Author: Beaver County Radio

Loretta Eileen (McDonald) Thellman (1942-2026)

Loretta Eileen (McDonald) Thellman, 83, of Beaver Falls (West Mayfield), passed away on July 13th, 2026 at Allegheny General Hospital. She was a cancer survivor since 2018 who fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. She was born in North Sewickley Township on August 22nd, 1942, a daughter of the late John and Mary Eileen McDonald (Shoaff).

Loretta was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and trusted neighbor and friend. She was a devoted Christian and active member of the former St. Paul Lutheran Church on College Hill and then Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Chippewa, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and sang in the choir. She also served in the meals on wheels ministry and the altar guild. She most recently attended Chippewa Alliance Church. She played the bass in her younger years and enjoyed playing her organ at home. She also sang in the 1990’s with the Hosannah ministry choir. Loretta was a hard worker who actively cared for and served her family, church, friends and neighbors. She was happy being outdoors and working in her garden, enjoying her dogs and watching the birds and deer in her yard. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting and craft making and made it her goal to crochet afghans for her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She most of all cherished time with her family whom she loved deeply, and on whom she left a lasting impact of faith, hope and love.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Christine, and her beloved husband of 47 years, Richard Thellman. She is survived by one sister, Valerie (Jerry) Harold (Boynton Beach, Florida), her children, Carrie (Randy) Burnell (Beaver Falls), Steven (Stephanie) Thellman (Gainesville, Georgia), Bradley (Susan) Thellman (North Sewickley Township) and Gregory (Lidija) Thellman (Osijek, Croatia and Wheaton, Illinois), as well as 15 grandchildren: Suzi Thellman (Beaver Falls), Austin (Kara) Burnell (Beaver Falls), Becca (Steve) Sheehy (Lowell, Indiana), Zachary (Carly) Thellman (Roswell, Georgia), Seth Thellman (Marietta, Georgia), Savannah Thellman (Gainesville, Georgia), Skylar Thellman (Gainesville, GA), Nicole (Justin) Jackson (North Sewickley Township), Dylan (Peyton) Thellman (East Palestine, Ohio), Haley (Charlie) Spirk (North Sewickley Township), Noah Thellman (Wheaton, Illinois), Sarah Thellman (Wheaton, Illinois), Etan Thellman (Wheaton, Illinois), Zoe Thellman (Osijek, Croatia) and Nora Thellman (Osijek, Croatia); as well as 11 great-grandchildren: Zion and Rory Burnell, Rylan, Lilah and Kip Sheehy, Ava and Dominic Basile, Liam and Bella Thellman and Rowan and Salem Spirk; as well as several step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm, and on Saturday, July 18th from 10:30 a.m. until the time of a service at 12:30 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements. Pastor Dan Muir will officiate the service. A private burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery, 139 Norwood Drive, Beaver Falls.

Thomas W. Miller, Sr. (1941-2026)

Thomas W. Miller, Sr., 84, of South Beaver Township, passed away peacefully on July 14th, 2026, in the comfort of his home.

He was born in Beaver Falls on August 15th, 1941, a son of the late Chauncey and Mildred (Tress) Miller.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann (Saibene) Miller, a son, Michael Miller and a brother, Gary.

He is survived by a son, Thomas (Diane Montagazi) Miller, Jr., a sister, Lynn, as well as his friends and caregivers, Carol, Kelly, Nancy, Ordie, Amy, and Tammy.

Thomas retired from working at Westinghouse/Cutler Hammer as a manager of systems development.  He was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Beaver Falls of St. Augustine Parish.  In his free time, Tom enjoyed spending time with his cat, Morty, joking around with “the girls” and watching Leave it to Beaver and Long Ranger.

In accordance with Thomas’ wishes, there will be no visitation.

A blessing service will be held on Monday, July 20th at 11 A.M. in the chapel of St. Mary’s Cemetery, 2927 Clayton Road, Beaver Falls.

Fr. John Naugle will preside over the service.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., Chippewa Township, 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010, is honored to provide care and guidance to Tom’s family and friends during this time.

Bonnie Lou Molchen (1951-2026)

Bonnie Lou Molchen, 74, of Hopewell Township, passed away on July 13th, 2026 in her home surrounded by her family.

She was born in Masontown, Pennsylvania on October 10th, 1951, a daughter of the late Robert and Dora Miller.

Bonnie was a wife, mother, grandmother. Her main focus was her beloved family. She also enjoyed going to her camp and also traveling to Hawaii. She worked various jobs, and most recently worked as a Crossing Guard for Hopewell Area Schools. She was also a longtime member of House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Aliquippa.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Jesse Molchen and two brothers, Carl Miller and Bob Miller.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Gerald Molchen, a daughter, Brandi Miller, a son, Frank & Carly Molchen, four grandchildren: Joey (Maria) Welsh, Kristen Kowalski, Kate Molchen, and Allie Molchen; as well as four great grandchildren: Jessica, Giuliana, Nico, and Malena; along with foru siblings: Donna Gray, Larry Miller, Lorie Caler, and Vicki Davidson, numerous nieces and nephews and many other beloved family members.

Friends will be received on Monday, July 20th from 3-7 p.m. at the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Funeral Service will also be held on Tuesday, July 21st at 11 a.m. in House of Prayer Lutheran Church, 2100 Irwin Street, Aliquippa with Rev. Mike Sourwine officiating.

Ross Township Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Production and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that a resident of Ross Township has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his convictions of production and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.  

Chief United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on forty-six-year-old Ralph Talerico yesterday. 

According to information presented to the Court, in and around June through July of 2023, Talerico produced videos of two children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Talerico also possessed videos and still images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, some of whom were prepubescent and under 12 years of age on or about June 6th, 2024.

New Castle Resident Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Fentanyl Trafficking

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that a resident of New Castle, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to charges of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine base.

Thirty-year-old Akeem Evans pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge David Stewart Cercone to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of fentanyl on March 13th, 2024, and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base on September 12th, 2024.

Judge Cercone scheduled Evans’ sentencing for November 13th, 2026 and he could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both on each of the two counts provided by the law.

Former Aliquippa and Penn State running back Tikey Hayes set to commit to the University of Nebraska

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Aliquippa (23) Tikey Hayes breaks free from Avonworth (5) Carson Bellinger during a non-section football game at Avonworth High School on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (Justin Guido/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lincoln, NE) Sean Callahan of On3 Sports first announced in a report that former Aliquippa and Penn State running back Tikey Hayes is set to commit to the University of Nebraska for the 2026 college football season.

Hayes spent the spring semester at Iowa Western Community College after Penn State fired head coach James Franklin during his freshman season.

While at Aliquippa, Hayes was one of the top running backs in the country.

He was rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals and was rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, 247 Sports and On3.

Hayes was also the No. 20 ranked running back and the No. 7 prospect in Pennsylvania.   

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases of cyclosporiasis in Pennsylvania and in other states

(File Photo of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection, in 31 states, including Pennsylvania.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora. The illness can come from eating unwashed produce and cause watery diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, nausea, and vomiting.

According to the Allegheny County Health Department, people can prevent cyclospora by washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cutting away any damaged or bruised areas.

You should also refrigerate both fruits and vegetables as soon as possible, and cook your food whenever it is possible to do so, because heating food to 158 degrees or more kills cyclospora.

You need to wash your hands with soap and warm water, as well as wash and sanitize dishes, countertops, cutting boards and utensils when you’re done handling produce.

Groundbreaking ceremony occurring for new HAZMAT building along Route 51

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Beaver County Commissioners)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) A groundbreaking ceremony for a new HAZMAT building on 501 Constitution Boulevard will occur on Thursday, July 30th at 11 a.m.

This project started this year and Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles noted that it was planned to be located along Route 51 near Brady’s Run Park.

Fedeles previously stated that the County Commissioners were looking at putting in this new hazmat building right beside the current one in that location and its purpose is a facility where more hazmat equipment will be stored.

Pittsburgh Walk of Fame announces 2026 inductees for its second ever class

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, Posted on Facebook on July 15th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A second class of inductees was announced for the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame in the city’s Strip District. The 2026 class of inductees for this walk of fame which is located at the Strip District’s Terminal building, includes ten people who helped shape the history of the Steel City through the arts, commerce, industry, sports and more. The inductees will be honored during a free public induction ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13th. 

The inductees for this year’s class are as follows:

  • the late Myron Cope (Steelers commentator and broadcaster, man who invented “The Terrible Towel”)
  • the late Martha Graham (choreographer and dancer)
  • the late H.J. Heinz (entrepreneur, co-founder of Heinz Ketchup)
  • the late Charles “Teenie” Harris (photographer)
  • the late Franco Harris (legendary Steelers running back known for “The Immaculate Reception” football play)
  • Shirley Jones (singer and actress)
  • the late Henry Mancini (composer, Henry Mancini musical theatre awards named for him)
  • Mario Lemieux (legendary Penguins hockey centre who now is part of the ownership of the team
  • the late Jimmy Stewart (actor known for his roles like Gegore Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” pilot)
  • the late George Westinghouse (inventor best known for creating the railway air brake, engineer)

The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame was unveiled last year with a goal of celebrating people with ties to southwestern Pennsylvania who have made their mark on America.

Former Aliquippa fire chief Darryl Jones will retire as the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones addresses media following a fire at Second Avenue Commons in June 2024. Jones, who has led the bureau for nearly 20 years, will retire effective September 15th, 2026, after what Mayor Corey O’Connor called a “comprehensive review of the oversight of finances and operations” of the bureau. (Sebastian Foltz/Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) A former Aliquippa fire chief is retiring as the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief. Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor announced yesterday that Darryl Jones will retire after a review of the bureau’s financial, operational and administrative management.

O’Connor’s office confirmed that Jones will retire on September 16th.

Jones was put on paid administrative leave last month and he has been the fire chief of the Steel City for almost twenty years and he became the first Black fire chief of Pittsburgh in 2007.

He spent 20 years with the Aliquippa fire department before the position in Pittsburgh, which included 12 years as the Aliquippa Fire Chief. 

O’Connor’s office noted that Assistant Chief Mathew Davis, who has been serving as the acting chief since Jones was placed on leave, will continue to serve in that position until a permanent replacement for Jones is named.