Author: Beaver County Radio

Cesina’s Sausage Company in Aliquippa starts producing again after fire that affected its building

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA Photojournalist Bryan Orr)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Cesina’s Sausage Company in Aliquippa is getting back to production again after a fire broke out at the building of the business on December 15th, 2025. The company that has operated for over 100 years in Aliquippa and is also a supplier for the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival posted on Facebook yesterday that Silver Star Meats, one of its suppliers, is allowing the business to use its space to produce. According to that Facebook post yesterday from Cesina’s Sausage Company, these restaurants will soon have Cesina’s Sausage on their menus:

  • Al’s Pizza– 9th Street, New Brighton
  • Big Kat Pizza 2025 2025 – Midland Avenue, Midland
  • Famous Ray’s – Brodhead Road, Aliquippa
  • Roma Catering – Sheffield Plaza, Aliquippa
  • Jenny Lee Breakfast Nook – Brodhead Rd, Coraopolis
  • Back 2 Barney’s – Racoon Street, Aliquippa
  • Seashell Bar Bar – Moon Township
  • Shulligan’s Sports Bar & Grille – Aliquippa

The entrances to the building of Cesina’s Sausage Company were boarded up when WPXI crews returned to the Aliquippa establishment yesterday. Firefighters also confirmed that damage inside the building was extensive, with a part of the ceiling also being impacted. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and no one was inside when the flames started. You can help Cesina’s Sausage Company rebuild by going to the GoFundMe page for it by clicking here.

Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in Chippewa Township nearing completion

(File Photo of the Chipotle Mexican Grill Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Chippewa Township, PA) Work is nearing completion on a new Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant on Constitution Boulevard in Chippewa Township. It is located close to the Sheetz convenience store on Route 51 that opened on September 25th, 2025. An opening date has not yet been announced for the new restaurant in Chippewa Township that specializes in Mission burritos, bowls, tacos and made to order meals to sell them to customers.

Structure fire reported from a New Brighton home and then was a dishwasher malfunction

(Photo Courtesy of Gavin Thunberg)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Brighton, PA) The New Brighton Volunteer Fire Department and their first alarm were called because a structure fire occurred just after 5 p.m. yesterday along 7th Avenue. A caller reported that their dishwasher was on fire. After an investigation and assurance that there was no fire, a malfunctioning dishwasher was reported.

Game Stop in Beaver Falls permanently closes

(File Photo: Source for Part of Photo, from: FILE – In this Jan. 28, 2021, file photo, pedestrians pass a GameStop store on 14th Street at Union Square, in the Manhattan borough of New York. GameStop says it’s selling up to 3.5 million of its shares, a move that will allow the video-game retailer to take advantage of the big surge in its stock price this year. The company said the shares will be sold through an “at-the-market” offering, which lets a publicly traded company raise capital over time by offering securities into the already existing trading market. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) The Game Stop store in Beaver Falls permanently closed yesterday. The cause of the closure of the Chippewa Township store is unknown at this time. Game Stop stores sell Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation video game systems and consoles, video games and accessories. 

Shirley Rose Caton (1935-2026)

Shirley Rose Caton, 90, of Hopewell Township, passed away on December 22nd, 2025.  She was born in Hopewell Township on July 10th, 1935, the daughter of the late Arthur and Harriett Hill.In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Daniel Caton, Sr. She is survived by her four sons: Michael Caton of Hillsboro, Ohio, Scott & Dianne Caton of Baden, Dr. Paul &Alisa Caton of Brighton Township and Daniel Caton Jr. of Hopewell Township; as well as seven grandchildren: Jenny (Josh) Minzler, Michelle (Kyle) Clemons, Michael (Katie) Caton Jr., Christopher (Emily) Caton, Lauren (Jacob) Harlich, Thomas Caton and Megan Caton; along with great grandchildren and her dog, Bailey.

Shirley was an accomplished singer. She won first place at the All State Choir competition in 1953, singing for Hopewell High School. She sang at both President Nixon and Senator Heinz inauguration balls. She also performed at numerous weddings over the years. She worked for more than 30 years as the Choir Director for the Beaver United Methodist Church. She also worked as a Deputy Prothonotary in Beaver County, and previously worked as an Executive Secretary for Chester Engineering. Shirley also volunteered with the Bureau of Elections for years.  She loved to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins and going to the casino. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. The love she showed through always being there, cooking delicious meals, attending all sports activities, and being a mom to everyone, will never be forgotten.

In accordance with Shirley’s wishes, there will be no viewing.  A Celebration of Life for Shirley will be held on Monday, January 19th at 11 a.m. at Riverdale Presbyterian Church, 1555 Brodhead Road, Moon Township.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopewell Volunteer Fire Department 1401 Gringo Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Man from Shadyside charged after causing a two-vehicle crash in Robinson Township

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police reported via release yesterday that twenty-six-year-old Cole Fleetwood of Shadyside was charged after causing a two-vehicle crash in Robinson Township yesterday morning. At around the 8 a.m. hour, Fleetwood rear-ended the vehicle of eighteen-year-old Elena Semke of Wexford on I-376 West. There were no reported injuries as a result of this crash. The vehicle of Fleetwood was towed by Bibers Garage from the scene.

Mary Ann (Petronio) Ross (1932-2026)

Mary Ann (Petronio) Ross, 93, of Center Township, lovingly known as “Babe,” passed away on January 7th, 2026, with her family by her side.

She was born in West Aliquippa on January 11th, 1932, the daughter of the late Pete and Florence (Cataffo) Petronio. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by beloved husband, Fred Ross, her brother and sister-in-law, Mario and Dora Petronio and her son-in-law, Joseph Sopko. She is survived by her two children, Janet Sopko and Mark Ross, three granddaughters who brought so much joy to her life, Brittany (A.J.) Emery, Shayla (Zack)Turley and Hannah (Tyler) Lank, five cherished great grandchildren: Rosston, Alyra, Ella, Jackson and Chase, one sister-in-law, Antonette Ross, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends and her special grand dogs: Willow, Arya and Harper.

Mary Anne was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca and Mary, Queen of Saints Parish. She retired from the Beaver County Courthouse following over twenty years of dedicated service in the Treasurer’s Office. She gained great satisfaction in her work and developed valued friendships throughout her career. She found joy in the simple pleasures, especially playing cards and the board game Parcheesi with her friends and family. Her love for games brought laughter and warmth to countless gatherings, creating memories that her family will treasure forever. She was renowned for her exceptional baking and cooking and her kitchen was always filled with mouthwatering aromas and delicious treats. She generously shared her culinary and baking skills with anyone eager to learn, passing on treasured recipes and techniques. Her legendary cookies were also done to perfection and home-cooked meals were the highlights of many family celebrations and holidays.
Tradition was of utmost importance to her. She maintained family customs throughout her life and made sure they were passed down to the next generations. Her dedication ensured that holiday gatherings, special occasions, and everyday rituals remained meaningful and connected her family to their shared heritage.
Her unwavering devotion to her loved ones was the cornerstone of her life. She took immense pride in her family, cherishing every moment spent together and nurturing the bonds that held them close. She was a beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will truly be missed by her family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 11th from 1-4 p.m. in the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of her arrangements. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Janaury 12th in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca. Everyone attending is asked to convene at the church. Mary Ann will be laid to rest with her late husband at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.

Mary Ann leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and togetherness. Her family will honor her memories by continuing the traditions she cherished and by sharing the lessons she taught with others. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered for her kindness, generosity, and the enduring warmth she brought into the lives of everyone who knew her.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Ann “Babe” Ross please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Nellie Katherine Loftus (1929-2026)

Nellie Katherine Loftus, 96, of Pulaski Township, passed away on January 6th, 2026 in her home. She was born in Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania on October 4th, 1929, a daughter of the late James and Ethel White. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William, her stepmother, Dolly (Yeager) White, a daughter, Carol Mahovlich, a grandson, Pete Mahovlich, her son-in-law, Steve Cline, her nine brothers: James, Clark, Ben, Everett, Glenn, William, Leslie, Ordie, and Bob; as well as three sisters: Dorothy, Helen, and Betty and four step brothers: Elmer, Gilbert, Darrel, and Walter Yeager.

She is survived by her two sons, William & Carol Loftus of Baden and Richard Loftus & Margaret Beakes of Hobe Sound, Florida and her daughter, Bonnie Cline of New Brighton, eleven grandchildren: Susan, Christie, Butchie, Michael, Karen, Patty, Matthew, Ricky, Heather, Nichole, and Jason; as well as 27 great grandchildren and numerous great great grandchildren, and her partner and friend in life, Nelson Mitchell.

Nellie was a retired custodian for Western Beaver School District, a long-time member of Faith Community United Methodist Church in Rochester and a lifetime member of both Woodlawn Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rochester VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing cards and building jigsaw puzzles.  She thoroughly loved going camping and watching her hummingbird feeders and she also loved visits with her family and friends.

Friends will be received on Saturday, January 10th from 11 a.m. until the time of a Funeral Service at 1 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, 502 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Private interment will take place in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Rochester VFW, 179 Virginia Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074.

Lincoln Park presents The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde’s comedic masterpiece opens in the BlackBox Theater on Feb. 13

Staff Reports

MIDLAND — Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland continues its 2025-2026 season with “The Importance of Being Earnest,” presented in the BlackBox Theater for nine performances.

The newest show in the Clearview Federal Credit Union Subscription Series will be staged Feb. 13-15 and Feb. 19-22.

Few plays have endured quite like this one. With its razor-sharp wit, delightfully tangled identities, and unapologetic satire of social expectations, Earnest remains one of the great comedies of manners and a joyful reminder that laughter, cleverness, and a little absurdity are timeless. Wilde’s world is elegant on the surface and rather silly underneath and this cast brings these words to life with precision and playfulness.

“Whether this is your first time seeing Earnest or your tenth, prepare to laugh and enjoy one of the most produced comedies of all time,” Justin Fortunato, producing artistic director for Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, said. “Thank you to all our patrons for supporting Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center and live theatre in our community.”

Tickets are available by visiting LincolnParkArts.org or calling 724.576.4644

Lincoln Park’s recent BlackBox presentation of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” completely sold-out, so people are encouraged to get tickets as soon as possible.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland presents its next show. (Image provided by Lincoln Park)

Anna Lee Spinnicchio (1930-2026)

Anna Lee Spinnicchio, 95, of Ambridge, passed away on January 8th, 2026.  She was born in Baltimore, Maryland on November 22nd, 1930, the daughter of the late Evelyn (Walter) O’Bryan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Spinnicchio, and a son, Richard O’Bryan. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Karen O’Bryan.

Anna’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.