John P. Shaban (1947-2026)

John P. Shaban, 78, of Beaver, passed away on February 18th, 2026.

He was born in Rochester on October 10th, 1947, a son of the late John and Anne Shaban. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Huchko, his brother-in-law, Ronald Huchko, his aunts, Frances Zanath and Mary Werling and his uncle, John Bandula. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Frances (Carvelli), his sister, Linda (Ed) Ondovcik, his brother, Dr. Stephen Shaban, his nieces and nephews: Jeff (Mary) Huchko, Debbie (Dave) Folmar, Greg (Lori) Huchko, Mike (Allison) Ondovcik, Teresa (Paul) Sirianni, Rachel (Mike) Herisko, Ryan (Lindsey) Shaban, Matt (Bella) Shaban, Christina Shaban; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Beaver. He was also a retired electrician and a proud veteran of the U.S. Army.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, February 25th, from 2-6 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 26th, at 10:30 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 200 3rd Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Johns’ family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of John’s caregivers, but especially Jenny, Diane, Serena, Heather, Jessica and all his therapists.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John P. Shaban, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Raymond L. (Deacon) Valli (1927-2026)

Raymond L. (Deacon) Valli, 98, of Chippewa Township and a lifetime resident of Beaver Falls, passed away on February 15th, 2026. He was born in Beaver Falls on November 30th, 1927, a son of the late Charles and Kate Valli. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters: Victoria Jevnick, Rachel Ruffalo, and Mary Wilkins, along with their husbands, a brother, Elmer (Peachy) Valli, a brother-in-law and his wife, Bill and Margaret Lash, a sister-in-law, Margorie Lash Smith, and a beloved grandson, Stephen T. Abbott, of Washington Township, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Nellie Lash Valli, four sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren, and a step-grandson. His sons are Raymond C. Valli and his spouse, Chris, of San Diego, California, Robert (Bo) Valli, and daughters, Gray and Katherine Valli, of Sewickley, William (Bill) Valli, and his wife, Dawnlyn, of Darlington, as well as their children, Raena Valli Canter and her husband, Drew Canter, and Judd Haney, of Darlington, Thomas (Thom) Valli and his wife, Susana and their children Vanesa and Michael Valli, of Chippewa Township, Lisa Valli Abbott and her husband Steve, and their children, Dr. Aimee Abbott-Korumi and her husband, Enea Korumi, and grandson Matthew Abbott, of Washington Township, New Jersey. he is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Thelma Quest of Beaver Falls and Chong Lash, of Sacramento, California, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Raymond was employed by the B&W in both Beaver Falls and Koppel, and retired as a strand operator in July of 1987, after thirty-four years of service. He was a devoted husband and father and was a proud man with a vintage Italian work ethic. He was an intense sports enthusiast and an avid bass fisherman. He will be remembered by some for playing both softball and basketball on local city teams as a young man. He followed Geneva College Basketball and was a loyal follower of Blackhawk High School sports, attending football games as well as boys and girls basketball games during his mobile years. After his retirement, he renewed his interest in fishing and boating, taking numerous trips with his sons and grandchildren to fish on Erie Bay. He was a Veteran of the Armed Forces and he was discharged from the military in 1948. He was a former member of the Steelworkers Union Local 1082 and for many years, he was an active member of the Beaver County YMCA. He was Catholic by faith, he was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Chippewa Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 24th, at 10 a.m. at Saint Monica Catholic Church, 116 Thorndale Drive, Beaver Falls. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Beaver Falls.  All arrangements are entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street Rochester, PA 15074. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Raymond’s name, to The Salvation Army, 414 16th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Harry L. Omecinski (1938-2026)

Harry L. Omecinski, 88, a resident of Baden and a former resident of Fair Oaks, passed away on February 18, 2026.

He was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania on February 10th, 1938, a son of the late William and Irene (Zebrowsky) Omecinski. Harry was the youngest of nine children. His brother, Floyd Omecinski (Rose Marie), is the last surviving sibling. Harry and his wife, Zora Drzanich, married in 1962 and they had three devoted children: Kathy (Don) Ervine, Kris Shelton, and Ken (Elizabeth) Omecinski. In addition to his children and his wife, he is proudly survived by his seven grandchildren: Hope (Eddie) Donohue, Eric (Caitlin) Ervine, Meghan Ervine, Amber (Steven) Cook, Adrian (Isaac Sanders) Shelton, Conor (Julia) Omecinski, and Jenna (Jose Pagan) Omecinski; as well as his great-grandchildren: Evelyn and Olivia Ervine, Aurora and Adam Cook, and a Donohue on the way; along with countless nieces and nephews throughout New Kensington, Florida, Texas, and West Virginia.

Harry attended New Kensington High School and joined the U.S. Army in 1959. Upon his return to New Kensington in 1961, he met the love of his life, Zora Drzanich, while she was sitting on her uncle’s porch. Harry retired from Port Authority Transit (PAT, now PRT) as a bus mechanic and from the Quaker Valley School District as a bus driver. It was as a school bus driver that he earned the nickname “Red Light.” He was a member of the US Army, Polish Falcons, Ambridge Sportsman’s Club, Fair Oaks Community Bowling League, Good Samaritan Parish in Ambridge, and the Amalgamated Transit Union. He will be remembered for his blue eyes (and the eye flutter), a traveling candy jar, his prowess for finding tools, money, and anything shiny on the side of the road, his love of fishing, telling appropriate (and inappropriate) jokes, playing dominos, his Pittsburgh Steelers and his Polish Pride. He never knew a stranger and always had a story to tell. He loved with patience and dedication and enjoyed a long life with his family.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, February 21st from 12 noon until the time of a blessing service at 3 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements. Full military honors will be conducted at the conclusion of the blessing service by the Beaver County Special Unit.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Life Beaver County, 131 Pleasant Drive, Aliquippa, PA 15001. He enjoyed his weekly visit there and they took good care of him.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harry Omecinski, please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

State Board of Higher Education Adopts Historic Strategic Plan to Transform Postsecondary Education in the Commonwealth

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg yesterday from the Pennsylvania State Board of Higher Education (SBHE), they voted unanimously yesterday in the state to adopt a strategic plan for higher education, which is Pennsylvania’s first in over two decades that is designed to support and align the higher education sector, increase affordability and degree attainment, and strengthen the economic well-being of Pennsylvania communities.

PUC Seeks to Update Pennsylvania’s Railroad Safety Regulations Three Years Since the East Palestine Train Derailment

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg yesterday from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), they took a step in the state yesterday to advance a rulemaking that begins the process of enhancing railroad safety in Pennsylvania. The PUC voted 5-0 to adopt a motion by Commissioner Kahryn L. Zerfuss which would enhance the Commission’s rail safety requirements, the first such update to these regulations since 2013.  The motion acknowledges that as the third anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment is marked, communities in Pennsylvania continue to face risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials through population centers, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding federal rail safety reforms. 

PUC Advances Proposed Rulemaking to Codify Key Consumer Protections and Strengthen Stability for Utilities and Households

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg yesterday from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), they voted 4-1 yesterday in the state to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which would formally incorporate key consumer protections into the PUC’s regulationsadvancing an effort to provide long-term clarity, consistency, and stability for both utility customers and the utilities that serve them. 

Beaver County officials closely monitoring water levels of the Connoquenessing Creek as ice jams cause flood risk

(File Photo of Water)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Emergency officials in Beaver County were closely monitoring water levels at the Connoquenessing Creek yesterday. Ice that was melting led to ice jams up and down the creek and water levels that were rapidly changing. The ice jams can also cause flood risk. Water levels at the creek near Franklin Township measured under 5 feet around 10:15 a.m. It rose about 2.5 feet in just fifteen minutes. Water levels were back to where they started by yesterday evening. According to county emergency officials, they will continue to monitor the water level in the creek. 

Allegheny County launches a program to bolster main streets and business districts

(File Photo: 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)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Allegheny County, PA) Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and many officials were on hand to recently announce that $4 million was available through the Main Streets Allegheny program. This means that communities with business districts and main streets there are now eligible for money to help develop and strengthen them. The money can be used for everything from grants, loans and district-level investments technical assistance for businesses. Grant amounts are varied, and the money can also be used for events that are community-based and concerts that are tied to local businesses. The funds can also be used for district identity and placement initiatives, street scape improvement, murals, lighting and signage.  

Man apprehended and facing charges after a reported burglary at Pittsburgh business

(File Photo of Handcuffs)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A man is facing several charges after a reported burglary at a Pittsburgh business yesterday. According to a Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson, police were called to the 2200 block of Arlington Avenue around 4:30 a.m. for a reported burglary in progress. Officers arrived and discovered a man running away from the business. They chased him for a short distance before taking him into custody. The spokesperson from Pittsburgh Public Safety stated that the suspect, Jason Foster, was taken to the Allegheny County Jail. Online court records confirm that Foster is charged with felony criminal attempted burglary, possessing instruments of crime and loitering/prowling at night.

Father facing charges after two children found left alone in a Pittsburgh home test positive for cocaine

(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A father is now facing charges after police say both of his kids tested positive for cocaine. Jason Mallery was charged with two counts of endangering welfare on Wednesday. According to a criminal complaint, a CYF worker found the children, aged 10 and five, were found home alone on Mayville Avenue in Brookline on February 12th at 5 p.m. during a welfare check. Police state that the children underwent a physical at UPMC Children’s Hospital, per standard operations, and both tested positive for cocaine. Pittsburgh Police confirm that they got a search warrant and served it at the home. They reported finding numerous narcotics and a stamp bag inside Mallery’s pants pocket because he was home during the search. Police also note that Mallery allegedly told police the children had been staying in the house for about three months and admitted to using medetomidine, fentanyl and crack recently.