking event at the B-Hiv

The Bridge 2/4

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: Monday marked two years since a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Many residents still claim to be suffering from the derailment's effects. In fact, a new lawsuit claims Norfolk Southern is responsible for the deaths of seven people, including a 1-week-old baby, Read the article from WESA here. Why we chose to highlight this story: Some businesses and organizations in Pittsburgh

The Bridge 1/21

Tuesday, Jan. 21 2025 Why we chose to highlight this story: The Institute for Self-Reliance (ISLR) believes that centering local priorities is key to building a strong economy and democracy. In an end-of-year look-back with the organization's co-directors, they consider questions worthwhile for Beaver County neighbors to consider, especially how to turn "voter frustration" into "positive political change." Listen to the podcast here. Why we chose to highlight this story: How has steel beco

The Bridge 12/16

Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 Why we chose to highlight this story: D&G Pizza is a Beaver County staple. After 60 years of service, on Dec. 21 the family-owned pizza shop will shut its doors. Be sure to stop by for a slice before Saturday! Read the story in WPXI here. Why we chose to highlight this story: UPMC is a major insurance and healthcare provider as well as employer for many in our region. Around 1,000 nurses employed by UPMC are demanding changes from the healthcare giant, including be

The Bridge 11/18

Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 Why we chose to highlight this story: The solar movement isn't merely aspirational. In Beaver County, thanks in part to The RISE Project, projects in Beaver Falls, New Brighton, Ambridge, and Aliquippa are incorporating solar. These projects are actually saving communities money. Read the article, written by Chrissy Suttles, on RiverWise's website here. Why we chose to highlight this story: Shell's persistent violations raise questions about whether or not the cracke

The Bridge 11/4

Monday, Nov. 4 2024 Why we chose to highlight this story: Football is a major part of western Pennsylvania culture, especially in some of our Beaver County neighborhoods, like Aliquippa. Many community members are troubled by the Beaver County Youth Football League's decision to remove the Little Quips from the league. Read more from KDKA here. Why we chose to highlight this story: Local pastor Caleb Musselman from The SOMA Gathering church hosted a conversation with District 14 candidate

The Bridge 10/16

Hydrogen hubs: A few things to consider. The Biden Administration's $7 billion investment in decarbonizing the country is gaining traction due to a $925 million effort to build a hydrogen hub in West Virginia, which will span parts of western Pennsylvania. Some in the region consider this investment from President Biden as a win for energy independence and assistance in limiting emissions for heavy polluting industries, like steel. While others view this endeavor as an out-of-touch move by the

The Bridge 10/7

Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 Why we chose to highlight this story: Many of our neighbors utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and as of Oct. 1, some of those enrolled in SNAP will either see a slight increase or decrease in benefits. Here's the breakdown of the maximum allotment per household size: * Household size 1 – $292 (2023-2024 amount: $291) * Household size 2 – $536 (2023-2024 amount: $535) * Household size 3 – $768 (2023-2024 amount: $766) * Household size 4 – $

The Bridge 9/23

Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 Why we chose to highlight this story: Haitian immigrants have been in headlines lately, but not for dignifying reasons. We chose to include this story to learn more about Haiti and why/how our Haitian neighbors add vibrancy to our communities. Read the story here. Interested in learning more about the Haitian community or how you can help Haitians in Springfield, Ohio? Check out some of these stories from The Haitian Times: Support Haitians in Ohio More about what's

The Bridge 9/10

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 Why we chose to highlight this story: The students of Aliquippa deserve beautiful, state-of-the-art resources. This new athletic and academic center, made possible by the Aliquippa School District and Heinz, will also be available for community members, so even more residents can use the facility. Read more. Why we chose to highlight this guide: The community benefits framework is a way to help bring decision-making power to residents. In this document, 'A Guide to

The Bridge 8/26

Monday, August 26, 2024 Why we chose to highlight this story: Libraries are for everybody. Now, in Beaver County, they're a place where even more needs can be met. Read more. Why we chose to highlight this story: Video game production might seem like a niche career path, but for the technologically savvy — or gaming aficionados — in our region, it might be worth exploring. Read more. Why we chose to highlight this story: PublicSource interviewed Dr. Maureen Lichtveld, dean of the Unive

The Bridge 8/12

Marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution, federally-designated Environmental Justice communities have experienced the consequences of injustice affecting nearly every aspect of quality of life. How are people living in these communities - like our neighbors in Aliquippa, Ambridge, Beaver Falls, Freedom, Monaca, Midland, and New Brighton - affected by their surroundings compared to others in Allegheny and Beaver Counties? Find out. As a nonprofit law firm, Fair Shake ELS h

The Bridge 7/29

The funding for public water in Darlington Twp. will hopefully help rural Darlington residents without previous access to a municipal source. Other benefits would include a secondary water source to help nearby East Palestine in case of worsening conditions. Read more. Most of Pennsylvania’s 52 county agencies responsible for protecting older adults are failing, in varying degrees, to swiftly review complaints of suspected abuse or neglect and craft plans to keep people safe — in some cases,

The Bridge 7/15

Shon D. Owens Sr. was an institution in Aliquippa, a man with a giant heart and vision for a future where Beaver Countians of all ages, races, religious and ethnic backgrounds could live in harmony and appreciation for one another. His work - through the Franklin Center in Aliquippa, the Inclusion, Diversity and Awareness Council (IDAC), the Beaver County Community & Law Enforcement Coalition (BCCLEC), Undivided in Christ, and many more community-based efforts touched thousands of lives here in

The Bridge 7/1

Click the image above to watch a brief video about the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) findings during their final public hearing on June 25 about the causes of the East Palestine train derailment. Read more about the hearing here. Check out the NTSB's official report here. A RAINY PA FOREST OFFERS A FUN WINDOW INTO AN APPALACHIAN ECOLOGY DEBATE By Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA Photo via Ohio Pyle State Park's Flickr Ohiopyle State Park, located in Fayette County, just barely

The Bridge 6/17

THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES. "Tomorrow: Aliquippa" By Andrew Stepke for The Bridge Photos by Erin Ninehouser for RiverWise While cars fly by Aliquippa on Route 51, they may not know what lies beneath the highway, or who made it. Under the overpass is the home of Guy Ruff III's newest mural — a gigantic art installa

The Bridge 6/3

THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES. Ambridge officially opened its splash pad last week. Henning Park, located at 1652 Clyde Aly, is open from 9 a.m. to dusk. Other places to cool off this summer in Beaver County: Tiger Pause Splash Pad in Beaver Falls, Bradys Run Park Lake, Frankie's Splash Pad in Chippewa Twp., Sunrise Pool

The Bridge 5/20

THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES. Still Here: Caught in a Riptide Rob Two Hawks, a life-long East Palestine resident, sat down with RiverWise late last year and shared his story. Years before a Norfolk Southern train derailed near his home back in 2023, Rob was caught in a riptide. Christopher Padgett, owner of Human Cit

The Bridge 12/19

THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES. Hello!  As the holidays approach, RiverWise has decided to take a break from publishing The Bridge until the New Year. Dani Brown, who has been curating the content in the newsletter, is going on maternity leave at the end of December and will return in February. Once she returns, we’re excite

The Bridge 11/13

THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES. State calls last week's sirens at Shell plant a 'false alarm' By Chrissy Suttles, Beaver County Times An emergency siren went off at the Shell cracker plant in the evening on Sunday, Nov. 5. The state's Department of Environmental Protection said a crew member at Shell accidentally pushed an

The Bridge 10/30

THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE THE HARMFUL THINGS WE’VE HISTORICALLY SAID ABOUT OURSELVES. Beloved Brunton Dairy catches fire By Garret Roberts, Beaver County Times A fire destroyed barns containing milking equipment and bottle production at Brunton Dairy, but no injuries were reported at the popular family farm in Independence Township. Read more. As of Monday morning, roughly $

The Bridge 10/16

RiverWise is thrilled to share The Bridge via our new newsletter software, LetterHead! Please continue to provide us with feedback regarding content, style, tone, and your overall experience. We are grateful for your partnership and insight as we continue to create a space where Beaver County residents can learn, consider, and become hopeful together. THE BRIDGE IS A SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN BEAVER COUNTY TO FEEL HOPEFUL AND SEEN AND NOT ALONE; WHERE WE BECOME ACTIVE TOGETHER AND WORK TO DISMANTLE T

About

The Bridge is a space for people in Beaver County to feel hopeful, seen, and not alone — a place where we come together, become active, and work to dismantle the harmful things we've historically said about ourselves. Access all areas By signing up, you'll get access to the full archive of everything that's been published before and everything that's still to come. Your very own private library. Fresh content, delivered Stay up to date with new content sent straight to your inbox! No more

Community Matters

Community Matters is a RiverWise initiative bringing neighbors together through shared stories, local insights, and the conversations that shape Beaver County's future.

Stories by the Community

The voices of Beaver County residents — their memories, reflections, and everyday life.

The Bridge

The Bridge is a space for people in Beaver County to feel hopeful, seen, and not alone—a place where we come together, become active, and work to dismantle the harmful things we've historically said about ourselves.

Christopher Padgett

Dani Brown

Daniel Rossi-Keen

Daniel Rossi-Keen, Ph.D., is the co-owner of eQuip Books, a community bookstore in Aliquippa and the executive director of RiverWise, a nonprofit employing sustainable development practices to create a regional identity around Beaver County's rivers.

Owen Rossi-Keen

Owen Rossi-Keen is the Founder and Principal Software Engineer at Iliad.dev, LLC, a web development agency focused on delivering enterprise-grade customization without the enterprise price-tag.