Author: Beaver County Radio

Brent D. Smith (1965-2026)

Brent D. Smith, 61, of Daugherty Township, passed away peacefully on May 8th, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford.

He was born in Ellwood City on March 30th, 1965, a son of Sandra (Bishop) Smith and the late David J. Smith. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Janet (Cardosi) Smith, three sons, Ryan and Tyler, both of New Brighton, and Vinnie, of Aiken, South Carolina, his brother, Bruce Smith, of Ellwood City, his brother-in-law, Rob (Kelley) Cardosi of New Brighton, his sisters-in-law, Donna (Jim) Goda of Charlotte, North Carolina and Nancy Sheets of New Brighton. He was also an uncle to many nieces and nephews who loved and adored him.

Brent spent many years as a shop supervisor and was highly regarded as “the boss.” A true handyman, there wasn’t anything he could not fix! He was an avid sport fan—especially Penguins hockey—and his favorite football cheer was: “We Are (NOT) Penn State– Hail to Pitt!” He was a father who coached his sons in Little League, a husband who loved and supported his family, and a son who was always there when needed. Fishing was his passion and he loved sharing the “the one that got away” stories. He had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor. Plain and simple; he was a good man—gone too soon.

He was also an active member of Holy Family Church in New Brighton and Our Lady of the Valley Parish.

In accordance with Brent’s wishes, there will be no public viewing. However, on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, a Mass of Christian Burial will occur at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 521 7th Ave, New Brighton. Fr. Tom Kredel and Fr. Howard Campbell will concelebrate. Private interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, 1501 1st Avenue, New Brighton.

Memorial contributions may be made in Brent’s name to: KIF1A.ORG in honor of his niece Paisley who is living with this rare disease. Make checks payable to KIF1A.ORG and mail to KIF1A.ORG 1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor #3535 New York, NY 10001 or go online and donate through the website.

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

Randy. J. Hinzman (1963-2026)

Randy J. Hinzman, 62, of Ambridge, passed away at home on May 11th, 2026. He was born in Sewickley on June 16th, 1963, the son of the late James and Sally Irene (Horton) Hinzman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles W. and Madeline (Matanick) Lutz, a sister-in-law, Renee Lutz, and a nephew, Nicholas Soltis. He is survived by his loving wife, Rochelle (Lutz) Hinzman, 3 daughters, Rebecca (J.C. Reboton) Hinzman, Laura Hinzman and Ashton (David) Weatherly, his adored granddaughter, Margo Weatherly, a sister, Lisa (John) McCullough, 2 sisters-in-law, Roxanne (Jeff) Soltis and Rhonda (Gary) Lazzaretti, his nephews and nieces: Travis McCullough, Tristan (Kyleigh) McCullough, Jay McCullough, Mitchel Lazzaretti, Chanda (Max) Fallecker, Melinda (Andrew) Pisano, Breanna (Larry) Musgrave; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Randy was a carpenter by trade for nearly 30 years. He was also a proud member of the Masonic Hall Sewickley, Lodge 630. In his spare time, he absolutely loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed going camping and riding around on his ATV. In the kitchen, his specialties included homemade jelly from berries that he hand-picked, jerky and his wonderful Christmas cookies, which earned him the title, “The Christmas Cookie Baker.” When it came to movies, he was fond of good-old Western classics, and music, Big Band and Blue Grass.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation on Friday, May 15th, from 4-8 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a blessing service will take place on Saturday, May 16th, commencing at 11 A.M. Interment will follow in Good Samaritan Catholic Cemetery (Ambridge).

New Castle man arrested for possessing marijuana in Lawrence County

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported that a 46-year-old New Castle man was arrested Sunday on drug possession charges in Lawrence County. 

According to police, troopers initiated a traffic stop along Highway 348 in Mahoning Township at about 2:39 a.m. after observing a vehicle code violation. 

During the stop, police said the man was found to be in possession of marijuana. Charges are pending.

Volunteers answer the call to maintain Locust Grove Cemetery in Ellwood City

(File Photo of the Beaver County Partnership/ Community & Economic Growth Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ellwood City, PA) Volunteers at Locust Grove Cemetery in Ellwood City are asking the community for help maintaining the historic burial ground.

Some gravestones at the cemetery have stood for more than a century, but volunteers said mowing and landscaping have become increasingly difficult to manage this year.

North Sewickley Township Police Department shared a Facebook post Monday highlighting the cemetery’s challenges and need for assistance.

The post prompted community members, including Adam Kincaid, to step in and help.

“I seen his post and reacted and that I’d come out in the morning,” Kincaid said.

Others, including volunteer Jeff Syphrit, said they have spent years helping maintain the cemetery — tending not only to family gravesites, but the property as a whole.

“I seen his post and reacted and that I’d come out in the morning,” Kincaid said.

Volunteers said their goal is to have the cemetery cleaned up before Memorial Day weekend, when groups including the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA traditionally place flags at veterans’ gravesites.

Online seller eBay rejects GameStop’s $56 billion takeover offer

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A GameStop sign is displayed above a store in Urbandale, Iowa, on Jan. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Grapevine, TX) eBay said Tuesday it has rejected GameStop’s $56 billion takeover bid, calling the proposal “neither credible nor attractive.”

The rejection comes about a week after GameStop made its offer. CEO Ryan Cohen argued the retailer’s 1,600 stores would provide eBay with a “national network” for authentication, intake and fulfillment.

In a statement, eBay cited uncertainty surrounding GameStop’s acquisition financing, along with concerns about leverage and operational risks tied to combining the two companies.

GameStop, which already owns a 5% stake in eBay, offered $125 per share in cash and stock. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Despite the bid, GameStop remains significantly smaller than eBay. GameStop has a market capitalization of about $10.4 billion, compared with eBay’s roughly $48 billion valuation.

GameStop became known as a “meme stock” in 2021 after retail investors on Reddit drove its shares sharply higher during a historic trading frenzy.

WPIAL postpones 2026 individual track and field championships due to inclement weather

(File Photo of the WPIAL Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Slippery Rock, PA) The WPIAL announced that its 2026 individual high school track and field championships scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, have been postponed due to impending weather.

The meet has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 14, with events at Slippery Rock University set to begin at 11 a.m.

Earlier this week, WPIAL officials said they were in contact with the National Weather Service regarding the potential for inclement weather that could affect the championships.

Citing a high chance of rain and the possibility of thunderstorms, league officials decided to move the meet to Thursday, when weather conditions are expected to improve.

The schedule of events will remain unchanged, with preliminary heats for track events beginning at 11 a.m.

Deluzio, Houchin Announce New Bill Pushing for Kids Screentime Recommendations from U.S. Surgeon General

(File Photo of Congressman Chris Deluzio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) introduced the bipartisan SMART Kids Act on Tuesday, legislation that would require the U.S. Surgeon General to develop evidence-based screen time recommendations for children from birth through age 18.

According to the lawmakers, the recommendations would be based on independent scientific research and would not regulate devices or users.

The bill would also require the Surgeon General to work with an independent entity that is not connected to the technology industry when developing the guidance.

In addition to recommendations on the amount of screen time children should have, the legislation would allow for guidance on the quality and type of screen use, recognizing that educational tools may have different effects than personal devices.

The recommendations would be due within one year of the bill’s passage and could be updated as new research becomes available.

Aliquippa School District holding 5th annual Academic Awards Night

(File Photo of the Aliquippa School District Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa School District will host its fifth annual Academic Awards Night on Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. in the district cafeteria.

During the event, district students will receive more than $100,000 in scholarships. A dinner will be held prior to the awards ceremony.

Oh, Baby! Allegheny Health Network Celebrates Bringing 100,000 Babies into the World

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny Health Network announced Tuesday that it has surpassed 100,000 births across its hospitals since the network was formed in 2013.

The milestone reflects the expansion of maternal care services across AHN’s five labor and delivery units in Western Pennsylvania.

To mark the occasion, network leadership held celebrations recognizing labor and delivery staff throughout the AHN Women’s Institute. More than a dozen newborns across the region were also given custom onesies featuring the phrase “100,000 & Me!”

AAA: 45 Million Americans Planning Memorial Day Weekend Getaways

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) AAA projects that 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday period between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25.

That figure is slightly higher than 2025, when 44.8 million people traveled during the holiday weekend.

AAA said the 2026 forecast would set a new Memorial Day travel record, with an estimated 39.1 million people expected to drive and another 3.66 million expected to fly.

Although gas prices are higher than they were during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, average airline ticket prices are lower, according to AAA.