Author: Beaver County Radio

Thomas H. Heckman (Passed on October 17th, 2026)

Thomas H. Heckman, 72 of Monaca, passed away on October 17th, 2026, following a brief illness. He was the son of the late Howard and Jane Heckman, also of Monaca, Pa. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis (Grahek) Heckman and his daughter, Sara Jane Heckman, both of whom took care of him, advocated for him and encouraged him.

He is also survived by his aunt, Amy Coombs, his brother-in-law, Philip (Rose) Grahek, his nephews, Sam, Zachary and Jessie Grahek, his nieces, Lisa (Nathan) Hutchinson and Michelle (Michael) Botelho and their families, as well as many relatives, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his aunts and uncles: Audrey (Paul) Elmer, Nancy (Bill) Lyons, Paul (Etta) McElhaney, Sam, John, Caroline and Dove Coombs; as well as his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Roberta and John Wilson and many relatives, cousins and friends.

Thomas was a 1972 graduate of Monaca High School and enjoyed many class reunions and sharing memories with friends. He worked as an expeditor for Reno Bros., Inc. until he suffered a stroke in 1996. After a period of rehabilitation, he returned to a full and active life, performing various duties at home and enjoying many holidays, vacations and social events with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed the cottage, water sports, watching Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers games, physical therapy, word searches, fireworks and music. He was a member of Mary, Queen of Saints Parish, which is where he loved participating in the Saturday night Mass and the Rosary.

Friends will be received on Sunday, October 25th from 1-5 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where departing prayers will be offered on Monday, October 26th at 10:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Those wishing to make a memorial contributions in Thomas’ memory are asked to please consider St. Jude Hospital or the Jared Box Project, 129 Fenwick Drive, Port Matilda, PA 16870.

Norma Crawford McBride (1930-2026)

Norma Crawford McBride, 95, passed away on October 16th, 2026, at St. Barnabas – Beaver Meadows. She was born in Grove City, Pennsylvania on October 26th, 1930, a daughter of the late R. Paul and Mabel Evans Crawford.

Norma had been a resident of Beaver since 1966. She received a BS in education and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. She retired from the Beaver Area School District as teacher/librarian after 27 years of service. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Beaver and was active in various Bible study groups, Presbyterian Women and Naomi’s Sisters. Other memberships held over the years were in Beta Phi Mu, Heritage Valley Hospital Auxiliary, Century Club of Beaver, Tusca Ridge Garden Club, and the Literary Circle of Beaver.

She was preceded in death by her husband, R. Edward McBride and her son, Robert E. McBride, Esq., as well as a sister, Dorothy Rice, her husband, Richard of San Diego, California, her brother-in-law, James McBride of Fallbrook, California, her sister-in-law, Grace Sharrar McBride of Evans City, Pennsylvania, and her daughter-in-law, Kelly McBride of Ellijay, Georgia.

She is survived by a son and daughter: Scott C. McBride of Ellijay, Georgia and Paula B. Hall (Robert) of Tampa, Florida, and a daughter-in-law, Maria A. McBride of Pittsburgh, six grandchildren: Andrea Hall Pelaez, Lindsey McGovern (Nick), Lauren Brookshire Emmons (Clarence), Megan Swackhammer (Randy), Bonnie Deininger (Matthew), and Edward McBride; as well as six great grandchildren.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, on Tuesday, November 3rd from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A private interment to follow with words of promise and committal offered at the Crestview Memorial Park, 887 North Broad Street Extension, Grove City, by her pastor, the Reverend Jeff Arnold.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver.

If desired, a memorial contribution may be made to the Deacons’ Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Beaver, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009.

To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Deanna (Brooks) Ross (1937-2026)

Deanna (Brooks) Ross, 88, passed away on October 17th, 2026, with her cherished family by her side. She was born in Aliquippa on November 5th, 1937. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John “Jaggers” Ross, her sister and brothers-in-law: Mary Helen (Jay) Grable, William (Theresa) Brooks, and Robert Brooks. Deanna was a faithful member of St. Titus Church in Aliquippa and Mary Queen of Saints Parish, where she was a proud member of the church choir. For many years she sang for weekly Mass and holidays. Lending her voice with others to curate beautiful music for the parishioners to enjoy. She was employed with Friendly Federal Credit Union with 53 years of service. She began her career in banking as a teller. With hard work and dedication, she was given a role in management. She was honored to have a seat on the board of directors for the credit union. It was a position she held in high esteem. Above all, she was most proud of her family. She was the happiest when they were all together for family gatherings, especially holidays. She would have a feast prepared for everyone to enjoy since cooking was her specialty. She enjoyed frequenting the local farmers markets for fresh fruit and vegetables for everyone to enjoy.
She is survived by her devoted family: her daughter and son-in-law, Doreen and Ken Wormald, whom she loved like a son, her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Kimberly (Shannon) Ross, who equally spent time with Deanna when they were in town visiting, six grandchildren who Deanna adored: Jessica and Brian Horvath, Brittany and R.J. Stout, Sean and Cassie Wormald, Luke and Kelly Ross, Katie and Briana Ross and Nathan Wormald and his fiancée, Geraldine, four great grandchildren: Colton, Lily, Brynlee, Branson and a new addition to the family, Cooper James, who will be arriving in February of 2027. In addition to her family, she is survived by three sisters-in-law, Betty Brooks, Irene “Tippy” Brooks and Shirley Ross and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A visitation will be Thursday, October 22nd from 4-7 p.m. at the Anthony Mastrofranceco Funeral Home Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a visitation will resume on Friday, October 23rd from 9:30 a.m. until the time of departing prayers at 10:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. in Saint Titus Church, 952 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa. Deanna will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses at AHN, Beaver critical care department for the kindness and compassion that was extended to Deanna and her family. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Deanna (Brooks) Ross please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Verna C. (Roehrich) LaRock (1933-2026)

Verna C. (Roehrich) LaRock, 92, of Aliquippa, passed away peacefully in her home on October 15, 2026, just one day shy of her 93rd birthday. She was born in Sewickley on October 16th, 1933, the cherished daughter of the late Charles & Kathryn (Henderson) Roehrich.

Verna dedicated her professional life to serving others as a compassionate nurse. Her caring nature extended deeply into her personal life, where she was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a member of St. Stephens Church in Sewickley. She had a strong faith in our Lord.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard LaRock.

She is survived by her family: her daughters, Michelle Goehring (Clifford) of Moon Township, Anita Camesi (Alexander) of Moon Township, Suzanne LaRock of Jupiter, Florida, nine grandchildren: Joshua Goehring (Jessica), Caitlin Camesi, Nicole McVicker (Christopher), Breanna Camesi, Stephanie Goehring, Richard Tyler Goehring, Taylor Pardue, Johnny Pardue; as well as nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

All services for Verna will be private at this time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, Coraopolis.

Report: Steelers signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to team’s practice squad, marking return to Steelers

(Caption for Photo: Steelers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling goes for a pass in a Dec. 21, 2025, game against the Lions in Detroit. Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a report from “The Athletic” last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to sign veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the team’s practice squad.

The Los Angeles Chargers released the thirty-two-year-old Valdes-Scantling on Saturday.

He returns to the Steelers after playing for them in 2025 and caught 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

One of the NFL teams that Valdes-Scantling previously played for was the Green Bay Packers, and he has chemistry with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Valdez-Scantling played for the Packers from 2018-2021, and Rodgers was the Packers’ starting quarterback at that time, and McCarthy was the head coach for the Packers during the 2018 season.

Valdez-Scantling’s return to the Steelers comes as the Steelers are dealing with injuries to several of the team’s wide receivers.

The Steelers played a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday without wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson.

Valdez-Scantling’s accolades include being a two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver in his only two seasons playing for the Kansas City Chiefs (2022 and 2023).

Man with connection to missing Washington, D.C. woman will head to trial on Beaver County gun charges

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Russell Ashford is still in the Beaver County Jail on a $2.5 million bond. 

Ashford is the father of a 10-year-old boy whose mother, Antoinette Forbes, has been missing from the Washington, D.C. area since September 4th. 

Ashford learned yesterday that he will go to trial for seven gun-related charges. 

Investigators state that he was not allowed to have guns legally because of a previous conviction in Maryland. 

Pennsylvania State Police filed those charges last month after he was arrested in Brighton Township on September 12th for violating his probation.   

Ashford was convicted previously of assaulting Forbes. 

According to CNN, Ashford served in the military for more than 20 years, and records show he earned the rank of commander and retired as a decorated intelligence officer. 

He was not allowed to leave the state of Pennsylvania, but police stated that he was seen on license plate readers in the Washington D.C. area at around the same time Forbes disappeared. 

A woman who dated Ashford on and off for the last three years took the stand yesterday.

She told the court that Ashford stored the guns at her house.

She believed that he was moving to Nashville and going to and from Washington D.C. for work.

She told police she believed that he was retired from the CIA or FBI.

She also stated that she did not know about Ashford’s previous convictions or about his 10-year-old son, who was found with Ashford when he was arrested in Beaver County.

No one has been charged in the disappearance of Forbes. 

FBI testing suspicious package found at Senator Dave McCormick’s office in Pittsburgh

(File Photo: Source for Photo: David McCormick, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, listens during a discussion with military veterans organized by his campaign at an American Legion hall, Jan. 18, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A bomb squad and hazmat team were called to the Grant Building in Downtown Pittsburgh yesterday afternoon after a suspicious letter was reported at Senator Dave McCormick’s office. 

The FBI is conducting tests on what was found, which was a letter-sized package in McCormick’s office. 

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Mat Davis confirmed that there is no risk to the public. 

Two sources told KDKA-TV that the package had a pacifier inside, and one of them said that there was a handwritten note about President Donald Trump. 

A spokesperson for Senator McCormick shared this following statement: “We received a piece of mail that caused us to reach out to local law enforcement, and we have nothing else to say at this time. Our office remains open for business.” 

Kennywood announces new “Phantom Fall Fest” drone show

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Kennywood, Posted on Facebook on October 19th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(West Mifflin, PA) A drone show in the sky is a new element that is being added to Kennywood’s 2026 Phantom Fall Fest schedule. 

This show is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th at 10:15 p.m at the park in West Mifflin.

Over 500 drones will create haunting and iconic images that use lasers. 

A special trick-or-treat event will also be held at Kennywood Park on Halloween day. 

The 2026 edition of Phantom Fall Fest ends on November 1st. 

McDonald’s and Disney Unleash a Villainous Twist on the Return of Boo Buckets

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of McDonald’s)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) McDonald’s is celebrating Halloween as the company’s Boo buckets are returning to the popular restaurant chain.

The Disney Villains Boo Buckets Happy Meal® is coming to McDonald’s, because they are partnering with Disney and this set features five Disney villains: Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians) Jafar (Aladdin) Maleficent, Scar (The Lion King) and Ursula (The Little Mermaid).

This will be available for Disney and McDonald’s fans starting today at participating McDonald’s restaurants while supplies last. 

Customers can order any of their favorite options for McDonald’s Happy Meal® with these Halloween Pail, which will replace the classic Happy Meal box while supplies last beginning today.

Those Halloween Pails will be available only with Happy Meal® orders. This includes the 4 pc. Chicken McNuggets® Happy Meal, 6 pc. Chicken McNuggets® Happy Meal or Hamburger Happy Meal.

Mammoth hold off late charge from Penguins for 5-4 win

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yammamoto, front right, scores against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs (37) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, October 19, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

(SALT LAKE CITY- AP)– — Clayton Keller, Kevin Stenlund, Nate Schmidt and Nick Schmaltz all tallied a goal and an assist to help the Utah Mammoth beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 on Monday night.

Kailer Yamamoto added a goal, and Sebastian Cossa had 15 stops for Utah.

Erik Karlsson, Richard Rakell, Egor Chinakhov, and Declan Carlile each scored for Pittsburgh. Bryan Rust assisted on two goals. Arturs Silovs tallied 24 saves.

Karlsson’s deflected power-play goal put the Penguins on the board just 71 seconds into the game.

Keller leveled the score with a backhand at 6:00 of the first with his third goal in three games. Lawson Crouse snagged the puck near the boards and redirected it around Karlsson’s leg to Keller between the circles.

Stenlund tapped in the puck from close range with 9:50 left in the first to give the Mammoth their first lead.

Rakell tied it up on another power play goal at 7:01 of the second, flicking in a wrist shot near the left post.

Utah surged back in front with a pair of goals late in the second. Schmidt reclaimed the lead with 8:16 to go, blasting a slapshot home from near the blue line. Yamamoto tipped in the puck from the low slot with 5:20 left to extend the lead.

Schmaltz’s power play goal made it 5-2 for Utah at 1:36 of the third. Silovs denied his initial shot, but Schmaltz threaded a backhand around the goalie’s left leg on second effort.

The Penguins cut the deficit to one late in the third period with goals from Chinakhov and Carlile. Chinakhov found the back of the net at 2:55 of the third. Carlile followed with a score off a wrist shot with 5:05 left.

Up next

Penguins: Host Florida on Thursday.

Mammoth: At Seattle on Thursday.