Author: Beaver County Radio

A convicted felon from Glassport pleads guilty for possessing a firearm after having felony offenses

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced Wednesday that a man from Glassport pleaded guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Thirty-three-year-old Rashee Beasley possessed a loaded firearm that was stolen on October 27th, 2022 after being convicted of several felony offenses. Olshan states Beasley will be sentenced on May 14, 2025 and he could receive up to a fifteen year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, or both provided by the law. 

Matzie and two other State Representatives introduce legislation to prohibit entities from fees for printed financial statements

(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie speaking)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Representative Rob Matzie and State Representatives Arvind Venkat and Tom Mehaffie started legislation on Tuesday that prohibits entities from finding fees for customers who want a printed financial statement. The fees go up to $5 every month and a bill known as House Bill 81 states that incentives can be made for a person or entity to choose another option instead of a paper statement. Costumers need to give consent before switching to an electronic statement.

McKeesport man given eighteen year prison sentence for disobeying federal narcotics laws

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced on Wednesday that a man from McKeesport was given an eighteen-year prison sentence for disobeying laws involving federal narcotics. Olshan stated that fifty-five-year-old Frank McClellan was accused of giving out cocaine, a cocaine base, and a Schedule II controlled substance between March and September of 2021. McClellan will also have a supervised release of five years following his time in jail. 

 

Nonprofits want President Joe Biden to act on Equal Rights Amendment before he leaves the U.S. President’s Office

(File Photo: Source for photo: President Joe Biden speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) With just a few days before President Joe Biden leaves office, more than 140 nonprofits are urging him to act on the Equal Rights Amendment. Passed by Congress in 1972 and ratified by 38 states by 2020, the ERA ensures constitutional gender equality. Amy Widestrom of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania says it prohibits discrimination based on sex, empowers Congress to enforce it, and takes effect two years after ratification. Widestrom points out some argue the ERA missed its congressional deadline, but legal scholars say the Constitution doesn’t allow or require such deadlines for amendments. They point to the 27th Amendment, introduced with the Bill of Rights and ratified centuries later, as proof deadlines are not binding.

Senator Elder Vogel Jr. reappointed to several Senate committees

(File Photo of Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from Senator Elder Vogel Jr’s office, Vogel has been reappointed to five Senate committees. Vogel is now the Agriculture and Rural Affairs chair and is on the Appropriations Committee as its vice chair. Vogel will look over issues in communities that are rural in Pennsylvania and make progress for the state budget. Vogel will also be a member of the Transportation, Environmental Resources and Energy, and Banking and Insurance committees. 

WPIAL announces 2025 Hall of Fame class

(File Photo of WPIAL logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The WPIAL announced their Hall of Fame class of 2025 this week. The list includes a former Beaver County athlete and a coach. Those two are Ty Law, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played for Aliquippa and Dori Oldaker, who coached for Blackhawk in basketball. According to the WPIAL, here is the full list of the fifteen members of their 2025 Hall of Fame Class.

Athletes:

  • Charel Allen
    Monessen basketball
  • Russ Grimm
    Southmoreland football, basketball, track
  • Ty Law
    Aliquippa football
  • Spencer Lee
    Franklin Regional wrestling
  • Ron Semkiw
    Baldwin track
  • Brooke Stewart
    East Allegheny basketball
  • Rodney Wilson
    West Greene football, track, wrestling

Coaches

  • Dori Oldaker
    Blackhawk and Mt. Lebanon basketball
  • Rich Saccani
    Upper St. Clair tennis

Courage

  • Aiden Hanna
    Hampton baseball and golf

Contributor

  • Terry Kushner

Official

  • Rick Locaitis
    football, basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, volleyball

Heritage

  • Trilby Busch
    Munhall rifle

Teams

  • 1984 Seton LaSalle girls’ basketball
  • 2012 North Allegheny football

AAA suggests tips to prepare your home for cold winter weather in Western Pennsylvania

(File Photo of AAA East Central logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) AAA is reminding Pennsylvanians to get your home ready for the cold temperatures coming up in Western Pennsylvania. According to a release from AAA, meeting with an insurance agent to review policies is crucial for liability purposes, even though most damages during winter are covered by insurance for homes.

According to AAA, here are some tips to protect and prepare your house from cold weather:

  • Remove hoses from exterior faucets.
  • Repair or replace weather stripping around windows and doors, vents and fans, plumbing, air conditioners and electrical and gas lines.
  • Use caulk or insulation to seal all cracks, holes and other openings on exterior walls.
  • Let faucets drip a little bit to prevent freezing pipes.
  • Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will help protect pipes. Close foundation vents and windows to basements. Wrap vulnerable pipes with pipe insulation.
  • Know where water shutoff valves are located so water can be turned off in case of an emergency.
  • Air inside the walls, where pipes are, can be much colder than air in the room, so set the thermostat at a reasonable temperature, even if no one is home.
  • Keep bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors open to let warm air circulate around the pipes.
  • Close wood burning fireplace flue dampers when not in use. Follow all manufacturer instructions for gas fireplaces including those with pilot lights, which may require the flue to be always partially open.
  • Trim threatening trees.
  • Shut off water and drain pipes.
  • Clean gutters.

Snow Watch: Cancellations and Delays 1/16/2025

Snow Watch logo

The following school districts and businesses have either delayed or canceled for today: 01/16/25 (We will continue to update the list throughout the morning)

Ellwood City Area School District: Closed Thursday with a Flexible Instruction Day

Head Start Riverside: Closed Thursday

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School: Closed Thursday with a Flexible Instruction Day

North Catholic High School: Closed Thursday with a Flexible Instruction Day

Riverside Beaver School District in Ellwood City: Closed Thursday with a Flexible Instruction Day

Seneca Valley School District: 2 hour delay Thursday morning with a Modified Kindergarten

St. Killian Parish School in Cranberry: 2 hour delay Thursday morning

St. Stephen’s Lutheran Academy in Zelienople: 2 hour delay Thursday morning

Sto-Rox School District: 2 hour delay Thursday morning

Snow watch is sponsored by Munroe Auto Body, the Lisa Lathom Team at EXP Realty, the Cornerstone of Beaver County, and Beaver County Radio. 

Mary Angela Castelli (1930-2025)

Mary Angela Castelli, 94, of Hamilton, New Jersey, formerly of Midland, passed away on January 13, 2025 surrounded by her loving daughters.
She was born in Midland on July 6th, 1930, the daughter of the late Bianca and Joseph Pichelli. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, (Herk), and her 2 brothers, Louie and Ovidio, (Vejo).Mary is survived by her dearest and loving sister and brother-in-Law, Lucy and Raymond Presutti whose love, support and assistance were always there through the years and appreciated far beyond words could express. She is also survived by her children and their spouses, Teresa and Daun Wells of Hamilton, New Jersey, Gina and John Zapicchi of Trenton, New Jersey, and Terrance and Denise Castelli of Indianapolis, Indiana, along with her grandchildren, Justin (Angela), Kristin (Devin), Jessica and Daniella, her five great-grandchildren: Roman, Leo, Trevin, Kaia and Silas; her dearest Neighbors from the “Hill,” Frances (Camaioni) and Goldie (Felekey) and all her dearest friends and her numerous special nieces and nephews.

Mary had been a faithful member of both Saint Blaise Church of Midland, part of St. Augustine Parish and the St. Anthony Club. Although Mary moved to be with her daughters Teresa and Gina in 2007, she never lost her love for her beloved home of Midland.

A thank you goes out to everyone at the Juniper Village of Hamilton, New Jersey and Serenity Hospice Care who provided exceptional care and attention to her during her time with them.
Friends will be received on Sunday, January 19th, from 3-6 P.M. in the Schwerha- Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Ave, Midland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 20th at 10:30 A.M. at St. Blaise Church, 772 Ohio Avenue, Midland. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to St. Blaise Church, St. Augustine Parish or The St. Anthony Club of Midland.

Roberta Jean “Jitters” Blackwood (1941-2025)

Roberta Jean “Jitters” Blackwood, 83, of Chippewa Township, passed away on January 12th, 2025 at Franciscan Manor. She was born in Beaver Falls on April 8th, 1941, a daughter of the late Robert and Dorothy (Koehler) Scranton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved brothers, Michael Scranton and Patrick Scranton, who remained forever in her heart. She is survived by her sons, Richard Blackwood and Michael (Shelley) Blackwood, grandchildren: Zinnia Blackwood, Dahlia Blackwood, Brett (Heather) Blackwood, and Abigail (Derek) Kenniston; and great-grandchildren: Gianrocco Santucci, Giovanna Santucci, Olive Blackwood, Karter Kenniston, and Layton Kenniston; her brother, Robert (Gaye) Scranton, sisters, Lila (Wayne) Bober and Robin (Tim) McGraw, sisters-in-law, Sandra Scranton and Cheryl Scranton, her dear and lifelong friend Kathy Topper and the father of her sons, W. Richard Blackwood.

Roberta lived a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion to her family.
Affectionately known as “Jitters” for her boundless energy and vibrant personality, Roberta was celebrated for her quick wit and clever comebacks, bringing laughter to every situation. Her humor was matched only by her kindness and resilience, making her an unforgettable presence in the lives of those who knew her. A woman of deep faith, she was a devoted member of the Chippewa United Presbyterian Church and took comfort in the promise of being reunited with her loved ones and her Heavenly Father.
Roberta graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1959 and later attended the Community College of Beaver County, where she studied accounting and bookkeeping and was employed in that regard with various companies in the area.
She had a flair for decorating and a keen eye for antiques, hobbies that brought her great joy. She also enjoyed vacationing in Florida and in recent years, wintering in Las Vegas alongside her late companion, David Reda.
Roberta’s family will remember her for her unwavering tenacity, infectious laughter, and the joy she brought to their lives. In honor of her wishes, no formal services will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place at a future date.
The Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to assist Roberta’s family during this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness in Roberta’s memory, celebrating the compassion and warmth she shared with everyone she met.