Author: Beaver County Radio

Darlene Ann Krajac (Passed August 10, 2024)

Darlene Ann Krajac of Beaver passed away on August 10th, 2024.

She was the daughter of the late Frank and Stella Pickell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth and brother, Frank. She is survived by many beloved family and friends.

Darlene was a graduate of Avonworth High School.

She lived her life working in finances and caring so much for others, people as well as animals.

She will be entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Aliquippa.

There will be no funeral services. Arrangements and obituary information are entrusted to Simpson Funeral and Cremation Services of Monaca.

Shirley (Massoud) Klak (1934-2024)

Shirley (Massoud) Klak, 89, of Ambridge was surrounded by the love of her cherished family when she passed away on August 7, 2024. She was born in Aliquippa on October 25, 1934, the daughter of the late Tofic and Lottie Massoud. She is survived by her faithful husband, Edward Klak, her two daughters, Debra (Stan) Darpino and Kathleen (Troy) Erwin, her grandchildren, Paige (John) Full, Edward Erwin, and Natalie Erwin, and her great-granddaughter, Vivian, and one on the way, her siblings, Anthony (Lee) Massoud, Liz (Nick) Williams, Marie Venanzio, John (MaryAnn) Massoud, her sisters-in-law, Flo Jula and Joanne (Joe) Barna and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Shirley was a member of Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish, Good Samaritan Catholic Church. She held a strong devotion to her Catholic faith throughout her life. She was proud of her Lebanese heritage and was delighted to show it by preparing her many famous Lebanese dishes, including grape leaves and kibbeh, for her family and friends to enjoy. She was truly the consummate hostess, welcoming everyone who walked through her door with unconditional love and of course a plate of food or cup of coffee. She would not take “no” for an answer when it came to food, especially a slice of her cheesecake. She was affectionately known by her grandchildren as “Sitto,” their small but mighty Sitto. Shirley’s dedication as a wife, mother, Sitto, Little Sitto, and homemaker will always remain with her family. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements and obituary information are entrusted to Alvarez Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC of Ambridge.

Aliquippa produce cart dates announced

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published August 13, 2024 9:29 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Aliquippa has announced that a produce cart will be available for residents to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables. The schedule for the cart is on Wednesdays, August 14, 12-2pm, August 28, 12-2 pm. September 11, 12-2pm, September 25, 12-2pm. October 9, 12-2 pm, and the last one is scheduled for October  23, 2024 from 12- 2pm.

According to a post, the location is at the mural next to BF Jones memorial Library on Franklin Avenue in the city. The event is sponsored by the Community Partnership and Penn State Extension Service and fresh produce will be available.

Back to school time! Here’s your first days of school in Beaver County’s district schools.

As summer comes to an end, back to school season is under way in Beaver County. As your students get their supplies ready, the first days of school this year go from August 21 to September 3. The following days are when classes begin in these Beaver County schools.

August 21: Blackhawk, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Midland Innovation and Technology Charter School, Moon Area, West Allegheny

August 22: Aliquippa, Ambridge Area, Beaver Area, Big Beaver Falls Area, Cornell Area, Hopewell Area, New Brighton Area

August 26: Central Valley, Freedom Area

August 27: Beaver County Christian School, Rochester Area, South Side Area, Western Beaver

August 28: Midland Borough, Riverside Area

August 29: Sewickley Academy

September 3: Ellwood City Area

For Our Lady of Sacred Heart (OLSH), first day of school for freshmen is on August 21, and all other OLSH students report to their first day of school on August 22.

For Quaker Valley, grades kindergarten through 9th grade have their first day on August 21 and grades 10-12 report to their first day of school on August 22.

Western Beaver sophomore star quarterback earns eligibility for 2024 season

After transferring from Central Catholic, and then to Lincoln Park, Western Beaver sophomore star quarterback Jaivin Peel has been deemed eligible to play in the 2024 WPIAL high school football season by the WPIAL board Monday afternoon. Peel had to transfer because of transportation despite participating in Western Beaver’s heat acclimation workouts. Peel last season broke the all-time WPIAL freshman passing record throwing for over 2,800 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Gas prices are rising in Western Pennsylvania

Gas prices are on the rise in western Pennsylvania.

According to AAA, gas prices are 4 cents higher than they were last week, with an average price of $3.759 per gallon.

During the same week last year, gas prices averaged $3.893 per gallon. Here in Beaver County, gas is at $3.826 per gallon.

Former President Donald Trump returning to Butler for rally in October after assassination attempt

After being shot and almost assassinated, Former President and Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump announced that he is returning to Butler, Pennsylvania in October for another rally. He made the announcement on a virtual event on X with Elon Musk, according to reports from NBC News. Former President Trump plans to honor the victim of the shooting, Corey Comperatore, as well as the 2 men injured in the shooting. The date of the future rally for former President Trump in Butler is currently undetermined as of yet.

James Melvin Lortman (1949-2024)

James Melvin Lortman, 74, of Beaver Falls, formerly of Newberry, South Carolina, passed away at his home on August 5, 2024. He was born on August 28, 1949 to the late Marion Workman Lortman and Nelson Lortman in Newberry, South Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Robert, Thomasina, Carnell, and Kathleen, his grandparents, several aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He is survived by a brother, Nathaniel Lortman, wife, Doris, 3 daughters, 1 son, 3 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, and devoted family members during his lengthy illness, Alana Mathews and Gina Stratton.

He was a 1967 graduate of Gaulman High School.  He was a veteran of the United States Army.  He worked for a government printing company for several years, before moving to Pennsylvania, where he would work for Geneva College.

His visitation will be on Wednesday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. until the time of memorial service at 11 a.m. at J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton.

James S. Ayres (1939-2024)

James S. Ayers, 85, of Monaca, passed away on August 9, 2024, in Providence Care Center.

Born on March 27, 1939, in Conway, he was the son of the late Willis and Edna (Brimner) Ayres. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marian (Strobel) Ayres in 2014; his five brothers, Willis Jr., George, Roger, Frank and Edward Ayres; and his five sisters, Ruth Deller, Ida Johnson, Ethel McCue, Amanda Ayres and Mary Hewlett. He is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Mark Friday; his granddaughter, Brittany Lynn (John) Newcomb; his great-granddaughter, Aubree Rose Newcomb; and his step-grandson, Mark Friday, Jr.  He was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, having a special bond with his niece and her husband, Brenda and Ray Thomas; and Marie Musser and Michele Seaman, both of Ohio.

He retired as a nurse’s assistant from the Medical Center of Beaver County in 2001.  Prior to retirement, James worked in the Rochester Hospital and Beaver County Hospital.  He enjoyed spending time with family, movies, TV shows and most of all music.  His faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, was very important to him.  He served as a eucharistic minister at St. Mary’s in Beaver Falls.

Friends and family are invited to attend his memorial visitation, which will be held on Saturday, August 17th from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. in the GABAUER-TODD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES- 340 Third St., Beaver. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, August 19th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church, 628 Virginia Avenue, Rochester.

Inurnment will follow in St. Cecelia’s Cemetery.

PennDOT Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Automated Vehicle Guidelines

Harrisburg, PA – Today, PennDOT opened the public comment period for newly drafted guidelines for the operation of highly automated vehicles (HAVs) on Pennsylvania roadways for the purposes of operations and testing. Draft guidelines establish minimum requirements for the certification and operations of HAVs operated by a driver, present in the vehicle or from a remote location, or without a driver (Driverless Operations).

The draft guidelines were created in consultation with the AV industry and the Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee. The guidelines and instructions for submitting comments can be found on the PennDOT website. Pursuant to 75 Pa.C.S. § 8510.2, the comment period will be open for ten days and close August 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

The HAV Advisory Committee was created in 2018 to advise and consult the Secretary of Transportation on each aspect of highly automated vehicles by developing technical guidance, evaluating best practices, reviewing regulations, and engaging in continuing research. The HAV advisory committee is comprised of state department, state and local elected officials, and industry and non-profit experts.

Act 130 of 2022, signed into law November 2022, advanced Pennsylvania’s position as a national leader in highly automated vehicle (HAV) research and development by providing for the regulation and operation of HAVs. The Act, which took effect in July 2023, provides a path toward commercial driverless operations of highly automated vehicles (HAVs) while providing provisions for certification, regulations, and safety. Act 130 designates PennDOT as the sole regulatory authority and directed the department to develop these guidelines for HAVs in the Commonwealth. The first set of Guidelines implementing Act 130 was completed in December 2023 and updated Publication 950 for HAV Operations with an HAV Driver present in the vehicle. When finalized, these guidelines will update and replace Publication 950.

More information on automated vehicles, operations and testing, regulations and initiatives can be found on the PennDOT website.

Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.