Author: Beaver County Radio

Atty. Peter P. Simoni (1930-2025)

Atty. Peter P. Simoni, 94, of Aliquippa, passed away on September 21st, 2025, at Heritage Valley Sewickley. He was born on November 27th, 1930, the youngest child of the late Luigi and Valterina (Refice) Simoni. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Albert (Bea) Simoni, Maria Simoni, Tillie (Slim) Morelli, Relly Simoni, Anthony (Sarah) Simoni, Ann Simoni, Joseph (Liz) Simoni and Mario Simoni.
Precocious and bright, Peter would often tag along with his older brothers to the library, reading as many books as he could. In addition to crediting the support of his family, Pete attributed his early success to his Principal Elizabeth Skeehan and later to teacher Caroline Theil. One of “The ’49’er’s”, he excelled both in and out of the classroom, graduating second in his high school class. He also played on the football team and was Sports Editor of the Quip Script. In years to follow he was often the Master of Ceremonies at many of the 1949 reunions. Peter was a 1953 honors graduate of Duquesne University who was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served his country in the United States Army. Stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, he coached the base football team to attain championship status. Returning to Aliquippa, Pete obtained his Juris Doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh in 1958. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1959 and  was elected to or asked to take part in many Pennsylvania Legislative and Democratic committees. He was proud to be a lifelong Democrat. In private practice, he would serve the community as Solicitor of the Aliquippa School Board, and as an Assistant District Attorney of Beaver County. He kept his Practice of Law for fifty years. His Italian heritage was center to his family life. He and his secretary, his sister, Ann, served many Italian families with legal matters in both Italy and the US. Honoring his roots and his Patrican parents, from his First Holy Communion to this year, Pete participated in eighty-three San Rocco Celebrations and processions. Along with other family members, he was a San Rocco statue carrier and later served as Parade Marshall. Growing up on Plan 7, all the Simoni children worked in the family store, “The League of Nations,” as he called it. Plan 7 instilled in him a great sense of community. Throughout the years, he belonged to many local clubs and community organizations and had the innate ability to bring people together. Peter always helped others, whether it was writing a school recommendation, finding someone a job, or providing legal assistance, he was always there. When neighbors threatened to put a stop to the San Rocco fireworks, Pete, then School Solicitor arranged for the fireworks to be set off from the football field. He was a devoted Aliquippa fan and lifelong sports enthusiast who announced High School games for WMBA. He was dear to the kids in the community as “Playground Pete”. He would play 5 on 5 with high school and college hoopsters with players from surrounding towns coming to Laughlin School for a game. He was not only a sports enthusiast because he loved history, good movies, Opera and the Broadway stage. His many trips to New York were among his fondest memories. From “Turandot” to “Barefoot in the Park”, he knew the actors, the performance and the theatre staging each production. His collection of movies is endless. Throughout the years, he remained engaged in current events and politics, relishing news from friends and associates, especially from longtime friend, Sharon Danovich Lupone and her husband, John. He remained interested in Quip basketball and football scores, and was kept informed of Beaver County’s news and events through Sharon’s faithful daily phone calls.
Friends and family will be received for a visitation on Wednesday, September 24th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of his arrangements and where departing prayers will begin on Thursday, September 25th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Titus Roman Catholic Church, 952 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa, which is where he was both a lifetime member and served as an usher. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa, immediately following the service.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Atty. Peter P. Simoni please click here to visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony MastroFrancesco Funeral Home, Inc.

Donna Marie (King) Semega (1948-2025)

Donna Marie (King) Semega, 77, formerly of Radcliff, Kentucky, passed away with her loving family by her side on September 21st, 2025. She was born on May 10th, 1948, a daughter of the late Walter and Elizabeth King. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving partner, Tim Cyrus and a brother, Butch King. She is survived by her devoted children: Lori (Ron) Mace, Denise Semega (John Flory), Nicole Freeman (Leonard Ishman) and L.J Semega (Erica Medin), ; as well as her six grandchildren: Bill Blonski (Sara Perciavalle), Rachel (Ryan) McKee, Tyler Freeman (Skylar Zavarella), Olivia (Nate) Hodges, Grace Semega and Madison Semega; along with five great-grandchildren: Alex and Caroline Blonski, Mia Zavarella, Kaylee and Hunter McKee. She is also survived by her two siblings and their spouses, Connie (Robert) McMichael and Michael (Lori) King and numerous nieces, nephews, and several dear friends. Donna had a deep love for reading and found joy in sewing, often creating items for those she cared about. She especially treasured spending time playing games with her family, making lasting memories with those she loved most. Donna was devoted to her grandchildren and was always present at their activities and sporting events, showing unwavering support and pride in all that they did. The family of Donna wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the E.R staff at Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital for the exceptional care provided to her.

Friends and family will be received for a visitation on Thursday, September 25th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa, who was in charge of her arrangements.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donna Marie (King) Semega please click here to visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc.

Mary Agnes VanDyke (1941-2025)

Mary Agnes VanDyke, 84, of Baden, passed away on September 22nd, 2025, at Rochester Manor and Villa. She was born in Sewickley on August 3rd, 1941, a daughter of the late Nicholas and Veronica Mutz Modrack. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Kenneth L. VanDyke, two sisters, Norma McClain and Margaret Barnes, two sisters-in-law, Clara (John) Amoroso and Olive (Elden) Channell. She is survived by her two children, Kenneth A. (Leslie) VanDyke and Valerie (John) Stablow, two brothers-in-law, Walt (Eileen) VanDyke and Bill McClain and four grandchildren: Nicholas VanDyke, Christian VanDyke, Emma VanDyke and Anthony Cvitkovic. Mary lived a vibrant life where she touched countless lives with her caring nature and dedication to service. She served as a crossing guard for Phillips Street School and a member of the Baden Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Her commitment to service did not stop there. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mary was also a familiar face to many from the little stores throughout Baden.  Friends will be received on Thursday, September 25th from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 PM in the CORLESS-MATTER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, LLC, 1133 Church Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of her arrangements. A service will also be held on Friday, Septmber 26th at 11 A.M. at Christ Lutheran Church, 399 State Street, Baden. Online Condolences may be shared at www.corlessfuneralhomes.com. Interment will be private at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

Woman charged with homicide after remains of her 4 infants found in Pennsylvania house

(File Photo: Source for Photo: CORRECTS DATE: The exterior of a house is shown in the Freeport area of Pa., Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 where Jessica Marie Mauthe, the woman facing a charge of homicide and multiple counts of abuse of a corpse, lived. (Massoud Hossaini/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review via AP)

(AP) A western Pennsylvania woman has been charged with criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter and multiple counts of abuse of a corpse after the remains of her four infants were found in a home she had been evicted from last month.

Jessica Marie Mauthe, 39, was arrested after her former landlord called police to the home she had lived in outside Ford City, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh.

State police said the remains were found in a bedroom closet and in the attic of the home on Oak Avenue in Cadogan Township. The landlord was cleaning out a closet in the home on Sept. 13 when he came across a trash bag with a foul odor and something wrapped in towels that was decomposing, according to the arrest affidavit issued Thursday.

Investigators found the bodies of three other infants in the attic in tote bags, wrapped in towels and inside plastic bags, police said.

Messages seeking comment were left Monday for public defender Greta Marie Kiser, listed as Mauthe’s defense lawyer in the online docket, and for Armstrong County District Attorney Katie Charlton.

About a year ago, Mauthe told investigators, she gave birth to a child who made several noises before she held the child “against her, where it remained until it stopped making noises and stopped breathing,” police wrote.

Mauthe told troopers that one newborn had whimpered after she gave birth to it about six years ago, after which she passed out on the floor, according to the affidavit. When she awakened, the baby was beneath her and was not breathing, she told them.

Mauthe is in the Armstrong County Jail without bail. She was charged with criminal homicide for the death a year ago, involuntary manslaughter for the death about six years ago, and four counts each of concealing the death of a child and abuse of a corpse. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.

Gina L. Sluder (1952-2025)

Gina L. Sluder, 73, of Richfield, Ohio, formerly of Dunnellon, Florida and New Sewickley Township, passed away in Ohio on September 19th, 2025. She was born in Rochester on April 9th, 1952, the daughter of the late Omar Glenn Shroyer and Dolores Steeb Shroyer Harding. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Sluder Sr. and two brothers, Jerry L. and Mark L. Shroyer. Gina is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Robert L. Sluder Jr., and his wife Sheryl, of Medina, OH, and one daughter and son-in-law, Janine L. Nist, and her husband Erin, of New Sewickley Township, as well as six grandchildren, Matthew, Ryan, and Benjamin Sluder, Medina, OH, and Ethan, Gavin, and Elizabeth Nist, New Sewickley Township. Gina was employed by Lumber Star and Building Materials Company in Evans City. She was formerly a Pharmacy Tech with the Medicine Shoppe of East Rochester. She had received an Associate’s Degree from Penn State in Computer Courses. Gina was a life member of the H.O.G. Harley Owners Group, with which she held various chapter offices such as Secretary for nine years and Webmaster for two years. Gina loved riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles and traveling. Gina’s wish was to have no viewing or service. Private interment will be in Burns Cemetery of New Sewickley Township. Arrangements have been entrusted to William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester. The family wishes for memorial contributions to be sent to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at, 28 W 44th St #609, New York, NY 10036.

ABC ends Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and his show will return

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 2017. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — ABC will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show in the wake of criticism over his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, officials with the network said Monday.

“We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” ABC said a statement.

ABC suspended Kimmel indefinitely on Wednesday after comments he made about Kirk, who was killed Sept. 10, in a monologue. Kimmel said “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and that “the MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

Kimmel has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC since 2003 and has been a fixture in television and comedy for even longer. He is also well known as a presenter, having hosted the Academy Awards four times.

Backlash to Kimmel’s comments was swift. Nexstar and Sinclair, two of ABC’s largest affiliate owners, said they would be pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from their stations. Others, including several fellow comedians, came to his defense.

Sinclair said Monday that it would not air Kimmel’s show Tuesday and would broadcast news programming instead. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” the company said. There was no immediate comment from Nexstar on its plans for Kimmel’s return.

Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk and now headed by his widow, posted on X about Kimmel’s reinstatement: “Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make. Nexstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice.”

Stephen Colbert joyfully reacted to the news during the opening of his “Late Show,” telling his audience that “our long national, late nightmare is over.”

Colbert, whose late show is being canceled by CBS after this season, said he was happy for his friend and the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” staff. Grabbing his recently-won Emmy Award for outstanding talk series, the comedian could hardly contain his glee. He added, “Once more, I am the only martyr on late night!”

President Donald Trump, one of Kimmel’s frequent targets, posted on social media that Kimmel’s suspension was “great news for America.” He also called for other late night hosts to be fired. He has yet to comment on Kimmel’s reinstatement.

Kimmel’s suspension arrived in a time when Trump and his administration have pursued threats, lawsuits and federal government pressure to try to exert more control over the media industry. Trump has reached settlements with ABC and CBS over their coverage.

Trump has also filed defamation lawsuits against The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Republicans in Congress stripped federal funding from NPR and PBS.

Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, issued a warning prior to Kimmel’s suspension that criticized Kimmel’s remarks about the Kirk assassination.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said. “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Carr denied on Monday that he threatened to revoke ABC’s local station licenses because of Kimmel’s remarks.

“Jimmy Kimmel is in the situation he’s in because of his ratings. Not because of anything that’s happened at the federal government level,” Carr said at the Concordia Annual Summit.

Kimmel’s suspension has cast a spotlight on the web of business interests that require approval from the U.S. government. Disney, for instance, needs approval from the Trump administration for ESPN to complete its acquisition of the NFL Network, while Nexstar needs the administration’s approval to complete its $6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna. Sinclair has petitioned the FCC to relax rules limiting broadcaster ownership of stations.

The suspension also happened at a time when the late night landscape is shifting. CBS announced the cancellation of Colbert’s show over the summer.

Kimmel’s contract with The Walt Disney Co.-owned network had been set to expire in May 2026. His representative did not return a message seeking comment Monday.

Word of the reinstatement came as hundreds of Hollywood and Broadway stars — including Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep — urged Americans “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights” in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension.

More than 430 movie, TV and stage stars as well as comedians, directors and writers added their names to an open letter Monday from the American Civil Liberties Union that argues it is “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”

Also Monday, ABC’s “The View” weighed in on the controversy after not raising it for two episodes after Kimmel was suspended. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg opened the show saying: “No one silences us” and she and her fellow hosts condemned Disney’s decision.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said Monday evening he’s willing to appear at a town hall hosted by a local ABC station after earlier canceling his appearance due to Kimmel’s suspension.

Daniel “Dan” Meehan (1961-2025)

Daniel “Dan” Meehan, 63, of Hopewell Township, passed away unexpectedly on September 21st, 2025. He was born on December 13th, 1961, a son of the late Joseph and Marjorie Meehan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Meehan and his brother-in-law, Ray Yurkowski.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa (Vallese) Meehan and their three children, Daniel (Loren) Meehan, Derek Meehan and Kara (Nick) Meehan, his siblings, Monica Yurkowski, Mary Saussol and Pete (Cindy) Meehan. He is also survived by his nephew, Ian (Lesa) Parker and their children, Clifton, Weston, and Leyton.
In accordance with Daniel’s request, there will be no services at this time.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Charlotte C. Dunn (1934-2025)

Charlotte C. Dunn, 90, of Industry, passed away on September 19th, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on November 17th, 1934, a daughter of the late Leroy, Sr. and Jane Patton Dunn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willis “Sonny” Dunn, her grandson, Randy L. Dunn, Jr., her sister, Emma Jane Mosura and a daughter in law, Dolores Dunn. She is survived by her 2 sons, Randy (Monica) Dunn of Aliquippa and Thomas S. Dunn, with whom she resided, three daughters, Bambi (Jack) Pearson of Tennessee, Catherine Parker of New Brighton and Laura (Tim) Kay of Ambridge, a brother, Leroy (Susan) Dunn Jr. of Wyoming, 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. Charlotte had been a resident of Industry all of her life and had worked as a caretaker at McGuire Memorial Homes in New Brighton for ten years.
In accordance with her wishes, all of her arrangements are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 629 Midland Avenue, Midland.
Memorial contributions may be made if desired in Charlotte’s name to the McGuire Memorial Home, 2119 Mercer Rd, New Brighton, PA 15066.

GoFundMe has started for the family of the eighteen-year-old student who went to Aliquippa High School who was recently shot and killed by an ATF agent in Aliquippa

(File Photo: Caption for Photo and Credit for Photo: More Than 500K People Helped GoFundMe Set Single-Day Giving Record After George Floyd’s Death Credit for Photo: Courtesy, GoFundMe)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) A GoFundMe page has started to support the family of eighteen-year-old Kendric Curtis, Jr., a senior from Aliquippa High School who was shot and killed by an ATF agent on Thursday in Aliquippa. According to Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver, Curtis discharged a firearm and the ATF agent shot back at him on Thursday in the area of Waugaman Street and Tyler Street in Aliquippa in the shooting that took place around 6:20 p.m that day. Curtis died early Friday morning at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and a vigil was held for him on Sunday in Aliquippa. The link to donate to the GoFundMe for Curtis’ family can be found below:

Click here to donate to Curtis’ family: Fundraiser by Mattie Levine : Justice for Kendric Curtis: Support His Family

Leaf collection will occur in New Brighton Borough, Daugherty Township and Pulaski Township, weather permitting

(Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of New Brighton Borough)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Brighton, PA) Leaf collection will occur, weather permitting, in Daugherty Township, New Brighton Borough and Pulaski Township through December 5th, 2025, weather permitting. Residents need to go to the edge of the street to put their raked leaves there so they can be collected. Bagged leaves or leaves that have garden debris, grass clippings, garbage or rubbish, tree branches, brush or stones will not be collected. Leaf collection begins in New Brighton Borough on September 29th, 2025, leaf collection begins in Daughtery Township on October 13th, 2025 and leaf collection begins in Pulaski Township on October 20th, 2025. According to a release from New Brighton Borough, here is more information about leaf collection in that area:

  • Leaf collection in Daugherty Township will follow the following schedule:
  • Mondays: William Penn Way & Crescent Heights Plan, Rt. 65 (from Valley Avenue to Stuber Road), North Avenue, Franklin Plan, and McGuire Street.
  • Tuesdays: Gulbranson Heights Plan, Daugherty Highlands Plan, and Hillcrest Drive.
  • Wednesdays: Mercer Heights Plan, Klein Plan, Stuber Road, McCreary Plan, Cardinal Drive, Robin Trail, and Rt. 65 (from Stuber Road to Wises Grove Road).
  • Thursdays: Allendale Road, Wallace Drive, Harold Street, Inman Drive, Hogue Drive, and John Street.
  • Call the Daugherty Township Municipal Building at (724) 846-5337 to schedule a collection on state routes not listed above.
    Leaf collection in Pulaski Township will follow the following schedule:
  • Mondays: New England Hill and Blockhouse Run Road area.
  • Tuesdays: Sunflower Road – North to 36th Street.
  • Wednesdays: West Side of Rochester Road from Sunflower Road to 52nd Street.
  • Thursdays: East Side of Rochester Road from Sunflower Road to 52nd Street.
  • Fridays: Tree branches will be collected that have fallen from storms.  Branches must be tied together into manageable bundles and not contain any other type of lawn debris.