Author: Beaver County Radio

Midland Borough hires new manager and replaces councilman

(File Photo of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Midland Borough, PA) Midland Borough hired a new manager and replaced a councilman. According to Mayor Angela Adkins, Dwan B. Walker was hired as the borough manager last Thursday night. Adkins confirmed that Walker will earn $60,000 a year for salary. Fire chief Joe D’ltri, Jr. also resigned from his councilman post and will be replaced by local restaurant owner Patsy Esposito, who Mayor Adkins confirmed Tuesday would be on the May primary ballot. 

 

Economic decline continues in Beaver County as both Pennsylvania and the United States see growth, according to a report

(File Photo of the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Monaca)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Beaver County, PA) A recent report reveals that the Shell petrochemical plant in Beaver County has failed to deliver the promised economic benefits since its announcement more than a decade ago. New findings from the Ohio River Valley Institute reveal the plastics plant hasn’t brought the economic boom, and promised jobs haven’t materialized. Eric de Place with Ohio River Valley Institute says Beaver County’s economy has performed worse than Pennsylvania as a whole as well as the nation and even its own past benchmarks. de Place points out local residents were promised an economic renaissance with thousands of jobs and increased tax revenue when Shell built its petrochemical plant, leading Pennsylvania to give the company 1.6 billion dollars in subsidies. He says it’s important for community members to demand accountability and question why Shell continues to receive taxpayer support.

State Representative Aaron Bernstine will serve as chairman of the Subcommittee on Workers Compensation and Worker Protection for the 2025-2026 Legislative session

(File Photo of State Representative Aaron Bernstine)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from State Representative Aaron Bernstine’s office, Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) was appointed by House Republican Labor and Industry Committee Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) to serve as chairman of the Subcommittee on Workers Compensation and Worker Protection for the 2025-26 Legislative Session. Bernstine will look at problems related to policies, safety of Pennsylvania workers and workers’ compensation laws in his new position. Bernstine will also try to improve the workers’ compensation system in Pennsylvania by evaluating policies.

Monster Jam is coming to Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium for the first time ever

(Photo Provided with Release)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from Acrisure Stadium, Monster Jam will make its Acrisure Stadium debut on May 17th, 2025. The event begins at 5 p.m. along with a Pit Party where guests can see the trucks and get introduced to the drivers from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. A pass and event ticket are both required for the Pit Party. Ticketmaster has tickets and passes for the Pit Party available now for the event. Monster Jam is a monster truck stunt spectacular that will feature twelve trucks driven by some of the best drivers out there.

Columbia Gas and the NiSource Charitable Foundation holds events for Western Pennsylvania Girl Scouts to discover careers in the fields of STEAM

(File Photo of the Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) Columbia Gas and the NiSource Charitable Foundation teamed up to host an event for Girl Scouts in Western Pennsylvania called “Introduce a Girl to STEAM” on Monday. Around twenty Girl Scouts from grades four through eight were given challenges in teams to discover careers in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. The girls also saw a panel and experimented at stations for demonstrations. The event was held at the Monaca centers for Columbia Gas Operations and Training.

Pennsylvania teacher Marc Fogel lands in Pittsburgh after being released from a Russian prison

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Marc Fogel listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Allegheny County Police have confirmed on Tuesday that Marc Fogel, who was released last week from a Russian prison, has landed in Pittsburgh after a fourteen-year prison sentence. In August of 2021, Fogel was detained after his family noted that he was possessing seventeen grams of cannabis. Fogel wanted to treat the chronic pain in his back with the cannabis for medical reasons. Fogel’s family wants the public to give him some private time as he returns to the United States.

 

Massive fire at Pennsylvania aerospace plant prompts shelter-in-place order and evacuations

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Firefighters battle a blaze at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Pa., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

JENKINTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Schools were closed and residents were ordered to shelter-in-place Tuesday after a large fire broke out at an aerospace manufacturer’s facility in a town north of Philadelphia, officials said.

The fire broke out at SPS Technologies in Jenkintown around 9:30 p.m. Monday. Witnesses said there was an explosion and flames could be seen inside the warehouse, the Abington Township Police Department said in a statement on social media. The building was evacuated, all employees were accounted for and no injuries were reported.

SPS Technologies describes itself as a developer, manufacturer and global supplier of a line of aerospace fasteners and precision components.

The Abington and Jenkintown school districts and all private and parochial schools were closed Tuesday and will remain shuttered on Wednesday.

The shelter-in-place order initially was in effect until the incident was under control because smoke and particulates from the fire were filtering across the area, officials said. But residents and businesses in the immediate area near the plant — roughly 700 people — were asked to voluntarily evacuate late Tuesday afternoon “while conditions permit” because of concerns over air quality.

Hazmat crews were monitoring air quality and advised all businesses within a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius to remain closed until further notice.

Service on three Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority regional rail lines remained suspended late Tuesday afternoon because of the fire.

What to know about the airplane that crashed while landing at Toronto’s airport

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This image taken from video provided by CTV shows an aerial view of the overturned plane at Toronto Pearson Airport, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (CTV via AP) Screenshot)

(TORONTO- AP) A passenger jet made a hard landing before it lost a wing, burst into flames and flipped onto its roof at Toronto’s airport, the fourth major aviation accident in North America in the past three weeks.

Although 21 people were injured, all 80 people on board the Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis survived the crash Monday.

Here are some things to know about the crash:

What caused the airplane to flip?

Investigators and airport officials have been careful to avoid talking about what went wrong when the plane touched down.

Communications between the tower at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and the pilot were normal on approach and airport officials said Monday was a clear day with normal operations before the crash.

What are investigators focusing on?

Aviation experts said investigators will consider whether the pilot’s actions, potential landing gear problems or weather conditions caused the hard landing.

Were strong winds a factor in the crash?

Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken said the runway was dry and there was no crosswind conditions. Audio recordings indicate the control tower warned the pilots of a possible air flow “bump” on the approach. Winds were gusting up to 40 mph (65 kph).

But airplanes and pilots should be equipped to handle those kinds of winds while landing, said John Cox, CEO of aviation safety consulting firm Safety Operating Systems in Florida.

Were the passengers badly injured?

Of the 21 people who were transported for treatment, all but two have been released from hospitals, the airport’s chief executive said Tuesday.

The two who remain in the hospital do not have life-threatening injuries, said Deborah Flint, CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

Some of those injured were exposed to leaking fuel, according to airport fire officials.

What happened inside the plane?

One passenger told CBC News that he found himself upside down and still strapped in his seat after a forceful landing.

Peter Carlson said he crashed onto the ceiling when he took off his seat belt and smelled gas. He and another man helped a mother and her young son out of the plane before getting out.

Most of the passengers were able to begin evacuating on their own, fire officials who responded to the crash said.

Who is investigating?

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said the Transportation Safety Board of Canada will lead the investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board in the U.S. was sending a team to assist.

Is it safe to fly?

The fourth major aviation accident in North America in less than a month has many people concerned about the safety of flying. Fatal crashes remain rare and the track record of U.S. airlines is remarkably safe.

But there have been deadly crashes recently around the world and U.S. officials have been raising concerns about an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system for years.

Earl C. “Knute” Bryant, Jr. (Passed on February 17th, 2025)

Earl C. “Knute” Bryant, Jr., 78, of Beaver, passed away peacefully on February 17th, 2025, in Heritage Valley Sewickley. He was born and raised in Beaver County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl C. Sr. and Ellen Bryant and his siblings: Helen Jean Bryant and Mary Wilson and Albert and Dennis Bryant. He was one of twelve children and is survived by his wife, Paula Bryant, a son, Cliff (Vicki) Bryant, two daughters, Shari (Brian) Hoag and Kathy (Jerry) Howieson, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, five sisters: Dolores Baker, Nancy Blystone, Betty Winkle, Janet Seevers and Deborah Jones, two brothers, Robert and Donald Bryant. His numerous nieces and nephews will remember their uncle with fondness and admiration.

Earl was a devoted family man, a respected veteran, and a cherished member of his community.

Earl graduated from Beaver Falls High School in the class of 1965. Shortly thereafter, he answered the call of duty and served his country with honor in the U.S. Navy as a Yeoman 2nd Class during the Vietnam War from 1966 until 1970. Following his military service, Earl continued to enrich his knowledge and skills by attending the Community College of Allegheny County, where he earned his diploma in heating and air conditioning.

For the majority of his life, Earl worked as a machinist and spent his final working years with Moltrip Steel.

He had a passion for music and shared his love for it with others as a disc jockey at weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties. His faith was a cornerstone of his life. He joyfully served as a worship leader for Fishers of Men Community Outreach and was an active member and small group leader at Victory Family Church in Cranberry.

He was also an avid fisherman. Earl found solace and peace at Moraine State Park, one of his favorite spots to cast a line and reflect on the beauty of nature. Above all, Earl was a family man, and his greatest joy was spending time with his beloved wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 21st from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. with Pastor Rick Pelloni officiating. Military honors will be rendered following the service by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Chapter 862.

To share online condolences, view Earl’s video tribute and get directions, please visit www.simpsonfuneralhome.com.

Antoinette Marie “Toots” Caricchio Dioguardi (1929-2025)

Antoinette Marie “Toots” Caricchio Dioguardi, 95, of Beaver, passed away in her home on February 17th, 2025, two weeks following the passing of her husband, soulmate, and best friend of seventy-six and a half years, Reno Vince Dioguardi. She was born in Pittsburgh on November 8th, 1929, the daughter of the late John and Madeline Grasso Caricchio. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, John A. and Gina E. Dioguardi of Beaver, one daughter and son-in-law, Marianne and Fran Mantine, four grandchildren: Vincent John and his wife Christy Dioguardi of Brighton Township, Diane and Billy Happach of Beaver, Dr. Laura Mantine and her husband Shawn Hayweiser of Brighton Township, Michelle Mantine Esq. and her husband Dr. Brian Johnson of Sewickley; eleven great grandchildren, David, Michael, Hunter, John, Hayley, Mia, Sophia, Madeline, Henry Vincent, Joseph and Olivia.

Antoinette was a housewife and homemaker. She was also a member of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church of Rochester. Antoinette’s wish was to have no viewing. However, family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, February 20th, at 12 noon, at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester. The family also invites all to gather at the family garden mausoleum in the Beaver Cemetery following the mass. All memorial contributions are wished to be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. The motto that she lived by was “Prepare now to serve later.” Arrangements have been entrusted to the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.