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 for The Bridge, shares some moments that really stuck with him over the past 12 months as he carried his camera around Beaver County.

Later in this edition you'll find short clips from some of our favorite stories, The Bridge's priorities for 2026 and a variety of headlines and news sources our team has been thinking about these days.

As always, 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 😊).

Human City: A one-year walk alongside my neighbors

BY CHRISTOPHER PADGETT, STORYTELLING AND CREATIVE EDITOR

Below is an excerpt from an editorial by Christopher Padgett. Read the full article on the RiverWise website here.

Every day I go to interview someone, I gather my equipment. I make sure I have charged my batteries. I take two to three trips to my car. I push aside the mess of baby toys, coffee mugs, old Goodwill donations and make space for the equipment.

These are the things that happen every time I go to interview someone.

But something else happens too. I sit across from a neighbor. I encounter the profound. I see people standing at the foot of a mountain trying to move it. I glimpse systemic injustices but also the beauty and possibility of community strength and wholeness. I witness complex experiences, sometimes very good, sometimes very bad and sometimes a grief so deep it plunges into the depths of the earth. There’s nothing magical about it and everything magical about it all at the same time.

You sit.

You listen.

That’s it.

That’s sharing a story. And just like that, we’re reminded to slow down, sit across from a neighbor and see humanity which somehow in turn helps restore parts of ourselves we may have lost on the way.

Photo by Rustbelt Mayberry Photography

Minister Shon Owens

In this clip from the short documentary series "Hindsight is 2020," the late Shon Owens talks about George Floyd, his experience as a black man in Beaver County and the importance of being seen. You can watch the full version of "Hindsight is 2020" here.

Christine Kroger

Christine Kroger, executive director of Neighborhood North Museum of Play in Beaver Falls, shares how the book Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy is especially relevant today. Kroger says hope is the "fabric of what creates a community."

This short clip was also part of a larger film called "Hope, Dignity and Community Wholeness," which you can find here.

Honoring Kendric Curtis

In this video, loved ones of Kendric Curtis, who was shot by an ATF officer on Sept. 18, 2025, honored and mourned his life and death during a balloon release the day before his funeral.

Caro Mojica

Caro Mojica is an author, advocate and resident of Beaver Falls. In this short clip, she discusses the importance of empathy and seeing the story behind a person's motivations.

This short clip was also part of a larger film called "Hope, Dignity and Community Wholeness," which you can find here.

Bishop Marvin Moreland

In this clip from the short documentary series "Black Aliquippa," Bishop Marvin Moreland shares his grandfather's experience during The Great Migration. This short clip is from an upcoming series led by Andrenna Williams, a creator, advocate and resident of Aliquippa.

Smith's Personal Care Home closes

In December 2024, Smith's Personal Care Home in Beaver Falls announced it was shutting down. Many residents were left with uncertainty about where they would go next. Smith's told its residents that they would be relocated to different facilities within a month. Many from the tight-knit community found friendship in local pastor John Bryant, who is also featured in this video.

ICE protest in Ambridge

On Aug. 3, 2025, Ambridge residents gathered at P.J. Caul Park to protest an ICE raid that happened in their community.

Dr. Donald Sheffield

Dr. Donald Sheffield is an author, speaker and advocate of his "Do No Harm" initiative. He is on a mission to teach the importance of cultural competency in the workplace, in schools and in families.

In this short clip, Sheffield talks about the origin of the idea of a melting pot and how important it is to embrace difference as a key aspect of cultural competency. This video was also part of a larger film called "Hope, Dignity and Community Wholeness," which you can find here.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS & RESEARCH

The Allegheny Front | Meta reaches agreement to buy electricity from Beaver Valley nuclear plant to fuel AI data centers

Ellwood City Ledger/Beaver County Times | Where is ICE? How to track immigration raids near me

The Conversation | Why the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s closure exposes a growing threat to democracy

Ohio River Valley Institute | The Appalachianization of America’s Economy

Ellwood City Ledger/Beaver County Times | Traffic, parking disrupted in Beaver by film crew this week

PRIORITIES FOR THE BRIDGE IN 2026

This year marks three years since the first edition of The Bridge was published. As a small team of journalists and creatives who live in, work in and love Beaver County, we are always looking for ways for The Bridge to better mirror our community. We have exciting plans for the next 12 months.

In 2026, subscribers can expect the following:

1. more original content;
2. a consistent publishing rhythm;
3. increased submissions and diverse perspectives from our neighbors;
4. art, music, podcasts and other ways to connect with the issues of our community; and
5. a website and newsletter face-lift.
6. We're also considering adding and changing some other things, such as:
   1. an additional publication date each month with distinct content;
   2. more in-depth stories, photojournalism and editorials available on our updated website — outside of the newsletter content; and
   3. an increasingly visible presence in the community.
   4. Our team at The Bridge has always considered this publication to be iterative. The Bridge is a work-in-progress that seeks to maintain journalistic integrity while also demonstrating how patient storytelling can be a solutions-focused, hopeful endeavor that both informs and reflects our neighbors.
   5. As publications in our region dwindle, it's a democratic necessity to fill that void. No single news outlet can do that effectively. However, we hope The Bridge is one of the solutions to that on-going need.
   6. If you have suggestions for how we can make The Bridge a better local newsletter for a small team of storytellers, please email us at [email protected].
   7. Opportunities
   8. Thursday, Jan. 15
      • Navigating Bureaucracy, 12 to 1:30 p.m. virtually. Hosted by Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, learn how to navigate local, county, state and federal systems. Register here.
      • Social Hour with Rep. Robert Matzie, 5 to 7 p.m. at the B-Hive, 1317 7th Ave., Beaver Falls.
      • Open Door by The Genesis Collective, 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Stray Cat Studio, 2209 9th Ave., Beaver Falls. The event is for artists to connect and learn about resources and opportunities. Register here.
   9. Friday, Jan. 16
      • "Hibernation for the Soul: A candlelight restorative yoga practice", 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Meko Yoga and Wellness Center, 1702 7th Ave., Beaver Falls. Registration required through the Meko Yoga and Wellness app.
   10. Saturday, Jan. 24
       • Third Annual Coffee Crawl, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Third Street in downtown New Brighton.
       • Socks 4 Soup, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA Commons, 2232 Third Ave., New Brighton. Crop and Kettle's first annual memorial fundraiser in honor of the nonprofit's late graduate Rebecca Miller. Bring new socks or make a cash donation and warm up with a bowl of soup. Learn more.
       • Snow Much Fun, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Neighborhood North Museum of Play, 716 14th St., Beaver Falls. Register here.
   11. Saturday, Jan. 31
       • Winter Wine and Brew Fest, 1 to 4 p.m., 808 Lawrence Ave., Ellwood City. $25 in advance; $30 at door.
       • "Neighbors: New Year New Works" short plays, 7:30 p.m. (and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1) at Segriff Stage, 134 Brighton Ave., Rochester. Hosted by R-ACT Theatre Production and Iron Horse Theatre Company. Register for the free event here.
   12. Resources
   13. Community Development Program of Beaver County
       • A variety of contact numbers and details available here.
   14. Open jobs in Beaver County, according to the Beaver County Collaborative Action Network.
   15. PA211
       • Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for resources
   16. The Women's Center of Beaver County has services for all victims and survivors of domestic violence and their loved ones. Please call the 24 hour helpline for assistance at 724-775-0131.
   17. Warming/Cooling Centers in Beaver County (according to the United Way of Beaver County)
   18. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (unless noted otherwise) when the temperature is below 32 degrees or higher than 90 degrees.
       • The Cornerstone of Beaver County, 600 6th St., Beaver Falls
       • New Brighton Municipal Building, 610 Third Ave., New Brighton
       • Uncommon Grounds Cafe, 380 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa
       • YMCA Beaver County, 2236 3rd Ave., New Brighton / (724) 847 3923
       • Monday to Friday 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.
   19. The Bridge is a project of
   21. The Bridge is a prototype for what RiverWise envisions as a growing center for relevant community news and resources for Beaver County residents.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES IN JANUARY