Author: Beaver County Radio

Woman charged with DUI after a student and a teacher struck outside Pittsburgh school

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on February 6th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A woman is now facing charges after police say that her vehicle hit a student and a teacher outside a Pittsburgh school last year. Online court records have shown that fifty-seven-year-old Nickeya C. Mitchell of Pittsburgh, is charged with aggravated assault by vehicle with DUI and related offenses. The crash happened on October 15th, 2025 outside Westinghouse Academy in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The two people that were hit were a staff member of Westinghouse Academy and a 12-year-old student. According to the criminal complaint, surveillance video showed an SUV failing to stop at a stop sign and continuing to drive onto Monticello Street. The vehicle then drove onto the sidewalk, where it hit the two victims. Police interviewed Mitchell on scene and she stated that she was heading to the store at the time and claimed she did stop at the stop sign. Mitchell reportedly told police that she swerved to avoid a vehicle right before the crash. The complaint also noted that Mitchell said: “I tried to stop and instead I accidentally put, I’m thinking, I put my foot on the accelerator instead.” A passenger that was in the SUV claimed that Mitchell had tried to stop at the stop sign, but the steering was loose. Police mentioned that they found open containers of alcohol in the vehicle, a test revealed her blood alcohol content to be .15% and Mitchell showed indicators of impairment. Mitchell was also temporarily detained. The complaint also confirms that the teacher continues to suffer pain and other symptoms after the crash and the student who was hit remains in the hospital for treatment.

Person and a cat displaced after fire occurs at a home in the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A person and a cat were displaced after a fire in the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh this morning. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire was called for a structure fire at the 300 block of Knox Avenue around 2:45 a.m. Before they arrived, while heading to an unrelated call, Zone 3 Pittsburgh police officers saw the heavy smoke of this fire. One of those officers was able to get in contact with the person inside and get them out of the home. Firefighters were able to put out the flames on the first and second floors of the building. The person that was able to escape denied medical treatment even though they were evaluated by medics. The Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the cause of the fire.

Judge hears arguments on lawsuit that woman is part of in which over $82,000 was confiscated by TSA at the Pittsburgh International Airport in 2019

(File Photo of the Transportation Security Administration Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A federal judge heard arguments in a class action lawsuit that Rebecca Brown is part of yesterday in Pittsburgh. Brown is a party to the suit and she claims the TSA stopped her at Pittsburgh International Airport and the Drug Enforcement Agency confiscated $82,000 from her as she was heading from Pittsburgh to Boston in the summer of 2019. Brown states that the money was her father’s life savings, but those who took the cash thought it was money from a crime. According to Dan Alban with the Institute for Justice, which represents the plaintiffs: “We think there is no dispute of material facts that the TSA unlawfully and unconstitutionally stops and seizes travelers with cash at the airport, even though it admits it poses no threat to transportation security.” Alban also notes that the problem with this is that while there are suggestions, there are also no guidelines when it comes to how much money is considered suspicious. Attorneys for the government confirm that the agents were working within their guidelines and asked the suit to be dismissed and they declined any comment on the proceedings yesterday.

Two people charged and one of them arrested after police seize cash, drugs and guns during multiple searches in Beaver Falls

(Credit for Headline Photo and Photos Below: Photos Courtesy of the City of Beaver Falls Police Department, Posted on Facebook on February 5th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) Multiple search warrants on Wednesday in Beaver Falls caused two people to get charged and one of them to be arrested. According to a release from the City of Beaver Falls Police Department, both their officers and the City of Beaver Falls Police Narcotics Unit Detectives executed two simultaneous search warrants on properties in the 1000 block of 11th Street and the 1300 block of Third Avenue. Police seized “large quantities” of crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin and methamphetamine from the scenes as well as drug trafficking items, two firearms and containers made to conceal contraband. Abigal Record was arrested by police at 309 Short 10th Street on a warrant from another investigation. The charges against her include possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Police state that they found more contraband and executed a search warrant for the 10th Street home during the arrest of Record. They seized $650 in cash, more crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin/fentanyl, as well as three firearms at that house. Police also confirm that David Charski will be charged as a person not to possess firearms.

At least one person dead after multi-vehicle pile-up on I-79 in Butler County

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bulter County, PA) At least one person is dead after a multi-vehicle pile-up in Butler County. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, several crashes occurred on I-79 yesterday morning, causing the highway to shut down in both directions, and “at least 18 vehicles” were involved. PennDOT also expressed that due to this multi-vehicle crash, both the northbound and southbound lanes have been closed between Exit 78 (Cranberry/Mars) and Exit 88 (Zelienople) The closures will stay in place until the crash is cleared. PennDOT has also reminded drivers that a speed limit restriction is in place due to winter weather on I-79. Speed has been reduced to 45 miles per hour in both the north and southbound directions between PA 5 in Erie as well as all the way to Butler.

Raymond Why (1929-2026)

Raymond Why, 96, of Chippewa Township, passed away peacefully on February 5th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Health System – Beaver Campus. He was born in Beaver Falls on August 16th, 1929, a son of the late George and Mary (Wong) Why. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Gallagher) Why, a daughter, Jennifer McCracken, his siblings: Billy Why, Jessie Why, Rose Why, Frank Why, and Donald Why. He is survived by his loving children, Faith (David) Zupsic and R. Andrew Why, his grandchildren: Noah, Cameron, Christian, Tyler, Grace, Cassidy, and Gabriel; his sisters, Margaret Wong and Shirley (Sam) Moy; along with his beloved friends, Shawn (Robyn) McCracken and Jack Kincade, as well as his extended family, church family, and many friends.

Raymond was a self-employed engineer for his professional life and was working until just two weeks prior to his passing. He was a dedicated member of the First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls, where he served in many capacities. He served as the former moderator of Synod of the Trinity for Presbyterian Church USA, as well as the former moderator of Synod for Beaver Valley Presbytery. He was also a member of the former Beaver Falls Kiwanis Club and the Beaver Falls Masonic Lodge.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, February 10th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 11th at 11 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls, 1103 8th Avenue, Beaver Falls, where friends will be received at the church at 10 A.M. on Wednesday, February 11th.

Rev. David Oyler will officiate. Interment with full military honors will follow in Beaver Falls Cemetery, 2045 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.

Chris A. Niedergall (1964-2026)

Chris A. Niedergall, 61, of Beaver, passed away on February 4th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was born in Rochester on August 20th, 1964, a son of the late Ralph E. and Dorothy Kindelberger Niedergall. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers: Robert, Donald, Gerald, and Marvin Niedergall, and Edward Knight. He is survived by his wife of twenty-one years, Laura E. (Hogue) Niedergall, as well as one son, Sean E. Niedergall of Beaver, two sisters and a brother-in-law, Sandra and David Vaughn of Economy Borough and Kimberly Pratte of Rochester, two sisters-in-law, Eileen Niedergall of Alabama and Irene Knight of Freedom, numerous nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, to whom he was known as “Pappy Chris.”

Chris was an employee of Pittsburgh Tubular Shafting in Rochester Township, where he served as Vice President and Operation Manager. He was Methodist by faith and an Army Veteran. He was a 1982 graduate of Rochester High School, and continued to Penn State University and graduated from Boston College in Chemical Engineering. He loved his family, which was most important to him, who saw him as a “jack of all trades”. He loved biking in the warm climates, reading, music, and was a history enthusiast.  Friends will be received on Sunday, February 8th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a service will be held on Monday, February 9th, at 11 a.m. Officiating will be Reverend Collene Carney, of Monacrest Free Methodist Church in Monaca. Interment will be at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester, and the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 862 will provide full military honors for their fallen comrade at the cemetery at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, February 9th.

David R. Boyers, Sr. (1941-2026)

David R. Boyers Sr., 84, of Rochester Township, passed away on February 4th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was born in Rochester on June 28th, 1941, a son of the late David B. and Roberta R. Wallace Boyers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Richard C. Boyers, and an aunt and uncle, Wesley and Carol Winkle. He is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Janet M. Shebish Boyers, two daughters and one son, several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, several cousins, including: Raymond and Susan Winkle and James and Karla Winkle and Robert and Carol Winkle; as well as his loving friends, Sue and Bob Hage and his two feline companions, Lucy and Harper.

David was a retired owner and administrator of Boyers Personal Care Homes in Beaver Falls, from 1974 until 2008. He formerly worked with insurance and financial investments where he was in business for forty-eight years. He was an agent with The National Life Insurance Company from 1963 until 1984, and also with General American Life Insurance Company, where he had many times received the Top Hat Club Award and President’s Council Honor. He was a graduate of Rochester High school with its Class of 1959, and he had continued to meet and attend breakfast with classmates Gary, John, and Anthony. He was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rochester, and was a member of the Rochester V.F.W. Post #128, where he was part of the former maintenance crew. He was a member of the former Rochester Fireman’s Club, he loved boating, and playing tennis and traveling with his wife Janet every year for twenty-five years, to the Caribbean Islands, Virginia Beach, and Western United States. He was also a strong supporter of MAGA. In accordance with David’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Inurnment will be at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester. All arrangements are entrusted to William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 393 Adams Street, Rochester, PA 15074. The family also wishes to thank our neighbors, especially Ray, Mike, Suzanne, Rob, and Ted Feitt for their help and attention to Dave over the last few years.

Darryl G. “Greg” Eimer (1957-2026)

Darryl G. “Greg” Eimer, 68, of Patterson Township, passed away on February 5th, 2026 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born on July 6th, 1957, a son of the late Robert and Anastasia (Dziak) Eimer. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Robert “Robin” Eimer. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Lori (Spaniel) Eimer, his mother-in-law, Shirley Spaniel, his sister-in-law, Lisa (Christian) Scherer, two nieces and two nephews.

Darryl was an Estimator at SignPro and was a long-suffering fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He enjoyed family vacations in Ocean City, Maryland and a good nap.

In accordance with Darryl’s wishes, there will be no services.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to care for Greg and his family during this most difficult time and was the funeral home that was in charge of his arrangements.

Michigan man sentenced 20 to 40 years in jail for setting a home in Bensalem, Pennsylvania on fire

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Bensalem Police Department)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Bucks County, PA) According to officials yesterday, twenty-two-year-old Harrison Jones of Rockford, Michigan was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison after he set a home located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania on fire with several people inside in 2025. The Bensalem Police Department in Bucks County states that Jones has been charged with arson, attempted murder, and related offenses in connection with a fire on February 10th, 2025. Police confirm that the arson happened shortly before 5:30 a.m. that day in the 5200 block of Merganser Way in Bensalem which injured six people and killed two dogs. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office confirms that Jones entered a plea of no contest to attempted homicide and aggravated animal cruelty charges after he set the home of a 21-year-old who had an online relationship with his ex-girlfriend on fire. Officials expressed that Jones traveled over 700 miles to set the house on fire. Jones ignited an accelerant, which caused an explosion, leveled the rear of the home and trapped six people inside. Jones was arrested in Michigan after the attack occurred and investigators used automated license plate readers to track him down.