(Story and Photo by Sandy Giordano)

(Hopewell, Twp.) Stephen Daniel Mihalic, 96, Hopewell Township died Thursday at the Good Samaritan Hospice ,Beaver. He  was a respected former businessman in the Aliquippa area. He was  former Aliquippa School Board member for 6 years. He served as a , county detective and District Judge  serving the Aliquippa area.. He was the first district judge to preside over a preliminary hearing in Beaver County  Central Court. He also served on the Hopewell Township Civil Service Commission and interviewed police officer candidates. He served a total of 45 years in law enforcement , and 15 as a county detective. He retired  in 1993 as a district judge. Hopewell Township Police Chief Donald Sedlacek  said he had a great career   and he was recognized as being fair and honest, but firm.