Author: Beaver County Radio

Richard Burton “Dick” Haddox (1929-2024)

Richard Burton “Dick” Haddox, 95, of New Brighton, passed away on September 24, 2024 in Cambridge Village.

He was born on September 12, 1929 in New Brighton, a son of the late Eugene and Vera (Holzworth) Haddox. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Mel, and Ed Haddox; as well as a sister, Lillian Bandurak. He is survived by his beloved wife Glenna (Lawrence) Haddox; a son, Randall Haddox; his daughters, Shelly Haddox and Susan Haddox; grandchildren, Tera Murphy, Jessica (Mike) Lewis, Tyler Haddox, and Travis Zugay; and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Chloe, Hunter, Heath, Lana, and Mina; and several nieces and nephews.

Richard was an Alumni of New Brighton High School where he graduated in 1947, having 3 years involved in the New Brighton High School Football Program. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served from 1951-1953, during the Korean Conflict. After leaving the service, he went on to attend Kent State University and completed his education at Geneva College where he graduated in 1957. He was a teacher at New Brighton Area School District for thirty-three years. While teaching he was also an assistant baseball coach and was a part of the New Brighton Recreation Authority from 1965-2015 where he focused on the prosperity of the New Brighton community. He was a fireman for 32 years at the New Brighton Fire Department Co. #3. He was the Mayor of New Brighton from 1986-1990 and an elected official of the Borough of New Brighton, the 5th Ward for forty-two years, until he retired from that office in 2022. He was a member of the American Legion Post 19, and was the recipient of the Presidents Award from the PA State Association of Borough. He was also a member of the Free Mason’s Union Lodge 259.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation to be held on Wednesday, October 2nd from 1 p.m. until the time of services at 3 p.m. in the GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton. Beaver County Special Unit will provide full military honors prior to the funeral service.

Inurnment will take place in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies of Bridgeville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Dick’s name to Circle of Friends- 1851 Third Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066 or the New Brighton Fire Department- 610 Third Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066.

A special thank you from the family to the staff of Cambridge Village and the staff of Heartland Hospice for the exceptional care they provided to Dick and his loved ones.

Ex-Fiancé of Rachael DelTondo charged with strangulation

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published September 26, 2024 7:18 A.M.

(Moon Township, Pa) The ex-fiancé of Rachael DelTondo has been charged with strangulation and endangering the welfare of children.

Moon Township Police arrested 43 year old Frank Catroppa on September 8th. Sources tell Beaver County Radio that Catroppa allegedly strangled his current girlfriend, struck her child, and destroyed video evidence of the assault. Catroppa was released on nonmonetary bail and has a hearing set for October 29th. He is also charged with robbery, tampering with records or identification and simple assault.

Rachel DelTondo was a 33 year old school teacher who was shot close range in her parent’s driveway on Mothers Day of 2018.

Catroppa was cleared in the murder of Rachael DelTondo after being questioned by police and denying any involvement in her death. The wedding between Catroppa and DelTondo was called off less than a year before her death.

DelTondo was found to have had an on and off relationship with then Aliquippa high school football star Sheldon Jeter.

Sheldon Jeter was named the prime suspect in the DelTondo murder by former Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier in August 2023. Jeter was convicted of first degree murder in 2021 for the death of his friend Tyric Pugh and was sentenced to life, although alleged juror misconduct was questioned in his trial.

Wendy Lee Spratley (1950-2024)

Wendy Lee Spratley, 73, of Wampum, passed away on September 22, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on December 8, 1950, a daughter of the late Kenneth and Gladys Stowe. In addition to her parents, Wendy was preceded in death by her step-brother, Butch Stowe.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years, William Spratley, Sr., sons, Michael Spratley, Sr. and William Spratley, Jr., both of Wampum, and Robert Spratley of New Castle, and grandchildren, DeAnna, Michael, Jr., Gaje and Sebastian Spratley.

Wendy enjoyed traveling to Erie to spend time with her family, especially her cherished grandchildren, and watching the sun set over the lake. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, caring mother, and proud grandmother.

Professional services were entrusted to CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

Danny Sainovich (Passed on September 23, 2024)

Danny Sainovich passed away on September 23rd, 2024 surrounded by his loved ones just shy of his 90th birthday in the home he built.

Danny graduated from Midland High School in 1952 and was a life-long resident of Ohioville, who considered himself the richest man in Ohioville. With great pride, he often shared, “I have a first-class wife of 64 years, Sandra, four good kids, nine grandkids, eight great-grandkids and two great-great-grandkids. I lived a full life, did everything I wanted to do.” Danny served in the US Army, worked at Crucible Steel for 30 years, and enjoyed years of flying five different airplanes out of the Sainovich farm. He also loved visiting with the community when they came for fresh apples, cider, peaches and pumpkins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 13 at 2 p.m. at the Fairview Grange. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

The family thanks everyone who has shown support throughout the years. Danny truly appreciated attending the Ostomy support group of Beaver County. Anyone who would like to donate in his name can do so at the Ostomy Support Group of Beaver County, https://beaverostomy.wixsite.com/beavercountyostomy.

Hopewell School Board hires a bus driver, one retires

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 25, 2024 10:25 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Lorraine Knoerdel retired from being a long time bus driver foe the Hopewell School District, and Tyler Ditoro was hired as a new bus driver. A paraprofessional who worked at the junior high school, Beverly Reed, resigned.   Michelle Shannon was hired as a new paraprofessional.

High School Principal Dr. Robert Kartychak reported that 35 juniors and seniors assisted with freshman orientation at the high school  before the start of the 2024-25 school year.
High school history teacher Chad McConville was named Educator of the Year. He was nominated by a former student, according to Principal Dr. Robert Kartychak. Three students will participate in the KD QUIZ SHOW ON KDKA TV Saturday morning at 11:30am.
Junior high school assistant principal Lou Ceccarelli announced that the musical, Beauty and the Beast, will be held in the high school auditorium on November 21 and 22, 2024.
The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 7 pm in the high school auditorium with a presentation on the school options by DRAW COLLECTIVE, and the regular meeting will also be held there on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

Matzie: Nearly $1.2 million in grants awarded to expand Beaver County, regional apprenticeships

AMBRIDGE, Sept. 23 – New apprenticeship opportunities in the skilled trades and early childhood education are coming to Beaver County and the region thanks to new grant funding of nearly $1.2 million, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver, said the funding awarded through the state Department of Labor and Industry will allow area employers to expand valuable “earn while you learn” opportunities in several different fields.

“Apprenticeships are incredibly valuable because they give workers starting on the career path the chance to earn while they’re gaining real-world experience,” Matzie said. “This new funding is going to create more of those opportunities in both the skilled trades and early childhood education.”

 Matzie said the funding includes:

  • $600,000 to the Steamfitters Local Union No. 449 JATC to expand its School-2-Career training program to accommodate 25 new apprentices who will earn certifications in HVAC-R.
  • $599,852 to The Learning Lamp to recruit and support 25-30 childcare workers through the Early Childcare Education Registered Apprenticeship, expanding the program across western Pennsylvania.

Each organization serves Beaver County and other counties in the region.

Grant will benefit Beaver County historical foundation

AMBRIDGE, Sept. 24 – A grant of $8,000 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will support the operations of Beaver County’s official historical society, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, who is a PHMC commissioner, said the funding to Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation will allow the foundation to continue its work researching and archiving local documents and artifacts, marking landmarks and hosting programs and events.

“We have all seen the markers and plaques around the county that remind us of how much history unfolded right here in our region,” Matzie said. “We can thank the foundation for many of those and for the family-friendly events they host that make our history come alive in educational and engaging ways. This new funding will help ensure they have the resources to continue that work.”

Matzie said that in addition to the funding to the foundation, the commission approved more than $450,000 in grants to museums and historical societies in Allegheny County.

Alzheimer’s Association invites Beaver and Butler County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s

ROCHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA, – The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Beaver/Butler County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Green Valley Park in Rochester. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Walk immediately following.

“This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s. There are now treatments that change the course of the disease,” said Natalie Boyanovsky, development manager, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. “We hope that everyone in our community can join us by starting a team to help the Alzheimer’s Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease today, take more steps toward treatments and finally ending this disease.”

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease.

Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Pennsylvania, there are more than 282,000 people living with the disease and over 465,000 caregivers.

To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.

PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Construction, Maintenance Services

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is accepting construction and maintenance services feedback through an online survey. The public can take the survey through October 22 by visiting 2024 PennDOT Construction/Maintenance Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Construction and maintenance work has been underway across the state this year. From January through August, 303 bridges were put out for bid to be repaired, replaced, or preserved by PennDOT or industry forces. Additionally, from January through August more than 3,100 roadway miles were improved by department or partner crews. This includes 1,114 miles of paving.

“PennDOT is working hard for Pennsylvanians every day, and work on our roads and bridges is one of our largest services in our communities,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “This survey is one way the public can help us find successes, potential improvements, or educational opportunities.”

The 24-question survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations in construction and maintenance activities. Respondents are also asked about experiences with reporting concerns to the department, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services.

Fourteen-year-old boy injured from crash in Beaver County after driver fell asleep

(Beaver County, PA) New information from Pennsylvania state police was released late Tuesday night about a crash in which a fourteen-year-old boy in the passenger’s seat was injured along with the driver who fell asleep while driving. On August 26 at around 2:15 p.m., investigators noted that a thirty-nine year old woman was driving on Route 30 in Beaver County and hit both a culvert and telephone pole after going off of the road while falling asleep behind the wheel. The two involved with the crash are suspected with injuries, a minor one for the driver and a serious one for the passenger. State police are expected to give a citation after this incident.