Scam Alert: Aliquippa Police state scammers are posing as law enforcement demanding money from victims

(File Photo of the City of Aliquippa Police Department Building)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) According to a Facebook post from The City of Aliquippa Police Department yesterday, they are letting Beaver County residents know about a local scam in which “actors claiming to be Law Enforcement are contacting citizens and stating that they have an outstanding warrant, fine, or case and money must be paid to stay their arrest.” These scammers provide information about themselves and instruct the victims to stay on the phone and to urgently make a payment in either with cash, gift cards or by an online transfer. If you think that you are being scammed, do not send a payment or click any link from the scammers, because the City of Aliquippa Police Department confirms that law enforcement will never contact you to demand or negotiate money for any activity that is court related, and if you do get contacted stop all communications and contact your local law enforcement.

Governor Josh Shapiro Launches Reelection Campaign to Keep Getting Stuff Done, Protecting Freedom and Moving Pennsylvania Forward

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference regarding the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro launched his campaign for reelection in Pennsylvania today, which reaffirms his commitment to getting stuff done for all Pennsylvanians, protecting the freedoms we have and bringing people together so Pennsylvania can move forward. Shapiro will try to deliver on several issues, from creating opportunity and jobs, to cutting taxes for the working families, to investing in enforcement of the law and public education, to showing up in the moments of crisis and protecting the fundamental freedoms of Pennsylvanians. Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis is also running for reelection so the goals of both getting stuff done and keeping Pennsylvania moving forward can be achieved.

Lawrence “Larry” E. McGown (1947-2026)

Lawrence “Larry” E. McGown, 78, of Daughterty Township, passed away at home on January 5th, 2026, at his home. He was born in Beaver Falls on July 26th, 1947, the son of the late Duane and Eileen (McClure) McGown. She is survived by his loving wife, Linda Davis McGown, her children: Vona Lynn (Bruce Rupert) McGown, Sean Eric McGown, and step-children, Lesley Davis and Aaron (Kelsey) Davis, his sisters, Laraine McGown and Sharon (McGown) Henry, his grandchildren, Cameron Todd, Alexis Todd, Henry Davis and Dawson Davis and lastly, one great-grandchild, Marella Todd; as well as his niece, Lindsey (Henry) Sise, his nephews, Eric Henry and Ryan O’Shea, his great-niece, Emilyn Sise and his great-nephew, Zander Sise.

Lawrence’s life was defined by service, humor, and deep-rooted traditions. He worked for NOVA Chemicals for many years and honorably served in the United States Navy and was a Vietnam veteran, a chapter of his life he held with great pride. He was of strong Scotch Irish heritage and was known for his appreciation of a good Scotch whiskey and the stories that often came with it. He enjoyed golfing, and all things related to the Civil War. He had a great sense of humor with a gift for making people laugh and keeping the spirit light. He was deeply involved with the ARC of Beaver County for several years and was a member of both the Beaver Falls Owls and the Baden American Legion where camaraderie and service to his fellow veterans were important to him.

Lawrence was very proud of his Irish heritage and because of this, his family will be holding an Irish wake in his honor, on Monday, January 12th, from 2-6 P.M. at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where an additional viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 13th, from 10 A.M. until the time of service for the celebration of his life at 11 A.M., and a luncheon will follow at the Daughtery Township Fire Hall, 4198 Marion Hill Road, New Brighton. A private burial with honors for Lawrence will be held at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, on Wednesday, January 14th.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence E. “Larry” McGown, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Ronald C. Taylor (1939-2026)

Ronald C. Taylor, 86, of New Brighton, passed away peacefully at his home on January 5th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 20th, 1939, the son of the late Chester “Chet” and Mary (Stuber) Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Jerry Cummings, and his great-grandson, Stephen Michael Taylor, Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jayme (Uebelhart) Taylor, his children: Rhonda (Jeff) Dean, Rick Taylor, Jennifer Taylor-Janectic and Jason (Jenny) Taylor; his grandchildren: Taylor and Lexi Janectic, Luke and Sofia Taylor, Stephen (Jessica) Taylor and Ricky Taylor; as well as his great-grandchildren, Faith and Dominic Taylor, his sister, Joanne Taylor and many extended family members.

Ronald was Pentecostal by faith and a longtime member of Life Family Church, formerly New Brighton Christian Assembly. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Geneva College, which led to a successful career with Airway Industry and Hussey Copper. He had a lifelong love of sports. He enjoyed racquetball, softball, bowling and baseball. He especially cherished watching his grandchildren play and never missed a game, proudly serving as their biggest and most devoted fan. He also faithfully followed all Pittsburgh sports teams. He was a fan of Elvis who enjoyed singing and loved playing the piano and guitar. Above all, he treasured his family and was a devoted husband to his wife, Jayme, with whom he shared more than 50 years of marriage.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, January 11th, from 1-5 p.m. at the J.J. Spratt Funeral Home, Inc., 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements. Ronald’s final viewing will be held Monday, January 12th at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m. at Life Family Church in New Brighton.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald C. Taylor, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Delbert Allen Smilak (1939-2026)

Delbert Allen Smilak, lovingly known as “Delbie,” 86, of Daugherty Township, passed away on January 6th, 2026, surrounded by family at his home. He was born on August 24th, 1939, a son of the late Rose and Alex (Simko) Smilak. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother James Smilak (Lina).

He was a devoted husband to his wife of 42 years, Susan (Black) Smilak and was a loving father to his daughters: Joy McDonald (Bill Alexander), Stephanie Smilak, Jessica Inscho (Brett) and Nikki Smilak Camp (Nathanael). He was a proud and playful “Pappo” to his grandchildren: Isaac, Lucas, and Adelaide Inscho, and Jessica and Brooke Barletto. He is also survived by his siblings, Richard Smilak, Rose Marie Smilak, and John Smilak (Patty).

Delbert was an incredible husband, father, Pappo, confidant, companion, and friend. He graduated in 1959 from Beaver Falls High School and worked 42 years as a Millwright Rigger for Babcock and Wilcox Steel in Koppel. He loved playing ball of any kind and carried that same enthusiasm into everything he did. He proudly coached his daughters’ softball teams in the New Brighton Recreational Softball League from 1992 to 2008. He was known for his goofy sense of humor and he could make anyone laugh, especially himself: often crying with laughter at his own jokes before he ever reached the punchline.

He loved adventures: camping, hiking, kayaking, and cooking s’mores over an open fire. He danced in the kitchen with ridiculous dance moves, sang wildly out of key to oldies, doo-wop, and polka songs, and never missed an opportunity to dress up in over-the-top Halloween costumes. He also attended Concord Church in Beaver Falls, where his faith was an important part of his life.

Friends will be received Saturday, January 10th, from 2-5 p.m., at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, who was in charge of his arrangements. An additional visitation will be held Sunday, January 11th, from 3 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 4 p.m., at Concord Church, 285 Concord Church Road, Beaver Falls, with pastors Chris Kindle and Arthur Black officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Diabetes Association.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Delbert Allen Smilak, please visit the flower store of the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Milad K. Louis (1945-2026)

Milad K. Louis, 81, of Ross Township, passed away on January 7th, 2026. He was born on January 5th, 1945 and is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Moaheb Louis, his children, Manal (Ed) Lee, Anwar Louis and Magdi Louis, his siblings, Gamal, Loutfy, and Afaf, his grandchildren: Christopher, Alexander, Nicholas, Johnathan, Austin, and Magdi; as well as his great-grandchildren, Lily, Kent, Kiro and Levi.

Milad was a linguist who proudly worked with the United States Army. He possessed a deep and steadfast faith in God and held a profound love for his church and his family.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 9th at St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, 995 Melrose Avenue, Ambridge and Milad’s burial will follow at Mount Royal Cemetery, 2700 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

West Virginia woman causes single-vehicle crash in Findlay Township

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Findlay Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release yesterday that twenty-year-old Xoey Tennant of Follansbee, West Virginia caused a single-vehicle crash in Findlay Township on the evening of December 14th, 2025. At 3:50 p.m., Tennant was driving on US 22 just past the McDonald Exit and tried to avoid traffic using an evasive maneuver after encountering traffic. The vehicle of Tennant rolled twice before resting on an embankment near the PA-980 exit. Tennant and her passenger, twenty-two-year-old Harold Masters of Weirton, West Virginia, were not injured and both of them refused transportation.

Waynesburg man charged after causing a two-vehicle crash in Robinson Township

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release yesterday that twenty-six-year-old Brady McCracken of Waynesburg was charged after causing a two-vehicle crash in Robinson Township on the evening of December 12th, 2025. At 4:04 p.m., McCracken was driving on I-376 West before the US-22 westbound exit and he rear-ended the vehicle of forty-three-year-old Richard Yates of Beaver after Yates slowed his vehicle down because of traffic ahead of him. There were no injuries as a result of this crash.

Long John Silver’s restaurant in Rochester temporarily closed due to health concerns

(File Photo of the Long John Silver’s Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) The Long John Silver’s restaurant on Ohio River Boulevard in Rochester has been temporarily closed due to health concerns. A sign was issued on Monday from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services. The establishment was ordered to stay closed until that department officially deems it safe and after it is re-inspected.

Officials: Armed kidnapping in Plum and shooting in Pittsburgh believed to be connected

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to Pittsburgh Public Safety last night, an armed kidnapping in Plum and a shooting in Pittsburgh are believed to be connected. A spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety stated in a news release that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police was notified of a report of an armed kidnapping to the Plum Borough Police Department around 6:15 p.m. yesterday and a family member told Plum police that his brother had been kidnapped by two armed suspects who were demanding ransom money. The victim’s phone was then tracked to the Hazelwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Then, someone reported around 7:10 p.m., that men were fighting, with the sound of gunfire following. According to authorities at the scene, a man was found shot in the chest on Deely Street in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was last listed in stable condition. The victim then told police that the suspects fled the area in a vehicle. No other information was released immediately about the two suspects or their vehicle. The Allegheny County Police Department is taking over the investigation into this incident.