Author: Beaver County Radio

Joseph McGettigan, the Pennsylvania prosecutor in Jerry Sandusky and John du Pont cases, dies at 76

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Joseph McGettigan III, Pennsylvania senior deputy attorney general arrives at the Centre County Courthouse for the second day of the testimony in the trial of former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, Tuesday, June, 12, 2012 in Bellefonte, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Joseph E. McGettigan III, a Pennsylvania prosecutor who obtained criminal convictions against Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky and chemical heir John du Pont, has died at age 76.

McGettigan, who lived in the Philadelphia suburb of Media, died on Dec. 31, according to the funeral home Boyd Horrox Givnish Life Celebration Home of East Norriton.

He was a senior deputy attorney general when he served as a lead prosecutor in the trial of Sandusky on child molestation charges in 2012. During the closing argument, McGettigan showed jurors photos of eight of Sandusky’s victims as children, all of whom had taken the stand.

“He molested and abused and hurt these children horribly,” McGettigan said. “He knows he did it, and you know he did it. Find him guilty of everything.” Sandusky was convicted of 45 of 48 counts.

McGettigan was an assistant district attorney in Delaware County when he prosecuted du Pont, who was found guilty of third-degree murder but mentally ill in the death of Olympic gold medal-winning freestyle wrestler David Schultz at du Pont’s palatial estate outside Philadelphia in 1996. Schultz come to live and train at a state-of-the-art training center that du Pont had built on his property.

Du Pont died in a Pennsylvania prison in 2010 at the age of 72. Sandusky, 81, is currently serving a 30- to 60-year sentence in state prison.

McGettigan’s work as prosecutor, which also included a stint in Philadelphia, often involved murder and child molestation cases. More recently he had been a lawyer in private practice, including work on behalf of crime victims.

Survivors include his wife, Gay Warren; his mother, Ruth L. McGettigan; and six siblings.

Couple accused of fraudulently using more than 400 EBT cards to buy goods for their Pittsburgh businesses

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday issued a warrant on Monday for the arrest of a husband and wife who were reportedly stealing from the federal government. Munir Chaudhri and Rachna Anwar are accused of coming to Sam’s Club on Mount Nebo Road to use stolen EBT card funds to buy goods for their businesses on the North Side of Pittsburgh. According to Sunday, the couple used the fraudulent cards 834 times at Sam’s Club, Giant Eagle and Tom Friday’s Market across four years, starting in 2021. Investigators state that the couple used 453 different EBT cards with a total theft of over $178,000.

Highmark Health Plan Members to Receive 100% Coverage for Diagnostic Breast Studies and MRIs

(File Photo of the Highmark Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Highmark Inc. announced today that a significant enhancement to its health plans, effective January 1st, 2026, ensuring all diagnostic breast studies and breast MRIs will be covered at 100%, without any copay or deductible. This new policy applies to all health plans from Highmark across Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and Delaware, removing financial barriers for breast cancer diagnostics that are essential. 

Shapiro Administration Encourages Businesses to Sponsor a Highway and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful as Pennsylvania Welcomes Visitors to the Birthplace of American Democracy in 2026

(File Photo of the PennDOT Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) PennDOT is now encouraging businesses in Pennsylvania to help keep it beautiful through its Sponsor-A-Highway Program. The 2026 tourism season, which includes the NFL Draft, PGA Championship, FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Series and America250PA, is expected to bring over 209 million travelers to Pennsylvania, providing an opportunity for even more people to see the businesses sponsoring roadside cleanup along many of the Commonwealth’s most heavily traveled roadways. A website for more information so Pennsylvania businesses can get involved in this program can be found by clicking here.

Pittsburgh Walk of Fame accepting nominations for its second class of inductees

(Photo Courtesy of KDKA: Caption for Photo: Michael Keaton was in the Strip District for the inaugural induction ceremony at Pittsburgh’s Walk of Fame.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame is now accepting nominations for its second class of inductees. This inaugural walk of fame was revealed on October 20th, 2025 in the Strip District Terminal with the goal of celebrating people with southwestern Pennsylvania ties who have made their mark on America. The inaugural class of ten inductees were: musician George Benson, the late journalist Nelly Bly, the late industrialist Andrew Carnegie, the late environmentalist Rachel Carson, the late baseball legend Roberto Clemente, actor Michael Keaton, the late medical researcher Jonas Salk, the late television icon Fred Rogers, the late artist Andy Warhol, and the late playwright August Wilson.

County schools support repairing New Horizon School

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published January 7, 2026 1:02 A.M.

(Center Township, Pa) Ongoing discussions over needed repairs to the New Horizon School continued Tuesday evening at the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit meeting.

The Intermediate Unit invited Superintendents from all Beaver County school districts to take part in the discussion.

New Horizon, the only Beaver County school for special needs students, had to vacate their Brighton Township building after the discovery of mold.

The mold was initially discovered by staff in a kitchenette area. After a subsequent investigation into the rest of the facilty, mold was found in 64 rooms and other areas. Abspestos was found as well.

SiteLogic is handling the logistics of making the necessary repairs. They previously presented the board with multiple options to correct the issues, with the lowest cost being just over 8 million. They clarified Tuesday night that those were early estimates and the cost has increased due to the number of issues found in the building.

While they intially quoted the full project to be around 20 million dollars, they are now suggesting it can be done at around 15 million or less, depending on factors such as final amounts for bid contracts and the cutting of extra optional work such as adding new rooms, windows, restroom facilites, and dimming LED lights.

The secondary main expense in addition to gutting the walls and fixing the primary mold problem is the HVAC system.

Professionals who inspected the system determined it needed to be fully replaced.

The HVAC system is thought to be the cause of the mold, due to univentilator leaks and non-dehumidifying capabilities.

As the microphone was passed around to Superintendants and representatives of county schools, all of them made it clear that they support fixing New Horizon. Many stated that previous issues they had with the project only had to do with aspects of the project being unclear.

Western Beaver Superintendant Dr. Robert Postupac stated “Western Beaver is fully committed to helping New Horizon”.

New Brighton Superintendant Dr. Joseph Gaurino said “we fully support this, we are anxious to get this going and moving forward”.

Southside: “We have no interest in seeing new horizon close.”

Riverside: “We fully support it and have been committed for over 50 years”.

Midland: “We need to make sure we know we have done everything we can to minimize this problem from coming back”.

Freedom: “legislators need to help. Schools have been funded for football lights, we need money to help this school”.

Central Valley: “We are in full support of the project”.

Beaver: “we appreciate the colloratative nature and hopefully we can get it moving forward”.

Ambridge: “each child deserves a special place, and New horizon is for these children. I wouldn’t think of sending them anywhere else”.

Aliquippa: “we 100% support new horizon”.

Beaver Falls: “we always do what’s best for our kids. Beaver falls is fully committed”.

Hopewell: supports the project and “advocating for clear info about the renovation.”

Midway through the meeting, Beaver County Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp made an unexpected surprise announcement that the Beaver County Commissioners are committing one million dollars to the project.

The County will contribute $250,000 per year over the course of four years.

Camp told Beaver County Radio that the money will come from reserve funds and assured it will not affect taxpayers.

The approximately 40 people in attendance, as well as the board and district representatives applauded Camp following the announcement.

By the end of the nearly 4 hour meeting, all districts seemed to be in agreement of a resolution to pursue a fifteen million dollar loan to fix the school.

A final vote is expected to take place later this month at the next Intermediate Unit meeting.

New Horizon is currently temporarily housing their school in Midland at a cost of around $500,000.

Everyone involved aims to have work start as soon possible, hoping to have the school reopened for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Edward Stephen Buday (Passed on January 5th, 2026)

Edward Stephen Buday, 59, passed away unexpectedly at his Center Township residence on January 5th, 2026. He was born in Rochester, and was a son of the late Robert R and Linda Buday. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Cindy Buday and his brother, Robert Buday. He is survived by his second wife, Katherine “Kate” Sentak Buday, his children, Traci, Jonathon, and Charlie Buday, his grandchildren: Aiden, Elizabeth, Jensen, and Jocelyn, his stepmother, Karen Buday, his two sisters, Amy (Terry) Bliss and Rhonda Sherbine, his lifelong best friend, Jeff Connor of Rochester, who could always rely on his unwavering loyalty and support.

Edward’s life was one marked by dedication to his family, a passion for his work, and a boundless capacity for friendship. His formative years were spent alongside his siblings, including his late brother, Robert. He graduated from Rochester High School in the class of 1984. He found his calling as a maintenance person at Beaver Supermarket, where his hardworking nature and meticulous attention to detail was much appreciated. He loved his job and approached each task with the same level of care and precision that he applied to every aspect of his life. Those who knew him understood his passion for fixing things. He was the quintessential Mr. Fix It who was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. His skills in woodworking and his reputation as a jack of all trades meant that he was often sought after for advice and assistance. His perfectionism shone through in every project he undertook, whether it was a complex repair or a simple act of kindness. He had a variety of interests in life. In the past, he loved to hunt and fish and now enjoyed spending time at his favorite getaway, Cutty’s Sunset Camp Resort in Louisville, Ohio. His love for playing pool, listening to country music, and decorating for Halloween were well-known among his friends and family, and his love for Mexican cuisine was no secret, with many evenings spent enjoying meals at El Paso Mexican Restaurant. His affection for animals was evident in his companionship with his three dogs, Xena, Diesel, and Bailey.

Friends will be received on Friday, January 9th from 2-4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until the time of a service at 8 p.m. at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVIES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, who was in charge of his arrangements.

Rosemarie C. D’Achille (1935-2026)

Rosemarie C. D’Achille, 90, of North Sewickley Township, passed away on January 5th, 2026. She was born in Beaver Falls on May 31st, 1935, the daughter of the late Leon S. Kaleta and Mary Kaleta Nicholson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lorenzo “Larry” D’Achille, her brother, Leon “Bob” Kaleta, her sister-in-law, Barbara Kaleta, her brother-in-law, Guliano D’Achille and her sister-in-law, Dorothy D’Achille. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Theresa (William) Bair, Ron (Shari) D’Achille and Sharon (Todd) Hyre, four grandchildren: Jenna (James) Johnston, Adam (Anne) D’Achille, Alan (Amanda) D’Achille and Breana Hyre; as well as her great grandchildren, Elliot and Micah D’Achille and Kristina and David D’Achille.

Rosemarie was a member of the former Saint Mary’s Church in Beaver Falls. She was active in the church, teaching CCD classes, and helping with many activities. In her later years, she attended Concord Church in Beaver Falls with her husband. She loved gardening and kept beautiful flower beds throughout the yard. She enjoyed going to the farms in Ohio to purchase fresh produce and Amish baked goods and always had a hearty meal prepared for her family. She valued the importance of family gatherings, whether it was celebrating a holiday, birthday, or having a picnic. Food was always the center in the D’Achille household. She liked playing cards and taking her son-in-laws’ nickels in a good card game.

Friends will be received on Friday, January 9th, from 10 a.m. until the time of a service at 12 noon at Concord Church, 285 Concord Church Road, Beaver Falls. Arrangements have been entrusted to Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls.

A special thanks goes out to Three Oaks Hospice of Beaver for their support and care for Rosemarie and to special friends, Karen and Faith, for their love and helping to care for her. In lieu of flowers, plant a tree for Rosemarie by clicking here.

Man hospitalized after getting pinned by a heavy machine inside a building in the Strip District of Pittsburgh

(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

(Pittsburgh, PA) A man was taken to a hospital after being pinned by a piece of industrial equipment inside a building in the Strip District neighborhood of Pittsburgh just before 9:10 a.m. this morning at the 100 block of 15th Street. Emergency crews found a man who had a heavy machine fall on him when they arrived at the scene. He was reported to be in stable condition. The extent of his injuries was not known immediately. According to a statement from Pittsburgh Public Safety, he was initially unresponsive, but was conscious and alert when he was taken to the hospital.

Penguins terminate contract of newly acquired defenseman Egor Zamula by putting him on waivers

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Matt Slocum/AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to PuckPedia, the Pittsburgh Penguins placed defenseman Egor Zamula on waivers yesterday for the purpose of terminating his contract. The Penguins suspended Zamula on Sunday because he did not report to their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. The Penguins traded Philip Tomasino to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in exchange for the twenty-five-year-old Zamula. Zamula signed with the Flyers as an undrafted free agent in September of 2018 and had spent the last six seasons with them, earning 41 points and 33 assists in 168 NHL games with the Flyers.