Author: Beaver County Radio

Rapper Sean Kingston to be sentenced for $1 million fraud scheme in South Florida

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Sean Kingston, right, and his mother Janice Turner arrive at the 40th anniversary American Music Awards, Nov. 18, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

(AP) Rapper Sean Kingston is scheduled to be sentenced in South Florida on Friday after being convicted of a $1 million fraud scheme.

Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, were each convicted by a federal jury in March of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. U.S. Judge David Leibowitz sentenced Turner last month to five years in prison, but Kingston’s sentencing was rescheduled.

Kingston, 35, and his mother were arrested in May 2024 after a SWAT team raided Kingston’s rented mansion in suburban Fort Lauderdale. Turner was taken into custody during the raid, while Kingston was arrested at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in California’s Mojave Desert, where he was performing.

According to court records, Kingston used social media from April 2023 to March 2024 to arrange purchases of high-end merchandise. After negotiating deals, Kingston would invite the sellers to one of his high-end Florida homes and promise to feature them and their products on social media.

Investigators said that when it came time to pay, Kingston or his mother would text the victims fake wire receipts for the luxury merchandise, which included a bulletproof Escalade, watches and a 19-foot (6-meter) LED TV, investigators said.

When the funds never cleared, victims often contacted Kingston and Turner repeatedly, but were either never paid or received money only after filing lawsuits or contacting law enforcement.

Kingston shot to fame at age 17 with the 2007 hit “Beautiful Girls,” which laid his lyrics over Ben E. King’s 1961 song “Stand By Me.”

Benjamin P. Thayer (1935-2025)

Benjamin P. Thayer, 90, passed away on August 13th, 2025. He was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania on April 4th, 1935, a son of the late Everette N. and Catharine Thayer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and David and his first wife, Edna (Lang) Thayer. He is survived by his second wife, Susan, a son, Wayne (Kristin) Thayer of Phoenix, Arizona, his stepchildren, Tim (Nancy) Gibson of Monument, Colorado, and Tammy (Chris) Anderson of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, his grandchildren: Emily and Isabelle Thayer, Jessica (Christian) Stempert, Andrew and Mary Beth Gibson, Elora Walsh and Sebastian Robinson; a sister, Susan Miller of Pleasanton, California and one brother, Rev. Nelson (Linda) Thayer of Franklin, Pennsylvania and one great-grandson.

Benjamin was raised in Crawford County. He graduated from Randolph-East Mead High School and Penn State University with a BS in Civil Engineering.

After completing US Navy Officer Candidate School, he served for 3 years as a “Sea Bee” working on design and construction issues for bases in Okinawa and Florida. Upon his discharge he worked for Brown Engineers in New York for 5 years before moving to Beaver County to join Michael Baker Jr., Inc. as a highway designer. After retiring from Baker in 1998, he continued to work part-time for Widmer Engineering in Beaver Falls for another 12 years. He was a member of the American Society of Highway Engineers and the PA. Society of Professional Engineers and was named the Beaver County Engineer of the year in 1998. He was also a 58-year member of the Little Beaver Lions Club and served on the Board of Directors for the Lighthouse for the Blind in New Brighton for over 20 years. He was also a faithful member of Chippewa Alliance Church of Chippewa. Friends will be received on Monday, August 18th from 3-7 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangments and where a visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 19th from 11 A.M. until the time of services at 12 noon. Rev. Daniel Muir will officiate. A private burial will be held at Mt. Hope United Methodist Cemetery behind the Mt. Hope United Methodist Church at 29034 State Route 27, Guys Mills, Pennsylvania.

Memorial donations in Benjamin’s memory may be made to the Chippewa Alliance Church Building Fund, 3629 37th Street Extension, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 or to Lighthouses for the Blind, 720 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066.

Kevin Thomas Majzlik (1956-2025)

Kevin Thomas Majzlik, 69, of New Brighton, passed away August 11th, 2025 at his home.

He was born in Beaver on January 16, 1956, a son of the late Donald and JoAnn (DeVinney) Majzlik. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jeffrey Majzlik.

He is survived by his children, Laura McClain and Kevin Majzlik, his grandchildren, Sienna, Beau, Zane and Mac; his former wife and best friend, Debbie Majzlik, his sister, Sue Ellen Verlihay and his close friend, Bill Spratley.

Kevin retired as a supervisor from Pittsburgh Tubular Shafting in Rochester, where he was a hard worker for his company. He will be remembered for his big heart and loyalty to his family and friends. He liked listening to Pittsburgh Pirates games on the radio and he loved his grandkids.

Friends will be welcomed on Monday, August 25th, from 5-7 p.m., in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Debra Ann Shaffer (1956-2025)

Debra Ann Shaffer, 69, of Beaver Falls, passed away on August 13th, 2025 at Providence Health and Rehabilitation Center of Beaver Falls, following a valiant battle with cancer.

She was born in Beaver Falls on January 15th, 1956, a daughter of Thora Martella (Herr) Lansberry and the late Robert Martella. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her sisters: Mary (Ken) Whitmore, Theresa (Richard) Martella Chester, Cathy Beagle and Annette Martella; as well as a brother, Robert (Sandy) Martella, her step-siblings, Becky (Warren) Simons, Trisha Lansberry and Joe Lansberry and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Jack Lansberry.

Debra had worked as a manager for Burger King and worked as a cashier for Lowes, which was the workplace where she retired from. She was a kind-hearted woman and was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt. She will be dearly missed and remembered by each and every person who knew and loved her.

Debra’s wishes for cremation will be honored and no services are being planned at this time.

The GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, is honored to be caring for Debra and her family during this time.

Michael D. Nelson (1961-2025)

Michael D. Nelson, 64, of North Fayette, formerly of Warren and Beaver, Pennsylvania, passed away from stage 4 metastatic cancer at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh on August 12th, 2025.

He was born in California on February 25th, 1961, a son of the late Robert and Ramona Pabon Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Kristen Lee Helmick-Nelson, his daughters, Marissa and Kara Helmick-Nelson and his brother, Kimio Nelson.

Michael was a RSM Technician at Giant Eagle and a member of New Salem Presbyterian Church of Midland, where he served as a musical director. He was an actor, director, and musician for R-ACT Theater Productions of Rochester and a director and board member for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Michael was involved in many musical endeavors, performing as a keyboard player for StreetSide Saints Band, and as a musician, director and actor for countless other musical and theatrical productions. He was an alum of Edinboro University and member of the Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity.

Professional arrangements have been entrusted to Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com

Memorial contributions in Michael’s name, may be made to New Salem Presbyterian Church, 348 Salem Church Road, Midland, PA 15059, R-ACT Theater Productions, 134 Brighton Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074 or Pittsburgh New Works Festival, 1225 Seitz Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15282.

Back to school start dates in Beaver County for the 2025-2026 school year

(File Photo of the Top of a School Bus)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) It is time for back to school season in Beaver County for the 2025-2026 school year because starting next week,schools will begin their operations. This is to help students and parents to be aware of when Beaver County schools will open again for the new school year. According to the Beaver County Times, here is the list of back to school start dates for Beaver County Schools for the 2025-2026 school year and more information for some specific schools going into this school year:

Aliquippa School District: school starts August 21

Ambridge Area School District, school starts August 21

Baden Academy Charter School, school starts August 19

Beaver Area School District, school starts August 21

Beaver County Christian School, school starts August 26

Big Beaver Falls Area, school starts August 26

Blackhawk School District, school starts August 21

Central Valley School District, school starts August 25

Cornell School District, school starts August 25

Elwood City Area School District, school starts September 2 and What’s new there: Ellwood City Area School District has hired ABC Transit Inc. as the. new transportation provider for students in the district, according to a notice posted at the district’s website. The school district will mail bus cards to students’ homes around Aug. 12. These cards will include the child’s bus number, stop location and pick-up/drop-off times. Any bus changes must be made with ABC Transit by Aug. 22; call 724-390-3900 (from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday) or email janine@abctransit.com. Families whose home address will change before the new school year starts should notify the district as soon as possible at 724-752-1591 x 3016 or adibuono@ecasdk12.org.

Freedom Area School District, school starts August 25

Hopewell School District, school starts August 25

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, school starts August 20 What’s new there: Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School is reaching out to students displaced by the sudden closure of Midland Innovation and Technology Charter School. An exclusive tour of the Lincoln Park campus will be held for MITCS students and families at 5 p.m. on Aug. 11. Those who want to RSVP for the tour should send an email to admissions@lppacs.org. Questions can be directed to the school at 724-643-9004, ext. 3000, or at the admission office email address listed above.

Midland Borough School District, school starts August 27

Moon Area School District, school starts August 27 What’s new there: Thomas Misko joined the Moon Area district August 1 as high school principal. He most recently was assistant principal at Shaler Area High School, and he previously taught high school mathematics at the West Allegheny and DuBois Area school districts. He also previously served an administrative internship at Moon’s Allard Elementary School. He is a graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania (now PennWest Clarion) and Robert Morris University and earned his K-12 principal certification from the University of Pittsburgh.

New Brighton Area School District, school starts August 26

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, school starts August 19

Quaker Valley School District, students in kindergarten to grade 9 will start on August 20, while students in grades 10-12 start on August 21st What’s new there: In June, the Quaker Valley School District was awarded a $184,000 Manufacturing PA Training to Career grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. This grant will update the school’s pre-engineering and technology lab and purchase some new equipment, including a computer numeric control (CNC) milling machine, plastic and metal forming equipment, precision measurement equipment and other manufacturing tools similar to those used by companies in the region. The district is also adding several new courses in manufacturing and fabrication to its curriculum this year.

Riverside School District (Beaver County), school starts August 27th What’s new there: Riverside has three new administrators in the district this year. Chelsea Sharek is the K-4th grade building principal, Jeff Gonzales is the principal in the grades 5-8 building and Emily Smith has been named director of pupil services. Each of these administrators has worked in other positions within the district for many years.

Rochester Area School District, school starts August 26

Sewickley Academy, senior school students start school on August 27, lower and middle school students start on August 28

South Side Area School District, school starts August 25

West Allegheny School District, school starts August 19

Western Beaver County School District, school starts August 26

Second person who was killed in the deadly U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant explosion that killed two and injured at least ten identified

(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) The second person that was killed from the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant explosion on Monday was identified yesterday as fifty-two-year-old Steven Menefee of Clairton. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Menefee yesterday and the cause of this explosion is still being investigated. Thirty-nine-year-old Timothy Quinn was the first person that was identified who died from the Clairton explosion on Monday. Ten people got injured from this explosion and three of them are still being treated for their injuries. A GoFundMe page to benefit the families of Quinn and Menefee along with the families of those who got injured in the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant explosion on Monday from United SteelWorkers Local 1557 can be found below:

Click here for the link to the GoFundMe Fundraiser by Travis Laing : Help Families of USW Local 1557 Clairton works

PennDOT, AAA East Central Highlight Safety Ahead of Students Returning to School

(File Photo of Busses Rolling Down Third Street in New Brighton0

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) As students go back to the classroom in Beaver County next week, AAA and PennDOT met up at Wyland Elementary School in Allison Park recently to discuss school bus safety, pedestrian safety and motorist safety. Tips for motorists include getting rid of distractions, putting your phone away or down while driving and stopping completely at an intersection and a crosswalk. These tips are to help prevent fatal accidents or accidents during the school year. According to a release from PennDOT District 11, some other tips for safety during the school year from PennDOT and AAA can be found below:

Motorist Safety Tips

Pedestrian Safety Tips

  • Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of their vehicle to increase visibility.
  • Stay in well-lit areas when crossing the street and walking on sidewalks.
  • Avoid distractions like a phone, and don’t wear headphones so you can be sure to hear traffic around you when near the road.
  • Always use crosswalks and use crossing guards when possible.

PennDOT is reminding parents to get their child prepared for the school commute by talking with their child about the route for waling to school or the stop for the school bus, letting children know about safe walking areas, and what to do in case an emergency occurs when children are riding on the school bus.

Tips related to the school bus for school safety include to follow the school bus driver’s instructions, knowing where emergency exits are located in the bus, how to exit the bus safety. This can help students feel increased confidence and preparation when riding on the school bus.

Overnight closures of the northbound I-79 to westbound I-376 Parkway West ramp will begin, weather permitting

(File Photo of Road Closed Signs on a Road)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that occurring tomorrow night, weather permitting, overnight closures of the northbound I-79 to westbound I-376 (Parkway West) ramp in Robinson Township, Allegheny County will begin. According to a release from PennDOT District 11, paving operations and pavement marking installation work will be conducted by crews along I-376 (Parkway West) between the Campbells Run Road (Exit 62) and I-79 (Exit 64A) interchange ramps and on the interchange ramps at I-79 and the northbound I-79 ramp to westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) will close for milling and resurfacing and pavement marking installation work according to the following schedule:

Weekend Closures, August 15-18

  • 6:00 PM Friday, August 15 to 7:00 AM Saturday, August 16
  • 9:00 PM Saturday, August 16 to 7:00 AM Sunday, August 17
  • 9:00 PM Sunday, August 17 to 5:00 AM Monday, August 18

Weeknight Closures, August 18-21

  • 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM each night Monday through Thursday

Weekend Closures, August 22-25

  • 6:00 PM Friday, August 22 to 7:00 AM Saturday, August 23
  • 9:00 PM Saturday, August 23 to 7:00 AM Sunday, August 24
  • 9:00 PM Sunday, August 24 to 5:00 AM Monday, August 25

Weeknight Closures, August 25-26

  • 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Monday and Tuesday

Ramp traffic will be epxerience a detour, and according to that same release from PennDOT District 11, here is the detour route:

Posted Detour

  • Continue straight on northbound I-79 past the closed ramp
  • Take the Route 60 Crafton/Moon Run (Exit 60) off-ramp
  • Turn left onto Route 60 (Steubenville Pike)
  • Take the ramp to I-79 South toward Washington
  • From southbound I-79, take the ramp to West 376 toward Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver (Exit 59B)
  • End detour

I-376 will keep having single-lane restrictions happening in both directions between the Ridge Road (Exit 61) and I-79 (Exit 64A) interchanges from 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. on weeknights and from 9 P.M. to 7 A.M. on weekends through late October. Milling, paving, and pavement marking installation work occurring in coordination with the ramp closures will be seen by motorists. Motorists will be driving on milled roadway surfaces until paving work occurs as the project progresses as part of this work.

Neil Diamond musical making its Pittsburgh debut

By Scott Tady

PITTSBURGH — Good times may have never seemed so good when “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical,” makes its Pittsburgh premiere Sept. 9-14 at the Benedum Center.

Created in collaboration with Diamond himself, “A Beautiful Noise” has been hailed for its uplifting and authentic portrayal of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Award Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world, Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.

“Some of my most thrilling nights have been while I was on tour, bringing my music to audiences across the world,” Diamond said in a media release. “Having ‘A Beautiful Noise’ go on tour is an honor and I can’t wait for audiences across North America to experience this show. I hope they enjoy it as much as I have.”

Nick Fradiani will portray the younger Diamond in Pittsburgh, directly from playing the role on Broadway since October 2023. Fradiani won the title of “American Idol” in 2015, and released his debut album “Hurricane” in 2016. Currently On tour with Fradiani are Tony Award nominee Robert Westenberg (Neil Diamond – Now), Hannah Jewel Kohn (Marcia Murphey), Lisa Reneé Pitts (Doctor), Michael Accardo (Bert Berns/ Kieve Diamond), Tuck Milligan (Fred Weintraub/ Tommy O’Rourke), Kate A. Mulligan (Ellie Greenwich/ Rose Diamond), and Tiffany Tatreau (Jaye Posner), with Joe Caskey as the standby for Neil — Then.

Nick Fradiani (center) as Neil Diamond “Then” (center) in “A Beautiful Noise_ The Neil Diamond Musical”. Photo: Jeremy Daniel.

The Broadway production had featured North Sewickley Township native and Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School graduate Amber Ardolino, who’s currently playing Jordan Baker in Broadway’s “The Great Gatsby Musical.”

“Neil is one of the best live entertainers the world has ever seen… In his 50-year career, he’s performed for millions of fans around the globe. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to honor his legacy than having ‘A Beautiful Noise’ touring North America, visiting the same cities where he gave so many people so much joy,” the show’s producer, Ken Davenport, said.

“A Beautiful Noise,” Broadway’s Neil Diamond musical, makes its Pittsburgh premiere. (Photo: Jeremy Daniel)

“A Beautiful Noise” was written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (“Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Two Popes”).

For tickets, visit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website, TrustArts.org; or pick them up in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh; or by calling 412-456-4800.

Kate A. Mulligan as Ellie Greenwich in “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical,” making its Pittsburgh premiere in September. (Photo Jeremy Daniel)

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” has raised $750,000 for the Parkinson’s Foundation. For more information on how you can help visit abeautifulnoisethemusical.com/partners