Backers of Pennsylvania paid family leave bill cite health of moms and babies

(Source for Photo: The Family Care Act would establish a paid family medical leave insurance fund in Pennsylvania, enabling workers to care for elderly loved ones, sick children or newborns without risking their jobs or financial security. Caption for Photo: Parents Home from Hospital With Newborn Baby In Nursery (Adobe Stock) – Danielle Smith – Keystone News Service)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Legislation to create paid family and medical leave in Pennsylvania is getting bipartisan support. House Bill 200 has 58 cosponsors, including three Republicans. It’s in the Labor and Industry Committee. The nonprofit Maternity Care Coalition is among those pushing for passage. Sarah Jann Heinze with the coalition says the bill would allow families some financial support during childbirth and major illnesses. She adds for new parents and babies, paid leave could cut hospital readmissions in half. House Bill 200 is an update of past legislative attempts known as the Family Care Act, to fund paid leave through employer and employee contributions. Thirteen states have similar programs. Heinze notes many new mothers return to work even before their six-week checkup due to financial strain, some within ten days.

Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. announces grant to both update safety and fix an intersection in Center Township

(File Photo of Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from Senator Elder Vogel, Jr’s office, Vogel announced that a state grant of $563,970 was approved to both upgrade safety and fix an intersection in Center Township. The intersection of Beech Road and Route 8 will be getting new equipment for traffic signals thanks to the grant. The funding was provided by PennDOT’s Automated Red-Light Enforcement program. 

 

 

Shooting in Ambridge leaves one person dead and one person in custody

(File Photo of Police Lights)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Ambridge, PA) One person is in custody and one person is dead after a shooting occurred in Ambridge on Thursday night. At around 8:15 p.m., Ambridge Police went to the 200 block of Park Road. The identities have not yet been released of both the deceased person and the person in custody. According to Beaver County 911, both the Beaver County Detectives and Ambridge Police are investigating the incident. This is a developing story, and we will have updates as soon as they are available.

Family and friends prepare for funeral of officer killed in Pennsylvania hospital shooting

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This undated photo provided by the Denver Police Department shows Andrew Duarte who served as a Denver police officer from 2017 to 2022. (Denver Police Department via AP)

RED LION, Pa. (AP) — A procession with law enforcement officers is planned for the Friday funeral of a Pennsylvania police officer who was shot and killed while coming to the rescue of medical personnel and patients during an attack on a hospital intensive care unit last weekend.

Family members, friends and fellow officers are expected to attend the service for West York Patrolman Andrew Duarte at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, Pennsylvania.

Duarte, 30, was killed while responding to a man with a gun who took hostages inside UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. The attacker, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, also was killed and several others were wounded.

The 1 p.m. service is closed to the public but will be livestreamed by the church.

Accounts of nurses who survived the attack have been shared in Facebook posts, disclosing details about their injuries and treatment and how the events have haunted those who lived through it.

York County District Attorney Tim Barker said Archangel-Ortiz appeared to have had recent contact with the intensive care unit “for a medical purpose involving another person” but didn’t elaborate.

Born in Oakland, California, Duarte had served on the West York police force since 2022. Before that, he spent five years with the Denver Police Department in Colorado.

An obituary said he earned a degree in criminal justice and police science from California University of Pennsylvania and his interests included photography, guitar, hiking and traveling.

Survivors include his parents and his girlfriend.

Vitalant holding blood drives in the month of March to people that are eligible

(File Photo of Vitalant Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Castle, PA) According to a release from Vitalant, the company will provide Blood Drives in the month of March to people that are eligible. All blood types are needed, but O blood is needed the most. These blood drives can also help for those who have bleeding disorders. You can also have a chance to win two prepaid gift cards of $5,000 if you donate blood in the month of March. Everyone who donates will be automatically put in a drawing for the gift cards. You can contact 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825) or either visit vitalant.org or the Vitalant app for more information. According to the release, here is the full schedule of dates, times and locations of the blood drives:

Beaver Falls

Thursday, March 6th

Concord United Methodist Church – Bethany Hall

285 Concord Church Road

9 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.

 

New Castle

Friday, March 14th

Harley-Davidson

4655 Route 422

7:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

 

Monday, March 24th

Shenango High School

2550 Ellwood Road

11 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

 

Wednesday, March 26th

New Castle Fire Department – Multi-purpose Room

10 Margaret Street

7 A.M. – 1 P.M.

 

Thursday, March 27th

Holy Spirit Parish – St Camillus Church, McGurk Hall

314 West Englewood Avenue

7 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

 

Monday, March 31st

New Castle School of Trades (Day)

4117 Pulaski Road

11 A.M. – 5 P.M.

 

Monday, March 31st

New Castle School of Trades-Evening

4117 Pulaski Road

10 A.M. – 3 P.M.

 

New Wilmington

Wednesday, March 5th

Wilmington Area High School

350 Wood Street

9:30 A.M. – 2 P.M.

Joseph (Joe) Harry Sidora (1949-2025)

Joseph (Joe) Harry Sidora, 75, of Vanport, passed away on February 25th, 2025 with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Kittaning, Pennsylvania on August 30th, 1949, the son of the late Harry and Gertrude Sidora. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Bailey Sidora, brother-in-law, Nicholas Odrey; and sister-in-law, Penny Hipkiss Sidora. He is survived by his son, Andrew Sidora of West Mayfield, daughters, Christie (Theodore) Pham of Wexford, Shelley (Richard Hockensmith Jr.) Sidora of Williamsfield, Ohio, brothers, James Sidora and Thomas (Judith) Sidora, sisters, Saundra Odrey and Kathleen (Jeffrey) Pompe, grandchildren: Callie and Emma Sidora, Madeline and Harrison Pham and Richmond Hockensmith; as well as his loving companion for the past 30 years, Judith Small.

Joseph was a veteran of the US Coast Guard and a member of the American Legion. He formerly owned and operated Sidora Motors in Apollo, Pennsylvania and later worked as a radiation protection technician for RAD Services and Bartlett Nuclear. He had been a resident of Vanport for the past 30 years and was well known for cruising around Beaver in his motorized wheelchair. He also loved golf and was a car enthusiast.

Friends will be received Saturday, March 1st, from 3-5 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Private interment will take place at a later date at the Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, you can make memorial donations in Joseph’s name to the American Legion, Post 580 of Monaca.

Mary (Murga) ReKasie (1923-2025)

Mary (Murga) ReKasie, 101, of Edgeworth, Pennsylvania, passed away on February 20th, 2025. She was born in Ambridge on May 20th, 1923, the daughter of the late Vasil and Mary (Suchy) Murga. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, John W. ReKasie and her beloved brothers, Sgt. John Murga and William (Hilda) Murga. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Lee (Rick) Darbut and Gloria (Bill) Pulkowski, a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, two cherished great-grandsons, three nieces, Carol (Tom) Britton, Janet (Tom) Smith and Mary Anne (Scott) Michigan, along with several great-nieces and a great-nephew.

Mary was a long-time resident of the area. She recently resided in South Carolina and Virginia. After graduating from Ambridge High School, Mary worked as a beautician before taking on the role of caregiver for her husband, a WWII veteran, who was disabled. She was a deeply committed member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, and her faith provided her with strength, comfort, and a sense of peace throughout her 101 years. Mary was known for her loving and generous nature. She was always making pierogies, decorating Easter eggs, and baking for church festivals.

She took immense joy in spending time with her children, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren. In addition to her family, Mary enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, including bingo and hunting for bargains. She lived her life with grace, always putting others first, and her faith, love, and generosity will be remembered fondly by all who were blessed to know her. Her memory will live in the hearts of her family and friends.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation on Friday, February 28th from 4 P.M. until the time of service at 7:30 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. Translation to the church will take place at 8 P.M. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 10 A.M., in the St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 450 Glenwood Drive, Ambridge. Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to, St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church.

Larry Ray Barkfelt, Sr. (1944-2025)

Larry Ray Barkfelt Sr., 80, of Brighton Township, formerly of Fallston, passed away unexpectedly on February 25th, 2025 at home.

He was born in Fallston on November 7th, 1944, a son of the late Ray T. and Margaretta (Hall) Barkfelt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carol “Tootsie” McGafffic, sister, Dorothy Symonak and brothers, Richard and LeMoyne Barkfelt. He is survived by his children: Melzina (Miles Clark) Barkfelt, Teresa (Mark Brown) Barkfelt, Terry (Jim) McGaffic-Westfall, Lisa McGaffic-Markley, Melissa McGaffic, Larry (Sonja) Barkfelt II and Michael (Vicki) McGaffic: many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, sister, Leatrice Donovan and many nieces and nephews.

Larry retired as a machine operator from Adams Manufacturing. He was a member of the Croatian Club and Eagles of New Brighton.  He loved dancing with his wife “Tootsie” and loved his family.

In accordance with Larry’s wishes, no services will be held. Arrangements have been entrusted to the J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

Private burial will be held at St Joseph Catholic Cemetery of New Brighton.

Debra M. (Cancelliere) Rodriguez (1958-2025)

Debra M. (Cancelliere) Rodriguez, 66, of Baden, passed away on February 25th, 2025. She was born on August 27th, 1958, a daughter of the late Angelo and Dorothy Cancelliere.

Debra is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Joseph Rodriguez, her children, Timothy (Jennifer) Rodriguez and Matthew (Lindsey) Rodriguez, her siblings: Joseph (Mary) Cancelliere, Angelo (Donna) Cancelliere, Renee Guerrieri, and Robert Cancelliere; as well as her cherished grandchildren: Cameron, Jackson, Rylee and Myles Rodriguez.

Debra was a devoted wife, mother and Mimi who will be deeply missed. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Gregory Walter Heidel (Passed on February 25th, 2025)

Gregory Walter Heidel, 57, a lifelong resident of Monaca, passed away on February 25th, 2025 at Heritage Valley Beaver surrounded by his family.

He was the son of the late George Joseph and Barbara Sue (Dotson) Heidel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter W. and Violet A. Dotson and Uncle Jerry Dotson and Uncle Raymond Mancheff. He is survived by a son, Jonathan (Sara) Heidel, a granddaughter, Ellie Heidel as well as his brother, George Jeffrey (Tanya) Heidel and his beloved Aunt, Ann Mancheff who was like a second mother to him.

Gregory graduated from Monaca High School with the class of 1985. He earned an Associate Degree from CCBC and was a dedicated employee of the Rochester Giant Eagle store for over 35 years.

He was known for his love of bicycling having traveled over 10,000 miles in one year and also found pleasure in white water rafting.

He was a devout member of St John the Baptist Catholic Church of Monaca.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.