Quincey Reese stories, Page 3
Social media’s impact on children topic of panel discussion on ‘Anxious Generation’
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg communications professor Jessica Ghilani likens the design of social media platforms to casinos without windows. The introduction of algorithmic sorting to Facebook in 2009 paved the way for social media platforms to generate endless streams of content for users — a system Ghilani describes as...
6 vie for 4 seats on Youngwood council
Six people are running for four spots on Youngwood council — including three incumbents, two newcomers and one who has filled in for a vacant seat on the board for about four months. Managing borough finances, replacing public works equipment, updating stormwater infrastructure, fostering community and addressing blighted properties are...
Penn-Trafford freshman installs ‘Kindness Rock Garden’ at Children’s Home
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh holds a special place in Penn-Trafford freshman Amelia Montenary’s heart. Her 8-year-old sister, Lucy, diagnosed with Trisomy 18 as a baby, has spent much of her life in the Bloomfield care facility. Also known as Edwards Syndrome, Trisomy 18 is a rare genetic condition that...
Southmoreland reviews livestream policy, plans hearing regarding controversial director’s comments
The Southmoreland School Board is reviewing a policy that would end the livestreaming of its meetings in favor of posting a video recording after the meeting’s conclusion. The move comes a month after School Director Catherine Fike, a retired school psychologist, was accused by the school board of disclosing confidential...
Carlow, Seton Hill instructor to lead new WCCC practical nursing program
Westmoreland County Community College has hired a lead instructor for its practical nursing program, set to launch this spring at its Latrobe campus. Christina Drnjevich, an adjunct clinical instructor at Carlow and Seton Hill universities, will lead the new program — coming to the college with more than two decades...
What’s cooking at WCCC? Culinary students serve meals at campus’ Chef’s Bistro
Fall aromas filled Westmoreland County Community College’s health and culinary center last week as students sauteed vegetables and piled fresh baked rolls with roast beef. Students and community members filed into The Chef’s Bistro — a restaurant tucked into the college’s Hempfield campus. About 25 culinary and baking students are...
Hempfield Area aims to add composting, hydroponics to STEM curriculum
Hempfield Area students will get to put their science lessons into action through the help of a donation of composting tools from Westmoreland Cleanways. The school board voted unanimously Monday evening to accept a donation from the Unity-based nonprofit. The district will receive three compost bins and two tools intended...
Financial strain on state’s public schools worsens as impasse continues
Beaver County’s Hopewell School District planned to start a long-term renovation project of its aging high school this year. But as the state budget impasse nears the four-month mark, the district has instead gone into conservation mode, said high school Principal Robert Kartychak. About half of the district’s $49 million...
Penn-Trafford inducts 8 alumni into Hall of Fame
Penn-Trafford inducted eight more people into its Alumni Hall of Fame Oct. 4 — including Penn Township’s former police chief, the CEO of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust and a district principal. The Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2020, growing to 45 members this year. It seeks to...
Greensburg Salem hires energy savings company to draft middle, high school improvement plans
As Greensburg Salem prepares to make its final debt service payment in January, the district is working with an energy savings company to create long-term improvement plans for its middle and high school buildings. The school board voted unanimously to hire TEN, The Efficiency Network, to complete conceptual design plans...
Who pulled the rubber duck prank on Canonsburg?
You’re not imagining things — thousands of rubber ducks have taken over Pike Street in downtown Canonsburg. And a local candy shop is taking the blame. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, a 19-store chain with a location on Pike Street, placed 2,000 small rubber ducks around the Washington County borough on...
Morning Roundup: Police accuse 3 Pittsburgh area men of trying to buy sex in Ohio
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Oct. 10: Western Pa. men arrested in Ohio human trafficking sting Three Pittsburgh area men were among eight people arrested in Ohio for attempting to buy sex, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. John Denk, 45, of...
Greater Latrobe, Burrell high schoolers take science class outdoorsVideo
About 30 junior and senior students from Burrell and Greater Latrobe high schools put their science lessons into action Thursday. As part of Greater Latrobe’s Capstone Environmental Science course, the students inspected bee boxes to assess the health of the queen bee. The bee boxes were built about a year...
Walmart plans to demolish Monroeville Mall, according to state grant bid
For the first time since it purchased Monroeville Mall in February, Walmart has declared its intent for the 186-acre property. The mall is expected to be demolished and replaced with retail and public space, according to a state grant application Walmart submitted last month through limited-liability corporation South Saturn Ridge....
Pittsburgh forecast: Sunshine Monday, rain and frost ahead
If you’re planning to get outside this week, Monday might be the best day to do it. Pittsburgh is in for a taste of summer sunshine even as rain and cooler temperatures loom in the forecast the next few days. Temperatures are expected to reach into the mid-80s Monday —...
Indiana County woman charged in fatal stabbing
An Indiana County woman who state police said is responsible for a fatal stabbing was charged Sunday with criminal homicide and aggravated assault. Jessica Lynn Morelli, 36, of Burrell Township is accused of stabbing a 66-year-old man, who Morelli lived with, multiple times Sunday, according to state police. Troopers and...
Mt. Pleasant Township home damaged in vehicle collision
A vehicle crashed into a Mt. Pleasant Township home Sunday evening, piercing a gaping hole next to the home’s front door, according to the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department was dispatched to a home in the 2400 block of School Street around 7:20 p.m. The driver, who...
Man firing from roof fatally shot by state police in Indiana County
Police say a man who was firing at them during an assault investigation Sunday was fatally shot by state troopers in Indiana County. Late Monday night, Indiana County Coroner Jerry Overman identified the man as Jonathan James Pearce Jr., 34. Troopers were dispatched to the 3000 block of Dixonville Road...
Norwin student to run long distance trail race alongside uncle, grandfather
There aren’t many middle school students who can say they’ve completed a marathon. But by the end of this weekend, that is precisely what Norwin eighth grader Isabella Verdin hopes to accomplish. Verdin, 13, of Irwin will toe the start line of a six-hour trail race in Lykens, Dauphin County,...
Late Trafford Elementary teacher prioritized connection with students
Shannon Dornauer recalls how Trafford Elementary School teacher Mike Martinelli knew how to make all of his students feel welcome in his classroom. “I just remember him being very friendly and outgoing. He always made everybody feel very included and comfortable,” said Dornauer, 37, of Latrobe. “Back in elementary school,...
Penn Township hosts annual fall festival
Penn Township held its annual fall festival Sept. 19 to 21 at Municipal Park. Attendees enjoyed live music performances, carnival rides and games, food and crafts. A parade marched down Route 130 in the morning on Sept. 20 and fireworks lit up the sky above Municipal Park later that evening....
Federal agencies’ websites: A spectrum of reactions to the shutdown
Federal agencies and departments are discussing the recent government shutdown differently. Just take a look at their websites. The government stalled much of its operations at midnight Wednesday as Congress and the White House remain in a deadlock regarding the 2026 budget. It’s the first time since December 2018 —...
Penn Township Police chief retires, reflects on 30-year career in department
John Otto’s interest in policing began as an elementary student. “One day walking to school, there was a police car parked outside of Harrison Park Elementary School, and that caught my attention,” the Penn-Trafford graduate said. “I remember looking inside the car from the sidewalk … and I was mesmerized...
‘Trickle-up effect’: Administrators weigh in on improvements
As national test score reports generate concerns over student learning, an opposite pattern is unfolding at New Kensington-Arnold School District, according to Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. After hitting an all-time low in 2020, the district’s math and science scores on state tests are gradually increasing, Sefcheck said. In just two years,...
Southmoreland Middle School recognized by state for academic performance
Southmoreland Middle School was one of 13 Pennsylvania schools recognized by the state education department this week for academic performance. The initiative, Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools, was launched by the state after President Donald Trump ended the 40-year-old federal version of the program in August. Schools are recognized for their...
