Author: Beaver County Radio

Dec. 21st declared Homeless Persons Memorial Day and Sheriff’s Office accredited at Commissioners meeting

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published December 12, 2024 1:11 P.M.

(Beaver, Pa) The Beaver County Commissioners held their public meeting Thursday morning at the County Courthouse. A proclamation was given to congratulate Rose Sutter for 45 years of service in Beaver County through the Beaver County Transit Authority.

A second proclamation was approved as well declaring December 21st, 2024 as Local Homeless Persons Memorial Day in Beaver County. Members of the Beaver County Continuum of Care and others were present to thank the Commissioners for the proclamation and they noted that 2 local people died while homeless in the past year.

Sheriff Tony Guy made an announcement that the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office was reviewed by the State Accreditation Program. Jim Adams, PA Chief of Police Accreditation Program Coordinator, went on to say that the Sheriff’s Office went through a two year program to be reviewed on 370 best practices. The State awarded accreditation to the Sheriff’s Office for a status of three years.

Also announced were the Courthouse Holiday closures, which will be December 25th, 26th, and January 1st.

Betty Jane (Mancini) Bernola (1936-2024)

Betty Jane (Mancini) Bernola, 88, of Aliquippa, passed away on December 10th, 2024.

She was born on January 21st, 1936 in Aliquippa Hospital, the daughter of the late Nicola and Marietta (Gargaro) Mancini. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband Cornell and her brother, Patrick Mancini. She is survived by her devoted son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Susan Bernola, three grandchildren, Brandi and Anthony Budris, Brandon and Britney Bernola and Brett and Whitney Bernola; five great grandchildren: Afton, Amzey, Luca, Luella and Rayna; nephew, Frank (Joni) Perilli, sister-in-law, Elsie, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Betty worked at Young’s Drugstore in Aliquippa, which is where she met her husband, Cornell. In 1954, she married the love of her life and they were married for almost 70 years. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. Her family was everything to her and she spent her life taking care of them. She was also a member of St. Titus Church of Aliquippa.

In her younger years, Betty enjoyed her casino trips and then later in life, her scratch tickets.

The family would also like to give a special thanks to the staff at Harmony Haus and Three Oaks Hospice for their kindness and care.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, Inc., of Aliquippa. Services were entrusted to Our Lady of Fatima Church of Aliquippa.

William C Denny, Sr. (1938-2024)

William C. Denny Sr.,  86, of Moon Township, passed away on December 11th, 2024.

He was born in Sewickley on November 14th, 1938, a son of the late Louis and Florence Davidson Denny. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his  wife, Bonnie Denny, a son, William Denny Jr., and a niece, Rachel. He is survived by his daughter Lisa (Richard) Trapizona, three grandchildren, Marissa & Sarah Trapizona & Joshua Walker, sister, Beverly Lang, two nieces, Lori & Kim, and a good friend of the family, Dave Dascanio.

William enjoyed spending time with his family and going to Tennessee as well as the Clarion River Lodge.

In accordance with William’s request, there will be no public visitation.

Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, December 20th, at 10:30 A.M. in St. James Catholic Church of Sewickley.  Interment will follow in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.

Agnes Maiuro (Passed on December 10th, 2024)

Agnes Maiuro, 81, of Baden, passed away on December 10th, 2024, in Jefferson Hospital. She was born in New Jersey, a daughter of the late Joseph and Irene Hampton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Maiuro, her son, Salvatore Maiuro, her sisters, Patricia (Boris) Telep and Irene (Al) Pavlick, and a brother, Thomas Hampton.

She is survived by her daughter, Marie (Fred Nardei) Maiuro, her son, Edward Maiuro, her brother, Joseph (Elaine) Hampton, her sister-in-laws, Diane Hampton and Sally (John) Stone, her brother-in-law, Alfred (Jean) Maiuro, numerous nieces and nephews who she cherished dearly and her beloved pets Abby and Gracie.

Agnes lived most of her life in New Jersey, but relocated to be closer to her daughter, in the Pittsburgh region, when she retired. She was widowed at a young age, and raised her 3 children on her own, while working as a registered nurse and teacher of the deaf. In her retirement years, she enjoyed quilting with her many friends in several quilting groups. She sang in multiple choirs where she regularly attended church and served on the board of the Baden Library.  A self-proclaimed “Jersey Girl,” Agnes was known for being open and honest about her thoughts.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, December 14th, from 1-3 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, where a Blessing Service will follow at 3 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Agnes’ name to the Susan G. Koman Foundation and Planned Parenthood.

William C. Angel, Jr. (1950-2024)

William C. Angel, Jr, 74, passed away on December 6th, 2024.  He was born at Rochester Hospital, on March 12th, 1950, a son of the late William and Sara (Harlacher) Angel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David P. Angel. He is survived by his brothers, John Angel of Ross Township and James (Amy) Angel of Fairfax, Virginia, a niece, Elizabeth J. (Tiona) Angel of Atlanta, Georgia and four nephews: William B. Angel of Arlington, Virginia, David M. Angel, Paul H. Angel and Peter J. Angel, all from Fairfax, Virginia.

William was a lifelong resident of Baden, living in the house his grandfather, Elmer P. Angel, built. In his last few years, he resided in Harmony Haus in Ambridge, where he received excellent loving care.

William possessed a great love for music.  He played drums and piano, in addition to singing in the choir.  He also enjoyed spending his mornings at McDonald’s, hanging out with his friends who called themselves, “The Philosophers.”

William graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, with a degree in Political Science.  During his working years, he worked at Reeves Bank, Mellon Bank, and Tuscarora Plastics. His real passion, however, was preaching as a lay Lutheran supply pastor who would lead services when other pastors were unavailable.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, December 16th, from 4-6 P.M., in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, followed by a Funeral Service on Tuesday, December 17th, at 10 A.M., in New Hope Lutheran Church, 200 2nd Avenue, Freedom. Burial will take place in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park of Rochester.

Jason Scott Roberts (1971-2024)

Jason Scott Roberts, 53, of Baden, passed away on December 10th, 2024.

He was born on April 9th, 1971, a son of Ruth and Dwight Roberts. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edward H. and Gladys M. Roberts, and Paul J. and Vivian H. Beck.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his siblings, Kevin (McKay) Roberts and Shana (Jonas) Shearer, and his nephew, Tyler, along with his nieces Maive and Maelynn.

Jason had a passion for listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd and enjoyed working on cars and trucks. He had a knack for fixing things and was always willing to help others. He also cherished the time spent with his beloved pet, Lily.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Fugitive charged with second degree murder arrested in Pittsburgh after being connected to a Minnesota shooting near a train, striking a female passenger multiple times

(Photo Provided with Release)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from the United States Marshal Service in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the announcement was made by U.S. Marshal Stephen Eberle that Theodore Jaymes, a fugitive, was arrested that same day with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The release states that Jaymes has been charged with second degree attempted murder after being connected to an incident in which a female was shot in the leg multiple times on the Light Rail train in Saint Paul, Minnesota close to both Western and University Avenues. The release also notes that Jaymes was arrested without an incident by members of the U.S. Marshal Service in Pittsburgh at the 5400 block of Baywood Street.

Doulas being provided to change maternal mortality for Black women in Pennsylvania

(File Photo of a couple and their baby)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Nationwide, Black women face a maternal mortality rate three times higher than that of white women. To address this, Maternity Care Coalition is providing doulas to women in underserved rural areas in Pennsylvania. Jamiylah Miller says the Maternity Care Coalition’s Doula and Lactation program supports families from pregnancy to three months postpartum, helping during labor and delivery, pain management and adjusting to a newborn. However, some families who are not connected with a doula through community organizations like Maternity Care Coalition struggle with the cost of doula services. Miller says recent legislation now extends Medicaid coverage to help offset cost. Miller notes that their doula services are free to expecting families in the community. She advocates for more organizations to provide doula services to families facing financial barriers.

LaRoche University giving transfers from the Community College of Beaver County easier and less expensive ways to earn their bachelor’s degrees

(File Photo of CCBC logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from Brady Butler, the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Media Relations for LaRoche University in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, LaRoche University is offering students that transfer from CCBC to LaRoche an option to earn their bachelor’s degree. Butler states that those who have graduated from CCBC will only spend $500 each credit from a tuition discount of 40%. Butler also notes that there will be a quicker academic process for students with them being exempt from any education courses that are general, as well as students achieving more than 60 credits getting direct admission to the undergraduate programs offered by LaRoche, and both of these options will be given if students possess an associate degree from CCBC.

Ambridge Council announces promotion of two officers and update on Ambridge Borough building painting project worked on by Ambridge High School art students

(File Photo of Ambridge Borough Logo)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano, Published on December 12th, 2024 at 7:52 A.M.)

(Ambridge, PA) The Ambridge Council announced the promotion of two police officers as well as providing the updates on a painting project. The promotion of Isaac Jones went from part time to full time, starting on January 5th, 2025, to replace Nathan Swierkosz. Michael Longo also got promoted to start his position on January 14th, 2025. According to Borough Manager Mario Leone, Jamie Jo Orth’s Ambridge High School art students have begun painting the windows at the borough building and will finish the project next week.