Author: Beaver County Radio

Chad Alan Till (1974-2024)

Chad Alan Till, 50, of New Brighton, passed away at home on October 16, 2024. He was born on August 15, 1974, the son of Emily (Hupp) Till and the late William K. Till. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George and Charlot Till, maternal grandparents, Clair and Frances Hupp, and his uncle, James Hupp.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his children, Austin (Gwendolyn) Till and Morgan Till, his lifelong partner, Christy Taminski, his sisters, Susan (Lew) Muoio and Billie Joe Cordes, his adopted daughters, Shayla (Dustin) Lander, Tai Narad, and Tori Krepps, his uncle, John (Jane) Hupp, his aunt, Cindy Hupp, six grandchildren, nephews, Kenny Miller, Ricky Cordes, and Ryan Dunn and numerous cousins.

For over 20 years, Chad was employed by ITC in Fallston. He had a passion for fishing and restoring classic cars, especially a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. He was always eager to help anyone in need. His love for his family was profound, with his children always being his top priority.

Visitation will take place on Monday, October 21, from 4:00 P.M. until the funeral service at 7:30 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge. The family extends their gratitude to Good Samaritan Hospice and Family Hospice for their exceptional care of Chad.

Pennsylvania unemployment rate changes from September

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for September 2024.

According to this report, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was unchanged over the month at 3.4% in September. This was the 12th consecutive month with an identical rate – the longest streak on record (back to 1976). The rate remained well under the U.S. unemployment rate which fell by one-tenth of a percentage point from its August level to 4.1%.

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percentage point above its September 2023 level of 3.3%, while the national rate was up three-tenths of a percentage point over the year.

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was down 24,000 over the month to 6,556,000 in September. Resident employment (-23,000) accounted for most of the labor force decline.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 6,800 over the month to a record high of 6,205,000, setting the 14th consecutive record high for Pennsylvania’s jobs count. Jobs increased from August in five of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest supersector movement was a gain of 6,100 in leisure & hospitality which reached a record high. Education & health services reached a record high for the 16th consecutive month.

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 102,700 with gains in six of the 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+59,800) had the largest volume over-the-year gain.

Source for Photo: FILE—In this file photo from May 5, 2021, a vehicle speeds by a hiring sign offering a $500 bonus outside a McDonalds restaurant, in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pa. Pennsylvania will resume work search requirements in July for hundreds of thousands of people receiving unemployment compensation, a top Wolf administration official said Monday, May 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Monaca fire department adding groundbreaking

Monaca accident

Story reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on October 18th, 2024 at 10: A.M.)

Borough officials announced on Thursday that groundbreaking for the new fire station at 1300 Pacific Avenue is upcoming.  The event will take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 1 p.m.

Road closure occurring in Aliquippa

(Story reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on October 18th, 2024 at 9:58 A.M.)

Beginning today, Friday, October 18th 2024, the in-ramp on Route 51 coming into  the city of Aliquippa will be closed. The closure is necessary so 5 buildings can be demolished on Sheffield Avenue, city officials reported this morning. The closure began Thursday and the ramp is closed until the demolition is complete.

Two more guns intercepted at Pittsburgh International Airport in two days

(Findlay Township, PA) Transportation Security Administration officers at Pittsburgh International Airport intercepted two guns in two days. On Monday, a .38 caliber handgun was found in a carry-on bag and was confiscated from a man from Washington, Pennsylvania. A loaded gun with a 9 mm firearm with 12 bullets, one in the chamber, was also discovered in a carry-on bag on Wednesday and according to a news release, the gun belonged to a woman from Munhall, Pennsylvania. The total number of guns that the Pittsburgh International Airport have intercepted this year has now increased to thirty-six. 

PennDOT gives tips to stay safe for Halloween

(Beaver County, PA) As those in Beaver County get ready for Halloween, PennDOT is giving tips for kids and adults to stay safe on October 31st. PennDOT advises drivers to be extra cautious in residential neighborhoods during trick-or-treating and if you are going to a Halloween party, plan ahead to get home on time. PennDOT also provides that parents should remind their children to be careful and look both ways before they cross the street, to always walk on sidewalks, cross at street corners, pay attention instead of looking at electronic devices, and to not dart across the road or cross between parked cars. For costumes, PennDOT considers adding reflective tape to costumes, carrying a flashlight, wearing glow sticks, and using face paint instead of masks, which obstructs vision. Pedestrians also need to make sure they are visible to drivers. 

Former Preisdent Trump to have rally in Latrobe

(Unity Township, PA) Former President Donald Trump will be having a rally at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe on Saturday. The doors will open at 2 p.m. and the Republican Presidential Nominee will speak starting at 6 p.m. The Trump campaign has capped tickets on a first-come, first served basis for two tickets a person, but other tickets for the Latrobe rally are free. This is the first rally for Former President Trump since he returned to Butler on October 5th, the same location where an assassination attempt on the presidential candidate was attempted. 

Source for Photo: Republican presidential candidate and former president, Donald Trump, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Beaver County jury convicts man of killing transgender woman in her Aliquippa apartment

(Aliquippa, PA) A man was convicted by a Beaver County jury for killing a transgender woman in her Aliquippa apartment in 2021. On Wednesday, Darese Raines was found guilty of murdering Brandon Murray, known as B, inside a Linmar Terrace apartment. According to police, Murray identified as a woman. Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible claimed that there was not a clear motive that was proven. According to Pennsylvania State Police, video evidence was found outside Murray’s apartment. Raines’ sentencing date has not yet been determined. 

Thomas C. McKelvey (1944-2024)

Thomas C. McKelvey, 80, a longtime resident of Rochester, passed away on October 15, 2024, in Heritage Valley, Beaver, after suffering a fall at his home. He was born in Beaver Falls on February 29, 1944, the son of the late George and Edith McKelvey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Karen L. McKelvey, and his siblings: Buzzy McKelvey, Gloria Boyce, Rebecca Geisler, Laura Cable, and Betty Bross. He is survived by his children: Timothy (Rhonda) McKelvey, Laura (Gary) Van Newkirk, and twins Bonnie (Rick) Hissam and James McKelvey; his nine grandchildren: Jennifer McKelvey, Charles Barnard, Michelle (Mike) Lamenza, Mindy (Matt) Reider, Rickey Hissam, Samantha McKelvey, Gary Milliron, Liberty and Timothy McKelvey; his nine great-grandchildren: Asher Mallory, Kaya and Elysia Barnard, Juliana Gorius, Kobe and Bryant Kimble, Cameron and Caden Reider and Lucius Hissam, his loving sisters, Patricia Pander and Doreen Vidovich, his brothers, Butch McKelvey, Dennis McKelvey, and Jimmy McKelvey, his loving companion Pauline McKelvey, best friend, Ray Ward and faithful canine buddy, Heidi.

Thomas was a self-employed painter. His work not only brightened the homes of his clients but also the lives of those who knew him. Tom had a social nature and was a familiar face at the Rochester Owls and Rochester Saxons, where he enjoyed the camaraderie and, of course, a good beer.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Richard B. Balderson, Sr. (1931-2024)

Richard B. Balderson, Sr., 92, of Zelienople Passavant Retirement Community, and formerly of Rochester, passed away on October 16, 2024 in Zelienople. He was born on December 3, 1931 in New Brighton, the son of the late Bruce and Mildred Evans Balderson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Hoffmeier Balderson, and two brothers, Carl and Frank Balderson. He is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Richard B. Balderson, Jr., his companion, Marley Silverthorne of Center Township, Steven J. and Carol Balderson of Beaver, James C. and Vickie Balderson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, six grandchildren, Noel, Jake, Derek, Tiffany, Jennifer and Rick, seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Richard was a retired switchman with the former Bell Telephone Company, the Rochester Office. He was also a former Treasurer for the Bellco Federal Credit Union and was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rochester. He was a Navy veteran with the reserves and belonged to the Senior Golf League and was an avid golfer.  Friends will be received on Monday, October 21st from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester. Services will be held Tuesday, October 22nd at 11:00 A.M. in the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 393 Adams Street, Rochester. Officiating will be Rev. Frank A. Kantz. Entombment will be in Sylvania Hills Mausoleum. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 1000 Liberty Avenue #1606, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.