Author: Beaver County Radio

Aliquippa bowl-a-thon to help veterans

Scott Tady/Beaver County Radio

ALIQUIPPA — Sheffield Lanes will host a Nov. 9 Bowl-A-Thon to benefit veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation.

League Bowler Chad Wilson, a veteran himself, along with Zach D’Agostino from Sheffield Lanes in Aliquippa, are organizing the event and are looking for bowlers and sponsors to participate.

Up to 16 teams can participate in the Bowl-A-Thon. Six people may be on each team, but only four will bowl each game. The entry cost is $180 per team.

Teams will bowl a total of 10 games, starting at 8 a.m. Teams must get a minimum of 10 cents per pin, with a goal of $1 per pin; this total pledge can be broken up across a variety of people or companies.

Lunch will be provided, and Sheffield Lanes’ bar will be open for business throughout the event.

There will be drawings for a 50/50 and raffles, strike ball, as well as award prizes.

Ricky Dee’s Pizza will provide pizza at the end of the event. After the Bowl-A-Thon, sponsors will receive an email with their team’s score card for the total amount they owe, as well as a link to donate directly to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

The Gary Sinise Foundation is a tax-exempt, public charity founded by actor Gary Sinise (“Forest Gump.”) The foundation “honors and supports veterans, first-responders, wounded heroes, families of the fallen, and those enduring invisible wounds.”

Sheffield Lanes in Aliquippa will host a bowling fundraiser for veterans.

All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For more information, reach out to D’Agostino at 724-375-5080, or email Wilson at
sheffieldbowlathon@gmail.com.

John Mrkonja (1942-2025)

John Mrkonja, 83, of Ambridge, passed away on October 13th, 2025 following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on September 29th, 1942, a son of the late Mike and Margaret Mrkonja of Aliquippa. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Josephine Aspiotes, his siblings: Eva (Leo) Silvestri, Marie (Frank) Battalini, Ann (Athony) Marcello, Lilly (Joseph) Taormina, Milan (Stella) Mrkonja, Nicholas (Mary Ann) Mrkonja, Joann Mrkonja, Joseph (Elizabeth) Mrkonja, George Mrkonja, Rudolph Mrkonja and Rosemary Mrkonja; as well as all of his wife’s siblings, whom he thought of as his own. He is survived by his children Lil-Lee “Angel” (Shawn) Ross and Christina (Nicholas) Sheleheda; grandsons Nico Sheleheda and John Ross; brother, Louis Mrkonja, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by the “Maplewood Crew”: his neighbors who always made sure to check on him, especially after the loss of his wife.

John was a 1961 graduate of Hopewell High School. He served in the United States 1st Army before meeting his wife, Josephine, and marrying her in 1968. Known to many in the Pittsburgh area as “Johnny Block,” he had a career as a bricklayer for over five decades, retiring from Cost Corporation and the B.A.C. Local Bricklayers Union. His favorite things in this world were golfing, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pirates and Steelers (in that order), shopping at Giant Eagle, galavanting the local casinos with his wife, scratch-off tickets and bragging about his family. There truly wasn’t a harder worker and prouder father, father-in-law or “papou” than him.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, October 17th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. Family and friends will gather for a funeral service on Saturday, October 18th at 10 A.M. in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 Beaver Road, Ambridge. Interment will follow in Economy Cemetery, 1691 Ridge Road Extension #1601, Ambridge.

The family would like to thank Dr. Rahim Remtulla and the staff of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center for the kind and compassionate care received throughout his battle.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Mrkonja, please visit the floral store of the Joh Syka Funeral Home, Inc by clicking here.

Raymond Hall (1951-2025)

Raymond Hall, 74, of Chippewa Township, peacefully passed away in the early hours of October 11th, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born in Sewickley on May 11th, 1951, the beloved son of Waymon and Dorothy (Colangelo) Hall. He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Kathleen (Mineard) Hall, his daughter, Rochelle (Oscar) Weaver, his grandchildren: Micah, Eliana, and Nevaeh, his great-grandchildren, Ariella, Andreas and Anavi, his siblings, Bernie Hall, Mary (Charles) Sciaretta and Sandy Hall, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

Raymond was a proud United States Army veteran. He went on to work with J&L Steel and then the United States Postal Service, where he dutifully served his community for 30 years. His faith guided him throughout his life as a devoted member of Christian Assembly Church in Industry. He never hesitated to share the Gospel and took great joy in doing so, just as much as he loved to prepare a meal for anyone at any time. He was a loyal Steelers fan and his happiest moments were those spent with his loving family.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation from 1 P.M. until the the time of a service at 4:30 P.M. on Saturday, October 18th at the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements. Pastor Bill Anzevino will officiate. Military Honors provided by the Beaver County Special Unit will precede the services. In accordance with Raymond’s wishes, cremation will follow.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Pinnacle Hospice for their gentle love, compassionate care and unwavering support during this challenging time. Raymond’s life was an example of unwavering faith, unconditional love, and heartfelt service. Though deeply missed, his memory will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

Pittsburgh man accused of starving four pitbulls, one of them to death

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Xavier Williams of Pittsburgh is now accused of starving four pitbulls so badly that one of them died as a result of it. Investigators confirm that they discovered these pitbulls inside the Marshall-Shadelane apartment of Williams. Officers found the dogs at this apartment on Sunday because Williams’ ex-wife discovered one of the dogs, “lying in a cage, barely breathing, surrounded by urine and feces,” according to police. Officials confirmed that one of the four pitbulls later died from neglect and starvation after it was taken to an emergency animal hospital. Investigators confirmed the dog that died was too weak to move and too frail to hold its head up. According to the criminal complaint, the three other pitbulls in the apartment were so severely malnourished that their bones were visible, and they were unable to stand on their own and when Williams was questioned by police, he blamed his ex-wife for not taking care of the dogs. Police noted that there was no water or food in the cages of the dogs and visible wounds were one of the reasons the dogs had deplorable conditions. The three surviving dogs were removed by animal control and were taken to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Williams was released on non-monetary bond and his preliminary hearing is set forsometime in November. 

McKees Rocks Opportunity Center opens

(File Photo of Open for Business Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(McKees Rocks, PA) The McKees Rocks Opportunity Center located at the Pleasant Ridge Apartment Complex in McKees Rocks opened yesterday as an event was held that day to celebrate its opening with elected officials, community leaders and residents. According to Goodwill, the center will provide things like workforce development services, job training, career coaching and resource referral. A community hub for information is another way this center will be used. Both the Allegheny County Housing Authority and Goodwill helped to open the McKees Rocks Opportunity Center.

Twenty-four-year-old man dies after a shooting in Aliquippa

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Twenty-four-year-old Gevod Tyson died at the hospital after a shooting that occurred in Aliquippa last night. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office announced this morning that Tyson died following that shooting.  Beaver County dispatchers confirmed to WTAE that Tyson was shot in the leg within the 1110 block of Wade Street just after 9 p.m. The cause of this shooting and information about if anyone else was injured from this shooting is unclear at this time. This shooting is being investigated by Pennsylvania State Police.

Cranberry Township mobile home fire causes two people to be taken to the hospital

(File Photo of a Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) A mobile home fire occurred early this morning in Cranberry Township, which caused two people to be taken to the hospital. Reports of this fire came in at about 1:30 a.m. this morning and the fire occurred at a home on York Road. Crews were still on the scene for nearly three hours to handle the fire. The details were not immediately available for the conditions of the two people that were injured and the cause of this fire is unknown at this time.

Five juveniles charged in connection with police chase in Pittsburgh that hurt a Pittsburgh police officer

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Five juveniles have now been charged after being in connection with a police chase on Saturday which caused a Pittsburgh Police officer to be taken to the hospital with moderate head injuries. According to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials, three juvenile males and two juvenile females are facing felony and misdemeanor charges. None of them are being charged as an adult at this time. The incident these juveniles were connected to happened on Saturday in Pittsburgh around 11 a.m. Masked people were inside a stolen car and another vehicle in a parking lot honking the horns of these vehicles near Federal Street and Lafayette Avenue in Fineview. A police officer was hit by one of those cars as officers were exiting their patrol vehicles. One of the vehicles of the suspect was spiked close to the 10th Street Bridge, but continued driving towards downtown Pittsburgh. That car made it to Boulevard of the Allies and Grant Street, where multiple suspects got out of the car. Information about an abandoned vehicle on Brutus Way in Sheraden that matched the vehicle description of the second suspect was also given to police. Four people were apprehended in Downtown Pittsburgh near Grant Street by officers and police confirm that one suspect remains at large. This incident continues to be investigated by Pittsburgh Police.

New terminal for the Pittsburgh International Airport is almost ready to open

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh International Airport Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal is almost ready to open. The official date of this new terminal has not been announced yet, but airport officials have made a promise that it will be before Thanksgiving travel. The public was given a sneak peek to this new terminal on Friday and after it opens, it will be the end of a $1.7 billion terminal modernization project.