Haley Daugherty stories, Page 23
Leechburg elementary students ‘pumped’ for first science olympiad
McKenzie Rollinson enjoys science, even if it isn’t her best subject. “I’m not really good at science, but I’m pretty decent at it,” McKenzie, 10, said as she participated in the first-ever science olympiad this week at David L. Leech Elementary School in Leechburg. Students in third through fifth grades...
‘Force of nature’ Patty Ameno dies at 72
The Kiski Valley is missing one of its most dogged, outspoken voices. Longtime environmental activist and Kiski Valley resident Patty Ameno has died. Ameno, 72, of Hyde Park died Friday, according to friends, who are flooding social media sites with expressions of grief and condolences. Ameno was known by friends,...
Riverview budget would raise taxes 5.3% next year
Riverview School District taxpayers could see a 5.3% tax increase next year under the district’s proposed budget. The 1.279 mill real estate tax hike for next year will be used to cover expenses associated with rising health insurance rates, updated curriculum, two new teacher positions and hiring a director of...
Penn Hills fudge factory creates inclusive work environment
Roger Haney and his wife, Erin, have done everything they can to support their son, Jake, after he was diagnosed with autism in 2015. They joined different autism and special-needs associations and groups, trying to help their son and keep him engaged with the family. Roger Haney, concerned for his...
Penn Hills charter school hosts 7th annual Soaring Shark Tank; teen’s self-care line wins top prize of $2,000
Friends, family and community members gathered May 10 in the gym of the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship to listen and share the ideas of young business owners. The seventh annual Soaring Shark Tank pitch competition consisted of three eighth grade students presenting their businesses to three judges to...
Solution to Oakmont flooding years in the making for some residents
Anne Alcorn loves her neighbors, her 7-year-old son’s school and the safety of the Oakmont Commons. There’s only one thing she’d change about her home. The flooding. Since moving there in 2016, Alcorn, 38, has had an issue with her backyard flooding during rainstorms. On multiple occasions, water has come...
Leechburg Area School District appoints new superintendent
Leechburg Area’s David Leech Elementary School library had a buzz of excitement Wednesday night. After months of uncertainty about leadership, the Leechburg Area School Board made the school district’s interim superintendent, David Keibler, its superintendent. Keibler was appointed, 8-0. Director James Dunmire was absent. The vote received an ovation from...
Oakmont Borough adds incentive for fire department volunteers
Members of Oakmont council have passed a new incentive in an effort to gain fire department volunteers. Beginning in 2025, active members will receive a stipend of $65 per month. Borough manager Scot Fodi said that the stipend came after the state gave options for credits for active members in...
Proposed state legislation over guns at airports on hold as talks with law enforcement continue
Legislation drafted to reduce the number of guns confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration at Pittsburgh International Airport has been sent back to the drawing board. State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, said he was hoping to have already presented his proposed TSA Firearm Compliance Act, a measure that would...
PHRESH idea: Young entrepreneurs event at Penn Hills High School all about creativity, community
The Penn Hills community is invited to spend Friday evening at the very first Penn Hills Regifting and Entrepreneurial Spirit of Hope (PHRESH). According to Dion Dupree, the district’s school and community liaison and outreach coordinator, the event will celebrate the high school’s young entrepreneurs and network a mentorship program...
Leechburg Area welcomes new middle and high school principal, a district graduate
Students in the Leechburg Area middle and high schools might be meeting their new principal for the first time, but, for Tyler Vargo, he’s coming home. The Leechburg Area alum not only graduated from the high school but taught social studies there for nine years before heading to Knoch School...
Penn Hills High School coding team wins top prize of $10,000 at annual competition
The Penn Hills High School coding team brought home a trophy and a little green from the 2024 Young Innovators: Code for Your Cause competition. This is the third year Penn Hills has made an appearance at the competition hosted by PNC. It’s open to all local high schools. To...
Community-minded Leechburg spin studio provides more than a workout
Amy Capiross-Watterson of Allegheny Township has an uncanny talent of inspiring people to do hard things. And with her only goal being to make people feel good, she has united a group of about 50 cyclists who visit her spin classes each week at Accelerate Cycle Studio in Leechburg. Capiross-Watterson,...
Penn Hills School District to trial run monitors on buses to keep elementary students in line
Students at Penn Hills Elementary School will be seeing some familiar faces on the bus starting next week. The school district will begin a trial program with staff members riding the bus with students to and from school. Superintendent John Mozzocio called it a preventive action to ensure good behavior...
Penn Hills School District takes first steps to revamp district security, develop police staff
Penn Hills School Board members unanimously appointed a director of school district security April 24 with an eye toward developing its own police force. The position was created after the district began looking into ways to revamp safety and security in the schools, Superintendent John Mozzocio said. “Safety and security...
Penn Hills approves 5-year contract with Krise Transportation
Penn Hills School Board members unanimously approved a five-year contract with Krise Transportation at their meeting Wednesday night. The renewed contract will begin next school year and last until the spring of 2029 with rates increasing each year — starting at about $407 per bus, per day, and ending at...
9th wrongful death suit filed in case of former nurse Heather Pressdee
A Kittanning nursing home is the latest to be sued in connection with a patient’s death tied to former nurse Heather Pressdee. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Kittanning and its parent company, Armstrong SNF Operator LLC. It is at least the ninth...
Leechburg police officer is issued citations stemming from alleged traffic incident
A Leechburg police officer has been issued two citations stemming from a traffic incident in Parks Township. Clarence Lee Schumaker was charged April 9 by state police for careless driving, obedience to a traffic control device warning of hazardous conditions and disorderly conduct. According to Leechburg police Chief Jason Schaeffer,...
Burgettstown man charged with assaulting police during Jan. 6 Capitol riot
A Burgettstown man is facing charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Joshua Lee Atwood, 31, was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday. Charges against him include assaulting police with a weapon. He was identified after the FBI received a tip. It was discovered that...
Oakmont named a Tree City by Arbor Day Foundation
Oakmont has been recognized for its green thumb. The borough officially was named a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation, a global nonprofit that encourages people to “plant, nurture and celebrate trees.” Brian Crooks, chair of Oakmont’s tree commission, said the status serves as recognition of the dedication of...
New wrongful death suits filed in case of former nurse Heather Pressdee
Two more wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Butler in connection with the deaths of patients cared for by former nurse Heather Pressdee. The families of patients Irene Simons, 78, and Sandra Lincoln, 82, filed separate lawsuits last week against Sunnyview Operating LLC...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: April 12-14
Indoor or outdoor, artsy or active — there are plenty of activities to pick from this weekend in Westmoreland County. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes On Saturday, Blackburn Center hosts its annual event Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. For the past 13 years, the walk has gathered community...
Penn Hills High School gears up for ‘Shrek the Musical’
Once upon a time, in a perfectly rancid swamp, lived a giant green ogre named Shrek. After living in peaceful seclusion for most of his life, he is tasked with saving the land from a cruel half-pint villain. With the help of his sidekick, Donkey, and a beautiful princess with...
Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh SWAT situation; high-speed chase; Mon Wharf reopens
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, April 11: Man in custody after SWAT situation in Crawford-Roberts Police and SWAT were on scene in Pittsburgh’s Crawford-Roberts neighborhood Wednesday night for a man who barricaded himself inside a residence. Pittsburgh Public Safety said that a SWAT...
Morning Roundup: Sudden Little Thrills music festival coming; Irish Festival lineup announced; Steel City Duck Derby details
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, April 10: Sudden Little Thrills music festival being held in Pittsburgh The Sudden Little Thrills music festival announced that they were coming to Pittsburgh this fall. The new festival, from producers of big-name music events like Lollapalooza and...

