Author: Beaver County Radio

Beaver Wine Festival returns

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published at 7:49 A.M.)

(Beaver, PA) Wine connoisseurs will be flocking to Beaver on September 14 for the annual Beaver Wine Festival. 16 wineries across Pennsylvania will be providing samples to those with wristbands from 3-7 p.m. on Third Street in Beaver. Beaver restaurants and shops will be open during this event. Tickets are $35 on the day of the event with presale tickets being $25 on eventbrite.com. Purchases of wine will also be available for ticket holders until 6:30 p.m. This is a 21 and older event sponsored by the Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce.

Pennsylvania offering first ever mobile infant formula bank

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published at 7:20 A.M.)

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvania is offering its first ever mobile infant formula bank. On Wednesday, it was shown off to the public by Beverly’s PGH at no costs, with providing both supplies and consultations for lactation. Since its inception in 2022, the company has taken care of more than 3,000 babies in both Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties.

Governor Shapiro announces transportation projects throughout Pennsylvania, which includes Eighth Street in Ambridge

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published at 7:15 A.M.)

(Ambridge, PA) Governor Josh Shapiro has announced that communities in 32 counties in Pennsylvania will go through 66 transportation projects that total nearly $51 million, including Eighth Street in Ambridge. On Tuesday, Shapiro confirmed that $1.9 million will be used to affect Eighth Street in the middle of Route 65 and Merchant Street, and there are plans to place a median to control speed and turning of traffic, as well as enhancing sidewalks and crosswalks.

Aliquippa man stabbed and is now in hospital after attack at apartment

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published at 7:11 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) An Aliquippa man was stabbed early Thursday morning and has been taken to the hospital. Police were informed of the stabbing report as they were called to Towne Towers at 2:35 a.m. The victim was stabbed in the left arm and had deep lacerations to his forearm after being attacked on a stroll to an apartment building and a witness told officers that the man was also attacked inside the building’s elevator. Police said nothing was spotted inside the elevator, however, inside the dumpster outside of the apartment, there was some bloody clothing. Anyone aware of any further information about this incident can call Aliquippa police at 724-775-0880.

Murderer has been identified and charged with homicide after killing woman in an Aliquippa alley

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, Published at 6:52 A.M.)

(Aliquippa, PA) Police have identified the murderer that killed 20-year-old Treonna Washington in Aliquippa, whose death was confirmed as a homicide. On Tuesday, 25-year-old Jason Banks, Jr. was charged with homicide and two assault charges not too long after Washington’s body was found Saturday morning on the 1200 block of McMinn Street in an alley. Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible also confirmed that Banks was Washington’s boyfriend. A video was discovered by police and court documents said Banks assaulted Washington at 7 p.m. on Friday and then tried to push her down stairs. There was also a third person who was seen with Banks and Washington between Reed Street and Wade Street, and a shotgun noise was heard when the trio went through the two streets. That third person was identified by police and while interviewed, told those investigating that Washington was shot by Banks. Banks is being held at the Beaver County Jail without bond.

Center Township $80,000 bank robbery suspects jailed

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published August 22, 2024 2:22 P.M.

(Center Township, Pa) At 12:40pm on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Center Township Police, PA State Police, Aliquippa and Monaca Police responded to a bank robbery  at the First Commonwealth Bank located at 80 Wagner Road in Center Township according to Center Twp. Police Chief Aldo Legge.  Driver of the getaway vehicle was  Latoya, Young, 43 of Canton, Ohio. The 2 males were Christopher Lucius, 36, and Matthew Smith, 32.  One of the male robbers attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended by Aliquippa Police Sgt. Nico D’Arrigo and Mitch Himes from the Monaca Police Department. The other male and Latoya Young were apprehended when police stopped them.

All 3 are lodged in the Beaver County Jail in connection with the robbery, according to Chief Legge. $80,000.00 was taken in the robbery, the Chief said.

Aliquippa man convicted of murder-for-hire scheme in 1996 has died

(Story written by Noah Haswell of Beaver County Radio, August 22, 2024, Published at 9:22 a.m.)

(Aliquippa, PA) An Aliquippa man who was part of a murder-for-hire scheme nearly three decades ago has died on Friday afternoon. According to authorities at SCI Huntingdon, correctional officers found 44-year-old Trazis Durham unresponsive in his cell. He was taken to Penn Highlands hospital and then was pronounced dead that afternoon. Before he passed away, up to a life sentence was given to Durham for his role in the murders of William and Teresa Samuel in Aliquippa on April 11, 1996. Police investigations found that when he was 16, Durham and 18 year-old Pete Schoonover killed the couple to earn $12,000 after being hired by the couple’s son, Brian Samuel. State police in Pennsylvania are investigating the incident and the cause of Durham’s death has not been released by the public as of yesterday morning.

Congressman Chris Deluzio and PennDOT teaming up to improve roads in Rochester

(Story written by Noah Haswell at Beaver County Radio, August 22, 2024, Published at 10:36 a.m.)

(Rochester, PA) Congressman Chris Deluzio and PennDOT have teamed up to announce two roads in Rochester will be improved in the spring of 2025. According to their plan, $7.5 million will provide upgrades to both Adams Street and Virginia Avenue and stops on the intersection with Sunflower Road, with annual congressional funding bills of $500,000 in federal investments. Improvements include a full-width roadway reconstruction, curb replacement, guardrail updates, traffic signal improvements, signage updates, drainage improvements and new pavement markings. Traffic restrictions will take place on Route 68 when the project begins and those dates for the start and close of restrictions have yet to be announced.

Norman A. Fletcher (1954-2024)

Norman A. Fletcher, 70, passed away on August 18, 2024. He was born on April 1, 1954 to Dorothy and Norman Fletcher in Monaca, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by a cousin Harry Kirchner. He was a graduate of Monaca High School and attended Slippery Rock College. He is survived by his wife, Amy Fletcher and her parents Irmajean and Butch McKelvey of New Brighton, his sister Peggy Fletcher Cottrill (husband Michael, deceased) of Boston and Annapolis, nephew Alischer A. Cottrill, of DC, three stepchildren Matthew Zeiber of Monaca, Jennifer (husband Andrew) Wistuk of Beaver Falls and Hunter (fiancée Alysa) Zeiber of Freedom, and four grandchildren Alexandra Skye Zeiber and Matthew Zeiber, Jr. of New Brighton and Aubree Faith Wistuk and Daizee Jay Wistuk of Beaver Falls and two special cousins Elaine Milligan (husband Dan) and Kathi Householder (husband David).

Norman spent many years working as a printer in Seattle, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania. He spent his later years working at the American Legion in Monaca. Most of his time was spent enjoying his grandchildren and attending all of their events. They gave him such joy and love.

He will be remembered at a celebration of his life at the Legion in Monaca at a later date yet to be determined. Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca.

Blanche Gilberg (1926-2024)

Blanche Gilberg, 98, of Economy, passed away on August 18, 2024.  She was born on April 27, 1926, in Harts, West Virginia, to the late Charles and Georgia (Farley) Spry.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Harold; sisters, Clara Robinson, Bammie Alexa, Rachel Wingo, Marie Figley, and Dorothy Kertesz; and brothers, Joseph, John, and Charles Spry.

She is survived by her son Donald (Nicole) Gilberg of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania; daughter Judy (Jay) Obreza of Mercer, Pennsylvania; and grandchildren Emily (Sam) Kramen, Matthew, Paige, Bailey, and Mallory Gilberg, and Joy and Jared Obreza.

Blanche came to Beaver County during World War II to work as a welder at American Bridge, then J&L Steel and Russell Burdsall & Ward Bolt and Nut in Coraopolis.  She later worked at Nicholas Grill in Ambridge where she met her late husband, Harold “Gil” Gilberg.  The two married on August 19, 1950.  Blanche eventually became involved with remodeling old houses and had been a landlady for over 40 years. Additionally, Blanche was an avid reader, a gardener with an amazing green thumb, and a yard sale lover.  Most of all, she enjoyed visiting with her seven grandchildren – especially at Christmas.  She was a member of the Economy Senior Citizens and the Baden Methodist Church.  Blanche was a true believer in God, and her faith carried her through all of life’s difficult times.  Her favorite words were, “God has been good to me.”

As per Blanche’s request, all services are private.  She will be laid to rest with her husband in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum. Contributions in her memory may be made to: Habitat for Humanity in Beaver Falls, or the Salvation Army in Rochester. Arrangements have been entrusted to John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.