Author: Beaver County Radio

Shirley J. (Franken) Oakes (Passed on January 28th, 2026)

Shirley J. (Franken) Oakes, 91 formerly of Conway, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at her daughter’s home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, a daughter of the late Dr. Norman and Jane Franken. She was also preceded by her beloved husband of 40 years, Robert W. Oakes, Sr., her stepson, Robert Oakes, Jr., her daughter-in-law, Lori (McCracken) Liberati and her brother, Henry Franken. Her memory will be kept alive by her surviving family: her brother, Thomas (Judy) Franken of Arkansas, her sister-in-law, Yvonne Franken of Colorado, her daughter, Jane Strano (Leonard Cardinale) of Monaca, her sons, Robert (Denise Schweinsberg) Liberati of Potter Township and Joseph Liberati of Monaca and her daughter-in-law, Brenda Halstead. Her legacy extends to her grandchildren: Elizabeth Strano, Michael (Heather) Strano, Shawn (Julie) Fossett, Sarah Liberati, Jonathon (Melinda) Liberati, and Christopher (Nicole) Liberati; as well as her great-grandchildren: Ella Risch, Domanic and Maci Strano, and James, Wesson, Emmerson, and Avi Liberati.

Shirley’s professional life was marked by her compassionate service as a registered nurse at D.T. Watson, where she retired after years of dedicated care to her patients. She was a devoted member of the former Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, now part of the Good Samaritan Parish in Ambridge.

As we bid farewell to Shirley J (Franken) Oakes, we celebrate a life beautifully lived—a life filled with love, service, and faith.

The family wishes to thank the outstanding care and compassion Shirley received from Cami, Chelsea, Kelly and Renee from Advanced Hospice.

In accordance with Shirley’s wishes, there will be no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1116 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Woman hit by Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus in Oakland

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A woman was hit by a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus in Oakland yesterday. According to Allegheny County dispatchers, police officers, firefighters and medics were called to the intersection of Fifth Avenue and South Neville Street at 6:56 p.m. A spokesperson from PRT said that the person was hit while the 58-Greenfield bus was turning left from Neville Street and onto Fifth Avenue and the victim, a woman in her late 20s, was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. She is in critical but stable condition.

Man makes threatening phone calls in Cranberry Township to two people from Cranberry Township

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that a male suspect made threatening remarks to two people from Cranberry Township in Cranberry Township on November 25th, 2025. This happened along Firefly Drive at 3:33 p.m. and the male suspect proceeded to make several phone calls to a forty-two-year-old man and a forty-year-old woman from Cranberry Township which stated nonchalant random remarks to both of them over the span of a few weeks. The investigation into this incident is ongoing. 

Suspect steals expensive jewelry from Ellwood City Borough residence when Ellwood City woman he cared for enters into rehab facility

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County radio News

(Ellwood City Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that roughly $225,838.94 of jewelry was stolen from an Ellwood City Borough residence from the period of July 1st through November 30th, 2025. An unidentified seventy-four-year-old woman from Ellwood City was getting home care from the suspect at the home along Spring Avenue during the course of approximately four years and the suspect stole the jewelry when she was not home. The victim was at a rehabilitation center during the time of the theft because of health related ailments. The suspect then sold the items to a Treasure Hunt store. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.  

Authorities: Fifteen-year-old boy killed in crash in Juniata County was on FaceTime call while driving

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Juniata County, PA) According to authorities yesterday, a 15-year-old driver was on a FaceTime call with a friend when he was killed in a crash in Juniata County,  Pennsylvania over the weekend. Pennsylvania State Police Lewistown reported via release yesterday that the deadly single-vehicle crash happened on State Route 35 in the area of Hopple Lane in Tuscaraora Township around 12:05 a.m. on Sunday. The teenager from East Waterford, Pennsylvania was driving at a fast speed in that area and hit a tree head on as a result of the crash. PSP Lewistown is investigating this crash. 

Fire occurs inside a Shaler Township home

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Shaler Township, PA) According to officials, a road has now reopened following a fire that broke out inside a Shaler Township home yesterday evening. This happened at around 5 p.m. on the 700 block of Wible Run Road, where multiple fire crews were seen assessing the exterior of the structure. Wible Run Road was closed between Wetzel Road as crews responded for nearly two hours. According to Berkeley Hills Fire Company Assistant Chief Kenneth Long, a passerby reported flames coming out of a side window. The two adults who live at the home were not inside at the time of the fire, but officials confirmed that two dogs and a bird were. Firefighters rescued the second dog, but the bird died. Ten fire departments responded to the scene and the Allegheny County Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the fire.

Giroux’s goal with just over five minutes remaining lifts Senators past Penguins 3-2

 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Ottawa Senators’ Tyler Kleven (43) and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Connor Dewar (19) collide with Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Claude Giroux scored with just over five minutes remaining in the third period and the Ottawa Senators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Monday night.

Giroux skated in on goal, was tripped by Erik Karlsson and went hard into the post. The net lifted off its moorings, but officials determined the puck crossed the line first at 14:52.

Giroux, a longtime Philadelphia Flyer, tied Alex Ovechkin for the most points against Pittsburgh by an active player. He has 23 goals and 78 points in 72 games against the Penguins.

Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle scored in his third straight game and Michael Amadio scored his first goal since Dec. 11 at Columbus. Stutzle has four goals in his last five games.

Linus Ullmark made 14 saves for the Senators, who won their fourth straight game. Ottawa has points in nine of its last 11 games overall. Ullmark joined Tony Esposito and Bob Froese as the only goalies in NHL history to win each of their first eight games against Pittsburgh.

Tommy Novak scored for Pittsburgh, and Egor Chinakhov added a goal and an assist. Chinakhov has seven goals in 16 games with Pittsburgh since he was traded from Columbus. Evgeni Malkin continued a six-game point streak with an assist.

Arturs Silovs stopped 28 shots for the Penguins, who had their six-game win streak halted. The Penguins also had a nine-game point streak snapped. Pittsburgh has points in 16 of its last 20 games overall.

Ottawa outshot Pittsburgh 31-16, including a 9-3 margin in the second period, the second-fewest in a period this season for the Penguins.

Amadio and Stutzle scored Ottawa’s first two goals off Pittsburgh turnovers.

Up next

Senators: Continue a three-game trip Tuesday at Carolina.

Penguins: Visit the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

 

Charges withdrawn from Ellwood City woman after single-vehicle crash in Franklin Park Borough

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Franklin Park Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release yesterday that charges were withdrawn from twenty-one-year-old Samantha Prestia of Ellwood City after a single-vehicle crash in Franklin Park Borough on Sunday morning. At 8:55 a.m., Prestia was driving on I-279 South and then lost control of her vehicle. Prestia then traveled off of the road and into a wire guardrail. There were no injuries. 

Beaver Falls Fire Department receives three grants totaling over $45,000 to help assist and buy equipment

(File Photo of a Beaver Falls Fire Department Truck Driving through Beaver Falls)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) According to a Facebook post yesterday from the Beaver Falls Fire Department, they received 3 grants from the PA State Fire Commissioner totaling $45,624.18. One of the grants is for $16,136.55 to buy a new thermal imaging camera, an additional search and rescue manikin and miscellaneous personal protective equipment. The second grant is for $14,487.63 for upgraded emergency lighting for its Engine 11-2. The last grant is for $15,000 to purchase emergency medical equipment. 

Two Pennsylvanians apprehended after two girls from Tennessee were kidnapped and found safe in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cumberland County, PA) According to authorities, two people from Pennsylvania are facing charges after two girls from Tennessee were kidnapped. Pennsylvania State Police Carlisle reported via release yesterday that thirty-six-year- old Henry Rodriguez, of Allentown, and sixty-year-old Ana Rodriguez Gonzalez, of Tamaqua, were arrested on Saturday night in connection with the kidnapping. A traffic stop by PSP Carlisle was initiated at 440 I81 North and the duo of juveniles were found safely in the vehicle. Both Rodriguez and Gonzalez were taken into custody. The suspects were taken to the Cumberland County Prison and officials confirm that they are awaiting extradition to Tennessee. According to court records, both suspects were denied bail yesterday.