Author: Beaver County Radio

Mary Ann Nicastro (1934-2024)

Mary Ann Nicastro, 90, of Masonic Village, formerly of Hopewell Township passed away on September 28, 2024 in Masonic Village. She was born in Salisbury, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Clark and Mildred Wagner. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William E. Nicastro and a sister and brother-in-law, Nancy & William Glatz.

She is survived by her two children, Jill (Matthew) DeLuca and William (Carolyn) Nicastro, two grandchildren, Nicholas DeLuca and Jessica (Brandon) Homan, a brother and sister-in-law, James Richard (Rose Mary) Wagner and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann was a retired secretary from Hopewell Area School District as well as Autico Motors. She loved the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pens. She also enjoyed ceramics and sewing projects. She was a talented baker. She enjoyed making a huge variety of Christmas cookies every year for friends and family to enjoy. Most of all, Mary Ann was a great mom and grandma. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Aliquippa.

All services will be private. Private interment is in Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Masonic Village of Sewickley 1000 Masonic Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Masonic Village, especially Jim, for their exceptional care of Mary Ann.

Kirk Robert Jenkins (1974-2024)

Kirk Robert Jenkins, 50, of Moon Township passed away on September 20, 2024 in his home. He was born in Sewickley on August 25, 1974, the son of Barbara Johnson Jenkins and the late Edward Jenkins. In addition to his mother, Kirk is survived by his son Chance Harley and two brothers, Todd and Craig Jenkins.

Kirk, a graduate of Moon High School and Robert Morris University, was a talented and star athlete in his prime. Kirk was kind and was willing to help anyone anytime they needed it. He spent his final years helping his mom and caring for his aunt, doing heavy lifting, gardening, land scraping and just about anything else that was needed. In his free time, he loved playing video games, watching movies, and throwing the football while talking with his son. Kirk enjoyed many catchphrases and loved a good joke. He hoped to travel one day to the West Indies. He will be dearly missed.

Friends are invited to a memorial service on Wednesday, October 2nd at 5 P.M. in the Coraopolis Presbyterian Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Lois Jane Hines (1928-2024)

Lois Jane Hines, 95, passed away on September 20, 2024 with family by her side. She was born on November 18, 1928, in Marshall County, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Bertie and Willis Conner. Lois was the youngest of six children. Lois grew up in the town of McMechen, West Virginia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, siblings Eunice Hanson, Margaret Gatewood, Ada (Connie) Paxson, Ruth Goodwin, and Willis Dale Conner, and a son-in-law, Ty Harden.

She is survived by her children, Vicki Harden of Beaver; Robert Hines, Jr, (Patricia) of Oakland, Florida; Jeffrey Hines (LuAnn) of Sherrodsville, Ohio; David Hines (Julie) of Cranberry; Elizabeth Hines (Melanie) of Sherrodsville, Ohio; and Thomas Hines of Rockville, Maryland; eleven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

She attended West Virginia University, where she met the love of her life, Robert Hines. They were married over 73 years until his death in August of 2023. Most of her adult life Lois lived in Beaver, PA, where she and Robert raised their six children. Over the years Lois served the community as a Brownie troop leader, volunteer at the local hospital, the Beaver Memorial Library, the Beaver Heritage Museum, and Welcome Wagon. She was a long-time member of Park Presbyterian Church. While living at Sherwood Oaks, she often attended the Dutilh United Methodist Church of Cranberry. Her hobbies included sewing and knitting, reading, and bridge.

She and her husband moved to Sherwood Oaks of Cranberry Township, in 2010, where they lived an active life for over a decade.

Friends will be received during a memorial visitation on Friday, October 11, from 2 p.m. until time of service at 4 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bridges Hospice of Monroeville.

The family would like to share their gratitude to the staff at Sherwood Oaks and Bridges Hospice for their compassionate care given to Lois during the last year of her life.

William Clarence Leeson (1942-2024)

William Clarence Leeson passed away in his home on September 27th, 2024.
He was born on January 5th, 1942 in Bellburn, West Virginia, the son of Florence and Pearl Leeson. He was a sibling to Raymond, Donald, John, Bill, Bonnie, Louise, Aida, Barb, and Tykee. He is survived by his loving wife Melody Leeson, children: Jodi Leeson, Amy (Chris) Howell, Audra Leeson, Donna Jezowicz, Joshua (Shannon) Myers, and Desiree Smith; grandchildren: Victoria Onuska, Paige (Steven) Neeley, Tyler Howell, Cody Howell, Kayla Gonzalez, Brayden Miladin, Nina Lambert, Jillian Jezowicz, Jacquilyn Jezowicz, Hayleigh Myers, Joshua Myers Jr, Noah Myers, Scarlet Myers, Scott Smith Jr, Bryce Smith, and Isabella Teets; great grandchildren: Parker, Kobe, Jacquelyn, Steven III, Aliyah, Scott III; and he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his 7th great grandchild due in May.
Bill served in the U.S. Army and retired from the Beaver Area School District after 34 years of service as Maintenance Supervisor, where he was loved and respected by not only his coworkers, but also the students. He always had a kind word and a smile for everyone.
He was a man’s man but always remained gentle, he took nothing but gave everything, continuously brought new life to this world. He had a great love of gardening, nature, and animals. He loved to share the fruits of his labor with everyone. You always left his house with bags full of vegetables, things he canned, eggs, and his homemade zucchini bread.
Despite being something of a recluse by nature, he welcomed everyone into his home with loving arms. A place of love and acceptance where you instantly became part of the family. He loved his family.
He is also survived by many other dear friends and family members.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, October 5th, in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, from 12 p.m. until the time of full military honors at 3 p.m., by the Beaver County Special Unit, followed by a time for remembrances, where friends and family are welcome to attend to share their love and stories.
In honor of Bill’s love of growing things, the family requests potted plants, in lieu of flowers.

AG Henry Issues Statement on Reviews of Voter Registration Forms in Multiple Counties

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry is sharing the following information and assurance regarding allegations of fraudulent voter registration forms surfacing in multiple Pennsylvania counties.

 

Apparent attempts to submit fraudulent voter registration forms in Berks, Lancaster, Monroe, and York counties have been defeated. The Office of Attorney General is working with the respective county officials to investigate those responsible for this conduct. Our office shares jurisdiction with county district attorneys to investigate violations of the state Election Code, and we are taking a collaborative approach to these matters.

 

While we will not be divulging sensitive information about these investigations, we want to clarify that the investigations regard voter registration forms, not ballots.

 

These attempts have been thwarted by the safeguards in place in Pennsylvania. We are working every day with our partners to ensure a fair, free, and safe election.

 

The investigations are ongoing, and offenders who perpetrated acts of fraud will be held accountable under the law.

 

Pennsylvanians who registered to vote before the deadline should expect to be able to vote on Election Day. Anyone who believes they properly registered to vote and is not on the books on Election Day is entitled to fill out a provisional ballot.

Department of Human Services Announces Request for Applications for CHIP Managed Care Organizations

File photo from the PA DHS

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced a Request for Applications (RFA) seeking managed care organizations to administer services for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program – Pennsylvania’s program to provide health coverage to uninsured children and teens through age 19.

First established in Pennsylvania, CHIP is a national program that allows parents to purchase commercial insurance for their children.

“Pennsylvania’s CHIP program is a resource to make high quality, comprehensive health insurance accessible to families around our Commonwealth. This program was the foundation for what is now a national model for comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for children,” said DHS Secretary Arkoosh. “We look forward to this opportunity to build on this program’s successes for children and families.”

CHIP was first established in 1992 when Governor Robert P. Casey signed the Children’s Health Insurance Act into law. The program was designed to help families who do not qualify for Medicaid (also known as Medical Assistance in PA) and could not afford to purchase private insurance for their children. The program expanded to a national model in 1997. Today, CHIP covers more than 195,000 children in Pennsylvania, making regular check-ups, screenings, vaccines, and care when a child is sick or injured affordable and accessible for families. CHIP offers no cost or low cost, and affordable plans depending on a family’s income.

 

Potential applicants should consult the RFA on the Commonwealth’s eMarketplace for a detailed explanation of the services the Department is attempting to procure for the CHIP program. Responses are due by October 18, 2024.

All information regarding the RFA is available online through eMarketplace.

Hopewell Township having pumpkin carving contest just in time for Halloween

(Story written by Snady Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondant, Published on September 30, 2024 at 10:09 A.M.)

(Hopewell Township, PA) Hopewell Township is having an annual pumpkin carving contest. The Community Outreach Committee and the township are sponsoring the contest.  Take a photo of your pumpkin and send  it to  communityoutreach@hopewelltwp.com by Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Contestantsphotos will be posted, and voting starts on  Friday, October 25, 2024 and closes on Wednesday, October 30, 2024  Winners will be announced on Halloween. A first place winner will receive a $75 gift card, second place will receive a $50 gift card and third place will receive a $25 gift card.

The 47th annual Pittsburgh Great Race saw hundreds of runners race in Pittsburgh for a good cause

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 30, 2024 at 9:47 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) The race was on for runners at the 47th annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race on Sunday. Pittsburgh natives from all over the country came back for this event, according to organizers. The Great Race accepts donations to support medical research, with the funds every year going to the Richard S. Caliguiri Amyloidosis Fund.

Source for Photo: FILE – This April 2, 2021, file photo shows bridges spanning the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that it’s more advantageous to oppose President Joe Biden’s ambitious rebuild America agenda than to lend support for the costly $2.3 trillion undertaking for roads, bridges and other infrastructure investments. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

A “mini moon” will orbit Earth for just less than two months

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 30, 2024 at 9:26 A.M.)

(Pennsylvania) The moon will temporarily have a next-door neighbor called a “mini moon.” This moon is actually an asteroid called 2024 PT5 that started orbiting Earth on Sunday and will do so for about 57 days, even though it will not complete a full orbit. Astronomers at Complutense University of Madrid used a telescope from Sutherland, South Africa to find the asteroid, which is about the size of a school bus, in August. 2020 was the last time one of these “mini moons” was spotted, and will leave Earth to travel through space on November 25, and will not pass by Earth again until 2055. 

Source for Photo: FILE – Impact craters cover the surface of the moon, seen from Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The moon is about to get walloped by 3 tons of space junk, a punch that will carve out a crater that could fit several semitractor-trailers. A leftover rocket is expected to smash into the far side of the moon at 5,800 mph (9,300 kph) on Friday, March 4, 2022, away from telescopes’ prying eyes. It may take weeks, even months, to confirm the impact through satellite images. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

Propane tank revealed as cause for Crescent Township house explosion which killed the two homeowners

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 30, 2024 at 8:49 A.M.)

(Crescent Township, PA) Authorities have confirmed that a propane tank was the cause of an explosion in a Crescent Township home that killed 89-year-old David Mitchell and 87-year-old Helen Mitchell. A spokesperson for the Allegheny County fire marshal’s office told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the investigation of the explosion that happened on March 12 in Crescent Township had been closed. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s safety division said Tuesday it had concluded its probe and found no evidence linking the blast to natural gas service under public utility jurisdiction. The home had no public utility natural gas service, and while Columbia Gas has natural gas mains in the general area, there were no utility gas mains in the immediate vicinity and no utility gas leaks were found, the commission said.