Author: Beaver County Radio

AAA: Gas Prices Up Slightly in PA

Gas prices are a penny higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.489 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.489
Average price during the week of Sept. 30, 2024                                              $3.479
Average price during the week of Oct. 9, 2023                                                  $3.901

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.452      Altoona
$3.483      Beaver
$3.771      Bradford
$3.488      Brookville
$3.496      Butler
$3.423      Clarion
$3.475      DuBois
$3.460      Erie
$3.488      Greensburg
$3.489      Indiana
$3.498      Jeannette
$3.533      Kittanning
$3.450      Latrobe
$3.478      Meadville
$3.449      Mercer
$3.397      New Castle
$3.463      New Kensington
$3.494      Oil City
$3.480      Pittsburgh
$3.382      Sharon
$3.479      Uniontown
$3.759      Warren
$3.362      Washington

Trend Analysis:
Despite higher crude oil prices, the national average for a gallon of gas fell by four cents over the past week to $3.17. There are now 18 states east of the Rockies with averages below $3 a gallon. And OPEC+ is saying, at least for now, they will increase production starting December 1st, putting even more downward pressure on pump prices. Today’s national average is 11 cents less than a month ago and 55 cents less than a year ago.

While Hurricane Helene’s devastation did little to impact gasoline supply, it crushed demand in affected areas by destroying infrastructure and causing power outages. Also, the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel are fueling worries that oil shipments could be disrupted through the Straits of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for maritime traffic. This has led to oil prices creeping higher.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand fell from 9.20 million barrels per day last week to 8.52. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 220.1 million barrels to 221.2, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels daily.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate rose by 27 cents to settle at $70.10 per barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 3.9 million barrels from the previous week. At 416.9 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Man pistol whipped Monday night in Aliquippa

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 8, 2024 11:53 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) A drug deal gone bad occurred at 1300 Main Street in Aliquippa Monday night at 8:30pm. Aliquippa Police reported this morning that a male suffered a laceration to the forehead during the incident. SWAT was called out due to a report that 2 males were barricaded in the house. No one was in the home when it was searched no arrests have been made, according to police. The investigation is ongoing.

Aliquippa Police ask drivers to observe the speed limit

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 8, 2024 11:48 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Aliquippa Police have received several complaints about speeding on city streets.  The speed limit is 25 miles per hour in residential areas of the city and many drivers ignore it, according to police.

One of the areas where speeding was observed by Beaver County Radio is traffic coming off of Brodhead Road onto Main Street, or onto Irwin Street. Drivers were observed not slowing down in those areas.

Candice “Candy” (Smallwood) Zuccaro (1945-2024)

Candice “Candy” (Smallwood) Zuccaro, 78, of Hopewell Township passed away unexpectedly on September 4, 2024.
She was born on December 11, 1945 in Aliquippa, the daughter of the late Dorsey “Bob” and Joanne Smallwood. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Otto (Bob) Zuccaro, three daughters, Deana (Bobby) Trombini, Bobbi Lynn Zuccaro, Toni Ann Zuccaro and a step daughter Paula Garvin (Jeff) Kershner, five grandchildren, Anthony Zuccaro (Katie McLennan), Rushel Shell III, Dante Trombini (Thomas Casella), Mia Trombini (Declan Eaton) and Darrian Zuccaro, five great grandchildren, Arionna, Amiyah and Prince Shell, Lorenzo Eaton and Quinn McLennan, three sisters, Roanne (the late Richard) Fetkovich, Kathy (Richard) Ursitti and Terri (Mike) Pauvlinch, a brother-in-law Dan (Rose Marvich) Zuccaro, as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends.
Candice was born and raised in Aliquippa and was the proud owner of Candy’s Catering for almost 40 years, where she was well known in Beaver County and beyond.
In recent years and up until her death, she worked at Boscov’s. If you were ever at the store, you would hear Candice making friends with her customers telling stories, and always sharing a big smile.
She possessed many wonderful characteristics but was truly known for her big, kind and loving heart. Everyone who knew her loved her and she loved them back profoundly.
Above all, family was the most important thing to Candice. In accordance with Candice’s wishes, there will be no visitation.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life honoring Candy on Saturday, October 12, from 12-3 P.M. at Racoon Fire Hall, 4061 Patterson Road, West Aliquippa.
Please wear something red or animal print to honor Candice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Roger Alfred LePage, Sr. (1938-2024)

Roger Alfred LePage, Sr., 86, of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away on September 22, 2024 with his family by his side.

He was born on August 4, 1938, in Rollinsford, New Hampshire. He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly LePage and his sister Carol Marcotte. He is survived by his children, Sheri (Dan) Dumais of Strafford, New Hampshire, sons, Don of Dover, New Hampshire, Jeff of Exeter, New Hampshire, and Roger, Jr., granddaughters, Ysa and Audrey, both of Pittsburgh, grandson, Jason Sprague, and great-granddaughter, Lilly, of Barrington, New Hampshire.

Roger was known for his good cheer and constant busyness. Roger began his career on the assembly line at Sawyer Mills in Dover, New Hampshire, and retired with the same company, then known as Textron Interior Trim, as plant superintendent, after 35 years of service, without a sick day.

Roger cherished the 50 years he spent jitterbugging and staying fit with his wife, Beverly LePage, before her passing in 2018.

A Celebration of Lives will be held for both Roger and his late wife Beverly at St. Mary’s Church in Rollinsford during the summer of 2025. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Sunceray (Sunny) Wannamaker (1993-2024)

Sunceray (Sunny) Wannamaker, 31, of Aliquippa, passed away on October 2, 2024. She was the daughter of Blair (Arnell) Wannamaker and Rachaelle Fallen. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, James and Adrienne Ward, and her paternal grandparents, AJ Walker and Gwendolyn Wannamaker.

She is survived by her children, Serenity Wannamaker, Gwendolyn, and Aminah Marshall, her siblings, Blair (Brittany) Wannamaker, Adrienne (Tamika) Wannamaker, and Chandler Wannamaker, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her dear friend, Dejon “Butta” Marshall.

A graduate of Ambridge Area High School in 2011, Sunceray worked in retail while attending DeVry University, where she earned an associate degree in medical billing in 2024. Above all, she cherished her role as a devoted mother, not only to her own children but to all the children around her, and she was deeply committed to her family.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, October 12, from 11 A.M. until the time of the funeral service at 1 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge. Memorial donations may be made in care of the funeral home.

Bruce Alan Crees (1960-2024)

Bruce Alan Crees, 63, of Chippewa Township, passed away on October 6, 2024 unexpectedly at his home.

He was born on December 1, 1960, in Beaver Falls, the son of the late John O. and Ruth V. (Murphy) Crees. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill Crees and Gary Crees. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sherry (Macri) Crees, his daughters, Holly (Quintan) Russell and Megan (Benjamin) Dalrymple, his brothers, Bob (Tina) Crees, Larry (Elena) Crees, and Jim (Patty) Crees, sisters-in-law, Donna Crees and Janice Crees as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Bruce was a Union Electrician for the Local #712. He loved the Lord and his daughters which were the center of his world.  In his free time, Bruce could be found tinkering with anything and everything.

Friends are invited to attend a non-traditional memorial gathering for Bruce at the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, on Wednesday, October 9th from 6:30-7:30 P.M. and on Thursday, October 10th from 11 A.M to noon. The family wishes to share Bruce’s love of Jesus and fond memories of his life during these times.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse for hurricane victims. 

Private interment will be in Clinton Cemetery of Wampum.

Linda L. (Brown) Halladay (1942-2024)

Linda L. (Brown) Halladay, 82, of New Sewickley Township, passed away on October 4, 2024 with her family by her side.

She was born on September 18, 1942 in South Heights, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Harry and Carrie (Davis) Brown. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Harry, Allen, Robert (Janice), Loraine Andrews (Mike), Marie Huey (Paul), Rowena Fink (Larry) and Janet Singleton (Butch). She is survived by her three sons, James W. Halladay, John (Jennifer Gordon) Halladay, Kevin Halladay, her grandson, Nathan Martin and her sister, Joyce Luther (Jim).

Linda had a large family including many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was a graduate of Ambridge High School and Duff’s Iron City Business Institute.

She started her career in 1965 at Rochester Hospital and retired in 2001 from The Medical Center of Beaver County in Beaver.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ambridge.

You could always count on Linda to have a family story, and she was quite the family historian.

Linda was an extremely loving and devoted mother who lived for her three sons.

All funeral services were private. Services have been entrusted to GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls.

Charles Reed McElroy (1960-2024)

Charles Reed McElroy, 64, of Enon Valley, passed away on October 4, 2024 in his home.

He was born on March 13, 1960, in New Castle, the son of Jeanne (Feezle) McElroy and the late Charles McElroy. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edward McElroy and his best friend and K-9 companion, Buddy. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of nearly 21 years, Sueann (Hastings) McElroy, sisters, Nancy (Daniel) Dunham and Laura May, a sister-in-law, Pamela McElroy, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

Charlie had been a truck driver and mechanic for A. R. Oliastro, Inc., for many years and had currently owned and operated McElroy’s Auto Truck Repair.  He enjoyed his family and friends and helping his mother.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, October 12 at the Enon Valley Rod & Gun Club from 1-4 P.M.

The GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC. of Beaver Falls was honored to assist Charles’ family.

Honda drives through wall at Ambridge CVS

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published October 7, 2024 6:22 P.M. Photo by Eddy Crow.

(Ambridge, Pa) On Monday morning, a driver of a a Honda drove  into the wall at the CVS Pharmacy on Eighth Street in Ambridge. It is unknown if anyone was injured, and the closed Monday following the incident. Beaver County Radio is waiting to hear from Ambridge Police.