Author: Beaver County Radio
Donald G. Buffington (1942-2026)
Donald G. Buffington, 83, of Beaver, passed away at Heritage Valley Beaver, after a short illness, on January 15th, 2026.
He was born in Beaver on April 27th, 1942, a son of the late Rush Buffington and Vernice Buffington-Mallory. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis B. Thompson, his nephew, James Thompson as well as his aunts, uncles, and grandparents. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Sandra K. Buffington, his son, Glenn A. Buffington, his daughter, Cynthia (Greg) Buffington-Galmish, his brother, Gary D. (Carole) Buffington, his sister-in-law, Thelma Yale and a dear family friend, Marilyn Baumann.
Donald graduated from Beaver Area High School and went on to earn an associate degree in accounting at Point Park College, Pittsburgh. He worked as a banker and became the Vice President of People Home Savings, where he served in his role for 25 years. He had a long, loving marriage to his wife, Sandra K. Buffington, they spent 62 joyful years together. Donald and Sandra raised their children together as long time residents of Beaver. He was a part of several organizations and enjoyed many activities. He enjoyed scouting and served as a Cub Scout Leader and led many Canoe Trails trips. He found happiness in volunteer work and volunteered at the Beaver Train Station, The Train Museum, where his father was a conductor, as well as volunteering at the Beaver County Humane Society. He was also a Master Gardener at Penn State, where he provided his knowledge and skills. He also found joy at craft shows throughout his retirement.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver.
Joseph Lee DePaolis (1945-2026)
peacefully on January 17th, 2026.
He was born in Sewickley Valley Hospital on December 20th, 1945, the son of the late Leo and Joanna (Loria) DePaolis of Aliquippa. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judy Mainos DePaolis and their four children: Jennifer (Jason) Dize, Joseph N. DePaolis, Jeffrey (Kelsey) DePaolis and Joy (John) Thomas; as well as eleven grandchildren, and his sister, Mary (John) DePaolis Lutzo.
Joseph requested that there not be any services. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2186 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joseph Lee DePaolis please visit the Sympathy Store of the Anthony Mastrofranceseco Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.
Yvonne Ann Ory (1956-2026)
Yvonne Ann Ory, 69, of Freedom, passed away on January 19th, 2026, in Heritage Valley, Beaver. She was born in Rochester on July 26th, 1956, the daughter of the late Blanche E. Hickman. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Keith Curry and Gary Franks. She is survived by her husband, George J. Ory III, one son, Lucas J. Cashdollar, of Butler, a sister and brother in law, Kathryn and Frank Jewell, of West Virginia, one step daughter, Catherine Wilson and her husband D.J., two step sons, Daniel and Austin Wilson, all of New Brighton, a granddaughter, Kayley Ory and Yvonne’s canine companion, Eli.
Yvonne was a former employee with Pine Run Market in New Sewickley Township and had also worked with the Hamilton Awning in Beaver and the East Rochester Shop ‘N’ Save. She loved sewing and also cooking for the family holiday dinners, craft work, playing bingo and was nature enthusiast. Yvonne’s wishes were to be cremated with a memorial service being held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to The William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Reports Record Gaming Revenue for 2025
(File Photo of the Pennsylvania Gaimng Control Board Logo)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently reported that 2025 combined gaming revenue achieved a record high and that was the 5th consecutive year of growth, which was fueled by an increase of over 27% in iGaming revenue over the previous year. The 2025 calendar year combined revenue figure that was reported by the PGCB is $6,796,211,719 and it consists of the combined revenue of fantasy contests, iGaming, slot machines, sports wagering, table games and video gaming terminals.
New report finds Pennsylvania hospitals face an increasingly precarious financial future
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – In this Sept. 14, 2021, file photo, a syringe is prepared with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic at the Reading Area Community College in Reading, Pa. Millions of U.S. workers now have a Jan. 4 deadline to get a COVID vaccine. The federal government on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 announced new vaccine requirements for workers at companies with more than 100 employees as well as workers at health care facilities that treat Medicare and Medicaid patients.. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) According to a new report commissioned by system advocates, financial instability could force closures at more than a dozen Pennsylvania hospitals in the coming five years if state policymakers fail to act and the industry’s economic climate continues to deteriorate. The study was released yesterday by the consulting firm Oliver Wyman and it found that Medicaid reimbursement rates of Pennsylvania are 11 percentage points lower than the national average, compensating hospitals for just 87 cents of every dollar of care.
Restaurant and chef representing Pittsburgh for culinary’s James Beard awards
(Credit for Headline Photo and Photos Below: Photo Courtesy of Table Magazine, Posted on Facebook on January 20th, 2026)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh is now represented by a chef and restaurant on the semifinalist list for the prestigious James Beard Awards, which recognizes acheivements in the culinary field. Jamilka Borges, who is the co-owner of Lilith in Shadyside, is a semifinalist for a James Beard award for the best chef in the mid-Atlantic region. The Central and Eastern European vegan restaurant Apteka is also a James Beard award semifinalist for the category of outstanding wine and other beverages.


Suspect on the run after leading officers on a chase in Wilkinsburg
(File Photo: Caption for Photo: police car lights at night in city with selective focus and bokeh background blur, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images/iStockphoto/z1b)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Allegheny County, PA) According to police, they are searching for a suspect who led officers on a chase in Wilkinsburg last night. Allegheny County dispatchers confirmed to WTAE that police ended up in the area between Franklin Avenue and Rebecca Avenue around 8 p.m. WTAE was also told on the scene that one suspect ran away with no shoes or a cell phone. It is unclear at this time if any injuries were reported or if anyone else was involved in this incident. A Jeep was also found with heavy front-end damage as a result of the chase.
Eighteen-year-old girl apprehended after stealing over $7,000 worth of merchandise from a Pittsburgh vape shop
(File Photo of Handcuffs)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Police confirm that 18-year-old Brena Sample was arrested on accusations that she broke into a vape shop in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, stealing over $7,000 worth of merchandise. Two juveniles were also with Sample and police also expressed that the trio were seen on city surveillance video running from the smoke shop and onto a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus. Sample was arrested at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Moorewood Avenue, which was where the bus was found. Sample was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and she faces charges of burglary, criminal mischief and corruption of minors.
Cranberry Township man charged after causing a single-vehicle crash in Allegheny County
(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Allegheny County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Pittsburgh reported via release yesterday that fifty-seven-year-old Steven Price of Cranberry Township was charged after causing a single-vehicle crash in Allegheny County on the morning of December 29th, 2025. Price was driving in Aleppo Township and he was trying to negotiate a right curve on the Emsworth off ramp from I-79 South and lost control of his vehicle. Price then hit a guide rail along the east beam of the ramp. There were no reported injuries and Price received his charge for committing summary traffic violations.









