Author: Beaver County Radio

Wonolia Pennington (1953-2026)

Wonolia Pennington, 73, of Midland, passed away unexpectedly on April 21st, 2026, at her home. She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on March 12th, 1953, a daughter of the late Roy and Hazel Pennington. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Richard and Jim Pennington and a sister, Nora Winn. She is survived by her husband of 13 years, W. Todd Holland, her son, Chad Rocca of Anchorage, Alaska, her step-daughters, Tara (Jeffrey) Shriver Burgettstown and Nicole Holland, Weirton, West Virginia, her grandchildren: Brenna Rocca, Chippewa, Josiah Rocca, Alaska and Todd and Gemma Shriver; as well as her sisters, Darlene Candle and Junivee Le Port, both of Industry and great-grandson, Lane Majeski, with whom she loved spending time.

Wonolia had been a resident of Midland most of her life. She formerly worked as a secretary for a judge in Anchorage, Alaska for 20 years before returning home. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, painting and building puzzles.

Friends will be received on Monday, April 27th, from 3 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. in the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland, who was in charge of her arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wonolia Pennington, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Shirley M. Henley (1936-2026)

Shirley M. Henley, 90, of Providence Health and Rehabilitation Center, formerly of New Sewickley Township, passed away on April 21st, 2026. She was born in Freedom on January 11th, 1936, a daughter of the late John G. and Hazel Ruckert McClure. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Allen D. Henley, as well as two sisters, Alice Barnes and Grace Crosby, three brothers, Larry, William, and Gerald McClure. She is survived by her six daughters and four sons-in-law: Sheryll L. Mihelic, Sandra and Michael Wilson, Sarah A. and Mark Mawhinney, all of New Sewickley Township, Stacy E. and Don Mayle of Front Royal Virginia, Gretchen L. and Michael Freed of Wampum, and Lola and Dan Lewis, two sons and daughters-in-law, James A. and Vicki Henley, of New Brighton, and Jeffery T. and Tamara Henley, of Warren, Ohio, twenty-seven grandchildren, seventy-six great-grandchildren, and fifteen great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Carol Reid of Florida, one brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Dianna McClure of Babson Park, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shirley was a retired showroom clerk with Yesco Electric. She was also a member of New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Freedom (Economy Borough) where she took part in the Women’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Auxiliary, the fellowship committee, and former church council. She was also a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program of Rochester and a member of the Strike Out Bowling League for twenty-seven years.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, April 26th, from 2-4 p.m., with a service following at 4:30 p.m. at New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 2nd Avenue, Freedom. Reverend Martin Galbraith will officiaite the service. Private interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery, 1101 9th Street Extension, Freedom.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

The family wishes memorial contributions be made to New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 2nd Ave, Freedom, PA 15042.

Former Primary Health Network CEOs Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Non-Profit Medical Organization of Millions of Dollars

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today that two former CEOs of Primary Health Network (PHN), a non-profit medical organization headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, have been sentenced in federal court to terms of imprisonment on their convictions for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The sentences were imposed on fifty-eight-year-old Drew Pierce of West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, and seventy-two-year-old Jack Laeng of Lake Milton, Ohio. Pierce was sentenced yesterday to 40 months of imprisonment and Laeng was sentenced on April 16th, 2026, to 24 months of imprisonment. According to information presented to the Court, Pierce engaged in multiple schemes to defraud PHN over the course of almost a decade, with Laeng joining him in two of those schemes. Pierce, Laeng, and others first agreed to enter into contracts with a developer on behalf of PHN in return for kickback payments of 50% of the funds the developer received from PHN. PHN’s board of directors was not aware of the kickback payments, which ultimately caused a loss to the company of more than $1.5 million. Laeng was the CEO of PHN for the beginning of the scheme, from 2011 to about 2014, at which time Pierce took over as CEO. Pierce, Laeng, and others also engaged in a scheme in which they inserted a company called TopCoat between PHN and the company’s legitimate vendors. PHN paid TopCoat through the scheme, which provided no services other to then pay the true vendors a lesser price. PHN’s board of directors was unaware that TopCoat performed no actual work and was made up entirely of PHN insiders. The TopCoat scheme caused a loss to PHN of more than $400,000. In addition to these schemes, Pierce separately engaged in another kickback scheme, as well as in a scheme to pay his own personal expenses out of PHN accounts and conceal those payments as business expenses. Another co-defendant in some of the schemes, Mark Marriott, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8th, 2026.

Report: Pennsylvania still has time to capture billions in federal solar tax credits

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Employees of NY State Solar, a residential and commercial photovoltaic systems company, install an array of solar panels on a roof, Aug. 11, 2022, in the Long Island hamlet of Massapequa, N.Y. The Biden administration is announcing Thursday, April 20, 2023, more than $80 million in funding as part of a push to make more solar panels in the U.S. and make solar energy available in more communities. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

(Reported by Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Researchers say Pennsylvania still has time to capture billions in federal solar incentives, but they’re close to slipping away. Solar capacity has grown sixfold since 2019, but expansion is still needed to maximize Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, according to the Keystone Research Center’s “Use It or Lose It” report. Economist Stephen Herzenberg with Keystone Research Center says most projects awaiting grid connection are solar, and maintaining momentum is key to avoiding electricity shortages and price spikes. He says Pennsylvania needs commercial and grid-scale projects to capitalize on federal tax credits established in 2022 before they expire.

DeGrom has 62nd 10-K game and Carter hits inside-the-park HR as Rangers beat Pirates 6-1

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Degrom throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out 10 over 5 2/3 innings, Evan Carter hit an inside-the-park home run while Corey Seager went deep and the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Thursday night in the rubber match of their three-game series.

It was the 62nd career 10-strikeout game for deGrom (2-0), who has a 2.13 ERA in his six starts. The 37-year-old, two-time Cy Young Award winner threw 63 of 89 pitches for strikes, allowed five hits and exited after issuing his only walk.

Carter’s two-run homer for the game’s first runs came when he lined a 97.5 mph full-count fastball beyond the reach of right fielder Ryan O’Hearn in the third inning. The ball ricocheted hard off the bottom of the wall and Carter rounded the bases for his first career inside-the-parker, and third homer this season.

That came two pitches after home plate umpire Dan Merzel signaled ball four, but that was overturned on a ABS challenge by the catcher Joey Bart and kept Carter at the plate instead of a walk.

Seager made it 6-0 in the fourth with his three-run homer, his sixth of the year being a 382-drive pulled into the right-field stands off Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler (1-2).

Chandler allowed six runs and seven hits while striking out four and walking three.

Oneil Cruz hit his eighth homer for Pittsburgh, a two-out solo shot in the fifth.

Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin played his last game as a teenager, going 0 for 4 the night before his 20th birthday. He was the last batter of the game, striking out against Peyton Gray, a 30-year-old right-hander making his big-league debut with a 1-2-3 inning.

Gray was called up earlier Thursday after eight years going through the minor leagues, independent ball and four winters outside the United States.

Up next

Pittsburgh goes to Milwaukee on Friday night for the first of 10 consecutive games against NL Central foes. The Rangers stay home to open a three-game series against the Athletics.

Charges withdrawn from New Castle man after two-vehicle crash in Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release yesterday that charges were withdrawn from thirty-five-year-old Stephen Kent, Jr. of New Castle after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Lawrence County on March 23rd, 2026. Kent was driving on a shortcut road towards its intersection with Glenkirk Road in New Beaver Borough at 7:55 a.m. and his vehicle was hit by the vehicle of forty-three-year-old Anika Tyson of New Castle. There were no injuries. 

Monaca man charged for tailgating in Lawrence County

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release yesterday that twenty-one-year-old Jacob Weber of Monaca was charged for tailgating in Lawrence County on March 21st, 2026. Weber was traveling east on State Highway 208 in Wilmington Township at 1:58 p.m. and hit the vehicle of thirty-three-year-old Helga Lewis of Wooster, Ohio when she was turning into the parking lot of 3356 State Highway 208. Lewis had a possible injury but was not transported. Weber was not injured. 

I-376 Parkway West Overnight Lane Closures Begin on Monday Night in Allegheny County

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that overnight lane closures on I-376 (Parkway West) in Collier and Robinson Townships will begin on Monday, April 27th, weather permitting. An overnight single-lane restriction will occur as needed in both directions on I-376 between the Ridge Road (Exit 61) and Erie/Washington/I-79 (Exit 64A) interchanges nightly from 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. through Friday, May 8th starting on Monday. Crews will conduct drainage work. 

Pittsburgh sets NFL Draft Round 1 attendance record

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers fans hold up signs before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A record number of people attended the first day of the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh yesterday. According to the NFL, the Steel City broke the Round 1 attendance record with more than 320,000 fans in attendance. The previous record was set by Detroit, Michigan on April 25th, 2024, when over 275,000 fans attended Day 1. Detroit still holds the record for the three-day event, after over 700,000 people were in attendance two years ago from April 25th-27th. 

Host Steelers and new coach Mike McCarthy select Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor 21st in 2026 NFL Draft

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Arizona State offensive lineman Max Iheanachor runs during a drill during the school’s NFL football Pro Day, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers invested another high-round draft pick along the offensive line.

The Steelers selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in front of their hometown crowd with the No. 21 pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

“You can’t have enough big men up front,” new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s a great fit for us and a stud of a young man. I think it’s an excellent pick for us and he’ll be a great addition to our offensive line.”

The Steelers nearly selected USC receiver Makai Lemon, but the Philadelphia Eagles moved up to the 20th pick in a trade with Dallas and selected the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top wideout.

“Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me,” Lemon said. “And then the Eagles called at the same time. I guess it was meant to be.”

General manager Omar Khan said the Steelers were influenced by the Eagles’ decision to trade, but said that he was comfortable with adding Iheanachor to the mix.

“The way it shook out brought us to this position,” Khan said. “I think all those things that happened around us affect the conversation. It was the right pick for us.”

This is the third time in four years Pittsburgh drafted an offensive tackle in the first round.

The Steelers’ offensive line could use some reinforcements after veteran guard Isaac Seumalo left in free agency and as left tackle Broderick Jones – their first-round pick in 2023 – recovers from a neck injury that forced him to miss the last seven games of 2025.

There’s no timetable on when Jones might be ready, though he was with his teammates this week as part of the “medical group” when the Steelers held informal workouts.

“There’s a little bit of a concern,” Khan said of Jones’ injury. “We have guys on the offensive line that can play different positions. We have options.”

McCarthy didn’t rule out moving Troy Fautanu to left tackle. Fautanu, the Steelers’ 2024 first-round pick, played 17 games at right tackle last season.

“Those are discussions that will occur after the draft,” McCarthy said. “Position flexibility is bigger than ever in the NFL. To add Max to this group … I can’t tell you how excited I am with the pick.”

The 6-foot-5, 321-pound Iheanachor, started 31 games at Arizona State and was a second-team All-Big 12 Conference selection at right tackle. He was born in Nigeria, moved to the United States when he was 13 and played basketball and soccer before starting football in junior college.

Super Bowl 40 MVP Hines Ward was the wide receiver coach at Arizona State and told Khan that Iheanachor was a “true Steeler.”

“He’s a Steeler legend,” Iheanachor said of Ward. “I definitely got to experience what a Steeler is first-hand in the building and now I’m going into the building with the actual team.”

Iheanachor didn’t take a top-30 visit to the Steelers. McCarthy said Iheanachor started to stand out to them in February after the Senior Bowl.

“He’s only going to get better and better,” Khan said. “He’s such a talented football player. He hasn’t played a lot of football, but I’m excited what the future holds for him with us.”

An NFL-announced record crowd of 320,000 crammed outside Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium for the NFL’s marquee offseason event. They twirled yellow Terrible Towels while “Renegade” by Styx played to welcome Iheanachor, the newest member of the team.

It was the first draft pick for McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, who was hired to replace Mike Tomlin in January. Tomlin, who led the Steelers to a Super Bowl title in 2008, stepped down after 19 seasons as coach.

Pittsburgh won the AFC North last season, but the Steelers were routed 30-6 by the Houston Texans in the wild-card round, the most lopsided home playoff loss in team history.