Author: Beaver County Radio

Recent surge of vehicle break-ins in Aliquippa is still causing concerns

(File Photo of Police Lights)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) There has been a recent surge of vehicle break-ins in Aliquippa. Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane ordered extra patrol on midnight shifts because of break-ins reported in the Sheffield Terrace and Hollywood areas of Aliquippa between 3-6 a.m. People should remove all valuables and personal items from their cars. The suspects are also getting into the vehicles by breaking the windows. If you have any video footage or information about the break-ins, contact 724-378-8000.

Over seventy Big Lots stores located in Pennsylvania and twelve other states will reopen

(File Photo of Open for Business Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Columbus, OH) Over seventy Big Lots stores located in Pennsylvania and twelve other states will reopen Thursday. In early June, a second round of Big Lots stores will also open. Ten Big Lots stores in Pennsylvania are on the list of openings for Thursday, which includes the store in New Castle on 2611 Ellwood Road. The company Ocean State Job Lot, which is based in Rhode Island, will also buy fifteen Big Lots stores located in Pennsylvania and seven other states. 

 

Nippon Steel of Japan is still trying to buy U.S. Steel by trying to make U.S. Steel a subsidiary

(File Photo: Source for Photo: A person walks past a Nippon Steel Corporation sign at the company headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Tokyo, Japan) Nippon Steel of Japan is continuing to try to purchase U.S. Steel. According to a report from Nikkei Asia, the president of Nippon Steel said that turning U.S. Steel into a wholly-owned subsidiary is the negotiation starting point. However, President Donald Trump has a different outlook, because he does not want U.S. Steel to be owned by a company that is not American. If U.S. Steel becomes a subsidiary, it would be a part of the Japanese steel company. 

 

Paul Miller’s Law, a law that prohibits handheld devices while driving, will go into effect in Pennsylvania on June 5th, 2025

(File Photo of someone texting while they are driving)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) June 5th, 2025 is when Paul Miller’s Law will be effective in Pennsylvania, which prohibits anyone from using phones or devices that are handheld while driving. Police will still pull someone over if you look at your phone on your lap or on the seat for the passenger. Calling first responders for an emergency is one of the exceptions of the law. Governor Josh Shapiro signed the law in 2024, making Pennsylvania the 29th state to put a ban on driving distracted.  

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission holding post-storm review after recent Western Pennsylvania storms caused power outages on April 29th, 2025

(File Photo of the Duquesne Light Company logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) After the Western Pennsylvania storms that caused power outages all over the area on April 29th, 2025, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is going to go through a post-storm review. Issues from the storms that involve utilities from Duquesne Light and FirstEnergy will be investigated in the review. According to Commission records, Duquesne Light has not experienced storm-related outages of this magnitude since at least 1993.

 

Robert E. Rager Municipal Water Treatment and Filtration Facility in Aliquippa just getting started for operations

(File Photo of the Center Township Water Authority Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) On Friday, the Robert E. Rager Municipal Water Treatment and Filtration Facility began operation in Aliquippa. This new facility is being described as a milestone that is major for the city of Aliquippa and its redevelopment. According to authority officials, the $18.5 million plant will satisfy any water demand. The company 72 Steel is getting ready to build a steel mill and Westinghouse is trying to find riverfront property that is vacant for a facility for microreactors.

Sixteen-year-old male juvenile shot in Aliquippa

(File Photo of Police Lights)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) A sixteen-year-old male juvenile was shot in Aliquippa on Sunday. Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver are investigating this incident in which an unidentified suspect fired rounds of shots near 148 Wilker Street. The juvenile was hit in the leg and was life-flighted to Allegheny General Hospital. His condition is currently unknown. We will have updates as soon as they are available in this developing story.

Pennsylvania senator proposes bill to prohibit flouride in drinking water in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: African american boy take a drink of cool water from one of the schools water fountains)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(York, PA) A Pennsylvania senator is proposing prohibiting fluoride in drinking water in the state. Senator Dawn Keefer wants her bill to be similar to an adopted bill in Utah. Utah was the first state to forbid fluoridation in public water. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is among those who disagree because fluoride gets credit for getting rid of decay in your teeth. The American Dental Association is also calling for both the safety and effectiveness of fluoridation.

Donald Ray Leichliter (1960-2025)

Donald Ray Leichliter, 64, of Center Township, passed away on May 8th, 2025 at Good Samaritan Hospice House. He was born in Aliquippa on May 9th, 1960, a son of the late Melvin and Phyllis Leichliter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his family members: John D. McWilliams, John D. McWilliams Jr.; Greg McWilliams, Gary Mineard and Donald Morris. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Leichliter, his daughter and son-in-law, Hannah & Rob Gould of Center Township, his siblings: Evelyn McWilliams, Sharon “Sis” Mineard, Wayne (Donna) Leichliter, David (Sheila) Leichliter and Kathy (Randy) McConnell; along with a sister-in-law, Kathleen Doolan-Morris, his Godson, Jeff Leichliter and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donald retired from Menzies Aviation as a Supervisor. He was an outdoorsman who loving hunting, fishing, and camping. He truly just loved being in nature.

All services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the branch of Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Good Samaritan Hospice House for the exceptional care they gave the whole family.

Mary Ann Szymoniak (1945-2025)

Mary Ann Szymoniak, 79, of Franklin Park, formerly of Economy Borough, passed away on May 9th, 2025, in Concordia of Franklin Park.

She was born in Pittsburgh on July 24th, 1945, a daughter of the late John and Mary Mihelic Vlasic. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Szymoniak Jr., a brother, Eugene Vlasic, and a sister, Isabel Caul. She is survived by her two daughters, Debby (Bob) Scheib and Alison (Fredrick) Nilsson, four grandchildren, Evan & Aaron Scheib and Emily & Owen Nilsson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann was an Ambridge High School Class of 1963 graduate and was on the reunion committee. She was proud of being a AGH Nursing Alumni and worked at the Medical Center of Beaver as a nurse. She enjoyed going to car cruises and the Outer Banks with her husband.

Friends will be received on Monday, May 12th from 4-8 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where prayers will be offered on Tuesday, May 13th at 10 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Interment will follow in Economy Cemetery.