Rebecca “Becky” Cirka (1951-2026)

Rebecca “Becky” Cirka, 74, of Conway, passed away peacefully on May 6th, 2026. She was born on December 24th, 1951, a daughter of the late John and Margaret (Musserbok) Cirka. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: John, Robert, Richard, David, Madeline Kosela, and Renee Charitonuk.

She is survived by her loving brother, George Cirka, her son, Kevin, several grandchildren, many cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family members, her dear friend, Bill, and the many friends she made at Conway Towers.

Rebecca lived a life centered around family, friendship, and the simple joys she loved most. She was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Ambridge, where she enjoyed volunteering and helping make pierogi for church events. She dedicated more than a decade of service to working at the Economy Walmart, where she was known for her friendly personality and hardworking spirit.

She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures — shooting pool with friends at her pool club, listening to music from the 1960s, putting together jigsaw puzzles, and playing poker games on her phone. She will be remembered for her warmth, sense of humor, and the friendships she built throughout her life.

Family and friends will be received from 9-10 A.M. on Friday, May 22nd at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 A.M. at Saint Mary’s Byzantine Church, 624 Park Road, Ambridge. Interment will take place afterward at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery,

Maria Joanne Mattson (1971-2026)

Maria Joanne Mattson, 55, of New Brighton, formerly of Erie, passed away on May 6th, 2026. She was born on April 11th, 1971, a beloved daughter of the late William and Betty Mattson, Sr.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Mattson.

She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Walter Harris Jr., her daughter and best friend, Toya Harris and her brother, William Mattson, Jr.

Maria enjoyed relaxing at home watching movies, shopping, and spending cherished time with her husband and daughter. She was known for her outgoing and social personality. She also had a love for soul and R&B music.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, May 14th, from 3-7 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a Blessing Service will be held at 4 P.M.

Todd Allan Long (1971-2026)

Todd Allan Long, 54, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 8th, 2026. He was born on May 19th, 1971, a son of Rosemarie (Stose) Sorrels and the late Paul Long, Jr. (Ruth). In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Myron Sorrels and a brother, Paul Stewart Long III. In addition to his father, he is survived by another brother, Keith “Doug” Long (Sharon), his stepbrother, Dominic “Nick” Johanningmeier, his stepsister, Deborah Devincent (Dean), his niece, Brittany Newcomb (John) and his great-niece, Aubree Newcomb. Todd’s absence will be deeply felt by his family and the many friends whose lives he touched.

Todd spent his formative years in Monaca with a brief period attending school in Beaver, before graduating from Monaca High School in 1989. After high school, he chose to honor a family tradition by joining the military, enlisting in the US Navy. Stationed in Guam, he worked as a meteorologist and took great pride in his service as a US Navy Veteran. He dedicated his professional life to caring for others, working as a Licensed Practical Nurse. He focused his compassionate energy on seniors in long-term care, particularly through his role at Asbury Heights in Pittsburgh. His devotion to his patients was evident in the dignity and professionalism with which he treated each individual.

Outside his career, he was an avid sports enthusiast in his youth, playing catcher on the baseball field. His love of music led him to play both the bass guitar and trombone. Ever resourceful and “handy,” he also pursued work in construction and enjoyed undertaking remodeling and home improvement projects. A true science fiction fan, Todd had a particular fondness for Star Wars—he enthusiastically collected memorabilia and spent countless hours building Star Wars models. His affection for animals, especially cats, was well-known; he found joy in caring for his many beloved feline companions over the years.

In accordance with Todd’s wishes, he will be cremated, and his ashes will be interred alongside his mother at Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to The Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Rd, Aliquippa, PA 15001, or to a local veterans’ charity. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Sheetz opening its 4th Greensburg location this week

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of (PRNewsFoto/SHEETZ, INC.) Caption for Photo: Sheetz logo.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Greensburg, PA) Sheetz will open its fourth Greensburg location Thursday. 

The new store, located at 6090 Route 30, is the fourth Sheetz along the Route 30 corridor serving commuters traveling to and from Pittsburgh. 

The store will open to the public at 8 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Customers will receive free self-serve coffee and soda throughout the grand opening day. 

Sheetz also plans to host an outdoor celebration beginning at 9 a.m. Company officials said the event is expected to draw area residents, nonprofit representatives and local elected officials. 

The company will offer giveaways during the event, including $250 in Sheetz gift cards and a chance to win free Sheetz for a year. 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sheetz will present a $2,500 donation to the Westmoreland Food Bank, which serves more than 18,000 households annually. 

Customers attending the grand opening are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items and will receive “Sheetz Swag” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. while supplies last. 

Sheetz will also present a $2,500 donation to Special Olympics Pennsylvania during the event. The company has supported the organization for more than 30 years through volunteer work, product donations and financial contributions. 

North Sewickley Township Police Department asks for help restoring the deteriorating Locust Grove Cemetery

(File Photo of the Beaver County Partnership/ Community & Economic Growth Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(North Sewickley Towsnhip, PA) A local police department is asking residents to help restore a cemetery that has fallen into disrepair. 

The North Sewickley Township Police Department issued a public call for volunteers to help clean up Locust Grove Cemetery along the 900 block of Brighton Road. 

Police Chief Tyler Kelosky said in a social media post that the cemetery has become severely overgrown and difficult to maintain. 

Kelosky said funding and maintenance resources are limited, and many families have expressed concerns about the cemetery’s condition. 

In response, police are encouraging residents, churches, businesses, organizations and other volunteers to help with cleanup efforts. 

President Donald Trump nominates Pennsylvania Senator Doug Mastriano as United States ambassador to Slovakia

(File Photo of Pennsylvania Senator Doug Mastriano)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) Doug Mastriano has been nominated to serve as the United States ambassador to Slovakia. 

Mastriano, a Republican state senator representing Adams and Franklin counties, was among more than a dozen nominations sent to the U.S. Senate on Monday by President Donald Trump. 

Mastriano’s nomination to serve as ambassador to Slovakia will require confirmation by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Mastriano ran for governor of Pennsylvania in 2022 and lost to Josh Shapiro, who received 56% of the vote.

Ahead of this year’s gubernatorial election, Mastriano weighed another run for governor, and ultimately decided not to run against Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is challenging Shapiro’s reelection bid.

Garbage truck rolls into Beaver County creek

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WPXI-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on May 11th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Raccoon Township, PA) The driver of a Valley Waste garbage truck and a passenger suffered minor injuries after the truck went off Moffit Mill Road in Raccoon Township and into Raccoon Creek. 

Officials said the truck rolled nearly 100 feet down a hillside before landing in the creek. 

Hours later, crane operators with Allegheny Crane Rental removed the truck from the water. 

According to officials, the garbage truck was traveling along the rural, winding roadway when the driver attempted to move over to allow another vehicle to pass. 

As the truck pulled toward the edge of the road, the pavement reportedly began to crumble, causing the vehicle to slide down the hillside and into the creek. 

The owner of the crane company told WPXI that a nearby resident allowed crews to set up a 400-ton crane in his yard so operators could safely hoist the truck from the creek. 

Valley Waste did not comment on the incident. 

New documents reveal compelling case against Rachael DelTondo murder suspect, but charges are unlikely

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of CBS News)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) It has been nearly eight years since Rachael DelTondo was shot and killed in the driveway of her parents’ home in Aliquippa. 

The case has drawn national attention and continued intrigue as it remains unsolved. Although investigators have publicly identified a “prime suspect,” no arrests have been made. 

Now, dozens of newly unsealed search warrants reviewed by KDKA-TV outline what investigators describe as a compelling circumstantial case against Sheldon Jeter Jr. Prosecutors, however, have continued to maintain that the evidence is insufficient to file charges. 

Jeter — DelTondo’s former boyfriend, who was 20 years old at the time of the killing — has long been identified by investigators as the prime suspect. Authorities have said he lied to investigators about his whereabouts the night DelTondo was killed. 

While the warrants lay out extensive circumstantial evidence, investigators have acknowledged there was no eyewitness to the shooting and no murder weapon was ever recovered. 

Jeter’s former attorney told KDKA there has never been enough evidence to arrest him and believes there never will be. 

Authorities said DelTondo was found shot to death on May 13, 2018, after returning home from getting ice cream with friends. Investigators said she was shot near the end of her driveway after getting out of a vehicle on Mother’s Day. 

Fetterman, Daines, Newhouse Bill to Increase Made-In-America Hydropower Signed Into Law by President Donald Trump

(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Steve Daines announced Monday that their “Build More Hydro” bill has been signed into law by President Donald Trump. 

The legislation, known as S.1020, allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant six-year extensions for hydropower projects licensed before 2020. 

U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse introduced the companion measure in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Eight projects in Pennsylvania will benefit from the extension this law provides. Those projects include:

  1. Allegheny Lock and Dam 2
  2. Emsworth Back Channel Dam
  3. Emsworth Locks and Dam
  4. Grays Landing Lock and Dam
  5. Maxwell (Point Marion)
  6. Monongahela Locks and Dam 4 (Charleroi)
  7. Montgomery Locks and Dam
  8. Point Marion Lock and Dam

The “Build More Hydro” bill is supported by the National Hydropower Association, Advanced Hydro Solutions, Pumped Storage Hydro Project, Rye Development, and CEBA.

AAA: Gas Prices Keep Going Up in Pennsylvania

(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of AAA East Central)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania rose another 20 cents this week to an average of about $4.85 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. 

While the national average has declined slightly in recent days, it remains seven cents higher than a week ago at $4.52 per gallon. National prices are also up 39 cents from a month ago and $1.39 higher than this time last year. 

Gas prices have not reached these levels since the summer of 2022. 

Although crude oil prices recently dipped below $100 per barrel amid negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, gasoline prices continue to face pressure from global supply concerns. 

In Beaver County, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is about $4.96. 

According to a release from AAA East Central, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline this week in various Pennsylvania areas:

$4.677      Altoona
$4.958      Beaver
$4.745      Bradford
$4.552      Brookville
$4.900      Butler
$4.728      Clarion
$4.689      DuBois
$4.859      Erie
$4.893      Greensburg
$4.907      Indiana
$4.930      Jeannette
$4.929      Kittanning
$4.892      Latrobe
$4.852      Meadville
$4.863      Mercer
$4.903      New Castle
$4.916      New Kensington
$4.896      Oil City
$4.944      Pittsburgh
$4.774      Sharon
$4.927      Uniontown
$4.903      Warren
$4.940      Washington