Author: Beaver County Radio

Janet L. Waddingham (1930-2025)

Janet L. Waddingham, 94, of Patterson Township, passed away on February 19th, 2025 at Concordia Villa St. Joseph.

She was born in New Sewickley Township on October 19th, 1930, the daughter of the late Clarence and Grace (Lutz) Young. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Waddingham and her brother, Wilbert Young. She is survived by two sons, Lee (Sandra) Waddingham and Stanley (Marlane) Waddingham, daughter, Gloria (Bob) Harris, four grandchildren: Robert (Lori) Harris, Timothy (Mia Walker) Harris, Bryan (Tammy) and Marc (Anne Whitney) Waddingham; along with many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Janet was a painter for the Phoenix Glass Company and worked in Rochester Hospital. Janet enjoyed shopping, gardening and decorating the house.

Friends will be received on Monday, February 24th from 12 noon until the time of service at 1:30 P.M. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Pastor David Champ will officiate.

Entombment will follow at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

Marion C. Loughhead Simmons (1932-2025)

Marion C. Loughhead Simmons, 92, of Brighton Township, passed away with her family at her side on February 18th, 2025.

She was born in Monaca on September 30th, 1932, a daughter of the late Ralph and Marion Loughhead. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles L. Simmons, Jr., son, Charles L. Simmons, III and brothers, Ralph “Buddy” Loughhead and Robert Loughhead. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Janet “Jan” Simmons of Brighton Township, brother, John (Karolee) Loughhead of Wampum, grandchildren, Charles Simmons IV of Pace, Florida and Courtney (Jimmy) Schwab of Port Charlotte, Florida, great-grandchildren: Adrianna, Cole, Cameron and Audrey Simmons and Jenna, Olivia, Ellie and Tessa Schwab; along with her special friend, Tarri (Mike) Barron.

Marion was a resident of Brighton Township most of her life. Marion was the former owner of Mister Donut of New Brighton along with her husband, Charles. She later worked retail for 30-years with Sears. Marion had been very active with the Beaver Rotary Club.

Friends will be received on Monday, February 24th, from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Pastor Micah Ramsey will officiate. Online condolences may be shared a nollfuneral.com.

Memorial donations in Marion’s name may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society.

The family would like to thank the staff of Rochester Manor, especially nurses Mary and Tammy, and Gateway Hospice for the extra special care given to Marion.

AAA lists several United States destinations for spring break

(File Photo of AAA East Central logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) As spring fast approaches, AAA has listed some of the top destinations for Spring Break. According to data from AAA, the state of Florida has mass appeal as the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Tampa are in the top ten for domestic travel. Chicago and New York were mentioned for popular destinations outside of Florida by the director of public affairs at AAA East Central, Jim Garrity. If you want to travel on a domestic flight, you must have a real ID in Pennsylvania by May 7th, 2025. 

McKeesport man indicted for possessing firearm as a convicted felon

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Revetti announced Wednesday that a convicted felon from McKeesport was indicted after violating a law involving federal firearms. Forty-eight-year-old Thomas Thornton had several charges for firearms and federal drug trafficking while possessing both ammunition and a firearm. According to Revetti, Thornton could receive a maximum of up to fifteen years in jail, an up to $250,000 fine or both provided by the law.

McKees Rocks man pleads guilty to a child exploitation charge and owning material of minor being sexually exploited

(File Photo of Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Revetti announced Wednesday that a man from McKees Rocks pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge and one count of owning material. Thirty-eight-year-old Brandon Jennings had 803 videos and 926 pictures of a minor being sexually exploited. The sentencing for Jennings will take place on June 25th, 2025. According to Revetti, Jennings could receive a maximum of twenty years in jail, an up to a $250,000 fine, or both provided by the law. 

Report shows methane mitigation in Pennsylvania drives economic growth, climate change

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: Natural gas drilling worksite with dramatic sky.)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) A new report shows U.S. companies tackling oil and gas pollution are seeing solid and strong economic growth. Pennsylvania’s methane mitigation industry is boosting the economy and job market, ranking among the top five states with fifty-one employee locations. Marcy Lowe with Datu Research says manufacturers and service firms in the industry help oil and gas operators reduce methane emissions by providing leak detection, measurement and mitigation equipment. She adds that natural gas is mostly methane, a potent greenhouse gas that drives global warming. The report states that the number of U.S. companies in methane mitigation is growing fast, and in 2024, there were two hundred sixty-eight companies, up twenty-four percent from two hundred fifteen in 2021.

Monaca Cornet Band begins rehearsals in April

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Christopher Lynch, music historian with the Center for American Music at the University of Pittsburgh, holds a piece of sheet music written by Charles Henry Pace, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh. Lynch and the university are coordinating a project to recognize the pivotal role Pace played in gospel music as an early pioneer of the genre. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Monaca, PA) On April 1st, the Monaca Cornet Band will start rehearsals for the 2025 season at 7 p.m. The Monaca Cornet Bandroom will host participants on Tuesday evenings. A music stand is required. Anybody who wants to become new members must know how to read sheet music. For the age requirement, you must be at least in high school to participate. Auditions are not required and the instruments that they are looking for are mallet percussion, horns, and trumpets. You can also email monacacornet@gmail.com if you are interested. The concert schedule in 2025 for the Monaca Cornet Band has not been announced yet.

Woman has no filed charges after casuing a single-vehicle crash in Hanover Township

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Hanover Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that an unidentified female driver caused a single-vehicle crash in Hanover Township on Sunday at 9:10 a.m. The driver was going west on Lincoln Highway and she spotted a deer that came from the left part of the road and then went off of the right side. The female told police that she had no injuries after the crash occurred. The car that got hit was towed and there were no charges filed by police after the incident. 

Ellwood City woman charged after causing a single-vehicle crash in Darlington Township

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Darlington Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that a woman from Ellwood City was charged after causing a single-vehicle accident in Darlington Township on Sunday. At 2:05 p.m., sixty-four-year-old Tina Eaton of Ellwood City did not have control of her car after driving too fast on Cannelton Road, which was very snowy. According to police, Eaton then hit the embankment to the right side of the road and was charged for “driving on roadways laned for traffic.”

 

Sexual extortion incident in Raccoon Township is still under investigation

(File photo of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Badge)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Raccoon Township, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in Beaver report that an incident involving a woman being sexually extorted in Raccoon Township on Sunday is still under investigation. Thirty-five-year-old Nikki Smallwood of New Brighton told police that she was sexually extorted by an unidentified suspect. The incident occurred on 877 Frankfort Road. That is all the details we have at this time.