Author: Beaver County Radio

Richard S. Kaletz (1948-2025)

Richard S. Kaletz, 76, of Industry, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 13th, 2025. He was born in Rochester on December 31st, 1948, a son of the late Samuel and Matilda Honchak Kaletz. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Cynthia, his daughter, Carie (Ken) Mitchell of Ohioville, his son, Kristopher (Rebekah) Kaletz of Brighton Township, his brother, Ronald (Mary Sue) Kaletz of Aliquippa, his mother-in-law, Dorine LaValle, his grandchildren: Tyler (Lauren Boggs) Mitchell, Drew Mitchell, Kennedy Kaletz, and Nikolai Kaletz; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard graduated from Aliquippa High School in 1967. He went on to attend Youngstown University and later attended and graduated from California University with his Bachelors Degree in Education. He worked in Aliquippa School District for 25 years and in his retirement worked with the Tip Staff at the Beaver County Court House. He was a longtime and faithful member of St. Blaise Church of Midland, part of St. Augustine Parish, where he served as an usher for many years. He was an avid fisherman and sports fan who enjoyed sitting on his back porch and listening to oldies music with a cigar.

Friends will be received on Friday, May 16th from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Saturday, May 17th at 10:30 a.m., officiated by Father Kim Schreck, at St. Blaise Church, 772 Ohio Avenue, Midland. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

Interment to take place at Beaver Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s name to St. Augustine Parish, St. Blaise Church, 772 Ohio Avenue, Midland, PA 15059.

Pauline (Cocciardo) Rabatin (1927-2025)

Pauline (Cocciardo) Rabatin, 97, of Bridgewater, passed away on May 9th, 2025, at Rochester Manor & Villa.

She was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania on June 27th, 1927, a daughter of the late Michael Sr. and Maria (Bonfilio) Cocciardo. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Rabatin, Sr., a son-in-law, Dave Hughes and her siblings: Tony, Angelo, Michael Jr., and Mary. Pauline was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by her son, Louis Jr. (Bridget) Rabatin, her daughter, Rosemarie Hughes, her grandchildren: Robert (Ashley) Collier, Marla (Josh Feldman) Matusic, Steven Matusic, Julia (Christian) Herstine, Louis Rabatin III, Anthony Rabatin, and Adrian Cisneros; along with her great-grandchildren: Roman Collier, Willow Collier, Theo Herstine and Millie Herstine; as well as one on the way and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Pauline was a homemaker who enjoyed working around her house, gardening, and cooking fine meals for her family.

In accordance with Pauline’s wishes, all services will be private for her family.

She will be laid to rest in Beaver Cemetery alongside her husband.

The family wishes to extend a heart-felt ‘Thank You’ to the Third Floor staff at Rochester Manor & Villa for their sincere care shown to Pauline.

The GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES (Branch), 340 3rd Street, Beaver, has been honored to care for Pauline and her family during this time.

Trump’s proposed budget could threaten Chesapeake Bay Restoration efforts in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Source for Photo: President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) Environmental advocates warn that President Donald Trump’s proposed budget could cripple Chesapeake Bay restoration. Federal agencies have long partnered with six watershed states to protect its waterways. Harry Campbell with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says the cuts would severely impact Pennsylvania and beyond. He adds that the EPA, which oversees the Chesapeake Bay Program, faces a 54-point-5 percent budget reduction, from $9-point-1 billion to 4-point-2 billion. Campbell notes that the EPA supports states in improving water quality by funding projects and offering low-interest loans for upgrading drinking water and wastewater systems. He adds that the agency also offers scientific guidance, helps develop monitoring and reporting systems and, in some cases, aids in enforcing pollution-reduction measures.

 

AAA East Central and Meadville Police holding event to provide free steering wheel lock devices in Meadville

(File Photo of the AAA East Central Logo Provided with Release)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Meadville, PA) According to a release from AAA East Central, the company is partnering with Meadville Police to distribute free steering wheel lock devices to Kia and Hyundai owners. The locks are first-come, first-serve in Meadville at the AAA branch office there from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 19th, weather permitting. You need your insurance card or vehicle registration to get a lock device. Theft of Hyundai and Kia vehicles made between 2011 and 2022 has been increased.

 

Victim gets stabbed in the arm after an “altercation” between that victim and the suspect took place in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) On Wednesday, a man was stabbed after an “altercation” took place in Downtown Pittsburgh. According to a Pittsburgh Public Safety Spokesperson, officers were sent to a reported stabbing at the intersection of Market Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard around 1 p.m. A witness confirms a male suspect used a pocket knife to stab the victim in the arm during the argument between him and the victim. The hospital is where both men were taken, but the suspect was first in custody.

 

Victim gets shot in the back and is now in critical condition after a shots fired incident occurred in Pittsburgh

(File Photo of Police Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A shots fired incident occurred Wednesday in the Perry South neighborhood of Pittsburgh and the victim got taken to the hospital. That person is in critical condition. Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed to WTAE that police were called to the 2300 block of Wilson Avenue around 4:30 p.m. following reports of shots being fired. According to officials, a man was shot in the back and got transportation to the hospital and the Violent Crime Unit is now investigating.

Bill stalls out in state Senate that would have legalized marijuana in Pennsylvania

(File Photo: Caption for Photo: Farmers examine the growth of fresh marijuana for medical)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) A bill stalled out in the state Senate which would have legalized marijuana in Pennsylvania. The vote was taken recently by the Justice Committee and Senate Law, and it was voted 7-3 to not let Governor Josh Shapiro sign it. The bill passed at the Pennsylvania House last week so Pennsylvanians twenty-one years old or over could legally buy marijuana. This was also the first instance where a bill for recreational marijuana got approval from any chamber in Pennsylvania.

Executive session ready to begin for deciding which Penn State campuses will open or close, despite Penn State Beaver not being on the list of closures

(File Photo of the Penn State Beaver logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(State College, PA) An executive session will be held today by the Penn State board of trustees about discussing which Penn State campuses will close and which ones are staying open. Penn State Beaver was one of the campuses that was removed from the list of campuses planning to close thanks to a recent recommendation from the board. In the last ten years, Penn State Beaver has had a decrease of enrollment by 31%. However, the school can help the region of Greater Pittsburgh.

Playground at the Hopewell Community Park will open soon and opening is announced for the dog park in Hopewell

(File Photo of the Hopewell Community Park Sign)

(Reported by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano)

(Hopewell, PA) The new playground at the Hopewell Community Park will open soon. According to Hopewell Parks and Recreation Director Brad Batchelor, once the final phases and the final inspection are completed, the playground will open. Residents are asked to not go into the playground until the announcement of the opening of the playground. Batchelor also announced the opening of the dog park in Hopewell and advises owners of dogs to clean up after them before exiting the park.

UPMC removes pages from website about care for transgender people, racial equity and LGBTQ health

(File Photo of the UPMC logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) UPMC has made changes to its website after removing pages that focused on care for transgender people, racial equity and LGBTQ health. Axios Pittsburgh was the first to report the changes during a campaign by President Donald Trump regarding the purge of programs of diversity, equity and inclusion. Two pages were gone from the UPMC website recently, one for services for people who are LGBTQIA and one on hormone therapy that is gender-affirming.