Author: Beaver County Radio

Shapiro Administration with PennDOT Adds Enhanced Real-Time Traveler Info to 511PA Website to Help Travelers to the 2025 Little League World Series

(File Photo of the PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT is making an encouragement to drivers going to the 2025 Little League World Series in Williamsport this year to visit www.511PA.com/map/page/LLWS.  This is a page with enhancements that get support from the Shapiro administration to get digital services that are real-time and accessible to all Pennsylvanians. This website includes the travel time in average it will take to get to the main route for the 2025 Little League World Series and one or two other routes to get there. That website also includes speeds for traffic, construction, cameras for traffic, and incidents on the map. The primary travel routes to the 2025 Little League World Series: Route 15 south to Route 220 to Market Street (from north); Route 15 north (from south); Interstate 80 east to Route 220 north to Market Street (from west); and I-80 west to Route 15 north (from east), will have traffic that is monitored on those routes on this site as well. You can use this link below to access the website as well.

Click here for the link: www.511PA.com/map/page/LLWS.

Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper responds on the Pennsylvania state budget impasse

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his budget address for the 2025-26 fiscal year to a joint session of the state House and Senate at the Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper’s office, Topper expressed this statement in Harrisburg yesterday regarding the Pennsylvania state budget impasse: 

“It is sad to say the state budget is now 42 days late and the continued piecemeal approach taken in the House regarding SEPTA funding and the lack of authentic negotiation has put an agreement further off than it has been before.

“The solutions to the incredible challenges we face as a Commonwealth will only be found when all parties engage in meaningful ways and acknowledge the serious problems confronting us in resolving this budget: SEPTA is in crisis. Our state’s education system, in many respects, is in crisis. Our state’s economic outlook is in crisis.

“There is a path to agreement on all these fronts. I have seen it. But if we continue down the path of showmanship instead of showing up to find real solutions to these very serious problems, this budget impasse will only continue to deepen, and the Commonwealth will not find itself in a better place.”

Trial begins for suspect alleged of killing a twenty-year-old woman in an alley near Linmar Terrace in Aliquippa

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) A trial began yesterday in Beaver County for the suspect who is accused of allegedly killing twenty-year-old Treonna Washington in an Aliquippa alley on August 17th, 2024. According to multiple witnesses put on the stand by the prosecution, Jason Banks, Jr. was dating Washington. A witness testified that a party occurred with Washington and some of her friends on August 16th, 2024 when Banks showed up at the apartment of Washington in Linmar Terrace in Aliquippa. Washington was found dead the next day in an alley and the roommate of Banks will testify later this week. That roommate of Banks was the last person with Banks and Washington that was in the alley with them before Washington was killed. The roommate of Banks hearing a shot of a gun was what the prosecution told the jury. In its opening statements, the defense proclaimed that only three people were in the alley that Washington was killed at and they asked the jury to listen to every side. The defense also has a belief that the proof of this case will not be proven by the prosecution beyond a doubt that is reasonable. In terms of physical evidence, the jury got a statement from the prosecution that no gun was recovered and residue for gunshots are inconclusive, but later testimony will be when that will all be explained. The expected time of the case is set to go into the following week.

AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report states that gas prices in Western Pennsylvania

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are a penny less in Western Pennsylvania this week at about $3.37 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. These prices also fluctuated with the national average going down two pennies to $3.13. The report states that at this time last year, the average price for a gallon of gas in Western Pennsylvania was around $3.76. The report also notes that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of unleaded gas here in Beaver County is about $3.41. According to a release from AAA East Central and AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various Pennsylvania areas:  

$3.370      Altoona
$3.412      Beaver
$3.593      Bradford
$3.061      Brookville
$3.373      Butler
$3.110      Clarion
$3.225      DuBois
$3.355      Erie
$3.325      Greensburg
$3.399      Indiana
$3.367      Jeannette
$3.501      Kittanning
$3.243      Latrobe
$3.384      Meadville
$3.581      Mercer
$3.320      New Castle
$3.362      New Kensington
$3.396      Oil City
$3.379      Pittsburgh
$3.389      Sharon
$3.386      Uniontown
$3.596      Warren
$3.353      Washington

“Cyber incident” experienced by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and his Harrisburg office

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Dave Sunday speaks to the audience in the Forum Auditorium across the street from the Capitol after taking the oath to become Pennsylvania’s next attorney general, Jan. 21, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) A “cyber incident” was reported yesterday by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and his office in Harrisburg. This incident downed lines for telephones and email accounts from agencies as well as putting his website offline yesterday. According to Sunday, staff members are investigating the cause of the network outage yesterday and trying to restore his agency’s communication systems. Sunday also confirmed in a statement that “around the clock” is when information technology employees are trying to fix this problem for him and those affected by this incident.

Laurie C. Morrison (1959-2025)

Laurie C. Morrison, 65, of South Beaver Township, passed away on August 9th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Health System: Beaver Campus.

She was born in Ellwood City on November 1st, 1959, the daughter of the late Ronald and Charlene (Roberts) Cogley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother-in-law and sister in-law, Armando Martinez and Barbara (Morrison) Martinez, and sister-in-law, Andrea Morrison. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 44 years, Neil Morrison, her sons, Joshua (Alanda) Morrison and Ryan (Abbey) Morrison, eight grandchildren: Connor, Bradley, Evan, Adelyn, Ainsley, Gavin, Gunner, and Anniston; as well as her brother, Andrew Jr. (Nanette) Cogley and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Laurie held many positions throughout her professional life including working for Duquesne Light Company at the Beaver Valley Power Station. She was a member of New Salem Presbyterian Church of Midland. She was also a devoted grandmother. Laurie was very artistic and received an award from the Merrick Art Gallery, formed a political group called “The Twisters” with her girlfriends, and enjoyed many trips to the Outer Banks.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 13th from 2-4PM & 6-8PM in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., Chippewa Township, 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

A funeral service will also be held on Thursday, August 14th at 11AM at CUP Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 530 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls with Pastor Jeff Marquis officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to services at CUP Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 10 A.M on Thursday, August 14th.

Private interment will be in Seceder Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, or the New Salem Presbyterian Church building fund.

Peggy W. Kistler (1951-2025)

Peggy W. Kistler, 73, of Freedom, passed away August 8th, 2025, at Heritage Valley Hospital, Beaver. She was born in Rochester on August 24th, 1951. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Sarah Levis Glassburner, her husband, Robert B. Kistler, a daughter, April L. Norris, a son in law, Josh Norris, a brother, Paul Glassburner and a sister in law, Robin Phillips. She is survived by two daughters and sons in law, Verna L. and Mark Ferrari of Mohnton, Pennsylvania, Heather J. and James Fortunato of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, five grandchildren: Brandon (Caitrin), Josh (Amanda), Bethany (Cole), Kelsie and Abigail, 4 step-grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, 2 sisters and a brother in law, Sharon Woodman of Bell Acres, Pennsylvania, Marijane and Rich Tucker, two brothers, Bruce Glassburner and David and Cathy Glassburner, a sister in law and brother in law, Georgia and Marlin Robinson of Rochester Township, a brother in law, Lyle Phillips of Georgia and numerous nieces and nephews, along with special friends, Sharon Felton and Jackie Leasha.

Peggy was a retired employee with 35 years of service to J&J Catering of Freedom. She was Methodist by faith.

Friends will be received on Thursday, August 14th from 2-7 P.M. in the William Murphy funeral Home, Inc., 348 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a service will be held Friday, August 15 at 10 a.m. Officiating the service will be Reverend Dr. Judy Angleberger.

Darlene “Lene” Thomas (Passed on August 10th, 2025)

Darlene “Lene” Thomas, 84, passed away on August 10th, 2025 at her Monaca residence. She was born at the family homestead in Center Township and Darlene’s life was a testament to the values of love, faith and community that she held dear. She was a daughter of the late Fred and June Rambo, and the devoted wife of the late Robert “Bob” Thomas, with whom she shared a beautiful union beginning on November 14th, 1960, until his passing on June 11th, 2017. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Benjamin Robert Thomas and her sister, Rose Coulter. She is survived by her family, including her three children, Chuck and Norma Thomas, Bob and Darlene Thomas, and Stacey and Daron Arnott; along with her grandchildren, Joshua (Shannon), Matthew, Alaina (fiancé Sean) and Sean; as well as her treasured great-grandchildren, Layla, Kai, Declan, and Ruby. Her life was further enriched by the companionship of her sisters, Mary Lou Carpenter and Janet (Frank) Zawislak.

Darlene was a woman of strong faith who faithfully attended the Rochester Free Methodist Church of Rochester, where her son serves as the pastor. Her commitment to the church’s mission was evident in her tireless efforts to support the food pantry, both through generous donations and countless hours of volunteering. Her spirit of giving and her passion for helping those in need were cornerstones of her character that touched many lives within her community.

Beyond her service to the church, she possessed a love for nature, often spending time watching and feeding the birds and squirrels that frequented her home.

Her journey on this earth may have concluded, but the memories she created will continue to resonate with warmth and affection through generations.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 13th from 12 noon until the time of a service at 12:30 p.m. at the Rochester Free Methodist Church, 480 Jefferson Street, Rochester.

The family wishes to extend a note of gratitude to Gallagher Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness that was given to Darlene.

Memorial contributions may be made if desired in Darlene’s memory to the Rochester Free Methodist Church Food Pantry, c/o the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Explosions at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant kills two people and injures at least ten people

(File Photo: Source for Photo: The Clairton Coke Works, a U.S. Steel coking plant, is seen Monday, Aug 11, 2025, in Clairton, Penn. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Clairton, PA) Multiple explosions occurred at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works in Clairton yesterday which killed two people and injured at least ten others. This incident started with a fire yesterday morning. Thirty-nine-year-old Timothy Quinn was the first person that was killed from those explosions that was identified yesterday. The second person that was killed in those explosions has not been identified yet as of last night. According to Allegheny Health Network, seven patients from the U.S. Steel plant in Clairton got treated and within a few hours and five were discharged. 

Charles “Chooch” J. Calderone (1944-2025)

Charles “Chooch” J. Calderone, 81, of Ambridge, passed away on August 10th, 2025. He was born on April 8th, 1944, a son of the late Santo and Florence Calderone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Kennedy, his sons, Robert Glotzbach and Michael Calderone, his brother, Joseph Calderone, his first wife, Margaret Calderone-Isenbreg and his great-grandson, Jacob Thompson.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Marsha Calderone, his children, Danielle (Evan) Hrelec and Charles J. Calderone, Jr., his brother, Frank (Josie) Calderone, eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Charles had a lifelong passion for restoring old cars: taking them apart piece by piece and rebuilding them with care. He also enjoyed collecting model cars, watching classic western TV shows and listening to Elvis Presley, whose music was a constant in his life. He cherished time spent with friends, often meeting them at McDonald’s, and above all, treasured every moment with his beloved wife and large, loving family.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, August 13th, from 2–4 P.M. and from 5 P.M. until the time of the funeral service at 7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. Interment will be private.