Author: Beaver County Radio

Donald H. Koble (1943-2024)

Donald Koble, 81, of New Brighton, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024.

Born March 1, 1943, in New Brighton, he is the son of the late William E. and Dorothy (Schoaf) Koble Jr. Donald served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was a member of the American Legion, Post 19, New Brighton. He was proud to be an electrician in multiple steel mills in the area. He was a passionate individual whose love for genealogy and woodworking touched the lives of many.  He dedicated countless hours to tracing family histories, preserving legacies, and uncovering stories from the past. He crafted masterpieces with skill and precision, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and craftmanship.  He also loved to collect coins and attend the casinos.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, William G., Richard and Kenneth Sr. Koble.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy “Dot” (Burchett) Koble, two daughters, Cheryl (Jason) Hickey, Susan McKinney; grandchildren, Carson and Macey McKinney, Christopher, Craig and Brandon Hickey; great granddaughter, Lily Hickey; a sister, Alice (John) Zugonics, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton.  Additional viewing will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home.

The family would like to thank the nurses, Dr’s, and staff members of UPMC Presbyterian Hospital for the loving care given to Donald.

Mildred Roppo (1934-2024)

Mildred Roppo, 90, of Economy, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, in her home. She was born on February 3, 1934, in Ambridge, to the late John and Mary (Samardzija) Bionda. She retired from customer service at Highmark after many years of service. Mildred was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Good Samaritan Church, Ambridge. Her passions in life besides spending time with her family included cooking, baking, and homemaking. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents was her husband Michael and her two brothers, John and Anthony Bionda. She is survived by four children, John Roppo of Sewickley, Ronald Roppo of Tigard, OR, Robert Roppo of Economy, and Maria Cordes of Harmony Twp, five grandchildren, Marielle Roppo, Meagan (Donovan) Neumann, Johnathan (Amber) Roppo, Courtney Cordes, Caitlyn Cordes, and one great granddaughter, Marielle Cordes. Family and friends are invited to meet Thursday at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Good Samaritan Church where a blessing service will be held at 1:30 PM. Private interment will take place in Economy Cemetery.

Helen Vukovic (1928-2024)

Helen Vukovic, 96, of Ambridge, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Ivan and Anna Vukovic. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Robert Vukovic, special sister, Anne Orsag, along with several other siblings. She is survived by her nephews, Robert Orsag, David Orsag, great niece, Melanie Wagner, Jennifer Orsag, great great nephews, Devin Wagner, Cole Wagner, Chase Naquin, and numerous cousins. Helen was a devout catholic and member of the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ambridge. She enjoyed playing cards, especially Gin Rumi, playing the lottery, and watching her favorite game shows on television. Helen loved and adored her visits from her great niece and great great nephews. She was a kind and generous person; she will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. Services are private. The family asks that memorial contributions be made in care of the funeral home.

Pennsylvania train crash highlights shortcomings of automated railroad braking system

Norfolk Southern locomotives are moved through the Conway Terminal in Conway, Pa., Saturday, June 17, 2023. Norfolk Southern reports their earnings Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The collision of three Norfolk Southern trains in Pennsylvania early this month highlights the shortcomings of the automated braking system that was created to prevent such crashes. That’s because none of the circumstances the National Transportation Safety Board described Tuesday in its preliminary report on the March 2 derailment would have triggered the automated positive train control system to stop the trains. Railroad safety expert Chris Barkan said the system that was created after a deadly 2008 collision in California isn’t designed to stop trains in these circumstances. The eastbound train that smashed into a stopped train had passed a restricted speed signal. But without a stop signal, the braking system wouldn’t have been triggered.

Steelers bolster return game by signing Cordarrelle Patterson to a 2-year deal, AP source says

FILE – Carolina Panthers defensive end Nick Thurman (91) tackles Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. A source with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press that Patterson has signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The source spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn’t announced, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran running back/kickoff return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year deal. The contract carries a total value of $6 million a source with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced. The versatile 33-year-old Patterson spent the past three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. A four-time All-Pro, Patterson gives the Steelers a veteran to help them adjust to the league’s new kickoff rules designed to produce more returns.

Tuesday evening shooting in Aliquippa leaves at least one wounded

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 27, 2024 10:42 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) A shooting that took place in in Aliquippa yesterday evening is under investigation. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports the shooting happened in the area Linmar Terrace around 6:30pm. Police say one person was shot in the leg but no further details were given.

New Castle Resident Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Crack Cocaine Trafficking and Firearm Crimes

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Sahire Walker was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for committing  crack cocaine trafficking and firearm crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced  today.  

Walker, age 45, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District  Judge David Stewart Cercone. Judge Cercone ordered Walker to serve six years of supervised  release following his prison sentence.  

Walker previously pled guilty in this case to committing the following crimes on June 4,  2020: (1) possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, and (2) possession of a firearm in  furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Prior to imposing the sentence, the Court was informed  that Walker possessed crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and a loaded pistol, inside the rental  vehicle he was operating on June 4, 2020, at 1:00 a.m., in New Castle, Pennsylvania. As of that  date, he had five prior drug trafficking convictions over the preceding 15 years.  

  

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the  United States. 

The New Castle Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau  of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the  convictions and sentence in this case.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all  levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun  violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department  of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core  principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based  organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and  strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Vitalant holding Beaver County blood drives during National Donate Life Month in April

PITTSBURGH, PA (March 26, 2024) — Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs blood. During National Donate Life Month in April, nonprofit Vitalant urges eligible donors to give blood and help support patients including those who undergo more than 40,000 organ transplants each year.

 

Jen Lentini was a teenager when she underwent a heart transplant. She needed blood transfusions before and during the surgery, and in the years since, blood donations have continued to help her fight anemia.

 

“Whether you’re a blood or organ donor – you’re not just impacting the person receiving the blood or a transplant, you’re impacting everyone they’re going to meet in their life,” Lentini said. “Every story, every adventure. You’re saving someone’s child, their relative, their friend.”

 

A robust blood supply must be ready for patients every day before it’s needed. Donors of every blood type are vital to maintaining the supply, especially those with the most-transfused type O.

 

As special thanks, all donors who give with Vitalant April 1-20 who opt-in to the Donor Rewards program will be entered into a drawing for 20 winners of $420 gift cards in the Blaze a Trail giveaway.

 

Learn more and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Stay updated with the latest news on saving lives by following Vitalant’s regional social media accounts: @VitalantPAOH on Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook.

 

Upcoming Blood Drives

 

Aliquippa

Monday, April 15

B F Jones Library

663 Franklin Ave.

1 PM – 6 PM

 

Darlington

Monday, April 15

Little Beaver Lions- Darlington Township Building

3590 Darlington Rd.

1 PM – 6:30 PM

I-79 Ramp Lighting Installation Begins Wednesday in Allegheny County

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lighting installation on the southbound I-79 off-ramp to westbound I-376 (Parkway West) in Robinson Township, Allegheny County, will begin Wednesday, March 27 weather permitting.

Shoulder restrictions will be in place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 27-28 on the I-79 southbound ramp to westbound I-376 Parkway West (Exit 59B). Short-term stoppages under flagging operations will occur on the ramp to allow material and equipment delivery for the lighting installation work to occur.

Please use caution when driving through the area. Work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 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.