Author: Beaver County Radio

Fire in Cranberry Township hotel still under investigation

(File Photo of Cranberry Township Emergency Medical Services Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) A fire that took place in the Wingate by Wyndham hotel in Cranberry Township on Tuesday is still under investigation. At around 6 a.m., a report came in to 911 dispatchers of Butler County regarding a smoke alarm. One of the rooms in the hotel caught fire. The fire chief that was at the scene confirmed that nobody was injured and believes that the HVAC appeared to cause the fire. There was no word initially if anybody was transported to the hospital.

Man from Mexico indicted after being in the United States illegally four times

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Revetti announced Tuesday that a man from Mexico was indicted on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien. Twenty-five-year-old Juan Antonio Lopez Mauricio was previously in the United States illegally four times between 2012 and 2015. Mauricio was found in Pennsylvania’s Western District on January 30th, 2025. According to Revetti, Mauricio could receive a maximum of two years in jail, an up to $250,000 fine, or both provided by the law.

Man from Guatemala indicted after being in the United States illegally

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Revetti announced Tuesday that a man from Guatemala was indicted on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien. Nineteen-year-old Eric Estuardo Hernandez-Ramos was found on January 25th, 2025 in Pennsylvania’s Western District. Hernandez-Ramos was in the United States illegally around or on December 18th, 2023. According to Revetti, Hernandez-Ramos could receive a maximum of two years in jail, an up to $250,000 fine, or both provided by the law.

Pennsylvania organizations help teens exit foster care

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: Young teenager boy uncomfortable at counseling – close up on clutching hands)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania nonprofits are working with teens in foster care to ensure they have the resources they’ll need to navigate life once they’re out of the system. In Pennsylvania, about 15-thousand children are in temporary foster care. Dr. Joseph Birli with Bethany Children’s Home says they have a congregate care setting to assist those who have been traumatized. He says teens may need emergency shelter if they’re at risk for human trafficking and the staff works with them as they age out of the system. About 20-thousand young people exit foster care each year in the U-S, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In Pennsylvania, Birli says 18-year-olds can leave the foster care system – but also can return if needed until age 21 by contacting their county. He says many do return, after realizing life is tougher than expected.

PennDOT photo and driver’s license centers closed this weekend and Monday to observe President’s Day

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Sept. 11, 2002, file photo, the sun rises on Mt. Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone, S.D. as the flag is flown at half staff in honor of the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the United States. President Donald Trump is planning to kick off Independence Day weekend in South Dakota with a show of patriotism _ fireworks popping, fighter jets thundering overhead and revelers crowding beneath a piece of classic Americana _ Mount Rushmore. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT announced that all of its centers for photos and driver’s licenses will be closed from Saturday, February 15th from Monday, February 17th to observe the holiday of President’s Day. The full-service center for PennDOT in Harrisburg will also be closed. You can visit the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Website anytime for services provided by PennDOT and other information. The link to PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services Website can be accessed by the link below.

Click here for the link to PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

State Representative Rob Matzie announces grants given to fire companies in Beaver County

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News (Updated on 2/14/25 at 7:38 A.M.)

(Beaver County, PA) According to a release from State Representative Rob Matzie’s office, Matzie announced that state grants worth a total of over $221,000 were given to thirteen local fire companies by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. The topics for projects that can be eligible through this funding include equipment, upgrades for facilities, and outreach for both the public and education. There is also eligibilty through this funding for certification, training and efforts for both retention and recruitment. Application for construction savings accounts was also permitted to help fire companies with constructing their facilities. According to Matzie, here are the companies that received funding:

 

Ambridge Borough Fire Department Fire Ambridge $13,309.52
Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department Fire Ambridge $14,600.59
Baden Volunteer Fire Department Fire Baden $16,322.02
Center Township Fire House No. 2 Fire Monaca $13,309.52
Center Township Volunteer Fire Department Co. No. 1 Fire Aliquippa $14,385.41
Center Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 Fire Monaca $12,879.17
City of Aliquippa DBA Aliquippa Bureau of Fire Fire Aliquippa $14,815.77
Conway Volunteer Fire Department Fire Conway $14,385.41
Freedom Volunteer Fire Department Fire Freedom $12,018.46
Harmony Township Volunteer Firemen, Inc. Fire Ambridge $15,676.48
Hopewell Twp Volunteer Fire Department Fire Aliquippa $13,739.88
Monaca Fire Fire Monaca $38,170.24
Rochester Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 Fire Rochester $27,891.66

State Representative Roman Kozak announces grants awarded to fire and ambulance companies in Beaver County

(File Photo of State Representative Roman Kozak)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from State Representative Roman Kozak’s office, Kozak announced that a total of nineteen fire and ambulance companies will receive a total of over $283,000 in state grants. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency administered a program to provide this funding. The topics for projects eligible through this funding includes training, reducing debt, renovating or constructing facilities and repairing or buying equipment.

According to Kozak, here are the companies that received funding:

·         Beaver Falls City Fire Department – $14,600.59.

·         Beaver Falls Volunteer Fire Department (EMS) – $15,000.

·         Beaver Falls Volunteer Fire Department (Fire) – $16,322.02.

·         Big Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Company – $13,955.06.

·         Big Knob Volunteer Fire Department – $14,600.59.

·         Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department – $13,955.06.

·         Chippewa Township Volunteer Fire Department – $15,676.48.

·         Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department – $14,815.77.

·         Daugherty Township Volunteer Fire Department – $13,309.52.

·         Economy Volunteer Ambulance Service – $15,000.

·         Economy Volunteer Firemens Association – $15,246.13.

·         Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department – $15,030.95.

·         Koppel Volunteer Fire Company – $12,448.81.

·         New Brighton Volunteer Fire Company – $28,322.02.

·         New Galilee Emergency Medical Services – $10,000.

·         North Sewickley Township Volunteer Fire Department – $15,676.48.

·         Patterson Heights Volunteer Fire Department – $13,309.52.

·         Patterson Township Volunteer Fire Company – $12,879.17.

·         Pine Run Volunteer Fire Department – $13,524.70.

Wayne E. Guy (1933-2025)

Wayne E. Guy, 91, of Aliquippa, passed away on February 9th, 2025. Wayne happily answered with “Lord, thank You for all Your love and blessings.”
He was born on October 13th, 1933, the seventh of eight children to Emanuel George and Garnet (Ripper) Guy of Freedom. He was preceded in death by his dear daughter, Mary Catherine Brodzeller, sisters, Mamie Rice and Helen Retzer and brothers, George, Harry and Wilbur. He is survived by his wife, Liz, two daughters, Bernadette Guy-Marshall (Robert) and Lisa Ann Marchionda (Pete), a son, Anthony (Sylvia) Guy, son-in-law, Ray Brodzeller, grandchildren: Marissa Jo Hayward (Zachary), Justin Michael Marchionda, Christopher Guy Marchionda and Vanessa Rae Marchionda (Elijah Mihalik), great-grandchildren: Cooper Guy Hayward, Noah Paul Hayward, Archer Wayne Mihalik, Adeline Jo Hayward and Callahan Ray Mihalik, two sisters, Gene Cline, and Alice Dyminski, a brother-in-law, Gregory Harding, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wayne was a graduate of Freedom High School with the Class of 1951. He felt the call to help our nation, and volunteered to the United States Army. He was sent to the 38th Parallel (DMZ), South Korea, as a member of an Artillery Unit, upon the signing of the Armistice Agreement. Wayne was exceedingly proud to be a veteran of the U.S. Military. Upon returning to the States, he followed in his father and brothers’ footsteps, and began a long career working for the Pennsylvania Railroad, as a freight conductor, and retiring from Conrail in 1996. He was a very active member of St. Titus Church, part of Mary Queen of Saints Parish. Wayne was a member of the Holy Name Society, St. Vincent DePaul. He also volunteered to help in the kitchen during fish fries and spaghetti dinners.
Wayne met his wife, Elizabeth Harding on New Year’s Eve of 1956, and they married on June 20th, 1959, at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa. They enjoyed 65 years of being married.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 12th from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, February 13th from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. in the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc. 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, February 14th at 10 a.m. in St. Titus Church, 952 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa. Everyone is asked to meet at the church for the Mass. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery where the Beaver County Special Unit will provide military honors for Wayne.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Mary Queen of Saints Parish in memory of Wayne.
A rosary service will be held Thursday, February 13th at 5:50 p.m. in the funeral home by the former St. Titus Holy Name Society, Saint Vincent DePaul Society and current members of St. Titus Fellowship Group.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, please visit the link below:

Linda Marie Ritchie (1953-2025)

Linda Marie Ritchie, 71, of Aliquippa, formerly of California, passed away with her family by her side on February 6th, 2025 at Sewickley Valley Hospital.

She was born in San Francisco, California on October 10th, 1953, a daughter of the late Marie Eloise Estrada and Forest Wayne Ritchie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard Espana and Eddie Joyner and her sister, Tina Joyner. She is survived by her loving husband of forty years, Kenneth Overton, three daughters, Latonia M. Avalos, Natalie M. Mack and Keneisha M. Overton, her grandchildren: Anthony, Raymond, Darrin Jr., Cheyanne, Jaya, Ashantae, Rhylee, Aliyah, and Nina; nine great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Linda was an aspiring cosmetologist as a young woman before she fulfilled her greatest joy of becoming a mother to her daughters. She immensely cherished her family and loved having a good time. She was always the life of the party.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the nurses and staff at Sewickley Valley Hospital who took care of Linda.

In accordance with Linda’s wishes, she will be laid to rest with her mother at the Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia, California. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Linda Marie Ritchie, please visit the link below:

Click here to visit the Sympathy Store for the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Michael Vuckovich (1950-2025)

Michael Vuckovich, 74, of Industry, passed away at home on February 7th, 2025.

He was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on May 27th, 1950, a son of the late Pete and Kathryn Torbica Vuckovich. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Pam McDade Vuckovich, his sons, Ryan (Casey) Vuckovich and Mark Smith, his brother, David (Vickie) Vuckovich, his grandchildren: Kira Vuckovich, Ashley Smith, Evin Smith and Nicole Acon; as well as his great-granddaughters, Kelsey and Evelyn.

Michael retired following a long career at Koppel Steel. He was a resident of Industry all of his life. He was a member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church of Midland.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 12th from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland. A Pomen Service will be conducted on Wednesday evening at 7:30 P.M. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, February 13th at 11 a.m. at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 30 10th Street, Midland. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Memorial donations in Michael’s name may be made to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 30 10th Street, Midland.