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Conservancy seeks grant applications for canoe, kayak access projects

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is seeking grant applications for its Canoe Access Development Fund (CADF), which supports projects to improve canoe and kayak access to the region's waterways. The fund provides technical assistance and grants of up to $5,000 for the construction and enhancement of canoe and kayak access locations. Founded in 2008, the fund provides grants to watershed organizations and other community groups to make the region’s rivers and streams more accessible for outdoor recreation by developing and improving access sites. Funding could be used to help to stabilize access areas to rivers or streams, add nearby parking areas, purchase riverside land for an ...

Regional congressional incumbents to have quiet primary season

Though some local state officeholders will be facing challenges from within their own party in the May 19 primary election, congressional incumbents will be able to enjoy a much quieter season. In the 14th Congressional District, Republican Guy Reschenthaler will face no GOP challenger for the seat he has held since 2019. Now the chief deputy whip for the majority-Republican House, Reschenthaler has easily won re-election in a heavily red district that includes all of Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, and portions of Somerset, Westmoreland and Indiana counties. The only Democratic candidate to file for the race is Alan Bradstock, a U.S. Army veteran and retired FBI agent. U.S. ...

Smith Township abandoned mine project receives grant

An abandoned mine land reclamation project in Smith Township has received a financial boost. A state grant of $193,493 was awarded to Natural Streams Foundation Inc. to support the initial planning work for the project. The funding will support engineering design and permitting work needed to begin removing more than 250,000 cubic yards of coal refuse from a nearly five-acre site in the township. Work includes preparing an engineering design plan and securing the appropriate permits for a future abandoned mine land reclamation project to remove the coal refuse. The grant is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Abandoned Mine Land and Abandoned Mine ...

Authorities look to identify body found in water near Dawson

The Fayette County coroner is seeking help identifying a man whose body was found in the Youghiogheny River near Dawson Sunday night. In a release, Dr. Bob Baker said the man was a middle-aged white male, bald, with an athletic build and a tattoo of a mountain range on his right shoulder. The man was found by two fishermen around 7:35 p.m., said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kalee Barnhart. There is no indication of how the man died, Barnhart said. Baker said an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death. Baker asked the public to call 724-430-1270 with any information that could help identify the man.

Restoration of historic cast-iron bridge in Brownsville delays reopening

It’ll be a few more months until the cast-iron bridge in Brownsville reopens. But, said state Department of Transportation Project Manager Scott Faieta, there’s a good reason for that. “The focus is on … maintaining the historic nature of the bridge, which means that there are some ...

High winds wreak havoc in three-county area

Emergency personnel in the three-county area were kept busy Friday and into Saturday as heavy gusts of wind wreaked havoc throughout all of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh said wind gusts reached up to 60 miles per hour, leading to widespread power ...

Split decision for Washington County’s opioid grants

Four out of the seven grants in Washington County that a statewide committee deemed were “non-compliant” uses of the opioid settlement funds were once again rejected following an appeals hearing Friday afternoon. County Human Services Director John Tamiggi and his department’s deputy, ...

Observer-Reporter Daily News Update

This daily email features the latest news for Washington County, Greene County, and the Mon Valley.

Sports

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Gannon gets even, ousts Cal from NCAA tournament

The men’s basketball teams at California and Gannon have played quite a series this season. Four times the Vulcans and Golden Knights have met, with each team winning a pair of games. College basketball, however, is not decided by a series. That’s why Gannon is still playing today and ...

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Young triumphs as others falter at The Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Cameron Young picked up a big title to go with his major talent Sunday, hitting the shot of his career to 10 feet on the wind-blown island green for birdie and winning The Players Championship when Matt Fitzpatrick missed an 8-foot par putt on the final ...

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High school softball: Trinity sweeps in Myrtle Beach

The Trinity softball team enjoyed its time in Myrtle Beach. The Hillers swept Mount St. Charles (R.I.) 6-4 and 11-4 Sunday to improve to 3-0. They beat Blue Ridge 8-2 on Saturday. A five-run bottom of the fifth helped the Hillers in game one. Abi Metcalf had a two-run single in the ...

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Opinion

A second chance for Blue Skies

Periodically, a news story comes across my iPad that I just can’t stop thinking about. This story started like this: “On February 21 police officers were dispatched to a bar.” That opening line drew me in almost as fast as “A Florida man ..." “The caller was the bartender,” and ...

Living

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Community briefs

California United Methodist Church’s Care and Share Thrift Store has the following sales: March 19-20, 50% off spring coats and short-sleeved tops; March 26-27, $1 children’s clothing. The store is open from 6 to 8 p.m .on Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. West Alexander ...

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