Author: Beaver County Radio

New initiative aims to help people avoid criminal charges and receive treatment in Beaver County

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published March 31, 2026 4:19 P.M.

(Beaver, Pa) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday made a stop to the Beaver Courthouse Tuesday to announce a new program for Beaver County that aims to help those with substance abuse or mental health challenges.

The LETI Program, which stands for Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative, is a program used by PA counties to avoid giving criminal charges to individuals who may simply just need help.  The program allows for the police to recommend LETI for individuals facing charges. Upon successful completion those charges are dismissed.

“The LETI program empowers law enforcement officers to be proactive in their communities by identifying those individuals who get trapped in the criminal system due to mental health and substance abuse issues,” Beaver County District Attorney Nathan Bible said. “Nobody knows and understands the members of their communities better than those who police them.”

Multiple local police Chiefs were in attendance to show support for the announcement.

Beaver County Behavioral Health Administrator Lisa McCoy stated “Beaver County Behavioral Health is dedicated to connecting community members experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders to treatment and various support services,” By introducing a LETI program in the county, we can improve law enforcement’s ability to connect our behavioral health consumers to treatment, in addition to reducing consumer engagement with the criminal justice system.”

When the program is up and running, individuals will also be able to walk into the police station, probation office, sheriff’s department, or the local drug and alcohol authority and ask to be connected to drug and alcohol or behavioral health services.

Attorney General Sunday said “Beaver County is making an important breakthrough by launching LETI and backing it with behavioral health support from the get-go, we’ve seen what this strategy can accomplish: it supports families, breaks cycles, and increases community safety.”

The program is currently operating in numerous other counties throughout the state.

Plaques for the customizable “Bucco Bricks” return in time for Pirates’ 2026 home opener at PNC Park

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WTAE TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on March 30th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The “Bucco Bricks,” which are personalized bricks that Pittsburgh Pirates fans can purchase and customize to honor someone with a message, returned to PNC Park this week just in time for the team’s home opener on Friday. The plaques are located on the north part of the park on West General Robinson Street, between Federal Street and Bill Mazeroski Way. The Pirates announced following the 2024 season that they would replace the bricks over the winter for the third time as they had deteriorated because of years of exposure to the elements and wear and tear from fans walking over them. Upset fans found them gone with paved cement over them at PNC Park in April of last year, and they were recycled to be destroyed. Pirates team president Travis Williams and owner Bob Nutting apologized for this incident and also gave fans a chance to get a free commemorative replica of their “Bucco Bricks.” The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County would release their own investigation into this matter, and it showed that after excavating all the bricks, the Pirates wrapped them up on wooden pallets to give back to fans. It also found out that the team then sent those pallets out to be destroyed, instead of giving the bricks back to the fans if they wanted them.

Sources: Pitt sophomore guard and former Lincoln Park standout Brandin Cummings plans to enter the college basketball transfer portal

(Caption for Photo: Pitt’s Brandin Cummings plays against Hofstra on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Andrew Leon | Pitt Athletics)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports, sophomore guard and former Lincoln Park boys high school basketball standout Brandin Cummings plans to enter the college basketball transfer portal after two seasons at Pitt. Cummings averaged 12.5 points per game this season in nineteen games. He started in nine of those games. The Midland native suffered a season-ending ankle injury halfway through this season. Cummings was one of the top-ranked recruits in Pennsylvania in high school and he was ranked among the state’s top-five players. Brandin also joined his brother, Nelly Cummings as a 2,000 point scorer during his career at Lincoln Park. Nelly Cummings also played college basketball for Pitt.

Aliquippa man arrested at a GetGo in Penn Hills after being found with suspected drugs, a gun, and approximately $7,000

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Posted on Facebook on March 31st, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Penn Hills, PA) A man from Aliquippa was apprehended yesterday at a GetGo in Penn Hills after he was found with a large amount of money, a gun and suspected drugs. Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus announced today that thirty-four-year-old Fidell Eberhart is facing a charge of resisting arrest as well as firearms charges and drug charges. This incident occurred at the GetGo on Frankstown Road just after 4 p.m. Three task force members were conducting operations in Penn Hills on the day of the incident. One of them was a detective from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office who is also a member of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force. The other two were task force members from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Allegheny County Police Department. They found Eberhart in the GetGo with what appeared to be a handgun, which was inside of the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. Eberhart then went into the restroom. After he exited it, he was ordered by the task force members to put his hands behind his back. He tried to escape them and reached for the weapon a few times before one of the task force members handcuffed him and another retrieved the gun. It was a Glock Model 22 and it was found to have a round in the chamber and a fully loaded magazine. A subsequent search of Eberhart revealed a baggie containing forty-five stamp bags of suspected narcotics and approximately $7,000 before he was transported to the Allegheny County Jail.

Ross Township artist Kenneth Hall will have a solo art show in Cranberry Township during the month of April

(File Photo of the Cranberry Township Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Kenneth Hall will have a solo art show at the Cranberry Artists Network Art Gallery during the month of April. This will be at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, which is open Mondays-Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays from 7:30 a.m.to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hall, a resident of Ross Township, has been an active artist for more than 50 years having started out as an illustrator. He taught Visual Arts for the Pittsburgh Public Schools for 27 years, until 2016, when he had to take a Medical Retirement. After a fifteen-year hiatus from art, he was encouraged to start doing art as therapy. He studied and practiced Art Therapy techniques to help himself heal. His new art forms are no longer illustrations as a result, but are more diverse using personal history and social commentary. Realistic representation changed to emotion and emotional subjects, colors and forms that dominate his work as a tool of self-expression. He earned a Bachelors degree from West Virginian University and a Master’s Degree from Penn State University in Art Education. He has won awards for his work in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, mainly in University gallery settings. This show is his fourth one-man exhibit, having previously shown at the Chambers and Paul Robeson Cultural Center galleries at Penn State, and the Huston Gallery. Hall is also a father of five boys.

Holly A. (McGaffick) Gantz (Passed on March 30th, 2026)

Holly A. (McGaffick) Gantz, 72, of Center Township, a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away on March 30th, 2026, at Heritage Valley, Beaver. She was born in New Brighton, a daughter of the late Robert D. McGaffick and Olive Grace (Boyd) Moore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Wayne T. Eder, her brother, Robert James McGaffick, and her former fiancé, Raymond Maylone. She is survived by her daughters: Elizabeth (John) Hovan, Theresa Eder and Chris Maderia, and Amanda (Jeremy) Rodgers; as well as eight grandchildren: Elecia McGrantham (Dante), Jake and Joshua Hovan, Jeremy “JD” Rodgers, Jr., Roland Rodgers, Rylee and June Eder, and Carrie (Matt) Stumpf; along with three great-grandchildren, Decklan and Laiten Hawkins and Haven Stumpf. She is also survived by her former husband, Harry “Ted” Eder, her sisters, Linda Hall, Debbie Glass and Carol Armendariz and a brother, David McGaffick, along with many nieces, nephews, her “adopted” children such as her children’s stepsister, Ashley Lewandowski (Tim) and many special friends who will forever hold her close in their hearts.

Holly was raised in Beaver County, where she learned the values of hard work, kindness, and loyalty and was known for her smiling face and always having a positive personality. She worked for a few years at the former Geriatric Center before moving to Tucson, Arizona in 1994. There, she began a new chapter in her life and started her career as a phlebotomist. After returning home, she continued her professional life with the American Red Cross, where she served with care and commitment. Above all, she was a mother to everyone. She welcomed people into her life with open arms and a loving heart, and she was known for having many “adopted” children who found comfort, guidance, and encouragement in her presence.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 2nd from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where services will be held on Friday, April 3rd at 11 a.m. with her nephew, LeRoy McGee, officiating.

A special thank you is extended for the care and dedication that was received from Heritage Valley, Beaver’s nurses Craig and Doug and the hospital staff from time she entered the ER to the CCU that saw her through to the end.

The family has suggested memorial contributions be made, if desired in Holly’s name to Suicide Prevention or the Beaver County Heart and Cancer Association, 3582 Brodhead Road #201, Monaca, PA 15061.

I-376 Parkway West Sweeping Operations This Week in Allegheny County

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that daylight and overnight lane and shoulder restrictions on I-376 (Parkway West) between Findlay Township and the City of Pittsburgh will begin tonight, weather permitting, so PennDOT crews can conduct sweeping operations. A mobile single-lane and shoulder restriction will occur as needed on I-376, according to the following schedule:

·       Tuesday through Thursday nightly from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM each night – I-376 in each direction between the Fort Pitt Tunnel and the Erie/Washington/I-79 (Exit 64A) interchange

·       Wednesday through Friday from 4:00 AM to noon each day – I-376 in the westbound (outbound) direction between the Erie/Washington/I-79 (Exit 64A) interchange and the Beaver County line

·       Wednesday through Friday from noon to 8:00 PM each day – I-376 in the eastbound (inbound) direction between the Beaver County line and Erie/Washington/I-79 (Exit 64A) interchange.

 

Cindy Leigh Genevro (1959-2026)

Cindy Leigh Genevro, 66, of Gibsonia, formerly of Emporium, Pennsylvania, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on March 24th, 2026, at AHN Wexford Hospital. She was born in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania on October 25th, 1959, a daughter of the late William and Joanne Nellis Austin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Genevro, a brother, Timothy Austin, and her good friend, Jerry Moate. She is survived by her daughter, Alayna Genevro, her brothers, Scott and Mike Austin, her sisters, Lisa Augustine: Sue Jordan, Heather Johnson, Ashley Austin, Jennifer Austin, and Julie Smoker; along with numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved mini dachshund, Gucci.

Cindy was a small business owner early on, working at her shop called “Papa Grasshopper”. In her later years, she worked as a lunch room monitor and as a crossing guard. She was also a faithful member of Victory Family Church. Eight years ago, she was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Her doctors told her there wasn’t much they could do. She did not accept that, displaying tremendous strength, faith and courage, she achieved remission until 2025. Throughout Cindy’s battle, she fought with such determination and grace, inspiring everyone in with whom she came in contact. She touched so many lives with her radiant smile. In spite of the challenges of her illness, she remained a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who knew her. Her selflessness, generosity, and legacy of love knew no bounds and will be cherished by all who had the privilege of sharing in her journey. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her and her strength will come to inspire generations to come.

Friends will be received during a Celebration of Cindy’s Life on Saturday, April 4th, at 1 p.m. at the VFW located at 427 East 3rd Street, Emporium. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, please bring a dish to pass along and a favorite memory of Cindy.

A special thank you goes out to Randy and Bev Cirelli, Jared Cirelli, and Caleb and Abbey Cirelli for always being a glimpse of Jesus’ love during the hardest season of her life.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Cindy Leigh Genevro, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Marion G. Tavernaris (1955-2026)

Marion G. Tavernaris, 70, of Pulaski Township, passed away at home on March 27th, 2026.

She was born in Rochester on June 5th, 1955, a daughter of the late Pete and Joanne (Clark) Tavernaris. She is survived by three children, Steven Smith of New Brighton, Gordon Duchene of New Brighton, and Barrett Duchene of Las Vegas, her grandchildren: Bella Gryck, Lewis, Ian, and Anna Duchene; as well as a brother, John Tavernaris and two sisters, Nikki Tavernaris and Jodie Tavernaris.

Marion was a self-employed butcher throughout Beaver County.

Marion’s family will celebrate her life with a memorial gathering at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marion G Tavernaris, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

CCBC Names Marcus Burrows Inaugural Head Coach of Men’s Soccer Program

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of CCBC)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) According to a release from the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), CCBC recently appointed Marcus Burrows as the inaugural head coach of its new men’s soccer program in Monaca, as the college prepares to kick off its first-ever intercollegiate soccer season in the fall of 2026. Burrows brings international coaching experience as well as a strong background in player development and deep local ties to Beaver County when he will lead the Titans Men’s Soccer team. Burrows holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Strength and Conditioning and has built his coaching career around high-performance environments, player development, and cultivating strong team culture and he is a UEFA B Licensed and UEFA B Youth Licensed coach. Burrows coached at Wexford Football Club before joining CCBC. He served as the head coach of the U15 and U17 men’s teams for Wexford Football Club. His squads reached three national finals at the League of Ireland academy level during his tenure, winning one national championship: a title that remains the only national championship in the club’s history. He has also worked closely with international-level players and helped
develop athletes who advanced to compete at the senior League of Ireland level.
Burrows has also served as Director of Soccer Operations at BC United, a
competitive youth soccer club in Beaver County, overseeing player development pathways, coaching support, programming, and overall club operations for the past four and a half years. CCBC announced earlier this year that men’s soccer will begin competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in the fall of 2026, with women’s soccer anticipated to follow in the fall of 2027. The addition of soccer to the CCBC sports line up represents a historic expansion of Titan Athletics and creates new pathways for student athletes across the region.