Author: Beaver County Radio

Barbara Lee (Long) Andrick (1940-2025)

Barbara Lee (Long) Andrick, 85, of Darlington, passed away on December 14th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born on March 30th, 1940, a daughter of the late Richard and Ora Long. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Andrick, her brothers, Robert Long, Bruce Long and Charles Long, her sisters, Bonnie Casey and Ruth Long and her great-great grandson, Caden. She is survived by her children: Pamela Sturgeon, D. Jeffrey (Gah) Andrick, Timothy Andrick and Beth (Todd) Rutledge, her grandchildren: Shawnee (Michael) Long, Dean Renn, Carson Rutledge, Cole (Taylor) Rutledge, Larissa and Vanessa Andrick; along with her great grandchildren, Alexis, Addison and Kenzie, her sister, Cheryl Hammer, her sisters-in-law, Rose “Corky” Long and Brenda Long and her brother-in-law, Brent Casey. Barbara graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Sewickley Valley Nursing School. She was Protestant by faith and spent many years attending church. She also enjoyed gardening and bird watching as a hobby. She was also a natural caregiver who spent many years working as a Nurse and caring for others. She will always be remembered for her unconditional love. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18th, from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements. A procession to Sylvania Hills Mausoleum, 273 PA-68, Rochester, will follow the service. Barbara’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Meredith McLaughlin, Debby White and Michelle Moraski.

William Harold Gross (1928-2025)

William Harold Gross, affectionately known as “Uncle Bill,” 97, of Economy Borough, passed away peacefully on December 13th, 2025. He was born on September 16th, 1928, a son of the late Harry and Katherine Gross. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dolores (Grguras) Gross, his brothers: Paul, Louis, Donald, James, and Joe Gross; as well as his sisters, Mary Kress and Pearl Krupski and his nephews, Paul “Cookie” Gross and Robert Gross. He is survived by his loving children: Kathy (Jeffrey) Andrews, Bill (Mary Cay) Gross, Karen Hayes, and Kevin (Maryann) Gross; along with ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.

William was a graduate of Ambridge High School with its Class of 1947 who proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He went on to dedicate more than 30 years of service to Duquesne Light Company, which is where he retired. He was a lifelong resident of Economy Borough and was a devoted Catholic who attended Our Lady of Peace Church and then later switched to Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ambridge. He enjoyed his work at Duquesne Light Company and was an active member of the Redshaw senior softball team. He found great joy in gardening, cutting trees down, and fixing just about anything, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a devoted family man who especially loved spending time with children, dogs, and feeding the birds at his house. He had an incredible memory and a gift for connecting with people. He truly never met a stranger.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, December 17th, from 3 P.M. until 7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 18th, at 10:30 A.M. at Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Burial will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

Quaker Valley High School forward Mimi Thiero becomes the all-time leading scorer in Quaker Valley girl’s high school basketball history

(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Terrapins on 247 Sports, Posted on December 16th, 2025, Quaker Valley high school senior basketball forward Mimi Thiero is seen with her sign that recognizes her as Quaker Valley’s all-time leading scorer for their girl’s high school basketball program standing next to the University of Maryland women’s college basketball head coach, Brenda Frese)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Leetsdale, PA) Quaker Valley high school senior basketball forward Mimi Thiero broke a record yesterday to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Quaker Valley girl’s high school basketball program in the third quarter of the girl’s high school basketball game in Leetsdale that day between Quaker Valley and Sto-Rox in which the Quakers won 65-18. Thiero finished the game with 28 points, which put her at 1,399 points for her career, which passed the record of 1,396 set by Farrah Causby in the 1995 season. On November 12th, 2025 in Leetsdale, Thiero commited to playing women’s college basketball at the University of Maryland, located in College Park, Maryland. The University of Maryland women’s college basketball head coach, Brenda Frese, was also at the game yesterday in Leetsdale to see Thiero break the record for the most points scored in the history of Quaker Valley girl’s high school basketball. Thiero continues the basketball legacy of her older brother, Adou, who was drafted at #36 overall in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft which sent him in a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers and played for Naismith Hall of Fame coach and Moon Township native John Calipari at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Arkansas. Thiero also continues the basketball legacy of her parents, Almamy and Mariam, as Almamy played under Calipari for most of his career in college basketball at Memphis University and Mariam was drafted by the Washington Mystics at #33 overall in the third round of the 2006 WNBA Draft after being an NAIA first-team all-American at Oklahoma City University.

Fire occurs at Cesina’s Sausage Company building in Aliquippa

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA Photojournalist Bryan Orr)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) A fire occurred yesterday at the establishment of Cesina’s Sausage Company in Aliquippa. Fire crews were called to the business located along Kennedy Boulevard just before 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon. The owner of Cesina’s Sausage Company told KDKA that he was not there when the fire broke out, but was shocked to find smoke billowing from his building. The owners do not know what caused the fire that damaged the building. However, they are planning to work with their insurance company to replace the expensive equipment that was damaged by soot and water. Cesina’s Sausage Company has operated for over 100 years in Aliquippa and is also a supplier for the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival.

Senators Fetterman and Budd Introduce Legislation to Create First National Network of AI-Enabled, Automated Labs

(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) According to a release in Washington D.C. yesterday from Senator John Fetterman’s office, last week, Senators Fetterman (D-PA) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act to create a national network of six remotely accessible programmable cloud laboratories (PCLs) for academic research, led by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This bill would assist in researchers using their time and financial resources more effectively through automation and integration of large data sets by knitting together existing laboratory data processing power. 

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Elects New Chairman, Vice-Chair and Secretary-Treasurer

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release in Pittsburgh yesterday from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), they elected Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites as its new Chairman in Pittsburgh yesterday for the calendar years of 2026 and 2027. The federally-designated regional commission for transportation and economic development chose Vicites to lead the United States Department of Transportation (DOT)’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for both the City of Pittsburgh and the ten counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Vicites is replacing outgoing Chairman Commissioner Pat Fabian of Armstrong County, whose term will expire at the end of this year. Additionally, Commissioner Betsy McClure of Greene County was elected as the Vice-Chair and Commissioner Bonni Dunlap of Indiana County was elected as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. 

Murray Avenue Grill in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh will permanently close soon

(Photo Courtesy of Murray Avenue Grill, Posted on Facebook on December 12th, 2025)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) After 39 years of business in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Murray Avenue Grill will be closing its doors later this month. According to a post from that restaurant on Facebook on Friday, the final day of serving food and drinks at the Murray Avenue Grill will be on December 28th, 2025. 

Commercial fire occurs at a Beaver County building

(Photo Courtesy of the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, Posted on Facebook on December 16th, 2025)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) At approximately 4 p.m. yesterday, the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched as a part of the Beaver County Strike Team to help Aliquippa Firefighters to stop a working commercial fire in Beaver County. Crews and several volunteers staffed by one of the fire stations assisted on scene for about two hours to put out the fire before heading back into service. The cause of this fire is unknown at this time.

New Horizon School in Beaver at risk of closing as asbestos removal in the school continues

(Photo Courtesy of WPXI-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on December 14th, 2025)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) New Horizon School in Beaver County is currently at risk of closing while crews are working to remove asbestos from the Beaver school which works with students with special needs that has about 170 students. This year, the school is operating at a temporary location in Midland. Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit board members are currently considering  proposal to remediate and repair New Horizon School. The estimated cost of the project is just under $15 million, but that is not finalized. Several districts in Beaver County have recently raised concerns about the financing and cost of this project. The Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit board will have a meeting in Monaca tomorrow on Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. about this issue.

AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report: Gas prices rise four cents this week in Western Pennsylvania

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are four cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $3.28 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of gas is $2.91, dropping four cents since last week. The report also states that at this time a year ago, the average price for a gallon of gas in Western Pennsylvania was around $3.42 and the average price that you can expect for a gallon of gas here in Beaver County is about $3.32. According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various Pennsylvania areas:

$3.231      Altoona
$3.317      Beaver
$3.447      Bradford
$3.109      Brookville
$3.242      Butler
$3.119      Clarion
$3.213      DuBois
$3.242      Erie
$3.240      Greensburg
$3.246      Indiana
$3.241      Jeannette
$3.437      Kittanning
$3.296      Latrobe
$3.263      Meadville
$3.406      Mercer
$3.192      New Castle
$3.279      New Kensington
$3.299      Oil City
$3.273      Pittsburgh
$3.207      Sharon
$3.272      Uniontown
$3.553      Warren
$3.223      Washington