Observer-Reporter

Observer-Reporter The Observer-Reporter is a daily newspaper covering Washington and Greene counties and the Mon Valley Parent company Observer Publishing Co.

The award-winning Observer–Reporter has been part of Washington and Greene counties since the early 1800s, and the Mon Valley since 1986. Headquartered in Washington, Pa., we cover news, sports, opinion, community stories and more. also publishes The Almanac, a weekly newspaper in the South Hills, as well as monthly magazines and other special-interest publications, and related Web sites.

The South Strabane Fire Department has become one of a small group of departments nationwide to be distinguished for its...
11/26/2025

The South Strabane Fire Department has become one of a small group of departments nationwide to be distinguished for its efforts to aid research into cancer rates among firefighters.

The department announced Thursday that it had been named a “gold helmet department” through the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer (NFR). The NFR is an initiative through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The South Strabane Fire Department has become one of a small group of departments nationwide to be distinguished for its efforts to aid research into cancer rates among firefighters. The department announced Thursday that it had been named a “gold helmet department” through the National Firefigh...

The Fayette County commissioners have terminated their longtime chief clerk, but not before she criticized them and ques...
11/26/2025

The Fayette County commissioners have terminated their longtime chief clerk, but not before she criticized them and questioned their decision during public comment at Thursday’s voting meeting.

Amy Liston, who served as the county’s chief clerk for more than 13 years, said two workers from human resources and a sheriff’s deputy visited her office Oct. 28, handed her a termination letter signed by all three commissioners, and escorted her from the building.

The Fayette County commissioners have terminated their longtime chief clerk, but not before she criticized them and questioned their decision during public comment at Thursday’s voting meeting. Amy Liston, who served as the county’s chief clerk for more than 13 years, said two workers from human...

Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele will seek the death penalty against the foster mothers accused of killing 9...
11/25/2025

Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele will seek the death penalty against the foster mothers accused of killing 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey if they are convicted of first-degree murder, he announced Friday afternoon.

Aubele filed notices of aggravating circumstances against Kourtney Eutsey and Sarah Shipley in the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas Friday.

Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele will seek the death penalty against the foster mothers accused of killing 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey if they are convicted of first-degree murder, he announced Friday afternoon. Aubele filed notices of aggravating circumstances against Kourtney Eutsey and...

A record number of people are expected to travel “over the river and through the woods” this Thanksgiving to visit frien...
11/25/2025

A record number of people are expected to travel “over the river and through the woods” this Thanksgiving to visit friends and family or simply to get away.

AAA is projecting 81.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period, which starts Tuesday and runs through Monday, Dec. 1. The busiest travel days are expected to be the days leading up to Thanksgiving and Sunday, Nov. 30.

A record number of people are expected to travel “over the river and through the woods” this Thanksgiving to visit friends and family or simply to get away. AAA is projecting 81.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period, which starts Tuesday...

A judge in Washington County has vacated California Area School Board’s appointment of a new member last month, ruling t...
11/21/2025

A judge in Washington County has vacated California Area School Board’s appointment of a new member last month, ruling the board of directors went beyond the 30-day deadline to make the selection after a resident filed a petition asking the court to make a decision.

Board member Diane Zielensky resigned Sept. 17, meaning the board had 30 days to fill her vacancy, prompting the district to ask for applications before scheduling interviews for the Oct. 15 meeting.

The district received six applications, but only Allenport resident Kayle Kowalsky arrived for the interview on that date. The school board then voted to recess the meeting and returned Oct. 28, when it interviewed several other candidates before appointing Kim Leasure to the board.

A judge in Washington County has vacated California Area School Board’s appointment of a new member last month, ruling the board of directors went beyond the 30-day deadline to make the selection after a resident filed a petition asking the court to make a decision. Board member Diane Zielensky re...

A proposed joint transportation agreement between three Greene County schools was ultimately too expensive to make work ...
11/21/2025

A proposed joint transportation agreement between three Greene County schools was ultimately too expensive to make work for now, Jefferson-Morgan School District Superintendent Brandon Robinson said.

The district’s board voted 9-0 Monday to reject proposed bids for the joint contract, which would have covered Jefferson Morgan as well as Central Greene and Carmichaels districts.

The district received back bids from First Student, J-M’s current transportation vendor, as well as Student Transportation of America (STA).

A proposed joint transportation agreement between three Greene County schools was ultimately too expensive to make work for now, Jefferson-Morgan School District Superintendent Brandon Robinson said. The district’s board voted 9-0 Monday to reject proposed bids for the joint contract, which would ...

The Washington County commissioners are considering moving duties from the nonprofit Washington Drug and Alcohol Commiss...
11/20/2025

The Washington County commissioners are considering moving duties from the nonprofit Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission “in-house” under the umbrella of its Department of Human Services, although discussions appear to be in the preliminary stages with some pushback over the possible changes.

County Human Services Director John Tamiggi during Tuesday’s agenda-setting meeting asked the commissioners to vote Thursday to send a letter of intention to the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to “retain and internally operate” the single county authority designation that has been WDAC’s role since 2002.

The Washington County commissioners are considering moving duties from the nonprofit Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission “in-house” under the umbrella of its Department of Human Services, although discussions appear to be in the preliminary stages with some pushback over the possible changes....

Even as it opened to the public for the first time Tuesday morning, the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport...
11/20/2025

Even as it opened to the public for the first time Tuesday morning, the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport was as hushed as a library and as calm as a yoga studio.

The quiet of the new terminal was noticed by Marcia Marsico, a volunteer at the airport. She pointed out that “you don’t have all the tiles on the floor” as there were in the now-shuttered old terminal, “so you don’t hear the clickety-clack of the luggage.”

Even as it opened to the public for the first time Tuesday morning, the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport was as hushed as a library and as calm as a yoga studio. The quiet of the new terminal was noticed by Marcia Marsico, a volunteer at the airport. She pointed out that “you don.....

This Thanksgiving, several organizations and local businesses are pitching in to make sure those in need do not go hungr...
11/19/2025

This Thanksgiving, several organizations and local businesses are pitching in to make sure those in need do not go hungry.

Though the federal government has reopened, the delay in SNAP benefits for November could be leaving many families in the lurch as the holiday approaches.

Below are local options for those who may require assistance. Be sure to take note if an organization or business requires registration ahead of providing a meal.

This Thanksgiving, several organizations and local businesses are pitching in to make sure those in need do not go hungry. Though the federal government has reopened, the delay in SNAP benefits for November could be leaving many families in the lurch as the holiday approaches. Below are local option...

Lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous in how products are powered – from cellphones to power tools to electric ve...
11/19/2025

Lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous in how products are powered – from cellphones to power tools to electric vehicles.

However, they do pose a fire risk under certain circumstances.

Jim Dahle, the director of safety and risk management for Pennsylvania Western University’s California campus, said like your standard batteries, there is a “positive” and a “negative” side.

Lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous in how products are powered – from cellphones to power tools to electric vehicles. However, they do pose a fire risk under certain circumstances. Jim Dahle, the director of safety and risk management for Pennsylvania Western University’s California ca...

Greene County had been without a brewery for 114 years – since Waynesburg Brewing made its last call in 1911.That is no ...
11/18/2025

Greene County had been without a brewery for 114 years – since Waynesburg Brewing made its last call in 1911.

That is no longer the case, following the Oct. 25 opening of DilliGAF Brewing in Dilliner, where beer is flowing as freely as the nearby waters of the Monongahela River.

Spouses Dave and Cheryl Browne, the owners, hopped to it and created a brewery and bar that ended a century-plus drought of locally produced brew.

Greene County had been without a brewery for 114 years – since Waynesburg Brewing made its last call in 1911. That is no longer the case, following the Oct. 25 opening of DilliGAF Brewing in Dilliner, where beer is flowing as freely as the nearby waters of the Monongahela River. Spouses Dave and C...

Taxes should remain steady in Donora next year.Council approved advertising a $2,711,000 budget for 2026 that keeps the ...
11/18/2025

Taxes should remain steady in Donora next year.

Council approved advertising a $2,711,000 budget for 2026 that keeps the tax rate at 9 mills. The millage breakdown is a general tax rate of 8.625 mills, fire tax of 0.125 mills, recreation tax of 0.219 mills and library tax of 0.031 mills.

The spending plan will be available for public review at the borough’s municipal office through Nov. 24.

Taxes should remain steady in Donora next year. Council approved advertising a $2,711,000 budget for 2026 that keeps the tax rate at 9 mills. The millage breakdown is a general tax rate of 8.625 mills, fire tax of 0.125 mills, recreation tax of 0.219 mills and library tax of 0.031 mills. The spendin...

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