Author: Beaver County Radio

Ellwood City man arrested for harassing another Ellwood City man in Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release yesterday that fifty-nine-year-old Ernest Emery of Ellwood City was arrested yesterday morning for harassing a man in Slippery Rock Township of Lawrence County. This occurred along the Shaffer Road area at 7:52 a.m. According to police, upon further investigation, it was determined that Emery engaged in a course of conduct that was intended to harass the victim, forty-seven-year-old Ryan Mitchell of Ellwood City.

State Representative Rob Matzie: Nearly $2.9 million secured for District 16 infrastructure and recreational projects

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ambridge, PA) State Representative Rob Matzie announced in Pennsylvania yesterday that nearly $2.9 million in grant funding, approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, will support multiple projects in the 16th Legislative District. This funding is aimed at improving municipal services, strengthening infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. According to a release in Ambridge yesterday from Matzie’s office, more than $2.64 million in grants awarded through the Local Share Account will help municipalities keep critical services flowing and he said grants funded through the Local Share Account include:

  • $500,000 to Center Township Water Authority to replace the existing 250,000-gallon and 400,000-gallon elevated water storage tanks along Pleasant Drive with a single 1.5-million-gallon elevated steel water storage tank to provide long-term sustainability.
  • $389,318 to Center Township Water Authority to improve water distribution – including replacing 2,500 linear feet of aging lines – to meet the increased demand for potable water resulting from construction of the Shell Chemical Plant and increased business and residential development.
  • $333,265 to Center Township Sanitary Authority to upgrade more than 5,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer as well as manholes and related appurtenances from St. James Park to Edgewater Drive. The current sewer is in poor condition and subject to surcharging during wet weather conditions.
  • $300,000 to Aliquippa Municipal Water Authority for Phase I repair of sanitary sewer defects, including repair of 2,200 linear feet of sewer lines and manhole-to-manhole cured-in-place lining of 14,000 linear feet, along Kennedy Boulevard and Franklin Avenue.
  • $300,000 to Conway Borough, on behalf of the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department, to purchase six vehicles for use in Baden, Conway, and Freedom boroughs and Rochester Township to replace deteriorating, aging fleet.
  • $205,335 to Center Township for playground improvements to enhance the safety, functionality and accessibility of Sherwood and Sylvan Crest parks. The work will include excavation, demolition, new play structures, safer ground covering, fencing, erosion controls and utilities.
  • $203,440 to Ambridge Borough to support roadway improvements, including repaving Hazel Avenue, Port Ambridge Drive, Century Drive and Glenwood Drive from 5th to 4th streets.
  • $200,000 to Ambridge Water Authority to replace the existing cast iron water main on Maplewood Avenue, which experiences frequent breaks, with 1,530 feet of new water main, among other work.
  • $100,000 to Ambridge Borough to help purchase two new police vehicles, a fire squad vehicle, a public works truck, a backhoe and a skid-steer.
  • $61,788 to Monaca Borough to purchase and install 10 police vehicle-mounted camera systems and 15 police body camera systems.
  • $50,000 to Harmony Township for landslide investigations involving Forest Road, which experienced a landslide in April 2024, and Ridge and Valley roads, which are exhibiting cracking that indicate the potential for future landslides.

Matzie also noted that an additional $237,000 in funding awarded under Act 13’s Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program includes:

  • $120,000 to Center Township to fund the Municipal Park Pavilion.
  • $75,000 to Monaca Borough for Phase II Antoline Park improvements.
  • $42,000 to Ambridge Borough for the Ambridge Community Center Sports Complex.

GoFundMe available to support Cesina’s Sausage Company in Aliquippa after fire

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA Photojournalist Bryan Orr)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) A GoFundMe is now available to support Cesina’s Sausage Company in Aliquippa after a fire broke out at that company’s building. Fire crews were called to the business located along Kennedy Boulevard just before 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon. The owner of Cesina’s Sausage Company told KDKA that he was not there when the fire broke out, but was shocked to find smoke billowing from his building. The owners do not know what caused the fire that damaged the building. However, they are planning to work with their insurance company to replace the expensive equipment that was damaged by soot and water. Cesina’s Sausage Company has operated for over 100 years in Aliquippa and is also a supplier for the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival. You can access the GoFundMe to help Cesina’s Sausage Company by clicking here.

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for 2025 Christmas Holiday

(File Photo of the PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT recently announced that all its driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed on Thursday, December 25th, 2025, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Customers can still go online at PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website by clicking here to obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals.

Ricky C. French (1953-2025)

Ricky C. French, 72, of Rochester Township, passed away on December 18th, 2025, at his home. He was born in Rochester on May 4th, 1953, a son of the late Jack L. Sr. and Jean Jordan French. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jack L. French Jr. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Lisa M. (Frank) French, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jason L. French and his wife, Renae, Jordan R. French, and two daughters and a son-in-law, Kylie R. French and her husband, Damarcus Cleckley and Katelyn R. French, five grandchildren: Chase French and his companion, Sapphire Brown, Karter French, Presley French, Damian and Dominik Cleckley; as well as four great-grandchildren, one sister and brother-in-law, Linda R. and Craig Robert, two brothers-in-law, Dan and Mike Frank and two sisters-in-law, Linda Coyne and Jan Frank, as well as several nieces, nephews, and many friends. Ricky was a retired groundskeeper with Rochester Area High School and a former member of the Rochester B.P.O.E Lodge 283. A private visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 23rd, from 4-6 p.m. at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.

Sharon Marie Antoline (Brandt) (1956-2025)

Sharon Marie Antoline (Brandt), 69, passed away on December 13th, 2025 surrounded by her family. She was born on December 9th, 1956, a daughter of Marian and the late Warren Brandt. She is survived by her loving husband, Donald P. Antoline, with whom she recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She is also survived by her three children, Matthew (Morissa) Antoline, Andrea (Eric) Edmister and Paul (Jill) Antoline, four very beloved grandchildren: Jeffrey, Clare, Lucy and Teresa; as well as her siblings, Joyce (Michael) Cain and Larry (Karen) Brandt, along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as numerous close friends and church family. Sharon held many roles over the course of her life that allowed her to share her love of Jesus with those around her. One of those roles was as a teacher and then director of Precious Beginnings Preschool where she spent many years entwining her love of Jesus with her love of teaching. Three of her favorite pastimes were gardening, sewing and history. Sharon’s involvement with Old Economy Village as the manager of the Friend’s Group allowed her to work in a place that fed those passions. The gardens surrounding her house are a testament to her skill and dedication; she never met a plant that she couldn’t grow. She loved sewing and working with her hands. She was part of a hand sewing group that will feel her absence deeply. Sharon laughed easily, loved fiercely and will be missed tremendously. Viewings and a service will be held at Three Rivers Grace Church, 8713 Harmony Parkway, Pittsburgh. Viewings will be held on Friday December 19th from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday December 20th from 11 a.m.-12 noon with a service following Saturday’s viewing. In lieu of flowers, if desired, the family asks for donations to Allegheny Health Cancer Center or your cancer organization of choice. All arrangements are entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sharon, please visit the floral store of the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Mary Spagnola (1927-2025)

Mary Spagnola, 98, of Beaver, passed away on December 16th, 2025.

She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 25th, 1927, a daughter of the late Louis and Concetta Didio. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Spagnola and her brother, John Didio. She is survived by her son, Joe (Cheryl) Spagnola, her daughter, Maria (Albert) Torrence, her grandchildren: Drew (Samantha) Spagnola, Ali Spagnola, Albert (Elizabeth) Torrence, Liza (Josef) DiPietrantonio; as well as her great-grandchildren, Zoe Spagnola, Colton Spagnola and Concetta DiPietrantonio.

Mary was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and Saints Peter & Paul Church in Beaver. She was a partner in the Didio Family Restaurant in Rochester. She and her husband also owned Silverman’s Beer Distributor in Beaver.

Friends will be received Monday, December 22nd, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, December 23rd at 10 a.m. in Saints Peter & Paul Church, 200 3rd Street, Beaver. Private interment will take place at Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Saints Peter & Paul Church, 200 3rd Street, Beaver, PA 15009 and St. Jude.

The family would like to thank the staff at Franciscan Manor and Fox Home Health for the excellent care given to Mary during her time in their care.

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

JoAnne M. Bish (1942-2025)

JoAnne M. Bish, 83, of Patterson Township, passed away peacefully on December 18th, 2025, in the comfort of her home.

She was born in Sewickley on December 3rd, 1942, the daughter of the late Frank Michalski and Amelia Nelson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred L. Bish, Jr. She is survived by her loving children, Tracy (Rick) Heiges and Scott Bish, her grandchildren, Orion, Riley, and Torin as well as her church family and many friends.

JoAnne had worked for many years as a teacher for Riverside and Ellwood City School Districts, as well as the former Divine Mercy Parish. She was a devoted and active member of St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish, where she was instrumental in Christian Mothers and the baptism committee. JoAnne was a fervent volunteer with many local organizations.  She served on the ladies’ auxiliary and as chaplain at Heritage Valley Beaver and enjoyed spending time with patients and their families.  In her free time, she enjoyed reading a good book and reminiscing with old students.

Friends will be received on Saturday, December 20th from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Following visitation, JoAnne will be cremated and a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Monica Catholic Academy Angel Fund, c/o St. Monica Catholic Academy, 609 10th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Pittsburgh-area veteran pleads guilty to raping thirteen-year-old girl

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA-TV)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A Pittsburgh-area veteran and motivational speaker has now pleaded guilty to raping a thirteen-year-old girl. According to police, 34-year-old Brandon Rumbaugh had sex with the teenager multiple times earlier this year. Rumbaugh also allegedly told the victim to “keep this a secret” until she turned 18. Rumbaugh is facing up to 16 years in prison as well as three years of probation. 

Man dead, woman assaulted in the Banksville neighborhood of Pittsburgh

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) An investigation is ongoing after a man was found dead following a reported assault of a woman in the Banksville neighborhood of Pittsburgh yesterday morning. Pittsburgh Police were called to a home in the 2600 block of Winchester Drive at around 9:45 a.m. for a woman who was being assaulted. Authorities arrived and found the woman inside a home with lacerations to her face and other injuries. She was taken to a hospital where she was in critical condition. According to Pittsburgh Public Safety, while police were performing a protective sweep of the home, they found a man with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of those involved in this incident have not been released.