July news roundup

Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive makes stops across western Pa.

The largest operating steam locomotive, Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, made stops across western Pennsylvania from July 11–12.

The locomotive was retired in 1961, but is completing a historic coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, engineered by Ed Dickens. The tour included over 50 whistle stops in 10 states and major display events in eight cities, as well as a Fourth of July celebration in Philadelphia.

On July 11, the train stopped in Leetsdale, gathering a crowd of thousands, according to local media. On July 12 it followed the Beaver River, passing Rochester, Bridgewater, New Brighton and Beaver Falls.

It crossed into Lawrence County and passed through Wampum, Newport and Willow Grove on the way to Ohio. The Wampum VFD hosted a “Big Boy Breakfast” fundraiser and watch event on July 12. The same day, the train stopped briefly in Struthers, Ohio, then continued moving westward. 

Kroger Co. buys out Giant Eagle chain 

The grocery store chain Kroger has confirmed it will be buying out 197 Giant Eagle stores and pharmacies for $1.65 billion across five states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Maryland. 

The CEO of Kroger, Greg Foran, claims it is a strategic move for the company, allowing them to expand into adjacent markets and better deliver quality products, customer support and a positive shopping experience. 

Meanwhile, Giant Eagle CEO Bill Artman told customers what to expect. The Giant Eagle locations in question will operate under the same leadership, maintain the company name and offer the same MyPerks benefits, services and culture. 

Schwebel’s Bakery closing

Schwebel’s Baking Co. will be winding down operations over the summer, following the Fourth of July weekend. More than 670 employees in Ohio will be laid off between July 6 and Sept. 7, plus additional workers in 20 distribution centers and bakery outlets in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The bakery, based in Youngstown, produces nearly 250,000 loaves of bread daily, which are sold at Giant Eagle, Walmart, Family Dollar and other stores.

According to Schwebel’s CEO Steve Cooper, the shutdown was unavoidable due to rising costs and decreased consumption. "We are devastated to reach the point where liquidation is the only remaining option,” he said in an official announcement. “The company was unable to establish a sustainable path forward.”

Helping Harvest fresh food bank in Reading, Pa. receives donation from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated $1 million to Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank in Reading, Pa., a charity that works to alleviate hunger in Berks and Schuylkill counties.

Swift grew up in the food bank’s service territory, and Helping Harvest expressed gratitude that she is giving back to her childhood community in a Facebook post. “At a time when more families than ever are turning to us for help, this gift will help us continue putting nutritious food on tables,” the post said.

Flags fly at half-staff to honor fallen State Trooper Michael Pahira

Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags across Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff on July 1, following the death of State Trooper Michael Pahira. Pahira’s vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer while on duty July 1, around 7 a.m.

Pahira was a 20-year state police veteran, stationed in Frackville out of Trooper Station L. Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens called him “one of our best.” 

The tractor-trailer veered off the roadway and hit Pahira’s vehicle for an undetermined reason. The truck’s driver was hospitalized after the crash. Investigation is underway, but no charges have been filed.

“We’ll be working with what we have, collecting evidence of that vehicle, the operator of that vehicle, everything we can gather,” Bivens said, with the goal of determining “what happened and what led to this crash.”

Independence Day and 250th celebrations

On June 27, Beaver County BOOM 250 was held at Bridge Street in Bridgewater, featuring live music from an array of performers, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, 880 Wrestling, activities for kids and a Zambelli Fireworks show to end the night.

On July 2–4, Midland hosted a carnival near Lincoln Park, featuring several live bands, a car cruise, a parade and a fireworks display.

Ellwood City’s Ewing Park hosted the annual Arts and Crafts Festival from July 3–5. A 10k race, food trucks, live music, a beauty pageant and vendors’ tables were included in the festivities. A fireworks display ended the celebration on Sunday night.

The annual Independence Day celebration took place at Westminster College on July 3. Food trucks, live music by the River City Brass Band and a fireworks display took place on the shore of Brittain Lake.

Moon Park & Recreation celebrated America’s 250th on July 4 at Moon Park. The evening included food trucks, children’s activities, live performances, a flag ceremony and fireworks. 

The City of Pittsburgh Independence Day celebration was held on July 4 at Point State Park. The event featured food trucks, live music, line dancing, hot air balloon rides, a Ferris wheel and a fireworks display broadcast on WPXI.

On July 4, Fort Pitt Museum hosted Fourth at the Fort. Costumed reenactors, scouts and veterans worked together to raise a 36-foot American flag. The nation’s 250th anniversary was further celebrated with music, history demonstrations and other activities for all ages.

On July 4, Pearson Park in New Castle hosted an Independence Day event including live music and a fireworks display.

Ambridge hosted its annual fireworks show on July 11 at Walter Panek Park, featuring live music, vendor booths and kids’ activities, including a bounce house and face painting.

Hopewell Park Fest Community Day was hosted on July 11. People gathered at Hopewell Community Park to enjoy entertainment by the Hopewell High School cheer squad, live music, a dunk tank, food trucks, craft vendors and more. A fireworks show concluded the event.

Enon Valley Community Day celebrated the 250th on July 18 with a fireman’s parade, historical displays and reenactments and a patriotic singalong. The event, held at Enon Valley Fire Department, also included vendors, live music and fireworks.

New Castle’s Fireworks Fest took place on July 18. The summer block party featured live music, food vendors, games and a fireworks display.

On July 25, Revolutionary War patriots of Beaver County will be recognized with a plaque dedication held at Fort McIntosh Park. The event, honoring America’s 250th birthday, will begin with colonial era music and a bugle call. The dedication will also include a color guard presentation, a performance by the Beaver Valley Choral Society, speeches from descendants of Fort McIntosh veterans and a keynote address by Capt. Robert Mercer. The ceremony is presented by the Gen. Anthony Wayne Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall arrives in Patterson Twp.

On July 16, the opening ceremony for The Moving Wall was held at Franciscan Manor in Patterson Township. The Moving Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that bears the names of 58,318 fallen U.S. service members. It is half the size of the monument in Washington, D.C., but is still nearly the length of a football field — around 252 feet.

The wall has been traveling across the country for over four decades. The wall allows those who lost family members and comrades in Vietnam to locate the names of their loved ones on the memorial without traveling to D.C.

The opening ceremony included a procession of local Vietnam veterans, the playing of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute. Master of Ceremonies Larry Googins and Rex Pagani, executive director of Franciscan Manor, also gave opening remarks.