Author: Beaver County Radio

Jack L. Fenchel (1928-2024)

Jack L. Fenchel, 95, of Big Beaver Boro passed away on January 3, 2024.
While working as an operating engineer for the former J.H. Brooks & Sons, during the 1950’s, Jack invented three patents; constructed, designed and was a founding member of the Big Beaver Volunteer Fire Dept. In the 1960’s he was active on the Big Beaver School Board and was a founding member of the Big Beaver Little League and Pony League Baseball. After retiring in 1990 he opened the Golden Eagle Archery Shop for a few years. Throughout his lifetime he enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an avid amateur photographer.
Jack was a member of First Baptist Church in Beaver Falls.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Nancy L (Javens) Fenchel, 2018; his parents, Arthur and Martha (Boyer) Fenchel; a brother, Dale Fenchel and two sisters, Jean Stinson and Eleanor Kraynie.
Surviving are his four sons, Kenneth (Donna) Fenchel, Lexington, SC, Jerry Fenchel, TX, Bill Fenchel, Darlington, David Fenchel, Big Beaver Boro; five grandchildren, Kenneth (Sheila) Fenchel Jr., Diana (Ryan) Herring, Shaun (Lindsay) Fenchel, Erin (Shawn) Gerald, Heather Fenchel; eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons.
Friends will be received Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. in the HILL AND KUNSELMAN FUNERAL HOME, hillandkunselman.com , 3801 Fourth Avenue, Beaver Falls. Private interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Big Beaver Boro.
Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the First Baptist Church, 616 17th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

PIAA to move Aliquippa to 5A in 2024

Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published January 4, 2023 12:33 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) Reports indicate that Coach Mike Warfield of the Aliquippa Quips has been informed by PIAA officials that Aliquippa will be required to compete in the 5A division for the 2024 football season. The reason for the bumped up classification is cited as being due to the competitive balance rule, suggesting that Aliquippa has student transfers. Aliquippa has most recently been playing and winning in 4A, including State Championship wins in 2021 and 2023, while their current school enrollment would technically put them in 2A. Aliquippa intends to appeal the PIAA.

Two Women Officially Sworn In As Newest Aliquippa City Council Members

(Sandy Giordano/Beaver County Radio)

Nora Lemon and Karma Jackson were sworn in as Aliquippa’s newest members of City Council at last night’s city council meeting, the first of the new year. Beaver County Radio news correspondent Sandy Giordano reports that the two women were sworn in by Beaver County Common Pleas Court Judge Mitch Shahen.

Mayor Dwan B. Walker, Councilman Donald Walker, and City Treasurer Lynne Kakiou were sworn in as re-elected officials for 2024. Kakiou will also serve as delinquent tax collector for Aliquippa, with Delphine Gilliam as her assistant. Mayor Walker said that a main focus for 2024 will be to watch finances as the city enters its first year without Act 47 designation.

Gas Prices Continue To Drop In Western PA at Start of 2024

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

It may be a new year, but so far the downward trend of gas prices has stayed the same. According to AAA East Central’s latest report, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline is down to $3.41. That average is down from last week’s average of $3.44 by three cents, and down a full 30 cents from the average of $3.71 one year ago.

Beaver County takes a downward trend this week, dropping four cents from $3.50/gallon to $3.46/gallon. Butler drops one cent to $3.43/gallon, as does the Pittsburgh area who now sits at an average of $3.46.

The national average is currently at $3.10 according to AAA East Central, 31 cents below the regional average.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.414
Average price during the week of December 26, 2023                                       $3.435
Average price during the week of January 3, 2023                                              $3.712

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.248      Altoona
$3.461      Beaver
$3.638      Bradford
$3.378      Brookville
$3.427      Butler
$3.390      Clarion
$3.298      DuBois
$3.295      Erie
$3.481      Greensburg
$3.456      Indiana
$3.436      Jeannette
$3.649      Kittanning
$3.453      Latrobe
$3.294      Meadville
$3.419      Mercer
$3.146      New Castle
$3.453      New Kensington
$3.385      Oil City
$3.464      Pittsburgh
$3.309      Sharon
$3.407      Uniontown
$3.599      Warren
$3.428      Washington

Congressman DeLuzio Joins Dozens of Senators Asking For Regulatory Review of U.S. Steel Sale

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Congressman Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania’s 17th District has put his name on a growing list of politicians nationwide showcasing their concern over the acquisition of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel of Japan. On Wednesday, Deluzio joined the Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs and other members of Congress in creating a letter to the Biden Administration for a full comprehensive regulatory review of the acquisition.

“Domestic steel production is crucial to the U.S. economy, including by supporting tens of thousands of well-paying, middle-class jobs across the country, as well as being key to the U.S. industrial base and our global competitiveness. To preserve U.S. domestic steel production capacity and to ensure that steel production jobs remain good jobs going forward, it is critical that any company that acquires U.S. Steel commits to respecting and working collaboratively with the company’s workforce,” the Members wrote in a letter to President Biden.

The letter was written by a bipartisan group of 53 members of Congress.

Update On Filling Two EMS Positions Presented To County Commissioners

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At a very quick Commissioners’ work session to begin 2024, Public Works Director Dan Colville was congratulated on the completion of the newly installed parking lot located in between the Beaver County Courthouse and Market Street in Beaver. The last thing to add to the lot are additional signs that Colville states are on the way.

Meanwhile, EMS director Eric Brewer gave the Commissioners an update on the hiring process for a pair of open positions on his staff. Sixty of the eighty applicants took an at-home skills test in regards to handling emergency responses; of the sixty, twenty-six will sit down with Brewer and his current administration for interviews along with a second test.

Brewer stated that the recent raise in rates for the positions may have played a role into the strong amount of applications submitted; he also mentioned that the positions are not restricted to being held by county residents.

The next Commissioners’ work session is scheduled for January 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

Donna L. Tunstall

Donna L. Tunstall, 80, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at West Penn Hospital. She was born on August 19, 1943, in Pittsburgh, to the late Peter and Dorothy Maglicic. She retired as a server from Diamond Run Golf Club. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, George Tunstall, Sr, and her siblings, James Maglicic, Thomas Griffiths, and John Griffiths. She is survived by her children, George II (Lori) Tunstall of Bonita Springs, FL, Kimberly (Rob) Ganster of Ambridge, David Tunstall of Pittsburgh, Shawn (Melissa) Tunstall of Pittsburgh, 13 grandchildren, Cortney (Derek) Peyton, Josh, Luke, Gray and Cole Tunstall, Morgan  (Ali) Akboga, John ( Samantha) Buggey, Zachary Buggey, Ryan (Alexis) Buggey, Donna Tunstall, Shawn (Lynzi) Tunstall II, Nicholas (Madison) Tunstall, Nathan Tunstall, great grandchildren, Oswald, Wallacewinnie, Cadwallon, Zalal, Kelsi, John III, Levi, Isabella, Shawn III, and Sophia, siblings, Connie (Jim) Nicotaro, Robert (Christine) Maglicic, Ruth Ann  Lachimia. Numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. She also leaves behind her many friends at Sheptytsky Arms Highrise in Brighton Heights. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 3 PM until time of memorial service at 6 PM at St. Michael and All Angel’s Lutheran Church, 1308 Spring Garden Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

Franklin L. Namath, Sr.

Franklin L. Namath, Sr., CLU, 85, of Chippewa Township, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024.

Born on January 5, 1938, in Beaver Falls, he was the son of the late John A. and Rosal E. Namath.

He was a proud graduate of Beaver Falls High School in 1955 and was devoted to the orange and black.  He went on to attend the University of Kentucky on both baseball and football scholarships. Mr. Namath had been an insurance agent for more than 60 years, having owned and operated his own agency.  He was a member of the LMBA Club and was an active parishioner of St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish.  In his free time, he enjoyed golf, gardening, and fishing.  Most of all, he enjoyed precious moments spent with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Edith (Mendicino) Namath; children, Michael P. (Lisa) Namath, Lisa Ann Namath, and Frankin L. (Allison) Namath, Jr.; grandchildren, Michael Andrew Namath, Matthew (Nashel) Namath, Jacob David Namath, and Sophia Rose Namath; a brother, Joseph W. Namath; a sister, Rita J. Sims; a sister-in-law, Sharon Namath; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends; and his three fur babies, Scarlet, Scout and Winnie.

Friends will be received on Friday, January 5th from 2-7PM in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls-www.gabauerfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Prayers will be offered in the funeral home on Saturday, January 6th at 9:30AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM at St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Namath’s name to the St. Monica Angel Fund- 609 10th St., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.