Rebecca Johnson stories

If Chief Todd Plunkett placed a price tag on how much money Baldwin Emergency Medical Services loses every year due to low reimbursement rates from insurance providers, he thinks it’s anywhere between $250,000 and $400,000. So Plunkett says he finds ways to stretch a dollar — riding an ambulance more...

Hampton has plans to renovate the bridge connecting Clearview Road with Route 8, although due to supply delays it likely won’t happen until next year. Township council approved a motion at its June 28 meeting to advertise for bids for the project. But Chris Lochner, municipal manager, said one of...

For Wendi Hunter, Camp Invention is all about helping kids explore, think and build in new ways. “Parents and families donate materials. They take and decide how they want to use it, what they can use it for. It’s fun at the end of the week to see everything that...

Hampton Township is hosting its annual Community Day on July 3, complete with fireworks, food vendors, music and more. “It’s a staple in the community. People look forward to it every year. It’s a great day to spend with your neighbors, your friends in the community park,” said Melanie Martino,...

Even though Ryan Hirsh started playing chess just a few years ago, the seventh-grader at Carson Middle School quickly outpaced his usual opponents — namely, his mom. “Ryan beats me every time we play,” Amanda Hirsch joked. “So that’s why when I saw the tournament (on Facebook), I thought, let’s...

It’s unlikely that Hampton will renovate its tennis courts this summer, after estimates for the project far exceeded initial expectations. The township originally planned to fix cracks in the courts, convert one of the six tennis courts into three pickleball courts and install additional fencing. Officials hoped construction would be...

For the first time in nearly 40 years, Hampton is looking for a new municipal manager to supervise its hundreds of employees, finish the construction of a multimillion-dollar wastewater treatment plant and navigate infrastructure repairs, among other duties. “We want somebody who’s going to put Hampton first, somebody who can...

Kai Suyama likes to imagine his time at Hampton High School as a painting. But unlike the famous creations “Girl With a Pearl Earring” or “Starry Night,” he said “it’s too good for any viewer in any museum.” “Hampton is a mosaic, and every tile has a place and purpose....

While well-intentioned, Lt. Col Elaine Berkowitz says it’s insensitive to people grieving the loss of a loved one to repeat the phrase “happy Memorial Day.” A better alternative is “I wish you a meaningful Memorial Day.” “God bless the deceased soldiers who shall never be forgotten. God bless our present...

Hampton Township Council won’t pursue a referendum on November’s ballot that would give members the ability to increase the earned income tax rate. Council members disagreed on the timing of the referendum. Some wanted to pursue it now, given that municipal manager Christopher Lochner is retiring next year. Others wanted...

Summer is a time for relaxing by the pool, traveling and spending time outdoors. Pamela Fauls hopes Plum residents add another activity to their to-do list — visiting the library. Plum Borough Community Library is hosting a summer reading kickoff on June 7 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Local musicians...

In her computer science class at Hampton Middle School, Kristen DeMichiei asked her sixth-grade students to complete a lofty task — solve a real-world problem using pocket-sized computers called microbits. One student group created a bracelet to detect if it’s windy outside. Another group made a headband that lights up...

From a wagon display to basket weaving, history enthusiasts gathered at the Depreciation Lands Museum on May 21 to celebrate the Hampton landmark’s 50th anniversary. State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, presented a certificate to Carol Greiner, museum association president, in honor of the anniversary. He commended the dozens of volunteers...

Riverview School District is proposing a 2% real estate tax increase as part of its $25.9 million general fund budget for the 2023-24 school year. School board members cited uncertainty in state and federal funding and rising costs as reasons for the increase, which would raise the tax rate for...

Hampton residents showed up in droves to recycle thousands of pounds of electronics, scrap metal, bicycles and more. The 15th annual Recycle Rama, which in the past collected more than 50,000 pounds of electronic waste, was held on May 13 in the Hampton Community Park and Community Center parking lot....

Hampton Township Council floated the possibility of adding a referendum to November’s ballot that would give them the option to increase the earned income tax rate. While council members seemed to agree about the necessity of this change, they disagreed on whether the referendum should be voted on this November...

Hundreds of people are expected to celebrate cancer survivors with live music, food trucks, face painting and more at Riverside Park in Oakmont on May 20. Relay for Life of Riverview, a fundraising event through the American Cancer Society, is returning for its 23rd year. Organizers hope to raise $87,000...

Entering its 15th year, vendors at Hampton’s Recycle Rama event are once again preparing to collect electronics, scrap metal, bicycles and more from residents. The popular event, which in the past has collected more than 50,000 pounds of electronic waste, is scheduled for May 13 from 9 a.m. to noon...

When Benjamin Lin was just 3 years old, his dad bought him his first chess set. He immediately enjoyed the game, and less than a decade later, he was crowned the 2023 Pennsylvania sixth-grade champion in chess. Now, the 12-year-old from Hampton Middle School is using his skills to teach...

Tennis lovers in Hampton should plan to break out their racquets after the township renovates its courts this summer. Hampton Township Council approved a motion at its April 26 meeting to advertise for bids for a tennis-pickleball courts rehabilitation project at Hampton Community Park. Christopher Lochner, municipal manager, said officials...

Hampton Township is preparing to enact a 10-year plan to revitalize its parks, trails and open spaces. One of the most important parts of the plan is its goal of protecting natural resources, including healthy air, streams and green spaces, according to parks and recreation professional Heather Cuyler. To address...

More than 100 students at Hampton High School are prepping for the spring musical “Something Rotten!” — which they say is guaranteed to make the audience laugh. “Something Rotten!,” which has earned 10 Tony Award nominations since its 2015 release, follows the Bottom Brothers as they set out to write...

When Sarah White was contemplating her Eagle project for Boy Scouts, she knew she wanted to build something that lasts. Through combining her two interests, art and carpentry, she constructed a set representing the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. The display is in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium,...

For Sgt. Robert Kirsopp, one of the beneficiaries of the Hampton Township Police Department’s No Shave November fundraiser hits “close to home.” During the March 22 township council meeting, Kirsopp presented a $1,200 check to fellow Hampton officer Chris Finnigan and his wife, Melanie. The couple established the Liam Finnigan...

In addition to raising money to fight pediatric cancer, students and community members can enjoy a dodgeball tournament, pie-eating contest, face painting and more at the Talbot Thon fundraiser on March 31 at Hampton High School. The school’s student council is partnering with Pitt Dance Marathon to raise money for...