Author: Beaver County Radio

New Castle man charged after two-vehicle crash in Lawrence County

(File Photo of a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Car)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that twenty-four-year-old Saber Wadding of New Castle was charged after a two-vehicle crash in Lawrence County on Sunday afternoon. At approximately 2:06 p.m., Wadding was driving west on Harlansburg Road in Hickory Township and was trying to turn left into a driveway and was hit by the vehicle of forty-eight-year-old Bobbie Reese of Slippery Rock. Reese was transported to UPMC Jameson Hospital in Pittsburgh because of an injury she sustained from this crash. Wadding was not injured.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby injured in 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games men’s hockey quarterfinal game between Canada and Czechia

(File Photo: Source for Photo: MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Sidney Crosby #87 of Team Canada is challenged by Radko Gudas #3 of Team Czechia in the second period during the Men’s Quarterfinals Playoff match between Canada and Czechia on day 12 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Milan, Italy) Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was injured in the second period of the men’s ice hockey quarterfinal game today between Canada and Czechia in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy and he did not return. Crosby, the captain of this year’s Canadian men’s Olympic ice hockey team, took a hit from Team Czechia defenseman Radko Gudas and left when the third period of the game began. Crosby appeared to be favoring his right leg after the hit.

Wampum man dies at a Pittsburgh hospital a day after being found unconscious in a Lawrence County residence

(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

(Lawrence County, PA) Pennsylvania State Police in New Castle reported via release today that an unidentified sixty-one-year-old man from Wampum died on Saturday at approximately 6:29 p.m. at a hospital in Pittsburgh and the investigation into his death is ongoing pending the results of his autopsy. PSP New Castle members were dispatched to a residence along Vitril Lane in New Beaver Borough of Lawrence County on Friday at 8:06 a.m. and found the man not breathing and unconscious. When EMS arrived, they obtained a pulse from the victim after providing advanced medical care. He was transported to a hospital nearby for further treatment before he passed away the next day. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner was contacted when an autopsy was conducted on the man who died.

Pennsylvania Game Commission asking for help of the public to find turkey flocks to trap for ongoing projects through online survey

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Facebook Page of State Representative Roman Kozak, Posted on Facebook on February 18th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is asking for the help of the public to find turkey flocks to trap for ongoing projects through an online survey that is available through March 15th, 2026. This survey can be found by clicking here.
Trapping turkeys during the winter is part of the PGC’s ongoing population monitoring, and the survey will provide information for large-scale turkey studies.

Big Knob Grange hosting the Grange Maple Syrup Festival this year to replace the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival among topics discussed at most recent Commissioners’ work session

(Credit for Headline Photo and Photo Below: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Big Knob Grange)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) One of the topics that was discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session at the Beaver County Courthouse in Beaver was that Big Knob Grange possibly hosting a festival to replace the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival, which was cancelled this year because of issues involving structure and leadership. During the audience participation segment of the session, Becky Gallagher of Baden asked the Commissioners if they would support the possibility of the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival at the Big Knob Grange despite the cancellation. Beaver County Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp let Gallagher know that the Commissioners received word yesterday from members of the Big Knob Grange that they are looking to host a replacement for the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival. According to a recent release from Big Knob Grange, they announced that they will host the Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival, taking place on April 18th-19th, 2026. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both of those days. More information about this event can be found on the picture below. PUSH Beaver County also stated via release that they fully support this transition fully and applauds the Grange’s leadership, dedication to local heritage, and commitment to bringing families together through agricultural celebration. In other business, the progress for the merger between Allegheny Health Network and Heritage Valley Health System is going well, as Commissioner Jack Manning talked about the Commissioners attending the recent public hearing regarding the merger at the Hilton Garden Inn in Center Township during the Commissioners’ report of the work session. If Allegheny Health Network and Heritage Valley Health System merge, the Heritage Valley Sewickley and Heritage Valley Beaver hospitals will be added to the network of Allegheny Health Network to expand its footprint into the Beaver County area. Manning also let the audience of the session know during the commissioners’ report of the work session that the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce’s State of the County event that will take place on Friday morning at The Fez in Hopewell. The Beaver County Commissioners, along with Pennsylvania State Representatives Josh Kail, Roman Kozak, and Rob Matzie, as well as Pennsylvania State Senators Elder Vogel Jr. and Camera Bartolotta, will discuss the present state of affairs in Beaver County at this event. Beaver County Treasurer Sandie Egley also talked about her outreach for collecting taxes during the department head report of the work session. Egley will be in Ambridge tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., in North Sewickley on Thursday, February 26th from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at the Beaver Falls Library on Wednesday, February 25th from 3-7 p.m. for this outreach in which people who are working can pay their taxes in person.

Patrick Sanders (1958-2026)

Patrick Sanders, 67, of Lake Worth, Florida, formally of Elrama, Pennsylvania, passed away on February 11th, 2026, following a very strong fight against cancer. He was born on November 8th, 1958, a son of the late Clemie “Rudy” and Joyce (Weir) Sanders. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Mark and Joseph Sanders, as well as the mother of his daughter, Shelly, whom he loved very much.

Patrick graduated from Reingold High School, where he was a wrestler and an art enthusiast. He also took private accordion lessons and had a passion for music. He worked for his father as a brick layer and went to drafting school. He later moved to Florida where he became an exterior/interior painter by trade. He worked in several places throughout West Palm Beach from large homes, condos and hotels on Palm Beach Island, as well as individual homes all over West Palm Beach. His painting business quickly grew as word got around of how beautiful his work was. He had a love of classic cars and could fix almost anything mechanical. He had a strong connection to the ocean and spent most of his retirement exercising, swimming and socializing along Lake Worth Beach. He formed many meaningful friendships and was very well known. He often made everyone laugh by comparing himself to the fish he would swim with. Pat enjoyed martial arts such as boxing, Karate and nun chucks.

He is survived by all who knew him including his life partner, Joan Ciotti, his daughter, Hayden Sanders, his sister, Lisa (Richard) Guthrie and his nephew, Christopher Guthrie.

Friends will be received on Thursday, February 19th from 2–4 P.M. and 6–8 P.M. in the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, who was in charge of his arrangements. Private interment will take place at the Beaver Cemetery, Buffalo Street, Beaver.

Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

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

Raymond S. Blazak (1947-2026)

Raymond S. Blazak, 78, of Chippewa Township, passed away on February 16th, 2026 at Heritage Valley Beaver. He was born in Beaver Falls on April 6th, 1947, the son of the late Raymond Anthony and Naomi (Wickline) Blazak. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his sister, Kathy Goodwald. He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Bonnie G. (Holzer) Blazak, his son, Raymond K. Blazak, his sisters: Conny (Lenny) Brown, Brenda (Jerry) Black, Roberta (Joe) Fleet, and Dianna (Mike) Shrum; as well as his grandchildren, Kayla (Eric) Angleton and Anthony (Tammy Gaydos) Blazak, two great-grandchildren, Abel and Owen, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Raymond was a member of the VFWs in New Galilee and West Mayfield. He was known as an avid golfer and bowler, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Ray was a baseball coach for many years. He looked forward to spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a proud U.S. Army Veteran serving in the Vietnam War.

Friends will be received on Thursday, February 19th from 2-6 P.M. in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Inc., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a funeral service will be held on Friday, February 20th at 12 noon.

Entombment, with full military honors, will follow in Beaver Falls Cemetery & Mausoleum, 2045 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.

Mitzie Wallace (1929-2026)

Mitzie Wallace, 96, of Beaver Falls, passed away on February 14th, 2026, at Heritage Valley Beaver. She was born in McKees Rocks on December 22, 1929,  the late Harry and Mildred Dreyfus. Mitzie was a member of the First Baptist Church of New Brighton. She loved her Savior, her husband and her family. Her joy included Disney Trips, beach vacations and tea parties with the great grandchildren. Everyone was always welcome in her home. The kitchen drawer was full of candy for generations. She loved cooking and gardening even at the age of 96. Mitzie and Richard loved veterans. Her husband fought with the Army in WWII. Her brothers also served in the Airforce during WWII. All together ten family members served in various branches of the military. To all those who serve, thank you for your service. She is survived by her children, Roxann (Doug) Suhan, Jack (Barb) Wallace, Amy (Brett) Hosselton, her grandchild, Kate (Alex) Winger, her great grandchildren: Grant, Cora, Rex and Oren Winger, Appollo and Mercury DeCanio, and James Gray; two sisters, Lee Bell and Rachel Coltin and her sister-in-law, Jeanne Oneschak, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family who enjoyed Mitzie’s home and company. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Wallace, two brothers, Bill and Walter Oneschak, and her brother-in-law, Herbert Bell. There will be a visitation on Thursday, February 19th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of her arrangements. The family of Mitzie would like to extend a sincere thanks to the caregivers at Cambridge Village for 14 days of love, Four Seasons Endoscopy, all the nurses at Heritage Valley Beaver including Amy, Jackie and Misty, who cared so lovingly. A great thanks to Ashlee at Gallagher Home Health who spent off duty time with us. Thanks to Dr. Fenton at UPMC for tender care. Thank you to all who visited and prayed, your love was felt. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Bradley D. Inman (1948-2026)

Bradley D. Inman, 77, of New Galilee, passed away on February 15th, 2026. He was born on October 31st, 1948, a son of the late Floyd B. and Mabel (Duncan) Inman. He was a 1966 Beaver Falls High School Graduate, and was a proud member of the Beaver Falls Football Booster organization for over a decade. As a lifelong resident of New Galilee, he served on the New Galilee Council Board for many years, as well as the New Galilee Recreation Board where he coached baseball and softball. He is survived by his wife, Stella, whom he married in 1971, his son, Bradley (Kasey) Inman of Beaver Falls, his daughter, Tammie (Ron) Miller of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, his grandchildren: Alyssa (Admire) Carter, Nicholas Droz, Olivia Droz (Ryan Quinlan), Emma Miller, Nathan and Noah Inman, Nicholas (Rae) Miller, Zachary (Tori) Miller, and Alyssa Miller (Stephanie Irvin), and ten great-grandchildren. Bradley’s biggest joy in life was spending time with his family and grandkids. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Joe Yeager and his sisters-in-law, Jan and Debbie Inman and Kathy Petrella. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Arthur, Rodney, and David Inman, his sister, Nadine Yeager, his sister-in-law, Beth Inman, his brothers-in-law, Jay and Vito Petrella, his mother’s-in-law, Pauline Petrella and Jean Petrella, and father-in-law, Joe Petrella. Family and friends will be received on Thursday, February 19th, from 11a.m. until 1 p.m., at William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street Rochester, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where a blessing service will follow at 1:15 p.m. Officiating will be Father Kim Schreck. Interment will follow at Sylvania Hills Cemetery, 273 PA-68, Rochester. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Ashfaq and staff at the PAM Health Services in Heritage Valley Medical System of Beaver.

Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman and Catholics beginning the penitential season of Lent

(File Photo of the Diocese of Pittsburgh Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Today is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the forty-day practice of Lent, that marks a time of spiritual growth for Catholics, with Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman emphasizing fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The Lenten season is meant to resemble Jesus’ forty days of suffering in the desert before His public ministry began for Catholics to repent for their sins. There are also fish fries all around Pennsylvania today and the Fridays during Lent because Catholics do not eat meat today and on those Fridays during Lent and will normally eat fish instead. The abstinence from eating meat on those days is to not offend Jesus’ death on the cross.