Author: Beaver County Radio

Allegheny Health Network Schools of Nursing Announce Historic Enrollment for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from Allegheny Health Network, the AHN Schools of Nursing, encompassing the West Penn School of Nursing (WPSON) in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood and the Citizens School of Nursing (CSON) in Tarentum, have experienced record-breaking enrollment numbers for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. Today, those schools will have 355 students that are welcomed back to their classes that are full-time, which is the biggest combined class in their history. The Citizens School of Nursing will have another 50 students that are part-time anticipated there in 2026. Across both campuses, the total enrollment is projected to reach 405 students, which is up 44% from the total enrollment in 2023. According to that same release from Allegheny Health Network, here are the current enrollment figures, broken down by campus and program, as follows:

  • West Penn School of Nursing (Full-Time): 164 students (92 first-year, 72 second-year)
  • Citizens School of Nursing (Full-Time): 126 students (70 first-year, 56 second-year)
  • Citizens School of Nursing (Part-Time): 65 students (45 first-year, 20 second-year). An additional 50 part-time students are expected to enroll in January 2026.

Lanny “Uncle Lanny” Fanell (1946-2025)

Lanny “Uncle Lanny” Fennell, 79, of Ambridge, passed away on August 15th, 2025 in the VA Medical Center of Butler, surrounded his loving family and friends.
He was born in Sewickley on July 23rd, 1946, a son of the late Blair and Genevieve Fennell. He is survived by three brothers, Jim (Georgia) Fennell, Larry (Barbara) Fennell of Georgia, Ronnie (Cathy) Fennell of Rochester, two sisters Linda (Florida), and Diana (Don) of Fair Oaks, and many nieces and nephews and good friends.
Lanny was one of 13 children and was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. He proudly served his country as a Sergeant (ES) with the US Marines and fought in the Battle of at Khe Sahn, north of the DMZ. He received the Presidential Unit Citation and many other metals for his services. He was a proud Marine Semper Fi. He loved his family and friends. He spent time at his camp in Tionesta after his (40) retirement as a diesel mechanic.
Friends will be received on Monday, August 18th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements and where the family will share memories of Lanny of Tuesday, August 19th at 10 A.M.
Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester with full military honors.

David M. “Do” Gengarella (1967-2025)

David M. “Do” Gengarella, 58, passed away suddenly at his home, on August 13th, 2025. He was born in Midland on February 20th, 1967, a son of Mary (Mullin) Woodeshick and the late Guy Ernest Gengarella. He was the youngest of three sons: a fact his older surviving brothers, Guy and John, never let him forget. In addition to his mother and two brothers, he will be missed by his beloved sons, Nicholas Gengarella (Kelsee Kaminsky) of Coraopolis and Ethan Gengarella of Midland. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Guy and Allison Gengarella of Gaithersburg, Maryland and John and Cyndie Gengarella of San Jose, California, his lifelong friend, David Masters and a large circle of friends and extended family, who will miss his humor, kindness and easygoing spirit. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents and his stepfather, Kenneth Woodeshick.

David grew up in Midland and often shared memories of playing basketball on 10th Street courts, Fourth of July celebrations, and swimming at the Midland Pool, (often after it closed for the day). He attended elementary school in Midland, then graduated from Quigley Catholic High School of Baden in 1985, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams. He then attended Slippery Rock University, graduating in 1989 with a degree in Social Work. He worked for Beaver County Behavioral Health, retiring as a Program Specialist after 20 years. Outside of work, he found his greatest joy in time spent with his sons, Nicholas and Ethan, whether fishing, playing bocce or cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In accordance with David’s wishes and at the family’s request, services for David will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. If desired, memorial contributions in David’s memory can be made to the Carnegie Library of Midland, 61 9th St., Midland, PA 15059.

Roseann (DeFrancis) Monaco (1943-2025)

Roseann (DeFrancis) Monaco, 82, of Midland, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on August 8th, 2025.

She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on March 14th, 1943, a daughter of the late Gino and Therna DeFrancis. She is survived by her son, Vince Monaco, her daughter, Marti Monaco and her significant other, Sam, her sister, Lucy DeFrancis, her grandchildren, Gino (Maria) Monaco, Logan (Mandy) Monaco and Jordan Monaco, her great-grandchildren, Matteo and Kai Monaco, her sister-in-law, Fran Steele, along with her nieces and nephews.

Roseann was a resident of Midland most of her life who worked in retail sales for several local stores, including Fashion Bug, Batchelor Furniture McKinney Furniture and A. K. Nahas. She was involved with both Pop Warner Youth Football and the St. Anthony Women’s Auxiliary. In her spare time, she could be found playing tennis, sailing, horseback riding or sunbathing next to her garden and Koi Pond. She was Catholic by faith.

Professional arrangements have been entrusted to Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. A private celebration of Roseann’s life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Eileen Thomas Drury (1941-2025)

Eileen Thomas Drury, 84, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home on August 8th, 2025. She was born in Beaver on June 12th, 1941, a daughter of the late Donald and Dorothy Trump Thomas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her three husbands, Robert Theil, Jack Hites, and Irvin Drury, her great-granddaughter, Madeline Henry and her siblings, Robert Thomas and Donna Boustead. She is survived by her children: Robert Theil, Tammy (Mark) Richard, and Susan Atkinson; as well as her grandchildren, Mark Richard, Ryan (Ashley) Richard, and Marcy (Dustin) Henry and her great-grandchildren, Blake Osborne and Archer Henry. Eileen’s family wishes to recognize her son, Robert, for the care and support he provided to her in recent years, especially during her final months. They also extend their gratitude to Tidewell Hospice for their compassionate care. Cremation arrangements are under the care of National Cremation Society. A private family service for Eileen will be held at a later date. Other arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Lynn M. Parkinson (1956-2025)

Lynn M. Parkinson, 69, of Fair Oaks, passed away on August 14th, 2025, in Heritage Valley Health System of Sewickley, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Sewickley on February 24th, 1956, a daughter of the late Robert and Nancy Jarvis Parkinson. She is survived by her two sisters, Cheryl Parkinson and Colleen (James) Fahey, two nephews, Roy (Marin) Ankrom and Sean Sabatini, her niece, Lexi Sabatini, her great niece, Ellie Ankrom, two aunts, Shirley Willison and Betty Jarvis, several cousins and her companion, Tim Chapel.

There will be no public visitation for Lynn and arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

Lane restriction on northbound I-279 Parkway North in the city of Pittsburgh will occur, weather permitting

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that tonight, weather permitting, a lane restriction on northbound I-279 (Parkway North) in the City of Pittsburgh will begin. As needed, traffic will be reduced to a single-lane of traffic on northbound I-279 to allow repair work on the I-579 HOV substructures. The lane restriction on I-279 will occur between the North 28 Chestnut Street/East Ohio Street/Etna (Exit 1D) off-ramp and the East Ohio Street overpass. Repair work will be conducted by crews from Swank Construction. According to a release from PennDOT District 11, the schedule for this work can be found below:

  • 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. today through Friday, August 22nd
  • 9 P.M. Friday, August 22nd continuously through 5 A.M. on Monday, August 25th 
  • 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. on Monday August 25th through Friday, August 29th

None of this work will happen during the weekend of Labor Day in 2025. 

Roadway improvement work requiring a closure of a portion of Old Furnace Road and Fombell Road in Franklin Township will occur, weather permitting

(File Photo of Road Closed Signs on a Road)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Franklin Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that beginning tomorrow, weather permitting, roadway improvement work requiring a closure of a portion of Old Furnace Road/Fombell Road (Route 1009) in Franklin Township will occur. At around 7 a.m. tomorrow continuously through 6 A.M. on Saturday, August 23rd, Old Furnace Road/Fombell Road will close to traffic to allow roadway construction work to occur at the intersection of Old Furnace Road/Fombell Road and Hartzell School Road. All other traffic will be detoured via Route 288, Route 588, and Hartzell School Road and local access will be maintained. This $2.11 million group paving project will include improvement work by the prime contractor, Lindy Paving. Improvement work includes base repair, drainage upgrades, milling and paving, pavement marking installation and other various activities that are related to construction.

Shoulder restrictions on various off-ramps along Route 28 in Etna Borough and O’Hara Township in Allegheny County will continue, weather permitting

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that occurring today, weather permitting, shoulder restrictions on various off-ramps along Route 28 in Etna Borough and O’Hara Township, Allegheny County will continue. From 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. each weekday through Friday, August 22nd, the Northbound Route 28 off-ramp to Etna (Exit 4) and the Northbound Route 28 off-ramp to Highland Park Bridge/Aspinwall (Exit 6) will have shoulder restrictions. This will allow conduit and sign installation work to be conducted by crews. As crews move work locations, schedule updates will be provided throughout the project. 

Preservation work on the northern end of the Fort Duquesne Bridge on I-279 and associated ramps in the City of Pittsburgh will occur, weather permitting

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This April 2, 2021, file photo shows bridges spanning the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that it’s more advantageous to oppose President Joe Biden’s ambitious rebuild America agenda than to lend support for the costly $2.3 trillion undertaking for roads, bridges and other infrastructure investments. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that tonight, weather permitting, preservation work on the northern end of the Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279) and associated ramps in the City of Pittsburgh will occur. At approximately 9 P.M. tonight, ramp preservation work including deteriorated concrete repairs to the overhangs and underside of the bridge decks and the back of barriers will begin. According to a release from PennDOT District 11, the locations, dates and times for restrictions are as follows:

  • Single-lane and shoulder restrictions will occur on the ramp from southbound Route 65 to the Fort Duquesne Bridge (lower deck) each night from 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. through Friday, August 22nd
  • Single-lane and shoulder restrictions will occur on the inbound (southbound) I-279 approach to the Fort Duquesne Bridge each night from 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. through Friday, August 22nd
  • Traffic utilizing the ramp from Ridge Avenue to the Fort Duquesne Bridge (lower deck) will have a stop condition before merging onto the bridge through Friday, August 22nd

 From 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. through late December, single-lane restrictions will also occur each day, as needed, on the following City of Pittsburgh roadways: 

  • West General Robinson Street between Chuck Noll Way and Mazeroski Way 
  • Reedsdale Street between Art Rooney Avenue and Tony Dorsett Drive 
  • Tony Dorsett Drive between Reedsdale Street and North Shore Drive 
  • North Shore Drive between Chuck Noll Way and Mazeroski Way