Author: Beaver County Radio

Chris Alan Leonberg (1965-2026)

Chris Alan Leonberg, 61, of New Brighton, passed away on August 24th, 2026, at his home.

He was born in Beaver on April 16th, 1965, a son of the late Charles and Genevieve (Wahl) Leonberg.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Jeannie M. (H. Wesley) Stewart and JoAnn (David) Minett and his nephew, Harry “Butch” Stewart.

He is survived by his children, Chad (Brittany) Leonberg and Rachael West, his sisters, Jacqueline Rindle and Judy (Doug) Frederick, his brother, Charles (Kim) Leonberg, his grandchildren, Macy Leonberg and Scarlett Leonberg, his nephew, David Minett, Jr., his niece, Jennifer Zackasee and her son, Wahlker Zackasee.

Chris was a graduate of Freedom High School, where he played football. He was the owner of L&M Auto Sales in New Brighton. He enjoyed a good meal, playing poker and hunting. He was also a fan of all the Pittsburgh sports teams.

Friends will be received on Friday, August 28th, from 5 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 7 p.m. at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Community College of Beaver County Names Dr. Eugene Whitfield Harris Dean of the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Community College of Beaver County)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) recently named Dr. Eugene Whitfield Harris as Dean of the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences.

Dr. Harris has served in leadership and instructional roles across aviation training and higher education, and these roles include Aviation Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Aviation at Mercer County Community College, Gold Seal FAA-certified flight instructor with Air-Mods Flight Academy and longtime adjunct professor at Saint Peter’s University.

The James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences prepares students for aviation careers through workforce-focused education, hands-on training and industry partnerships.

Joshua Eugene “Paco” Turoczy (1979-2026)

Joshua Eugene “Paco” Turoczy, 47, of Daugherty Township, passed away unexpectedly on August 23rd, 2026, at his home.

He was born in Pittsburgh on August 20th, 1979, the son of Eugene Turoczy and Mary Jane (Bodrock) Turoczy.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving wife of nearly 17 years, Dana (Myrla) Turoczy, his son, Chandler Turoczy, his daughter, Maci Turoczy, a grandson, Jackson, his mother-in-law, Barbara (Jeff) Myrla, his brothers and sisters-in-law: John Myrla Jr., Melanie Ashbaugh, Kerri Kossarth, and Sam Kossarth; as well as his aunts and uncles, Eric (Regina) Bodrock, Michael (Karen) Bodrock and Karen Darrah, his nieces and nephews: Ryan, Abby, Alexandria, Pharah, and Eddie; along with his cousins, Brian and Sean, as well as many special friends and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Taylor Turoczy, his paternal grandparents, Eugene V. and Sophie Turoczy, his maternal grandparents, Michael and Helen “Bubbs” Bodrock and his father-in-law, John Michael Myrla.

Joshua was a faithful and dedicated employee of Columbia Gas, where he worked as a Construction Coordinator in Field Operations. He was a true outdoorsman and he found peace and solace in nature and enjoyed hiking, biking, hunting, and flying his drone to capture the beauty of the world around him. He was an incredibly hard worker who took great pride in providing a beautiful life for his family. He especially enjoyed working around his home, bringing out the unique character that he and his wife, Dana, envisioned together. He had a special love for animals and cherished watching his daughter, Maci, ride horses, as well as spending time with his beloved dogs and cats. In his free time, he looked forward to trips to Hocking Hills, antiquing, and simply enjoying the outdoors with those he loved most.

Friends will be received for a memorial visitation on Wednesday, August 26th from 4-8 P.M. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Pittsburgh biology professor achieves the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a male science instructor

(Caption and Credit for Photo: Professor Francis Maxin has taught microbiology at Community College of Allegheny County for 60 years, since the school opened in 1966. (Shane Dunlap/ Trib Live))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) A biology professor at the Community College of Allegheny County has now achieved the Guinness World Record for the longest-career for a male science instructor.  

Francis Maxin was recently surprised by college faculty and administrators with the news of this designation during CCAC’s “All College Day” fall semester launch program.  

Maxin had served 59 years and 245 days at CCAC’s Main Campus in the Steel City at the time of the official Guinness World Records designation in May.   

He has been employed as a biology instructor at the college since September of 1966, which is when it opened, and he is still a full-time faculty member who is entering his 233rd semester of teaching this fall.  

Maxin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Gannon University in 1964 and later earned a Master of Science in Biology from Duquesne University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh.

First measles case confirmed in Butler County amid outbreak of measles in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This undated image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Feb. 4, 2015, shows an electron microscope image of a measles virus particle. (Cynthia Goldsmith/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, via AP, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Butler County, PA) A case of measles has now been confirmed in Butler County amid an outbreak of measles that killed two people from Lancaster County. 

Dr. Michael Fiorina, the chief medical officer at Independence Health System, confirmed to WTAE that an unvaccinated patient was seen at a FasterCare urgent care center operated by Independence in the South Pike Square mall, just off South Pike Road on Thursday. 

That person was seen at the Buffalo Township urgent care center before testing confirmed the measles diagnosis yesterday. 

According to officials, this is the first laboratory-confirmed case of measles in Butler County. 

The patient is from Western Pennsylvania and that person is isolating at home. 

Brighton Township Police Department swears in Joshua Curtaccio as new chief of police

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63, Posted on Facebook on August 25th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) The Brighton Township Police Department now has a new chief of police. Chief Joshua Curtaccio was sworn in to this position on August 10th.

He replaces Howard Blinn, who is retiring after over 35 years of service to Brighton Township.  

Chief Curtaccio served in the United States Air Force Security Forces and he started his career with the Brighton Township Police Department as a full-time patrolman in April of 2006.

He advanced to the rank of Captain before becoming the Chief of Police.

He was also a Junior Firefighter. 

The members of the Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department were among those who congratulated Chief Curtaccio on this achievement.  

Route 2004 Freedom Crider Road Pavement Marking Installation Work Wednesday in New Sewickley

(File Photo of a Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced pavement marking installation work on Freedom Crider Road (Route 2004) in New Sewickley Township will occur today, weather permitting. 

From 8 A.M. to 3 P.M., single-lane alternating traffic restrictions will occur on Freedom Crider Road between Route 989 and Park Quarry Road as work will be conducted by crews from PLP Company. 

Oneil Cruz hits a home run off Mason Miller in the 9th inning, sending Pirates to a 1-0 win over Padres

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz reacts after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Oneil Cruz hit the first homer allowed by Mason Miller in over a year with two outs in the ninth Tuesday night, sending the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Cruz improbably lined a low 98-mph pitch from Miller (4-2) into Petco Park’s short porch in right field for his 17th homer. Miller, the Padres’ All-Star closer and Pittsburgh native, hadn’t let anybody go deep on him in 73 consecutive appearances since Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. did it Aug. 5, 2025, in Miller’s second appearance for his new team.

Gregory Soto (6-4) threw a scoreless eighth for Pittsburgh, and Mason Montgomery earned his sixth save.

Paul Skenes pitched six innings of three-hit ball in a solid rebound by the Pirates’ reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, but Michael King allowed five hits over seven scoreless innings in his latest strong start for the Padres.

San Diego didn’t get a hit off the Pirates’ bullpen while losing consecutive games for the first time since July 23, interrupting a 21-7 surge into playoff position.

Skenes had gone 0-3 with a 6.46 ERA in his past five starts, leading Pittsburgh to give extra rest to its ace last week. He was back on form in his native Southern California, throttling the Padres and issuing no walks while his fastball again touched 98 mph, assuaging concerns about his downtick in velocity earlier this month.

After King escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first, the veteran righty found a groove and matched his longest start of the season while striking out seven.

Up next

Bubba Chandler (6-8, 4.38 ERA) takes the mound for the Pirates on Wednesday. Randy Vásquez (9-6, 4.19) is likely to get the bulk of the innings for the Padres.

PA Attorney General Dave Sunday Announces Lawsuit Against Snapchat for Failures to Protect Children from Compulsive Use

(File Photo of the Snapchat Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced the filing of a lawsuit against Snap, Inc., the owner-operators of Snapchat, regarding the failures of the social media giant to warn users of platform addictiveness and protect children from compulsive use.

The Office of Attorney General seeks honesty from Snapchat in how its platform appears in app stores, and demands that the company take steps to protect child users from becoming addicted to the app in a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief which was filed this week in Philadelphia County Court.

This complaint alleges that Snapchat lies about how often adult-themed material, such as drug use, sexual content and nudity and suicidal ideation, appears on its platform to achieve an app rating in App Stores that is age-13+.

The lawsuit cites platform designs unique to Snapchat that make it highly addictive, including SnapStreak features as well as an ephemeral component that is particularly attractive to teens.

According to Pew Research Center, Snapchat is one of the most popular apps for teens, with about half of teens (ages 13-17) being daily users of the app, and about 13 percent of teens report being on it “almost constantly.” 

Dolly Parton, music star, actor and beloved figure who spanned generations, dies at 80

FILE – Dolly Parton poses at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York, on Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton, the beloved music and film star known for her vibrant personality and poignant songwriting, has died. She was 80 years old. Her career spanned decades, with hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Born in Tennessee, she rose from humble beginnings to become a country music icon. Her partnership with Porter Wagoner helped launch her career, and she later became a successful actor and businesswoman. Parton was also a philanthropist, founding her Imagination Library to promote children’s literacy. Her charm and humor made her a beloved figure across generations and political divides.