Author: Beaver County Radio

D. Michael Cerilli (Passed on October 29th, 2024)

D. Michael Cerilli, 67, of New Brighton, passed away on October 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

He was raised in Monaca and was the husband of Carol L. Gibbs Cerilli for forty-seven years. He is survived by his sons, Brian and his wife, Sarah Cerilli and Scott Cerilli, his five grandchildren, Emily, Gavin, Isabel, Domenick, and Alaina, as well as his extended family.

Friends will be received on Thursday, November 7th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at noon at the New Brighton Free Methodist Church, 925 11th Street, New Brighton. His pastor, Reverend Steve Forsythe will officiate. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca. The family has suggested memorial contributions be made, if desired, to the Beaver County Humane Society or the New Brighton Free Methodist Church.

Adyson Olivia Franz (2007-2024)

Adyson Olivia Franz, 17, of Hopewell Township, passed away in her home on October 28, 2024 after fighting a very rare and aggressive form of bone cancer for just over one year. Despite one struggle after another, Ady did not let her cancer define her. She was born on October 12, 2007 in Pittsburgh, the daughter of Melanie Yakemowicz and Joseph Franz. She was preceded in death by a grandmother Cyndie Carlson. In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Brooklyn Franz, step brothers: Marcus McGill, D.J. McGill, and Ryan (Allie Csaszar) Yakemowicz; step sister, Caley Yakemowicz, grandparents: Richard & Alice “Bonnie” Carlson and Joseph R. & Linda Franz; aunt, Christina Baker, uncle, Michael (Ashley) Franz, cousins: Owen, Shane, & Caleb Baker and Blake & Briella Franz; a great grandmother, Rita Grimm, along with numerous great aunts and uncles and family members. She is also survived by her beloved animals, Rocco and all of the horses at Blue Ribbon Farms, especially Echo.

Adyson was a well accomplished equestrian rider. She has been riding horses at Blue Ribbon Farms since the age of four. She has attended and qualified for hundreds of horse show competitions while winning hundreds of ribbons at those shows.  Those more notable shows included the multi-PA State Horse Shows and National Open Horse Shows.  She was active in 4H and a member of the Hopewell Unified Bocce Team. She was a counselor at Blue Ribbon Farms Little Farmers Camp. She had fun going to local hockey games and Christian concerts. She had a great sense of humor, she was extremely independent showing great leadership skills.  She enjoyed traveling with her family and going to the beach like Marco Island, Deep Creek Maryland and camping at Woodland Park Campground.  She attended Genesis Church in Hopewell Township. Adyson’s faith was strong and never wavered.

Friends will be received on Friday, November 1, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Aliquippa. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 2, at 11 a.m. at Genesis Church, 111 Cherryton Street, Aliquippa.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial foundation is set up in her honor, Ady’s Embracing Equines through the Beaver County Foundation, https://www.beavercountyfoundation.com/donate/

Melvin “Mel” F. Rizzo (1943-2024)

Melvin “Mel” F. Rizzo, 81, of Conway, passed away on October 29, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born on April 18, 1943, the son of the late Melvin A. and Marceline Rizzo. He is survived by his cherished wife of 50 years, Janice (Trella) Rizzo, his children, Brent Rizzo and Michele Rizzo Seneca, his brother, Edward (Vicki) Rizzo, his grandson, Patsy Seneca III, his special sister-in-law, Joanne Trella,  as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his beloved dog, Stella. A proud veteran, Melvin served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery. He later enjoyed a 24-year career as a clerk with the United States Postal Service. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. Melvin will be deeply missed by his loving family. A military funeral service with honors will be held at a later date at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Greene County Woman Guilty of Homicide by Vehicle for High-Speed Collision that Killed Mailman

(file photo)

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Greene County woman has been convicted of vehicular homicide and related charges for speeding off a roadway and into a mailman, killing him.

On Monday, Tina Phillips, 49, was found guilty of homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, and involuntary manslaughter regarding the 2021 crash.

The Office of Attorney General presented testimony at trial that Phillips was driving nearly twice the speed limit when her vehicle veered off a road and struck Chad Varner, who was delivering mail on foot.

“This completely preventable tragedy serves as a reminder that reckless and careless driving can have deadly consequences,” Attorney General Henry said. “No one expects to face this kind of danger when they go to work, and there is no good reason to ever drive in such a manner that puts so many people at risk.”

According to testimony, Phillips was driving over 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when she lost control of her vehicle, which veered into a front yard, and struck Varner, who died at the scene.

In her statements to law enforcement, Phillips claimed she could not remember much of the incident.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice and Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry.

I-376 Fort Pitt Bridge Inspections Saturday Morning in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing inspection work on I-376 (Fort Pitt Bridge) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County will occur Saturday morning, November 2 weather permitting.

Bridge inspection activities requiring a single-lane restriction on the Fort Pitt Bridge upper and lower decks will occur from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday. Associated on and off ramps may have minor lane restrictions, however, will remain open at all times.

Crews from Gannett Fleming will conduct the routine bridge inspection activities.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

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Vitalent hosting Beaver County blood drives in November

(New Castle, PA) Donating blood is a simple but essential act that saves lives. This November, Vitalant encourages the community to give back by donating blood, with each donor entering the Make a Difference Giveaway for a chance to win one of three $10,000 gift cards.

“The season of giving is here, and an important reminder that illness and emergencies don’t pause for the holidays,” said Maya Santana, Vitalant Communications Manager. “As many of us prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, local patients still face critical health needs and depend on the generosity of donors. By giving blood, you can help ensure that someone’s parent, sibling, friend, or neighbor can share in those cherished moments with the people they love.”

All blood types are essential in preventing delays for patients in need of transfusions. Type O is the most commonly transfused. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

Most people are eligible to give blood. Review eligibility requirements and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Upcoming Blood Drives

Aliquippa

Monday, Nov. 4

B F Jones Library

663 Franklin Ave.

1 PM – 5:30 PM

 

Baden

Sunday, Nov. 24

Wetzel James III Replenishment

2856 Conway Wallrose Rd.

9 AM – 2 PM

 

Beaver Falls

Thursday, Nov. 14

Concord UM Church – Bethany Hall

285 Concord Church Rd.

2 PM – 6:30 PM

 

Ellwood City

Saturday, Nov. 9

Hogue Richard Replenishment – Holy Redeemer Catholic Center, Lunchroom

300 Cresent Ave.

2 PM – 6 PM

 

New Castle

Friday, Nov. 22

Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, Parish Center

117 N. Beaver St.

11 AM – 4 PM

 

Wednesday, Nov. 27

Harley-Davidson – Customer Lounge

4655 Rte. 422

2 PM – 7 PM

 

Friday, Nov. 29

New Castle Fire Department – Multi-purpose Room

10 Margaret St.

1 PM – 6 PM

Theories that could be true or false going into this year’s election in Pennsylvania

(Pennsylvania-AP) Pennsylvania is often the subject of election-related misinformation. Social media users have falsely suggested that large numbers of migrants are illegally registered to vote in Pennsylvania, incorrectly asserted that the time it takes to count votes in the state is a smokescreen for fraud, and made baseless claims about foul play involving deceased voters.

A 1996 federal law allows fines and imprisonment for up to a year for noncitizens who vote in federal elections. Violators can also be deported. When people in the U.S. register to vote, they swear under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens.

Under Pennsylvania law, elections officials must wait until 7 a.m. Eastern Time on Election Day before they can begin to process ballots cast by mail and prepare them to be counted.

According to Geoff Morrow, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State, Pennsylvania law allows counties to use information from the health department, published obituaries, and testamentary documents to confirm that a voter has died.

Eleven public bathrooms will be added to the city of Pittsburgh in the next couple of years

(Pittsburgh, PA) 11 more public bathrooms in the near future will be added to the city of Pittsburgh.

According to the Tribune-Review, some of the places the new bathrooms will be installed include Mellon Square, Allegheny Commons, and the South Side Color Park, among others.

City Council unanimously agree to approve for the new public bathrooms and will allocate $600,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funding. This will work with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership to have the bathrooms cleaned and maintained. 

Three trailer-like public restrooms were brought into Pittsburgh that have running water, heat, and air conditioning last year.

Beaver County 16th State District vote puts Democrat Rob Matzie against Republican Michael Perich

(Beaver County, PA) The vote for the candidate to occupy the position in the 16th House District of Pennsylvania is unlike the other state legislative district elections, in which candidates run for reelection without an opponent. The 16th House district vote has Rob Matzie, the Democratic nominee in Beaver County, against Republican nominee Michael Perich. Matzie has now become chair of the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee. Matzie continues to assert that his advantage of being there for Beaver County will lead to bring both money and projects there, including the cracker plant. Perich, who was a one-time owner of Zippy’s Bar in Aliquippa, a former steelworker, and a former mailman, is running against Matzie to keep families in Beaver County. 

A comet breaks apart before Halloween on its way to the sun

(Pennsylvania) A recently discovered comet broke into pieces right before Halloween. Astronomers have been tracking the so-called Halloween comet, also known as C/2024 S1, since it was discovered in September by a telescope in Hawaii. 

NASA confirmed on Tuesday its sun-observing spacecraft captured the moment when the comet Atlas broke into chunks this week as it passed close to the sun. 

As it raced toward the sun, a space observatory operated by NASA and the European Space Agency spied its demise. 

The comet is thought to be part of a family of comets that pass incredibly close to the sun. 

Source for Photo: This image provided by NASA shows Comet Atlas, nicknamed the “Halloween comet”, approaching its closest to the sun, October 2024, as seen in this real-time image from NASA’s orbiting Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. (NASA via AP)