Author: Beaver County Radio

Pennsylvania school district boards up bathrooms

(Hanover, PA) The superintendent of South Western School District confirmed on Friday that the Pennsylvania school district has boarded up window openings it recently installed that allowed people in a middle school hallway to peer into two gender-neutral-designated bathrooms. After a vote in August from the South Western School District’s conservative-majority school board, the board president asserted that this action was designed to monitor and prevent misbehavior. The windows were not installed in any of the school’s non-gender-neutral bathrooms. Here in Pennsylvania, the Education Law Center wrote in a January analysis that federal appeals courts have ruled students have a right to use bathrooms and locker rooms aligned with their gender identity. 

Panera Bread settles case with family of twenty-one-year-old who passed away after drinking copmany’s Charged Lemonade

(Pennsylvania) Panera Bread has settled a case with the family of twenty-one-year-old Sarah Katz, who passed away after drinking the company’s Charged Lemonade. In 2023, Katz’s family filed an incorrect death lawsuit which stated that Panera Bread did not warn customers of the ingredients in the drink or did not call it an “energy drink.” Katz went into cardiac arrest in September 2022 after drinking the lemonade at a Panera Bread location and died after a second cardiac arrest. The lawsuit said that Katz had no idea how much caffeine the drink had, because she was not warned. According to NBC, this case was supposed to go to trial this month and details of the settlement were not released. 

Some payments from East Palestine train derailment could go out during deal’s appeal

(East Palestine, Ohio) After a train derailment that happened in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023, some residents should still be able to receive personal injury payments even while the bulk of their $600 million class action settlement with Norfolk Southern railroad remains on hold during an appeal. The lawyers haven’t provided any breakdown of how many of the roughly 55,000 claims they received are for injuries and how many are for property damage, nor have they said how much each person will receive. Only 370 households and 47 businesses opted out of the deal. Residents don’t really know exactly how much they will receive. 

Source for Photo: FILE – A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. Norfolk Southern announced new details Monday, Sept. 18, about its plan to compensate East Palestine residents for lost home values since the fiery derailment disrupted life in the eastern Ohio town in February. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Man accused of exposing himself at Scoops Ice Cream Store appeared in court

(Sewickley, PA) A man who exposed himself to children at a Scoops Ice Cream store appeared in court on Tuesday when 82-year-old David Whitten walked into his preliminary hearing and tried to cover his face with a jacket. In the middle of a Wednesday afternoon last month, police say Whitten pulled his pants down near Scoops Ice Cream store, exposing himself, and began touching himself inappropriately. The district judge told Whitten he’s not to have any contact with Scoops’ witnesses or victims, no contact with minors without supervision, and must stay 100 yards away from schools and parks. Whitten’s defense attorney decided to waive the hearing even though there were two female witnesses that were ready to testify if needed.

 

Ambridge CVS reopens

(Story written by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondant, Published on October 9th, 2024 at 8:01 A.M.)

(Ambridge, PA) CVS in Ambridge is back in operation. Beaver County Radio was told they are back in operation and no other information was available.

Source for Photo: A box of Maximum Strength Zantac tablets is shown at a pharmacy, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, in Miami Beach, Florida. CVS has halted sales of the popular heartburn treatment and the store generic version after warnings by U.S. health regulators. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Andrew Joseph Mihalik (1931-2024)

Andrew Joseph Mihalik, 93 of Raccoon Township, passed away on October 7, 2024 in his home with his family by his side.  He was born in Aliquippa on September 23, 1931, a son of the late Andrew and Teressa Mihalik.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Mihalik, son and daughter-in-law: Rick & Joyce Mihalik and a son Andrew (AJ) Mihalik; a brother and sister-in-law: Joseph and Kay Mihalik, and a sister and brother-in-law: Margaret & Rusty Heathcock and his beloved dog Bella.

He is survived by his two daughters: Carol and Jerry Olson, and Mary and Thomas Marshall; 6 grandchildren: Sean Marshall, Jamie (Jeremy Gilman), Nicole Marshall (Brian Lockhart), Brandon (Ann) Mihalik, Jerry (Trish) Olson, and David (Sissy) Olson: 11 great grandchildren: Brian, Anne, Landon, Hunter, Emma, Evelyn, Jerry III, Skylar, David Jr. and Kendall; three sisters-in-law: Agnes (Phill) Davis, Barbara Smith and Deb Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews .

Andy was a US Air Force Veteran serving during the Korean War as a mechanic. During his service, he traveled all over the world.  He worked in J&L Steel and then US Steel in their fire departments.  He was a life member of the Raccoon Township Volunteer Fire Department, also a former umpire for Raccoon Twp. Youth Baseball team.   Andy was active in the democratic election committee in Beaver County and was a member of the Beaver County Antique Equipment and Crafts Association. Most of all, Andy was a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be deeply missed.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, October 10, from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa. A Firefighters Farwell Service will be conducted by the Raccoon Township Volunteer Fire Department at 7:30pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday October 11, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Richard Herbster officiating.  The members of the Beaver County Special Unit will conduct Military Honors immediately following the service.

Private interment is in Service Creek Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest along with his wife, Virginia and son Andrew.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Raccoon Township Volunteer Fire Department, 4061 Patterson Road, Aliquippa.

The family would like to thank the VA Hospice Care and his caretaker Tony, also Amedisys Hospice for their dedication and loving care they had with our father.

John L. Pander (1930-2024)

John L. Pander, 94, of New Sewickley, passed away on October 6, 2024 in Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford. He was born in Ellwood City on March 30, 1930, a son of the late Ed and Bertha Pander. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Nell Pander. He is survived by his three children and their spouses: Linda & Andrew Oshop, Diana & Ronald Neal, and John L & Brenda Pander Jr.; 4 grandchildren: Brian (Alison) Oshop, Gretchen (David) Meyers, Ryan (Emily) Neal, and Johnny Pander; and 8 grandchildren: Audrey Oshop, Griffin Potts, Luke Meyers, Peter Oshop, Kyra Oshop, Olivia Meyers, Baylon Neal, and Vivienne Neal.

He was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City and the Barber School of Pittsburgh.  He was a retired from Westinghouse and was barber for many years, working at Schlosher’s Barber Shop in Beaver.  He was a veteran, serving with both the Navy and the Army during his 10 years of service.  John enjoyed hunting and fishing, but he especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday October 11, at 11 a.m. at St. Felix Roman Catholic Parish. 450 13th Street, Freedom.

Private interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery of Freedom.

The family wishes to thank the ICU doctor, nurses and staff from Heritage Valley Sewickley, Good Samaritan Hospice and the Visiting Angels, especially Missy and Nicole, for the wonderful care taken of John.

SWAT team called to Ambridge after Beaver County man held his daughter hostage for several hours

(Ambridge, PA) After holding his two-year-old daughter hostage on Tuesday, a Beaver County man is behind bars and will face charges. Beaver County 911 confirmed law enforcement was called to 6th Street in Ambridge around 2:30 p.m. and spotted a man barricading a child. SWAT team officers were called after police tried to negotiate for several hours, and police say it was because of a language barrier. Ambridge Police Chief John Deluca said that the home officers found the man in is the same one where on Monday the man faced charges after jumping on the roof of that home, a neighbor’s roof, and running after an Ambridge police officer was injured. The child According to police, the two-year-old has been returned to her mother. The man is currently in the Beaver County jail, and the charges he will face are unclear at this time.

Trick or treat times and other Halloween events going on in Beaver County

(Beaver County, PA) Communities here in Beaver County will celebrate Halloween with the popular tradition of trick-or-treating for the kids. Most of the trick-or-treat times start after 6 p.m. on October 31st. Other communities and organizations like Robert Morris University, Three Rivers Karting, the New Brighton Business District, and the New Beaver Borough will be hosting events like Halloween parties and experiences.

The full list of trick-or-treat times is listed below, organized by community name: 

Aliquippa – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Ambridge – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Baden – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Beaver – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Beaver Falls – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Big Beaver – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Bridgewater – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Brighton Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Center Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Chippewa Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Conway – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Darlington Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

Economy – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Ellwood City – Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Franklin Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Hanover Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Harmony Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Hopewell Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Independence Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Monaca – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Moon Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

New Brighton – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

New Sewickley Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

North Sewickley Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Patterson Heights – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Patterson Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Potter Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Racoon Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Rochester – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Rochester Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Shippingport – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Vanport Township – Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Here is some more information on the other upcoming Halloween events in Beaver County, according to the Beaver County Times.

  • Robert Morris University will host the Moon Halloween Spooktacular and RMU Basketball Madness from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the UPMC Events Center. Trick-or-treating will occur throughout the facility until 6:15 p.m. and admission to the event is free.
  • Three Rivers Karting will host an indoor Trick-or-Treat Trail at their entertainment park from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23. The go-kart track will be transformed into spooky scenery to provide a fun and free experience for candy hunters of all ages. The Pittsburgh Car Clubs will also have some “decked-out cars” to help celebrate with music, costume contests and more. During the event, the arcade, axe throwing arena and The Garage Bar and Grill will also be open for visitors. (Event organizers note that karting options will not be available at that time due to the repurposed track.)
  • For those looking for a weekend opportunity to hunt candy, the New Brighton Business District will host a Candy Crawl from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Families can visit the BrightonUP Parklet next to the Sports Factory (917 Third Ave.) for a map of the participating businesses.
  • New Beaver Borough will host their community Halloween party at the New Beaver Fire Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. Families with children ages 14 and younger are asked to make a reservation by calling organizers at 724-535-8868 or by emailing newbeaverboro@zoominternet.net with their child’s name, age, address and phone number by Oct. 21. The celebration is only open to New Beaver residents.