Author: Beaver County Radio

George E. Lopata, Sr.

George E. Lopata Sr., 87, of Monaca, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024. He was the son of the late Andy and Anna Lopata. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Shirley, children; Tim, George, David, Karen, and Kim; grandchildren; John (Tiffani) Baucom,  Brian (Hannah) Eckhart, Jason (Tiffani) Eckhart; and great grandsons; Preston & Grayson Baucom. George worked for 30 years at Armco Steel, was a crane operator at Leetsdale Ornamental and he was the owner of Lopatas Silk Florals. He served as the CEO of the Forge Invitational Muscle Car Show and muscle car display provider for Bristol Motor Speedway, NHRA and NASCAR. He presented the Lee Lacocca Award for Barrett Jackson and John Force of the NHRA. George was in numerous magazine feature articles and a display coordinator at SEMA. He was a member Knights of Columbus and Beaver County Industrial Museum. George enjoyed gardening and loved to collect and restore antique cars. He will be deeply missed by the muscle car community. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver for their dignity and compassion. Arrangements were entrusted to Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, Ambridge.

Diane (Everett) Kownacki (1956-2024)

Diane (Everett) Kownacki, of Moon Township, passed away on March 31, 2024, in Good Samaritan Hospice House of Wexford, Pennsylvania. She was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania on July 19, 1956, the daughter of the late Charles & Lena (Ferry) Everett. In addition to her parents, Diane was preceded in death by her son, Jonathan Kownacki.

Diane is survived by her husband, Robert J. “Bob” Kownacki, a son, Robert C. “Bobby” Kownacki & fiancé Madison Schuffert, sisters, Sherry (Bill) Neal & Sandra (Eric) Frank, and many nieces, nephews & friends.

Diane graduated from Moon High School in 1974. She was a movie and sweets connoisseur, enjoying all that life had to offer. She was a devoted wife of 40 years and mother of two children. She loved Lake Erie and Hawaii.  You would never catch Diane in long sleeves or pants, even in the heart of winter, when she had on her summer attire of tank tops and jean shorts.  Her smile, laugh, and positive attitude brought joy to everyone she encountered. Her belief was, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 19th, 2024 from 12pm-3pm at Baden Borough Building, 149 State St, Baden, PA 15005.

William D. Lytle, Sr. (1946-2024)

William David Lytle, Sr., 77, passed away on the evening of March 30th, 2024. Dave was born in Parnell, Missouri in 1946 and moved to Pittsburgh in 1957. He lived in Beaver, Pennsylvania for 42 years and recently lived in Chippewa Township. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Gail Martin Lytle in 2021.

He is survived by a brother George D. (Tina) Lytle of Odenton, Maryland, three children, Mary C. (Scott) Higby of Ellwood City, Rena’ L. (John) Toomey of Norfolk, Virginia and William D. (Misty) Lytle, Jr. of Beaver and eight grandchildren, Scott Vincent (Jenna) Higby, Joshua D. Higby, Abigail F. Higby, Maryna G. Lytle, Noah D. Lytle, Daniel N. Lytle, Jonathan F. Toomey, and Charlotte F. Toomey. Dave also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

After serving as an Infantry Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Dave served 26 years as a Pennsylvania State Trooper in Beaver and 15 years as a Senior Security Specialist for Federal Express Corporation in Pittsburgh. While serving with the Pennsylvania State Police, he received a Commissioner’s Letter of Commendation for bravery, Troop Commander’s Letter of Commendation for outstanding investigation and arrest, and US Air Flight 427 Commendation. While serving with Federal Express Corporation, he received numerous outstanding performance awards for investigations.

Dave was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Beaver, where he served as an elder, deacon, and longtime member of Community Bible Study. Dave was also active in the Boy Scouts of America, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout Award as a youth and awarded the Silver Beaver Award as a Unit Commissioner in the Beaver Valley District of Laurel Highlands Council. He also belonged to FOP Lodge 54, Retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania, American Legion Post 261, Vietnam Veterans of America and Gideons International.

Friends will be received Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Noll Funeral Home, Inc., 333 Third St., Beaver. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Beaver. Burial with full military honors will take place Friday, April 5, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies of Bridgeville. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Joseph A. Carosa (1934-2024)

Joseph Carosa, 89, of Midland, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Born May 12, 1934 in Midland, he was a son of the late John and Concetta Radeschi Carosa. In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by his daughter, Toni Jo Carosa, and brother, Patrick Carosa. He will be greatly missed by his sister-in-law, Eva Pantoni, and niece, Christine Glavaris.

Joseph was a proud veteran of the Korean War, going on to a long career as a steelworker. He was a member of the St. Anthony Club, Elks #283 and VFW #66. He was a parishioner of St. Blaise Church in Midland of Saint Augustine Parish.

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

CBF takes legal action to stop hydroelectric facility for Cuffs Run

Keystone State News Service – Danielle Smith

A proposed pumped-storage hydroelectric facility for Cuffs Run near the Susquehanna River in York County has been challenged by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The foundation filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is considering granting a preliminary permit to build a 1.8-mile-long dam for the project.

Harry Campbell, science policy and advocacy director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said they are working to stop the project in order to protect the unique Cuffs Run area and its ecological benefits for future generations.

“If approved, this project would destroy it about 580 acres of prime farmland, fields and forests, some of which have not been disturbed in about 100 years,” Campbell pointed out. “Those farms, fields and forests exist harmoniously with and in support of a plethora of plant and animal life.”

The foundation is circulating an online petition and encouraged Pennsylvanians to provide comments before Sunday.

The stream is home to naturally reproducing brook trout. Advocates worry the $2.5 billion project would also be harmful to the Susquehanna River. Campbell noted about 40 families would be displaced.

“For those who call Cuffs Run home, it’s more than just a place to live. It’s their heritage and they want it to be part of their legacy,” Campbell asserted. “This project just simply is the wrong idea in the wrong place. In order to honor that heritage and that legacy, we need to preserve this area.”

Campbell emphasized the Cuffs Run project is about 993 acres of land draining into a 2.5-mile unnamed tributary. He added in terms of stream habitat, the rocks, pebbles and woody material have been identified as among the best in the region for supporting critters living in the water.

PSP Reports 407 Crashes, 358 DUI Arrests Over Easter Holiday Weekend

Harrisburg, PA – As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) conducted its Easter holiday enforcement over the weekend and today released the results of the annual initiative.

 

From Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31, PSP investigated 407 crashes resulting in six fatalities and 90 injuries. Intoxicated driving was a factor in 46 of those crashes, two of which were fatal.

 

Troopers arrested 358 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and issued 17,168 traffic citations, including:

  • 5,285 for speeding
  • 557 for failing to wear a seatbelt
  • 90 for not securing children in safety seats

 

Table 1: Easter 2024 Weekend Crash Data

Year Total Crashes Fatal Crashes People Killed People Injured DUI Crashes DUI-Related Fatal Crashes
2024 (3 days) 407 6 6 90 46 2
2023 (3 days) 411 5 5 110 31 0

Source: Pennsylvania State Police, 2024

Table 2: Easter 2024 Weekend Enforcement Data

Year DUI Arrests Speeding Citations Child Seat Citations Seat Belt Citations Other Citations
2024 (3 days) 358 5,285 90 557 11,236
2023 (3 days) 329 5,344 80 481 9,241

Source: Pennsylvania State Police, 2024

Kia recalls over 427,000 Telluride SUVs because they might roll away while parked

FILE – This is the front grill of a 2020 KIA Telluride on display at the 2020 Pittsburgh International Auto Show, Feb.13, 2020 in Pittsburgh. Kia is recalling more than 427,000 of its Telluride SUVs due to a defect that may cause the cars to roll away while they’re parked. According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft of certain 2020-2024 Tellurides may not be fully engaged. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar. file)

NEW YORK (AP) — Kia is recalling more than 427,000 of its Telluride SUVs due to a defect that may cause the cars to roll away while they’re parked. According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft of certain 2020-2024 Tellurides may not be fully engaged. Over time, this can lead to “unintended vehicle movement” while the cars are in park — increasing potential crash risks. To remedy this issue, dealers will update the affected cars’ electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts for free. Owners who already incurred repair expenses will also be reimbursed. In the meantime, drivers of the impacted Tellurides are instructed to manually engage the emergency break before exiting the vehicle.

Rowdy Tellez homers as the Pirates beat the Marlins 9-7 in 10 innings for 4-game series sweep

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz is congratulated by teammates after he scored against the Miami Marlins during the 10th inning of a baseball game Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)

MIAMI (AP) — Oneil Cruz raced home on Jason Delay’s bunt in the 10th inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 9-7 for a four-game sweep of their season-opening series. Cruz opened the 10th on second as a pinch runner for Rowdy Tellez. He advanced to third when reliever Tanner Scott committed an error on Alika Williams’ sacrifice attempt. Delay then sent another bunt toward first and Cruz beat first baseman Jake Burger’s throw to the plate. Ke’Bryan Hayes reached on a two-out infield single and Michael A. Taylor gave Pittsburgh a 9-7 lead with a bases-loaded walk.

Beaver Valley Artists hosting local figurative sculptor

(New Brighton, Pa) Artist Gadi Leshem will demonstrate his earthenware clay sculpture techniques on April 11, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Merrick Art Gallery, 1100 5th Avenue, New Brighton, Pa.  

 

Gadi is a sculptor based in Mars, PA, with a deep passion for classical figurative sculpture and portraiture. His work explores the capture of expression, character and emotions through a combination of life studies and imaginative creations. His primary medium of choice is earthenware clay. Gadi is an active member of several local and national artists organizations. His sculptures are on display at different venues in the area.

 

Along with the demonstration, Members of Beaver Valley Artists are asked to bring their entries for the Annual Members show which will be juried the weekend of April 13.  The show will begin April 23 with a public reception on April 28 at the gallery.  The show will remain on exhibit till May 9 at 7:00 p.m. When the juror, William Kofmehl, will conduct a critique of the works in the show. Kofmehl teaches art at the college level. He has a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA from Yale University. He is based in Pittsburgh with a focus on sculpture, and has exhibited his work nationally and internationally.

PEOPLES URGES YOU TO SPRING INTO SAFETY THIS SEASON

PITTSBURGH – April is National Safe Digging Month and Peoples Natural Gas, an Essential Utilities, Inc., company, urges everyone to Call 811 at least three business days before digging, this month and beyond – no matter how small or simple the work may seem.
Thousands of landscaping and home improvement projects kick off in the spring, making it critical for contractors and Peoples customers to take advantage of the Pennsylvania 811 One Call system to avoid potentially dangerous situations and obey the law. Contractors are required to Call 811 on behalf of their customers, but the service is not just for major projects. Planting trees and bushes, or installing a mailbox or basketball hoop, requires an 811 call just as much as building a swimming pool or installing a fence.
“Calling 811 before digging begins is essential to keep our communities safe,” said Lynda Petrichevich, Peoples Senior Director of Process Operations. “Natural gas pipelines run under streets, sidewalks, yards and homes. What is out of sight cannot be out of mind because the most frequent cause of gas incidents is when lines are hit and damaged. We urge all Pennsylvanians to take the extra step for safety and call 811 before you dig.”
The Pennsylvania 811 call system is free to homeowners. The process is simple:
  • Use Pennsylvania 811 by calling 811 or 1-800-242-1776 (for out of state callers) at least three (3) business days before the planned start of digging;
  • Peoples and other utility companies serving your home will be notified, and send locators out to mark the location of any underground lines;
  • During the project, respect the markings and excavate with due care; and
  • In the event of any damage to pipelines, line markers, locator wires or warning tape, promptly notify the appropriate utility.
In 2023, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), a national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities, issued its “50 in 5” industry challenge to reduce damages to critical underground utilities by 50% in 5 years. The CGA says that effective and consistent use of calling 811 is critical in achieving this goal and preventing damage to infrastructure that has the potential to cripple communities and cause injury or even loss of life.
Peoples is a longtime supporter of Pennsylvania 811 and strongly encourages everyone this National Safe Digging Month: Call Before You Dig! For more safe digging advice, visit Peoples-Gas.com.