Author: Beaver County Radio

Woman hospitalized after house fire in New Castle

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) A woman was taken to the hospital after a house fire occurred in New Castle yesterday. According to Lawrence County 911 dispatchers, emergency crews were called to the 300 block of East Fairmont Avenue around 3:09 p.m. Photos show smoke billowing from a house there with severe damage. Firefighters told WPXI that a woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. The American Red Cross is also assisting.

A Moon Township Sheetz store sells $30,000 winning Pennsylvania Lottery ticket

(Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) A convenience store in Moon Township has sold a winning Pennsylvania lottery ticket worth $30,000. The Sheetz at 9002 University Boulevard sold one of six jackpot-winning Pennsylvania Lottery Treasure Hunt tickets for the drawing yesterday. That ticket and the five others matched the five numbers drawn, which were 5,11,13, 25 and 27. Players should check their tickets for this winning ticket, because over 59,700 other Treasure Hunt tickets won prizes in the drawing yesterday.

Congressman Chris Deluzio addresses VA Healthcare system’s 35,000 job cuts across the country

(File Photo of Congressman Chris Deluzio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Congressman Chris Deluzio spoke on Thursday alongside Democratic Veterans Caucus to make people aware of the VA Healthcare system’s 35,000 job cuts that are happening across the country. There were around 1,180 job cuts in VISN 4, which serves Pennsylvania, and 481 that were in the Pittsburgh VA system listed out in internal VA documents. These jobs cuts included the elimination of critical healthcare jobs like roles for doctors and nurses. According to Deluzio, “our country has a major health-care staffing shortage,” and “our veterans need and have earned fully funded and staffed VA hospitals and clinics. It’s simple. If our VA needs to hire more doctors, nurses, you name it, to meet the health care needs of our veterans, you ought to be hiring them, not slashing thier positions.”

Joseph A. Agnew (1937-2025)

Joseph A. Agnew, 88, of New Galilee, passed away on December 19th, 2025, in his home.

He was born in New Brighton on March 13th, 1937, in New Brighton, a son of the late Joseph K. and Mabel L. (Diehl) Agnew. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Martha (Aley) Agnew and his stepmother, Lela Agnew. He is survived by his loving children, Joseph Agnew, Janet Agnew, and Melissa Agnew, his siblings: Daniel (Mary) Agnew, Loyal (Margie) Agnew, Doris Adrian, Rebecca Adkins, and Mabel Jane (Robert) Jackson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Joseph was a proud veteran of the United States Army and retired from Koppel Steel as a crane operator. In his free time, he enjoyed yard work, especially his strawberry patch, and spending time with family and friends.

Friends will be received on Friday, December 26th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday, December 27th at 11 A.M. with military honors provided by the Beaver County Special Unit.  Rev. Dan Muir will officiate.

Private interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, 139 Norwood Drive, Beaver Falls.

Daniel L. Householder (1946-2025)

Daniel L. Householder, 79, of Center Township, passed away on December 16th, 2025, in the Oakland V.A. Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was born in Rochester on July 2nd, 1946, the son of the late Ralph D. and Eleanor Swogger Householder. He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Sandra D. (Ours) Householder, one daughter, Danielle L. Reed and one grandson, Joshua M. Reed, all of Center Township. Daniel was a retired manager with Advanced Auto Parts in Chippewa, and part-time with the Ambridge location. He had previously worked and retired from Sears and Roebuck Company in Center Township and from the former Beglin Ford Company in Bridgewater. He was an Army Veteran, serving in the Vietnam War and was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter862. He was the Vice President and member of the Beaver County Conservation League and Treasurer for the Beaver County Sportsmen’s Conservation League Youth Foundation. He was a member of the Monaca United Methodist Church, where he served on the Pastor Parish Committee, and was a former member of the choir. He was a member of the Monaca V.F.W., the Rochester Sportsman’s Club, and Aliquippa Bucktail Sportsman’s Club, as well as a member of “The Men of Pleiko”. Dan loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman, fisherman, and hunter, who taught others education on hunting. Daniel’s wish was to be cremated. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, December 27th, at 11 a.m., at the Monaca United Methodist Church, 813 Indiana Avenue, Monaca. Officiating will be Reverend David Wilson. Inurnment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville. Full military honors will be provided at the church by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter862 for their fallen comrade. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to B.C.S.C.L. Youth Foundation, Box 376, Monaca PA, 15061. Arrangements are entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

Benjamin B. Frederick (1936-2025)

Benjamin B. Frederick, 89, of Vanport Township, passed away on December 20th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Health System Beaver Campus.

Friends will be received on Friday, December 26th from 1-3 P.M. & 5-7 P.M. in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Ben’s wishes for cremation will be honored following visitation and inurnment will be in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to Vanport Volunteer Fire Department, 435 Jefferson Street, Beaver PA 15009 in Ben’s honor.

Leopold Anthony Grandovic, Jr. (1951-2025)

Leopold Anthony Grandovic, Jr., 74, passed away peacefully at his home on December 17th, 2025. He was born in Ambridge on August 26th, 1951, a son of the late Leopold and Jean (Vidic) Grandovic. He is survived by his children, Savannah (Cole) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Lee (Rachel) of St. Petersburg, Florida and Taylor (Anthony) of Erie, Pennsylvania and his beloved granddaughters, Raegan Natale and Layla Grandovic, who brought him endless joy and pride. Above all, he cherished his family. He lived a life defined by connection, kindness, and joy. Leo never met a stranger and he was a true people person. His extroverted spirit, warm smile and genuine interest in others made everyone feel at ease. This natural gift carried into his career as a banker in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, where he was not only respected, but deeply loved for the way he took the time to talk with everyone and build meaningful, lasting relationships. He was an outstanding baseball player in his youth and continued to play into his early twenties. His passion for the game never faded baseball remained a constant throughout his life. He loved coaching, sharing the game with others and was a devoted Pittsburgh sports fan. His love for life extended beyond sports. He was a lifelong rock and roll enthusiast and a passion sparked when he first heard The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Music, laughter, and conversation filled his days.

Leopold will be remembered for his kind heart, outgoing spirit, and the way he made people feel truly seen and valued. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Family and friends are welcome to attend Leopold’s memorial service on Tuesday, December 23rd from 2 P.M. until the time of the memorial service at 3 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leopold A. Grandovic Jr., please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Tricia Irene “Momma Trish” McGinness (1970-2025)

Tricia Irene “Momma Trish” McGinness, 55, passed away on December 20th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in New Brighton on May 5th, 1970, a daughter of Janet Halleman and the late John Halleman. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her aunt, Mary Halleman. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her beloved husband of 20 years, Brian, her daughters, Alyson (Justin) Cole and Marissa McGinness, her son, Maverick McGinness, her sisters, Lori (Tony) Marchione and Suzanne (Tom) McIlroy, her grandson, Mason Boyce, her faithful four-legged companion, River, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Tricia will be remembered for her never dying love for her Pittsburgh sports teams, and Nascar. “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die” …. “a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance…” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4. These are perfect words as those who knew Tricia mourn the loss of an amazing woman, loyal wife, dedicated mother, loving sister, aunt, daughter and friend. She did it all with a smile, and an attitude of a warrior determined to live her life in the service of everyone around her. There was not one person in her circle who did not know they were loved and appreciated by her.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, December 23rd, from 3-7 p.m., in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of her arrangements. Online condolence may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Tricia Irene “Momma Trish” McGinness, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Laraine Nawrocki-Fardo (1941-2025)

Laraine Nawrocki-Fardo, 84, of Economy Borough, passed away peacefully on December 19th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 21st, 1941, the daughter of the late Harry Sr. and Eleanor Nawrocki. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John B. Fardo. She is survived by her children, John Fardo and Amy (Brian) Padgett, her brothers, Harry Jr. and Russell Nawrocki, her grandchildren, Madison Patsey-Padgett, Elise Fardo and Baylee Padgett, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and friends.

Laraine was a proud graduate of Ambridge Area High School and went on to attend Slippery Rock University and the University of Pittsburgh. She dedicated her life to education, beginning a long and fulfilling teaching career with the Ambridge Area School District, from which she later retired. She cherished family trips to Florida and spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing the slot machines at the casino and was known as an excellent cook. Above all, she was deeply involved in and devoted to her family and all of their activities.

A visitation will be held on Monday, December 22nd, from 2–4 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Luke the Evangelist Church/Good Samaritan, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.

Gregory William Androlia (1962-2025)

Gregory William Androlia, 63, of Big Beaver Borough, passed away on December 19th, 2025, at Family Hospice Inpatient Unit Canterbury Place in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. He was born in Beaver Falls on July 16th, 1962, a son of the late Willis M. and Patricia J. (Arthur) Androlia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Barb and Bob Kaleta, as well as his brother-in-law, Dr. Alex Pizarro. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kim (Kaleta) Androlia, his daughter, Kayla Androlia, his brothers, Dale (Linda) Androlia of Emporium, Pennsylvania and Jeff (Rhonda) Androlia of Big Beaver, his sister, Linda (Androlia) Pizarro of Port Charlotte, Florida, his sister-in-law, Mary Owens of Navarre, Ohio, his brother-in-law, Bob (Christina) Kaleta of Portersville, Pennsylvania and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gregory was a 1980 graduate of Beaver Falls High School who was a member of  their marching band and the Silver Sabres Junior Drum and Bugle Corp. He was devoted to his craft and began his meat cutting career at Comet Food Warehouse in Beaver Falls, followed by several years at the Chippewa Shop and Save. Most recently, he spent many years cutting meat at the Giant Eagle in Franklin Township. He enjoyed hunting and fishing for leisure, but his greatest joy was dedicating his life to saving the lives of others as a firefighter with the Big Beaver Boro Volunteer Fire Company. He proudly served for 49 years and rose to the rank of Lieutenant and Vice President of the department. There will be a visitation on Monday, December 22nd from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a firefighter prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. that evening, and where a funeral service will occur on Tuesday, December 23rd at 10 a.m. with a procession to follow after 11 a.m. to Concord Cemetery in North Sewickley Township. The family gives their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the staff at Magee Women’s Hospital and UPMC Canterbury Place for the care they provided to Greg and our family during this difficult time. Should friends desire, donations may be made in Greg’s name to the Big Beaver Boro Volunteer Fire Company, 621 Friendship Road, Darlington, PA 16115.