Beaver Falls man jailed for killing a dog during a domestic dispute

(Photo Courtesy of the City of Aliquippa Police Department)

Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) A man from Beaver Falls was jailed on Monday for killing a Pitbull that was ten months old named Ace. Aliquippa Police got a complaint on March 7th, 2025 after Ace was dead when arriving at the hospital. Twenty-four-year-old Brandon Miller had a domestic dispute with his girlfriend and threw the dog down the stairs at a home near Baker Street. Miller also hit Ace two times against a window in a previous argument between him and his girlfriend. Chippewa Township Police handled that incident. Miller was given an arrest warrant for neglect and aggravated cruelty of animals. The Chippewa Township Police Department helped to arrest Miller, who is now in the Beaver County Jail without incident.

Car fire in Zelienople causes people to be displaced after fire spreads to several houses

(File Photo of Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Zelienople, PA) On Saturday, a fire broke out in Zelienople from a car that went to several houses in the area which caused four people to be displaced. The fire occurred on Timberbrook Court at about 9 p.m. According to Zelienople Police, a car jump starter with a lithium battery may have been the starter of the fire. Police also confirmed that the car has a recall for risk of fire from its trailer hitch module. Nobody was injured after the incident occurred. 

 

John J. Shutey, Jr. (1951-2025)

John J. Shutey, Jr., 73, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on March 12th, 2025 at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, following a brief illness.

He was born on July 26th, 1951, the son of the late John J. and Shirley Ann Shutey. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, a son, John J. Shutey III (Natalie), their two children, John IV and Dominic of Aliquippa, a daughter, Lisa (Mark) Escario of Shafford, Virginia, as well as numerous loving cousins and stepchildren. He was a previous resident of the homes at Shadow Lakes and enjoyed time at his homes at Seven Springs and Pawley’s Plantation.

Following graduation from Rocky Mountain College, John was employed at his family’s business, Shasta, Inc. in Aliquippa. He rose to become president of the company and retired in 2016. While there, he and his team were instrumental in expanding the firm to include subsidiary operations in St. Louis, Missouri, Perth Amboy, New Jersey and Canton, Ohio.

John was an avid golfer and skier and was a member of Pawley’s Plantation Golf and Country Club. He was also a previous member of Montour Heights Country Club and the Club at Shadow Lakes. He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church (Our Lady of the Valley Parish) in Beaver.

Friends will be received on Thursday, March 20th from 4-7 P.M. at the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME, 340 Third Street, Beaver.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 21st at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Peter & Paul (Our Lady of the Valley) Roman Catholic Church, 200 Third Street Beaver. Father Howard Campbell will officiate.

Interment will follow at the Beaver Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Saints Peter & Paul (Our Lady of the Valley Parish) Church, 200 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009, https://www.osvhub.com/stceciliaroch/giving/funds

Bus carrying bagpipers from St. Patrick’s Day parade crashes into truck in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Jefferson Township first responders look over the scene of a school bus crash at the Mount Cobb, Pa. exit of Interstate 84, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (Chad Sebring/The Times-Tribune via AP)

MOUNT COBB, Pa. (AP) — Bagpipers returning from a St. Patrick’s Day parade were taken to hospitals after their charter bus crashed into a tractor-trailer, officials said.

The bus was exiting westbound Interstate 84 in northeastern Pennsylvania shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday when it ran into the tractor-trailer, which had no one inside it, Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Shaffer said, according to WBRE-TV/WYOU-TV.

Seventeen people on the bus had minor injuries, according to Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper First Class Robert Urban. The crash was not weather related and is under investigation, he said.

The bus was carrying the Greater Scranton Black Diamonds Pipe Band back from a parade in Milford, according to Bill Hetherson, the band’s business manager. The band expects everyone to make a full recovery. They cancelled group St. Patrick’s Day events on Monday but some might be able to play solo, Hetherson said.

Susan Elaine Taddy (1961-2025)

Susan Elaine Taddy, 64, of Baden, passed away at home on March 16th, 2025. She was born in Sewickley on February 5th, 1961, a daughter of the late George and Elizabeth (Edmunds) Gerazounis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Taddy, her father and mother-in-law, John A. and Rosemarie Taddy, sisters, Cathy Sellman and Georgianne Gerazounis, nephews, Sean Clark and Sam Hassick, as well as her special friend, Ken Parsons, who was always there for her and her kids. Susan lived most of her life in Ambridge. She was the mother of Shannon (Taddy) Collins and Brittany Taddy. Susan lived with Brittany in Baden for the last few remaining years of her life. She was the proudest of all to be grandma to her granddaughter, Chloe Collins. Susan always told people how much joy Chloe brought to her life.  She was the sister of Dean (Debbie) Gerazounis and Jimmy Gerazounis, sister-in-law to Robin and Brian Yaworsky, aunt to Tyke, Darcy, Ethan and Alivia Clark, Cathy Jo, Jaden and Justin Hassick, Buzzy, Renee, Caleb, and Anita Szymoniak, as well as David Szymoniak and Ryan, Jasalyn, and Jimmy Jr. Gerazounis.

Susan was a very loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many.  Her personality brought warmth and joy to everyone she encountered. Susan’s passing will be deeply mourned by those who knew and loved her, and her memory will remain in their hearts forever.

Susan’s family would like to give a special thank you to everyone from Three Oaks Hospice, especially Rose, Erica, Jen, and Janice.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, March 18th, from 1-7 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where funeral prayers will be offered on Wednesday, March 19th, at 10:15 A.M. A funeral service will follow at 11 A.M. in Valley Christian Fellowship, 398 Route 68, Rochester. Interment will take place in the Economy Cemetery.

Eileen M. Denniston (1942-2025)

Eileen M. Denniston, 82, of South Beaver Township, formerly of Moon Township, passed away peacefully at home on March 14th, 2025 after a brave battle with Mesothelioma. She was born in Pittsburgh on December 17th, 1942, a daughter of the late John & Sophie (Guzik) Konieczny. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband George T. Denniston. She is survived by her husband, Harry C. Smith, three children, Dane G. Denniston of Crescent Township, Dione Stauber (Matt) of Mars and Dawn Dalena Denniston (Nick Steri) of Moon Township, three grandchildren, Leah Stauber, Lindsey Stauber & Derric G. Denniston, a brother, Daniel Konieczny (Mary), a sister, Norma Konieczny, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Eileen was an avid walker who loved Kennywood Park, Do-Wop music, the Beaver Valley Yacht Club and Ocean City. She was a nanny for many years and treasured her time caring for all the children. Eileen enjoyed mostly spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. She was affectionately known as “Baw Baw.” Eileen’s list of friends spanned the generations.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, March 19th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road. A Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, March 20th at 10 A.M. in St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 987 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township. Private interment will take place at a later date.

Aliquippa Man Jailed 10 Years for Trafficking Heroin and Cocaine

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that an Aliquippa man was sentenced last week in federal court to 10 years in prison for his role in a criminal organization distributing large quantities of cocaine and heroin in and around Beaver County.

Kijana Lowe, 27, of Aliquippa, previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to deliver and one count of conspiracy. The Office of Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration, in connection with the Beaver County HIDTA Group and the Pennsylvania State Police, conducted the investigation and prosecuted the case jointly with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

“I am grateful for the hard work and collaboration between our federal, state, and local partners which led to an upper-level drug trafficker being taken off the streets,” Attorney General Sunday said.

In November 2021, Lowe and several other members of the drug trafficking organization traveled to Allegheny County with nearly $300,000 to purchase 10 kilos of cocaine. Federal, state, and local law enforcement intercepted the exchange and recovered the 10 kilos, the cash, and two bags of heroin. Lowe and five others were charged.

Adelin Hernandez Amparo, 31, of the Dominican Republic, and Anthony Tusweet Smith Jr., 24, of Aliquippa, previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges. Amparo was sentenced in federal court to nearly 3½ years in prison, followed by two years of federal supervised release. Smith was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by four years of federal supervised release.

Santos Castro-Mota, 42, of Brooklyn, NY, is currently incarcerated and awaiting trial. Cases are pending against Luis David Paredes Sanchez, 25, of Philadelphia, and Guillermo Alexis Evangelista Estevez, 33; both men have fled.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Cotter and Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted the case.

Helen M. Baker (Passed on March 14th, 2025)

Helen M. Baker, 98, formerly of Hopewell Township, passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2025, at Villa St. Joseph in Baden.

She was born in Pittsburgh. Helen’s early years were spent in the bustling city of Pittsburgh, where she was born into the family of Harry and Mary Murphy. Helen was a sister to George Murphy, Mary Grossi, Ruth (William Sr.) Laney and Joseph Murphy, all of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Phillip Baker. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Violet Murphy and a host of nieces and nephews.

Helen was known professionally for her skill and dedication as a hairdresser. She was the former owner of a salon in Monaca, where she first made her mark in the beauty industry. Later, she continued to spread her expertise at a hair salon located on the 10th floor of Kaufmann’s Department Store in downtown Pittsburgh.

Beyond her accomplishments with scissors and comb, Helen was a skilled artist, which was a talent that brought joy to her and beauty to the world.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, March 19th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca. The Hospice chaplain, Reverend Thomas Whipple will officiate. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery of Aliquippa.

Donna J. Suffoletta (1939-2025)

Donna J. Suffoletta, 85, of Midland, passed away on March 14th, 2025.

She was born on December 18th, 1939, a daughter of the late Paul and Mary Dragelevich. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Suffoletta and her son, Danny Holava. She is survived by her son, Jerry (Tammy) Suffoletta and her granddaughter, Ella.

Donna was a member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church of Midland. She enjoyed golfing with her husband and listening to music. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Friends will be received on Thursday, March 20th from 10 a.m. until the time of Service at 12 noon at the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver.

She will be laid to rest with her husband at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville.

Richard A. Wagner (1942-2025)

Richard A. Wagner, 82, of Sewickley, a well-known antique dealer, appraiser and auctioneer, passed away on March 12th, 2025 from cancer and lung disease. He was born on September 1st, 1942, a son of the late Carl Franklin and Helen (Evans) Wagner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Carl F. Wagner, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Marianne (Erny) Wagner.

Richard earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Bethany College and spent his career in the antiques business and performing estate and fine arts appraisals. During that time, he also taught antiques courses at Community College and was an appraiser at Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures on KDKA TV.  Richard was an avid duck hunter, collector and member of the KRA.  In his youth, he participated in the North-South Skirmish re-enactors and in later years exhibited at numerous antique and civil war shows.

He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and many colleagues.

All services are private at this time. The Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road, is in charge of his arrangements.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.