Author: Beaver County Radio

AAA: Gas Prices Still on the Decline in PA

Gas prices are three cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.479 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.479
Average price during the week of Sept. 23, 2024                                              $3.502
Average price during the week of Oct. 2, 2023                                                  $3.927

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.354      Altoona
$3.508      Beaver
$3.757      Bradford
$3.365      Brookville
$3.513      Butler
$3.374      Clarion
$3.341      DuBois
$3.377      Erie
$3.506      Greensburg
$3.458      Indiana
$3.551      Jeannette
$3.619      Kittanning
$3.481      Latrobe
$3.451      Meadville
$3.618      Mercer
$3.359      New Castle
$3.449      New Kensington
$3.469      Oil City
$3.488      Pittsburgh
$3.313      Sharon
$3.517      Uniontown
$3.759      Warren
$3.380      Washington

Trend Analysis:
The national average for a gallon of gas is up a penny over the past week to $3.21. Hurricane Helene missed the Gulf’s oil production sites and refining centers, so gasoline supply has not been impacted. However, power outages, structural damage, and road flooding will affect local residents’ ability to fuel up as clean-up efforts continue. Today’s national average is 14 cents less than a month ago and 61 cents less than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose from 8.77 million barrels per day last week to 9.20. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell slightly from 221.6 million barrels to 220.1, while gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels daily.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate fell by 1.87 cents to settle at $69.69 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 4.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 413.0 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.

More Outdoor fun planned for Ambridge residents

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 2, 2024 11:46 A.M.

(Ambridge, Pa) Ambridge Borough Manager Mario Leone, said in a release issued over the weekend that a $7,500 Placemaking Grant was received from the PA Realtors Association. Council approved the installation of a Mega Chess Board w/3 foot tall chess pieces, along with 2 concrete tables. The installation will take place at the Fifth Street Park. Two concrete cornhole tables will be installed near the new Outdoor fitness Center as well.
Leone also reported that more outdoor amenities are being planned, possibly outdoor ping pong or a Foosball table. He says resident input is welcome.

St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church announce Fall Food Festival, Choir Concert, and Purse Bash

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 2, 2024 11:45 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) The annual festival will be held Saturday October 5, 2024 from 11am to 7 pm, and Sunday, October 6, 2024 from noon to 4pm at the church’s center at 2200 Irwin Street. Traditional Serbian foods such as barbecued lamb, cevaps, sarma, gibanica, burek, Serbian potato salad and coleslaw will be served along with a variety of Serbian pastries. Foods will be available for eat-in or take out.

The annual choir concert is Saturday, October 19, 2024. The concert theme is ‘FALLING FOR ALIQUIPPA’.  Doors open at 4 pm and the concert will get underway at 4:30pm in the church center.  Stevan Mokranjac Choir of Chicago, IL is the guest choir. The cost of the concert is $30. A purse bash will take place on October 26th.

Rochester dispute ends up with man and woman behind bars and officer losing part of his finger

(Rochester, PA) A domestic dispute in Rochester which led to a police officer losing part of his finger has a man and a woman behind bars. According to a criminal complaint, officers from Rochester Borough were called to the apartment of Andrea and Andrew Pyne, and when officers walked in, Andrea slammed the door on the hand of one of the officers, amputating his finger on the first knuckle. The complaint continues with Andrea telling police that she had punched and choked her boyfriend because he would not make her dinner, calling 911 after her boyfriend had called to report it, and Andrea slammed the door because Andrew did not have the rights to be inside her home. Both have been questioned about the dispute and both have been taken into custody. Andrea faces numerous charges including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment of a person.

Susan Deltray Cartwright (1977-2024)

Susan Delray Cartwright, 47, of Chippewa Township, passed away on September 28, 2024 in her home.

She was born on September 13, 1977, in Rochester, the daughter of the late David and Linda (Hill) Cartwright. She is survived by her loving companion of more than 20 years, Sean Maylone, children, Tim Maylone, Crixus Maylone, and Morgan Maylone, her siblings, Brett (Kelly) Cartwright, Kevin Cartwright, and Jennifer (Mark) Hanson, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Susan was a healthcare provider for many years to those who were unable to care for themselves. She was an avid pool player in her younger years, having made trips to tournaments in Las Vegas and had been a member of the First Christian Church of Beaver. Susan loved her children immensely and was attentive to their every need.

Friends will be received on Thursday, October 3rd from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 Third Street, Beaver.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday, October 4th at 11 A.M. Friends will be received one hour prior to services.

Inurnment will be in Beaver Cemetery at a later date.

Beaver Falls man became a victim of check washing

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 2, 2024 at 9:16 A.M.)

(Beaver Falls, PA) A man in Beaver Falls became a victim of check washing, in which a check has a stolen signature after eliminating its information by someone who wants to fraud that information and take it for themselves. Ralph Dyson discovered that two checks below $10 were cashed for just over $1,600. Dyson’s bank, First National Bank, is responsible for getting the refunds from the check washing incident. 

Police confiscate airsoft gun after Moon Area student took it on a school bus

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 2, 2024 at 9:13 A.M.)

(Moon Township, PA) Police confiscated an airsoft gun from a Moon Area middle school student on Monday after the student took the gun on a school bus. According to Moon Area superintendent Barry Balaski, discipline for the student will be determined by school leaders based on the school’s code of conduct. Balaski also noted that officers figured out this incident was isolated and there was no safety threat. This comes after an incident last month in which a Moon Area High School student was found with a weapon. 

Beaver County winning lottery ticket sold for over $137,000

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on October 2, 2024 at 9:10 A.M.)

(New Brighton, PA) A winning Treasure Hunt lottery ticket worth just over $137,000 was sold at Brighton Health Mart Pharmacy in New Brighton in Beaver County. The two winners, one from Beaver County and one from Montgomery County, will split the prize of $137,979. The winning ticket was one of over 46,500 Treasure Hunt tickets that had winning prizes.

Jerome Pigza (Passed on September 28, 2024)

Jerome Pigza, 74, of Monaca passed away on September 28, 2024 due to injuries from a fall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anne Pigza. He is survived by his beloved wife Judy Pigza and their children, Julie Pigza (Mark Donahue) and son John Pigza, and his wife, Becky. Jerome’s grandchildren, Eden, Brandon, and Jordan Pigza, and Wyatt and Solana Donahue, were the light of his life. His sister, Joanne Fedeles, will fondly remember Jerome for the bond they shared.

Jerome spent his career as a sales and service representative for Nickles Bakery, where he was well-known and respected and was a familiar and friendly face to many local stores.

If desired, please make any donations or memorials to Monaca Library.

In accordance with his wishes, all services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Harry Thomas Hopkins (1938-2024)

Harry Thomas Hopkins, 85, of Ohioville, passed away on September 29, 2024 at Celebration Villa of Chippewa.

He was born on November 24, 1938 in Sewickley, the son of the late Henry and Edith (Greuey) Hopkins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved grandson Benjamin Chaffee, six siblings, Henry Hopkins Jr., Doris Hopkins, Savilla Weber, Jake Hopkins, Carl Hopkins, Rawland“Pop” Hopkins and sisters in law, Virginia Hopkins, and Louise Hopkins, and a brother-in-law Hank Weber. Harry was cherished and loved by his wife of 58 years Opal (Childers) Hopkins, and daughters Edith (Philip) Chaffee, Lisa (Edward) Gouldsbarry. He truly enjoyed being a wonderful “Pappy” to his grandchildren Naomi (Jake) Shepler, Joshua (Kelly) Chaffee, Abigail (David) Peralta, Danelle Gouldsbarry, Jeslyn Gouldsbarry, Hudson Gouldsbarry and his great-grandchildren, Levi Shepler, Luke Shepler, Judah Shepler, Olivia Chaffee, Tyler Chaffee, and Josephine Peralta.

Harry was one of 13 siblings. He was a great brother and he is survived by Tom (Debbie) Hopkins, Denny (Nancy) Hopkins, Eddie Hopkins, Cindy (Ken) Rex, Kathryn Bell and a sister-in-law, Nola Hopkins and numerous nieces and nephews, who will miss “Uncle Harry.”

Harry was a faithful and devoted husband and a proud and loving father to his two daughters. Alongside Opal, they were always there for their girls, attending school events and youth functions, chaperoning dances, and welcoming the girls’ friends into their home. His girls are thankful for the legacy of integrity and hard work their father left behind. Harry was always thankful for his relationship with his son-in-law and enjoyed spending time with them. Family time was one of his favorite things from childhood to his last days.

Harry was a trucker through and through. He worked hard in his career as a self-employed truck driver, fixing his truck and driving tens of thousands of miles. When there was a “hot load,” they knew Harry would get it there on time and in good shape. Everyone knew they could count on him. Even as he served in the U.S. Army as a heavy truck driver, he earned a good conduct medal and a safe driver badge.

Harry was a committed member of Fairview Presbyterian Church in Ohioville where he came to faith in Jesus and served as a steward and usher. He enjoyed his involvement with his church family.

Harry made friends wherever he went, and no one knew that better than his wife and daughters. It seemed that everywhere they went, Dad would see someone he knew. He made friends easily. He liked visiting his neighbors and his friends. He especially enjoyed sharing trucking stories. He had a heart of gold and was always ready to lend a hand.

As for pastimes, Harry loved spending time at the dirt track. He was always up for an evening at the races with friends, family members, or even solo. He loved going to the races. For many years, he and Opal would winter vacation in their camper at Royal Oaks Campground in Dundee, Florida.

“Hop” will be sadly missed as he left an incredible smile and warmth with all he met.

Friends will be received Friday, October 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland. A service will be held Saturday, October 5 at 11 a.m. at Fairview Presbyterian Church, 6366 Tuscarawas Road, Industry. A committal with be held immediately after the service at Highland Cemetery, 339 Salem Church Road, Midland. A luncheon will be held afterward at Fairview Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Harry’s name to Fairview Presbyterian Church, 6366 Tuscarawas Road, Industry, PA 15052.