Author: Beaver County Radio

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.

Truck flips and ends up vertical against a Robinson Township home after crash

(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of KDKA Photojournalist Brian Smithmyer: A truck flipped upright and crashed into an apartment building in Robinson Township early Friday morning.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) One person was taken to the hospital after a truck flipped during a crash in Robinson Township this morning. This happened a little after 4 a.m. and a vehicle ended up vertical against a home in the 100 block of Chestnut Ridge Drive following the crash and according to first responders, it looked like the truck came off of Bayer road, went airborne and crashed into an apartment at the Chestnut Ridge Apartment Homes. According to Moon Run Volunteer Fire Company, medics took one person to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, but officials on scene told WPXI they believe the pickup truck came off a nearby hillside. A neighbor told WTAE that the apartment that was hit is vacant. The truck was towed from the scene by 6 a.m. 

Three Allegheny Health Network Hospitals Recognized by Healthgrades for 2026 Specialty Excellence Care Awards

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release in Pittsburgh yesterday from Allegheny Health Network, three hospitals from Allegheny Health Network have recently been honored with Healthgrades’ 2026 Specialty Care Excellence Awards, which adds to the Pittsburgh-based health system’s growing list of accolades for serving patients throughout Western Pennsylvania. AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) was among the top award winners, stood out for its leading cardiovascular care and cardiac surgery programs and it was recognized as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery (2022-2026) and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care (2025-2026) and Coronary Intervention (2026). The other AHN facilities recognized by Healthgrades included AHN Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, which ranked in the nation’s top 50 hospitals for outpatient excellence in prostate care (2026) for superior clinical outcomes in benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment and AHN Jefferson Hospital in Jefferson Hills, which received the Vascular Surgery Excellence award (2024-2026) and ranking No. 3 in Pennsylvania this year for superior clinical outcomes in abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, carotid surgery, and peripheral vascular bypass surgery. 

Congressman Chris Deluzio Successfully Includes $185 Million for Western Pennsylvania in U.S. House 2026 Funding Bills

(FIle Photo of the Montgomery Locks and Dam)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) According to a release in Washington D.C. from Congressman Chris Deluzio’s office yesterday, Deluzio (PA-17) announced that four more of his requested community projects successfully received over $185 million in federal funding in the spending bills passed yesterday by the U.S. House of Representatives. The single biggest item of those four is the funding to help modernize the Montogomery Locks and Dam along the Ohio River in Beaver County, with more funding for both local water infrastructure and police equipment. According to that same release from Delzuio’s office, the $185,356,000 in funding breaks down across the following four projects: 

  • $183,829,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ mega project to modernize the Montogomery Locks and Dam in Beaver County  
  • $900,000 for the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa to purchase updated wastewater treatment equipment  
  • $502,000 for Ross Township Police Department to purchase body-worn cameras  
  • $125,000 for the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department to purchase a police river patrol boat 

Agriculture Secretary and Pennsylvania Dairy Industry Leaders Unveil 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show Butter Sculpture

(Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding unveiled the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show Butter Sculpture yesterday in Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, which is a 1,000-pound sculpture made entirely of butter that illustrates how defining moments in the history of the United States and the evolution of agriculture have grown side by side to shape our country. It is called “A Toast to Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary: Inspired by Founders. Grown by Farmers” and it was designed and crafted by Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken to celebrate America250 and reflect the 2026 Farm Show theme, “Growing a Nation.” That butter sculpture is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, American Dairy Association North East, and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. The 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show will run tomorrow through Saturday, January 17th, 2026 in Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center and more information about it can be found by clicking here.

Congressman Chris Deluzio Celebrates House Passage of the Three-Year ACA Tax Credit Extensions, Urges Senate to Act Quickly to Lower Healthcare Costs

(File Photo of Congressman Chris Deluzio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) According to a release from Congressman Chris Deluzio’s office in Washington, D.C. yesterday, Deluzio (PA-17) voted yesterday to lower healthcare costs by extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) healthcare tax credits for three more years. If this is passed into law, this will fend off a spike in healthcare costs for around 24,000 constituents in the 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday with 230 votes in support and 196 votes against and it now heads to the Senate. 17 Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the measure and if it does not pass into law, Pennie estimates that average monthly premium costs will increase 74% in Beaver County and 75% in Allegheny County, which translates to a $137 and $125 monthly increase per member, respectively. Congressman Deluzio released the following statement after the vote:

“Life is already too expensive. Now my hardworking constituents in Western Pennsylvania are staring down budget-crushing increases in their health insurance premiums—all because D.C. Republicans let cost-saving tax credits expire at the end of December. 

“Facing these massive premium increases, it’s no surprise that people are deciding to drop their healthcare coverage and risk bankruptcy from an unlucky illness or a hospital stay. 

“We should have extended the tax credits before they expired, but D.C. Republicans refused to join guys like me who were trying to stop healthcare costs from exploding.  

“Today, seventeen House Republicans joined me and every single House Democrats to vote to extend these cost-saving tax credits. I’m glad they finally did the right thing. 

“Now, the Senate needs to do their job and stop Americans from getting hammered by rising healthcare costs. We need to fix this now.”