Author: Beaver County Radio

Allegheny County Woman Forged Signatures to Get Pine-Richland School Board Candidate on the Ballot

(File Photo of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday’s office, Sunday announced charges against an Allegheny County woman for forging nomination paperwork earlier this year for a candidate for the Pine-Richland School Board election. Thirty-six-year-old Kayla Michelle Van Blargan of Wexford was charged yesterday with perjury, four counts of forgery and related offenses. An investigation from the Pennsylvania Attorney General confirmed that Van Blargan forged elector signatures on a nomination petition for candidate Kathleen Rivotti. Van Blargan forged at least four elector signatures, and a candidate that was competing against her filed a lawsuit. Rivotti also dropped out of the race of the Pine-Richland School Board election. The investigation showed that Van Blargan compiled paperwork for nomination, including the ten signatures that were necessary from electors required to get on the ballot. A determaintion was made that at least four elector signatures on the petition were forged. An agent had an interview with each of the electors whose names were on the petition, and they all confirmed they did not sign it. A Statement of Circulator, which is a legal document regarding the petition process, was signed by Van Blargen. Van Blargan is also charged with unsworn falsification to authorities, false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers, and nomination petitions, certificates and papers, destruction, fraudulent filing and suppression along with her charges of forgery and perjury.

Male suspect from Penn Hills who was accused of hitting a gate at the FBI Pittsburgh Field Complex and leaving an American flag on that gate faces a judge for the first time

(Photo of Donald Henson Courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Forty-six-year-old Doanld Henson of Penn Hills, who was accused of hitting a gate at the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office Complex in the South Side of Pittsburgh and leaving an American flag on that gate on September 17th, 2025, recently faced a judge for the first time. Henson told the FBI after the incident that he rammed the security gate at the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office complex because he wanted to “make a statement” even though he knew that at the time he hit that gate that there was a guard in the security booth. According to an FBI agent who testified, Henson told officers that he believed an FBI agent was living under his home, and he heard voices speaking to him. Henson is in custody and faces charges which include damaging government property. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District continues mission-essential operations during lapse in appropriations

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is announcing that all essential services will continue during the lapse in Fiscal Year 2026 funding and all navigation facility operations will follow their existing schedules. The district-operated recreation facilities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District that are currently operating are visitor centers, campgrounds and restrooms. According to that same release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineeers Pittsburgh District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District provides value to the nation through operations at their 22 locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose flood-control reservoirs, 328 miles of navigable waterways, 42 local flood-protection projects, and other projects designed to protect and enhance the nation’s water resources, infrastructure, and the environment.

Jerry Sandusky files new appeal regarding his sexual abuse case at Penn State University, which he got convicted for in 2012

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(University Park, PA) An appeal was filed last week by Jerry Sandusky, who was a former assistant football coach at Penn State University. Sandusky is currently serving time in jail of thirty to sixty years on over forty charges of sexual abuse of children. Sandusky alleges there is new evidence of prosecutorial misconduct. The filing makes a claim that the attorneys of Sandusky have new evidence that prosecutors “coached” at least two of the victims who testified against Sandusky. Sandusky was convicted on October 9th, 2012 for allegedly sexually abusing ten boys over a period of fifteen years at Penn State University. The appeal by Sandusky requests a hearing on the new evidence that was alleged. Earlier this week, The Centre County District Attorney’s Office asked the judge for more time to respond to the filing of Sandusky.

Juror testifies in case of Sheldon Jeter Jr., who is serving a life sentence in prison for killing Tyric Pugh in Aliquippa in 2020, because of the defense of Jeter requesting it

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) A juror from a trial that took place in 2021 in Beaver County came back in court this week for an evidentiary hearing which stemmed from an appeal. This hearing was requested from the defense of Sheldon Jeter, Jr., who is in prison for life for the 2020 murder of Tyric Pugh in Aliquippa, because of the behavior of the juror that testified in this hearing this week, but initially, the hearing was denied. Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible predicted that until after December is when a final decision in this evidentiary hearing could be seen. Jeter was also named as a primary suspect in 2023 for the murder of Rachel DelTondo in addition to his prison sentence that he received for the murder of Pugh. 

Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association announces 2025-2026 Officials Appreciation Week to recognize and support the work of PIAA officials

PIAA logo

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Mechanicsburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association has recently announced their 2025-2026 Officials Appreciation Week for schools around Pennsylvania to recognize and show support for the work that PIAA sports officials do for Pennsylvania student-athletes. Fall Sports Officials will be recognized from this Sunday, October 5th through Saturday, October 11th of 2025, Winter Sports Officials will be recognized from January 11th through January 17th of 2026, and Spring Sports Officials will be recognized from April 5th through April 11th, of 2026. 

Restrictions on the southbound Interstate 79 on-ramp from Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road (Route 4042) in Franklin Park Borough of Allegheny County will occur, weather permitting

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that from Monday, October 6th through Friday, October 10th, weather permitting, restrictions on the southbound Interstate 79 on-ramp from Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road (Route 4042) in Franklin Park Borough of Allegheny County will occur. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each of those weekdays next week, the southbound on-ramp to I-79 from Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road will be reduced to a single-lane of traffic to let utility relocation work to occur there. There will also be a closure of one of the two turning lanes from westbound Route 910/Wexford Bayne Road to the southbound I-79 on ramp to let that work occur on the on-ramp. Shoulder restrictions will also continue on the southbound Interstate 79 on-ramp through the middle of October every weekday from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. 

A man from Darlington gets charged by police for driving under the influence in Darlington Township and purposely wrecking into a tree there

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Darlington Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that twenty-one-year-old Cole Young of Darlington got charged by police after causing a single-vehicle crash in Darlington Township on the night of September 25th, 2025. A determination was made that Young was driving under the influence on Taggert Road and wrecked into a tree on purpose, which caused a serious injury to Young. Charges have been filed against Young by police. 

Donald E. Kittner (1934-2025)

Donald E. Kittner, 91, of Daugherty Township, passed away October 1st, 2025, at his residence. He was born in Beaver Falls on January 15th, 1934, a son of the late Emil and Margaret Casciato Kittner.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas and Matilda Casciato and two brothers, Norman Kittner and Albert Kittner. He is survived by his wife, Delores “Dolly” Kittner, four sons: Donald (Pam) Kittner, Danny (Suzette) Kittner, David (Maureen) Kittner and Douglas Kittner; as well as two sisters-in-law, Marie Kittner and Jean Kittner, ten grandchildren: Kylee (Ryan) Thompson, Jenna (Eric) Soder, Joseph (Stephanie) Kittner, Vincent Kittner, Jacob (Brittany) Kittner, Danny Kittner, Sierra Kittner, Denim Kittner, Sabrina Kittner, and Dawson Kittner; as well as six great-grandchildren, Ridge and Finley Soder, Eli and Ella Thompson, Kayden and Kaylee Kittner. Donald was a graduate of Beaver Falls High School in 1951 and worked many summers of school years working with his father (Bus) learning the carpenter trade. He loved working with wood, bowling, gardening, and building puzzles. Donald was a member of the West Mayfield Vets and had almost 70 years in the Beaver Falls Turners. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War, with the 82nd Airborne Division. Donald also served with the Beaver and Lawrence County Honor Guard for almost 10 years. Friends will be received on Sunday, October 5th from 4-8 P.M. in the CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 6th at 10 A.M. at Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton. Online condolences may be shared at www.corlessfuneralhomes.com. Interment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester, where the Beaver County Honor Guard will perform full military honors. The family would like to thank everyone from the Three Oaks for the loving care given to Donald. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Donald’s name to St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or the Shriner’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1525, Ranson, WV 25438.

Hazel Mae Stiffler (1948-2025)

Hazel Mae Stiffler, 77, of Aliquippa, passed away on October 1st, 2025, while surrounded by the love of her husband, William and their daughters, Jaime and Emily. She was born on August 7th, 1948, the daughter of the late James and Jane (Ferris) Carl. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, William Stiffler, her daughters, Jaime (Richard) Kinkead and Emily (Robert) Nickles and her granddaughter, Eleanora Jane Nickles, who was the apple of Hazel’s eye.

Hazel was a graduate of Edinboro State College who taught third grade at Independence Elementary School of Aliquippa for 40 years and cared deeply about her students. She was an involved and kind teacher, always willing to mentor and guide her students to success.

Family was at the heart of Hazel’s life. She was the pillar of support and encouragement to her loved ones, instilling in her daughters a strong foundation of family and values that will continue to guide them throughout their lives. Hazel loved planting her flowers, spoiling her pets, and going on car rides with Billy.

In lieu of flowers, our family wishes you to make good memories with your family and hold those memories close to your heart or donate an adoption fee to the Beaver County Humane Society 3394 Brodhead Rd, Aliquippa, PA 15001 in memory of Hazel to help facilitate someone finding their “furever” friend.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 4th at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2270 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa. Arrangements were entrusted to the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Hazel Mae Stiffler please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc by clicking here.