George R. Bartimac (1926-2024)

George R. Bartimac, 98, of Baden, passed away at home on December 18th, 2024. He was born in Freedom on September 14th, 1926, the son of the late Angelo and Mary Bartimac. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Syrak, son, Ronald Bartimac, stepson, Gregory Allen Peter and several siblings.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Helen Bartimac, children, Dawn Turner and Rhonda Walters, stepson, Jack D. Peters, sister, Stella Lorenz, two cherished grandchildren, Shawn McNair and Pamela Siebert, special friend and caregiver, Mark Hartle, close friends Brenda and John Maxiener, Jennie Nelson, along with many others.

George proudly served as a corporal in the United States Navy during World War II, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. After his service, he worked for the Borough of Baden as a road crew foreman for over ten years, and later at J&L and Armco until his retirement. He had a love for country western music and enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden. He was also a former member of the Baden American Legion.

Helen would like to express her heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey Hein for the excellent care he provided to George.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Saturday, December 28th from 12 P.M. until 4 P.M., as well as a blessing service at 2 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge. Interment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at a later date.

William E. Bainbridge (1962-2024)

William E. Bainbridge, 62, of Midland, passed away unexpectedly on December 21st, 2024 at Heritage Valley Beaver.
He was born in Pittsburgh on June 8th, 1962, the son of the late Robert and Violet Bainbridge.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sinda Conner and his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Linda Bainbridge. He is survived by his sons, James and John Bainbridge, sisters, Bonnie (Bruce) Williams, Kathy (Randy Cook) Martin and Barbara (Peter) Berg, brother-in-law, Terry Conner, grandchildren: Chandler, Olivia, Haylee, Isabella, Hazelynn, and Jacob; his former wife, Marjorie Brown, his numerous nieces and nephews, along with his faithful four-legged companion, Pretty Boy.

William was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan who loved to fish, camp and scrap.
In accordance with William’s wishes, no public services were held.
Professional Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

Marilyn C. Winkle (1946-2024)

Marilyn C. Winkle, 78, of Rochester Township, passed away on December 20th, 2024 in her home. She was born on December 2nd, 1946, a daughter of the late Elder R. & Edna Landis Sr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Calvin, a son, Michael Winkle, a son-in-law, Jeffrey Bable and a grandson, Eric Bable. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Bable, three grandchildren, Jeffrey (Meghan Schieman) Bable, Taylor (Tyler) Adams, and Chase (Zoey Blanchard) Winkle, a great grandson Thomas Jeffrey Adams, three brothers, Elder R. “Junior” (Donna) Landis, Samuel (Judy Frank) Landis and David Jay (Lori) Landis, a brother-in-law, Harold “Kuch” (Linda) Winkle and a daughter-in-law, Tammy Wright, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Marilyn worked for many years at the Medical Center as a clinical technician. She was a longtime and active member of New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was a member of WELCA. She was the Judge of Elections for Rochester, enjoyed playing cards, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels.  She was an amazing mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister who will be missed.

Friends will be received on Thursday, December 26th, from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. at Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 27th, at 11 a.m. in her church, New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 2nd Avenue, Freedom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Josephine Elia Haslett (Passed on December 19th, 2024)

Josephine Elia Haslett, 97, of Rochester, known affectionately as Jo to her friends and family, passed away on December 19th, 2024, at the Passavant Community in Zelienople. She leaves behind a legacy of faith as a lifelong member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Rochester where she found much comfort in her faith.

Josephine was raised in Rochester and graduated from Rochester High School with the class of 1945. She was a daughter of the late Rocco and Sarah Elia. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas E. Haslett, her brothers, Chuck, Jimmy, Rocky and John, and younger brothers Joseph, Vincent, and Frank Elia and a special brother in law, Ralph Caratelli.

She is survived by her devoted children, Lynn Rutter and her husband Howard, and Roy Lambert and his wife Chavee. She was the proud grandmother to Kristin Jeffers and her husband Keith, Kelly Rupp and Claire Hogan and the adored great-grandmother to Josie Rupp and Connor Hogan. She is also survived by her sister Mary Caratelli.

Josephine’s professional life was as rich and fulfilling as her personal life. She spent many years working as a cook at her brother’s restaurant, Hollywood Gardens in Rochester where her culinary skills were greatly admired. Later, she later opened her own restaurant, Jo’s Snack Bar, in North Sewickley. She was also a talented seamstress.

Josephine found pleasure in gardening and reveled in the beauty of nature. Her passion for travel was evident as she had visited some forty-seven states. At the remarkable age of seventy-two, she learned to swim. Her interests in sewing, baking, and cooking not only brought her personal joy, but also made her home an inviting place for all. She had an ability to make everyone feel special and did so through her love of baking. The children of the McGuire Home especially looked forward to her delightful creations. Her house was renowned for its hot meals, special desserts, and much laughter.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services of Monaca. Services were also entrusted to Saint Cecilia Catholic Church of Rochester.

The family has suggested memorial contributions be made, if desired to the McGuire Memorial Home of New Brighton.

To share online condolences, view Josephine’s video tribute, add photos or get directions, please visit www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.

PennDOT will close all centers on January 1st, 2025 for New Year’s Day

(File Photo of PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT announced on Monday that all service centers, including their photo and license centers, will be closed on January 1st, 2025 to celebrate New Year’s Day. This includes their center in Harrisburg, which offers full services. You can still go to PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services Website to access the services that PennDOT provides anytime. For more information, visit www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv.html.

Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate at 3.5% in November

(File Photo)

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for November 2024.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was up one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 3.5% in November. This was the first unemployment rate change since October 2023. Still, the Commonwealth’s rate remained well under the U.S. unemployment rate which was also up one-tenth of a point from its October level to 4.2%.

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percentage point above the November 2023 level of 3.4%, while the national rate was up one-half of a percentage point over the year.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was down 24,000 over the month to 6,507,000 in November. Resident employment (-28,000) drove the labor force decline while unemployment was up 5,000 from October.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were down 2,500 over the month from October’s record high to 6,205,000 in November. Jobs decreased from October in seven of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest supersector movement was a decline of 3,800 in professional & business services. Education & health services and leisure & hospitality reached record high job levels in November.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 90,300 with gains in eight of the 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+47,300) had the largest volume over-the-year gain.

Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on FacebookX, and LinkedIn.

Note: The above data are seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. November 2024 data are preliminary and subject to revision.

 

Pittsburgh man arrested for DUI and after crashing into another vehicle in Potter Township

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Potter Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported that they arrested a man after a vehicle crashed into another vehicle on I-376 East in Potter Township. On Saturday, December 7th at 11:50 p.m., police arrested thirty-year-old Joseph Murphy of Pittsburgh for driving under the influence. Murphy was driving a 2020 Lincoln Continental Nautilus on I-376 East and hit a 2019 Volvo 760 driven by twenty-nine-year-old Nodirkhon Munavvarov of Philadelphia. Murphy was charged for DUI and his charges have been filed to the at fault operator.

Ohio man arrested for DUI in Hopewell Township

(File photo of State Police Cruiser)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hopewell Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that they arrested a man for driving under the influence after spotting an “erratic” driver on I-376 West in Hopewell Township 0n Friday at 3:52 p.m., Troopers then stopped forty-eight-year-old Charles Starr of Eastlake, Ohio after he almost hit a Pennsylvania State Police cruiser. Starr did not yield when the vehicle’s police lights were turned on but was eventually apprehended. He is currently in the Beaver County Jail and was charged with driving under the influence.

Pennsylvania is experiencing phenomenon known as “lost winter” from climate change

(File photo of Cardinal in the Snow)

(Reported by Mark Richardson of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Across Pennsylvania and other northern U.S. states, climate change  from burning oil, coal and methane gas is increasing the number of winter days with minimum temperatures above freezing. The phenomenon is known as “lost winter,” and a Climate Shift Index analysis of temperatures shows more than sixty percent of twenty-eight snow-belt states are having at least one additional week of days above freezing. Climate Central Meteorologist Shel Winkley says winter weather will not be as cold for as long as it used to be. Winkley says when you look at the thirty-year average of snowfall for Pennsylvania, cities like Philadelphia now have only a nine percent chance of seeing a white Christmas, with Pittsburgh faring a bit better, at about thirty-one percent.

Aliquippa man arrested for DUI on Broadhead Road

(File Photo of State Police Cruiser)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that they stopped a man for suspicion of  driving under the influence in Aliquippa on the 2700 block of Broadhead Road. On Friday at 7:05 p.m., police gave a traffic violation to sixty-nine-year-old Michael Pagani of Aliquippa. Police then noticed that Pagani showed signs of impairment and said he will be charged accordingly in a Pennsylvania District Court.