Author: Beaver County Radio

Pittsburgh Attorney Charged with Embezzling More Than $1.3 Million From Incline Preservation Society for Which He Served as Board President

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that Christopher Furman a fifty-three-year-old attorney from Pittsburgh, Christopher Furman, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. According to the 10-count Indictment, in 2020, Furman was selected President of the Board of Trustees for the Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Heights Incline and it alleges that from October of 2024 to September of 2025, he transferred approximately $1,379,300 from the Society’s bank accounts into his own account via more than 25 electronic transactions. Furman worked for the organization that has operated the Duquesne Incline since the Society’s founding in 1964 based on his history as a former employee of the incline, his familiarity with the incline’s mechanical operations, as well as his background as an attorney. He was neither authorized to view the Society’s bank accounts nor to use its money for personal purposes in his role as President of that board. He then transferred that money to an online cryptocurrency exchange and digital asset management platform, which was where he purchased and sold cryptocurrency for his personal profit. Furman could face a maximum a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in jail, a fine of the greater of $250,000 or an alternative of twice the gross pecuniary gain, or
both, provided by the law at each count of wire fraud. Furman could also face a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in jail, a fine of the greater of $250,000 or an alternative of twice the amount of criminally derived property,
or both, provided by the law at each count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from wire fraud (money laundering).

Moon Township Garden Club hosts its 2026 plant exchange and free plant giveaway

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This March 15, 2011 image provided by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center shows the native California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) blooming in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Gene Sturla/Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) The Moon Township Garden Club will hold its annual plant exchange and free plant giveaway on Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clearview Pavilion in Moon Park. You must bring one or more potted, labeled plants from your garden or home to donate, and in exchange, you may choose another plant to take it home or grow it in your garden. The first 75 families will receive several native seedlings grown by club members. This event is offered with support from Hollow Oak Land Trust, Moon Township Environmental Advisory, Moon Township Parks and Recreation,  Council and Roselea Farms. 

Two people hospitalized after crash occurs in West Mifflin

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(West Mifflin, PA) Two people were taken to a hospital from the scene of a crash that occurred in West Mifflin yesterday. According to Allegheny County dispatchers, emergency crews were called to the area of Buttermilk Hollow Road and Lebanon Church Road at 7:58 p.m. West Mifflin Police Chief Gregory McCulloch stated the injuries that were suffered by the victims were not life-threatening. A motorcycle was laying on its side and police officers were inspecting damage on a pickup truck that was nearby. McCulloch confirmed that investigators are working to learn what caused this crash. 

Man shot to death in an alley in the Marshall Shadeland neighborhood of Pittsburgh identified; incident still under investigation

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Public Safety)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The man that died from a shooting that occurred in the Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood of Pittsburgh yesterday has been identified as twenty-five-year-old Deshaun Jamal Awkward of Wilkinsburg. A ShotSpotter alert for six rounds occurred on Fenway Alley right behind California Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Awkward was pronounced dead at the scene and according to Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz, there are no immediate suspects and an investigation into this incident remains ongoing. 

The Pittsburgh City Paper resumes operations after acquiring new ownership

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Mars Johnson / Pittsburgh City Paper)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh City Paper announced today that it is returning to publication. This newspaper has now been acquired by LocalMatters, which is a new nonprofit that says it is focused on helping local news organizations become self-sustaining. Its previous owner was Block Communications, Inc., who also owns the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette will publish its final edition on May 3rd, 2026. A spokesperson for the Pittsburgh City Paper stated that online stories will be returning to publication as soon as possible next month and that officials are targeting a late April or early May return of the paper’s first print edition. The Pittsburgh City Paper stopped its operations in January of 2026.  

Fire occurs in a shed in Brighton Township

(Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63 was dispatched shortly after 4:30 p.m. yesterday because a shed was on fire at an address on Ornida Drive. Police also arrived because smoke was seen at the scene. The fire was extinguished quickly and the incident was resolved. 

Driver not charged after causing a two-vehicle crash in New Sewickley Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News 

(New Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that an unidentified driver was not charged after a two-vehicle crash occurred in New Sewickley Township on Tuesday. The driver was traveling on I-76 East in a semi-truck at 8:52 p.m. and went into the left lane for unknown reasons before the trailer of his vehicle hit the vehicle of twenty-five-year-old Jeffrey Behr Jr. of Pittsburgh. There were no reported injuries from either him or one of his passengers, twenty-four-year-old Kaitlyn Hagerty of Beaver Falls. However, an infant passenger of Behr was taken to the hostel for precautionary reasons.

Donald James Mittner (1963-2026)

Donald James Mittner, 63, passed away at his home on March 18th, 2026.

Through the years, he had many nicknames and titles, lke Don, Donnie, Mitt, Coach and Councilman. However, above all things, the titles of husband and dad meant the most. He is survived his wife of almost 37 years, Aliene (Davidson), and his children, Lauren, Andrew (Jocelyn), and Alex. He was also a dog dad to his beloved Yuki and Millie, who were often seen walking him around town as he greeted his neighbors and friends. He was born on June 24th, 1963, a son of the late George and Theresa Mittner. In addition to his parents, Donald is preceded in death by his fathers-in-law, Richard Zinsser and Edmund Tabay, and his brother-in-law, Mark Davidson. He was raised in New Brighton alongside his siblings Denise (Larry) Adkins, David Mittner, and Diane (Adrianna) D’Addio. He was part of New Brighton’s Class of 1980. After graduating from Slippery Rock, he moved to Florida, where he began his teaching career. He soon returned to the New Brighton Area School District and taught in the elementary school until his retirement in 2025. He took joy in teaching, and his legacy will live on in the lives he touched over the decades. Students still lovingly tell his family about hearing Mr. Mittner’s voice boom around the open layout of the elementary school. For generations of children, the phrase “E-I-E-I-E-I-O” will forever be tied to the One O’clock Yell, which went silent when he retired. He spent decades walking the sidelines at Oak Hill Field, coaching the New Brighton Fighting Lions, first as the junior high coach and eventually becoming assistant head coach of the varsity team. He also served as a baseball coach for New Brighton. His commitment to community service didn’t stop with the schools. In 2025, he retired from the Bew Brighton Borough Council, where he served as Ward 4’s Councilman for 20 years. In addition, he served on New Brighton’s Recreation Committee and was the president of the New Brighton Memorial Day Association. When he wasn’t working, you could find Donald with a tool or a guitar in his hands. He was constantly tinkering with projects around his home. Recently, he returned to singing and songwriting, releasing songs on YouTube under the band name LYNX.

He is survived by his loving wife and children, his siblings, and his brothers-in-law, Scott (Kathy) Davidson and Joe (Dana) Tabay, and his sister-in-law Kelly (Norman) Hainer, along with numerous nieces and nephews who adored him.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, March 22nd, from 12-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur on Monday, March 23rd at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton, with a procession to St. Joseph Cemetery, 1501 1st Avenue, New Brighton, will follow thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Brighton Gridiron Club, P.O. Box 396, New Brighton, PA, 15066.

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

David C. Paugh (1948-2026)

David C. Paugh, 77, of Darlington, passed away on March 17th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was born in Weirton, West Virginia on November 27th, 1948, a son of the late Oliver and Sara Paugh. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Oliver Paugh. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie Paugh, his children: Amy (Dave) Reider, Angela (Cliffton) Horstin, David (Ashley) Paugh, Jr., John (Jeanette) Paugh, Michelle Baloga, Andrew Baloga, David (CJ) Baloga; as well as fourteen grandchildren, one great granddaughter, his brother, Lawrence Paugh, several nieces and nephews and his special cat, Nemo.

David was a proud U.S. Veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He graduated with an associate’s degree from West Virginia Northern Community College. He retired from the Postal Service in 2010 after he worked there for 22 years. He loved fishing and NASCAR. There will be a memorial celebration on Saturday, April 4th, at 2 p.m. at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall, 1121 Yankee Street, Wellsburg, West Virginia. Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Matter Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LLC., 1133 Church Street, Ambridge.

29-1 Sewickley Academy and 22-6 Old Forge will play in the 2026 Class 2A PIAA boys high school basketball championship game

(File Photo of the Basketball Broadcast Schedule Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hershey, PA) Sewickley’s boys high school basketball team advanced to the Class 2A PIAA championship and will take on the 22-6 Old Forge Blue Devils tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Giant Center in Hershey. The Panthers blew out Mercyhurst Prep 64-39 in their boys class 2A semifinal win on Tuesday night in Sharon to advance to this championship game. The Panthers are 29-1, and their only loss was to Roselle Catholic, a team from New Jersey. The Roselle Catholic Lions defeated the Panthers 54-53 in overtime in Sewickley on February 9th, 2026.