Author: Beaver County Radio

Anthony “Tony” C. Frangione (1927-2026)

Anthony “Tony” C. Frangione, 99, of Baden, passed away on July 30th, 2026, in Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden.

He was born in Sewickley on July 25th, 1927, a son of the late Carmine and Mary Palmer Frangione.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dolores Frangione and three brothers, Victor, Rocco and Raymond.

He is survived by two sons, Lawrence (Kathy) Frangione and Anthony Frangione Jr., and his partner, Beth Hammond, his three grandchildren, Alysia (Bobby) Bires, Nicole (Pietro) Pucci and Jocelyn (Jason) LeFebvre, his great grandchildren: Elisabetta (Silas) Armitage, Pietro Pucci, Zachary & Nicolas Bucka, Samuel & Salvatore Bires, Dominic & Katarina LeFebvre; as well as his brother, Ronald (Diane) Frangione, his sister, Anne Balog, his sister-in-law, Marie (Raymond) Pawloski, his brother-in-law, Albert (Maggie) Quiroz and numerous nieces, nephews, & cousins.

Anthony was a member of the 82nd Airborne serving during World War II. He was a member of the Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ambridge and the Baden Legion. He also served on the Anthony Wayne Terrace Board of Directors for many years, which was where he served as president. He never met a person he didn’t like. He was always telling jokes, talking with people and whistling. He thrived when he was communicating with people. It energized him. He especially liked talking to young people.

A special thank you goes out to his cousin Patty and her family who were very special to him.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 5th from 3-7 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where prayers will be offered on Thursday, August 6th at 10 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge.

The Beaver County Special Unit will meet at 11:45 A.M. in the Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery Chapel to provide full military honors.

Interment will take place immediately following in Economy Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers the family asks memorial contributions to be made to the “Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003

James R. Eighme (1968-2026)

James R. Eighme, 58, of North Sewickley Township, passed away on July 28th, 2026.

He was born in Bellevue on June 7th, 1968, a son of the late Robert H. and Katherine (Sickles) Eighme.

He is survived by his sisters, Tammy (Terry Sr.) Jackson and Deborah (Glenn) Kaiser and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date for James.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Roberta Jean Bonzo (1957-2026)

Roberta Jean Bonzo, 68, passed away on July 30th, 2026, at AHN Sewickley Hospital.

She was born in Sewickley on March 19th, 1957, a daughter of the late Ernest and Elizabeth Grillo.

She is survived by her children, Brandon Bonzo, April (Joseph) Feltes, and Shane (Sarah) Bonzo, her grandson, Scott K. and multiple brothers and sisters.

Roberta was a homemaker, which was an occupation that she approached with unmatched dedication and care. She spent over 20 years working at the Pittsburgh International Airport as a ramp agent, which she enjoyed very much.

Her greatest joy in life was the time that she spent with her grandson, Scott.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no services.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Matter Funeral Home and Cremation Services, LLC, 1133 Church Street, Ambridge.

Pirates activate first baseman Spencer Horwitz from the 10-day injured list

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz watches his single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/ David Zalubowski)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates activated first baseman Spencer Horwitz from the 10-day injured list yesterday and he returned to play that day for the team’s game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati. 

Horwitz was placed on the injured list on June 25th because of a left hamstring strain and was diagnosed with a concussion on July 28th after being hit in the helmet by a pitch during his rehab assignment. 

Brighton Township Police Department Chief Howard Blinn retiring

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Brighton Township Police Department, Posted on Facebook on July 31st, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Brighton Township Police Department Chief Howard Blinn is retiring after working for over 35 years, and he worked with that police department for 26 of those years.

Chief Blinn started in 2000 as a Patrolman before attaining the rank of Sergeant in 2002 and was subsequently appointed as Brighton Township Chief of Police in 2007. 

Pirates acquire former All-Star reliever Camilo Doval from the Yankees

(File Photo: Source for Photo: New York Yankees pitcher Camilo Doval throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday, July 9, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees in hopes of giving their struggling bullpen a boost.

Pittsburgh is sending prospects Omar Alfonso, a catcher, and Luis Cruz, an outfielder, to New York for Doval.

The 29-year-old Doval, an All-Star in 2023 when he served as the closer for the San Francisco Giants, provides Pittsburgh with a much-needed experienced arm as the Pirates try to hang around in the crowded race for a National League wild-card spot.

Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been an issue all season. The club has blown 20 saves this season, perhaps the biggest reason the Pirates entered Saturday at 55-56 despite scoring the second-most runs in the majors. The latest setback came on Friday night, when a two-run lead in the eighth inning in Cincinnati morphed into an 8-7 loss.

Doval went 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 44 games this season for the Yankees. He has had issues with walks recently, issuing at least one free pass in four of his last five appearances with New York, including two while taking the loss against the Chicago White Sox on July 29. Doval has only thrown 56% of his first pitches for strikes this season, among the worst first-strike percentages in the majors.

The durable Doval is one of only eight pitchers to appear in at least 60 games in each of the last four seasons.

Pittsburgh is hoping a new setting provides a fresh start. The Pirates could also use the help. The club designated former closer Dennis Santana for assignment last month and has few viable right-handed options near the back end of the bullpen.

Beaver County DUI Task Force conducting enforcement operations this Friday through Sunday

(File Photo of the Hopewell Township Police Department Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Beaver County DUI Task Force will be conducting enforcement operations from August 7th through August 9th and those operations will be in the form of Sobriety Checkpoints and/or roving DUI patrols.  

Officers from the Brighton Township, Center Township, Chippewa Township, Hopewell Township, Monaca Borough, New Sewickley Township and Rochester Borough Police Departments, as well as other task force Police Departments will be taking part in the operations.

The Beaver County DUI Task Force is prioritizing road safety and it is encouraging all drivers to find alternatives to driving if you drink alcohol or using controlled substances.

They also recommend to make the best decision for both yourself and those around you to plan your way home ahead of time.  

You can call 724-378-0557 if you have any questions about these operations.

Pirates place first baseman Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Ryan O’Hearn (29) is helped off the field after an injury during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, July 31, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Ryan O’Hearn on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained left quad and he is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

O’Hearn pulled up and grabbed his left leg while running to first base on a groundout in the ninth inning on Friday night’s 8-7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He was helped off the field by manager Don Kelly and a member of the training staff.

The Pirates signed O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million free-agent contract in January. He is batting .270 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs in 96 games. He missed two weeks in May with a right quad injury.

O’Hearn has made 49 appearances at first base, 42 in right field, and 17 as the designated hitter. He homered three times and set a Pirates single-game franchise record with 10 RBIs against the Braves on July 7.

In other moves, the Pirates recalled right-hander Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis, activated catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores Jr. from the IL and optioned right-hander Antwone Kelly to Triple-A.

Old Economy Park pool in Baden reopens following project on liner of the pool

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Alan Freed Photography and Drone Imagery)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Baden, PA) The Old Economy Park pool in Baden reopened on Saturday for the month after a project to fix the liner of the pool delayed its reopening.

The pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. each day until August 23rd and then stay open on weekends only from August 29th through September 13th. 

You have to register before you attend so capacity can be managed and wait times can be reduced.  

You can register anytime by going to beavercountyymca.org, clicking on “Join,” then selecting “Economy Pool.” 

Porch fire occurs in Midland

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Patriot Emergency Response)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Midland, PA) Midland Volunteer Fire Department, Station 95 was dispatched to the 300 block of Beaver Avenue on Thursday at about 12:50 a.m. for a neighbor reporting a porch on fire.

Multiple lines were stretched and a deck gun was put into operation during this incident.

The fire was knocked down extensively within minutes of firefighters arriving.

Firefighters also encountered a floor collapse that was just beyond the front door.

No victims were found after extensive searches. Crews worked throughout Thursday night to ensure that the fire was completely cleaned up and out.