Author: Beaver County Radio

Pittsburgh man apprehended for allegedly assaulting and strangling a woman from Pittsburgh in Plain Grove Township of Lawrence County

(File Photo of the Logo of the New Castle Police in Pennsylvania)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle report that forty-three-year-old Robert Lis of Pittsburgh got apprehended on August 11th, 2025 for allegedly assaulting and strangling a woman from Pittsburgh in Plain Grove Township of Lawrence County that day. The Pennsylvania State Police got dispatched because of an assault report. Lis allegedly assaulted an unidentified sixty-six-year-old woman from Pittsburgh on I-79 South and when police arrived, they observed injuries to the woman. Lis was taken into custody based on the statements of the woman that was allegedly assaulted by Lis. Lis will face charges that will be filed against him in the future. 

Free event for residents of Riverside School District to recycle electronics will be held at the Riverside School District

(File Photo of the Riverside Beaver County School District Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Ellwood City, PA) There will be a free event for residents of the Riverside School District to recycle electronics tomorrow from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Riverside School District at 318 Country Club Drive in Ellwood City. There are no appointments for this event, and it is also a drive-up event. Accepted items include copiers, computers, fax machines, keyboards, laptops and mice. Accepted items also include gaming consoles, gaming systems, printers, radios, scanners, speakers, telephone equipment and all sizes and styles of televisions.

Six people reported injured because of vehicle drifting into a crowd at a festival in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur) Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Six people were reported to be injured after a vehicle went into a crowd at a festival in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh yesterday evening. This occurred just before 6:30 p.m. that day on Broad Street at Centre Avenue. Witnesses claimed to first responders that the slow-moving vehicle had no present driver when that vehicle drifted into a crowd that showed up for the East Liberty Black Arts Soul Steppin’ Boots on the Ground Wellness Festival Harambee Style and Parade. According to a media release from Pittsburgh police, the male owner of the vehicle told police he thought he had placed the vehicle in park before exiting. That man also cooperated with police. Five women and one man were reported to be injured in the incident and five of the six got transported to hospitals in the area. Two of them were in stable condition, while three others were previously listed in serious, but stable condition. The sixth person did not want to be transported to a hospital after that person was evaluated at the scene. According to police, this incident is believed to be purely accidental.

Ninety-one-year-old woman dies after she allegedly got rolled over by her own car near a Cranberry Township post office

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) According to police, a ninety-one-year-old woman died on Friday in Cranberry Township after her own vehicle apparently rolled over her that day. This woman died at a local hospital after she was taken to one later that day. Cranberry Township Police Lt. Chuck Mascellino confirmed that crews got called to the parking lot of the Post Office on Executive Drive at around 10 a.m. that day because of an incident. Mascellino also noted that police believe that before this ninety-one-year-old woman got out of her car, she did not put it into park and the car may have rolled over her.  Mascellino also said that police believe this woman who passed away was hit by her car, but a medical incident could have also occurred. The cause of the death of this woman is under investigation and she has not been identified at this time.

Eighteen-year-old New Castle resident charged after rear-ending another vehicle in Slippery Rock Township of Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle report that eighteen-year-old Jonah LaPietra of New Castle was charged after causing a two-vehicle crash in Slippery Rock Township of Lawrence County on Friday. LaPietra was driving on U.S. State Highway 422 and rear-ended the vehicle of fifty-six-year-old Robert Druschel of New Castle when Druschel slowed down his vehicle because of traffic on that road. There were no injuries to both drivers and both were wearing their seatbelts when the crash occurred. LaPietra was charged for following a vehicle too close with his vehicle. The Slippery Rock Township Fire Department assisted on the scene. The vehicle of LaPietra had damage that was severe and could not be driven from the scene of the crash and the vehicle of Druschel had damage that was minor and could be driven from the scene. Castle Towing was the company which towed the vehicle of LaPietra from the scene.

Woman from Sharon, Pennsylvania gets apprehended for driving under the influence of alcohol in Shenango Township of Lawrence County

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle report that fifty-five-year-old Jennifer Roth of Sharon, Pennsylvania was apprehended on Saturday for driving under the influence of alcohol in Shenango Township of Lawrence County that day. Roth was driving on U.S. Highway 422 and police noticed that Roth was going the opposite way on a highway that was for limited access. A traffic stop was initiated by police when they found Roth and it got determined that she was under the influence of alcohol. Roth was arrested and taken into custody and charges will be filed against her. 

Patricia Susa-Cottage (1950-2025)

Patricia Susa-Cottage, 75, passed away peacefully on August 16th, 2025, in St. Barnabas, Beaver Meadows of Beaver surrounded by her loving family. She was born in New Brighton on April 27th, 1950, the daughter of the late George and Ann Katherine Novosel Susa. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Cottage. She is survived by her brother, Thomas (Marilyn) Susa of Beaver Falls, a very special nephew, Matthew (Amanda) Susa of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, and their twin daughters Emersyn and Raelynn, along with numerous cousins and several dear friends from South Lyon, Michigan.

Patricia taught Spanish and French for 7 years upon graduating college. She then entered the business environment upon receiving her master’s degree in wage and salary administration. She worked at the LTV Steel Corp in Aliquippa and Canton, Ohio in human resource development. She held similar positions at Michigan Consolidated Gas and the Governor’s office in the State of Michigan. She enjoyed volunteering at her Parish Church St. Joes in South Lyon, Michigan and the local library. She loved to travel and visited many countries throughout her early retirement years. Her true passion was St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, a passion that both Patricia and her late husband shared.

Friends will be received on Thursday, August 21st from 3-7 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements and where prayers will be offered on Friday, August 22nd at 10 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in St. James Catholic Church, 200 Walnut Street, Sewickley, with Father Brian Noel officiating.

Interment will follow in St. James Catholic Cemetery, 470 Water Works Road, Sewickley.

The family would like to thank the staff at Beaver Meadows, for their loving and compassionate care given to Pat during her stay. A special thank you also goes out to her friends and neighbors in South Lyon, Michigan for all their care and support.  In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Patricia’s name to the St. Jude Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Anthony “Tony” Zaccagnini (1958-2025)

Anthony “Tony” Zaccagnini, 67, of Ambridge, passed away on August 15th, 2025. He was born on June 18th, 1958, a beloved son of the late Frank and Phyllis (Brunone) Zaccagnini. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Norma (Russo) Zaccagnini; his children, Anthony Zaccagnini and Angela Zaccagnini (fiancé, Evan Fullerton), his brother, Frank Zaccagnini and his cherished grandchildren: Santino and Stella Zaccagnini, Jack Fullerton, and Shauna Smith.

Anthony was a 1976 graduate of Ambridge Area High School who dedicated most of his life to owning and operating A.Z. Nursery, where he was well known and respected as a landscaper. He had a deep love for Italian music, wine, and spending time with family and his many friends (“the coom’s”). He especially enjoyed Halloween, and those who knew him fondly looked forward to his annual celebrations and elaborate decorations.

He faced early onset dementia at a young age. Through the unwavering love and care of his wife, Norma, along with the support of family, friends, Life Beaver, Dr. Michael Karp and Good Samaritan Hospice, he was able to enjoy many birthdays, holidays, and special moments with his grandchildren from the comfort of home.

Friends were received on Sunday, August 17th from 1–4 p.m. and 5–7 p.m. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where blessing service will be held on Monday, August 18th, at 11 a.m. followed by interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa.

Allegheny Health Network Schools of Nursing Announce Historic Enrollment for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from Allegheny Health Network, the AHN Schools of Nursing, encompassing the West Penn School of Nursing (WPSON) in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood and the Citizens School of Nursing (CSON) in Tarentum, have experienced record-breaking enrollment numbers for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. Today, those schools will have 355 students that are welcomed back to their classes that are full-time, which is the biggest combined class in their history. The Citizens School of Nursing will have another 50 students that are part-time anticipated there in 2026. Across both campuses, the total enrollment is projected to reach 405 students, which is up 44% from the total enrollment in 2023. According to that same release from Allegheny Health Network, here are the current enrollment figures, broken down by campus and program, as follows:

  • West Penn School of Nursing (Full-Time): 164 students (92 first-year, 72 second-year)
  • Citizens School of Nursing (Full-Time): 126 students (70 first-year, 56 second-year)
  • Citizens School of Nursing (Part-Time): 65 students (45 first-year, 20 second-year). An additional 50 part-time students are expected to enroll in January 2026.

Lanny “Uncle Lanny” Fanell (1946-2025)

Lanny “Uncle Lanny” Fennell, 79, of Ambridge, passed away on August 15th, 2025 in the VA Medical Center of Butler, surrounded his loving family and friends.
He was born in Sewickley on July 23rd, 1946, a son of the late Blair and Genevieve Fennell. He is survived by three brothers, Jim (Georgia) Fennell, Larry (Barbara) Fennell of Georgia, Ronnie (Cathy) Fennell of Rochester, two sisters Linda (Florida), and Diana (Don) of Fair Oaks, and many nieces and nephews and good friends.
Lanny was one of 13 children and was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. He proudly served his country as a Sergeant (ES) with the US Marines and fought in the Battle of at Khe Sahn, north of the DMZ. He received the Presidential Unit Citation and many other metals for his services. He was a proud Marine Semper Fi. He loved his family and friends. He spent time at his camp in Tionesta after his (40) retirement as a diesel mechanic.
Friends will be received on Monday, August 18th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements and where the family will share memories of Lanny of Tuesday, August 19th at 10 A.M.
Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester with full military honors.