Eddie Ray Reed (1979-2026)

Eddie Ray Reed, 46, of Independence Township, passed away on April 11th, 2026 in his home after a long illness. He was born in Sewickley on August 11th, 1979, the son of Edward R. Reed and Ivy Boring Reed. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his two daughters, Lauren Loraine Reed and Emily Rae Reed and some great friends.

Eddie worked for many years in Maintenance for the Friendship Ridge in Beaver. He was also a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan and he loved music of all types.

Friends will be received on Thursday, April 16th from 3-7 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa, 2345 Mill Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of his arrangements.

His burial will take place in a family plot at Fockler Cemetery in Saxton, Pennsylvania.

Valerie A. Matotek (1951-2026)

Valerie A. Matotek, 74, passed away on April 11th, 2026, in Beaver Valley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Beaver Falls on June 19th, 1951, a daughter of the late Frank and Rena (Revelant) Davis.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, David Davis and brother-in-law, Tom Matotek. She is survived by her loving husband, Stephen Matotek, her son, James (Samantha) Gugliardo, of New Brighton, her sister, Nancy Owens, of Cranberry, her brother, Frank (Diane) Davis, of Denton, Texas, her brother and sister in-laws, Mike (Juanita) Matotek, of Beaver Falls, Bob Matotek, of Ogden, Utah, Joe (Jeanne) Matotek, of Ellicott, Maryland, and Dan (Louise) Matotek, of Murraysville, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and their families, as well as her dog, “Buddy.”

Valerie devoted her life to shaping young minds as a dedicated teacher at Blackhawk Elementary School District, where she spent her entire career before retiring. She was known for her patience, kindness, and unwavering commitment to her students, leaving a lasting impact on generations of children. Beyond the classroom, she had a deep love for travel, always seeking new places, experiences, and memories. Whether near or far, she found joy in exploring the world and embracing all it had to offer.

Friends and family will be received on Thursday, April 16th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home Inc., 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where prayers will be held on Friday, April 17th, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton.

Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, 1501 1st Avenue, New Brighton.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Valerie A. Matotek, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Rich Engler guitar collection on view for NFL Draft and up for auction

BEAVER COUNTY RADIO

PITTSBURGH — For the first time in more than 50 years, well-known music producer and promoter Rich Engler is hosting a one-of-a-kind auction event. This extraordinary collection features more than 40 autographed guitars signed by some of music’s biggest stars including Kiss, AC/DC and Bon Jovi along with a wide range of rare sports memorabilia.

Highlights of the sports items include items connected to legends such as Arnold Palmer, Hank Aaron, Jack Ham, Lynn Swann and many others.

In total, the auction includes over 40 pieces of significant sports memorabilia. To browse or place bids now through May 2 for both the guitars and the sports collection, visit billarnold.hibid.com.

In addition to the online auction, fans also can attend the “Final Bidding Party” on May 2 at The Distillery Complex at 59 South Second Street near Station Square. This event is in cooperation with Fuzion Entertainment and the
Distillery Complex. Come and be part of the live auction process or just enjoy seeing all the memorabilia on display. Admission is free.

Also, as part of the NFL Draft Experience coming to Pittsburgh, Engler will have his guitars displayed for the public to stop in and see at Fifth Avenue Place (120, Fifth Ave.) on April 22-25. There is free admission.

Engler discussed the guitars and sports memorabilia, and shared tales from his days as a Pittsburgh concert promoter when appearing Tuesday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show.

Here is Engler’s interview:

Part of the Rich Engler autographed guitar collection on display next week in Pittsburgh (and up for sale).

Engler has produced over 6,000 concerts including over 42 stadium concerts during his lifetime, was owner of the Stanley Theatre (now the Benedum Center) and the IC Light Amphitheatre at Station Square. He has also produced numerous concerts over his lifetime at the Syria Mosque, the Mellon Arena and Starlake Amphitheatre. He’s also written a book, which turned into an award winning documentary, called “Behind the Stage Door”.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Begins Excavation at Shallow Land Disposal Area

(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 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, (USACE) they announced the start of physical remediation (excavation) at the Shallow Land Disposal Area (SLDA), which marks a major milestone in efforts to safely address legacy radiological waste and protect nearby communities and the environment. USACE started excavation work on April 7th, at the 44-acre site located at 2992 River Road in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, which is about 23 miles east-northeast of Pittsburgh along the Kiskiminetas River in Armstrong County near the communities of Apollo and Vandergrift. The project team has transitioned from pre-remediation preparations, including the installation of site buildings and equipment, to the start of active cleanup of radiological materials. Work will begin deliberately and proceed methodically as crews evaluate site conditions and materials encountered during the process. Excavation activities are expected to progress at a pace that may vary as conditions change. USACE and its contractors will start with the removal of the topsoil on Trench 8, then excavate contaminated material. During each stage of excavation, the Corps of Engineers and its contractors will continuously monitor the site and adjust operations as needed while prioritizing worker and public safety, complying with regulatory requirements, and following best practices.

Ellwood City teenager not charged after crashing his vehicle in Lawrence County

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that nineteen-year-old Liam Convery of Ellwood City was not charged after crashing his vehicle in Lawrence County on April 1st, 2026. Convery was driving on Bridge Street in Wayne Township at 9:38 a.m. and he reported to police that the vehicle he was driving lost power steering and veered off the road, striking a utility pole and then a tree. He was not injured. 

Pittsburgh man arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Aliquippa

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release yesterday that thirty-seven-year-old George Downs of Pittsburgh was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Aliquippa on February 27th, 2026. Police conducted a traffic stop at the 1 block of Cochran Street at 1:34 a.m. and Downs was arrested for DUI during the stop. Charges against Downs are pending. 

Aliquippa man arrested for DUI and possessing drugs in Aliquippa

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release yesterday that thirty-four-year-old Devin Polzot of Aliquippa was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Aliquippa on January 18th, 2026. Polzot was stopped because he committed a vehicle code violation at the 1800 block of Sheffield Road at 12:55 a.m. He was subsequently arrested for drug possession and driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Charges against Polzot are pending. 

Bodies of 2 workers found days after partial collapse at parking garage being built in Philadelphia

(File Photo: Source for Photo: First responders inspect a partially collapsed parking garage in Philadelphia, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The bodies of two workers trapped when a stairwell roof collapsed at a parking garage under construction in Philadelphia have been found, authorities announced Monday morning.

The section of roof at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s garage fell Wednesday, triggering a collapse across all seven levels, Mayor Cherelle Parker told reporters last week. Crews initially rescued three workers injured in the collapse and they were taken to hospitals, where one died, officials said. The other two workers were treated and released. By Thursday, officials said search dogs hadn’t found any signs of life at the collapse site.

Crews worked through the weekend to take apart the unstable building to make the search possible and recovery operations began Sunday night, officials said. The workers were found and recovered early Monday.

“They have recovered both individuals with the utmost dignity and compassion and respect for their families and loved ones,” Parker said. The Department of Public Health and the Medical Examiner’s office will identify them.

The mayor also announced that she would order the city solicitor and law department to investigate the collapse.

Crews recover vehicle of Pittsburgh woman who died after crashing into the Monongahela River 

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on April 13th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Crews have recovered the vehicle that plunged into the cold Monongahela River from the Parkway East earlier this year. Pittsburgh police, state police and rescue crews were on the scene yesterday at the Southside Riverfront Park. A silver, smashed-up vehicle could be seen being pulled from the river by a tow truck. A vehicle went off the Parkway into the river near the 900 block of Second Avenue after striking a snow embankment on January 29th. Divers used a rope system and a Stokes basket to go into the ice and sub-zero temperatures and bring up the driver, thirty-one-year-old Jacinta Stevens of the West End of Pittsburgh, who later died at the hospital. The vehicle was not removed from the river at the time due to safety concerns. 

Pennsylvania Turnpike will start sending text messages soon to drivers that did not pay tolls

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Vehicles move past signs that indicate payment methods for driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the entrance ramp in Gibsonia, Pa. in this file photo from Aug. 30, 2021. Gov. Tom Wolf gave final approval on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, to legislation aimed at getting owners or operators of some 25,000 vehicles to pay their overdue bills for turnpike usage, The law that could trigger the suspension of thousands of vehicle registrations early next year. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Turnpike will soon start sending out text messages to drivers who have unpaid tolls. According to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, this is part of a pilot program to crack down on drivers who are not paying their bills and to let them know before they are sent to a collections agency. The Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania also confirms that these messages will not go out until the summer, so if you get one now, it is likely a scammer trying to cash in.