Katherine (Turconi) Mannarino (1928-2026)

Katherine (Turconi) Mannarino, 98, who was born on January 19th, 1928, passed away on March 19th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at Franciscan Manor in Beaver Falls, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, kindness, and faith.

She shared an extraordinary 74 years of marriage with her loving husband, Anthony Mannarino, building a life centered on family, faith, and community. Together they raised their children, Ronald (Sally), John (Laura), Lisa (Scott) Pulleo, and Patrick (Tracey) who were the pride and joy of her life. Her family grew to include nine grandchildren who knew her as Noni: Katie (Aaron) Jones, Jared Mannarino, Chelci (James) Dell, Anthony (Samantha) Pulleo, Matthew Pulleo, Dr. Mitchell Pulleo, Dominic Mannarino, Jillian Mannarino, Dante Mannarino; as well as and five great-grandchildren, all of whom were blessed by her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love. She is also survived by her brother, Joe (Patty) Turconi.

She was a daughter of the late James and Antionetta Rimoldi Turconi and in addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary (John) Profato and Edith Turconi and her brother, Aldino (Maryann) Turconi.

Katherine was a faithful member of St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish, where she was active in the Prayer Shawl ministry and VSP. Her faith guided her life and was reflected in the compassion and generosity she showed to others. Those who knew her the closest can still hear her saying the Hail Mary. She was known as an avid and talented cook who expressed her love through the meals she prepared for her family, especially her cookie baking. Kaye’s kitchen was the heart of the home, where countless memories were made around the table with children, grandchildren, and friends. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her life was a testament to love, faith, family, and friendship, and her memory will live on in the hearts of those she touched. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Franciscan Manor and Advanced Hospice for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided to her during the final days of her life.

A Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 22nd from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 23rd at 10 A.M. at St. Monica Church, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls, with Fr. John Naugle as celebrant, with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 2927 Clayton Road, Beaver Falls. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life.

Penn State women’s hockey team advances to the 2026 Frozen Four for the first time ever in the women’s college hockey tournament

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – The Nittany Lion logo taken before an NCAA college football game between Penn State and Delaware, Sept. 9, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News 

(State College, PA) The Penn State women’s hockey team will compete in the Frozen Four on their home ice for the first time in their team’s history. The Frozen Four is the final four of both the men’s college hockey and women’s college hockey tournaments. Penn State will host Wisconsin tonight at Pegula Ice Arena, and a win will put them in the National Championship on Sunday.   

New restaurant and plaza set to open on the North Shore in April

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Barker Nestor, Caption for Photo: A rendering of the plaza and SugarBird)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A new restaurant and plaza on the North Shore will be open and ready to go by the time the Pirates return home for their home opener at PNC Park. The Plaza at North Shore and the new fast-casual restaurant SugarBird will open on April 2nd, and it is located at the corner of Mazeroski Way and General Robinson Boulevard. SugarBird will offer what is being described as a “playful” menu of fried chicken, donuts, and ice cream, along with a full bar. The outdoor plaza that is 30,000 square feet will also include Highball Social Club, which is a 15,200 square-foot experiential restaurant and bar that is expected to open in the fall. There will also be two performance stages and a 40-inch LED screen that will televise games, movies, and other must-see events. 

Monaca man charged after single-vehicle crash in Hampton Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hampton Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that thirty-four-year-old Kory Smithhammer of Monaca was charged after a single-vehicle crash occurred in Allegheny County on Monday. Smithhammer was driving on the snow covered road of I-76 West in Hampton Township at 9:06 p.m. and the back of his vehicle started to rotate counterclockwise before it hit a concrete barrier and a guide rail. There were no injuries. 

Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes selected as 2026 Opening Day starting pitcher for the Pirates

Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Posted on March 19th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates named 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes as their starting pitcher when they begin their 2026 season playing against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Queens, New York on Thursday. Skenes was the National League’s starter for the 2024 and 2025 MLB All-Star Games and became the first pitcher to start consecutive MLB All-Star Games since Max Scherzer when he played for the Washington Nationals and Chris Sale when he played for the Boston Red Sox in 2017 and 2018. Skenes was also the Opening Day starter for the Pirates last year against the Miami Marlins when the teams played at loanDepot Park in Miami on March 27th, 2025. The Pirates lost 5-4 even though Skenes pitched 5 1/3 innings while only giving up two runs and earning seven strikeouts.

Environmental group files intent to sue U.S. Steel over oil sheens in the Monongahela River

(File Photo of Water)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) An environmental group recently filed an intention to sue U.S. Steel over oil sheens in the Monongahela River. Three Rivers Waterkeeper says a sheen forms on the water when a substantial amount of pollution gets into it, which is what’s causing the environmental group so much alarm. The organization filed an intent to sue in February because of water coming from U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works Irvin Plant into the Monongahela River. U.S. Steel has 60 days after it received the notice to address the concerns or possibly go to court. 

Felon from the Bronx, New York Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that a former resident of the Bronx, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to 46 months in prison on his conviction of possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Thirty-five-year-old Jose Baez Cabrera was given that sentence, as well as three years of supervised release following his term in prison in the event he is not removed from the United States based on his immigration status. According to information presented to the Court, on August 16th, 2023, Baez Cabrera was caught transporting eight kilograms of cocaine across Pennsylvania with the intent to deliver them to drug dealers in Erie. At that time, he was on probation following a 2021 felony conviction in New York for possessing a kilogram of fentanyl. 

Rochester Township residents provide concerns about chemical odors they say is coming from the local Sherwin-Williams manufacturing plant at recent supervisors meeting

(File Photo of the Rochester Municipal Building)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) Rochester Township held its supervisors meeting yesterday evening, and it was packed with people who were raising concerns about chemical odors lingering in their neighborhood. The community believes it’s from the local Sherwin-Williams manufacturing plant.  Residents describe the smell as a harsh chemical paint smell, similar to the smell in a nail salon. They say the smell has been there for years and is only getting worse. Rochester Township says they don’t have the authority to do anything directly but agree something needs to be done. Sherwin-Williams has told KDKA previously that they are working with the DEP to investigate. Neighbors stated that the DEP was in the neighborhood on Wednesday to look at the sewer line, though residents say they’re not happy with the lack of solutions

New Castle Felon Sentenced to More Than 6.5 Years in Prison for Trafficking of Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine and Illegal Possession of Firearm

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced yesterday that a resident of New Castle has been sentenced in federal court to 80 months in prison, to be followed by six years of supervised release, on his conviction of drug trafficking and firearm crimes as part of a Homeland Security Task Force prosecution. Forty-four-year-old Jauan Searcy was sentenced, and he pleaded guilty in July of 2025 to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine between August of 2023 and August of 2024, and to possessing a firearm following a felony conviction. According to information presented to the Court, Searcywho had previously been convicted of a felonywas part of a drug trafficking conspiracy that was based in Detroit and in New Castle. He participated in the conspiracy by retailing controlled substances to his customers in the New Castle area. When law enforcement arrested Searcy at his New Castle residence on August 1st, 2024, following his federal indictment, agents found a shotgun next to his bed. Federal law prohibits possession of either ammunition or a firearm by a convicted felon.  

Street sweeping operations start again in New Brighton

(Credit for Headline Photo and Photo Below: Photo Courtesy of the New Brighton Area Police Department, Posted on Facebook on March 19th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Brighton, PA) The borough of New Brighton will be conducting street sweeping operations from March 30th to December 1st. Starting next week, officers from the New Brighton Area Police Department will be placing the No Parking warning cards out on the street sweeping routes up until April 1st as a reminder. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 724-846-2277. The street sweeping routes can be found below: