Author: Beaver County Radio

Eric M. Ruprecht (1950-2025)

Eric M. Ruprecht, 75, of Edgeworth, passed away on May 26th, 2025. He was born in Sewickley on April 26th, 1950, a son of the late Fredrick and Janet (McLuckie) Ruprecht. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Mindy Ruprecht of Edgeworth. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Christine (Gibb) Ruprecht, his daughter, Rachel (Ruprecht) COL Mark) Orlandi of Fort Novosel, Alabama, his grandson, Trenton Ruprecht (Angelina) of Edgeworth, his brothers, David (Linda) Ruprecht of Hollister, California and Gary (April) Ruprecht of Pepperill, Massachusetts and his sisters, Valerie (Ruprecht) Bob) Bartosh of Sun City Center, Florida, and Lisa (Ruprecht) Tom) Mahoney of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts.

Eric was a lifelong resident of Edgeworth, and he graduated from Quaker Valley High School. He then went on to attend Robert Morris University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance/Accounting. He worked as an accountant for P&LE Railroads, served as a Director of The Bradford School, and retired as the VP of Commercial Management & Properties at the Allegheny Airport Authority after 26 years of service. Additionally, he was a partner at Ruprecht & Ruprecht Accounting, a Life Member and President/Captain of the Edgeworth Volunteer Fire Department. While his girls were in school and active in their sports, Eric served as President of the Quaker Valley Girls Soccer Association and helped coach recreational soccer and softball.

All are welcome to gather for a visitation on Friday, May 30th, from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. and on Saturday, May 31st from 10 A.M. until the time of a service at 11 A.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. Eric’s wish was to be cremated.

Aliquippa City Council accomplished several actions at their recent work session

(File Photo of the Aliquippa School District Sign)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) The Aliquippa City Council accomplished several things at their work session Wednesday. This included recognizing the work of the late Elverna Barbee-Cuffie, who worked in positions including as a teacher at the Aliquippa School District. A Dorsett Trucking, LLC land development plan for 1216 Sheffield Avenue was also approved. B.F. Jones Memorial Library also sent Aliquippa a thank you note read by City Manager Sam Gill for the $10,000 allocation for library operations. A lot consolidation at 528/530 Main Avenue in West Aliquippa  for a garage was also approved for Isaac Ciarrochi. The Aliquippa City Council also approved a new short- term rental registration form. A yearly inspection and a fee of $200 is required with the application. The Aliquippa City Council will meet in their regular session next on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Hopewell School Board approved several motions at their recent meeting and several decisions were made for Hopewell Township

(File Photo of Hopewell Area School District Logo)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Hopewell, PA) The Hopewell School Board approved several motions at their meeting on Tuesday. They eliminated a 6th grade Teacher position for the 2025-26 school year. Ten teachers who teach grades 7-12 were approved for credit recovery classes for students and twenty-seven new policies were approved. There were also some hirings that were announced at the meeting. Nikki Tomasko was hired as a long-term sub physical education teacher at Hopewell  Elementary School. Three assistant band directors were hired: Fayte Wilson as the 1st assistant, Ian Fuechelin as the Vikettes instructor and the 2nd assistant and Alex Flynn as the 3rd assistant. Wilson Fike was hired as a mechanic. Two sub bus drivers, Kiersten Narad and Rose George, and sub transportation director Carrie Turkal also got receipt of  their clearances. Decisions were made in Hopewell Township that same night. After an announcement at this Tuesday meeting, Francine McDade, the crossing guard at Margaret Ross Elementary School will retire today. The commissioners also approved a resolution to apply for a Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Grant. This comes from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the Hopewell Park Walking Trail and Fishing Wall projects. Anthony DiPippa was appointed as the  alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer for the township. The next commissioner’s meeting will be held on Monday,  June 30th, 2025 at 7 p.m. The Hopewell School board’s work session meeting is Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, and the regular meeting is Tuesday, June 24th, 2025. The meetings are at 7 p.m.

City of Aliquippa to review curfew ordinance and hold an event to pray for a safe summer

(File Photo of the Aliquippa Quips Logo on a Flag)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa City Solicitor Myron R. Sainovich asked the city to review the existing ordinance for curfews. This will help to determine and identify children who are out late. Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker and Aliquippa Police Chief John Lane will meet and speak with sixth graders on Monday, June 2nd at 10 a.m. at Aliquippa Elementary School. There will also be a Prayer Watch “WAR CRY” event to pray for a safe summer that will be held at noon on Monday, June 2nd on Main Street in Aliquippa. Beaver County United, the Friendsgiving Support Group, A NEW WAY TO LIVE, Aliquippa School District and the City of Aliquippa are sponsoring the event. There will be prayers on the city’s last day of school with food, music, resources and friends available.

Aliquippa School Board will hold upcoming meeting concerning the position of head coach for boys basketball after previous coach’s contract was not renewed

(File Photo of the Aliquippa School Board and Aliquippa Quips logo)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) The Aliquippa School Board will hold a special meeting concerning their head coach position for boys basketball. The board will meet at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 2nd in the Eugene Karmazyn Black Box Theater. The board voted 5-3 at its last meeting not to renew head coach Nick Lackovich’s contract. According to a district spokesperson, the meeting was scheduled because of concerns of community members. 

Senator John Fetterman and some bi-partisan lawmakers are supporting their legislation to assist Holocaust survivors by returning art taken from them from the Nazis

(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) Senator John Fetterman and some bi-partisan lawmakers are helping to support legislation to assist Holocaust survivors by returning art taken from them by the Nazis. According to a news release, this bill helps to smooth the legal process for these survivors or their heirs as they petition the courts for return of the art. This bill is an extension of the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, which gave six years to families to file claims for found artwork.

Legislation to get rid of single-use plastic bags will have an introduction in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Black Friday shoppers wear face masks and gloves during the coronavirus pandemic as they leave the Uniqlo store along Fifth Avenue, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in New York. Retailers are expected to usher in the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, with bigger crowds than last year in a closer step toward normalcy. But the fallout from the pandemic continues to weigh on businesses and shoppers’ minds. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Berks County, PA) Legislation for getting rid of plastic bags that are single use will have an introduction in the state of Pennsylvania. These bags have already been prohibited in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Senator Judith Swank and her legislation plans for retail stores to provide paper bags at checkout for a fee instead of single-use plastic bags. Reusable bags could also be promoted by retailers. Plastic bags have not been used at stores like Aldi’s and Whole Foods. 

McKeesport Area School District superintendent does not agree with the partnership ending between his school district and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE -This photo taken Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, shows a Dick’s Sporting Goods sign at a store in Miami. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Mckeesport, PA) The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation and the McKeesport Area School District ended a partnership recently and the superintendent of the school district wants them to reconsider. According to a letter from Superintendent Don MacFann, since taking the job to lead the district, he’s prioritized strengthening the partnership between the two organizations. The Dick’s Sporting Goods foundation blamed district leadership and the school board for the partnership ending.

Pennsylvania State Police release results of their enforcement detail from the 2025 Memorial Day weekend

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from the Pennsylvania State Police, the PSP released results of their enforcement detail during Memorial Day weekend. Five deaths and 140 injuries occurred from the 756 crashes that happened between May 23rd-26th. Two deaths came from drivers that were intoxicated, and 57 of those crashes during those four days occurred because of an intoxicated driver. The number of citations issued by the Pennsylvania State Police were 27,139. 

According to that same release from the Pennsylvania State Police, here are the statistics from that enforcement report:

Table 1: Memorial Day Weekend Crash Statistics

Year Total Crashes Fatal Crashes People Killed People Injured DUI-Related Crashes DUI-Related Fatal Crashes
2025 (4 days) 756 4 5 140 57 2
2024 (4 days) 849 5 6 164 40 2

 

Table 2: Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Statistics

Year DUI Arrests Speeding Citations Child Seat Citations Seat Belt Citations Other Citations
2025 (4 days) 519 7,033 166 977 18,963
2024 (4 days) 456 9,006 162 1,167 17,148