Author: Beaver County Radio

William O. Richardson (1937-2024)

William O. Richardson, 87, formerly of Wampum, passed away on September 9, 2024 at the Beaver Valley Rehabilitation Center. He was born on June 28, 1937 in New Castle, the son of the late Talmadge and Mary (Groom) Richardson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Wesley, Raymond, and Otis Richardson and four sisters, Eula Richardson, Regina James, Geraldine Robinson, and Erma (Cookie) Madden.

William worked at B&W for over 30 years. He loved to travel and read the Almanac. He enjoyed gardening and loved to listen to jazz music in his free time. He was a giver and provider which helped encompass his cheerful and joyful personality.

He was loved and cherished by his niece Odessa Richardson who took care of him later in life, leaving behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family is very grateful for Grane Hospice and Brighton Rehabilitation Center for the love and care of William Richardson.

A private burial will take place at Clinton Cemetery of Wampum. Arrangements have been entrusted to J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton. 

Electric buses becoming more prominent in Pennsylvania

Many Pennsylvania students now ride electric buses to school. Some 900-million dollars from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program supports cleaner buses in over 500 school districts nationwide. The Steelton-Highspire District received funding to purchase six electric buses, with chargers and charging infrastructure for each bus. Jenna Condran with the district says kids tell her the electric buses are “quieter and calmer.” Condran sees them as a financial investment that affects the school district, community and taxpayers.

(Story reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service, Published September 13, 2024, at 7:57 A.M.)

Roderick Clark Bourne (1950-2024)

Roderick Clark Bourne, 74, of Ambridge, passed away on September 8, 2024. He was born on July 12, 1950, a son of the late Harry and Emma Bourne. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife UnYe Bourne, and his brother Bradley Bourne. He is survived by his children, Richard, Jason, and Jennifer Bourne, several grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Roderick proudly served in the United States Army, worked as a welder, and worked at J&L Steel. Friends are invited to visit on Sunday, September 15, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge.

Joseph R. Barna (1932-2024)

Joseph R. Barna, 92, of Hopewell Township passed away on September 11, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospice, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on February 14, 1932, a son of the late Michael J. and Mary (Srafin) Barna.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son, Richard Barna, a brother, Michael (Natalie) Barna, Jr. and two sisters, Barbara Ann Barna and Veronica Barna. He is also preceded in death by two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Henry Klak, Edward (Shirley) Klak, Sophie Andreatta and Dorothy DiNinno.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joann Barna, his three children David (Deborah) Barna, Diane (Tom) Canning, and Jon (Becky) Barna, three grandchildren who he loved dearly, Michael, Alex, and Megan, one brother and two sisters-in-law, Robert (Rita) Barna and Flo Jula and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joseph was a member of Mary Queen of Saints Parish, St. Titus Catholic Church and actively contributed to his community as a member of the Lions Club. His dedication extended to volunteering for Meals on Wheels, where he left an impact on many lives. A proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Joseph’s legacy of service and love for his family will be remembered and celebrated by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, 146 Neely School Road, Wexford, PA 15090.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 21, in St. Titus Church at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements were entrusted to ANTHONY MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa.

Center Township Fire Department called to hotel for microwave fire as Aliquippa woman jailed and charged

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 13, 2024 at 7:20 A.M.)
(Center Township, PA) The Center Township Fire Department was dispatched to My Place Hotel for reports of a microwave on fire on Monday. The fire department requested the police department for assistance with a highly intoxicated female shortly after. Officers found a highly intoxicated and unresponsive female, identified as Doneshia Jones of Aliquippa, that had created a fire in the hotel room while cooking. The fire department evacuated, and then found that a three year old female child in Jones’ care was unsupervised and running throughout the hotel.
Jones was placed under arrest and is lodged in the Beaver County Jail and faces charges for endangering the welfare of children and disorderly conduct causing a hazardous condition.

Pitt forms new advisory committee to find new athletic director

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on Spetember 13, 2024 at 6:08 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) After firing athletic director Heather Lyke earlier this week, the University of Pittsburgh has formed a new advisory committee to find her replacement. Chancellor Joan Gabel said the university is looking for a leader who will help to elevate the school’s student athletes, coaches, staff members, and donors. The committee includes seven members, which consists of Pitt’s chief financial officer Dwayne Pinkney, a Pitt faculty of athletics member Sheila Velez Martinez, former Pitt executive associate athletic director Donna Sanft, men’s head basketball coach Jeff Capel, and three fomer Pitt football players, Pat Bostick, Peter Varischetti, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year with the Los Angeles Rams, Aaron Donald.

Retired Aliquippa teacher has passed away at age 88

(Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio News Correspondant, Published on September 13th, 2024 at 5:49 A.M.)

(Hopewell Township, PA) Eugene (Gene) Karmazyn, 88, of Hopewell Township, a retired Aliquippa teacher has passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024. After retiring from the Aliquippa School District in 2003, Eugene taught drama, was a play director, and was in charge of the class of 1966’s Commencement Program. According to the family, a banner and a will be placed at the Black Box Theater in his honor along with a plaque outside the Black Box Theater. The theater will also now be renamed the Gene Karmazyn Black Box Theater.

10-year-old Shaler Area School District student facing charges after social media threats to schools

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 13, 2024 at 5:39 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) A 10-year-old girl from Shaler Area Elementary School is facing charges after posting threats for violence on social media. Shaler Township Police Chief Sean Frank confirmed the charges against the girl, which are third-degree felony terroristic threats and third-degree misdemeanor harassment. Frank commented that the post showed a list of schools that were threatened with intentions of violence, specifically shootings. All the schools that were mentioned in that post will have increased police presence through Friday. 

Local gathering that gives tribute to 18th century Beaver County village will have final year of event at CCBC

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published on September 13, 2024 at 5:36 A.M.)

(Monaca, PA) The final year of the Logstown Associates Historical Society Native American Gathering will take place in Beaver County at the Community College of Beaver County on October 12th and 13th. After 35 years, organizer Jeff Jones has confirmed that lack of funds led to the decision to stop the annual gathering. The event pays tribute to Logstown, an 18th century Native American village in modern-day Beaver County that led to westward expansion from treaties and conferences, which involved two days for crafts, Native American dancing and a demonstration of corn-husk doll making last year. 

Commissioners hit with conflict of interest concerns regarding assessment and former Times building

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published September 12, 2024 3:11 P.M.

(Beaver, Pa) The Beaver County Commissioners were met with concerns and questions regarding the consideration of buying the former Beaver County Times building in Beaver at their Thursday morning work session. County Controller Maria Longo and Treasurer Sandie Egley were two notable officials that voiced their concerns on the subject. Both want to see a comprehensive analysis performed for the project. Longo has stated that there is a conflict of interest in the deal and with the assessment appeals.

Discussions have been in place between the Commissioners and building owner  Joe Askar to purchase the building for document storage among other things. Beaver County Radio has been told that Michael Coleman possibly has something to do with the ownership of the building as well.  According to documents provided to Beaver County Radio, Askar paid $675,000 for the building in May 2023. Under the new assessment, the building was valued at $3 million. The estimated cost, if the county pursued the purchase of the building, would be $2.8 million.

Kohlman, who is alleged to also have a part in the ownership of the building,  is the former Chief Assessor for Beaver County who worked as a consultant with Tyler Technologies for the initial assessment, and helped to set property values. Following his retirement, he was replaced by current Chief Assessor Josh Eckelberger. The county rehired Kohlman, along with his assistant Joann Ferrazzano, and his company, Commonwealth Real Estate Services LLC, to perform third-party appraisals for the county on properties in which owners filed appeals, even though individuals involved were involved in the initial assessment. Eckelberger also works for Kohlman’s company in addition to his role with the county. Commonwealth Real Estate Services has been contracted by the county from November 30th, 2023 through December 31, 2024 at a rate of $2,400 dollars per residential property appraisal and $6,700 per property for commercial. Kohlman is estimated to make up to $1 million dollars on the appraisals alone.

During the meeting, Beaver County Radio asked the Commissioners what the purpose of the Times building would serve for the County. Chairman Dan Camp relayed that the county needs a new place to keep hard documents. Currently they are stored in the mushroom mine storage facilities in Wampum. Camp says this has become costly, paying around $200,000 dollars a year for the storage in addition to extra fees whenever documents need to be retrieved. He said the building could also safely store ESU and election equipment.

The county has contracted another third party appraiser, Nicklas King McConahy, to appraise the Times building under the recommendation of the Assessment Department including Eckelberger, where Kohlman and Askar have also been working. It is also unclear at this time how many repairs or renovations the building would require, or what the cost would be.

Controller Longo is asking for due diligence and a fair process for taxpayers from the Commissioners. The former Times Building, located at 400 Fair Avenue in Bridgewater was the home of the newspaper from the early 1940s through 2019.