Author: Beaver County Radio

Judith A. Small (1938-2025)

Judith A. Small, 86, of Vanport Township, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on July 27th, 2025.

She was born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania on September 20th, 1938, a daughter of the late Raymond and Edna Bargerstock Cornelius. In addition to her parents, Judith was preceded in death by her son, John A. Small, Jr., her former husband, John A. Small, Sr., her son-in-law, Richard Solis, and her companion, Joseph Sidora.  She is survived by her daughters, Pamela (Gene) See of Florida, Julie (John) Reese of Center Township, and Trudi Solis of California: her grandchildren, Casey (Mark) Easdon, Michael Solis, Hannah (Isaah) Solis-Willingham, and John Reese, Jr.; along with her great-grandchildren: Blaine, Lennon, Madilyn, Adrian and Elijah; as well as many nieces and nephews. Judith was known for never meeting a stranger and will be mostly remembered as a loving mother and proud grandmother. In her spare time, she loved to golf and play billiards.

In accordance with Judith’s wishes, there will be no public services. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Thursday, August 21st from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Monaca American Legion, Post #580.

Professional arrangements have been entrusted to Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Canadian truck driver pleads guilty to crash that killed the driver and a student in a school bus that had more than twelve Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School students and the driver

(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

(Muddy Creek Township, PA) A Canadian truck driver recently pleaded guilty to causing a crash in 2021 on I-79 involving his truck and a school bus. According to court documents, a judge sentenced Karandeep Singh of Canada to 42 months of probation and fines totaling nearly $700,000. Singh pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person and too slow for conditions. A criminal complaint states Singh was driving his truck 18 miles per hour in Muddy Creek Township along I-79 when a school bus crashed into his truck on November 2nd, 2021. That bus had more than a dozen students from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and the crash killed a fourteen-year-old and the driver of the school bus, thirty-one-year-old Lindsey Thompkins.

Phyllis J. Hooks (1931-2025)

Phyllis J. Hooks, 94, of Daugherty Township, passed away on July 28th, 2025.

She was born in Kittanning, a daughter of the late Jacob and Florence (Schaeffer) Wyant. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer H. Hooks, five sisters: Louise Kammerdiener, Betty Zajac, Eleanor Weaver, Shirley Toy, Lois Jordan, a brother, Kenneth Wyant, her daughter-in-law, Linda Hooks, and her dog, Sir Ginger Snap. Phyllis is survived by a son, Michael Hooks, Daugherty Twp., daughter, Jacqueline (Bruce) Smith, Valencia, grandchildren, Steven (Rebecca) Hooks, Diane (Peter) Smith, Brandea (Zach) Shaffer, Joshua Smith, and Jennie Smith, great grandchildren, Olivia, Noah, Heaven, Arielle, Sadie, Alexia, a sister, Barbara Manifest, several nieces, nephews and their families. Phyllis had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for travel, which she joyfully shared with her family and friends. One of her most memorable journeys was traveling through the Panama Canal: a trip she often spoke of with great fondness. She was actively involved in several community and social groups that brought her deep joy and lasting friendships. Phyllis was a proud and dedicated member of the Eastern Star, where she served with distinction as Past Worthy Matron of Freeport Chapter #179. She was a faithful member of Life Family Church where she was involved in Coffee Clatch ministries for Senior citizens where she uplifted others with her kind heart and unwavering faith. In addition to her many roles in the community, Phyllis was a member of the West Bridgewater Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) chapter, where she inspired others through her encouragement and leadership.  She was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins fan.

Friends will be received Monday, August 4th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avene, New Brighton, who was in charge of her arrangements. Phyllis will lie in state Tuesday, August 5th in Life Family Church, 1810 Valley Avenue, New Brighton, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Pastor Sam DeMarco will officiating.

Private interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Cemetery of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, 104 Melwood Road, New Kensington.

Ambridge woman arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia in Aliquippa

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a woman from Ambridge was arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia in Aliquippa on July 19th, 2025. Thirty-two-year-old Naquaysha Gilliam was stopped by police during a traffic stop on Englewood Street and Sheffield Avenue after committing a traffic violation. According to police, Gilliam was arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia and her charges are pending.

Washing activities will occur in Findlay Township, weather permitting

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Findlay Township, PA) According to a release from PennDOT District 11, PennDOT District 11 is announcing washing activities on I-376 (Parkway West) in Findlay Township of Allegheny County will begin Wednesday, July 30th weather permitting. On weekdays as needed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Thursday, August 7th, a single-lane restriction on the off-ramp from eastbound I-376 to the Moon (Exit 50) exit will occur  Birdge bearing washing activities will be conducted by crews from Green Acres Contracting.

Aliquippa woman arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on the 400 block of Walnut Street in Aliquippa

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio news

(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a woman from Aliquippa was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Aliquippa on July 19th, 2025. Forty-year-old Ashley Dallies was found by police on the 400 block of Walnut Street. According to police, Dallies was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of an alcoholic substance and her charges are pending.

Pennsylvania State Police announces a receipt of an independent analysis of data collected from all trooper-initiated traffic stops conducted in 2024

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from the Pennsylvania State Police, PSP announced on Tuesday the receipt of an independent analysis of data collected from all trooper-initiated traffic stops conducted in 2024. Dr. Robin Engel of The Ohio State University led this analysis. Traffic stops by the Pennsylvania State Police in 2024 totaled 433,599. The reason that was most common for these stops were speeding, with an average of 21.7 miles per hour over the limit for those who were speeding in 2024. The whole 2024 report can be found at this link:

Click here for the link: Contact Data Reporting | State Police | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Farrell resident pleads guilty to crimes involving firearms and drug trafficking that happened in 2022

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Revetti announced Tuesday that a resident of Farrell pleaded guilty to crimes involving firearms and drug trafficking. Thirty-six-year-old Daniel George pleaded guilty to two crimes that occurred on July 7th, 2022. The first was George possessed drugs to intend to distribute a cocaine base of 28 grams or more as well as cocaine and fentanyl quantities. The second was George possessing a firearm to further a crime of drug trafficking. According to Revetti, George could receive a maximum of not less than ten years and up to life in jail, a $5,250,000 fine, or both, provided by the law.

Allegheny Health Network West Penn Hospital named one of the top 50 OB/GYN hospitals in the United STates for the fourth year in a row

(File Photo of the Allegheny Health Network Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to the U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals Rankings, Allegheny Health Network West Penn Hospital has been named one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology. Its 2025 ranking was 35th in the United States and this is the fourth year in a row that this hospital received the honor of top 50 in the country for OB/GYN services. Factors for these rankings include number of patients that get served and technologies that  and services that are available for OB/GYN. These available technologies need to be advanced. Other factors for these rankings include survival of thirty days for complex conditions, the views of hospital patients about their quality of experience at the hopsital that is considered and the reputation of the considered hospital among physicians that are board certified.

Congressman Chris Deluzio recently celebrates three Western Pennsylvania organizations who were 2024 winners of the Turnip the Beet! Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture

(File photo of Congressman Chris Deluzio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Carnegie, PA) According to a release from Congressman Chris Deluzio’s office, Deluzio celebrated three Western Pennsylvania organizations on Tuesday that were among the 199 recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Turnip the Beet! Award. This award is given to meal programs in the summer from organizations that do their best to fight food insecurity during the summer. This is when a lot of students can not use meal programs for schools. Gold awards were given to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and North Hills Cares, Inc. and a Silver Award was given to Ambridge Area School District in 2024.