Author: Beaver County Radio

Reverend Wilma Jean Smith (1927-2025)

Reverend Wilma Jean Smith, 97, of Beaver Falls, passed away at Heritage Valley Beaver, on January 4th, 2025. She was born in New Brighton on July 16th, 1927, to the late Clifford and Laura Robinson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Clifford, Danny, Thomas, Robert, and Hebert Robinson, two of whom died in infancy, and four sisters: Anna Mildred Thomas, Edith Delores Rawl, Laura “Betty” Ikard and Judith Robinson. Reverend Wilma Jean Smith had no children and she is survived by Lonnie Robinson and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, her three goddaughters, Ruth Long, Ashley Wilson, and Tara Robinson and her devoted niece Janile Fielding. She was the middle child of ten children.

Known as Aunt Jean, Wilmps, Revie Rev, Wilma moved away to Chicago when she was eighteen years old. Wilma married Ernest White in 1948 until his passing. She then later married Mr. Ralph Smith. She was employed with the United States Postal Service in Chicago. Wilma Jean attended Kennedy-King College, majoring in Child Development for Exceptional Children. After returning to Beaver County, she became employed by Babcock and Wilcox. Wilma Jean furthered her education by attending Geneva College for Theology. She became a licensed Evangelist under the guidance and direction of Rev. Phyliss Rucker.

Reverend Smith loved the Lord and the church.  She was a former Wayman Chapel AM.E. Church member in New Brighton. Reverend Wilma Jean Smith’s first pastoral appointment was at Trinity A.M.E. Church in Ellwood City, and then Bethel A.M.E. Church of Tarentum, Pennsylvania.  Reverend Smith served as pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church of Bridgewater, for seventeen years as a Local Elder.  After thirty-five years of serving the Lord, she tried but never stopped serving.

Reverend Wilma Jean Smith loved to sew, crochet, and do crafts. She also played the piano.

Her favorite scripture is “I will lift my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121: 1-2.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10th, from 4-7 p.m. at St John-Wayman AME Church, 715 Mulberry Street, Beaver. The Homegoing Celebration is on Saturday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m., held at the same church. The Officiant is Licentiate Monica Jackson, the Pastor of St. John-Wayman A.M.E. Church of Bridgewater.

Interment will follow in Grove Cemetery of New Brighton. Arrangements have been entrusted to J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

JoAnn Muntean (1940-2025)

JoAnn Muntean, 84, passed away on January 6th, 2025.

She was born on March 15th, 1940, a daughter of the late Eileen and Reginald McGown. In addition to her parents and stepmother, she was preceded in death by her son, John Muntean. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Kenneth Jack Muntean, two sisters Carol (Lee) Wagoner and Donna (Jim) Martsolf, daughters Patricia Muntean (Ralph Deafenbaugh), Debbie (Brad) Ellefson and Susan Lambert, grandchildren: David M-D, Kimberly (Christopher) Pacella, Robert (Mindy) Lambert, Katie (David) Bowker, Jessica (Douglas) Meek; and great-grandchildren: Andrew, Max, Ariel, Ethan, Brooklyn, Taylor, Nathan, Melanie, Everlee.

JoAnn loved serving the Lord by teaching Sunday school, singing in the church choir & helping with many church dinners. She also conducted a service at Cambridge Village for fifteen years for the residents with several of her church friends from Riverview Methodist Church. In her later years, she became a member of Chippewa Alliance Church.

JoAnn loved and cherished spending time with her family and friends.

Friends will be received Friday, January 10th from 10 A.M. until the time of service at 12 noon at CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Rev. Dan Muir will officiate.

A thank you goes out to the staff at Life Beaver small homes for the wonderful care they provided JoAnn this past year.

Donna Baker Hirt (1933-2025)

Donna Baker Hirt, 91, of Brighton Township, passed away on January 4th, 2025, at Villa St. Joseph.

She was born in Monaca on March 30th, 1933, the daughter of the late Edythe Marion (Bell) and Lester Edwin Hage. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband James W. Baker Jr. and her second husband Dr. John B., Hirt USMC. She is survived by her five children: Stephen Baker of Brighton Township, Philip (Michelle) Baker of Palm Harbor, Florida, Susan (Bob) Kaestner of Charlotte, North Carolina, James T. (Kim) Baker, of Canfield, Ohio and Amy (Jeff) Fencik, of Flower Mound, Texas; sixteen grandchildren: Jeremy T. Baker, Alyna Baker, Tashah Baker, Zenah Baker, Jorden Baker, Robby Kaestner, Zack Baker-Stowe, Grace Baker-Stowe, Brendan Fencik, Matthew Fencik, Evan Fencik, Joshua Fencik, Sean Fencik, Aaron Fencik, Robert Baker, and Olivia (Chase) Barron; and former daughter-in-law, Becky Snow-Baker of Brighton Township.

A graduate of Beaver Area High School, Donna earned a Bachelor of Art Degree in Art Education from Edinboro University and a Master’s Degree from University of Pittsburgh. She taught art classes at all grade levels for twenty-six years, mostly at College Square and Dutch Ridge Elementary (BASH). She also previously taught in Western Beaver and Potter Township schools. She enjoyed classic TMC movies, beach vacations, and overseas travel to different countries.

Friends will be received on Sunday, January 12th in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Monday, January 13th at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver,. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

Private Interment will take place at Beaver Cemetery.

Donna’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Heritage Valley Beaver, Villa St. Joseph, Baden, and Good Samaritan Hospice, Wexford, for their love and compassionate care given to Donna during her time with them.

Debra Kaye Woodward (1964-2025)

Debra Kaye Woodward, 60, of Chippewa Township, passed away on January 6th, 2025, in the comfort of her home.

She was born in Hopewell on March 24th, 1964, the daughter of Daniel and Carol (Maine) Bucan. She is survived by her loving husband of thirty-three years, Peter T. Woodward, her siblings, Danny Bucan and Dawn (Tom) Shane, along with numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors and special friends.

Debra worked for Giant Eagle in the produce department for twenty years.  She was a sports enthusiast and loved her dogs.

In accordance with her wishes, Debra will be cremated and no services are being planned at this time.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, was honored to provide care and guidance to Debra’s family.

Driver hits into vehicle of a man from Beaver Falls, pinning that vehicle between a semi truck on I-376 West

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Rado News

(Hopewell Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a two-vehicle crash occurred on I-376 West in Hopewell Township when one of the vehicles hit another while one tried to pass a grain trailer semi-truck. At 5:26 p.m. on November 26th, 2024, an unidentified driver merged his vehicle into the lane of the grain trailer after the Aliquippa exit. That driver hit into a 2021 Jeep Wrangler driven by twenty-eight-year-old Kristopher Morrell of Beaver Falls, who was trying to pass the semi-truck. Morrell was then between a cement barrier and the grain trailer. The driver that caused the accident continued driving on I-376 West after one vehicle pulled to the side of the road. The driver was not charged by police after “driving on roadways that were laned for traffic.”

Administration of Governor Josh Shapiro announces agriculture grants for youth to develop in the agriculture field

(File Photo of the PA Department of Agriculture Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The administration of Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Monday in Harrisburg that grants totaling $501,123 will help youth find success in the field of agriculture in Pennsylvania. PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding was thrilled to announce what the future held for his field. According to Redding, three million grants have been given to three-hundred and fifteen receipients since 2019 across the state of Pennsylvania.

Senator Elder Vogel Jr. sworn into the State Senate for his fifth term, emphasizing jobs, agriculture improvement, and taxpayer dollar policies

(File photo of Senator Elder Vogel, Jr.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from Senator Elder Vogel Jr.’s office, Vogel was sworn in for his fifth term on Tuesday. As he continues his role in the State Senate of Pennsylvania, Vogel focused on three priorities. Vogel wanted to make sure Pennsylvania’s Over Order Premium is more efficient to make progress in the field of agriculture. Vogel also identified that he will help find more jobs that sustain families in Pennsylvania. Vogel also helped provide tax exemptions for those who were given payments from either state or federal government or Norfolk Southern after the East Palestine train derailment. Therefore, using taxpayer dollars from policies was another important concern of Vogel as he goes into his fifth State Senate term.

 

Kozak Sworn in For First Term to Represent 14th Legislative District

Rep. Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) poses with his family after taking the oath of office to begin his first term representing the people of the 14th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. (Photo provided with release)

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Roman Kozak (R-Beaver) was officially sworn in at the state Capitol to begin serving the 14th Legislative District as state representative.

“I’m ready to get to work fighting for those things we’ve been talking about at our kitchen tables,” Kozak said. “Things like strengthening our economy, ensuring we have safe communities and making sure our education system is working for our students.”

Prior to his election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Kozak worked in the transportation and trucking industry, handling logistics for steel, concrete, brick and dairy manufacturing clients. He then served as a legislative aide to former PA State Rep. Jim Christiana, before becoming a world history teacher at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. He and his wife also own a small business.

Kozak is also very active in the community. He served as a member of the Beaver Falls Planning Commission, chairman of the Republican Committee of Beaver County and a founding board member of the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation. Kozak has also coached youth baseball, basketball and soccer in the county.

The 14th District consists of the city of Beaver Falls; the townships of Chippewa, Darlington, Daugherty, Franklin, Marion, New Sewickley, North Sewickley, Patterson, Pulaski and White; and the boroughs of Big Beaver, Bridgewater, Darlington, Eastvale, Economy, Ellwood City (Beaver County Portion), Fallston, Homewood, Koppel, New Brighton, New Galilee, Patterson Heights and West Mayfield.

Democrat Joanna McClinton elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania house after Republican opponent Jesse Topper bowed out

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pennsylvania state Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, smiles after the chamber’s members elected her as House speaker for the new two-year legislative session, Jan. 7, 2025, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers on Tuesday returned Democratic Speaker Joanna McClinton to lead the chamber for the new session after the Republican floor leader bowed out to resolve a deadlock.

Democrats won 102 seats in November, a single-vote majority, but one of their members was absent from swearing-in day after suffering a health crisis.

“My question to each of you distinguished colleagues is, what will you be remembered for?” McClinton said after taking the oath of office.

In the initial vote for speaker, Republican Leader Jesse Topper and McClinton each garnered 101 votes. Topper removed himself from consideration and McClinton, of Philadelphia, prevailed on the second ballot on a voice vote.

Rep. Matthew Gergely had a “medical emergency over the holidays requiring hospitalization,” according to Beth Rementer, the House Democratic caucus spokesperson. She said he is not expected to return “for some time.”

Gergely’s absence, the close House margin and Republican control of the Senate could complicate first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s hopes of getting things done this year. Democrats had the same 102-101 majority in the last session, and other than the two annual budgets, little substantial legislation was enacted.

Democrats won chamber control two years ago and successfully defended it while several vacancies arose and were filled by special elections. In November, not one of the 203 House seats changed parties, meaning Democrats retained majority control by the slimmest of margins.

House Democratic Leader Matt Bradford of Montgomery County thanked Topper, who drew a standing ovation, as Bradford acknowledged the close margin, telling colleagues “we need to be humble and we need to be wise.”

In floor remarks, Topper wished Gergely a full and speedy recovery.

“There are very few days in this job that are not difficult,” Topper said, urging members to feel gratitude for the opportunity to serve and to avoid becoming frustrated or cynical. “We see many of those who we represent not on their best day, but on their worst.”

House Republicans changed leadership since November, turning to Topper of Bedford County to be their floor leader. A former ranking member on the Education Committee, Topper succeeded Rep. Bryan Cutler, a former House speaker and caucus leader who remains in the House after being reelected in a Lancaster County district.

Topper told reporters after the session that he negotiated several changes to House rules, putting more minority party members on committees, requiring an additional “yes” vote for bills to get out of committee and parliamentary changes.

House Democrats meanwhile have five new members after Reps. Mike Sturla of Lancaster County and former House Speaker Mark Rozzi of Berks County retired; Reps. Patti Kim of Dauphin County and Nick Pisciottano of Allegheny County relinquished their seats to make successful runs for state Senate; and Rep. Kevin Boyle of Philadelphia lost in the spring primary.

House Republicans saw Rep. Dawn Keefer win a state Senate seat in York County and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild.

In other GOP caucus changes, Rep. Rob Mercuri didn’t seek reelection while running unsuccessfully for Congress in Allegheny County. Reps. Jim Gregory of Blair County and Mike Cabell of Luzerne County lost in the spring primary and six others didn’t run again: Donna Oberlander of Clarion County, Jim Marshall of Beaver County, Aaron Kaufer of Luzerne County, George Dunbar of Westmoreland County, Paul Schemel of Franklin County and Barry Jozwiak of Berks County.

In the state Senate, Republican Joe Picozzi unseated freshman Democratic Sen. Jimmy Dillon in a Philadelphia district. Because Kim flipped a redistricted Harrisburg area seat, Republicans still control the chamber by the same margin, 28-22. But there is currently one Senate vacancy: Sen. Ryan Aument, a Lancaster Republican, resigned at the end of December to take a top staff job with incoming U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick.

On Tuesday, a special election to fill Aument’s seat was scheduled to be held on March 25.

PA Department of Aging announces Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period for 2025

(File Photo of Health Insurance paper)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the annual period for Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment was announced for this year, which started on January 1st and goes through March 31st. Older Pennsylvanians can either switch to an original Medicare plan or find a different one between those three months. The release states that older adults can contact their local Area Agency on Aging to schedule a personalized counseling session. You can call the phone number of the PA MEDI Helpline that is toll-free at 1-800-783-7067 weekdays from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. The link to the PA Department of Aging’s website for more information is below:

Click on these words to find the link for the Department of Aging’s website.