Author: Beaver County Radio

Quaker Valley High School boys track and field wins third straight team WPIAL 2A Championship; North Catholic High School girls win 2026 WPIAL 2A team track and field title

(File Photo of Quaker Valley High School)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(McMurray, PA) The Quaker Valley High School track and field boys team won its third consecutive title at the WPIAL Class 2A Championships in McMurray on Tuesday.

Quaker Valley defeated Riverview 116-34, North Catholic 112-42 and Greensburg Central Catholic 98-52 to secure the championship.

The Quaker Valley girls team, however, saw its four-year run as WPIAL champion come to an end.

Trailing 73-72 entering the 4×400 relay — the final event — North Catholic won the race to clinch a 77-72 victory over Quaker Valley.

Pennsylvania extends two coal plants amid rising energy demand

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this file photo from June 10, 2021, a flume of emissions flow from a stack at the Cheswick Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, in Springdale, Pa. Pennsylvania cannot enforce a regulation to make power plant owners pay for their planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, a state court ruled Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, dealing another setback to the centerpiece of former Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to fight global warming. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service

(Harrisburg, PA) Two major coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania that were set to close in 2028 will now stay open through 2032 under a proposed agreement with state regulators. The consent decree requires the Keystone and Conemaugh plants to upgrade their wastewater treatment systems and meet stricter federal standards. Thomas Shuster with the Sierra Club says the decision from Governor Josh Shapiro reflects a surge in energy demand from data centers that could drive up costs statewide. The Shapiro administration says the Keystone and Conemaugh Generating Stations each generate about 17-hundred megawatts of electricity, enough to supply power to hundreds of thousands of homes.

Brett Stephen Parker (1983-2026)

Brett Stephen Parker, 42, of Industry, passed away unexpectedly on May 2nd, 2026. He was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on November 2nd, 1983, the son of Robin (Nichol) Parker and the late Gary Stephen Parker. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his son, Cayden Stephen Parker, his sister, Nina Kristine (Steve) Hronas, his niece and nephew, Emma and Nathan Hronas, his grandmother, Iona Parker, his aunts and uncles: Bonnie Watkins, Connie (Milt) James, Tom Parker, and Phil (Daria) Parker; as well as numerous cousins. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by the mother of his child, Brittany Smith.

Brett was a 2002 graduate of Western Beaver High School. He was a car enthuasist who enjoyed hiking, amusement parks and swimming. He also enjoyed traveling and embraced opportunities to experience new places. He will be remembered for the love and loyalty he felt for his family.

Family and friends will be received for a memorial visitation on Saturday, May 9th, from 11 A.M. until the time of memorial service at 1 P.M. with Pastor Gary Hilton officiating, at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home Inc., 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Brett will later be laid to rest at the Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a trust fund for his son, Cayden, which will be set up in the near future.

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

Antoinette “Toni” M. Haller (Passed on May 3rd, 2026)

Antoinette “Toni” M. Haller, 86, of Monaca passed away on May 3rd, 2026.

She was born in Rochester, a daughter of the late John and Rose (Guantonio) Pizzuti.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Rosemarie (Jack) Patterson, Terri Burnett, and Tom Pizzuti.She is survived by her husband, George C. Haller; her children, Chris (Dana) Haller and Sara Ball; her grandchildren, Leah Ball, Allison Ball and her fiancé Michael, and Dylan Haller. She is also survived by her brother, John (Denise) Pizzuti, her sister-in-law Michele Pizzuti, and numerous nieces and nephews who will remember her with great affection.

Antoinette was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was a graduate of Monaca High School with its Class of 1958. She carried the values of hard work, loyalty, and devotion throughout her life. She married the love of her life, George C. Haller, on July 11, 1959, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca. The couple met while attending school, and their shared journey grew into a lifelong partnership built on love, respect, and commitment.She was a kind, supportive, faith-filled woman whose life was centered on her family, her friendships, and the many everyday ways she showed love and support to those around her. She retired from working at CCBC, where she worked in various departments and concluded her career in the student records department. Her work ethic and attention to detail reflected the same care and dedication she brought to every part of her life. Family was everything to her, and she was known to many as Mimi, a name that spoke to the love and closeness she shared with those around her. She was deeply involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren, never missing their activities and took great joy in being present for the moments that mattered most. She looked forward to meeting her former high school classmates for lunch once a month, and shopping for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed visiting the casinos and sharing time with those she loved. These interests brought her happiness, but it was her presence and her caring spirit that made her unforgettable.

Friends will be received on Thursday May 7th from 4-8 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATON SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where prayers will be offered on Friday, May 8th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca. Entombment will be at Beaver Cemetery Mausoleum, Buffalo Street, Beaver.

Memorial contributions in Toni’s memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

To share online condolences, please visit www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.

Jo Ann (Sinclair) Nichol (1942-2026)

Jo Ann (Sinclair) Nichol, 84, a lifelong resident of Monaca, passed away peacefully on May 4th, 2026 surrounded by her family at AHN Wexford.

She was born in Rochester on March 26th, 1942, a daughter of the late Thomas Sinclair and Virginia (Unrue) Sinclair. She was also preceded in death by her parents, David G. Nichol and Agnes Nichol, her son, Ronald T. Nichol, her brother, Timothy Sinclair, an infant son, Randall Lee Nichol and her in law, Bob (Whitey) Whitehouse.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Ronald A. Nichol, two sons, Richard D. (Liz) Nichol of Los Angeles, California and Michael K. Nichol and his partner, Martires of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, one sister, Sue (Ed) Phillips, one brother-in-law, Sonny (Louise) Nichol and numerous great and great great nieces, nephews, and cousins, especially: Colleen (Bruce) Soloman, and Kay (Larry) Allingham, Chuck McCoy, Tammy (Skilly) Skiles, Nancy (Tom) Burger, Jodi (Brent) Haller, Carrie (Rob) Gamache, and Gini (Bob) Baustert, Danny Kross, Tom Kross, Robert Nichol, Sean Nichol, Sherri Nichol, David Nichol, and Ross Nichol.

Jo Ann was a graduate of Monaca High School with its class of 1960, where she excelled in academics, cheerleading, and student counseling. She later graduated from the Community College of Beaver County with a degree in Medical Technology in 1976. She then was employed by Sewickley Valley Hospital and the Medical Center of Beaver County for over 30 years. Her interests included volunteering at the Senior Center at the Beaver Valley Mall, chair volleyball, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers. She was an avid fan of her son’s and husband’s sports and activities and was a member at St. John the Baptist Church in Monaca.

Friends will be received Wednesday, May 6th from 2 p.m. until the time of a blessing service at 5 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements. The family extends an invitation to join them at 6 p.m. for a funeral repast at the Beaver Valley Sportsman’s Club, 1001 Grant Street, Monaca following the blessing service. Private burial will take place on Thursday at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, 1270 Chapel Road, Monaca.

The Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at AHN Wexford Hospital and AGH Hospital in Pittsburgh.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to be made to the National Kidney Foundation in Jo Ann’s honor.

Dorothy Irene Hertel (1924-2026)

Dorothy Irene Hertel, 101, of Vanport, formerly of Ohio Township (Fairview), passed away on May 2nd, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford.

She was born in Ohio Township on December 22nd, 1924, a daughter of the late Ralph E. and Sarah R. Deringer Graham. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Richard C. Hertel and her sister, Ethel Pflugh (Woodrow).

She is survived by her devoted son, Robert Charles Hertel, her cousins: Cheryl Stuber (Bob), Ginny Salkeld (Tom), Bill McGaffick (Lisa), Don Richards (Vicki); as well as her extended family, Kevin Fields (Kelly), Eileen Fields and Charles Fanaro (Sherry).

Dorothy worked as a bank teller and worked at Westinghouse Electric Corp as an assembly line worker for 24 years before retiring in 1987. She loved to travel. In the 80s she made a trip to Europe with friends. She traveled extensively with her son Bob to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, Hot Air Ballon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, several cruises, as well as several tips to Las Vegas, where birthdays were celebrated over Christmas and New Years. Dorothy also traveled to New Jersey to visit family. She was also a member of Four Mile Presbyterian Church in Beaver.

In accordance with Dorothy’s wishes, there will be no visitation. Private interment will take place at Sylvania Hills Cemetery, 273 PA-68, Rochester. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

The family would like to thank the nurses of the 3rd floor of Heritage Valley, Beaver and Good Samaritan Hospice House Staff for their love and compassionate care given to Dorothy during her time there.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s name to the charity of your choice.

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

Allegheny Health Network Geriatrics Expands to Serve More Older Adults across Western Pennsylvania

(File Photo of the Allegheny Health Network Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny Health Network said it has added two physicians to its geriatrics team as demand for specialized care for older adults continues to grow in Western Pennsylvania.

Diana Rodriguez-Alcantara, MD, is seeing patients at AHN Geriatric Medicine – Federal North on Federal Street in Pittsburgh. Stephanie Sweeney, MD, will see patients at AHN Geriatric Medicine offices in Gibsonia and Mars.

AHN said the physicians will work alongside patients’ primary care providers to manage age-related conditions such as dementia, frailty and fall risk, as well as support healthy aging.

Pittsburgh International Airport gets 3 new nonstop routes from budget airline Breeze Airways

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh International Airport Airside Terminal)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Breeze Airways is adding three new nonstop routes from Pittsburgh International Airport. 

The airline will offer service to Vero Beach; Punta Cana; and Cancún. Flights will operate three times a week — Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays — on a seasonal basis. 

Service to Vero Beach is scheduled to begin Oct. 1, while the international routes to Punta Cana and Cancún are set to launch Jan. 7. Airport officials said the Punta Cana route marks Breeze’s first international service from Pittsburgh. 

In a statement, founder and CEO David Neeleman said the airline is “thrilled” with its growth in the region and expansion into international destinations. 

With the additions, Breeze will offer 18 nonstop destinations from Pittsburgh, second only to Southwest Airlines at the airport. 

Airport officials said the airline has also recently launched service to Louisville and will begin flights to Myrtle Beach on July 3. Seasonal routes to cities including Jacksonville, Portland, Norfolk–Virginia Beach, San Diego and Los Angeles are also resuming.

Pittsburgh Zoo reiterates safety policies as several other zoos get hit by hoax calls

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WPXI/WPXI)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) At least seven zoos across the United States have received “swatting” calls in the past week involving false reports of bomb threats or active shooters, prompting evacuations and temporary closures. 

Officials at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium said the facility has not received any threats. 

However, the zoo’s director of guest services said safety remains a top priority. Visitors are reminded that bags and coolers are permitted but may be subject to search, and clear bags can help speed up the entry process. 

According to a report from WPXI, here is what you can bring inside the zoo:

  • Clear Bags: Plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” are permitted. This includes clear backpacks, tote bags, and fanny packs, provided they meet size requirements.
  • One-Gallon Clear Bags: Standard one-gallon clear freezer bags (like Ziploc) are allowed.
  • Small Non-Clear Bags: Clutches, wallets, or small purses up to 4.5” x 6.5” are allowed, regardless of color.
  • Personal Items: Keys, phones, wallets, credit cards, makeup, combs, jackets, and blankets can be carried in pockets or separately.
  • Medical and Diaper Bags: Medically necessary items and diaper bags are permitted after inspection at the gate.