Author: Beaver County Radio

Charles F. Capper (1935-2024)

Charles Figley Capper, 89, of Beaver, dearly known as “Brub”, passed away in his sleep on August 15, 2024. He was born to Charles and Margaret Capper in April of 1935. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sally Buffington. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karen, his five children, Pamela Capper, Chad (Wendy) Capper, Susan Capper, Debbie (Greg) Koepke, Gretchen (Peter) Lang, twelve grandchildren, Nicholas Marks, Chandler Lupo, Allison Capper Falconer (Wiley), Charles Capper (Ava), Spencer Lupo, Andrew Capper, Sally DeVera, Colin DeVera, Jack Lupo, Charlie Lupo, William Koepke, Montgomery Lang, and three great-grandchildren, William, Luke and Matilda Falconer. After graduating from Choate boarding school in Wallingford, Connecticut, he went on to attend Middlebury and Babson Colleges before becoming the President of Damascus Steel Casting Company in New Brighton. Charles was a leader in the community and served on multiple boards, including the United Way of New Brighton, CASA, YMCA of New Brighton, and the Standard Horsenail Company. He was a longtime member of Park Presbyterian church in Beaver, where he also served as a Deacon and Elder. A passionate fan, Charles was a season ticket holder of the Steelers since 1960 and a member of Beaver Valley and Seven Oaks Country Clubs where he loved spending time with his father and friends on the golf course and the 19th hole.
Charles lived his life and faced his mortality on his own terms: steadfast, determined and humble. He was a gentle soul, always a gentleman, a man of few words – but thoughtful with them, and made those around him feel his kind aura. Charles enjoyed fine dining, was a jazz connoisseur and avid drummer – sometimes finagling to join a jazz trio just for a set. Charles spent his final days surrounded by the love of his wife and daughters, Debbie and Gretchen, eating his beloved oysters, listening to his favorite jazz standards while sitting in the sunshine on his last day, even belting out Frank’s famous lyrics “it’s the good life to be free and explore the unknown” and “I did it my way”.
Charles was a most loving father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, August 23 at Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 3rd Street, Beaver. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 24 at 11a.m. at Park Presbyterian Church, 275 Commerce Street, Beaver. Private family internment will follow the funeral service. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Merrick Art Gallery, 1100 5th Avenue, New Brighton, or Park Presbyterian Church, 275 Commerce Street, Beaver.

Escape in a Jeep in Aliquippa gets two men arrested

An escape in a Jeep has two men behind bars in Aliquippa. On Saturday, police were called for shots being fired, however, a noise similar to shattering glass caught the attention of a bystander before noticing a white Jeep on the 1200 block of McMinn Street. After officers closed in on the Jeep, the passenger inside, identified as Javihier Lowe, ran away from them. Police then said they suspiciously discovered findings like money, drug pills, and a loaded weapon. Lowe was arrested, along with Javon Lewis, who was driving the Jeep. Possession of drug paraphernalia, multiple accounts of controlled substances, and running after being caught are Lowe’s charges, and Lewis faces a charge of with owning a firearm without a license.

Pittsburgh International Airport TSA intercepts another gun in baggage

Safety and security always remain a concern at airports, but security at Pittsburgh International Airport found another weapon in someone’s luggage through their Transportation Security Administration checkpoint on Sunday. An Indiana County man was caught with a loaded .38 caliber firearm and a total of twelve bullets, six exposed and six in the gun’s magazine. Security had to stop their X-ray machine until the gun was taken away from the luggage. Airport passengers could be fined up to $15,000 for going through TSA security with a weapon in their baggage.

Electric charging station is added in Monaca thanks to huge funding boost

As the age of electricity in cars has expanded, Beaver County will have another high-tech way to fuel their vehicles in Monaca, thanks to funding. According to PennDOT, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure gave $7 million to develop a new charging station for electric vehicles, specifically at the GetGo near Exit 39 in Center Township. The new station is the sixth one that is available currently in Beaver County, and the project is part of a five-year span for PennDOT to earn $171.5 million to advance the framework for electric vehicles in the future.

Kennywood hosts a 21-and-over night for the first time ever

Kennywood, the beloved amusement park, may not be a bar, but they are inviting parkgoers to a 21 and over night for one night only. Kennywood will provide a closer look at their scary Phantom Fall Fest experiences and admission to popular rides including the Jack Rabbit on August 30, along with being invited to a Halloween party with both a DJ and alcoholic beverages, but only if they show their identification and possess a provided wristband before the park closes at 10 p.m. However, if someone can stay up past midnight, there will still be plans for late-night fun as well.

GetGo sold to Canadian conglomerate of other stores and gas stations

Two prominent grocery companies in Pennsylvania and beyond are splitting after Giant Eagle has sold GetGo to a Canadian business. GetGo is now part of Couche-Tard, which has an operation of convenience stores and gas stations. One of the reasons GetGo is being sold is the goal to place emphasis on the MyPerks program and to plan for its expansion. Approval is needed from the Federal Trade Commission and the sale will be in its closing stages in 2025.

I-79 Traffic Shift Extended in Robinson Township

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​Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing a traffic shift on southbound Interstate 79 in Robinson Township, Allegheny County has been extended.

The southbound I-79 lanes over Campbells Run Road, just south of I-376 West/Airport/Beaver (Exit 59B) exit, will remain shifted to the right into two 11-foot-wide lanes and a one-foot shoulder.  The traffic pattern will remain in place continuously through Tuesday, August 27. The shift has been implemented to accommodate bridge deck overlay work.

All interchange ramp access will be maintained.

Work on this $14.97 million highway restoration project in Robinson and Kennedy townships began in early April 2024. The project begins at the I-376 Airport/Pittsburgh (Exit 59 A/B) interchange and continues approximately one-half mile north of the Route 60 Moon Run/Crafton (Exit 60 A/B) interchange. The work includes concrete pavement patching, guide rail and cable barrier replacement, highway lighting and signing updates, drainage work, pavement markings and other miscellaneous construction activities on mainline I-79 and ten ramps (four at the I-376 interchange and six ramps at the Route 60 interchange). There will be bridge preservation work on six structures (northbound and southbound I-79 bridges over I-376, Route 60, and Campbells Run Road), including concrete deck overlays, replacement of seals at expansion dams and deck joints, substructure concrete repairs, cleaning of bridge bearings and spot painting of the northbound and southbound I-79 steel I-beam bridges over I-376. The majority of the roadway work along mainline I-79 will be performed under short-term, single-lane closures during nighttime restrictions. There will be long-term lane restrictions in place for the bridge work, including six weekend-long lane restrictions. Additionally, there will be milling and paving operations on Route 60 between Lorish Road and Old Steubenville Pike, preservation work of six existing sign structures (one on northbound I-79 and five on southbound I-79) as well as concrete repairs and scour protection of two arch culverts underneath mainline I-79 and several ramps.  The project is anticipated to conclude in the late spring of 2025.

The prime contractor is Golden Triangle Construction Company, Inc. Work on this project will be coordinated with other projects in the area.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Follow PennDOT on X and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Cheryl R. Orlo (1964-2024)

Cheryl R. Orlo, 60, of Brighton Township, passed away on August 15, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on June 6, 1964 in New Brighton, a daughter of the Rebecca Craft Pegg and the late Charles Pegg. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by brother-in-law David Adler and sister-in-law Diane Szymanek.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, of 35 years, Ed C. Orlo; sons, Lee Orlo and Nick Orlo both of Brighton Township; brother-in-law, Joe (Dottie) Orlo of Ellwood City; sister-in-law Theresa Adler of Chippewa and brother-in-law Jim Szymanek.

Cheryl was a 1982 graduate from New Brighton High School and a 1984 graduate of Slippery Rock. She had been a resident of Brighton Township for the past 23 years. Cheryl formerly worked as a medical lab tech at Shadyside Hospital and formerly owned Orlo’s Greenhouse. She also enjoyed gardening.

Friends will be received Tuesday, August 20, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc, 333 Third Street Beaver. Services and interment will be private. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

 

Nelia (Drilon) Rushman (1964-2024)

Nelia Rushman (Drilon), 59, of Ambridge, passed away on August 15th, 2024. She was born on October 31, 1964, the daughter of Lea and Narcisco Drilon of the Philippines. Nelia is survived by her beloved children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless friends who cherished her as family. Nelia’s journey from her native Philippines to Ambridge marked the beginning of a life dedicated to caring for others. As a devoted mother and grandmother, she watched with joy as her family grew and flourished. In her adopted community, Nelia became a pillar, known for her entrepreneurial spirit, her role as a certified Zumba instructor, and her passion for karaoke. Her home was always open, offering warmth, hospitality, and a place at the table for anyone in need. Friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday, August 21, at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, from 12-2 P.M. and 4-6 P.M. Nelia’s legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

David J. Piole (1950-2024)

David J. Piole, 73, of Robinson Township, passed away on August 13, 2024 in Allegheny General Hospital.  He was born in Pittsburgh on August 28, 1950, the son of the late Joseph C. & Bertha Marie (Giger) Piole. He is survived by his wife, Gail (Youngworth) Piole, three brothers, Michael Piole (Pam) of South Park, Dan Piole of Millvale, Joe Piole, Pittsburgh, and his dog, Brody.

David was a 1968 graduate of North Hills High School. He then earned his Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Marketing, 1972. His career consisted of sales with Heavy Equipment for various companies including Machinery Rental, Metaris, D-A Lubricants, & Woodings Industrial Company.

Friends will be received on Monday August 19th from 12 P.M. until time of Memorial Service at 5 P.M. in The Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Township, 1522 Coraopolis Heights Road. Private interment will take place at a later date.