From Rita Michel at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Sharpsburg Mayor Matt Rudzki has sworn in the newest member of the borough police department — one of the four-legged variety.

K-9 Officer Jango will be working with Officer Jeff Hussar, who said he has fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming the department’s K-9 officer’s handler.

“I greatly appreciate it,” Officer Hussar said at council’s May 24 meeting.

A gift from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, as well as local donations helped bring in Jango, the vehicle that transports him and his training at Shallow Creek Kennels.


You can read more here.

Photo: Michael M. Santiago



And from Mike Gauntner at WFMJ-Channel 21:

Beaver Township Police have a new partner to help them track down drugs and fight other crimes.

Argo, the department’s new K-9, has completed training, according to his handler Officer Chris Albert who adds that they’ve already made one arrest.

Police were able to add Argo to the force after receiving a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

The donation not only allowed the police department to replace its aging K-9 Hero but allowed an officer to become certified to train dogs from neighboring agencies in the future.


You can read more here.


The 2018 grant cycle for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is open! All the information you need to make your request is here.

Army veteran Alejandro Villanueva authored an essay for ESPN on what Memorial Day means to him.

You can watch this incredible video here.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Football is back.

Yes, I know, it’s shorts and no pads right now.

But come on, it’s football and it’s something to be excited about.

The Steelers held their first of 10 OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday, and it was almost a packed house for the voluntary session, with Le’Veon Bell being the only player missing as he is looking for a long-term contract.

Among the almost 90 players on the field was Ben Roethlisberger, who entering his 15th season is the most seasoned veteran out there. And, he was having fun being back with the crew.

“It was good to be back out here and be with the guys,” said Roethlisberger. “Have some fun with guys you haven’t been around in a while and see some new guys.

“It was fun today. It’s fun to get back out here. To be around the guys, to laugh, smile and throw the football around is always fun.

“I never would have heard the end of it from (Maurkice) Pouncey if I didn’t. Just to be out here to have fun. It’s Day 1. It’s good to get out here.”

One of those new guys Roethlisberger spent some time with was rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph, who the Steelers drafted in the third round. Roethlisberger made some comments after Rudolph’s selection, questioning the need to draft a quarterback so high since he planned on playing another three to five years. He also made remarks about helping Rudolph, after the young quarterback said he didn’t want to bombard him with questions.

Roethlisberger clarified that there is no rift, his comments were taken out of context and meant in jest and that he plans on helping him any way he can.

“I’ve always done that,” said Roethlisberger. “I think people took some things into a context that I was going to be mean or rude. That was not it at all. If you listen to the whole conversation I said in jest, laughing and having fun. I have never been the type to be rude or mean to other quarterbacks. I’ve had a lot of quarterbacks through here that have been younger than me that I’ve tried to help any way that I can. I’ll continue to do that.”

He didn’t waste any time helping. Roethlisberger talked […]