Author: Beaver County Radio

Pitt ranks 24 in the initial 2025 College Football Playoff Rankings Top 25

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) celebrates with teammates after they defeated Florida State in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The University of Pittsburgh college football team made it into the initial 2025 College Football Playoff Rankings Top 25 released yesterday. Pitt earned the #24 spot after a five-game winning streak since going 2-2 in their first four games. Pitt is now 7-2 overall and 5-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Since making the switch to freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel on October 4th, 2025 for their game that afternoon against Boston College, Pitt has not only won five games in a row, but also during that winning streak, they lead college football with scoring 200 points, they are second in the nation with 2,229 total yards and they have put up 24 touchdowns.

Route 3104 McKees Rocks Bridge Inspection Activities in Pittsburgh and McKees Rocks on Thursday

(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 tomorrow, weather permitting, bridge inspection activities on McKees Rocks Bridge (Route 3104) in the City of Pittsburgh and McKees Rocks Borough will occur. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow, bridge inspection activities requiring a single lane restriction and traffic shift on the McKees Rocks Bridge in the eastbound direction toward Route 65 will happen and a single lane of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times. The inspection work will be conducted by crews from GFT Infrastructures, Inc.

2025 Beaver County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards Dinner winners congratulated at Beaver County Commissioners’ work session

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning at 10 a.m. at the Beaver County Courthouse in Beaver. One of them was acknowledging the winners of the 2025 Beaver County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, which is tonight from 5-8 p.m. at Shakespeare’s Restaurant & Pub in Ellwood City. Commissioner Jack Manning noted that these businesses and individuals “add to the quality of life and the economy here in Beaver County.” According to the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce’s website, here are the businesses and individuals that will be honored by them tonight and their respective awards that they won:

  • Large Business of the Year – VISTRA
  • Small Business of the Year – THREE CORD TRUE WEALTH MANAGEMENT
  • Energy & Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Award – DUQUESNE LIGHT COMPANY
  • Leadership Beaver County Award – LISA HENRY, ESQ.
  • Shon D. Owens, Sr. Diversity Award – THE CENTER (Midland)
  • Lynell Scaff CO-Citizen of the Year – MARK & NATHAN KOPSACK
  • Chamber Ambassador of the Year – RENEE CSOMAN
  • Nonprofit of the Year – INSPIRED HEARTS & HANDS
  • Entrepreneur of the Year – BRYAN WRIGHT

In other business, during the department head report of the work session, Beaver County Controller Maria Longo provided an update on Beaver County starting to move their storage files from both the Beaver County Courthouse and the Wampum Underground to the new St. Barnabas facility in Brighton Township. The Beaver County Emergency Services Director Eric Brewer also mentioned in that same department head report about the recent development with the Big Beaver Volunteer Fire Company ending their fire protection or emergency services to Big Beaver Borough at the end of 2025. Brewer also stated that there is nothing Beaver County can do over the municipality’s decision, because under Pennsylvania law provides that each political subdivision shall provide their police and fire services.

 

Vondal Delano “Sonny” Diamond (Passed on November 1st, 2025)

Vondal Delano “Sonny” Diamond, 92, of Ohioville, passed away peacefully at home on November 1st, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Logan, West Virginia, the son of the late Garnett and Opal Diamond. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Howard White; sisters, Roberta (Ray) Bartley and Jewell (John) Chaffee; and sister-in-law, Sally (Lester) Henderson. Sonny is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Carol, his beloved dog, Tookie, three children, Dale “Dewey” (Jean) Diamond, Shawna (Darryl) Michael and Robin (Jeff) Eror, seven loving grandchildren: Kayla (Michael) Dennis, Lindsay (Greg) Glass, Cody Eror, Lacey (Brett) Balco, E.J. (Sheena) Clark and Brandi (Riley) Hunter and Leanne Nagle; as well as ten great-grandchildren who adored their “Big Pappy.” He is also survived by his stepbrother, Howard (Faye) White Jr., his sister-in-law, Nancie (Jim) Wolfe and several nieces, nephews, and their families.

Vondal’s family moved to Midland in 1936. He attended Midland High School and graduated in 1952. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, proudly serving two years during the Korean War. Following his military service, he worked at Crucible Steel until 1982, then joined Anderson’s Trucking. He later found his true passion driving a school bus for Shank Bus Company: later Frye Transportation, where he touched the lives of countless students before retiring at the age of 85.

On June 12th, 1959, Sonny married the love of his life, his “Snooks,” Carol Mae (Strohm) Diamond.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Good Samaritan Hospice, especially Ashley and Jessica, for their compassionate care.

Friends will be received on Thursday, November 6th, from 12 noon–3 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. at Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Midland American Legion Post 481 in Vondal’s honor.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vondal Delano “Sonny” Diamond, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Homer Filmore Yute (1933-2025)

Homer Filmore Yute, 91, of Brighton Township, passed away on November 1st, 2025 at Beaver Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center of Beaver Falls.

He was born in Allegheny County on December 22nd, 1933, a son of the late Homer and Edna Erb Yute. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Patricia J. Yute. He is survived by his son, Douglas H. (Cindy) Yute, Wisconsin, his brother, George E. (Sandra) Yute, his sister, Ethel G. (Bill) Bradford, his sister, Kathryn A. (Richard) Qulia, his brother, James A (Margaret) Yute, his grandchildren, Justin H. (Jules) Yute, Heather A. Yute and Katelyn M. (Jacob) Skienar, his great-grandson, Nathan and his nephew, Kenneth A. (Diane), a long caretaker of Homer (and Patricia) for many years.

Homer, a graduate of Geneva College, worked most of his career at Crucible Steel in Midland, as an Industrial Engineer. He was a member of the Vanport Presbyterian Church in Vanport Township. He will be remembered most as a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Friends will be received on Friday November 7th, from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Homer’s name may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Homer Filmore Yute, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.

Wicked film fun set for Sewickley theater this month

SCOTT TADY

SEWICKLEY — As trick-or-treat costumes demonstrated, “Wicked” fans can’t wait for the sequel “Wicked: For Good.”

The Lindsay Theater has begun selling advance tickets for the new adventures of Elphaba and Glinda, with “Wicked: For Good” opening Nov. 20 and running at least through Dec. 4 at Sewickley’s independent movie house.

Interviewed Wednesday on Beaver County Radio (95.7 and 99.3), Josh Axelrod, the Lindsay’s director of communications, said “Wicked: For Good” is likely to get an extended run of screenings, given the popularity of the franchise.

In the new film, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (West Homestead’s Jeff Goldblum).Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard.

For tickets, visit thelindsaytheater.org.

Also this November, the Lindsay is screening the Bruce Springsteen biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” and the animated “Zootopia 2.”

 

“Wicked For Good” is expected to be a blockbuster this holiday season. (Photo from Universal Pictures)

And for its fifth year, The Lindsay will serve as the lone Three Rivers Film Festival venue northwest of Pittsburgh.

Three Rivers is Pittsburgh’s longest-running and largest annual film festival spotlighting independent cinema from around the world. Six engaging films spanning a variety of genres (and countries) will play one time only at The Lindsay between Nov. 13, and Sunday, Nov. 16. Tickets are now on sale for all individual Three Rivers screenings, as well as full festival and other passes, online exclusively via Film Pittsburgh.

All remaining tickets on the day of each screening will be available at The Lindsay’s box office. EBT/SNAP beneficiaries can watch Three Rivers films for free by presenting their cards at the box office up to 30 minutes before showtime.

 

 

Several cars hit with bricks in Darlington Borough

(File Photo of Police Siren Lights)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Darlington Borough, PA) Incidents of vandalism have been occurring in Darlington Borough over the last few weeks. Several cars were hit by bricks. Darlington Borough Council President Terry McKeel noted that her daughter’s car was one of the cars that were hit, along with four to five others early on Sunday morning. Surveillance video from the home of McKeel shows a pickup truck coming down her street, then the alleged suspects shout out the phrase, “eeny meenie miney moe!,” followed by a loud bang and a brick is seen bouncing in the yard of McKeel. There are no leads on the suspects of these incidents at this time.

Robert V. Vojtko (1956-2025)

Robert V. Vojtko, 69, of Midland, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 3, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Rochester on March 26th,1956, a son of the late Lawrence and Anna (Kisasonak) Vojtko. In addition to his parents, Rob was preceded in death by a sister, Frances Deem-Atkinson, brothers-in-law George Deem, Sr., Donald Brunner and Mike Caffro, Sr., nephews TJ Bushmier, Thomas Thornton II and Troy Brunner, and most recently, his twin sister, Rosie Emerick. He is survived by his sisters, Dolly Caffro, Laura Brunner, Lori Palluch (Bob) and JoAnn Hart (Mark), his brother, John Vojtko (Dodo), his brother-in-law, James Emerick, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Robert retired from Industry Terminal and Salvage Company, where he worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator. When he wasn’t running the loader at work, he could be found at Josephine’s, sitting in front of the slot machine, as a way to wind down. In his healthier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brother Johnny and friends. He couldn’t pass up a good sale, and after scanning the grocery store ads, would use a tank of gas to get a good deal and save a dollar. He also enjoyed visiting the farmer’s market for peppers and onions. As his health declined, he was lovingly cared for by his older sisters Laura and Dolly. Though he never had children of his own, he loved watching the antics of all of his nieces and nephews, and quietly hanging out with his family.

Professional Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

The family of Rob would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Gallagher Hospice, Dr. Lebowicz, and Dr. Pennock for the love and compassion care given to him during his time with them.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert V. Vojtko, please visit the flower store of the Noll Funeral Home, Inc by clicking here.

U.S. Steel Edgar Thomson plant in Braddock will receive new hot strip mill

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – The United States Steel Corporation’s Edgar Thomson Plant is seen in Braddock, Pa., on April 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Braddock, PA) According to U.S. Steel yesterday, the Edgar Thomson plant located in Braddock will receive a new hot strip mill as part of the foreign takeover by Nippon Steel. As a result of this addition, billions of dollars will be poured into the Mon Valley to renovate dated facilities. Spokesperson Amanda Malkowski stated U.S. Steel expects to file permits in early 2026 for the new mill. Construction details are still being finalized.

Senator John Fetterman, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Bill Expanding Social Security Benefits for Seniors

(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) According to a release yesterday from Senator John Fetterman’s office, Fetterman (D-PA) joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), last week to introduce the bicameral Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act. This legislation will both expand and protect Social Security benefits for older adults, specifically for senior citizens.