Author: Beaver County Radio

Joseph W. Palakovich, Sr. (1930-2026)

Joseph W. Palakovich Sr., 96, of East Rochester, passed away on October 2nd, 2026 in his home. He was born in Aliquippa on April 19th, 1930, the son of the late Joseph and Mary Palakovich.

He was a United States Air Force Veteran who serves during the Korean War. He owned and operated Joseph’s Jewelers for many years and was a retired mill worker. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t do. He was a watch maker, gunsmith, woodworker, and all-around handy man. He loved to go shooting, he was a charter member of the Beaver Valley Rifle and Pistol Club. He also enjoyed flying model airplanes with the Beaver County Model Airplane Club. He was longtime member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Above everything else, he loved his family and spending time with them.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Palakovich.

He is survived by his four children: Yvonne (Robert England) Berg, Joseph (Tressa) Palakovich, David (Leslie) Palakovich and Mark (Kristie) Palakovich, ten grandchildren: Jamie (Brian) Tomlin, Raymond Berg, Andrew (Kelsey) Berg, Kayle (Ryan) Doele; DJ Palakovich, Cameron Palakovich, Marcella (Chris) Murphy, Ethan Palakovich, Mary Morgan Palakovich, and Simone Wallace; as well as ten great grandchildren: Leena, William “Jr.,” Hunter, Autumn, Nolan, Hank, Bruce, Everleigh, Blakely and Harlow; as well as his sister: Evelyn Reda, three nephews, Frank (Mary Jo), Ron, and Randy (Chris) Reda.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, October 7th from 3-7 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held (tentatively) on Thursday, October 8th at 10 a.m. in St. Cecilia Church, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester.

Interment will follow in St. Cecilia Church Cemetery, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester.

Christopher Louis Thumm (1983-2026)

Christopher Louis Thumm, 43, of Beaver Falls, passed away at his home on October 1st, 2026.

He was born in Brighton Township on August 4th, 1983, a son of Patricia (Danneker) Thumm and Dennis Thumm.

Christopher was a 2001 graduate of Beaver Falls High School, where he excelled in sports, especially baseball.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, DJ (Melissa) Thumm, a niece, Brynlee, a nephew, Mason and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him dearly.

There are no services at this time for Christopher.

The GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 340 Third Street, Beaver was honored to care for Christopher and his family during this time and was the funeral home that was in charge of his arrangements.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory of Christopher, please visit the flower store of the Gabauer Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services by clicking here.

Delivery driver commits theft in Eastvale Borough; takes contents out of customer’s package

(File Photo of a Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Eastvale Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that a theft occurred in Eastvale Borough on September 16th.

This occurred along 4th Avenue East at 5:26 p.m.

Police were dispatched because a delivery driver opened the package of a customer and took its contents out.

A $20 supply of Zyrtec was stolen and the delivery driver disposed the empty box in a garbage can.

Anyone with information about this incident should call 724-773-7400. 

Suspect hits residential fence in New Galilee Borough with their vehicle; escapes scene

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Galilee Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that an unknown suspect hit a residential fence in New Galilee Borough with their vehicle on September 13th.

This occurred at a residence along Cleveland Street at 9:01 a.m.

The fence was worth $500 and the vehicle of the suspect escaped from the scene. 

Midland man apprehended after domestic violence incident in Midland Borough

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Midland Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that a man was apprehended after a domestic violence incident occurred in Midland Borough on September 17th.

This occurred along 527 Midland Avenue at 5:12 a.m.

After interviewing all of the parties that were involved in the incident, a thirty-two-year-old woman from Midland related that she was assaulted by sixty-nine-year-old Mark Wesolowski of Midland.

The victim showed evidence of physical assault and Wesolowski was arrested on the scene of the incident.

He was taken to the Beaver County Jail. 

Two men taken into custody after police pursue them in Brighton Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that two men were taken into custody after police pursued them in Brighton Township on September 19th.

The incident began when a police officer noticed at 8:19 p.m. that a vehicle was traveling on Dutch Ridge Road and made a sharp left-hand turn onto Brighton Road.

This vehicle was involved in a shooting that took place in Chester, West Virginia and it was driven by eighteen-year-old Christopher Howard of Midland and was occupied by eighteen-year-old Malachi Bogolea.

According to police, both men were taken into custody after a pursuit occurred, and the arrests were made at 8:26 p.m. 

Leechburg man hospitalized; suffered diabetic episode causing crash in Potter Township

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Potter Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that twenty-one-year-old Eli Verner of Leechburg, Pennsylvania was hospitalized after a crash occurred on Friday in Potter Township.

Verner was driving on I-376 West and suffered a diabetic episode and left the road north of Main Street before his vehicle hit the middle cable barrier of the road.

According to police, Verner was transported to the medical center in Beaver because of his injury that had an unknown severity. 

Ellwood City man arrested for drug possession in New Brighton Borough

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Brighton Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported yesterday that they investigated an incident that occurred in New Brighton Borough on Friday.

A nineteen-year-old man from Ellwood City was arrested along 3rd Avenue at 10:43 p.m. because he was found to be possessing illegally possessed narcotics.

Charges against him are pending. 

Stabbing occurs at Aliquippa apartment complex; two people flown to hospital

(Credti and Caption for Photo: Pennsylvania State Police on the scene of a stabbing at an Aliquippa apartment complex. Photo Courtesy of KDKA Photojournalist Bryce Lutz)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Two people were airlifted to the hospital after a stabbing occurred yesterday in Beaver County.  

According to information that was provided to KDKA-TV, the stabbing took place just before 3:30 a.m. at the Eleanor Roosevelt Apartments in Aliquippa. 

Two people were flown to a hospital for treatment of their injuries as a result of this incident. 

Police are investigating this stabbing. 

Pitt QB Mason Heintschel’s season is over after tearing the ACL in his right knee in Pitt’s 35-33 victory over Virginia Tech

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) during the Military Bowl NCAA college football game, on Dec. 27, 2025, in Annapolis, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel is out for the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee in a victory over Virginia Tech on Friday night.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi made the announcement in a post on X on Saturday, about 24 hours after Heintschel was injured in the second half of what became a 35-33 win that boosted the Panthers’ record to 5-0.

“We’re heartbroken for Mason, but he’s a resilient young man,” Narduzzi wrote. “We know he’ll attack his recovery with the same determination he brings to our building every day.”

Heintschel was scrambling for yardage when he was tackled and fell to the ground with his right leg pinned behind him while simultaneously being hit by another Virginia Tech defender. He was in visible pain while being tended to by trainers and returned to the sideline later in the game on crutches.

Heintschel was off to an electric start for Pitt, throwing for 14 touchdowns against just one pick at the time of the injury.

Holden Gernier, a transfer from Auburn, came on for Heintschel and played well, throwing for 78 yards and a touchdown. Gernier figures to be the starter when Pitt (5-0, 2-0 ACC) hosts North Carolina (2-2, 0-1) at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 10.