Author: Beaver County Radio

Virginia M. Hennen (1959-2025)

Virginia M. Hennen, 65, of Beaver Falls, passed away on April 20th, 2025. She was born on November 25th, 1959. Virginia was raised by the late Ralph and Opal Taylor. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Roger Taylor. She is survived by two daughters and two sons-in-law, Regina L. and Johnathan Johnson of South Beaver Township, Rebecca L. and Justin McWilliams of Maryville, Tennessee, and one son, Rody L. Polojac and his fiancé, Tina Aubright of Shaler Township, two brothers, Charles E. Taylor of Brighton Township and William J. Taylor of Big Beaver, nine grandchildren: Kristian, Johnathan Jr., Raina, Justin Jr., Joseph, Jacob, Elizabeth, Rody Jr., and Zachary; along with three great grandchildren, Lylah, Kairo, and Peyton, numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved feline companion, Bella Grace.

Virginia was a former dietary aide at Life Beaver as well as Friendship Ridge where she retired from after her career. She was also a former member of the Rochester Free Methodist Church.  Friends will be received on Thursday April 24th, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. at the William Murphy Funeral Home Inc. 349 Adams Street, Rochester. A service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, April 25th at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester. The family wishes for memorial contributions to be made to the Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association, 3582 Broadhead Road #201, Monaca, PA 15061.

Richard Thomas Fink (1951-2025)

Richard Thomas Fink, 73, of Beaver, passed away peacefully on April 21st, 2025 at Heritage Valley Beaver with his family at his side.
He was born on August 30th, 1951, a son of the late William and Helen Fink. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Kay Smith, his nephew, Corey Smith and his in-laws, Kathryn and Alexander Ewanski. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Alice, sons, Adam of Beaver and Lance of Patterson Township, grandsons, Deklan and Mac, his brother, Russ and his wife, Billie as well as his cousins, nieces and nephews.
Richard fought hard to stay with his family and showed great strength in dealing with the challenges his illness presented. His greatest joy in life was watching his sons and grandsons grow and succeed in life. He set a wonderful example of what a father should be through his strength, wisdom and his Catholic faith.
Richard graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1969, then went on to CCBC and then Robert Morris University where he earned a degree in Logistics. Richard worked at Various logistics companies and enjoyed his career. He was a faithful member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and Saint Cecilia Church of Rochester. He was also a past member of POST 488 and Coed Canoe Trails and Snow Trails.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses for their great care over the years.
Friends will be received Thursday, April 24th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver with a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 25th at 10 a.m. at Saint Cecilia Church, 632 Virginia Avenue, Rochester.
Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Allyn (Bodalec) Stoner (1946-2025)

Allyn (Bodalec) Stoner, 78, of Leavittsburg, Ohio, passed away on April 20th, 2025 after an extended illness. She was born in Sewickley on November 30th, 1946, the daughter of the late Stephen and Helen (Zatchey) Bodalec. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death, by her brother, Tom, her in-laws, Chester and Mary Stoner and her brother-in-law, Dave. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Chet, a son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Becky Stoner, a grandson, Josh, her nieces, Beth (Rich) Geary and Ashley Varhol, her great niece, Ruby Geary, her in-laws, John and Mary Kay Varhol and many cousins.  A special thank you goes out to Evalyn for always being there.

Allyn grew up in Baden.  She was a 1964 graduate of Ambridge High School and a 1968 graduate of IUP. After graduation, Allyn spent 6 years as a Speech and Hearing Therapist for the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit.  Then, after moving to Colorado, she somehow got conned by a very persuasive Priest into becoming the Director of the Parish Homeless Shelter, which was a position she held for 15 years.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a visitation on Friday, April 25th, from 11 A.M. until the time of a Blessing Service at 1 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.  Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.

Donations in Allyn’s name may be made to her favorite charity, The Covenant House, or any charity of your choosing.

Car of man from Beaver Falls goes on its roof after the man wrecks on Veteran’s Memorial Bridge on Route 51

(File Photo of Police Lights)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Beaver County, PA) A car wrecked on Veteran’s Memorial Bridge on Monday. According to Bridgewater Police Chief Steve Roberts, John Pfeifer of Beaver Falls attempted to turn right and went too tight on Route 51, driving up between the divider and the sidewalk, which caused his car to tip onto its roof. Pfeifer was able to be extricated from the vehicle. Roberts also commented in the report that charges were not filed against Pfeifer, who was taken by Medic Rescue to a hospital in the local area and a driver that passed the accident called services for emergency to report the crash. The bridge was closed until the accident was cleared.

Governor Shapiro returning to his residence after arson attack set it on fire

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This image provided by Commonwealth Media Services shows damage after a fire at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion while Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept inside on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (Commonwealth Media Services via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro is returning to his residence after a man set it on fire last week. According to Shapiro, he still believes in the Pennsylvania State police to keep him safe, and a third party is investigating the systems for changes. Shapiro will also be the host for an Easter egg hunt at his mansion today. President Donald Trump also called Shapiro on Saturday with concerns for Shapiro. Shapiro confirms that he will stay in contact with the president. One of the topics that was discussed between the two men was the conversations about the possible deal for U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel and both men want jobs and investments to remain at the Mon Valley Area.

‘Pick Up PA’ drives statewide community cleanup efforts for Earth Day and beyond

(File Photo of the United States Environmental Protection Agency Logo)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) In the Keystone State, more than three hundred Pick Up Pennsylvania environmental events are planned for this Earth Week. Last year, more than 77-thousand volunteers removed over 3 million pounds of trash and planted thousands of trees and flowers. Michelle Dunn with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful says Pick Up PA is an annual volunteer effort to clean up Pennsylvania roads, parks, streams and communities. She adds people who take part in these beautification events are helping to fight air and water pollution not just for Earth Day, but for the future. Earlier this year, the Governor Josh Shapiro administration announced more than 15 million dollars in funding to conserve and protect waterways and watersheds, reclaim abandoned mine sites, and plug abandoned wells.

National Work Zone Awareness Week highlights safety and importance of driving in work zones

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Canonsburg, PA) According to a release from Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, this week is National Work Zone Awareness Week from Monday, April 21st through Friday, April 25th and drivers need to be safe in work zones. People are also encouraged to wear orange on “Go Orange” Day on Wednesday, April 23rd for people that have been affected by accidents in work zones and to promote work zone safety. Columbia Gas recommends slowing down, paying attention, listening to flaggers and signs and being aware of changes and other drivers in work zones.

AAA East Central’s gas price report states that gas prices rise by two cents in Western Pennsylvania this week

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, file photo, a woman pumps gas at a convenience store in Pittsburgh. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday, March 15, 2020, that gas prices could continue to fall as demand shrinks amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are two pennies higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.62 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The report states that at this time last year, the average price for a gallon of gas was about $3.85 in Western Pennsylvania. The report also notes that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of unleaded gas here in Beaver County is around $3.69. According to AAA East Central’s gas price report, here are the average prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas of Pennsylvania:

$3.497      Altoona
$3.686      Beaver
$3.579      Bradford
$3.605      Brookville
$3.676      Butler
$3.464      Clarion
$3.509      DuBois
$3.586      Erie
$3.634      Greensburg
$3.664      Indiana
$3.658      Jeannette
$3.648      Kittanning
$3.618      Latrobe
$3.682      Meadville
$3.669      Mercer
$3.550      New Castle
$3.640      New Kensington
$3.699      Oil City
$3.628      Pittsburgh
$3.588      Sharon
$3.657      Uniontown
$3.699      Warren
$3.641      Washington

Lane restriction will occur on Ohio River Boulevard in Freedom Borough weather permitting

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: PennDOT, PSP, PTC, Construction Industry Highlight National Work Zone Awareness Week)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that beginning Tuesday April 22nd weather permitting, a lane restriction will occur on southbound Route 65 on Ohio River Boulevard in Freedom Borough. From 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, a single-lane-restriction will take place between the East-Rochester-Monaca bridge and River Road. Track maintenance work will be performed by crews from Norfolk Southern.

Order from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro states U.S. and Pennsylvania flags will go to half staff to honor Pope Francis’ death

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pope Francis leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday May 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to an order from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, all Commonwealth of Pennsylvania flags and United States Flags will fly at half-staff to honor the late Pope Francis. The tribute ends on sunset of the day of the internment of Pope Francis. All residents of Pennsylvania are invited to take part in the tribute for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21st, 2025 at the age of 88.