Weirton Hall of Fame announces 2023 inductees | News, Sports, Jobs

WEIRTON — A class of eight current and former city residents has been selected as the newest inductees into the Weirton Hall of Fame.

Selected nominees making up the Class of 2023 include local business owners, educators, public servants and more. An induction event will be held later this year.

The Weirton Hall of Fame Class of 2023 includes:

Harold Edwin “Bubba” Miller, nominated in the category of public service. The city’s current mayor, Miller is a graduate of Weirton Madonna High School. A Weirton Steel retiree with 32 years of employment, he and his wife, Christine, owned and operated the Victorian Hall and Tavern. Miller was elected as the Ward 2 councilmember from 2003 to 2011, and then as mayor in 2015. He also has served on numerous boards and in various organizations.

Nick Tranto, nominated in the category of public service. A first-generation Greek American, Tranto is a life member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, being an active part of the church community for more than 50 years. Following college, Tranto served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1972 to 1978 and was employed for 36 years by the Internal Revenue Service. At All Saints, he has served on the parish council, and as a member of the festival committee, including 15 years as either chair or co-chair. He is a 50-year member of the Order of AHEPA, was selected as an Archon of the Order of St. Andrew in 2020, appointed as a Regional Commander of the Archons of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, and, in 2022, was named chair of the Archon National Youth Committee to further Orthodox Christian education of youth and young adults.

Janice Louise Torrance, nominated in the category of music and fine arts. A lifelong resident of Weirton, Torrance began piano lessons in third grade and played trumpet in the Weir High School band, as well as serving as church musician. She opened Torrance Music Studio in 1965, teaching piano and organ, and later expanding by adding teachers and offering lessons in ukulele, guitar, violin, flute and voice.

Tracy Ann Ohalek, nominated in the category of education and religion. A graduate of the University of Steubenville and West Virginia University, Ohalek recently completed a 39-year career in education, which included 16 years teaching in local Catholic schools, and within the Hancock County Schools system beginning in 2000.

Karen Ragon Gould, nominated in the category of education and religion. Through her career in education and community service, Gould was active in the PTAs of several Weirton schools, including being part of the team to establish the first computer lab in Hancock County Schools at Marland Heights School in 1978. Working with others, she was able to lobby the county board of education to implement a gifted program in the school system, and Advanced Placement courses in the high schools, as well as to encourage summer enrichment courses. She was part of the Weirton Vision 20/20 Project, served on the Weirton Park Board, the Mary H. Weir Public Library Board, was active in the GFWC Weirton Woman’s Club, and the Marland Heights Civic Association.

Dr. Myer Bogarad, nominated in the category of industry and professions. Bogarad served the community through his medical practice from 1929 until his retirement in 1984. He was a member of the Hancock County Medical Society, the West Virginia State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American Association of Family Medical Practice and the West Virginia State Association of Family Medical Practice. He also was the first president of the medical staff of Weirton General Hospital, in addition to various civic organizations.

Kathleen Granato, nominated in the category of business. Granato owned and operated Granato’s Deli from 1989 until her retirement in 2022. In addition to serving the community through the food and other items available at the deli, Granato often participated in various community events, including the Weirton Christmas tree lighting, the Weirton Chamber’s Christmas in July and other festivals.

Vanessa Beaver, nominated in the category of business. Owner of Sweet Temptations Pastry Shop, Beaver also is active in the Weirton Rotary and the Yellow Ribbon Girls. Through those, she has helped to organize fundraisers for Toys for Tots, Hancock County Humane Foundation, Salvation Army, Hancock County Animal Shelter, Community Bread Basket, Community Cats Upper Ohio Valley, Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network and others.

The Weirton Hall of Fame was created through an act of city council in 2008 as a way to honor city residents for “outstanding accomplishments” in six categories: Business, Industry and Professions; Education and Religion; Music and Fine Arts; Philanthropy; Public Service; and Sports and Athletics.

The last class of inductees was selected in 2019, with no new nominations until this year as a result of the COVID pandemic and efforts to reorganize the committee.