Author: Beaver County Radio

Sewickley woman pleads guilty to bank fraud after being accused of fraudulently drafting checks against bank accounts from local nonprofit as its former business manager

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Sewickley, PA) The former business manager of a local nonprofit organization pleaded guilty to bank fraud in federal court yesterday. 

According to information shared by the Department of Justice, sixty-three-year-old Judith A. Hetzell of Sewickley, pleaded guilty to seven counts of bank fraud. 

Hetzell served as the business manager for an organization which offered guardianship in the Western Pennsylvania area from November of 2023 to February of 2025. 

Police confirmed that as the business manager, Hetzell had access to bank accounts that belonged to people who were using the nonprofit’s fiduciary services. 

She was accused of fraudulently drafting checks against those bank accounts. 

The name of the nonprofit has not been released by prosecutors, and they did not say exactly how much money Hetzell received from this situation. 

Hetzell’s sentencing is scheduled for October 13th and she faces a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in jail, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. 

Beaver County coroner identifies man who was killed in a motorcycle crash in New Sewickley Township

(File Photo of a New Sewickley Township Police Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(New Sewickley Township, PA) Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer has now identified the person that was killed in a motorcycle crash in New Sewickley Township on Monday.

Sixty-five-year-old John Paytas died at the scene of a crash which occurred at the 500 block of Fezell Road at approximately 5:30 p.m. 

According to a release from New Sewickley Township Police Chief Gregory Carney, the preliminary investigation indicates that a motorcycle was traveling north on Fezell Road and left the east side of the roadway.

That motorcycle traveled over an embankment and then overturned multiple times. 

Officials confirm that Paytas died as a result of forced trauma to the head and chest. 

There were no other vehicles involved in the crash. New Sewickley Township Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash. 

Antonette J. “Toni” Pupi (Passed on July 13th, 2026)

Antonette J. “Toni” Pupi, 88, of Monaca, passed away on July 13th, 2026.

She was born in Aliquippa, a daughter of the late Antonio and Mary (Casuccio) Tomeo. She was the last of her immediate family and was preceded in death by her sisters, Rose McElhaney and Helen “Toots” Lambert, and her brothers, Tony and Ralph Tomeo.

Antonette was a graduate of Aliquippa High School and spent her life as a devoted homemaker. Her kindness was reflected in the many simple but meaningful ways she lived each day, and her welcoming smile left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

Listening to music was one of her great joys, and she especially loved to dance. She also enjoyed cooking and took pride in preparing meals for those she loved. She also shared her time as a volunteer preparing meals for Meals on Wheels, which was a reflection of her generous heart.

She was a member of Mary, Queen of Saints Parish as well as St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Louis Pupi, with whom she shared a long and devoted marriage. She is also survived by her three sons, Louis A. Pupi, Richard J. Pupi and his wife Saundra and Robert M. Pupi and his wife, Wesley, her grandchildren: Chera (Qiuana) Brown, Vincent (Meg) Pupi, Michael (Holly) Pupi, Brenden Pupi, and Isabella Pupi; as well as her great-granddaughter, Easton Grace Brown. She was also blessed with many nieces and nephews, all of whom were part of the extended family she loved and valued.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, July 15th from 3-7 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where departing prayers will be offered on Thursday, July 16th at 9:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca.

Entombment will follow in Mt Olivet Cemetery Mausoleum, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.

The family has suggested those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Antonette’s memory to please consider the Society of St Vincent DePaul.

Court order confirms that Schwebel’s could have a potential buyer

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on June 18th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Cleveland, OH) Schwebel Baking Company is planning to shut down operations after 120 years in business, but the brand based in Youngstown, Ohio could have a potential buyer. 

Members of the Teamsters union recently filed a suit and said in it that the closure of Schwebel’s violated collective bargaining agreements. 

An order that was issued by U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent that was dated on July 7th after a telephone status hearing mentioned a “potential buyer” for the company, but it was not named. 

According to Nugent, “Defendant Schwebel Baking Company indicated that it may need to go through an expedited Chapter 11 bankruptcy process to achieve a sale of its business to a potential buyer. There is presently a potential buyer for Defendant Schwebel Baking Company, and the parties to this litigation are in discussions to determine whether such a purchase is feasible. The parties have agreed to pause the litigation in this case for eight days, until July 15, 2026, to continue their ongoing discussions.” 

Nugent ordered another telephone status conference for tomorrow morning with Judge David Ruiz, who is assigned to this case. 

Schwebel’s announced its closure last month and cited rising costs as well as aging manufacturing equipment and facilities, adding that it had been unable to find a buyer. 

Schwebel’s WARN notice to the state of Ohio confirmed that 673 employees were affected by layoffs beginning the week of July 6th and continuing through the weekend of Labor Day, with all workers to be terminated by Labor Day. 

Officer Jonathan Brady sworn in as the newest member of the Hopewell Township Police Department

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Hopewell Township Police Department, Posted on Facebook on July 14th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hopewell, PA) A police officer was sworn in yesterday to become a new member of the Hopewell Township Police Department.

During the Hopewell Township Board of Commissioners meeting last night, Officer Jonathan Brady was officially sworn in by Magisterial District Judge Felicia Santillan.
Brady will serve and protect his local community in his new position.

Flaugherty Run Road reopens to traffic

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) A part of Flaugherty Run Road in Moon Township reopened to traffic after an announcement by PennDOT on Friday.

A section of Flaugherty Run Road between Brodhead Road and Stoops Ferry roads were closed on July 7th when sections because of safety reasons and the paving buckled during the recent high heat.

Traffic was detoured when the closure occurred.

PJM Interconnection releasing new information on electricity rates today

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of KDKA-TV, CBS Pittsburgh, Posted on Facebook on July 13th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Audubon, PA) PJM Interconnection, which is the regional power grid operator for Pennsylvania and 12 other states, is set to release new information on electricity rates today at around 4 p.m.  

Experts in energy and consumer advocacy gave a preview yesterday on what to anticipate when that grid releases its capacity auction results for the 2028-2029 delivery year.  

Patrick Cicero, who is with the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, told KDKA-TV yesterday that “given all the dynamics, the price is certainly going to land at the cap, very near at the cap, which is around $325 a megawatt day,” and it is typically the same as the last two auctions, for the current delivery year and the next one,

Each of them totaling about $16 billion in costs for what are considered as promises for availability when there is excessive demand on the system, like during waves of heat.

Cicero noted that his organization that they have been noticing for the previous eighteen months or so is what those predicted results could mean.

The project found that during this time, the average household in Pennsylvania has seen an increase from $220 to $320 a year on their bill, which is $1.2 billion more in total for all households. 

Charles L. Hood III (1956-2026)

Charles L. Hood, III, 70, passed away on July 1st, 2026, at his residence in Monaca.

He was born in Rochester on May 30th, 1956. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Marie Allman Hood, and his stepmother, Shirley Hood.

He is survived by his father, Charles L. Hood, Jr., his brother, David and his wife, Jolee and his sister, Nancy, his two daughters, Jessica Thompson and Rachael Couture, his companion of 31 years, Julie Nichol. He helped raise Nichol’s son, Danny (Nicole) Baldwin. He was also a proud grandfather to Charlie and Juliett Nicole Baldwin.

Charles graduated from Monaca High School. He went on to work as a truck driver hauling heavy steel for PGT Trucking. Those who knew him understood that he was a man who could always be counted on, whether on the road, at home, or among friends. He was a familiar presence in the Monaca community and was a member of various clubs in the area. He enjoyed spending time at hunting camps in Western Pennsylvania, where he found peace in the outdoors and cherished the companionship of those around him. He also enjoyed riding his Harley, hunting, fishing, and working on trucks.

He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him, and his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 19th at 1 p.m. at Chick’s Dutch Bar, 1104 Marshall Road, Monaca.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Theodore L. Sulkowski (1930-2026)

Theodore L. Sulkowski, 95, of Ambridge, passed away peacefully on July 13th, 2026.

He was born on Novemebr 25th, 1930, a son of the late Walter and Antonina Sulkowski.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Sulkowski, his sisters: Stella Rykaczewski, Josephine Macurak, Genevieve Wittuck and Marie Macurak, his brothers, Chester, Stanley and William Sulkowski and his daughter-in-law, Janet Sulkowski.

He is survived by his sons, Larry Sulkowski and Tom (Gina) Sulkowski, his granddaughters: Alexa (Patrick) Kenny, Joanna (George) Cartia, and Agnieszka (Tyler) Certich; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Theodore graduated from Ambridge High School and proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He dedicated many years to a strong work ethic, beginning his career at United Dairy before working as a butcher at A.P. Grocery Store. He later worked at American Bridge and retired from J&L Steel, now known as LTV Steel.

He found great joy in the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and took pride in making his own homemade wine. He was a devoted Pittsburgh sports fan who rarely missed cheering on his favorite teams. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his family, particularly his granddaughters, who brought him immense pride and happiness.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, July 15th, from 4-7 p.m. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 Eighth Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where departing prayers will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 16th, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Interment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273- PA 68, Rochester.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Villa at Concordia – St. Joseph in Baden for the exceptional care, kindness, and support they provided to Theodore.

Ronald Paul Lyle (1935-2026)

Ronald Paul Lyle, 90, of Potter Township, passed away on July 11th, 2026, at Transitions Health Care of Washington, Pennsylvania.

He was born in Aliquippa on October 31st, 1935, the son of the late O. Paul and Dorothy Lane Lyle.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Timothy Lyle and a half sister, Cora Mae Rhodes.

He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Evelyn Marie (Haffey) Lyle, one son and daughter-in-law, Randy A. and Alexis Souffrant Lyle, of Racoon Township, three granddaughters, Randi and Daren, Heather and Derek, Brandy and Bill, as well as his special friends who are his neighbors.

Ronald was a retired employee of the former Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. He was Protestant by faith. He was also a United States Army Veteran who served during the Korean War. He was also a member of the American Legion Lodge 952 of Hookstown. He was also a Ham Radio Operator as well as a CB Radio Operator and was with the ARRL – Volunteer Examiner.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, July 16th, from 2-7 p.m., with a service following at 7:15 p.m. at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements. Reverend Dr. Richard Herbster, of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church in Racoon Township will offiiciate the service. A private interment will take place at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester. The Beaver County Vietnam Veterans Chapter #862 will provide full military honors for their fallen comrade.