Author: Beaver County Radio

Norfolk Southern fires CEO Alan Shaw for an inappropriate relationship with an employee

Norfolk Southern Railroad ceo Alan Shaw speaks during an interview Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Norfolk Southern said Wednesday it has fired CEO Alan Shaw for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.

His ouster comes after two difficult years in the top job and just days after the company’s board announced it was investigating him for alleged ethical lapses.

The Atlanta-based railroad said Shaw had an inappropriate consensual relationship with Norfolk Southern’s chief legal officer, who was also terminated. Norfolk Southern promoted Chief Financial Officer Mark George to be the railroad’s next CEO.

Shaw was leading Norfolk Southern in February 2023 when one of its trains derailed, spilled toxic chemicals and caught fire in East Palestine, Ohio, the worst railroad disaster in the last decade. Then, activist investor Ancora Holdings tried to take control of the railroad earlier this year and fire Shaw.

He weathered congressional hearings and difficult community meetings after the East Palestine derailment, while promising to make Norfolk Southern the “gold standard for safety” in the industry. He also managed to persuade investors not to back the majority of Ancora’s board nominees. Three of its nominees did win seats on the railroad’s board, but that wasn’t enough to give it control.

The derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border prompted the nation to re-examine railroad safety and led lawmakers and regulators to call for reforms. But those proposals have largely stalled, and the industry has made only minimal changes since the derailment, such as installing more trackside detectors to spot overheating bearings like the one that caused the East Palestine crash.

The disappointing financial results Norfolk Southern delivered after the derailment, combined with questions about Shaw’s strategy of keeping more workers on hand during a downturn, made the railroad ripe for pressure from an investor like Ancora. Norfolk Southern’s profits have consistently lagged behind the other major railroads that more aggressively adopted the lean operating model that has become the industry standard.

The railroad said Shaw’s firing was unrelated to Norfolk Southern’s financial performance, and the board reaffirmed its financial guidance. The railroad has said it expects to improve productivity by about $550 million and boost its profit margin over the next two years.

Shaw received $13.4 million compensation last year in his first full year as CEO. The railroad said earlier this year that Shaw would be entitled to nearly $9.6 million in retirement compensation if he left the company. It wasn’t immediately clear how being fired for cause will affect the $2.3 million severance pay Norfolk Southern had previously promised him. More details on his final compensation are expected to be disclosed Thursday.

The railroad’s Chairman Claude Mongeau said, “The Board has full confidence in Mark and his ability to continue delivering on our commitments to shareholders and other stakeholders” despite having only worked on the railroad since 2019. Previously, George was CFO for air conditioning maker Carrier Corporation and Otis Elevator Company.

Mongeau said George will work with John Orr — the chief operating officer hired during its fight with Ancora — to continue improving the railroad’s profits by cutting costs and getting more efficient.

“I look forward to my continued partnership with John and the entire (Norfolk Southern) team as we further our progress on optimizing operations and serving our customers, while creating a safe and satisfying workplace and delivering enhanced value for our employees, customers, shareholders, and communities,” George said in a statement.

Norfolk Southern is one of the six largest railroads in North America with tracks crisscrossing the Eastern United States.

CCBC Recognized for Excellence in Student Voter Registration

(Monaca, PA) – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) was recognized for its non-partisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022  midterm elections. ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) recognized CCBC as having the Most  Improved Voter Turnout for a 2-Year Institution in 2022, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that  nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life. 

“At CCBC, we feel it is important to engage our students in the voting process and educate them about  the power of their voices. Not only do we encourage first time voters to register, but we provide  information about absentee and mail-in ballots as well,” said Brittney Golden, dean of students. 

CCBC will include these initiatives into a variety of campus and student life events through the 2024 election period, including: 

  • New Student Orientation and Club Fair – provides opportunities for the Director of the Beaver  County Elections Bureau and the college’s Student Government Association (SGA) to register  new voters, distribute voter information, and highlight the upcoming Voter Education Week in  October while exploring materials available on vote.pa.gov and information provided through  ALL IN.  
  • ROCK the Vote –paint rocks, have fun, and learn of deadlines, resources, and important  instructions.  
  • Election Day – celebrating students who come to class with an “I Voted” sticker.  

“The ALL IN Awards were created to celebrate nonpartisan democratic engagement and the outstanding  campus voter registration and turnout rates achieved by our ALL IN campuses. Ahead of the 2024  elections, ALL IN campuses are ready to build on the momentum from 2022 to ensure their communities  are ready to make an even bigger impact this fall,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of  the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “ALL IN is proud to celebrate and honor top-performing  campuses, like CCBC, who demonstrate that nonpartisan student voter engagement is possible and  effective.” 

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CCBC was recognized alongside more than 500 campuses using data from the National Study of  Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) out of Tufts University, which found that colleges an universities had the second-highest voter turnout among students in a midterm election since NSLVE  began measuring this data. The full list of campus award winners is available here. 

More than 1,060 institutions enrolling more than 10 million students participate in the ALL IN Campus  Democracy Challenge, which supports colleges and universities in achieving excellence in nonpartisan  student voter engagement.  

Ambridge Borough accepts $15,000 donation for the Police K-9

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 12, 2024 2:57 P.M.

(Ambridge, Pa) Ambridge Borough accepted a donation from the Officer Robert Shaw Foundation for the police department’s K-9 at Tuesday night’s meeting in the total of $15,000.

Council approved a payment of $212,006.32 for the Merchant Street Streetscape project.
On Saturday, September 28, 2024  the annual Festival  of Churches will take place at PJ Caul Park from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Council meets in regular session Tuesday, October 8 at 6:30pm.

Hopewell Police Officers explain SRO program

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published September 12, 2024 2:54 P.M.

(Hopewell Township, Pa) Hopewell Township Police officers Jared Rogers and Miles Newton explained the School Resource officer program in the Hopewell Area School district. The 2 officers explained that the program has been in effect for 6 years and was preceded by the DARE program and having a juvenile officer in the schools.

Officer Rogers explained that with new legislation and training for officers, the SRO program was introduced and mandated by the state. Both officers go to all 3 elementary schools, Officer Newton goes to the junior high school, along with Officer Newton, and Officer Rogers is at the high school. The officers said the biggest issue in the junior and senior high schools is vaping.  Sanctions are filed against the students by the district and they are cited by the Hopewell Police Department.  There are detectors in the bathrooms, and the SRO’s check the cameras when the detector goes off. They both comment that the they think the students enjoy seeing them in the schools.

I-376 Parkway West Nightly Ramp Closures Next Week in Robinson and Collier

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing nightly ramp closures on I-376 (Parkway West) in Collier and Robinson townships, Allegheny County, will occur Monday through Friday night, September 16-20 weather permitting.

Nightly ramp closures on I-376 will occur next week from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., according to the following schedule:

  • Monday night through Tuesday morning – Ramp from northbound I-79 to westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) towards the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • Tuesday night through Wednesday morning – Ramp from northbound I-79 to westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) towards the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • Wednesday night through Thursday morning – Ramp from southbound I-79 to westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) towards the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • Thursday night through Friday morning – Ramp from southbound I-79 to eastbound I-376 (Exit 59A) towards Pittsburgh

Traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detours

From northbound I-79 to westbound I-376

  • Continue northbound on I-79
  • Take the Crafton/Moon Run (Exit 60) exit
  • Turn left onto Route 60 (Steubenville Pike)
  • Turn right onto the southbound I-79/Washington ramp
  • Take southbound I-79 to the westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) exit toward the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • End detour

From southbound I-79 to westbound I-376

  • Continue southbound on I-79
  • Take the Carnegie (Exit 57) exit
  • Turn left onto West Main Street
  • Turn right onto the northbound I-79/Erie ramp
  • Take northbound I-79 to the westbound I-376 (Exit 59B) exit toward the Pittsburgh International Airport/Beaver
  • End detour

From southbound I-79 to eastbound I-376

  • Continue southbound on I-79
  • Take the Carnegie (Exit 57) exit
  • Turn left onto West Main Street
  • Turn right onto the northbound I-79/Erie ramp
  • Take northbound I-79 to the eastbound I-376 (Exit 59A) exit towards Pittsburgh
  • End detour

Crews will conduct milling and paving operations.

This $12.6 million I-376 Parkway West preservation project is located between the Campbells Run Road (Exit 62) interchange and I-79 (Exit 64A) exit in Robinson and Collier townships. Work includes milling and resurfacing, base repair, structure preservation and rehabilitation, with signage, guide rail, drainage, pavement marking upgrades. Motorists will see daytime and overnight lane restrictions on the Parkway West, overnight single-lane closures on five I-79 interchange ramps, and as needed weekend lane closures on I-376.  Additionally, in the summer 2025 an approximate six-week full closure and detour will occur on Boyce Road and the two associated ramps at the interchange. The project is anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2025. Northeast Paving is the prime contractor.

Nicholas Anthony Fazio (1940-2024)

Nicholas Anthony Fazio, 84, passed away on September 10, 2024. He was born on April 2, 1940, in Toro, Italy, to the late Francis and Josephine Fazio.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Rico, brother-in-law Earl (Bud) Hill, Marge Reynolds, and lifelong friend Jackie Todora.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marion Fazio, son Nicholas Fazio I, and daughter Dawn Fazio.
Nicholas married Marion on August 22, 1964, in Culver City, California. He was trained as a tailor in his hometown by his uncle (Lou Francalancia), and worked his entire career as a tailor, he owned and ran a successful tailor shop in the town of Beaver for 20 years. His business mantra was “A stitch above the rest!” He, his mother, and his brother migrated from his birthplace in Italy to the town of West Aliquippa and graduated from Aliquippa High School, and worked for several premiere clothing retailers including Sak’s 5th Avenue.
He will be sadly missed by his family, many relatives, and cherished friends. In a celebration of his life, the family will have a public viewing at Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home Inc. on Friday, September 13th, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Everyone is asked to meet at church for a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Saint Frances Cabrini Church. A private interment will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Ruth Marie (Adair) Shull (1939-2024)

Ruth Marie Shull, 85, of Freedom, passed away on September 11, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at Heritage Valley Beaver.

She was born on August 16, 1939, in Freedom, the daughter of the late Henry and Helen (Metzger) Adair. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death her loving husband of more than 50 years, Howard “Hank” Shull, who she loved and missed very much, and her sisters, Virginia (Jack) Reed, Dorothy (James) Nichol, and Mildred (Charles) McCann. She is survived by her children, David (Karla) Shull, Amy (Thomas Kovalesky) Shull, and Jennifer (Patrick Brown) Shull, granddaughter, Megan (Brandon) Adams, and special nephew, Robert (Christina) McCann.

Ruth was raised Lutheran.  She lived on a farm that she loved, where she gardened, enjoyed wildlife, especially Hummingbirds.  She liked to cook and host holidays, sitting on the porch, playing Scrabble and Pinochle, and loved spending time with her grandchild, Megan.

Friends will be welcomed on Friday, September 13, from noon until the time of service at 2 p.m., in the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, with Pastor Gregory Clagg officiating.

Interment will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery of Freedom.

Martha Jane (Figley) Pietsch (1933-2024)

Martha Jane Pietsch, 91, passed away at Beaver Meadows on September 11, 2024.

She was born in New Brighton on September 9th, 1933, to the late Harold W. Figley and Martha Brown Figley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gary Pietsch; sister, Elaine Zinkham; and two brothers, William Figley and Harold “Bud” Figley. She is survived by her nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, Gretchen Stoughton, and her husband Pete and her special friend and care giver, Susan Hoover.

She was a lifelong member of Steffin Hill United Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Beaver Falls High School and retired from Westinghouse in Beaver. She married Gary “Peachy” Pietsch after he returned from Korea, having served his country. Martha loved to play games, especially cards! Martha and Gary were the best aunt and uncle who were always caring, loving, generous, and fun.

Friends will be received Friday September 13 from 10 A.M. until the time of service at 12 P.M. in the CORLESS-KUNSELMAN FUNERAL HOME, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls. Pastor James Salyers will officiate.

Interment will be private at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank the staff and hospice care of Beaver Meadows for their excellent care.

Memorial contributions may be made in Martha’s name to “Beaver Meadows Free Care Fund”, 5130 Tuscarawas Road, Beaver, PA 15009

Charles Wilbert Noah (1945-2024)

Charles Wilbert Noah, 78, of Monaca, passed away September 10, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 14, 1945 in Rochester, a son of the late Wilbert and Sarah Noah. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, John and Ella Cable; sisters, Ruth Berovich, Mary Luzell, Shirley Palombo and Jean Kovalesky; brother-in-law, James Wedgewood.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mariella Cable Noah, daughters, Dawn Terrill of Midland, Sue (Doug) Dishler of Industry, son, Charles (Jolene Solomon) Noah Jr. of McDonald, sister, Joan Noah of Beaver, sisters-in-law, Leslie Wedgewood of Chester, West Virginia, Jai-Ellen (Duane) St. George of Midland, Shelley Cable of Stubenville, Ohio, brother-in-law, John Cable of Coraopolis, grandchildren, Sarah (Colin) Berkley of Stafford, Virginia, Kenneth (Chelsea) Elkins of Negley, Ohio, Noah (Taylor) Elkins of Industry, Matthew McDole III of Industry, Caitlyn (Robert) Pike of Industry, and Annilyn (Justin Reed) Noah of West Virginia; great-grandchildren, Jordan Leigh, Chase Pike, Gracelyn Pike, Kenneth Elkins, Wyatt Elkins, Savannah Webber, Paul Webber, Aubrianna Martin, Addalyn Martin and Wade Specht.

Charles was a veteran of the US Army, where he was a paratrooper. He also was a heavy equipment operator for T.L. Lawrence in Eastvale and a member of the Midland American Legion.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 22, from 2-6 P.M. at the Midland American Legion. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the Schwerha-Noll Funeral Home, 600 Beaver Ave., Midland. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles name to Amedisys Hospice or the veterans.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their support.

Sabrina White (1959-2024)

Sabrina White, 65, of Ambridge, passed away on September 6, 2024. She was born on November 27, 1959, the daughter of the late Gene and Esther Wills. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy White Sr., and her sister, Mary Wills-Taylor.

She is survived by her three children, Garland D. White, Leroy White Jr., and Samirra White, as well as her siblings, Gene Wills Jr. and Garland Wills, her cherished grandchildren: Theodore, Aliziah, Alayna, Lindin, Elijah, Gavin, Bella, Valon, Muhammed, Destiny, and King, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Sabrina was known to her family as an undisputed protector, provider, and grandmother. She was deeply committed to her church, The Lord of the Harvest, and was beloved for her vibrant, social personality that brightened everyone’s day. Her favorite colors were black and silver, and she was a loving and caring mother, sister, and grandmother.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects on Monday, September 16, from 1:00 PM until the time of funeral service at 3:00 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC., located at 547 8th Street, Ambridge.