Author: Beaver County Radio

AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report states that gas prices in Western Pennsylvania

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are a penny less in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $3.37 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. These prices also fluctuated with the national average going down two pennies to $3.13. The report states that at this time last year, the average price for a gallon of gas in Western Pennsylvania was around $3.76. The report also notes that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $3.41. According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various Pennsylvania areas:  

$3.370      Altoona
$3.412      Beaver
$3.593      Bradford
$3.061      Brookville
$3.373      Butler
$3.110      Clarion
$3.225      DuBois
$3.355      Erie
$3.325      Greensburg
$3.399      Indiana
$3.367      Jeannette
$3.501      Kittanning
$3.243      Latrobe
$3.384      Meadville
$3.581      Mercer
$3.320      New Castle
$3.362      New Kensington
$3.396      Oil City
$3.379      Pittsburgh
$3.389      Sharon
$3.386      Uniontown
$3.596      Warren
$3.353      Washington

“Cyber incident” experienced by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and his Harrisburg office

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Dave Sunday speaks to the audience in the Forum Auditorium across the street from the Capitol after taking the oath to become Pennsylvania’s next attorney general, Jan. 21, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) A “cyber incident” was reported yesterday by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and his office in Harrisburg. This incident downed lines for telephones and email accounts from agencies as well as putting his website offline yesterday. According to Sunday, staff members are investigating the cause of the network outage yesterday and trying to restore his agency’s communication systems. Sunday also confirmed in a statement that “around the clock” is when information technology employees are trying to fix this problem for him and those affected by this incident.

Laurie C. Morrison (1959-2025)

Laurie C. Morrison, 65, of South Beaver Township, passed away on August 9th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Health System: Beaver Campus.

She was born in Ellwood City on November 1st, 1959, the daughter of the late Ronald and Charlene (Roberts) Cogley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother-in-law and sister in-law, Armando Martinez and Barbara (Morrison) Martinez, and sister-in-law, Andrea Morrison. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 44 years, Neil Morrison, her sons, Joshua (Alanda) Morrison and Ryan (Abbey) Morrison, eight grandchildren: Connor, Bradley, Evan, Adelyn, Ainsley, Gavin, Gunner, and Anniston; as well as her brother, Andrew Jr. (Nanette) Cogley and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Laurie held many positions throughout her professional life including working for Duquesne Light Company at the Beaver Valley Power Station. She was a member of New Salem Presbyterian Church of Midland. She was also a devoted grandmother. Laurie was very artistic and received an award from the Merrick Art Gallery, formed a political group called “The Twisters” with her girlfriends, and enjoyed many trips to the Outer Banks.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 13th from 2-4PM & 6-8PM in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., Chippewa Township, 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

A funeral service will also be held on Thursday, August 14th at 11AM at CUP Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 530 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls with Pastor Jeff Marquis officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to services at CUP Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 10 A.M on Thursday, August 14th.

Private interment will be in Seceder Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, or the New Salem Presbyterian Church building fund.

Peggy W. Kistler (1951-2025)

Peggy W. Kistler, 73, of Freedom, passed away August 8th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Hospital, Beaver. She was born in Rochester on August 24th, 1951. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Sarah Levis Glassburner, her husband, Robert B. Kistler, a daughter, April L. Norris, a son in law, Josh Norris, a brother, Paul Glassburner and a sister in law, Robin Phillips. She is survived by two daughters and sons in law, Verna L. and Mark Ferrari of Mohnton, Pennsylvania, Heather J. and James Fortunato of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, five grandchildren: Brandon (Caitrin), Josh (Amanda), Bethany (Cole), Kelsie and Abigail, 4 step-grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, 2 sisters and a brother in law, Sharon Woodman of Bell Acres, Pennsylvania, Marijane and Rich Tucker, two brothers, Bruce Glassburner and David and Cathy Glassburner, a sister in law and brother in law, Georgia and Marlin Robinson of Rochester Township, a brother in law, Lyle Phillips of Georgia and numerous nieces and nephews, along with special friends, Sharon Felton and Jackie Leasha.

Peggy was a retired employee with 35 years of service to J&J Catering of Freedom. She was Methodist by faith.

Friends will be received on Thursday, August 14th from 2-7 P.M. in the William Murphy funeral Home, Inc., 348 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a service will be held Friday, August 15 at 10 a.m. Officiating the service will be Reverend Dr. Judy Angleberger.

Darlene “Lene” Thomas (Passed on August 10th, 2025)

Darlene “Lene” Thomas, 84, passed away on August 10th, 2025 at her Monaca residence. She was born at the family homestead in Center Township and Darlene’s life was a testament to the values of love, faith and community that she held dear. She was a daughter of the late Fred and June Rambo, and the devoted wife of the late Robert “Bob” Thomas, with whom she shared a beautiful union beginning on November 14th, 1960, until his passing on June 11th, 2017. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Benjamin Robert Thomas and her sister, Rose Coulter. She is survived by her family, including her three children, Chuck and Norma Thomas, Bob and Darlene Thomas, and Stacey and Daron Arnott; along with her grandchildren, Joshua (Shannon), Matthew, Alaina (fiancé Sean) and Sean; as well as her treasured great-grandchildren, Layla, Kai, Declan, and Ruby. Her life was further enriched by the companionship of her sisters, Mary Lou Carpenter and Janet (Frank) Zawislak.

Darlene was a woman of strong faith who faithfully attended the Rochester Free Methodist Church of Rochester, where her son serves as the pastor. Her commitment to the church’s mission was evident in her tireless efforts to support the food pantry, both through generous donations and countless hours of volunteering. Her spirit of giving and her passion for helping those in need were cornerstones of her character that touched many lives within her community.

Beyond her service to the church, she possessed a love for nature, often spending time watching and feeding the birds and squirrels that frequented her home.

Her journey on this earth may have concluded, but the memories she created will continue to resonate with warmth and affection through generations.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 13th from 12 noon until the time of a service at 12:30 p.m. at the Rochester Free Methodist Church, 480 Jefferson Street, Rochester.

The family wishes to extend a note of gratitude to Gallagher Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness that was given to Darlene.

Memorial contributions may be made if desired in Darlene’s memory to the Rochester Free Methodist Church Food Pantry, c/o the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Explosions at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant kills two people and injures at least ten people

(FIle Photo: Source for Photo: The Clairton Coke Works, a U.S. Steel coking plant, is seen Monday, Aug 11, 2025, in Clairton, Penn. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Clairton, PA) Multiple explosions occurred at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works in Clairton yesterday which killed two people and injured at least ten others. This incident started with a fire yesterday morning. Thirty-nine-year-old Timothy Quinn was the first person that was killed from those explosions that was identified yesterday. The second person that was killed in those explosions has not been identified yet as of last night. According to Allegheny Health Network, seven patients from the U.S. Steel plant in Clairton got treated and within a few hours, another five were discharged. 

Charles “Chooch” J. Calderone (1944-2025)

Charles “Chooch” J. Calderone, 81, of Ambridge, passed away on August 10th, 2025. He was born on April 8th, 1944, a son of the late Santo and Florence Calderone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Kennedy, his sons, Robert Glotzbach and Michael Calderone, his brother, Joseph Calderone, his first wife, Margaret Calderone-Isenbreg and his great-grandson, Jacob Thompson.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Marsha Calderone, his children, Danielle (Evan) Hrelec and Charles J. Calderone, Jr., his brother, Frank (Josie) Calderone, eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Charles had a lifelong passion for restoring old cars: taking them apart piece by piece and rebuilding them with care. He also enjoyed collecting model cars, watching classic western TV shows and listening to Elvis Presley, whose music was a constant in his life. He cherished time spent with friends, often meeting them at McDonald’s, and above all, treasured every moment with his beloved wife and large, loving family.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, August 13th, from 2–4 P.M. and from 5 P.M. until the time of the funeral service at 7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. Interment will be private.

Walter Keith Burau (1943-2025)

Walter Keith Burau, 82, of Beaver Falls, passed away on August 8th, 2025, at UPMC Passavant in McCandless Township, Pennsylvania, with his loving family surrounding him. He was born on March 16th, 1943, a son of the late Walter R. and Bessie (Smith) Burau. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Barbara L. Burau, his stepmother, Bertha Burau, a sister, Margaret Huffman, several step-brothers and brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law, three nephews, along with others who were dear to him. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher (Patricia) Burau of Ventura, Calif., and Adam (Cherise) Burau of Murrysville, PA; his sister, Shirley Schmidt; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Phillips; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and kind neighbors.Keith was a 1961 graduate of Beaver Falls High School. After graduation, Walter went to work at Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) Steel in Beaver Falls. He was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, serving in Germany as a clerk with a Top Secret security clearance at a nuclear missile site. After being honorably discharged, he returned home and resumed working at B&W, serving in numerous departments involved in making and shipping steel. Keith often worked overtime hours to buy extra gifts that his children wanted for Christmas. He loved sports, particularly basketball and baseball, playing on local recreational teams while growing up and in pick-up games as an adult. He followed the Pittsburgh Pirates closely, and reveled in retelling exactly where he was for Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, watching with friends as Bill Mazeroski hit the series-ending home run. He also was a rabid Pitt basketball fan, following the team for likely 40+ years and attending games later in life with his friend, Paul. Keith also was a great bowler, playing in local leagues for many years. He once missed rolling a perfect 300 game by only one frame: getting a spare in the first frame and then rolling 11 strikes in a row. After the scoresheet was official, at the urging of the gathering crowd, He rolled one last ball that didn’t count, and it was a strike. That game earned him a commemorative plaque and wristwatch that he prized dearly. Keith enjoyed recalling the “glory days” of growing up in the 1950s in Patterson Township, Beaver County: hanging out with his teenage friends at Waite’s ice cream shop and Taylor’s Pennzoil station (making him an official member of the famed “Taylor’s Bums” crew), and, speaking of ice cream, he should have owned stock in Bruster’s and Handel’s. He was known for eating half his weight in butter pecan and chocolate, always breaking out his special multi-quart stash to share with family during get-togethers. (“Hey, Keith, Bruster’s called. They need to get some ice cream back!!”) He was a dedicated husband, father, and father-in-law who always put family first and was fiercely loyal to them even to the end. When his sons, Chris and Adam, were growing up, he helped coach their West Mayfield youth recreational baseball teams, including some that won league championships in the 1970s and early 1980s. He was one of several beloved “old school” fathers and father figures who punched out of their shifts at the local steel mills and spent their spring and summer evenings on the sandlot: not only teaching baseball fundamentals and sportsmanship, but also instilling character, grit, and a strong, blue-collar work ethic in their sons and young boys from the neighborhood. In the yard of the family’s home, he installed a home run fence around his sons’ Wiffle Ball diamond, making the field a magnet for neighborhood boys and girls. He played and umpired thousands of innings for them, and who could forget Keith’s flat-out diving catch to win that one marathon championship game as the late-summer sun was setting over Burau Field: his team jumping for joy while the losers literally hit their knees in disbelief. Keith had a deep and abiding love of music and instilled it into his sons, making groups like The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel, and other artists the soundtrack of their youth.  The three loved recording “mix tapes” and playing their 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records. For years, neighbors likely considered calling the police to report how loud he and his sons blasted their stereos (often shaking the dishes in the china cabinet, much to his wife, Barbara’s dismay). Chris fondly remembers the days when he, Adam, their friends, and other parents would ride in Walter’s famous brown and beige 1979 Chevy van and turn the music up on 10. They would sing along to their favorite tunes as they drove to their baseball teams’ away games or to Pirates games. And, even in his 70s, Walter invited Adam to rock concerts to see bands like ZZ Top (Adam brought ear plugs. Walter didn’t). But quieter times with him also were special too. One of Adam’s fondest childhood memories with his dad, shrouded in blinding sunshine, blue sky, and windblown clouds, was flying kites on a 1970s spring day for what seemed like forever atop a hillside at a local school. After breaking for lunch and hot tea from Walter’s work Thermos in the big bucket seats of Walter’s navy blue 1967 Pontiac LeMans convertible, the two grabbed their kites and seized the wind again until daylight was fading and it was time to go home. That memory of Keith will be framed in sunshine forever. There will be no public visitation, in keeping with Walter’s wishes. Interment will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to your local recreational youth baseball or other sports league or the charity of your choice or just turn on your favorite music, scoop some ice cream and be with the ones you love, treasuring the time as Walter always did.

Inspection activities occurring on the Fort Duquesne Bridge on I-279 in Pittsburgh for two days, weather permitting

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that occurring today and tomorrow, weather permitting, inspection activities will occur on the ramp from southbound Route 65 to the Fort Duquesne Bridge on I-279 in Pittsburgh will begin. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow, inspection activities will occur on the ramp that carries traffic from southbound Route 65 to the Fort Duquesne Bridge. That ramp will undergo single-lane restrictions and inspection work will be done by crews from Michael Baker International.

 

McDonald’s introduces McDonaldland meal for a limited time

(File Photo of the McDonald’s Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Chicago, IL) For a limited time in participating McDonald’s restaurants in the Pittsburgh region, the McDonaldland meal at McDonald’s will be available nationwide to customers starting tomorrow. The meal comes with either ten-piece Chicken McNuggets or the Quarter Pounder with cheese, as well as a Mt. McDonaldland shake and a side of fries. The meal will also have one of six McDonaldland souvenirs and the Mt. McDonaldland shake will have a mystery flavor. The souvenir will be one of six tims that are collectibles with pictures of the cahracters Ronald McDonald, Birdie, Grimace, Hamburglar, the Fry Friends and Mayor McCheese along with postcards, stickers and more. Customers can also buy T-shirts and sweatshirts that are McDonaldland merchandise on pacsun.com starting tomorrow or while supplies last, get a McDonaldland charm for your bag or tag for your luggage at retail stores of Away starting on Monday, Augst 18th in addition to the McDonaldland meal. You can go to mcdonaldland.com for more information on the McDonaldland meal as more information will come out tomorrow. You can also get more information on the McDonaldland meal with more information coming out tomorrow on the Facebook, , Instagram, TikTok and X pages for McDonald’s.