Author: Beaver County Radio

Woman who drove a van crashes into Allegheny Health Network building in Cranberry Township and injures herself and five others

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) An Allegheny Health Network building in Cranberry Township was crashed into on Tuesday by a woman who drove in a van and six people now have minor injuries as a result of the crash. The AHN Orthopedic Office on Route 19 was hit and according to Allegheny Health Network, the building had no structural damage afterwards. The unidentified driver hit the building and injured five people that were in the waiting room. WPXI was told that the driver suffered from a medical emergency.

Pollution in Pennsylvania worsens amid ongoing clean-vehicle policy debate

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: Smoke emission from factory pipes)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Air pollution in Pennsylvania is getting worse, according to a new report that cites transportation emissions as the primary culprit. The American Lung Association’s 2025 “State of the Air” report ranks Pittsburgh, Weirton, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio 12th worst in the nation for year-round particle pollution. Cars and light trucks are a major source of air pollution in Pennsylvania. Laura Kate Bender with the American Lung Association explains the dangers and says Pennsylvania is a challenging place to live with asthma. While most people like the concept of cleaner vehicles, some including the American Petroleum Institute argue that strict mandates limit consumer choice and strain the power grid. They emphasize the need for fossil fuel-powered vehicles in sectors such as long-haul trucking, where E.V. options are limited.

Pittsburgh Pirates employee who was suspended for fighting with a fan will not face filed criminal charges, according to authorities

(File Photo of PNC Park)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to authorities on Tuesday, no criminal charges will be filed against the Pittsburgh Pirates employee who got suspended from a fight with a fan after the Pirates’ game on Sunday. Sources told KDKA the fight began when the fan and his friend allegedly started harassing a woman who worked at a concession stand. Punches were thrown and the employee hit the fan with his belt after the fan spit on him. Pittsburgh police were also not involved to press charges.

Phone scam going around in which scammer pretends to be Beaver County Sheriff’s office captain to steal money and personal information

(File Photo of a Beaver County Sheriff’s Office Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) According to a release from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, a phone scam is going around that the office answered in which a scammer identified himself as Captain Jay Alstadt. That person also told the office that someone did not go to jury duty and had warrants because of it. Scammers try to make you give personal information to pay them, so the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office advises to not give out that information or to contact them at 724-770-4602.

New base camp for Duquesne Light Company crews is created

(File Photo of the Duquesne Light Company logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Duquesne Light Company has now made a new base camp for crews that work for the company after working through the Western Pennsylvania storms that caused power outages last Tuesday. The camp is located on the North Side of Pittsburgh on the Woods Run campus of the company. Some of the benefits that the camp has for these hard-working employees are trailers with single occupancy with storage and beds, as well as shower units and bathroom stalls.

 

 

Bradford James Silk, Jr. (1946-2025)

Bradford James Silk Jr., 79, of Leetsdale, passed away at home on May 4th, 2025, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Pittsburgh on April 20th, 1946, a son of the late Bradford Sr. and Mavis (Wells) Silk. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Susan (Hamilton) Silk. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Margaret Anne (Cummins) Silk, his sons, Bradford James Silk III (Barbara) and Robert Francis Silk, his grandchildren: Ashley Anne Knutson (Andrew), Bradford James Silk IV (Amy), Victoria Lynn Hickerson (John) and Sean Robert Silk (Anna); as well as great-grandchildren, Lilly Silk, Aiden Knutson, and expected Iris Silk, his sister, Bonnie Ufert, his brother, Doug Silk, and 8 nieces and 4 nephews.

Bradford was a dedicated public servant who served 4 years in the United States Navy, and also served as a cub scout master, a fire fighter for 45-years, a fire chief for 8 years, a city councilman for 8 years and was the chairman of the municipal water sewage board. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, grandchildren and close friends. He was a loving husband, father to his children and pups, and proud to be a grandfather and great-grandfather.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation on Friday, May 9th, from 4-8 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where a funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 10th at 11 A.M.

Elsie Marie Scarsella (1935-2025)

Elsie Marie Scarsella, 89, of Center Township, passed away on May 4th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at Beaver Meadows where she resided. She was born in Aliquippa on December 27th, 1935, a daughter of the late Antonio and Joanne (Vasiu) Infantozzi.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Philomena Infantozzi, Rose Nare (Louis) Karnos and Mary Ann (Bill) Siebert and a brother, Larry (Michelle) Infantozzi. She is survived by her cherished children, Lisa (Jeff) Todd and Louis Scarsella, her grandchildren, Marisa (Dominic) Scalamogna, Lucas (Bethany) Scarsella and Brandon (Marisa) Scarsella, her great grandchildren: Angel, Mia and Antonio Scalamogna, and Avery and Adelyn Scarsella; as well as a brother, William (Phyllis) Infantozzi and many nieces and nephews.
Elsie was a member of both Mary Queen of Saints Parish and St. Frances Cabrini Church of Aliquippa. She retired from Westinghouse and Eaton Corporation where she worked for over 45 years.
Elsie was a devoted daughter, sister, mother and grandmother.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Barnabas, Beaver Meadows for all their loving care that was extended to Elsie over the past five years.
In accordance with Elsie’s request, there will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 9th at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 115 Trinity Drive, Aliquippa. Private interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME, INC. 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Josephine G. (Grecich) Marchwinski (1935-2025)

Josephine G. (Grecich) Marchwinski, 89, formerly of Beaver Falls, peacefully passed away on May 2nd, 2025 surrounded by her loving family at Forest Hill Heights in Forest Hills, Maryland.

She was born in New Brighton on June 16th, 1935, a daughter of the late Caroline (Hrvoj) and Grga Grecich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Daniel John Marchwinski, Sr., her sister, Barbara Shaban, her brother, George Grecich, and two beloved grandchildren, Mark Andrew Mikolay and Pava Marie LaPere. She was the proud mother of eight children: Theresa Marchwinski (Cincinnati, Ohio), Pat (Bob) Tobin (Bel Air, Maryland), Caroline (Frank) LaPere (Tucson, Arizona), Barbara Marchwinski (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Mary Marchwinski (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Anna (Mark) Mikolay (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Dan (Traci) Marchwinski (Billings, Montana) and Janey Garcia (Bel Air, Maryland). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

Josephine, affectionately known as Josie, was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her and her husband resided in West Mayfield where they raised their family.

She was a lifelong member of St. Philomena Parish, the Christian Mothers, and the Croatian Fraternal Union.  Throughout her life, she held various jobs. After high school, she worked in the offices of Townsend & Co. Once her youngest child started school, she became the cafeteria manager at St. Philomena School. Later, she worked in the bakery departments at Economy and Foodland grocery stores, where her warmth and work ethic made her beloved by many. Josie also worked at the Community College of Beaver County, where she proudly learned to use a computer.

At home, Josephine was known for baking the best pepperoni rolls, cookies, cakes, and her famous cherry dessert.

She was a passionate reader and avid card player who especially loved teaching her grandchildren how to play cards and bingo. She loved to travel to visit family across the United States, Croatia, and Ireland. Her sweet disposition, kindness, and deep faith left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home in New Brighton, on Friday, May 9th from 4-7 P.M. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 P.M. A Catholic Burial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 10th at 11 A.M. at Holy Family Church, 521 7th Avenue, New Brighton. She will be interred at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 1501 1st Avenue, New Brighton.

Josephine will be dearly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of those she loved and who loved her.

In honor of Josephine’s memory, plant a tree or consider donating to your local library, two of the many things she cherished deeply.

James Edward Ritchie, Sr. (1958-2025)

James Edward Ritchie Sr., 66, of Aliquippa, passed away on May 3rd, 2025 in Heritage Valley Sewickley surrounded by his family.

He was born in Beaver Falls on November 16th, 1958, a son of the late Herbert L. and Millicent A. (Maley) Ritchie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Herbert Ritchie Jr., his sister, Betty Jeane Ritchie and his brother-in-law, John Quigley, Sr. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Mary Ann (Drobac) Ritchie, his children: Kristie (Jimmy Owens) Ritchie, James (Brittany) Ritchie Jr., Joshua Ritchie, and Michael Ritchie; along with his former daughter in-law, Kaylene Ritchie, a brother, William Joseph Ritchie, his sisters, Donna Ritchie and Florence Quigley, six grandchildren: Michael (Ashlynn) Napolitan III, Anna Napolitan, Kylie Napolitan, James Ritchie III, William Ritchie and Jonathan Ritchie; as well as two great-grandchildren, Michael IV and Ezekiel and many nieces and nephews.

James had a career as a forklift operator and as a laborer within various industries. He was an avid Pittsburgh Sports Fan and loved watching the Steelers and Penguins games. He also loved watching CNN.

A celebration of life for James conducted by the family will be held on Thursday, May 8th at the Rochester Free Methodist Church, 480 Jefferson Street, Rochester. Family and friends are welcome to come to share memories and a meal together from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a service will be held at 3:30 p.m. by Pastor Chuck Thomas.

Arrangements for James were entrusted to the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, who had the honor of providing care to him and his family.

Pennsylvania governor’s residence to get an “anti-climb” fence

(File Photo: Source for Photo: A member of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s state police protective detail stands on duty behind an entrance at the governor’s official residence in Harrisburg, Pa., Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Scolforo)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A barrier described as an “anti-climb fence” is in the works for the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence, the state police chief said Tuesday, less than a month after a late-night intruder jumped the existing fence, broke into the home and started a damaging fire.

Col. Christopher Paris’ letter to state lawmakers mentioned the fence as part of a series of changes to bolster security at the brick mansion that is the Harrisburg home of Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family.

The alleged intruder, an unemployed welder, faces charges that include attempted homicide and arson for the fire at about 2 a.m. on April 13. Shapiro and family members were awakened and evacuated, hours after participating in a Passover Seder in the residence. No one was hurt but the building’s damage has been estimated to total millions of dollars.

Paris told lawmakers he does not intend to provide them with a security review conducted by consultant Jeffrey B. Miller, who led the state police about two decades ago.

Miller’s findings and his agency’s own investigation, Paris told the legislators, have changed procedures, including “more frequent security assessments,” the establishment of a uniformed division to oversee building security at the residence and the installation of a no-climb fence.

Fences of metal and brick about 7-feet (2-meter) high already circle the residence along the Susquehanna River about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Capitol. Construction on the new fence did not appear to have begun Tuesday afternoon, although small marker flags along the property’s perimeter indicated work is underway.

“While some of those improvements will be clearly visible to the public — such as the new anti-climb fence — many will not be,” Paris wrote. He said Miller’s report contained details about security operations that, if disclosed to the public, “would obviously risk jeopardizing the safety” of those the agency protects.