Author: Beaver County Radio

Ruth Naomi Redfern Geist (1930-2026)

Ruth Naomi Redfern Geist, 95, of Beaver, passed away on April 18th, 2026. She was bron in Beaver on June 30th, 1930, a daughter of the late William and Rosabelle Redfern. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, E. Eugene Geist, her son-in-law, Ben Britt III, her granddaughter, Karla Britt and her siblings:Katherine Henry, Rose Brittain, Annabelle Brown, Jane Harding, William Redfern, John Paul Redfern, and James Kendrick Redfern. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Britt, her grandchildren, Jonathan (Julia) Britt, Naomi (Trenell) Galman, and Michael Britt, her great-grandchildren: Josiah, Jeremiah, Michaela, Abby, Charley, and Henry; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was a longtime and faithful member of Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver. She was a 1948 graduate of Beaver Area High School and went on to attend and graduate from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. She worked and retired from the Surgical Department of Beaver Valley Medical Center after 41 years of employment. She also was a member of the Naomi Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, where she served as past Matron, as well as being the former Mother Advisor of Rainbow for Girls.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. 333 Third Street, Beaver.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Naomi Geist, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Donna Groom and the Skyliners will perform in Beaver Falls

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) The Pittsburgh doo-wop group Donna Groom and the Skyliners will perform at a show presented by the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5th at the Beaver Falls Middle School auditorium. The group is known for their harmonies and their classic hits which include “Since I Don’t Have You,” “This I Swear,” and “Pennies from Heaven.” Groom has been an essential part of The Skyliners since 1982. You can purchase tickets at the door. They are worth $25 for adults and $5 for students. The doors open at 6:45 p.m. Cash or check are the only forms of payment that are accepted and there is no reserve seating.

“Hall of Fame High” documentary highlights history of Aliquippa High School Football

(File Photo of Aliquippa Quips Flag)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Several Pro Football Hall of Famers and a community came together on Wednesday at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh for the premiere screening of “Hall of Fame High,” which is a documentary on the history of Aliquippa High School Football. This happened a day before the 2026 NFL Draft began in the Steel City. Former Aliquippa standouts and football greats Darrelle Revis and Ty Law as well as Hopewell standout and fellow football great Tony Dorsett were present at the event. The film was directed and produced by Jesse Washington, a longtime journalist and filmmaker who is now with ESPN’s Andscape. Washington took his vision into telling a story on how the small town of Aliquippa perseveres no matter what has been thrown at them. A Q&A Panel for the audience was also hosted by NFL Network host Rich Eisen. From the beginnings of Aliquippa as a steel town with a built-in toughness, to the closing of the mills and having to deal with the crack cocaine issues that swept the city, the documentary showcased what it truly meant to come from that town. According to Washington: “I couldn’t think of a more deserving city to tell a story about than Aliquippa, not just with their sports, but about the great things this town has done. Aliquippa has been through so much and has made great progress. Throughout this whole project, it has been a privilege to tell their story, and I am happy that they trusted me to do it.” In addition to Aliquippa’s story outside of the sports, the documentary tied into the story of the upbringings in Aliquippa of Dorsett, Law Revis and fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. It showcased the athletic prowess of the past players to wear the Quips uniform like Charles Fisher, Ditka, Law, Revis, and recent graduates like Tikey Hayes and Cam Lindsey and told much more.

Teenage girl stabbed in Downtown Pittsburgh; another teenager taken into custody

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Police are investigating after a teenage girl was stabbed yesterday in Downtown Pittsburgh. The incident happened shortly before midnight in the 400 block of Wood Street. According to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials, a teenage girl who had a knife approached another teenage girl before stabbing her. Officials confirm that the victim suffered a slash across her wrist and was taken to a hospital. The juvenile female suspect was taken into custody by officers. Charges against her are pending but she is expected to face charges. Pittsburgh EMS transported the victim to the hospital in stable condition. Officers at the Downtown Public Safety Center responded within moments and apprehended the female actor.

Parking garage partially collapses at North Shore apartment complex; structure condemned

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Giuseppe LoPiccolo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Caption for Photo: Cars hang after an I-beam collapsed in the garage of Bracken House Apartments on Friday, April 24, 2026. The collapse the day before pinned multiple vehicles and left others suspended from the floor above.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A parking garage at an apartment complex on Pittsburgh’s North Shore partially collapsed yesterday. According to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials, the incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. at the Bracken House garage in the 100 block of Anderson Street. The city Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections is investigating this incident. Officials confirm that even though several vehicles were damaged in the collapse, no one was injured. A resident of the building sent WPXI a photo of a letter posted on the structure, saying it has been condemned. 

Norfolk Southern’s profit fell 27% as it didn’t collect big insurance payments for 2023 East Palestine, Ohio derailment

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A Norfolk Southern freight train rolls past the U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, in Clairton, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

(Atlanta, GA-AP) Norfolk Southern railroad’s first-quarter profit fell 27% because it didn’t collect big insurance payments related to the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment and its planned merger with Union Pacific added to its costs.

The Atlanta-based railroad said Friday that it earned $547 million, or $2.43 per share. That’s down from $750 million, or $3.31 per share, a year ago. The disastrous derailment in the small town on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border has generally boosted earnings in recent quarters as the railroad collected insurance payments, but that wasn’t the case this time, so it combined with planning costs related to the merger, earnings per share were reduced by 22 cents. Last year’s results were also helped by some land sales.

Without those unusual costs, the railroad’s profit would have beat Wall Street estimates. The analysts surveyed by FactSet Research predicted the railroad would earn $2.51 per share.

CEO Mark George said the railroad also dealt with the uncertain economy that reduced the shipments it delivered by 1%, along with severe weather and rapidly rising fuel costs.

“Despite these challenges, our employees safely delivered a solid service product, managed costs effectively, and earned the continued trust of our customers. As conditions improved, we captured momentum exiting the quarter, reinforcing the strength of our operating foundation and the dedication of the entire Norfolk Southern team,” George said.

The railroad’s revenue was relatively flat at just under $3 billion. But its expenses jumped 15% compared to last year when insurance payments from the derailment added $185 million to Norfolk Southern’s bottom line.

Norfolk Southern is working with Union Pacific to update its application to merge that the railroads plan to submit next Thursday. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board rejected the railroad’s first request to approve the $85 billion merger because the regulators wanted more information. The STB hasn’t yet decided whether the deal that would cut the number of major freight railroads down to five will enhance competition.

Norfolk Southern operates trains all over the eastern United States. Combining with Union Pacific’s network west of the Mississippi River would create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad.

Leonard “Len” P. Sadowy (1956-2026)

Leonard “Len” P. Sadowy, 70, of Baden, passed away on April 23rd, 2026. He was born on April 5th, 1956, a son of the late Peter and Mary Sadowy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Rebecca Sadowy, Lorraine Sadowy, and Robert Sadowy, as well as his son, Leonard P. Sadowy Jr. He is survived by his brother, William (Christine) Sadowy, his nieces, Kayla Sadowy, Ashley Selby, and Nicole White, his nephew, Joshua Sadowy, his great-niece, Colette, his beloved canine companion, Bailey and numerous cousins and friends.

Leonard graduated from Ambridge High School and began his career at J&L Steel. He later worked as a school bus driver for the former Rhodes Transit (now ABC Transit). He was also a devoted member of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge. He also enjoyed tabletop shuffleboard, playing the lottery, and was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, April 26th, from 1-3 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements and where a funeral service officiated by Father Michael Polosky of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, will be held on Monday, April 27th, at 10 A.M. Interment will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, 404 6th Street, Ambridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 404 6th Street, Ambridge, PA 15003.

Wonolia Pennington (1953-2026)

Wonolia Pennington, 73, of Midland, passed away unexpectedly on April 21st, 2026, at her home. She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on March 12th, 1953, a daughter of the late Roy and Hazel Pennington. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Richard and Jim Pennington and a sister, Nora Winn. She is survived by her husband of 13 years, W. Todd Holland, her son, Chad Rocca of Anchorage, Alaska, her step-daughters, Tara (Jeffrey) Shriver Burgettstown and Nicole Holland, Weirton, West Virginia, her grandchildren: Brenna Rocca, Chippewa, Josiah Rocca, Alaska and Todd and Gemma Shriver; as well as her sisters, Darlene Candle and Junivee Le Port, both of Industry and great-grandson, Lane Majeski, with whom she loved spending time.

Wonolia had been a resident of Midland most of her life. She formerly worked as a secretary for a judge in Anchorage, Alaska for 20 years before returning home. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, painting and building puzzles.

Friends will be received on Monday, April 27th, from 3 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. in the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland, who was in charge of her arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wonolia Pennington, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Shirley M. Henley (1936-2026)

Shirley M. Henley, 90, of Providence Health and Rehabilitation Center, formerly of New Sewickley Township, passed away on April 21st, 2026. She was born in Freedom on January 11th, 1936, a daughter of the late John G. and Hazel Ruckert McClure. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Allen D. Henley, as well as two sisters, Alice Barnes and Grace Crosby, three brothers, Larry, William, and Gerald McClure. She is survived by her six daughters and four sons-in-law: Sheryll L. Mihelic, Sandra and Michael Wilson, Sarah A. and Mark Mawhinney, all of New Sewickley Township, Stacy E. and Don Mayle of Front Royal Virginia, Gretchen L. and Michael Freed of Wampum, and Lola and Dan Lewis, two sons and daughters-in-law, James A. and Vicki Henley, of New Brighton, and Jeffery T. and Tamara Henley, of Warren, Ohio, twenty-seven grandchildren, seventy-six great-grandchildren, and fifteen great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Carol Reid of Florida, one brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Dianna McClure of Babson Park, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shirley was a retired showroom clerk with Yesco Electric. She was also a member of New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Freedom (Economy Borough) where she took part in the Women’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Auxiliary, the fellowship committee, and former church council. She was also a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program of Rochester and a member of the Strike Out Bowling League for twenty-seven years.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, April 26th, from 2-4 p.m., with a service following at 4:30 p.m. at New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 2nd Avenue, Freedom. Reverend Martin Galbraith will officiaite the service. Private interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, 1101 9th Street Extension, Freedom.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

The family wishes memorial contributions be made to New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 2nd Ave, Freedom, PA 15042.

Former Primary Health Network CEOs Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Non-Profit Medical Organization of Millions of Dollars

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that two former CEOs of Primary Health Network (PHN), a non-profit medical organization headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, have been sentenced in federal court to terms of imprisonment on their convictions for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The sentences were imposed on fifty-eight-year-old Drew Pierce of West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, and seventy-two-year-old Jack Laeng of Lake Milton, Ohio. Pierce was sentenced yesterday to 40 months of imprisonment and Laeng was sentenced on April 16th, 2026, to 24 months of imprisonment. According to information presented to the Court, Pierce engaged in multiple schemes to defraud PHN over the course of almost a decade, with Laeng joining him in two of those schemes. Pierce, Laeng, and others first agreed to enter into contracts with a developer on behalf of PHN in return for kickback payments of 50% of the funds the developer received from PHN. PHN’s board of directors was not aware of the kickback payments, which ultimately caused a loss to the company of more than $1.5 million. Laeng was the CEO of PHN for the beginning of the scheme, from 2011 to about 2014, at which time Pierce took over as CEO. Pierce, Laeng, and others also engaged in a scheme in which they inserted a company called TopCoat between PHN and the company’s legitimate vendors. PHN paid TopCoat through the scheme, which provided no services other to then pay the true vendors a lesser price. PHN’s board of directors was unaware that TopCoat performed no actual work and was made up entirely of PHN insiders. The TopCoat scheme caused a loss to PHN of more than $400,000. In addition to these schemes, Pierce separately engaged in another kickback scheme, as well as in a scheme to pay his own personal expenses out of PHN accounts and conceal those payments as business expenses. Another co-defendant in some of the schemes, Mark Marriott, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8th, 2026.