Author: Beaver County Radio

Twins hire former coach and ex-Pirates skipper Derek Shelton as manager, AP source says

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton walks to the dugout before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Pittsburgh, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have picked former bench coach Derek Shelton as their new manager, a person with knowledge of the decision confirmed Wednesday night.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the hire. Major League Baseball encourages clubs to avoid spotlighting big moves during the World Series.

Shelton served as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates for five-plus years with an overall record of 306-440 before he was fired on May 8, just 40 games into this season. The 55-year-old was the bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019 under two different managers, Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli. With the under-funded Pirates, Shelton never finished higher than fourth place in the NL Central or better than 76-86.

Baldelli was fired the day after the regular season ended with a 527-505 record over seven years, plus 3-8 in the postseason. The Twins won three AL Central titles under Baldelli, including their 101-61 finish in 2019 when the rookie skipper won the AL Manager of the Year award, but they made the playoffs only once in his last five seasons and frequently struggled to shepherd their top prospects into becoming consistent contributors.

New York Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, who held that role for the Twins under both Molitor and Baldelli before leaving to become bench coach of the Miami Marlins in 2020, was also one of the finalists. According to multiple reports, former Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais and current Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty were in the mix, too. The Twins are one of nine MLB teams who have changed managers this year.

Shelton, who was well-regarded within the Twins organization and a close friend to Baldelli, will take over a team that spiraled to a 70-92 finish after the front office decided to use the leverage of the deadline to maximize the incoming talent and traded 10 players off the major league roster in a stunningly aggressive teardown.

The Twins traded their five best relievers, from closer Jhoan Duran on down, and left the final 54 games to a ragtag group that had eight blown saves in 18 opportunities during that span. The conversion rate of 44.4% ranked second-worst in the majors over the final two months.

The Twins are 82-119 over their last 201 games for a .408 winning percentage, and that includes a 13-game winning streak this season.

Attendance has swooned at Target Field. The Twins finished with their lowest total for 81 home games (a little more than 1.7 million tickets sold) in a non-pandemic season since 2000 when they played at the cramped and dingy Metrodome and went 69-93.

Fans mostly have directed their disdain toward ownership, with deep frustration over cost cutting that came after the 2023 breakthrough Baldelli led with the end of a record 18-game postseason losing streak and the club’s first win of a playoff series in 21 years.

Executive chair Joe Pohlad and his family members put the franchise up for sale in 2024, but decided in August to keep control and bring on two new investment groups for an infusion of cash to help pay down debt.

Robin Kimiko Ursida (1965-2025)

Robin Kimiko Ursida, 60, of Beaver Falls, passed away on October 25th, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on October 24th, 1965, and was raised in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii, a daughter of the late Robert and Gail Teramoto. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her cherished son, Jeremy Teramoto-Ursida, her grandparents, Edward and Tatsuko Matsumoto and two brothers. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, David Ursida, her children, Malia (John Michael) Ursida-Cain and Angelo Ursida, her uncles, Donnie, Floyd and Miles Matsumoto, her auntie Faye (Douglas) Kikuchi, and two brothers and one sister, Deborah Matsumoto, Reinton Kawamae, and Jeph Miyaji.

Robin was known as a true “North Shore Tita.” She proudly served in the United States Navy for 6 years and cherished her time living abroad, particularly in Yokosuka, Japan where she met her beloved husband, David. After settling in Pennsylvania, she dedicated herself to a fulfilling career with FedEx, where she worked for over 30 years. Outside of work, Robin devoted herself to spending time with her husband, children, family, and friends. She brought Hawaiian culture to Western Pennsylvania in every way possible, through her cooking, local style-charisma. She will be remembered most for her loyalty, generosity, and selflessness, always putting others before herself.  A visitation will be held on Friday, October 31st from 3-8 P.M. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Monica Church of Beaver Falls on Saturday, November 1st, at 10 A.M., followed by a luncheon. Her burial will take place in Hawaii on a date to be determined. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to everyone who shared their love, kindness, and support during Robin’s journey with cancer. Memorial donations may be made to Jude’s Children Research Hospital. “Ua ola loko i ke aloha. – A hui hou. – Love gives life within. Until we meet again”

Peter “Pete” Andrew D’Ambrosio (1948-2025)

Peter “Pete” Andrew D’Ambrosio, 77, passed away on October 26th, 2025. He was born on May 13th, 1948, a beloved son of Samuel J. and Katherine (“Kusha” Jarostowski) D’Ambrosio. He is survived by his large family: his children, Tina Voss, Samuel (Marcia) D’Ambrosio and Lisa (Randy) Dobich, as well as his siblings: Shirley D’Ambrosio, Kathy (Punk) Tusick, Darlene D’Ambrosio and Richard D’Ambrosio; along with his grandchildren: Tara, Ashley, Jacob, Samuel II, Joey, Branden, Jorden, and Haley; as well as his nephews, Eric (Jennifer), Jason (Jennifer), and Christopher (Jennifer) and his many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by: Rachelle, Danielle, Cheryl (David) Zehnder, and Carolyn (Michael) Hrusko, who lovingly referred to him as their Uncle Pete.

He was preceded in death by his longtime love, Betty Wilson, with whom he shared many years of happiness and companionship. He was also preceded in death by his beloved sister, Marlene D’Ambrosio, his niece, Caitlin Tusick, his Aunt JuJu, his Aunt Ann and Uncle John Jarostowski.

Peter retired from Ambridge Water Authority after many years of service. He also worked alongside Betty at the Orbit Inn, making many friends and lasting memories. He found great joy in tending to his flower gardens, decorating for the holidays, and his hobby of rescuing other people’s things that he would fix up and surprise his family and friends with. He will be remembered for his humor, generosity, and the warmth he shared with everyone lucky enough to know him. He will be missed deeply by his family, friends, and the many people whose lives he touched.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30th, from 4 P.M. until the time of a funeral service at 6 P.M. in Alvarez Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Brian Scott Harper (1976-2025)

Brian Scott Harper, 48, of Monaca, passed away unexpectedly on October 26th, 2025 at his residence.

He was born in Rochester on November 7th, 1976, a son of Bonnie Lynn (Meier) Harper and the late David Clayton Harper. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his children, Bailey (Joe) Tomosky, Preston Harper, and Kendall Harper, his siblings, Christopher (Justina) Harper and Misty Harper, his nieces and nephews: Tori, Taylor, Colt, Caleb, JD, and Kieran; as well as a special friend, Kelly King, as well as many friends.

Brian was a graduate of the Community College of Beaver County. He had worked for Mattress Firm and most recently was a logistics operations manager for HUB Group.  He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching Steelers football.

Friends will be received for a memorial visitation on Monday, November 3rd from 4 P.M. until the time of a brief celebrant service at 7:30 P.M. in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements.

James Michael Kroskey (Passed on October 27th, 2025)

James Michael Kroskey, 61, of Beaver Falls, passed away on October 27th, 2025, at Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.

James was born in Aliquippa and was raised in Monaca. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert F. and Joan O’Roark Kroskey and his brother, Robert F Kroskey II and Robert’s wife, Ann Kimberly Kroskey. He is survived by his ex-spouse, Denise Kroskey and their four children: Connor, Shane, Adin, and Seanna, his brother, Gregory (Tammy) Kroskey, his sister, Darlene (Dave) White, his brother, Frank Kroskey and his many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Following high school graduation, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, Washignton. He was known for his strong work ethic, which was evident to those who knew him. He began his career as a bricklayer with Philipps Masonry and eventually joined the bricklayer’s union, where he continued to exhibit his craftsmanship and dedication until his retirement.

Beyond his work, he was a man who cherished the outdoors. He could often be found on the basketball court or by the water with a fishing rod in hand.

Private entombment will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery Columbarium, 1101 9th Street Extension, Freedom. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

PennDOT, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Safety Partners Host Safety Themed Event for Students Ahead of Halloween

(File Photo of the PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release yesterday from PennDOT District 11, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pittsburgh Public Schools, and other Allegheny County safety partners hosted an event in Pittsburgh to promote pedestrian safety to students at Pittsburgh Westwood PreK-5 as they prepare to celebrate Halloween. There was a presentation hosted by the safety partners that shared Halloween themes that were child-friendly to both prepare for the holiday and educate them about tips for it, and that same release from PennDOT stated that the topics presented included some safety tips, such as:

·         Only cross at corners and use crosswalks when possible.

·         Always use sidewalks. If none are available, walk facing traffic.

·         Wear a brightly colored costume (or adjust a costume) to be highly visible to other pedestrians and motorists.

·         Carry a flashlight, glow stick, or any other light up tool to increase visibility.

·         Use face paint instead of a mask to allow you to see better.

·         Only trick-or-treat with an adult or responsible older sibling.

Pedestrians and motorists should also be aware of Halloween night safety tips which can be found on PennDOT’s Halloween Safety Fact Sheet, which is available online by clicking here.

The Macomb Group Opens New Branch in Sewickley, Pennsylvania

(Photo Courtesy of Access Newswire and the Associated Press)

SEWICKLEY, PA / ACCESS Newswire / October 29, 2025 / The Macomb Group, a leading distributor of industrial pipe, valves, and fittings (PVF), is proud to announce the opening of its newest branch at 304 Deer Run Road, Sewickley, PA, a strategic location just northwest of Pittsburgh. This expansion underscores the company’s commitment to deepening its service capabilities in the Western Pennsylvania region and surrounding markets.

The new 42,000-square-foot facility includes one acre of outdoor storage and is conveniently situated just off Interstate 79, a major corridor serving the greater Pittsburgh area. The location offers an ideal logistical hub for rapid distribution and expanded local support.

While The Macomb Group has supported customers in the region for years through its Akron, Cleveland, and Willoughby, Ohio, branches, as well as operations east of Pittsburgh, the new branch will allow for faster service, greater inventory accessibility, and tailored support for regional industries.

“We’ve supported the Pittsburgh market for many years through our operations in both Ohio and Pennsylvania,” said Bill Vail, Executive Vice President at The Macomb Group. “For some time, we’ve been actively seeking the right opportunity to establish a branch in the area, and we’re excited to make that a reality in Sewickley. This new location positions us closer to our customers and enables us to better meet their needs with greater speed and efficiency.”

The branch is scheduled to be fully operational by early September. It will be led by Todd Shumate, a PVF industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience serving markets across West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

“We are committed to reviving the traditional supply house model by providing expert support for customer needs and delivering exceptional service with a focus on same-day fulfillment – delivering today, not tomorrow,” said Shumate, Regional Sales Manager.

He also noted the area’s substantial industry diversity:

“This is a highly diverse market. Key industries we serve include OEMs, petroleum refining, oil and gas distribution, chemical processing, manufacturing, and power generation – in addition to commercial mechanical contractors.”

To support the branch’s inventory demands, The Macomb Group will leverage its 300,000 square-foot distribution center in Willoughby, Ohio, ensuring deep stock levels and reliable, efficient resupply for customers across the region.

This new location is another key step in The Macomb Group’s strategic expansion, focused on responsiveness, market specialization, and strengthening relationships across vital industrial and commercial sectors.

Marco Andretti retires from racing, ending an era for the Andretti family at the Indy 500

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – ARCA driver Marco Andretti looks out of the garage before a practice run for an ARCA Mendards Series auto race Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, file)

(AP) Marco Andretti said Wednesday he is retiring from racing, a decision that likely means the “Andretti Curse” at the Indianapolis 500 will never end.

The 38-year-old grandson of Mario Andretti announced on social media he will not attempt to enter the Indianapolis 500 next season and will instead turn his attention to his daughter, business ventures outside of racing, and a memoir in process called “Defending the Dynasty.”

Next year’s Indianapolis 500 will not have an Andretti in the field for the first time since 2005.

“I have had some really fun times behind the wheel in a lot of different types of racing cars — a lot of great memories as well, mostly at the Indy 500,” Marco Andretti wrote in his announcement, noting his start this year was the 20th of his career, good enough for 12th all-time.

“I am very much at peace with the next chapter in my life after dedicating three decades to the sport,” he added.

Marco Andretti also reflected on the Indy 500, his performances there and when he and his father battled for the lead in the closing laps of the 2006 race.

Marco Andretti was an IndyCar rookie, his father, Michael, came out of retirement to race against him, and Marco’s late pass of Michael should have been enough for the victory. Sam Hornish Jr. ended up chasing down Marco Andretti and the curse that dates to 1970 — the year after Mario Andretti gave the family their only Indy 500 win — continued.

“I am proud of my overall stats at the Indy 500. I had six very legitimate shots at victory with Andretti Autosport and ended up with 20% top-3 finishes at the Speedway,” Marco Andretti wrote. “It feels accomplishing to me to be able to retire having more podium finishes than my father Michael and the same as my grandfather Mario at the biggest race in the world.”

He added to his Indy 500 memories nearly being bumped from the field in 2011 and winning the pole in 2020.

“That is what the Indianapolis 500 produces: extremes on both ends. That is why I love and appreciate it so much,” he wrote.

Marco Andretti won two times over 253 IndyCar starts spanning 20 years. He debuted at the age of 19 driving for his father’s team, which is now known as Andretti Global but Michael Andretti was bought out of the ownership group at the end of last season.

Marco Andretti scaled back in 2021 to run only the Indianapolis 500 as he dabbled in NASCAR and other racing series. With Michael Andretti no longer an official part of the team, new owner Dan Towriss is under no obligation to enter Marco Andretti at Indy.

Marco Andretti’s final Indy 500 will go down as one of his worst — he crashed on the fourth lap as both Mario and Michael Andretti dropped their heads at another Indy disaster.

Despite the heartbreak at Indianapolis, the Andretti name is one of the most globally respected in racing. Mario Andretti won the 1978 Formula 1 championship, IndyCar titles in 1965, 1966, 1969 and 1984, and the 1967 Daytona 500 in NASCAR.

Mario Andretti is the only driver to win Indy, Daytona and an F1 championship. He is the only driver to win IndyCar races in four different decades and his 52 career victories rank third on IndyCar’s all-time list.

Michael Andretti ranks fourth all-time with 42 wins in IndyCar, just never at Indianapolis. He won the 500 as a team owner five different times. He won one title, was runner-up in the standings five times and ran 13 of the 16 races in the 1993 F1 season.

Marco Andretti only began trying other racing series after he stepped away from full-time IndyCar competition. The pressure on him to live up to his last name was enormous, especially at Indianapolis.

He reflected on his two decades in IndyCar as “competing at the top level of North American motorsport is and has been an honor for me, even in the tough times.”

“That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man,” he said. “Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics at times, and others doubting me, made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most.”

A Pennsylvania man who spent 43 years in prison before his conviction was overturned now faces deportation

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam walks outside the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa, on Feb. 6, 2025, during a hearing over new evidence uncovered in his 1983 murder case. (Geoff Rushton/StateCollege.com via AP)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — After waiting more than four decades to clear his name in a friend’s 1980 killing, Subramanyam Vedam was set to walk free from a Pennsylvania prison this month.

Vedam and Thomas Kinser were the 19-year-old children of Penn State University faculty. Vedam was the last person seen with Kinser and was twice convicted of killing him, despite a lack of witnesses or motive.

In August, a judge threw out the conviction after Vedam’s lawyers found new ballistics evidence that prosecutors had never disclosed.

As his sister prepared to bring him home on Oct. 3, the thin, white-haired Vedam was instead taken into federal custody over a 1999 deportation order. The 64-year-old, who legally came to the U.S. from India when he was 9 months old, now faces another daunting legal fight.

Amid the Trump Administration’s focus on mass deportations, Vedam’s lawyers must persuade an immigration court that a 1980s drug conviction should be outweighed by the years he wrongly spent in prison. For a time, immigration law allowed people who had reformed their lives to seek such waivers. Vedam never pursued it then because of the murder conviction.

“He was someone who’s suffered a profound injustice,” said immigration lawyer Ava Benach. “(And) those 43 years aren’t a blank slate. He lived a remarkable experience in prison.”

Vedam earned several degrees behind bars, tutored hundreds of fellow inmates and went nearly half a century with just a single infraction, involving rice brought in from the outside.

His lawyers hope immigration judges will consider the totality of his case. The administration, in a brief filed Friday, opposes the effort. So Vedam remains at an 1,800-bed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in central Pennsylvania.

“Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in an email about the case.

‘Mr. Vedam, where were you born?’

After his initial conviction was thrown out, Vedam faced an unusual set of questions at his 1988 retrial.

“Mr. Vedam, where were you born?” Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar asked. “How frequently would you go back to India?

“During your teenage years, did you ever get into meditation?”

Gopal Balachandran, the Penn State law professor who won the reversal, believes the questions were designed to alienate him from the all-white jury, which returned a second guilty verdict.

The Vedams were among the first Indian families in the area known as “Happy Valley,” where his father had come as a postdoctoral fellow in 1956. An older daughter was born in State College, but “Subu,” as he was known, was born when the family was back in India in 1961.

They returned to State College for good before his first birthday, and became the family that welcomed new members of the Indian diaspora to town.

“They were fully engaged. My father loved the university. My mother was a librarian, and she helped start the library,” said the sister, Saraswathi Vedam, 68, a midwifery professor in Vancouver, British Columbia.

While she left for college in Massachusetts, Subu became swept up in the counterculture of the late 1970s, growing his hair long and dabbling in drugs while taking classes at Penn State.

One day in December 1980, Vedem asked Kinser for a ride to nearby Lewisburg to buy drugs. Kinser was never seen again, although his van was found outside his apartment. Nine months later, hikers found his body in a wooded area miles away.

Vedam was detained on drug charges while police investigated, and was ultimately charged with murder. He was convicted in 1983 and sentenced to life without parole. To resolve the drug case, he pleaded no contest to four counts of selling LSD and a theft charge. The 1988 retrial offered no reprieve from his situation.

Although the defense long questioned the ballistics evidence in the case, the jury, which heard that Vedam had bought a .25-caliber gun from someone, never heard that an FBI report suggested the bullet wound was too small to have been fired from that gun. Balachandran only found that report as he dug into the case in 2023.

After hearings on the issue, a Centre County judge threw out the conviction and the district attorney decided this month not to retry the case.

Trump officials oppose the petition

Benach, the immigration lawyer, often represents clients trying to stay in the U.S. despite an earlier infraction. Still, she finds the Vedam case “truly extraordinary” given the constitutional violations involved.

“Forty-three years of wrongful imprisonment more than makes up for the possession with intent to distribute LSD when he was 20 years old,” she said.

Vedam could spend several more months in custody before the Board of Immigration Appeals decides whether to reopen the case. ICE officials, in a brief Friday, said the clock ran out years ago.

“He has provided no evidence nor argument to show he has been diligent in pursuing his rights as it pertains to his immigration status,” Katherine B. Frisch, an assistant chief counsel, wrote.

Saraswathi Vedam is saddened by the latest delay, but said her brother remains patient.

“He, more than anybody else, knows that sometimes things don’t make sense,” she said. “You have to just stay the course and keep hoping that truth and justice and compassion and kindness will win.”

PSP New Castle investigating animal cruelty incident in Enon Valley Borough

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that they were dispatched for a report of an incident regarding animal cruelty that happened in Enon Valley Borough of Lawrence County. The incident occurred on September 17th, 2025 at 1:19 p.m. on Short Street and the investigation into it is ongoing.