(File Photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Cars)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Big Beaver Borough, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Gibsonia reported via release today that fifty-one-year-old Brandy McManus of New Castle caused a single-vehicle crash in Big Beaver Borough on Saturday morning. At 11:01 a.m., McManus was driving on I-376 East, PA Turnpike, when she hit a coyote that ran into the road. McManus also damaged a coolant line with her vehicle and she was not injured.
BEAVER COUNTY RADIO
ZELIENOPLE — The world renowned Celtic Tenors will headline the Strand Theater on the evenings of Feb. 25-27.
The Celtic Tenors’ Matthew Gilsenan, Daryl Simpson and George Hutton will showcase their exquisite harmonies and the ability to bridge the timeless beauty of Celtic tradition with the warmth and accessibility of contemporary song.
From the heartfelt intimacy they bring to “Grace” and playful medley of “Spanish Lady/Marie’s Wedding” to the lively spirit of “Galway Girl,” and covers of Guns ‘N Roses, Van Morrison and Ed Sheeran hits, The Celtic Tenors also are celebrating the release of a new album, “Live at The Empire Theatre.”
Combining heritage, artistry, and human connection through song, the Celtic Tenors will be featured in a new PBS Television special, too.
Reserved seat tickets for the Strand concerts are $47. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Feb. 25-26 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27, available at the strandtheater.org.
Celtic Tenors member Gilsenan appeared Monday on the Beaver County Radio Morning Show and had this to say:
She is survived by her children, Robert Hampe (Chrissy Baker), Sherry (Jim) Grady, and Lisa Hampe-Miller, with whom she lived, her sister and brother-in-law, Coralee and Michael Syrko, her sister-in-law, Marjorie Straub and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was blessed with seven grandchildren: Erin (Jake) Grossi, Megan (Nolan) Shank, Robyn Hampe (Austin Tisch), Mark (Naomi) Miller, Robert (Stephen) Beresik-Hampe, Michela Grady (Jesse Moore), Nicholas Grady (Emma Ciaramella) and Amanda (Jeff) Marsch, great-grandchildren: Robbie, Leena, Eli, Maverick, Easton, Samuel, Abigail, Grady, Maddox; as well as a joyous addition, baby Jameson, due in April.
Judith was a faithful member of New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa. She valued her family and appreciated spending quality time with them. She will also be remembered for her outstanding French toast that was enjoyed by everyone. A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 21st, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of a service at 10 a.m. at New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church,183 Bethlehem Church Road, Aliquippa, with Reverend Randall Clow officiating. Private interment will follow at Sylvania Hills Cemetery, 273 PA-68, Rochester. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa. In place of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to either Camp Lambec (13110 Old Lake Rd, North Springfield, PA 16430) to support children’s tuition for summer camp, or to New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church (183 New Bethlehem Church Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001).
The Hampe family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Gallagher Hospice and the compassionate caregivers that took care of Judith: Patty, Dawn, Chasity, Becky, Chrysta and Patience.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Judith (Smith) Hampe please visit our Sympathy Store by clicking here.
Charles Thomas “Tom” Lesnick, 74, of Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on February 13th, 2026, at Providence Health & Rehabilitation Center in Beaver Falls.
He was born in Beaver Falls on October 3rd, 1951, the son of the late Charles S. and Caroline (Juge) Lesnick. He is survived by a son, grandchildren, many special friends, and his loving Beaver Falls community.
Charles graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1969 and went on to further his education at Slippery Rock University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He later worked for Parks & Recreation in Virginia. He was a member of Soma Gathering in Beaver Falls. He was a true Beaver Falls Tiger and was very involved in local churches and many community events.
Friends will be received on Friday, February 20th from 3 P.M. until the time of services at 6 P.M. at Soma Gathering, 1401 6th Avenue, Beaver Falls and his wishes for cremation will be honored following services.
The GABAUER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1133 Penn Avenue, New Brighton, was honored to care for Charles during this time and was the funeral home that was in charge of his arrangements.
(File Photo of Police Siren Light)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Aliquippa, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release on Saturday are investigating an incident of driving under the influence that occurred along 800 Main Street in Aliquippa on either January 16th or 17th, 2026. An unidentified arrestee received a DUI charge after that person was found to be intoxicated and under the influence of alcohol, and according to police, charges will be filed pending receipt of laboratory test results.
Joan H. (Klein) Gettemy, 87, of Swoope, Virginia, passed away on February 11th, 2026, surrounded by family, at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia.
She was born in Beaver Falls on December 12th, 1938, a daughter of the late John and Meryl (Marshall) Harlan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hilton Klein and her sister, Carol Klein. She is survived by her husband, John William “Bill” Gettemy, her son, Steven Klein and his wife, Cecila, and their daughter, Emily, her stepchildren Hilton Klein and his wife, Charlotte and their 3 children, Rebecca Pilarski and her husband, Gary and their two children, Sam Klein and his wife, Kathy and their three children and Michael Gettemy and Melissa and their two children, three great-grandchildren; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.
Joan was a graduate of Beaver Falls High School class of 1956. After graduation, she began working at Reeves Bank in Beaver Falls where she retired as Vice President following 44 years of faithful service. After retiring she enjoyed golfing, gardening, traveling, long rides in the country with her husband, Bill, and spending time with family and friends.
Friends will be received on Tuesday, February 17th from 5-8 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 18th in the funeral home chapel at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Dr. Judy Angleberger officiating.
Interment will follow in Beaver Falls Cemetery, 2045 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.
Sara Margaret “Peggy” McCartney Hostetler, 82, of North Sewickley Township, passed away unexpectedly on February 12th, 2026 at her home.
She was born in Freedom on October 31st, 1943, a daughter of the late John Cunningham and Genevieve (Davis) Aten. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Dale McCartney, her second husband, James “Jim” Hostetler, her stepfather, Edward Aten, a brother, John Cunningham, her sisters, Jean Brown and Barbara Cunningham; and a sister-in-law, Colleen (Henry) Phillips. She is survived by her loving children: Mark (Tina) McCartney, Scot (Jamie) McCartney, Jodi (Bryan) Marshall, and Beth (Mark) Donaldson; as well as her grandchildren: Michael (Victoria) Chufe, Landon (Nicole) Donaldson, Aaron (Michelle) Chufe, Levi (Mercedes) Donaldson, Sarabeth (Andre) Donaldson, Leah McCartney, Tyler (Emma) McCartney, Dakota Burnette, Larry (Melissa) Higley, and Matt (Jennifer) Marshall; along with her great-grandchildren: Brett, Paxton, Felicity, Brooklynn, Jackson, Sylvia, Owen, Nevaeh, Vivian, Izzy, Larry, Lauren, Dakota, Chris, and Lincoln; a brother, Jim (Lois) Cunningham; as well as a brother-in-law, Herb Brown, a life-long friend, Karen Peffer, as well as numerous extended family, nieces, nephews, church family, and friends.
Sara worked for many years as a receptionist for Dr. Jeffrey Wahl. She was a devoted member of Chippewa United Methodist Church, where she made many lasting friendships. She frequented Prayer Mountain every Wednesday and spent her free time with her family and crafting.
Friends will be received on Monday, February 16th from 2-4 P.M. & 6-8 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements, and where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 17th at 11AM in the funeral home chapel with Pastors Allan Brooks and Tai Courtemanche officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to services on Tuesday, February 17th at 10 A.M.
Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, 273 PA-68, Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner heads to the line against the Dolphins in the first quarter Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at Heinz Field. (Matt Freed/Post Gazette)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Zach Banner announced his retirement from football on social media yesterday. Banner was drafted out of USC in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and then joined the Steelers in 2019, appearing in 22 games for them from 2019-2021. Banner most recently played for the Houston Roughnecks in the United Football League in 2025.
(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Independence Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver reported via release on Saturday that they are investigating a motor vehicle crash that occurred along the 100 block of Lincoln Highway in Independence Township on February 4th, 2026 at 4:01 a.m. An unidentified arrestee was found to be under the influence of alcohol and the intoxicated individual received a DUI charge. According to police, charges will be filed pending receipt of laboratory test results.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works in Clairton, Pa., on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Quinn Glabicki/Pittsburgh’s Public Source via AP)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A federal safety agency investigating an August blast at a U.S. Steel plant near Pittsburgh that left two workers dead said it found a series of incomplete, outdated or inadequate procedures and practices that “exposed” employees to the explosion, which happened as workers were flushing a gas valve.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the company a total of $118,214 and issued 10 citations.
The blast also injured 11 others, including contractors, according to the Chemical Safety Board, a federal agency investigating the explosion.
Before the August blast, Clairton Coke Works had a history of accidents and explosions, and some current and former workers there say poor management and underinvestment have exacerbated air pollution and undermined workplace safety, Pittsburgh’s Public Source and The Associated Press have found.
U.S. Steel has said the explosion happened when workers were flushing a gas valve in preparation for routine planned maintenance at the sprawling riverside industrial facility, the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
The valve ruptured and released combustible coke oven gas, OSHA said.
In the 16-page report dated Monday, OSHA said that U.S. Steel’s written procedures, practices and training to safely maintain equipment and flush the gas valve were incomplete, outdated or inadequate.
Those shortcomings, it said, “exposed” employees to an explosion or explosion hazard when the valve ruptured. Another citation said the U.S. Steel didn’t provide required records within a specified time frame after the explosion.
U.S. Steel, in a statement, said it was reviewing the OSHA report. It did not say whether it agreed or disagreed with the findings, or whether it would dispute them.
“We will continue our dialogue with OSHA and other agencies involved,” it said.
The company has said that safety is a core value and shapes its culture.
OSHA gave U.S. Steel deadlines to fix the perceived shortcomings. The agency lets a company contest the findings in an informal conference.
In a statement, the United Steelworkers’ district director, Bernie Hall, said the union was “grateful to OSHA for thoroughly investigating the tragic incident that cost two lives and impacted many others.”
“We are dedicated to working with management to implement OSHA’s recommendations — especially those that incorporate process safety management — and continue our mission to make our workplaces safer,” Hall said.
The Chemical Safety Board has said it continues to investigate.
Kurt Barshick, U.S. Steel’s vice president of the Mon Valley Works, said during an October presentation to area residents that workers trapped “3,000 PSI water inside of a valve that’s rated for 50 PSI.” The valve cracked and gas filled the area, Barshick added.
The blast came on top of a string of other accidents at the Clairton plant over time, as well as a long history of legal battles between U.S. Steel and Allegheny County regulators, who regularly accuse the company of flouting environmental rules at the facility.