Author: Beaver County Radio

Celebrate 50 years of Greek food and culture at this week’s event at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Aliquippa

(File Photo of the Weclone to Aliquippa Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church will celebrate 50 years of Greek culture, food and music during the Aliquippa Greek Food Festival from June 11-13 at the church at 2111 Davidson Street.

The three-day festival will feature traditional Greek cuisine, including gyros, moussaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, Greek pastries and other specialties. Greek coffee and spirits also will be available.

Tours of the church will be offered at 1 p.m. each day, with additional tours available by appointment. You can schedule one by emailing theodosiospalis@gmail.com by clicking here.

Live music and Greek dancing are planned throughout the festival, with The Meraklides performing traditional Greek music from 5 to 8 p.m. each evening.

Indoor and outdoor seating will be available. Organizers also are introducing online ordering and advance payment for takeout orders this year. According to the church, phone orders will not be accepted.

AAA: As Summer Travel Season Begins, Gas Prices Still Falling

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania fell 8 cents this week to an average of about $4.52 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline decreased 16 cents over the past week to $4.16, marking the second consecutive weekly decline. AAA attributed the drop to crude oil prices remaining below $100 per barrel, though uncertainty remains regarding shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand fell from 9.25 million barrels per day to 8.59 million barrels per day last week. Domestic gasoline supplies increased from 211.6 million barrels to 215 million barrels, while gasoline production averaged 9.4 million barrels per day.

At the close of Wednesday’s trading session, West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $2.26 to settle at $96.02 per barrel. The EIA reported that U.S. crude oil inventories decreased by 8 million barrels from the previous week to 433.7 million barrels, about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.

The national average cost of electricity at public EV charging stations remained unchanged this week at 41 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The report states that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of regular unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $4.77.

According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various areas:

$4.384      Altoona
$4.773      Beaver
$4.438      Bradford
$4.333      Brookville
$4.590      Butler
$4.497      Clarion
$4.445      DuBois
$4.433      Erie
$4.335      Greensburg
$4.532      Indiana
$4.343      Jeannette
$4.698      Kittanning
$4.388      Latrobe
$4.491      Meadville
$4.632      Mercer
$4.569      New Castle
$4.628      New Kensington
$4.778      Oil City
$4.678      Pittsburgh
$4.176      Sharon
$4.649      Uniontown
$4.486      Warren
$4.577      Washington

Exact route for Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 train determined; passing through Beaver and Allegheny Counties in July of 2026

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Beaver County Events on Facebook, Posted on Facebook on April 28th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The route has been finalized for Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, which is scheduled to pass through Beaver and Allegheny counties on July 11th and 12th.

According to Union Pacific Railroad, the locomotive is making a rare trip to the eastern United States as part of its 2026 tour.

Big Boy is expected to enter the Pittsburgh area after 11:15 a.m. on July 11, traveling through Trafford before crossing the Monongahela River and passing through communities including Homestead, Duquesne and Pittsburgh’s South Shore.

The locomotive will continue along the Ohio River through Bellevue, Avalon, Emsworth, Haysville and Sewickley before making a scheduled public stop in Leetsdale at about 6:15 p.m. The approximately 30-minute stop near First Street, Avenue A and Ferry Street will be the locomotive’s only public appearance in Western Pennsylvania.

Following an overnight stay at Conway Yard, Big Boy is scheduled to depart at about 9 a.m. July 12 and travel through Rochester, New Brighton, Beaver Falls and New Castle before continuing west.

Union Pacific noted that all times are approximate and may change due to railroad operating conditions.

The exact route and pictures of it can be found by clicking here.

Canadian man released after being arrested for theft incident in Robinson Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA0 Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported today that a 31-year-old Canadian man was arrested in connection with an alleged theft scheme involving packages containing precious metals at a FedEx facility in Robinson Township.

Matthew Francois was charged with theft, theft of mail, receiving stolen property, forgery and corrupt organizations. He was released Saturday on a nonmonetary bond, according to police.

State police said the Organized Crime Unit was contacted by FedEx security on or about May 17th regarding multiple packages containing gold and silver that had allegedly been stolen.

Investigators said they arranged for a “bait package” containing purported precious metals valued at about $75,000 to be shipped to a location near the FedEx shipping office in Robinson Township.

According to police, Francois attempted to pick up the package Friday and used a false identification card and tracking information to obtain it. He was taken into custody and transported to the Allegheny County Jail to await arraignment.

Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to five months in federal prison for violating federal firearms laws, U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Michael Allen Barnes, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman IV, who also ordered him to serve two years of supervised release following his incarceration. The first 150 days of supervised release will be served on home detention with location monitoring.

According to federal prosecutors, Barnes was arrested in downtown Pittsburgh on April 11, 2024, on an outstanding arrest warrant from Georgia. Authorities said they recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband during the arrest.

Prosecutors said Barnes had previously been convicted of burglary in Gwinnett County, Georgia, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

Shapiro Administration Launches Specialized 511PA Website to Help Travelers Headed to the World Cup, MLB All Star Week, and America250 Events this Summer

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT is encouraging travelers attending major events in Philadelphia this year to use a new online resource that provides real-time traffic and travel information.

The page, available through PennDOT’s 511PA traveler information system, includes traffic maps, travel times, incident reports, construction updates, traffic camera feeds and message board information for routes serving FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, FIFA Fan Festival™ events, MLB All-Star Week and America250PA celebrations.

According to PennDOT, the maps also include real-time SEPTA information, including service status and next departure times.

Travelers using the “My Routes” feature can access event-related points of interest when selecting their starting point or destination.

PennDOT said its Southeast Regional Traffic Management Center will support the events by providing real-time travel information on electronic message signs. The agency plans to activate 40 additional traffic cameras and 32 additional message boards to help monitor conditions and direct travelers.

Officials are advising motorists in the Philadelphia area to expect changing traffic patterns, delays and increased pedestrian activity during the events.

PennDOT said it is coordinating with transportation agencies and government partners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, as well as the City of Philadelphia and SEPTA, to manage traffic throughout the event season.

You can access the website by clicking here.

Route 1037 Reno Street Culvert Replacement Underway in Beaver County

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that a culvert replacement project is underway on Reno Street (Route 1037) in Rochester Township. Culvert replacement work requiring the closure of Reno Street over Dutchman Run between Unionville Road and Noonen Street will occur through late August, and through traffic will be detoured. Drivers will be detoured during the replacement work via Pine Run Road, Big Knob Road, and Deer Lane Extension. Crews from A. Merante Contracting, Inc. will conduct the replacement work on this $787,000 project.

Cheryl M. Simpson (1950-2026)

Cheryl M. Simpson, 76, of Freedom, passed away on June 4th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born in Rochester on May 27th, 1950, the daughter of the late William F. and Lenora Watson Baker. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Thomas A. Simpson, as well as one daughter, Lisa M. and Aaron Sipps, and one granddaughter, Ava Marie Sipps of Barrington, New Jersey.

Cheryl was a retired computer scientist with Computer Science Corporation in Falls Church, Virginia. She was a member of the Pinehurst Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Sewickley. She was a graduate of Freedom High School and received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Spanish from Thiel College in Greenville. She loved her family and was a devoted wife and mother.

Friends will be received on Thursday June 11th, from 4-6 p.m., with a service following at 6:15pm, at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of her arrangements. Officiating will be Pastor Dale Roberts. Private interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, 1101 9th Street Extension, Freedom.

Nancy J. Mignanelli (1939-2026)

Nancy J. Mignanelli, 86, of Rochester, passed away peacefully on June 4th, 2026, in her home. She was born in Aliquippa on July 30th, 1939, the daughter of the late Pompilo and Angeline Temassi Vespaziani. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one grand daughter, Kylee Hiltz and two brothers, Jerry and Richard Vespaziani. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Anthony “Tony” J. Mignanelli, one son, Anthony J. Mignanelli II and husband, Matthew Healy of Durham, North Carolina, one daughter and son in law, Melissa “Missy” Ann and Doug Hiltz of Monaca, two grandchildren, Kole and Noah, two sisters in law and one brother in law, Peggy Morris, Charles and Suzy Mignanelli and several nieces and nephews.

Nancy was a retired clerk with various banks, including, Huntington Bank in Rochester, formerly Beaver Trust, Sky Bank and First Western Bank. She also worked for Federal Colonial Bank in Monaca. She was also a former employee with J. C. Penney of Conway. She was a member of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Rochester and Our Lady of the Valley Parish. She loved cooking, traveling and spending time with family.

Friends are invited Tuesday, June 9th, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. to gather with the family at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Celebrating will be Father Alan Morris. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

Family requests donations to Alzheimer’s Foundation of Pittsburgh, 2835 E Carson St Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

The family wishes to thank the Three Oaks Hospice nurses, Theresa, Rose, Maria and Nicole for their care and comfort given to our Mom.

John G. Gagliardi (1964-2026)

John G. Gagliardi, 62, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who passed away peacefully on June 6th, 2026.

He was born on March 5th, 1964. Above all else, John cherished his family. He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Diane Gagliardi, and a loving father to Melissa (Alex) Thomson and Rocco (Christa) Gagliardi. Known as “Papa G” to his grandchildren, Lucas and Isabella, he shared countless stories, laughs, and treasured memories with them. In addition to those relatives, he is survived by many loving relatives, including Doug and Debbie Ferguson and John and Mary Cappabianco, as well as numerous friends, nieces, and nephews. he especially loved spending time with his vacation companions, Doug and Debbie, and with his hunting friends, with whom he shared a deep appreciation for the outdoors.

John proudly served his country for 20 years in the United States Air Force 171st Reserve Unit, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He dedicated most of his life to law enforcement, serving as a Baden Police Officer and later as a Detective with the Pittsburgh Police Department for 30 years. Throughout his career, he was known for his integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to protecting others. After retiring from law enforcement, he continued to be a source of wisdom, strength, and guidance to all who knew him. At the time of his passing, he was employed as a police officer with AHN Police. He will be remembered for his strong sense of duty, his generous heart, his quick wit, and the love he gave so freely to those around him. His legacy of service, honor, and devotion to family will continue to live on in the lives of all those he touched.

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, June 11th from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 7:00 p.m. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements.

In honor of his service to his country, community, and the field of law enforcement, military and police honors will be rendered.