Author: Beaver County Radio

James A. Ursitti, Jr. (1940-2026)

James A. Ursitti, Jr., of Monaca, passed away on August 12th, 2026, at the age of 86.
He was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-
grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and cherished member of his community.
James, also known as Jim, Mim, Mimmie and Mimbo, was born in Sewickley on March 13th, 1940.
He lived most of his life in the Aliquippa and Center Township areas.
After graduation from Aliquippa High School, he started working for Lucci Brothers Cabinet Shop before his long career as a Machinist at J&L/LTV Steel in Aliquippa, then retiring from Warren Consolidated Industries in Warren, Ohio as a Supervisor.
James was a devoted husband, loving father, and caring “Pap” and “Pappy Jimmy” and adoring “Uncle Mim” and “Uncle Jim.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Josephine (Peduzzi) Ursitti, his brother, Robert Ursitti and his wife, Michelle “Mickie,” and his niece, Kellie, his sister, Judy French and her husband, Jack, and his niece, Nancy Chapple, his brother, Richard Ursitti and his sister-in-law Jeannie, the wife of the late Bill Vickodil.
He is survived by his wife, Carolina (Laurenzi) Lucci Ursitti, his children, James Ursitti III of Brighton Township and Anita Seese (Randy) of Center Township, his grandchildren, Katie Farkas (Zac) of Industry, Gina Seese of Boston, Massachusetts, and Lily Seese, a student at Penn State University, his great-grandson, Rowan Farkas, his step-children, Rita Ann Centrella (John) of West Palm Beach, Florida, Carolina Hessein (Mostafa) of Leesburg, Virginia, Michael Lucci, Jr. (Karen) of Center Township, and Gino Lucci (Laura) of Nashville, Michigan, his step-grandchildren, Addie Lucci (Steven Casey) and daughter Ella Grace of Midlothian, Virginia, Elizabeth Lucci-Miller (Sam) of Greenville, North Carolina, Carolina Lucci of Center Township, Giacinto Lucci of Nashville, Michigan, Michael Lucci of Center Township and Garrett Lucci of Nashville, Michigan, his sister-in-law, Kathy Ursitti of Smyrna, Deleware, his sister-in-law, Marie of Seminole, Florida, the wife of the late Cliff Rubottom, his niece, Lynn Weiseman of Fernley, Nevada, his nephews, David Weiseman (Melissa) and his daughters Emma and Olivia, of Monroe, Ohio, and Steven Ursitti (Penny) and his daughter, Piper, of Clayton, Delaware.
He was blessed with many more doting nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and dear friends.
James enjoyed Brunton’s chocolate milk, “old western” cowboy movies, and Looney Tunes cartoons. Throughout his life, he was known for being a fixer and builder of anything and everything, solving problems with patience, skill, and a whole lot of grit and determination. He spent his time tuning car engines and rebuilding vehicles or making countless items with wood or metal, so you didn’t have to waste your money buying it. He was known for his impromptu trips “to the store” that usually included
a stop for ice cream or a snack. He was our handyman and #1 fan at countless motocross races, softball games, band concerts, soccer games, basketball games, archery tournaments, pinewood derby racing events, musicals, and scout ceremonies.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 18th from 4-8 p.m. at the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where departing prayers will take place on Wednesday, August 19th beginning at 10:15 a.m., with a Mass following at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Frances Cabrini Church, 115 Trinity Drive, Aliquippa.
Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.
The family wishes to thank Concordia Visiting Nurses and Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden, for providing James with care, respect, dignity, and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family shares that memorial contributions can be sent in James Ursitti’s memory to Concordia at Villa St. Joseph, 1030 W. State Street, Baden, PA 15005, or a charity of your choice.

 

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James A. Ursitti please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Tommy John, the namesake of a pioneering elbow surgery that saved his pitching career, dies at 83

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Los Angeles Dodgers former pitcher Tommy John praises his late friend, Dr. Frank Jobe during a memorial service at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, April 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tommy John, who won 288 games during a 26-year big league career and became the first pitcher to successfully return following groundbreaking elbow surgery that later was named after him, has died. He was 83.

He died at his home in Bradenton, Florida, on Saturday night, agent Mike Maguire said Sunday. He had been in hospice care.

On Aug. 8, the New York Yankees released a social media post in which John wrote that he wanted to say goodbye to everyone, including friends and fans who followed him throughout his career, saying, “I will never forget you.”

The Yankees called John “a bedrock of our rotation during his time in pinstripes and a longtime favorite of Yankees fans.”

John was a four-time All-Star with a record of 288-231 and a 3.34 ERA during a career that stretched from 1963 to 1989. He pitched for Cleveland, the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees, the California Angels and the Oakland Athletics.

“Tommy was an exceptional pitcher throughout his career in Major League Baseball, and his courageous role in becoming the first to have surgery that would go on to bear his name can’t be overstated,” Stan Kasten, Dodgers president and CEO, said in a statement. “His impact both on and off the field has been felt by ballplayers of all ages and will be for generations to come.”

The left-hander was 31 years old when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in 1974, a death knell for pitchers’ careers to that point.

John allowed Dr. Frank Jobe, the Dodgers’ team physician, to replace the ligament with a tendon from his right forearm. Jobe gave the surgery 100-to-1 odds of being successful.

Robert Alvin Fike (1947-2026)

Robert Alvin Fike, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on August 11th, 2026, at the age of 79.
He was born in Rochester on July 26th, 1947, a beloved son of the late James and Tressa Fike.
Robert was a proud alumnus of Aliquippa High School, graduating with the class of
1965. Shortly thereafter, he answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the U.S.
Navy in July 1966. He served on active duty from December 1966 to November 1970
and continued to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve until June 1979. His service to his
country was a time he often looked back on with great fondness.
He had a career spanning nearly three decades spent at Teledyne Vasco in Monaca, where Robert’s dedication and leadership were recognized during his tenure as Union
President. He was a valued member of both the American Legion and the VFW, where he shared camaraderie and community with fellow veterans. These organizations were dear to him, as they provided him with the opportunity to continue serving his
community and maintaining the bonds of brotherhood formed during his military
service.
He is survived by his daughters, Leanne Fike and her husband, Robert Fishman and
Rosemarie Fike and her husband, Brandon McLaughlin. He was the proud grandfather
to Isabella and Alexandra Fishman, whom he cherished deeply. He is also survived
by his loving sisters, Betty Carpenter and Martha Farland. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, including: Bobby Fike and his wife, Connie, Bill Fike, Dave Fike, Danny Fike, Jimmy Fike, and Connie Halliday, who spent quality time with him in his later years. He is also survived by best friends Beverly Fout and Stu Quinn, who supported him through many years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Fike and his brothers, James Fike and Charles Fike.
The memory of their love and shared experiences remained close to his heart throughout his life.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate Robert’s life will be held on Tuesday, August 18th at 11:00 a.m., as well as a viewing from that time until 12:30 p.m., followed by a
memorial service, at Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of his arrangements.
Family and friends are invited to gather and share in remembrance of Robert’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to your local V.F.W. post or to Robert’s local post, Hopewell V.F.W. Post 8805, 138 Stone Quarry Rd, Aliquippa, PA 15001, in his memory.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert Alvin Fike please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Larry J. Freeze (1952-2026)

Larry J. Freeze, 73, formerly of Rochester, passed away on August 14th, 2026.

He was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on September 20th, 1952, a son of the late Melvin and Suzie (Moore) Freeze.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon (Moakley-Hall) Freeze, his siblings, Melvin, Floyd, David, Robert and Barbara Nagy.

He is survived by his son, Eric Freeze, his step-children, Chris Hall, Tony Hall, and Jeremy Hall, fourteen grandchildren, his sisters, Violet Reidy and Rose Gaviniski and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, August 18th from 4 p.m. until the time of service at 7 p.m., in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. of Rochester, 502 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales considered day-to-day with a facial contusion

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Nick Gonzales, center, walks to first base with manger Don Kelly, right, and a team trainer, after being hit by a pitch from Boston Red Sox pitcher Jovani Morán during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales is considered day-to-day after he was injured during the team’s game against the Boston Red Sox on Friday at PNC Park. 

Gonzales was hit by a pitch from Jovani Morán in the bottom of the fifth inning and did not return. 

He is recovering from a facial contusion and has not played since that injury. 

His 2026 statistics include 6 home runs, 53 RBIs and a batting average of .307.

The National Tunnel at the Montour Trail closed for repairs

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Various councils within the 911th Airlift Wing meet at the Cliff Mine trail head portion of Montour Trail at Findlay Township,, Pennsylvania, June 7, 2026. The meet included a ruck march throughout the morning portion of the Unit Training Assembly to communicate the importance of the new fitness standards military-wide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Hessen)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cecil Township, PA) The National Tunnel, a tunnel located at the Montour Trail, is closed for repairs.

The Montour Trail Council expects the tunnel in Cecil Township to remain closed until September of 2027 and they are trying to raise $3 million to repair it.

This tunnel needs work including a steel liner of 295 feet.

The Montour Trail is the longest suburban rail trail in the United States of America and it is over 60 miles long.

It goes through Allegheny and Washington Counties and connects Coraopolis to Clairton. 

Apollo man accused of voting twice during November 2024 general election

(File Photo: Source and Caption for Photo: FILE – Allegheny County Election Division Deputy Manager Chet Harhut explains the process of sorting mail-in and absentee ballots in preparations for Pennsylvania’s primary election on April 23, at the Elections warehouse in Pittsburgh, April 18, 2024. Pennsylvania election officials said Wednesday, May 8, 2024 that the number of mail-in ballots rejected for technicalities, like a missing date, saw a significant drop in last month’s primary election after state officials tried anew to help voters avoid mistakes that might get their ballot thrown out. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) A man from Apollo is now accused of voting twice during the November 2024 general election.

These allegations say that 65-year-old Jeffrey Pope voted for the office of president in both Pennsylvania and Alaska.  

According to a release on the indictment, Pope, who was registered to vote in Pennsylvania since 1999, purchased a property in Alaska in 2023. 

The release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania stated that Pope completed and submitted a mail-in ballot to vote for president in Alaska around October 18th, 2024 and then, around October 22nd, 2024, he submitted a mail-in ballot for the same office in Pennsylvania. 

Officials confirm that Pope “knowingly and willfully” signed a false declaration which stated he was qualified to vote with the Pennsylvania ballot and had not already voted in the election. 

Pope faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of around $250,000, or both. 

Ohio woman warned after crashing her vehicle in Center Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported on Saturday that twenty-four-year-old Mekayle Powell of Columbus, Ohio was given a written warning after crashing her vehicle in Center Township on August 9th. 

The crash occurred on I-376 East at 2 a.m.

There were no reported injuries. 

Driver charged after two-vehicle crash in Hopewell Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hopewell Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported on Saturday that charges were filed against an unidentified driver after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Hopewell Township on July 12th.

This crash happened on Laurel Road at its intersection with Jordan Street at 5:28 p.m.

According to police, the driver who was charged failed to come to a complete stop and proceeded into that intersection without making sure it was safe to do so and hit the vehicle of another driver.

There were no reported injuries.  

Pittsburgh man charged after crashing vehicle in Center Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Center Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported on Saturday that charges were filed against twenty-eight-year-old Espoire Assan of Pittsburgh after he crashed his vehicle in Center Township on July 29th.

Assan was driving on I-76 West at the Monaca exit at approximately 73 miles per hour at 5:16 p.m. and noticed that traffic was stopped.

Assan jammed on the brakes of his vehicle and swerved to the right before hitting a guide rail with his vehicle.

There were no reported injuries.