Author: Beaver County Radio

Mary S. Birris (1930-2026)

Mary S. Birris, 95, of Aliquippa, passed away on March 21st, 2026 in Tapestry Senior Living in Coraopolis. She was born in Aliquippa on December 1st, 1930, a daughter of the late George and Thames Skeriotis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul T. Birris and her sisters, Sandra Babich and Nancy Ball. She is survived by her two children, Atty Thomas P. (Dorthea) Birris and Tami Segerson, three cherished grandchildren, Talia Birris, Ashley (Zach) Loechner and Damien Segerson and two great grandchildren, Theo and Ariella.

Mary was a member of the Kimmisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church and a member of the church’s Senior Citizens Group. She was employed by the Visiting Nurse Association of Allegheny County for 24 years before her retirement in 1993. She greatly enjoyed working with stroke survivors and since retirement was a volunteer for the Visiting Nurse Foundation Stroke Survivors Group of Moon Township and Sewickley. She was also a member of the Aliquippa Community Hospital Auxiliary.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, March 25th from 3-7 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Funeral Service  will be held on Thursday, March 26th at 11 a.m. in Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 2111 Davidson Street, Aliquippa.

Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, 450 Penn Avenue, Aliquippa.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church 2111 Davidson Street, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Jeffrey T. Deltino (1966-2026)

Jeffrey T. Deltino, 59, of Chippewa Township, passed away on March 20th, 2026 at Allegheny General Hospital. He was born in Beaver Falls on June 18th, 1966, a son of the late John Sr. and Dorothy (Singo) Deltino. He is survived by his brothers, John and Samuel Deltino, his nephew, Joshua Paul Deltino, his niece, Jenna (Joshua) Krizan, his great-nieces, Kyla and Kenna Jo Krizan, his beloved dog, Mia and numerous cousins & relatives.

Even in death, Jeffrey showed his love and selflessness to help others and turn a personal loss into a “gift of life” by being an organ donor with CORE. He attended Life Family Church in New Brighton. He was a faithful Christian, son, brother, uncle, and great-uncle who loved the Lord, his family, and friends. He retired from working at the Beaver County Rehabilitation Center in December of 2024. He was an avid daily reader of the Beaver County Times. He loved watching and cheering on the WWE, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. He was an avid weather channel watcher even if it was not in our area. He loved to play Bingo and games with his family during the holidays. He was the one always saying prayer before the meals.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, March 25th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. and on Thursday, March 26th at 10 A.M. until the time of a service at 11 A.M.at GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME AND CREAMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements.

The service will be held by Pastor Sam DeMarco from Life Family Church of New Brighton on Thursday, March 26th at 11 a.m. Private interment will follow at the Beaver Falls Cemetery, 2045 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.

Family requests contributions to be made to the Special Olympics of Beaver, 128 Friendship Circle, Beaver, PA 15009 or to CORE Memorial contributions can be made at dfs@core.org.

August J. “Buzz” Tuffie (Passed on March 20th, 2026)

August J. “Buzz” Tuffie, 83, formerly of Monaca, passed away on March 20th, 2026, at his Center Township residence. He was born in Canonsburg, a son of the late Anthony and Mary (Russo) Tuffie.

August was a 1960 graduate of Monaca High School. On March 14th, 1964, he married the love of his life, Jeanette Dyche, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca. Their marriage was a testament to love and partnership, lasting until Jeanette’s passing just days before his own on March 15th, 2026. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ralphine Lintz, as well as his infant son, Trent. He leaves behind a legacy of love and perseverance and is survived by his daughter, Lainie Liptak, and her husband, Benjamin, their children, Trent and P.J. Liptak, his son, Dean Tuffie, his sister, Diane Bedison and her husband, John.

August’s professional life was characterized by over four decades of commitment to Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Beaver, where he worked as a millwright and was a member of the IBEW Local 201. Beyond his professional endeavors, he was a member of the Monaca Sons of Italy Club. He was of Italian heritage, which was reflected in his love for Italian cuisine, with spaghetti and pizza being his most favorite dishes. His zest for life extended to various pastimes; in his younger years, he was an avid golfer, bowler, and softball player. Even in his later years, he could often be found with a crossword puzzle in hand. Visitation and services for both August and Jeanette will be held on Monday, March 23rd from 1–3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. followed by a blessing service at 7 p.m., at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of his arrangements. Deacon Robert Bittner, of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, will officiate. Interment for both August and Jeanette will take place at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, 1270 Chapel Road, Monaca.

Philadelphia-area teenager recently hears his composition performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of CBS Philadelphia, Posted on March 20th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A seventeen-year-old boy from the Philadelphia area got to recently hear the world premiere of his composition performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at its “Music in the Making” Schooltime concerts. These were held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This teenager is a student at Julliard Pre-College, which is where he studies composition. He created the composition “Qilin,” which was performed at Heinz Hall. The teenage composer is also a cellist who has performed with PMEA District and Region orchestras. The composition is a musical depiction of a “qilin,” which is a dragon-deer creature of prosperity and auspiciousness in Sino-Japanese culture. The composer explains that he wrote the piece “to reflect the qilin’s uplifting nature and depict its glory in powerful fashion.” The panel was unanimous in its selection of “Qilin” as the winning submission so it can be performed, and they noted its palpable energy and adept orchestration. 

Highmark Names Victor Fields President and CEO of Highmark Wholecare

(File Photo of the Highmark Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Highmark Inc., announced the appointment of Victor Fields as president and CEO of Highmark Wholecare today. Highmark Wholecare, a leading Medicaid and Medicare insurer, is a community-based, mission-driven health care organization that cares for Pennsylvanians with the greatest need. Ellen Duffield, who has led the organization since 2021, is retiring effective June 1st. Fields is a seasoned health care executive with a career focused on strategic leadership and health equity and in his new role, will lead Highmark Wholecare in its mission to deliver comprehensive, integrated care and services to its 320,000 members. He will be responsible for the overall performance of the organization, including growth, quality of care and service. He is also accountable for establishing and maintaining strategic relationships within Pennsylvania, including state agencies, key health systems and providers, vendors and community organizations. The experience of Fields includes a proven track record of driving organizational growth, operational excellence and financial stability within complex health care systems. He most recetnly served as Health Plan CEO for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Minnesota, where he spearheaded the launch of a new entrant into the Medicaid, D-SNP and Affordable Care Act exchange marketplace, and his tenure was marked by a strong commitment to addressing health disparities and sustained growth. Fields’ career includes significant leadership roles at HSC Health Care System, where he served as CEO of Health Services for Children with Special Needs and earlier as EVP/CFO for the entire system. He graduated from Florida A&M University with continuing professional development at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management and is actively involved in numerous community organizations, including Catholic Charities and Special Olympics.

Peoples Natural Gas Customers Now Have Until May 8th to Apply for LIHEAP Heating Grants of Up to $1,000

(File Photo of the Peoples Natural Gas Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Peoples Natural Gas is reminding customers in Pennsylvania that LIHEAP, also known as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is still open so they can apply for LIHEAP Heating Grants of up to $1,000. LIHEAP is accepting applications through May 8th, 2026 and the federally funded, state-run program provides one-time grants of $200 to $1,000 applied directly to a customer’s bill from Peoples Natural Gas. That company urges every eligible customer to apply now because funding is available on a first-come, first serve basis. According to a release in Pittsburgh today from Peoples Natural Gas, here is some more information about applications and the website to apply:

Multiple Support Options — Beyond LIHEAP

LIHEAP is one piece of a broader set of programs Peoples offers to help customers manage their bills throughout the year:

  • Customer Assistance Program (CAP) — An income-based monthly payment plan, available year-round. Participants pay just 4–6% of their monthly income. A family of four earning up to $49,500 qualifies.
  • Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) Grants — One-time grants of up to $500 for customers facing financial hardship, available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts.
  • Emergency Repair Program — A Peoples-funded program covering the full cost of repairing broken heating equipment or gas lines for eligible households.

Who Qualifies

To qualify, a household’s gross income must fall within the program’s income guidelines — and the limits are often higher than people expect. Customers do not need to be on public assistance or carry an unpaid balance to apply.

(Photo Below Provided with Release Courtesy of People’s Natural Gas)

How to Apply

Customers can learn more and find directions on how to apply for each program by visiting peoples-gas.com/help by clicking here or by calling 1-800-400-WARM (9276).

Quaker Valley boys hockey wins its third Pennsylvania state championship in Class A and its first since 2012

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Rob Johnson, Quaker Valley Athletics)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hershey, PA) Quaker Valley High School boys hockey won its third Pennsylvania State Championship by defeating Hershey 6-2 on Saturday at the Ice Line Quad Rinks in West Chester.  It is their first title in that sport since their Class A championship win in 2012. The team has been led by a host of seniors, which includes Ben McHenry, captain Jace Vasbinder, Max Modrovich and Luke Koehler. All of them eclipsed 30 points. Sophomore Matthais Lezama was Quaker Valley’s top player and was the top point getter in Class A, scoring 29 goals, recording 29 assists and finishing with 58 points.

Penn State cruises to 5th consecutive team title at NCAA men’s wrestling championships

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink, right, takes on Iowa’s Mike Caliendo in their 165-pound match in the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mitchell Mesenbrink and Levi Haines each won their second individual championship on Saturday to help Penn State win its fifth consecutive team title at the NCAA men’s wrestling championships.

Penn State, which clinched the team title during the consolation matches earlier Saturday, finished with four national champions and a record 181.5 points, breaking its own mark of 177 set last year. The Nittany Lions have won 13 of the last 15 national championships.

Mesenbrink, the defending national champion and No. 1 seed, beat Mikey Caliendo by technical fall (20-4) in the third round to finish the season undefeated and win the 165-pound title. No. 1 seed Haines beat Nebraska’s Chris Minto 2-1 to take gold at 174 pounds and win his second national championship. Haines also beat the third-seeded Minto 2-1 in the Big Ten Conference finals.

Josh Barr beat Oklahoma State’s Cody Merrill 6-3 at 197 pounds and Luke Lilledahl took the 125-pound title with a 2-1 win over Princeton’s Marc-Anthony McGowan.

Oklahoma State was second with 131 points, including three national champions, and third-place Nebraska had 100.5.

Freshmen Sergio Vega, Landon Robideau and Jax Forrest won titles for Oklahoma State. Vega beat No. 1 seed Jesse Mendez of Ohio State 4-1 on a takedown in overtime to claim the title at 141 pounds. Vega, who was not taken down this season, became the first undefeated freshman national champion since Oklahoma A&M’s Dick Hutton in 1947. Mendez, a two-time NCAA champion, had his 31-match win streak (which dated to last season) snapped.

Robideau beat defending national champion Antrell Taylor of Nebraska 4-2 to take gold at 157 pounds. A visibly frustrated Taylor appeared to have thrown his ankle band at Robideau — who stalled in the third round — after the match. Taylor and Robideau were each awarded a point for stalling in the final three minutes.

Forrest, who trailed 1-0 at the end of the second round, beat Ohio State’s Ben Davino 5-2 for the 133-pound title.

Tenth-seeded Aden Valencia of Stanford beat top-seeded and previously unbeaten Shayne Van Ness 8-5 in overtime to win at 149 pounds and became the third individual national champion — and first freshman — in program history. Van Ness was the first of six finalists to compete for Penn State.

North Carolina State’s Isaac Trumble beat Yonger Bastida of Iowa State 5-0 to win the 285-pound title and his first national championship.

Max McEnelly of Minnesota beat previously undefeated Rocco Welsh of Penn State 4-3 for the crown at 184 pounds.

Charges withdrawn from driver after single-vehicle crash occurs in Neville Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Neville Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release yesterday that charges were withdrawn from an unidentified driver after a single-vehicle crash occurred in Neville Township on March 6th, 2026. The driver was traveling on the I-79 south Exit 65 off ramp near the intersection with Grand Avenue at approximately 11:36 a.m. and they failed to negotiate a right curve and drove into a grass area and flower bed at the end of the ramp. There were no reported injuries. 

Dog Wardens to Conduct License, Rabies Compliance Checks in Beaver County

(File Photo of three dogs next to a Pittsburgh Penguins sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Dog wardens will canvass homes in Beaver County several times during the spring to summer months to ensure all dog owners have current licenses and rabies vaccinations for their dogs. A dog license is a legal responsibility of owning a dog in Pennsylvania and that is the best way to ensure that your pet doesn’t end up in a shelter if it gets lost. An annual license costs $10.80 and lifetime licenses are available for $52.80 for dogs with permanent identification like a microchip or tattoo. Senior adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounted fees of $8.80 for an annual license or $36.80 for a lifetime license. Licenses may be purchased in person at either the Beaver County Humane Society or between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Beaver County Treasurer’s Office in Beaver or by mail to Beaver County Treasurer at 810 3rd Street, Beaver or online at https://www.doglicenses.us/PA/Beaver/ by clicking here.  If you have any questions, you can call 724-770-4540 or you can visit this link by clicking here or call 717-787-3062 for more information.