Judith M. Kaufman (1943-2025)

Judith M. Kaufman, 81, of Rochester, passed away on March 18th, 2025 in Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born in Rochester on November 4th, 1943, a daughter of the late Edward and Ethel Moran. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Kaufman, her son, John “Jack” Kaufman and her grandson, John Robert Stewart. She is survived by a daughter, Denise Pike, two grandchildren, Nickolas (Denize Puig-Gonzalez) Jackson-Kaufman and Tiffany Stewart, two great grandchildren, Lola Eiler and John Christopher Plonka, a brother, Tom (Sue) Moran, a sister, Linda (Scott) DePoe and her cats, Dora, Lou and Max.

Judith was extremely active in numerous local groups. She was a board member at Fry Glass Club who volunteered on numerous committees within Rochester, including the Flag Park, The Historical Society and the Veterans Memorial. She was a member of the Beaver Valley Piece Makers and various quilting groups. She often volunteered at the Vicory House in Beaver. She was a longtime member of Faith Community United Methodist Church of Rochester.

Friends will be received on Friday, March 21st from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. in Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, 502 Adams Street. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 22nd at 11 a.m. in Faith Community United Methodist Church 341 Jefferson Street, Rochester.

Lane closure occurring in Pittsburgh weather permitting

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that on the night of Wednesday, March 19th weather permitting, westbound I-376 in Pittsburgh will undergo an overnight lane closure. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., a single lane-restriction will be on the interchange of Exit 77 between Edgewood and Swissvale and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. The inbound I-376 will also have traffic stoppages of fifteen minutes or less. Tie-in work will be conducted by crews. 

Lane restriction will occur on the Beaver Valley Expressway weather permitting

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

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hopewell Township, PA) PennDOT District 11 announced that on Wednesday, March 19th weather permitting, a single-lane restriction will occur on the Beaver Valley Expressway on eastbound I-376. On weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through early April, a single-lane restriction will be before the Exit 45 Aliquippa interchange on the bridge eastbound over Green Garden Road. Bridge repair work will be conducted by crews from Allison Park Contractors. 

Theresa Ann Brehm (1940-2025)

Theresa Ann (Soski) Brehm, 84, of Monaca, passed away on March 16th, 2025 at Heritage Valley Sewickley.

She was born in Hadley, Pennsylvania on April 21st, 1940, the daughter of the late Steven and Lee Soski. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas L. Brehm, her brother, William Soski and Gram Shirley Morrison. Theresa’s journey began in the close-knit community of Monaca, where she was raised and educated. In the autumn of 1961, she married the love of her life, Thomas L. Brehm. Their bond was a testament to true love, remaining strong until Thomas’ passing.

Theresa’s professional life was marked by dedication and hard work, culminating in a well-earned retirement from Metals USA in 2009. This new chapter allowed her to fully embrace her role as the matriarch of the family. Her love knew no bounds, especially when it came to her cherished children, Thomas Brehm Jr. (Holly) and Tammy Spagnolo (Rudy), who survive her and continue to honor her legacy.

Theresa’s pride and joy were her grandchildren: Austin Maddox (Maddie), Jaina Brehm, Andrew Brehm (Alex), Rebecca Armacost (Kam), Caroline Brehm (David Sager), Cheyenne Spagnolo, Anthony Spagnolo and bonus grandson, Matthew Farbo; as well as her great-grandchildren: Iris Maddox, Hudson and Rowan Brehm, Matthew and Kaylee Armacost, Kodi and Payton Sager; as well as her great grand cat Gnoochi (aka Noodle/Mr. Cat), brought additional light and laughter into her life.

Theresa’s heart extended beyond her family to include dear friends who became family by choice. Joan and Helen Moritz, along with Jack Robison, a special lifelong friend who provided unwavering support and companionship. Jack will also honor her memory by providing a short service following the viewing, celebrating the life of a woman who meant so much to so many.

In her leisure, Theresa found solace and joy in fishing and traveling with her husband. At home, she cherished warm afternoons on her front porch, surrounded by friends, family and the beauty of nature. Her Pomeranian, Pumpkin, was a constant companion, reflecting Theresa’s love for animals and the comfort they provide.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 21st from 4 p.m. until the time of a service at 7:30 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca. Her longtime friend Pastor Jack Robison will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made, if desired in Theresa memory to the Beaver County Humane Society.

Robert Edward Miller (1953-2025)

Robert Edward Miller, 71, of New Brighton, passed away on March 17th, 2025 at Heritage Valley Beaver.

He was born in Beaver Falls on July 27th, 1953, a son of the late Robert E. Miller and Gladys M. Muschweck Miller. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marsha Miller, daughter, Ann Miller-Burke (Sean), a grand-dog, Benny, a brother, Jeff Miller, an aunt, Peggy McCullogh, as well as several cousins.

Robert was a Steel Worker at Precision Kidd Steel for over 30 years, where he served as a Union Officer. He was a past President of Beaver Falls Sportsman Club and an avid trap shooter. He loved following college basketball.

Friends will be received on Thursday, March 20th from 1 P.M. until the time of service at 4 P.M. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Online condolences may be shared at www.corlessfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Robert’s name to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

Joyce Jones (1956-2025)

Joyce Jones, 69, a resident of Chippewa, passed away at home surrounded by family on March 17th, 2025. She was born in Japan on February 13th, 1956, the daughter of the late Roy and Iiko Seufert. In addition to her parents, she was prceded in death by her husband, Briscoe Jones. She is survived by her children, Stefanie Seufert of Chippewa, Leland (Jordan) Jones of Houston, Texas and Patricia (Holly) Petraszko of Alexandria, Virginia and three grandsons, Leland Jr., Elijah and Isaiah. Joyce was a sergeant in the United States Army. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Janet Louise Yendall (1931-2025)

Janet Louise Yandell, 93, passed away at home on March 17th, 2025. She was born on September 22nd, 1931. She is survived by her three children. In accordance with Janet’s wishes, services are private. Arrangements are entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Pennsylvania teachers union opposes Trump plan to dismantle U.S. Department of Education

(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Logo)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) The Trump administration’s effort to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education is facing strong opposition from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, which calls it unacceptable. The mass firing of 13 hundred employees is seen as part of a broader plan to dismantle the department. Aaron Chapin with the Association says Pennsylvania educators and support staff are concerned about the effect the firings would have on public education. He says the potential loss of Pennsylvania’s one-point-six billion dollars in federal education funding would deeply impact the state’s most vulnerable students. Chapin adds that federal funding supports the jobs of nearly seven thousand Pennsylvania educators and support staff, and losing it would send class sizes soaring. He adds that it would also jeopardize special education services and hurt communities.

AAA East Central’s gas price report states gas prices in Western Pennsylvania drop by four cents this week

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, file photo, a woman pumps gas at a convenience store in Pittsburgh. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday, March 15, 2020, that gas prices could continue to fall as demand shrinks amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Gas prices are four cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at around $3.41 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s gas price report. The report states that at this time a year ago, the average price for gas in Western Pennsylvania was around $3.72. The report also notes that the average price that you can expect for a gallon of unleaded gas here in Beaver County is around $3.55. According to AAA East Central’s gas price report, here are the gas prices of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various Pennsylvania areas:

$3.231      Altoona
$3.546      Beaver
$3.565      Bradford
$3.172      Brookville
$3.389      Butler
$3.333      Clarion
$3.117      DuBois
$3.405      Erie
$3.433      Greensburg
$3.513      Indiana
$3.396      Jeannette
$3.547      Kittanning
$3.476      Latrobe
$3.465      Meadville
$3.440      Mercer
$3.192      New Castle
$3.333      New Kensington
$3.502      Oil City
$3.489      Pittsburgh

$3.232      Sharon
$3.555      Uniontown
$3.562      Warren
$3.464      Washington

Woman with arrest warrant apprehended by Aliquippa Police after possessing drugs and getting intoxicated in Aliquippa

(Photo Courtesy of the City of Aliquippa Police Department)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Aliquippa, PA) A woman that had an arrest warrant from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Department was jailed after both getting intoxicated and possessing drugs in Aliquippa. Fifty-three-year-old Makeba Lowe was spotted by an officer of the City of Aliquippa Police Department on Franklin Avenue on March 7th, 2025. Lowe refused her arrest and had drug paraphernalia. Lowe is in the Beaver County Jail with charges filed against her for public intoxication, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.