Author: Beaver County Radio

Ronald Lee Vandenberg (Passed on January 4th, 2025)

Ronald Lee Vandenberg, 66, formerly of Beaver Falls, passed away on January 4th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Medical Center in Beaver.

He was a son of the late Cyril and Esther Vandenberg, Ron grew up in a household with his three brothers, Cyril, Dennis, and Kenneth, and two sisters, Linda and Susan. In the journey of life, Ron met his beloved wife, Bertha I. (Bish) Vandenberg, at Sims Bowling Lanes, a place that held many fond memories for the couple. They shared a loving marriage of twenty years. Together, they embraced the joys of a blended family, with Ron becoming a stepfather to Joe (Crystal) Brandon and Tim Brandon and grandfather of Tyler, Quenton, Taylor, Cameron, Cody, Kenyon, Peyton, and Trenton. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews: Cyril, Cynthia, Elizabeth, Brian, John, Angelo, and Antonio.

Ronald’s creative soul led him to attend art school. His artistic talents were paralleled by his culinary expertise, which he cultivated into a successful career as a chef in New York State.

An avid fisherman, he found solace in the quiet rush of the streams and the thrill of the catch. His love for bowling continued as a favorite pastime that brought him both joy and friendship.

Ronald was known for his kindness and generosity. He extended this altruism even in passing, as an organ donor, giving the gift of life and hope to others. His legacy of giving will live on, touching the lives of many.

A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 11th at 3 p.m. at the Christian House Baptist Church, 814 Rt #18, Aliquippa. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

 

Esther L. (Dotson) Stout (1942-2025)

Esther L. (Dotson) Stout, 82, formerly of Midland, passed away on January 5th, 2025, at East Liverpool Hospital.

She was born on April 18th, 1942, in Morgantown, West Virginia, a daughter of the late C.L. and Stella (Edwards) Dotson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, John “Jack” Stout, her sisters, Ruth Engleman, Lenora Allison and Eva Burnside and a brother, James Dotson. She is survived by her children, John Stout, Darla (Les) May, Tammy (Dave) Dorn and Sandra Miller, former sons-in-law, Joey Conforti and Bart Trautvetter, grandchildren: Christopher Trautvetter and Jennifer, Chadd Trautvetter and Ariel, Charlee Williams and LeRoy, Rhonda Leslie and Troy Coleman, Tiffany Faessel and Corey, Kayla Ward and Eric, Kelly Keefer and Shaun, Darrellyn Stout, Alexis Stout, Allan-Michael Conforti and Savannah, Todd Leslie and Tracey, CJ May and Katie, Amanda Charleton and Josh, and Jessica Alexander; great grandchildren: Taylor, Sal, Antonio, Allie, Rayne, Amorie, Kahlani, Tyree, Trae, Jayce, Kera, Sylas, Everett, Knox, Payton, Lillian, Aubreona, Maddox, Charley, and Case; a great-great granddaughter, Mila, a brother, Harlan (Joy) Dotson, and numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends too many to name.

Esther was the proud co-owner of Stout’s Towing and had worked for the Allegheny National Forest for many years. She was strong in her Christian faith.  She adored her family and loved spending time with them.  When she was able, Esther was fond of canning, baking, and immaculately caring for her lawn and flowers.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, January 8th from 2-4PM & 6-8PM in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 Third Street, Beaver.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, January 9th at 2 P.M.

Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery.

Esther’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff of The Orchards of East Liverpool as well as the 4th Floor North East nursing staff at East Liverpool Hospital.

Regulation of “ghost guns” in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A handgun from a collection of illegal guns is reviewed during a gun buyback event in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 22, 2021. The Supreme Court, Thursday, June 23, 2022, struck down a restrictive New York gun law in a major ruling for gun rights. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) As the Pennsylvania House reconvenes this week, lawmakers will focus regulating 3-D-printed “ghost guns.” These untraceable firearms, like the one allegedly used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, complicate criminal investigations. For the third time, Representative Melissa Shusterman says she plans to introduce legislation aimed at classifying 3D-printed firearms as standard firearms under Pennsylvania’s laws and regulations and require 3D printer owners to be licensed as manufacturers. The Chester Democrat says she’s already circulated a memo to colleagues and is hopeful action will be taken for the bill. Pennsylvania State Police data reveal a doubling of ghost gun seizures by law enforcement in 2023 compared to 2022. Shusterman adds a bill to ban ghost-gun kits passed the House last session with bipartisan support, but stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Representative Roman Kozak gives free appointments to local veterans

(File Photo of Roman Kozak)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) According to a release from Representative Roman Kozak’s office, Kozak will provide free assistance to 14th Legislative District veterans with appointments on the first Thursday and third Friday of every month. Kozak confirms that on those days, American Legion department service officer Stephanie Wilson will meet with veterans for questions about benefits. Furthermore, Kozak notes that Beaver County native and veteran Tony Crowe will help veterans on the first Thursday of every month with finding a job and other services through the Cornerstone of Beaver County.

According to Kozak, the topics in the meetings include the following:

Topics for Meetings with Stephanie Wilson: VA claims for disability compensation, disability increase and rating decision appeals, veteran or surviving spouse pension, burial and death benefits, addition of dependents, dependency and indemnity compensation and other veteran benefits questions.

Topics for Meetings with Tony Crowe: resume building, job training, job search, interviewing skills, training grants, obtaining GED, retrieving military records, general VA benefit questions, emergency financial assistance, and housing or rent assistance through The Cornerstone of Beaver County.

Pittsburgh couple sentenced after one suspect used smoking devices and fireworks during a 2023 protest

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan on Monday, a couple from Pittsburgh was sentenced in federal court for obstructing law enforcement during a 2023 gathering and protest. Thirty-seven-year-old Bryan DiPippa was given five years in jail while his wife, forty-two-year-old Krystal DiPippa was given three years of probation. In 2023, the DiPippas were part of a protest at the University of Pittsburgh and Brian lit up smoke devices close to a line of people at an event there. Hidden by Krystal, Brian then proceeded to set off fireworks and threw one at a bunch of officers who blocked people from getting into the building of the protest. The DiPippas were forced to pay fines to both the officer that was injured and the University of Pittsburgh for their actions.

Aliquippa RV fire that killed two people still under investigation

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News (Updated on January 8th, 2025 at 10:35 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) Just prior to 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning, an RV fire in Aliquippa killed two people. According to Aliquippa Fire Chief Tim Firich, the two victims inside the RV were found dead. The victims, whose cause of death is undetermined, have been identified as fifty-four-year-old David Bosh of Aliquippa and twenty-eight-year-old Jenny Bosh of Leetsdale. Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report at around 5:57 a.m., a fire occurred at 622 Sohn Street in Aliquippa. The Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall are investigating this incident. If you have any information about this incident, please call 724-773-7400.  This is a developing story, and we will have updates as soon as they are available.

Lawsuit withdrawn from MLB Players Inc. after affiliate accuses Sheetz Inc. and Pittsburgh associates of using pictures and names of six Pittsburgh Pirates players improperly

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Jan. 15, 2018, file photo Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington speaks to the media concerning the trade of outfielder Andrew McCutchen at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The team said Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, that it has fired general manager Huntington, the third high-profile dismissal following a last-place finish in the NL Central. (Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A lawsuit was withdrawn this week by MLB Players Inc. after the affiliate accused both Sheetz Inc. and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ parent company of misusing pictures and names of their players on social media. On August 14 of last year, MLB Players Inc. filed a complaint stating Pittsburgh Associates and Sheetz unauthorized both the likeness and names of six Pittsburgh Pirates players. The affiliate accused the two organizations on X, Facebook, and Instagram for using the images of Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Andrew McCutchen, Nick Gonzales, Carmen Mlodzinski and Connor Joe improperly.

One environmental group is still concerned about the block of Nippon Steel purchasing U.S. Steel

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – This is a portion of US Steel’s Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock, Pa., on Sunday, Apr., 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) A Pennsylvania environmental justice group is voicing concerns about the blocked sale of U-S Steel to Nippon Steel, citing its effect on the community and jobs if it ultimately goes through. On Monday, Nippon Steel and U-S Steel filed a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration over the decision. Matthew Mehalik, executive director of the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Breathe Project says Nippon’s bid would not have benefited union workers or the community, as it didn’t include a long-term plan for helping the Mon Valley. He adds Nippon said they would honor all collective bargaining agreements, but the union contract expires in 2026. Mehalik says that Nippon’s investment plan lacks specifics on how it will address the long-term health issues caused by decades of pollution in the community. He points out US Steel has faced over sixty-five million in fines and settlement agreements since 2020 due to Clean Air Act violations, primarily stemming from its Mon Valley facilities.

Suspect still wanted in attempted homicide at Kendrew’s Lounge in Aliquippa

(Photo Courtesy of the City of Aliquippa Police Department Facebook Page)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) An attempted homicide at Kendrew’s Lounge in Aliquippa on Sunday is still under investigation and the suspect is still wanted by police. Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that at 12:32 a.m., thirty-year-old Trecardi Goosby was arrested after shooting his brother, thirty-two-year-old Jerriel Goosby after a verbal altercation. An arrest warrant was issued for Trecardi Goosby. The investigation headed by Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver is still ongoing.

Three Beaver County natives part of the rioters being pardoned by President-elect Trump after January 6th Capitol riot

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. Retired NASCAR driver Tighe Scott, his adult son and two other Pennsylvania men are facing felony charges stemming from confrontations with police during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) Monday marked four years since the attack on the U.S. Capitol, and over 1,450 people have been arrested and prosecuted by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice. However, President-elect Donald Trump will pardon these rioters when he gets inaugurated on January 20th. Ninety-five Pennsylvanians are being charged after the invasion of the Capitol. Beaver County natives Russell James Peterson, Nicholas J. Perretta, and Mitchell Paul Vukich all pleaded guilty in 2021 to demonstrations outside the Capitol.