Barbara J. Ryhal (1940-2024)

Barbara J. Ryhal, 84, of New Sewickley Township, passed away on December 7th, 2024 in Allegheny General Hospital. She was born in Rochester on May 7th, 1940, a daughter of the late Joseph Johnson and Beatrice J. Eiffler. She is survived by her loving husband, Gene A. Ryhal, four children: Mandy May, Bradley (Jessie) Scheidmantel, Rick Ryhal, and Dick (Jodi) Ryhal; three grandchildren, Matthew (Amanda) May, Elsa Scheidmantel, and Richard Ryhal, as well as four great grandchildren: Mila May and Maddox, Avery, and Colson Ryhal.

Barbara was a retired registered nurse loving her work at Heritage Valley Beaver for many years.  She enjoyed working outside, planting flowers, cooking and baking, and taking care of the home she truly appreciated.  Barbara was very independent, brave, and fiercely loved her family.  She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

All services were private.

Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester were entrusted with her arrangements.

Patricia A. Nardick (1956-2024)

Patricia A. Nardick (Wilson), 68, of Aliquippa, passed away unexpectedly at Hermitage Valley Medical Center on December 10th, 2024. She was born on May 29th, 1956, a daughter of the late Bill “Wishy” and Rose Nardick. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, David “Cowboy” Nardick, two grandsons, Jacob Pack and Michael Hoover, her long-time best friend (sister) Shirley Deluigi, as well as many family members and friends that she missed with all her heart.

She is survived by her 3 daughers, Jennifer (Jay) Wilson, of Erie, Heather Wilson, of Springfield, Tennessee and Natalie Wilson of Ellwood City, six grandchildren, Corey (Sydney) Pack, Joshua (Harlee) Pack of Springfield, Tennessee, Jared Lee of Ellwood City, Jocelyn Hoover, Caleb Hoover, of Erie and
Hayden Tesnovich of Ellwod City, 2 great-grandchildren, Maelynn Pack and Gabriel Pack of Springfield, Tennessee, a sister, Norma Stanhope, a long friend and companion, Joseph Roma, two amazing friends (sisters), Leah Piroli and Lesia Razzano Dobo, with whom her family will be forever grateful for all
of their care and support over the years, along with many nieces and nephews, that she loved and adored.

Patricia was known for her strong love for others, her giving heart, her strong will, her love for family and friends and her amazing love for the Lord.
She graduated from Aliquippa Senior High School in 1974 to be employed in careers that served the public.
Patty’s pride and joy was her children’s successes in life and watching her grandchildren grow. She wanted everyone to be happy and loved. She loved to make sure everyone was fed. No matter the table size, there was always enough food for everyone.
A celebration of life ceremony will take place at Wildwood Chapel of Aliquippa. The date and time will be announced once they are confirmed. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofransesco Funeral Home, Inc. 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Charles “Charlie” A. West (1968-2024)

Charles “Charlie” A. West, 56, of Beaver Falls, passed away on December 13th, 2024, at Allegheny General Hospital of Pittsburgh.

He was born in New Brighton on February 2nd, 1968, the son of the late Clarence and Alberta (Cook) West. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Dave and Joey. Charles is survived by his wife, Kelly (Setzer) West, two sons, Wayne West and Joselin Allen along with James West, sister, Patricia (Robert) Weber, along with several nieces, nephews, and their families.

Charlie was a member of Saint John the Evangelist Orthodox Church of Beaver Falls.  He held numerous leadership roles with Patterson Heights Volunteer Fire Department, including Vice President, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and most recently Deputy Chief.  He was a mentor, a friend, and a source of strength and encouragement to everyone in the department.  Charlie loved hunting and fishing with his boys.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, December 18th, from 1-3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. in J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton. Additional viewing will be held on Thursday, December 19th, from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Fr. Seraphim Moslener will officiate.

Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made in his name to the Patterson Heights Volunteer Fire Department, 600 7th Avenue, Patterson Heights, PA 15010.

Joe J. Williams (1948-2024)

Joe J. Williams, 76, of North Sewickley Township, passed away on December 14th, 2024.

He was born in Beaver Falls on October 19th, 1948, the son of the late Joseph J. and Alice (Zimmerman) Williams II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna J. Williams, two brothers, Ted Zimmerman and George Williams; and a sister, Alice Williams. He is survived by his wife Betty Jo (Holt) Williams, his two daughters, Penny Jo (Scott) Marrow and Lori (Jack) Hall, a sister, Sarah Fritts, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Joe was a member of the Beaver Falls Turners Club as well as the New Brighton Eagles Club. He was also the owner of Joe-Don Kennels in North Sewickley where he passionately raised German shepherds.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, December 17th, from 1 P.M. until the time of services at 5 P.M. in the Gabauer-Lutton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls. Private interment will take place in at Concord Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joe’s name to the Beaver County K9 Unit- c/o Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, 810 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009 or the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Celebration Villa for all of the loving care they provided to Joe as well as all of those who danced with him.

Pennsylvania minimum wage stays put even though some people want it to be higher

(File Photo of coins being put in a jar for retirement)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) In January, low-wage workers in Pennsylvania will be missing out on pay hikes seen in twenty-three other states. Neighboring states such as Ohio are starting the new year with higher minimum wages. Gillian Kratzer from Better Pennsylvania says House Democrats are concerned about raising the minimum wage, which has been $7.25 since 2009. She adds that a better economy requires people to have money to spend. Kratzer points out it’s up to the General Assembly to set the minimum wage. She adds that the state House passed House Bill 1500, legislation to raise the minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour by 2026. The idea has bipartisan support, but the Senate has not yet acted on a similar bill, Senate Bill 1186.

Deluzio announces bill to help local water authorities to prepare for emergencies

(File Photo of Chris Deluzio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) According to a release from Congressman Chris Deluzio’s office on Friday, Deluzio announced the introduction of his new bill, the Water Authority Cybersecurity Protection Act. The release states that this bill will help cybersecurity by increasing money and giving technology to water authorities that are local. Deluzio announced this after remembering that a hack from Iran temporarily shut down the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa last year. Thanks to this bill, a total of $25 million will go to responses after emergencies for local water authorities in the next two years. The release also notes that the bill will also assist in the improvement of automated and remote systems as well as to provide training programs for both resilience and security.

Moon Township church will not hold outside events or services later this month after court ruling

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Moon Township, PA) A Moon Township church will not hold anything outside later this month after a court ruling. Revival Today Church on Coraopolis Heights Road has used a big tent for several events and services outside, but neighbors cannot stand both the traffic and the noise. David Bachman, the chairman of the Moon Township Board of Supervisors, has stated that a judge put out an order that the tent will no longer be on the property of the church beginning on December 26th. 

Crash in Hopewell Township has one driver charged with tailgating another, which caused injury to the other driver

(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hopewell Township, PA) According to a report from the Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver, a crash occurred in Hopewell Township on I-376 on Friday when one vehicle drove really close to another. Police state that thirty-two-year-old Nicholas R. Kozik of Beaver Falls was driving west on I-376 near the marker for mile forty-six. The report also notes that Kozik caused a crash when tailgating behind fifty-eight-year-old Edward Nemeth. According to the report, Nemeth had a minor injury and Kozik was charged with driving way too close to Nemeth. 

Rochester head football coach Gene Matsook retiring after twenty-five years

(File Photo of Rochester High School Football Field in 2017)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Rochester, PA) Rochester head football coach Gene Matsook decided to retire on Thursday after spending a quarter of a century coaching the same team. Matsook followed his brother Dan to become the coach in 1999 and has an overall record of 218-80. Matsook also was an assistant coach for Rochester fourteen years prior to the head coaching job. Matsook is a member of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame who won four WPIAL titles and made the playoffs twenty-two times as the head coach for the Rams.

Restaurants in Beaver County that offer some Christmas meal dishes that are prepared already

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Jaqueline Benitez pushes her cart down an aisle as she shops for groceries at a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Benitez, 21, who works as a preschool teacher, depends on California’s SNAP benefits to help pay for food, and starting in March she expects a significant cut, perhaps half, of the $250 in food benefits she has received since 2020. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) As Christmas approaches, there are some restaurants in Beaver County that can provide some prepared additions to your Christmas meal. Bob Evans in Moon Township has options of ham, pot roast, or turkey as part of their “Farmhouse Feast,” with various pies for dessert. Little Athens Catering in Ambridge will transport you to Greece by ordering desserts from local businesses including baklava and cookies. Two Chef’s Catering Cafe in Hopewell Township has food that can be heated like salad, pepperoni rolls, wedding soup, meatballs, lasagna, chicken tenders, and ham. You can place orders until this Friday at 6 p.m. at Little Athens Catering. You can also pick up orders on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and place orders until December 17th at 2 p.m. for Two Chef’s Catering Cafe.

Phone Numbers to Place Orders:

Little Athens Catering: 724-318-8218

Two Chef’s Catering Cafe: 724-203-0284