Author: Beaver County Radio

House fire occurs in Chippewa Township

(File Photo of Fire Background)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Chippewa Township, PA) A house caught fire in Chippewa Township yesterday evening which caused multiple fire units to respond to it. According to Beaver County dispatchers, crews were called to the 3700 block of 37th Street Extension at 8:40 p.m. The side and the roof near the front door of this house that caught fire were damaged and Beaver County dispatchers told WTAE that one dog was rescued from inside. There were no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Swastika and German war eagle tiled on floor of Beaver County home

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA-TV, CBS Pittsburgh, posted on Facebook post on August 25th, 2025)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The Beaver County home that is currently owned by Lynn Rae Wentworth and her husband still has a swastika and a German war eagle tiled onto its floor which was discovered under a table and rugs in its basement. According to Wentworth, the seller never informed them about the symbols until they found them, and they believe it was intentional. The Wentworths bought their home in 2023. Daniel Stoner is the attorney of the Wentworths who has called the symbols a “material defect” after filing an appeal in court. Stoner confirms the seller apparently installed the symbols in the floor himself in the 1970s, and argued the symbol of the swastika was a popular design in the 1920s on greeting cards, soft drinks, and sports uniforms back in that time. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has also made a response to this case. Laura Cherner, the director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, had this to say about this case: “It’s not anything I’ve encountered before. It’s really shocking and I definitely feel for the Wentworth family that they bought a home and then they uncovered something so, so dark.” Stoner also states that The Superior Court will be expected to give their opinion on this case by the end of 2025. 

Monaca Walmart hosts grand reopening

(File Photo of the Walmart Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) Tomorrow at 9 a.m. will be when the Walmart in Monaca will have an official grand reopening because the remodel of that store has been completed. A ribbon cutting ceremony, giveaways from vendors to attendees, and over $8,000 in grants being presented to local organizations who have made an impact in their community will also occur at this event. Monaca Mayor John Antoline, local officials, first responders and associates of the Monaca Walmart who have worked there for more than thirty years will be among the guests present for this grand reopening of that store.

PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank Elected Vice President of Organization of PJM States, Inc.

(Photo of Stephen M. DeFrank Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release in Harrisburg yesterday from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, their chairman, Stephen M. DeFrank has been elected Vice President of the Organization of PJM States, Inc. or OPSI. OPSI represents the interests of makers of public policy that are collective throughout the PJM Interconnection, one of the largest regional transmission operators in the world, which manages the wholesale power markets and the high-voltage electric grid serving over sixty-five million people across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. DeFrank previously served on the OPSI Board of Directors and is also an active member of several other regional and national organizations which are focused on reliability of energy, infrastructure, and affordability for consumers:  including the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Board of Directors, NARUC’s Committee on Gas, and the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners (MACRUC) Board of Directors.

Man charged and cited for hitting police vehicle in North Sewickley Township

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(North Sewickley Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release that they were called to the scene of a two-vehicle accident in North Sewickley Township that happened on Harpers Ferry Road at its intersection with Chapel Drive on Saturday at 5:07 p.m. This crash occurred between a Koppel Borough police vehicle driven by Officer Kusma and another vehicle that was driven by Edward Price, who was not cooperative at a road closure and initially drove around Kusma. Kusma initiated a traffic stop in a lot that was open and while Price was backing up, Price hit the vehicle of Kusma in its push bumper. Price related that he did not realize that Kusma was pulling him over and he was turning around and backing up. Price also related that the vehicle of Kusma hit the vehicle in its driver side. Price was charged and cited by police. There were no reported injuries and both vehicles were drivable from the scene after these vehicles sustained minor damage.

I-376 Beaver Valley Expressway Spur Restriction Monday in Potter Township

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Potter Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that on Monday, October 13th, weather permitting, a spur restriction on I-376 (Beaver Valley Expressway) in Potter Township, Beaver County will occur. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, a closure of the spur from eastbound I-376 to southbound Route 18 (Frankfort Road) at the Monaca/Shippingport (Exit 39) interchange will occur as crews from Lindy Paving conduct milling and base repair operations there. Traffic from the ramp will be directed to continue straight to the traffic light and turn right onto Route 18. A single lane closure on southbound Route 18 will also occur in the area of the spur during this time.

Bernstine Applauds Launch of RowAmerica Pittsburgh at Lake Arthur Backed by Philanthropist Howard Winklevoss

(File Photo of Representative Aaron Bernstine)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Butler, PA) According to a release from Representative Aaron Bernstine’s office, Bernstine announced yesterday in Butler the upcoming launch of RowAmerica Pittsburgh, a state-of-the-art rowing facility scheduled to open in spring of 2026 at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park. Entrepreneur and philanthropist Howard Winklevoss is who this project is made possible by through his support of it. RowAmerica Pittsburgh will serve as a hub for both competitive and recreational rowing. There will also be a press conference to mark the announcement of the new rowing facility tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Portersville at the Bear Run Boat Ramp, which is RowAmerica Pittsburgh’s future site. The new rowing facility located on the 3,000 acre Lake Arthur will offer programming for athletes of every skill level, from first-timers to competitors that are elite. A multi-million dollar investment will also be included in this project, with construction on it set to start this fall. Programming is expected to start in April of 2026 will include learn-to-row clinics, adult and youth rowing teams, competitive masters and junior’s teams and partnerships with local schools, universities and community organizations. You can visit www.RowAmericaPittsburgh.com for updates and more information, or if you are a school, organization or individual that is interested in RowAmericaPittsburgh.

Loose cow rescued on I-79 near Cranberry Township

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cranberry Township, PA) Yesterday morning was when a cow was rescued from the median of Interstate 79 near Cranberry Township. According to police, several people reported seeing the cow at around 7 a.m. It is unknown at this time how the cow got loose on I-79. Police were on the scene during this incident and traffic was backed up for about two miles approaching the Butler County area where the cow was spotted. Local farrier Kyle Carson was able to both rope the cow shortly after 10 a.m. and get the animal loaded onto a trailer. The cow is receiving veterinary care at a local farm.

Marilyn Kay Barnhart (1938-2025)

Marilyn Kay Barnhart, 87, of Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on October 3rd, 2025, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born in Ellwood City on April 9th, 1938, the daughter of the late Frank Zona and Jennie (Mitchell) Greer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald M. “Jerry” Barnhart, her brother, Frank Zona, Jr. and her sister-in-law, Carol (Jay) Davis-Dickerson. She is survived by her two nephews, Jason (Jamie) Zona and Dr. Justin (Toni) Zona, her great nieces and nephews: Samantha and Danielle Rosenburg, William Zona, Antonio Zona, and Carlena Zona, Rick McComas, a sister-in-law, Karen Zona, along with numerous extended family and many special friends.

Marilyn worked for many years as a manager of People’s Home Savings Bank and later as an attendant for the former Lutton Funeral Homes, as well as continuing to assist the Gabauer family until her retirement in 2020. She met many wonderful people who she genuinely cared for in these positions. She was a devoted member of Chippewa United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls where she sang in the choir. Marilyn was active in her younger years in many organizations, including the Ellwood City Area Civic Corral, Ellwood City Women’s Network, Outlook Club of Beaver Falls, Ellwood City Rotary Club, Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce. She also devoted her time to her class reunion board, having worked every one of her class reunions. In her free time, she enjoyed reading and spending time with her loved ones.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, October 17th from 4 P.M. until the time of services at 7 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements.

Interment will be private in Locust Grove Cemetery, 1400 Brighton Road, Ellwood City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 in Marilyn’s honor.

Peggy E. Rodriguez Skidmore (1960-2025)

Peggy E. Rodriguez Skidmore, 65, of Baden, passed away on October 6th, 2025 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Augsburg, Germany on May 24th, 1960, a daughter of the late Joseph and Edith Kaube Rodriguez. She is survived by her two children, Jeffrey Allen (Romona) Skidmore Jr. and Alisha Key, her sister, Maria Lee, five grandchildren: Malik Strickland, Jalissa Strickland, Justin Burchell-Skidmore, Rebecca Stewart, and Liam Stewart; as well as two nephews, Matthew Robert Lee and Robert Donald Lee and many more family members and friends.

Peggy was a social butterfly who was always at the center of laughter and fun, whether at a party, a bingo game, or during her travels with her girlfriends. Her love for cooking and baking reflected her nurturing nature, providing comfort and happiness through a well-cooked meal or a freshly baked pastry. She had an exceptional talent for painting ceramics, a hobby that showcased her creativity and eye for beauty. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 12th from 1-4 P.M. at the Baden Borough Building, 149 State Street, Baden. Professional services and arrangements were entrusted to CORLESS-MATTER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, LLC, 1133 Church Street, Ambridge. You can leave your memories of Peggy and upload photos to her memorial page by clicking here.