Haley Daugherty stories, Page 14
‘We had so many plans’: Hempfield man mourns wife, a school van driver, after fatal crash
Harry Davis wasn’t surprised to hear others speak about his wife’s kindness after she was killed Friday morning. “It doesn’t surprise me,” Davis said. “From being around her, I know how she is with other people and (how she) wanted to help people.” Rene Davis, 60, of Hempfield was killed...
Forum covers the ‘roses and thorns’ of Hempfield firefighting
Creating an “inviting environment” was the theme at Hempfield Township’s second annual fire forum Saturday morning. The first forum took place last year to smooth over concerns, answer uncertainties about the state of the fire department and clarify the “nonchartered” process, where a fire station goes under the direct management...
Local groups take financial worries out of prom season
Hidden behind the glitz and glam of dresses, suits, pictures, flowers and all things that makes prom night magical is the realization of how quickly the expenses can add up. For the students and families worried about the cost as prom season approaches, there are groups in the area that...
Leechburg Youth Baseball Association creates 12U team, switches to Pony League
After an almost complete overhaul and rebuild, the Leechburg Youth Baseball Association is offering a program for players 12 and younger for the first time in 10 years. Jonathan McLaughlin, president of the organization, said the association’s board has mostly new leadership after previous board members’ children aged out of...
Penn Hills students meet therapy dogs as part of counseling options in wake of teacher’s death
Penn Hills students were introduced to emotional support dogs from HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response recently to help them cope with the death of a beloved teacher. Gordie, a golden retriever, and Fergus, a black Labrador, met with students in groups Feb. 28 and accepted lots of pets and hugs. The...
7-year-old BMX rider follows passion to championships
Arya “Arie” Kowal never needed training wheels. The 7-year-old began riding bikes when she was 2, racing toddler-friendly electric balance bikes. “It was a little too chaotic (at the track) with big dirt bikes there,” said Arie’s father, David Kowal. “I didn’t really like the atmosphere — a little dangerous...
Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services caseworkers get new deal, higher wages
After working without a contract for eight months, union members who work for Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family services and the county Assessor’s Office reached an agreement with the county that increases the starting wage to $20 an hour. That was a main sticking point during negotiations between the...
Paving project is the 1st step in Verona’s transportation improvements
Transportation is going to become smoother on Arch Street in Verona. A paving project is set to take place sometime next year, said borough Manager Stefanie Woolford. “The biggest change is paving and some revitalization,” Woolford said. She said the “revitalization” aspects of the project have remained undecided since borough...
Penn Hills students push for their voices to be heard
Time is being reserved at Penn Hills School Board’s next public meeting for a group of students to speak publicly after their comments were cut short during the Feb. 26 voting meeting. The Linton Middle School Media Center was filled with students and teachers seemingly wanting to show support to...
Sex offender arrested after being found near school in West Deer
A registered sex offender was arrested after allegedly being found on the campus of Deer Lakes School District’s East Union Intermediate Center on Tuesday afternoon. Mark Campbell, 60, of West Deer was seen by an officer walking on the front sidewalk of the school. Campbell is a lifetime Megan’s Law...
Penn Hills resident publishes book of poetry inspired by 15 years of riding bus to work
Michael Frachioni has been riding city buses for years. Unlike most who use the commute to zone out, listen to music or close their eyes for a moment, Frachioni uses that time to observe his fellow riders to find the subject of his next poem. A lawyer for PNC Bank...
Bird flu affecting more than 600 birds at Butler County farm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed Butler County’s first case of bird flu. The virus was detected in a backyard flock of 610 birds. The USDA confirmed the infection on Feb. 20. It classified the farm, which was not identified by the USDA, as a kind that does not...
Oakmont restaurant owners speak up against food truck ordinance
A proposed ordinance meant to regulate food trucks in Oakmont, while not encouraging their use, could have a negative impact on borough restaurants. The operation of food trucks not affiliated with borough restaurants is what brought about the proposed ordinance. Borough Manager Scot Fodi said Oakmont officials have been contacted...
Firearms meet varying fates after moving through law enforcement
From 2022 to the end of last year, Pittsburgh police took in more than 2,700 firearms used in crimes, some confiscated via court order and others simply turned in by people who didn’t want them anymore. But only a little more than 570 of those guns were destroyed. Almost 650...
Oakmont zoning hearing raises more questions than answers for businesses
Questions remained unanswered and issues unresolved after a public hearing before the Oakmont Zoning Hearing Board was postponed Thursday night and rescheduled for a second time. The hearing was initially scheduled Feb. 8, after an ongoing legal battle involving various Oakmont businesses and the borough was to be brought in...
Vandergrift man apprehended after standoff facing multiple charges
A Vandergrift man is facing a slew of charges after being involved in a standoff with several police agencies Friday afternoon after he allegedly ran from police the day before. Westmoreland County Chief Deputy Sheriff Jen Shipley said 44-year-old Luis Brackman refused to surrender to deputies Friday when authorities attempted...
Riverview alum wins national teaching award
A Riverview alum has been recognized by the White House for her work in shaping the minds of young scientists and engineers. Ella Hereth, 42, of Indianapolis, was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching — the highest honor a math or science teacher can receive...
Gilpin supervisors hear complaint about stopping livestreaming public meetings
The Gilpin supervisors are fielding complaints after deciding to stop livestreaming public meetings. According to a social media post by Supervisor Charles Stull, the issue of livestreaming meetings was raised by a “few board members” and added to the February voting meeting agenda for discussion. “Once on the topic, I...
Leechburg’s 175th anniversary celebration plans set for summer
The site of Leechburg, consisting of a land grant of 192 acres, has gone by a few different names throughout the years. According to Leechburg Area Community Development Corp., the area was first patented in 1783 by White Mattock, a native American chief. After the Revolutionary War, the area, first...
No injuries reported in pickup fire in Oakmont
No one was hurt when a pickup caught fire in Oakmont Wednesday morning. The fire at Hulton Road and 10th Street was reported just after 11 a.m. The driver was able to get out of the pickup before emergency services arrived, police Chief Michael Ford said. The fire was put...
Linton Middle School students to stage ‘SpongeBob Musical’
Linton Middle School students want to take people under the sea. Specifically, to a pineapple there and maybe the Krusty Krab. Director Alex Fitzroy and assistant director Christina Dadey are guiding a cast of 30 Linton students for “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.” The show is based on the beloved...
Penn Hills teachers vote to authorize strike
Members of the Penn Hills Education Association have voted in favor of a strike authorization. According to a news release from the association, the vote Feb. 13 resulted in favor by a super majority after a year of bargaining with the district. “This is certainly not the point we wanted...
Riverview School Board pauses tuition discussions
It looks like Riverview School District won’t be accepting tuition students from outside the district anytime soon. School board members tabled any vote on the move until their March meeting, at the earliest, after administration officials said the idea seemed to have more risks than benefits. And the board doesn’t...
‘Very excited’: Oakmont residents and visitors react to Marc Fogel’s release
Residents and visitors in Oakmont were all smiles Tuesday when they heard fellow resident Marc Fogel was headed home. According to a statement released by the White House, U.S. officials negotiated a deal with Russian authorities that led to the release of Fogel, an American teacher. Fogel was sentenced to...
Public hearing rescheduled for ongoing legal battle between Oakmont businesses
A public hearing before the Oakmont Zoning Hearing Board was postponed and rescheduled Wednesday night after the hearing board questioned its own jurisdiction regarding a business’ occupancy permit. The hearing initially was scheduled after an ongoing legal battle involving various Oakmont businesses and the borough was to be brought in...
