Author: Beaver County Radio

Ann Gorsuch Hilton (1928-2025)

Ann Gorsuch Hilton, 96, of Beaver Falls passed away on February 28th, 2025 at UPMC Jameson.

She was born in Ganister, Pennsylvania on November 17th, 1928, the daughter of the late John Wapner, Jr. and Helen (Pich) Wapner. She was one of their eight children. In addition to her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by a former husband, Ralph Gorsuch. She is survived by her two children, Mark W. (Angie) Gorsuch of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Carol A. (Richard) Martucci of Ellwood City, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Ashley and Dave Dobbins and their three children, Ethan, Austin and Caroline, all of Landsdale, Pennsylvania, as well as Rikki Mravintz and her son, Lane of Ellwood City.

Ann was a devoted member of St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Beaver Falls and was a retired Secretary and Bookkeeper for the former Caplan Scrap Company in Big Beaver Borough. She also loved Ballroom Dancing.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, March 4th from 12 Noon until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. in St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church, 1501 Eighth Avenue, Beaver Falls, with Father Seraphim Moslener officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to be made in Ann’s name to the church.

Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Cemetery of Daugherty Township.

A special thank you goes out to the staff at Avalon Nursing Home and UPMC Jameson Hospital for their kind and compassionate care.

Stephanie Ann Mitchell (1989-2025)

Stephanie Ann Mitchell, 35, of White Township, passed away surrounded by family on February 28th, 2025 at Good Samaritan Hospice, Wexford.

She was born in Beaver on September 11th, 1989, the daughter of Paul and Kristine Zack Jasinski. She was preceded in death by her uncle, Dan Zack II. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brother, Matthew Jasinski, three sisters, Ashley Chapman, Aleasa (William) Valentine and Alexis (Elliott) Fisher, grandparents, Daniel and Judy Zack, two uncles, Ken (Amy) Zack and Keith (Sandi) Zack, three special aunts, Diana, Cindy and Krissy, as well as six nieces and nephews: Kylee Podunavac, Emma Foster, James Podunavac, Hailey Long, Anna Podunavac, and Devin Fisher.

Stephanie loved swimming and spending time with her beloved dog, Rugar.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, all services were private.

Professional Services were handled by the CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL SERVICES, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Good Samaritan Hospice, Wexford for their outstanding care.

Route 65 Bridge Repair Starts Monday in North Sewickley

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing improvement work on the Route 65 bridge over the Connoquenessing Creek in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County will begin Monday, March 3 weather permitting.

Single-lane alternating traffic will occur on the Route 65 bridge located between Country Club Road and Mercer Road (Route 1006) weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, March 14. Crews from A. Folino Construction will conduct deck repair work on the bridge.

Please use caution if traveling on this roadway. Work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District11.

Information about infrastructure in District 11, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D11Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Route 18 Frankfort Road Bridge Replacement Project Begins Monday in Potter Township

(File Photo)

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing traffic shifts on the Route 18 Frankfort Road Bridge replacement project in Potter Township, Beaver County will begin Monday, March 3 weather permitting.

Beginning at approximately 6 a.m. on Monday, a long-term traffic shift will occur on the Route 18 bridge over Raccoon Creek continuously through early October. Two 11-foot lanes will be maintained as a new bridge is constructed adjacent to the existing structure. Periodic single-lane alternating traffic will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the work.

The existing bridge will maintain traffic while the new structure and roadway realignment are constructed. A reduced duration detour will be utilized to allow crews to complete the roadway tie-ins towards the end of the project. The $25.28 million project also includes a sidewalk and aesthetic architectural surface treatments on the bridge. The overall project is anticipated to conclude in 2027.

Please use caution if traveling in the area.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District11.

Information about infrastructure in District 11, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D11Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook and Instagram.

Connect Beaver County’s Broadband Program provides infrastructure for faster Internet to over 2,000 locations in Beaver County

(File Photo of Beaver County Recreation and Tourism Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) Connect Beaver County’s Broadband Program is providing necessary infrastructure to give Internet with higher speeds to over two thousand Beaver County locations. The program also has a Beaver County Connectivity Tracker and the uses of it include helping to track how many homes are in construction and the number of miles of cables that have been placed. You can also use the Affordability Finder from the Broadband program to locate providers of Internet service to your address until the program is completed. You can visit connectbeavercounty.com for more information. 

State Representative Aaron Bernstine introduces legislation for Simon’s Law to protect rights for parents and guardians during the medical process in making decisions for minors

(File Photo of State Represntative 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) introduced legislation aimed at protecting the rights of parents and guardians in the medical decision-making process for their minor children. Simon’s Law is a bill that would have facilities or health-care professionals let parents know prior to placing a do-not-resuscitate order on anyone under eighteen. Simon’s Law would also have one parent or guardian provide oral consent before issuing a do-not-resuscitate order. 

Mandatory conservation order from Pennsylvania American Water lifted in three Pennsylvanian counties

(File Photo of Water)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The mandatory conservation order for water in Allegheny, Beaver and Washington Counties has been lifted by the company Pennsylvania American Water. People in Beaver County’s Frankfort Springs and Hanover Township needed to limit their water use to around 10-15% during the order. According to Pennsylvania American Water, the order was given because an adequate water supply needed to be maintained. The company also stated that the Aldrich Water Treatment Plant also needed to be fixed because of an issue involving electricity.

New website launched by the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community to help both track pollution and air pollutants

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: Smoke emission from factory pipes)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) A new website called Eyes on Air was launched by the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community. This website helps participants to be aware of both trends in pollution and what can be found in the local air. You can also see data on the Eyes on Air website in real time from the AirSense project, which will help to place monitors in Beaver County that track pollutants of air related to health risks.  These monitors will be placed in Brighton, Center and Raccoon Townships, as well as both Beaver and Rochester. 

Backers of Pennsylvania paid family leave bill cite health of moms and babies

(Source for Photo: The Family Care Act would establish a paid family medical leave insurance fund in Pennsylvania, enabling workers to care for elderly loved ones, sick children or newborns without risking their jobs or financial security. Caption for Photo: Parents Home from Hospital With Newborn Baby In Nursery (Adobe Stock) – Danielle Smith – Keystone News Service)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Legislation to create paid family and medical leave in Pennsylvania is getting bipartisan support. House Bill 200 has 58 cosponsors, including three Republicans. It’s in the Labor and Industry Committee. The nonprofit Maternity Care Coalition is among those pushing for passage. Sarah Jann Heinze with the coalition says the bill would allow families some financial support during childbirth and major illnesses. She adds for new parents and babies, paid leave could cut hospital readmissions in half. House Bill 200 is an update of past legislative attempts known as the Family Care Act, to fund paid leave through employer and employee contributions. Thirteen states have similar programs. Heinze notes many new mothers return to work even before their six-week checkup due to financial strain, some within ten days.

Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. announces grant to both update safety and fix an intersection in Center Township

(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 announced that a state grant of $563,970 was approved to both upgrade safety and fix an intersection in Center Township. The intersection of Beech Road and Route 8 will be getting new equipment for traffic signals thanks to the grant. The funding was provided by PennDOT’s Automated Red-Light Enforcement program.