Author: Beaver County Radio

Donnie Iris announces retirement from live performances

BEAVER COUNTY RADIO

That concert Donnie Iris did last week, opening Pittsburgh’s newest concert venue, will be his last.

Iris announced Friday he is retiring from live concerts performances.

The Beaver Valley’s resident rock star cited health issues and the stamina necessary to deliver a high-energy show. When he headlined Sept. 28’s opening night of Citizens Live at The Wylie, Iris told concertgoers he had undergone radiation treatment earlier that day.

Iris still delivered a crowd-pleasing, hour-long performance at the Wylie, singing while seated on a chair. Digging deep, he hit those signature high, soaring notes and screams on hits like “Love Is Like a Rock,” though sounded a bit more restrained as the show neared its end with western Pennsylvania’s favorite local rock song, “Ah! Leah!”

Iris’ retirement announcement, posted on his Facebook page, addressed his fans, bandmates, crew members and collaborators, saying, “It has been my great honor to make music for you.”

In March 2023, Iris announced he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, shortly after his 80th birthday concert. Through treatments, he recovered well enough to continue headlining yearly birthday shows, at UPMC Events Center in Moon, and the Palace in Greensburg, along with doing other stage appearances at Pavilion at Star Lake and in Ohio.

A former Ellwood City and Patterson Heights resident, Iris first experienced chart-topping success as a member of The Jaggerz, with their 1970 smash “The Rapper.”

After a stint in Wild Cherry, Iris went solo with a backing band, The Cruisers, which recorded songs at Jeree Recording in New Brighton.

That’s where they made “Ah! Leah!” a masterstroke of powerful vocals, searing guitar and elaborate multi-tracking showcasing Iris’ singing prowess. “Ah! Leah!”
peaked at #29 in Billboard’s Singles Chart, achieved much critical acclaim, and was one of the most played songs in radio’s Album Oriented Radio format in 1980.
Decades later, it remains a radio staple regionally and beyond, along with Iris songs like “That’s The Way Love Oughta Be” and “Love Is Like a Rock.”
Iris remains one of western Pennsylvania’s most beloved celebrities, owing much to his friendliness, humbleness and down-home charm. Just about everyone in the Beaver Valley and Pittsburgh area can tell a tale about how they ran into Iris at a local store, restaurant or event, and how he always cheerfully spoke with strangers, laughed with them, and heeded their requests to pose with them in a photo.
Donnie Iris at Citizens Live at The Wylie.

Joyce Hall (1936-2026)

Joyce Hall, 90, of Patterson Township, passed away on October 8th, 2026, at Lakeview Personal Care Home. She was born in New Brighton on July 8th, 1936, a daughter of the late Willard Leroy and Vera Irene Staneart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, William “Bill” Hall, her grandson, Christopher Wayne Hall and her sister, Delores Steinecke. She is survived by her son, Wayne Hall, a daughter and son-in-law, Janis and Mike Vinsky, her brother, Keith (Faith) Staneart, two sisters, Karen (Dennis) Fink and Lydia Clingerman, five grandchildren: Jenifer (Jason) Howe-Vachon, Cody Hall, Michael (Tawny) Vinsky, Matthew (Giselle) Vinsky, and Heather (CJ) Woods; as well as seven great-grandchildren, Jayden and Jayce Howe-Vachon, Ian and Jackson Vinsky, Noah, Cayden, and Kinsley Woods. Joyce’s life was a testament to her deep faith in her Lord, boundless love, and unyielding commitment to serving others. She was a retired Registered Nurse from the Beaver Medical Center, and her devotion to caring for people extended beyond her profession, as she was known to always be the first to offer a comforting hug. Her love for music was evident in her younger years when she taught piano and organ and sang in the church choir for over 40 years. Her voice was a melody of grace that touched all who heard it. She was a nature lover who found joy in the simplicity of life, often sitting in her sunroom, tea in hand, watching squirrels and birds play in her beloved flower garden. She was also a member of the Red Hats Society and Madame Glitter’s vibrant spirit was as colorful as the hats she wore. Her presence was a beacon of warmth and camaraderie. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 13th from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. at Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls. Professional services and arrangements were entrusted to CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Interment will be private at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester. The family requests that memorial donations may be made in Joyce’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Antoinette “Toni” M. Kurash (1951-2026)

Antoinette “Toni” M. Kurash, 75, of Harmony Township, passed away on October 7th, 2026.

She was born on July 22nd, 1951, the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Ann Pugliano.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Patsy Pugliano, her brothers-in-law, Earl Ramer, Ron Ramer Sr. and Ray Kurash and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Kurash-Huber.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, George Kurash, her daughters, Nicole Kurash and Janell (Jerry) Bell, her grandchildren, Anthony Crawford, Savannah “Vee” Bell and Talan Bell, her brother-in-law, Ken Kurash, her sisters-in-law, Deb Ramer and Gloria Walker, her special cousin, Larry Branchetti and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Antoinette loved sports, especially Steelers football. She was a dedicated volunteer at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Ambridge during Pirohy season. She enjoyed anything that involved her family, especially hosting Sunday dinners and being at camp. She was an incredibly strong woman who beat the odds many times over the last 10 months. She was loyal and loving. Above all else, she loved her family endlessly, especially her 3 grandchildren. She never missed an event or game they had. She was a wife, mother, and grandmother and the traditions she taught and the love she gave will live with her family forever. She was surrounded by love this past year. The family and friends that loved and supported her will never be forgotten. They would also like to thank Dr. Candice Lee, the staff at Allegheny General Hospital and the staff at PAM Health in Beaver.

A visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 11th at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Panachiea service will take place at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, October 12th followed by funeral service at 11 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 624 Park Road, Ambridge. Her burial will be at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Economy.

Jenica Lynn Berk (1983-2026)

Jenica Lynn Berk, 43, of Seven Fields, passed away unexpectedly at her home on October 8th, 2026.

She was born in Brighton Township on March 26th, 1983, a daughter of Janet Smith and the late James Berk.

Jenica received her MBA from Drexel University as well as a Doctorate in Pharmacy and a Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University. She worked as a pharmacist at Accredo Specialty Pharmacy. She led the pharmacy department for the Mission of Mercy in Pittsburgh yearly.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her sisters, Jill (Patrick) Heaney and Jewel (Jared) Casciato, a stepbrother, Jeb (Debbie) Berk, her niece and nephews, Ryan Heaney, Miranda Berk, and Logan Berk, an uncle, Michael Smith, as well as extended family and friends.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, CW and Lillie Smith, her paternal grandparents, Eugene and Elsie Berk and an uncle, Lee Smith.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, October 13th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, October 14th at 11 A.M. with Deacon Tom Turney officiating.

Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, 139 Norwood Drive, Beaver Falls.

Freedom woman bit by a dog on her Raccoon Township property

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Raccoon Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that a woman from Freedom was bit by a dog on her property in Raccoon Township on September 24th.

Police were dispatched to 949 State Route 18 at 8:39 p.m. because of a dog law violation.

Thirty-year-old Ann Forman was the person who was bit by a dog, and she was transported to AHN Beaver for a medical evaluation as a result of this incident. 

Justice Department and FBI Seize Vulnerability Scanning and Spear Phishing Tools Operated and Used by China-State Sponsored Hackers

(FIle Photo of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Logo)

Noah haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) The Justice Department and FBI announced yesterday court-authorized seizures, which included seven domains, to deny access to “Microscan” and “FishHub.”

These are two intrusion tools that are used by malicious cyber actors to scan and, in some cases, hack U.S. and foreign critical infrastructure systems and other networks.  

As alleged in court documents that were unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, cyber actors who were working for Integrity Technology Group (Integrity Tech), which is a company based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), operated and used the tools as part of their hacking activity known to the private sector as “Flax Typhoon.”  

Integrity Tech has contracts with the PRC government. 

According to court documents, Integrity Tech created and used a network of internet-
connected devices infected with a variant of Mirai malware.

This botnet employed the Microscan tool to conduct reconnaissance among other things, via the botnet and otherwise, of victim computer networks for vulnerabilities that its clients would later exploit.

Integrity Tech was able to access Microscan through one of the domains that was seized.

The targets of Microscan vulnerability scanning included a U.S. power company that is based in South Carolina, a multi-national Non-Governmental Organization, airports in Japan and Poland, Taiwanese critical infrastructure companies that are in the natural
gas and power sectors, and two universities in Taiwan.

FishHub is alleged to have facilitated the exploitation of computer networks through spear phishing.

FishHub downloaded additional malware to the victim network after an initial network compromise.

This malware, which was delivered through five of the domains that were seized, provided clients of Integrity Tech with unauthorized remote access to the
victim network or searched for specific files and sent them to servers that were controlled by Integrity Tech.

The confirmed victims of FishHub activity included approximately 20 universities in Taiwan.

Integrity Tech also used an unauthorized remote administration software that was tied to a seventh seized domain to connect several victims’ networks to a server from Integrity Tech.

Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. aggravates left foot, out multiple weeks

(Credit and Caption for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 1, 2026. — Courtesy of Ed Thompson / Steelers Now)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy yesterday, Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. aggravated a foot injury in the team’s practice on Wednesday, and he will likely be sidelined multiple weeks. 

Pittman had been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and that led him to miss the Steelers’ Week 2 game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts. 

Pittman was noticed using a scooter to keep weight off his left foot in the locker room after the Steelers’ practice on Wednesday. 

The Steelers traded in March with the Indianapolis Colts to get Pittman for a late-round pick swap and subsequently signed the veteran wide receiver to an extension for three years worth $59 million.  

The Steelers will play the Colts this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium at 1 p.m. without Pittman playing against his former team. 

Bob’s Discount Furniture preparing to open a store in Cranberry Township

(File Photo of the Crabnerry Township Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) The American furniture and mattress retail brand Bob’s Discount Furniture is getting ready to open a new showroom in Cranberry Township. 

This new store will open at 20111 Route 19, Suite B, on November 20th and it will provide the local community with about 20 jobs in the space that will be 28,400 square feet. 

The store will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on its first day and give $5,000 in check presentations to a local school and nonprofit organization. 

Aliquippa man drives under the influence of drugs in Aliquippa, gets arrested

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that twenty-seven-year-old Kenneth Rainey of Aliquippa was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Aliquippa on September 27th.

Police stopped Rainey along 100 5th Avenue at 6:55 p.m. because he committed a vehicle violation.

According to police, Rainey was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. 

Darlington man arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Chippewa Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Darlington, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that twenty-five-year-old Noah Willard of Darlington was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Chippewa Township on September 16th.

Willard was stopped by police in the area of Constitution Boulevard and Braden School Road at 12:11 a.m. because he committed a vehicle code violation.

According to police, Willard was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

Charges against him are pending.