Author: Beaver County Radio

Rita Ann (Nunzir) Hanshe (Passed on February 21st, 2026)

Rita Ann (Nunzir) Hanshe, 91, of Center Township, passed away peacefully on February 21st, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver.

She was born and raised in Monaca and was a proud graduate of Monaca High School, class of 1952, Rita’s pursuit of knowledge led her to further her education at Garfield Business School but chose to dedicate herself to her family as a homemaker. Her heart found its match in Ronald Hanshe, whom she first met in the first grade. Fate would have them cross paths again as adults when they both worked at a paint manufacturing factory in Rochester. Their love story was culminated in a beautiful marriage on May 5th, 1956. Together, they built a life filled with joy and cherished moments until Ronald’s passing on September 24th, 2013.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Anthony and Minnie Nunzir, her dear husband, Ronald, and her sister, Nan Lamberto. Her legacy continues through her four children: Richard Hanshe of Colorado, Randy Hanshe of Beaver, Ronald Hanshe and daughter-in-law Nina Stala of Center Township, and Rhonda Hanshe of Colorado.

Rita was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca and served her community as an Inspector of Elections for Center Township, which was a role she held for many years. Her love of animals was well-known, particularly her affection for her cats with Grace and George as her companions.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 25th from 3-6 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a blessing service will be held on Thursday, February 26th at 10 a.m. Interment will follow beside her late husband in the parish cemetery.

The family has suggested memorial contributions be made, if desired to St Jude Children’s Hospital or the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

To share online condolences, please visit www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.

Sherry Lynn Whelpley (1948-2026)

Sherry Lynn Whelpley, 77, of Chippewa Township, passed away on February 22nd, 2026, at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden. She was born in Sisterville, West Virginina on August 7th, 1948, in Sistersville, West Virginia, the daughter of the late Gerald and Lillian Shuman Warner.

Sherry graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Education. She went on to teach junior high science for 4 years in a year-round program in Arlington, Virginia, then moved to Morgantown, West Virginia where she was the 4-H extension agent where she met her husband, Chet. In 1977, they moved to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where both sons were born. In 1987, they purchased the former Beaver Co-op, now known as Agway, where her and Chet ran the business together for many years. She was involved in her church as a Deacon and was involved in the youth program and taught Sunday school for several years prior to retirement. She was a part of a bowling league for many years and loved nature and traveling. The ocean was her happy place, but her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Chester “Chet” Whelpley, her children, Chad (Wendy) Whelpley and Curt (Rose) Whelpley, her grandchildren: Isabella, Arianna, Amelia, Colin, Benjamin Whelpley; brothers, Jerry (Marcia) and Bobby (Kim) Warner; as well as her sister-in-law, Lois Dress and many nieces and nephews. There will be a visitation on Thursday, February 26th, from 4-7 p.m. at CUP Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 530 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, where a service will be held on Friday, February 27th at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mark Simonds officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Shine Youth Program at CUP church, https://share.google/2qk11OwS1L8qzLpt2

Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Kunselman Funeral Home, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

Sewickley center hosts the Faux Paws

Scott Tady

SEWICKLEY — Make no mistake: The Faux Paws play a highly enjoyable blend of bluegrass and Americana music that’s earned praise from publications coast-to-coast.

You can catch the Faux Paws on Thursday, when the Vermont-based band entertains at the Sweetwater Center for The Arts in Sewickley.

Part of the Folk February music series at Sweetwater’s intimate community room, the Faux Paws’ brothers Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand, and collaborator Chris Miller, will draw on folk dance traditions, bluegrass, jazz and experimentation to create a tightly connected sound.

After years of touring across North America, the trio has released its self-titled debut album, bringing those influences together in a fresh and cohesive way.
The band has performed in Pittsburgh several times, getting to know local artists and
Pittsburgh’s unique live music scene.

“Visiting Pittsburgh, for us, is very personal,” Andrew VanNorstrand, guitarist and singer for the Faux Paws, said. “We finished our album release cycle and, we’re just excited to be coming back to a city that we really love. We want to see some of our friends, but also hope to make new ones.”

Here is VanNorstrand’s full interview given Tuesday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show:

 

Folk February tickets are $25 and can be purchased on Sweetwater’s website. Seating is first come first serve. Complimentary waters will be provided, and wine is available for a donation. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

The Faux Paws will play Sweetwater Center for The Arts. (Sweetwater Center for The Arts)

Charges withdrawn from Sewickley man after two-vehicle crash in Allegheny County

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release yesterday that charges were withdrawn from twenty-eight-year-old Timothy Schneider Jr. of Sewickley after a two-vehicle crash occurred in Allegheny County on Friday morning. At 8:40 a.m., Schneider Jr. was driving on I-76 East in Indiana Township at an unsafe speed during the wet weather conditions while failing to negotiate a left-hand curve and hit the vehicle of forty-two-year-old Tyler Crummy of Renfrew, Pennsylvania. Crummy also lost control of his vehicle. There were no injuries. 

Maryland man charged for single-vehicle crash in Findlay Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Findlay Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release on Sunday that twenty-five-year-old Kartheek Kumar Sarma Mokshagundgum of Aberdeen, Maryland was charged after a single-vehicle crash in Findlay Township on the early morning of February 7th, 2026. At 1:07 a.m., Mokshagundgum was driving on I-376 West and exited the road onto the north shoulder and hit a ditch there. There were no injuries.

SWAT situation in the South Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh ends after ten hours; man taken into custody

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A SWAT situation that occurred yesterday has ended after 10 hours in the South Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. According to Allegheny County dispatchers, police were called to the area of Juliet Street and Cato Street following an incident at around 7:24 p.m. Police stated that a person with outstanding warrants barricaded themself in a home. One person was brought out of the house around 5:30 a.m. this morning, ending the hours-long SWAT situation. There were no reported injuries and a man who was inside of the home where the SWAT situation was taking place was reported to be out of the building and is now in police custody. 

Michigan woman charged for single-vehicle crash in Robinson Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Robinson Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release on Sunday that twenty-nine-year-old Maria Matta of Royal Oak, Michigan was charged after causing a single-vehicle crash in Robinson Township on Sunday afternoon. At 4:30 p.m., Matta tried to negotiate a left curve while she was driving on I-79 North and lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle of Matta also traveled through a grass field before rolling over onto its roof. There were no reported injuries. 

Carol S. McDonald (1931-2026)

Carol S. McDonald, 94, of Bethel Park, passed away peacefully on February 19th, 2026. She was born on December 25th, 1931, the beloved daughter of the late Clyde and Sarah Shellito.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Louis McDonald. She is survived by a loving family who will cherish her memory including her daughter, Sharon Howard, her grandson, Glen (Nicole Richardson) Howard and her adored great-grandson, Parker.

Carol had a deep love for quilting and was especially gifted musically. She was a faithful and active member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, where she shared her beautiful voice in the church choir for many years. Above all, she was a wonderful and devoted mother whose kindness and warmth touched all who knew her.

Memorial services for Carol will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Woman given charges like involuntary manslaughter in relation to shooting in a Wilkins Township apartment that killed a teenage girl

(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

(Allegheny County, PA) Twenty-year-old Rayohna Hexstall has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a deadly shooting that happened inside a Wilkins Township apartment building that occurred yesterday. Hexstall is facing one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless endangerment in connection with the early-morning shooting at the Brentmoor at Penn Center apartments. According to court paperwork filed by the Allegheny County Police Department, a seventeen-year-old girl died after being shot in the head in the apartment. The criminal complaint filed by police explains that witnesses told investigators that Hexstall, the victim and two other individuals were in the apartment together when Hextall began waving around a handgun that belonged to one of the other people in the room. According to police, witnesses said while Hexstall was handling the gun, it went off, shooting and killing the victim. The victim was also a student at Woodland Hills High School.

Hidden Hill Horse Farms in Rochester hosts 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Bingo at Big Knob Grange

(File Photo of Big Knob Grange: Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of YourBeaverCounty.com)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) Hidden Hill Horse Farm in Rochester is having its St. Patrick’s Day Bingo at Big Knob Grange in Rochester on March 14th, 2026. The kitchen opens at 4 p.m. and the bingo games start at 6 p.m. and it includes things like food provided by PJ’s Deli and Catering, a 50/50 raffle, and a Chinese auction. Tickets can be bought on their website at hiddenhillhorsefarm.org. Hidden Hill Horse Farm is a nonprofit equine-assisted therapy center in Rochester which is dedicated to improving both mental and emotional well- being through the healing power of horses. Their therapists provide equine-assisted therapy to individuals that are living with autism, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other emotional and behavioral health challenges.