Dec 31, 2023 By Observer-Reporter Staff 10 min read

1. Hardy dies Jan. 1 on his 100th birthday

The expression “larger than life” was frequently applied to Joe Hardy, his business acumen, his properties, his booming voice, his booming laugh and his omnipresent cigar.

The founder of 84 Lumber Co. and Nemacolin resort, who had an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, was a titan who launched the cash-and-carry lumberyard in Eighty Four in 1956. He transformed it, over time, into “the nation’s largest privately held supplier of building materials” and more – a corporate self-description that likewise is larger than life.

Headquartered at the North Strabane Township crossroads from the start, 84 Lumber has expanded its operation to 310 facilities in 33 states, with plans to grow. The founder’s daughter, Maggie Hardy, now heads both operations.

The “larger-than-life” life of Joseph A. Hardy III expired on Jan. 1, on his 100th birthday – an incredible set of coincidences that sparked a media outburst appropriate for an individual of his stature. As the world was ringing in 2023, Joe Hardy seemed to be even bigger than the glowing ball descending upon Times Square.

2. Broadband initiatives increase high-speed internet

Southwestern Pennsylvania has a bounty of beauty and history. But until recent years, much of this rural region had been lacking another significant resource: reliable high-speed internet. The terms “unserved” and “underserved” pertained to many residents, schools and businesses in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, especially in pockets with sparse populations.

That is changing. Increasing broadband access has become a priority among local government officials, community activists and funding institutions. Washington County, for example, has started the fourth phase of its broadband expansion project.

Connect Fayette PA conducted an “Analyzing Broadband Infrastructure Study” to help provide guidance on providing widespread access. Greene likewise is taking steps to enhance internet service, including a recent rollout and installation of access to 700-plus homes and businesses in the Graysville, New Freeport and Spraggs areas.

Expanding access successfully takes diligence, time, patience and money. There are challenges, including the locations and number of homes involved.

3. Crown Castle withdraws plan to relocate employees

The second-largest employer in Washington County operates out of two massive state-of-the-art buildings in Southpointe. Crown Castle Inc. – a huge cell tower and optics company – has an estimated workforce of 900 to 1,000 in the mixed-use park in Cecil Township. CCI has about 4,000 employees and 100 offices nationwide.

Until about two weeks ago, Southpointe employees were working under an ominous cloud of uncertainty. The Houston, Texas-based company had announced a financial restructuring plan during the summer that would later include the relocation of more than 1,000 employees. It was not known initially how that decision would impact Southpointe operations, including the possibility of a shutdown there. The company did not respond to the Observer-Reporter’s requests for comment. The Pittsburgh Business Times, however, reported in October that Crown Castle would close the Southpointe offices in August 2024.

Then a couple of weeks ago, interim CEO Anthony Melone arrived with an early holiday e-gift. He announced in an internal email “we’ve made the decision to cancel the planned relocation of more than 1,000 teammates.” That mid-December gust sweeping across Interstate 79 was a collective sigh of relief from those enshrouded by uncertainty about their jobs, about seeking new employment and moving the family to who knows where.

One local observer acknowledged that “this is good news. Crown Castle is a root core of Southpointe and you want it to stay in Pittsburgh. It is beneficial to Washington County and this will keep people here.” Yet that individual added: “This story may not be over.”

4. Equitrans is charged in house explosion

Halloween 2018 was no treat for the White family of Clarksville. An explosion and fire destroyed their house on Bowser Road that day, causing severe burns to the two adults and their 4-year-old son who were residing there.

Almost exactly five years later, the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced criminal charges against Equitrans Midstream Corp., a natural gas pipeline company. An investigation by the office showed that a conventional storage well near the family’s house was deteriorating and leaking gas for years.

Henry said in a statement: “Pennsylvanians have a right to feel safe in their homes, without concern for large corporations creating environmental hazards. This brave family has endured significant hardship, suffering physical and emotional injuries, financial stress, and the loss of their family home and cherished personal belongings.”

5. Existing AHN Canonsburg Hospital to be replaced by a new AHN Canonsburg

Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health announced plans to build a new $232 million hospital in Washington County to replace Canonsburg Hospital.

The approximately 300,000-square-foot, all-private-room hospital will be built on AHN Canonsburg’s existing campus in North Strabane Township.

Construction of AHN’s state-of-the-art, 50- to 100-bed Canonsburg facility is expected to begin in 2024 and open in 2027.

Additional facilities, including a medical office building and a potential future cancer center, are planned for the campus.

Population growth in communities around Canonsburg, such as Cecil Township, Chartiers Township, North Strabane Township and Peters Township will be helped in the construction of a new facility.

“Building the hospital now is quite timely,” said Dr. Chong S. Park, president of Canonsburg Hospital. “We’ll be able to take care of our people now, and be able to accommodate the future, which is key.”

The new AHN Canonsburg Hospital is expected to create hundreds of additional permanent health care jobs upon completion, along with hundreds of construction jobs. There are about 400 employees at AHN Canonsburg, all of whom will be tracked to the same roles at the new facility.

The current hospital will operate during construction of the new facility. Once the new hospital is constructed, the current building will be torn down.

6. Gov. Shapiro visits state park for 100th state oil well sealing

Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Hillman State Park in October.

The occasion – to celebrate the capping of the Radio Control Model Airport, the 100th orphaned or abandoned oil well in the commonwealth to be sealed within 10 months. Three other wells at Hillman State Park were to be capped shortly after the capping of the state’s 100th well.

There are an estimated 350,000 abandoned or orphaned wells across the state that account for about 8% of Pennsylvania’s total annual methane emissions.

Unplugged wells create an explosion risk for nearby structures, and leak methane and other toxic chemicals into the air and nearby water sources, which directly impacts air and water quality locally.

Radiation also can be an issue and forced at least one resident to move from a home near the park.

Officials also said unplugged wells decrease property levels. Sealing abandoned and orphaned wells is good for the local economy as it helps create jobs and benefits local businesses.

Pennsylvania is on pace to receive at least $400 million in federal grants to cap wells in the next several years. The state previously received $25 million from the federal government’s infrastructure law to seal orphaned and abandoned wells.

“We have plugged more wells in the first 10 months of our administration than the commonwealth plugged in the last six years,” Shapiro said at the time. “And we are just getting started. We’re moving full speed ahead to ramp up this work and cap even more wells over the next 10 months.”

7. Irey Vaughan to be new City Mission CEO, president

Change is a major mission at City Mission, but usually does not happen at the top.

Dean Gartland, president and CEO of the faith-based homeless shelter for the past 15 years, announced this fall that he would retire from the positions in summer 2024. He steered City Mission through many initiatives and spearheaded its recovery from a devastating fire in 2015.

His replacement is already lined up, and is well versed in the operations of the downtown Washington center. It is Diana Irey Vaughan, the longest-serving Washington County commissioner, who is stepping down. She was elected to office in 1995 and served for seven terms. She will assume Gartland’s position in August.

8. Merged business moves into Alta Vista Business Park

The Alta Vista Business Park in Fallowfield Township continues to build out near its capacity.

Another step in that direction occurred this summer with the merger of the Tustin Group and DeLattre Corp.

The ribbon was cut at the 35,000-square-foot building in August, but Tustin began operating out of Alta Vista in June. The $4.5 million to cover the project came from $1 million in a state grant, another $1 million from the Washington County Local Share Account and $2.5 million from the Mon Valley Alliance.

Alta Vista, a 256-acre business park, is overseen by the Mon Valley Alliance. Only two lots remain available for sale there after the Tustin Group came on board.

The partnership between the two HVAC companies took shape as Tustin acquired DeLattre in November 2020 as part of its expansion to Pittsburgh from its roots in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys and southern New Jersey.

“This building really gives us the opportunity to add people to our organization, train them, develop them and grow our business,” said Steve Fluck, president of the Tustin Group at the August ribbon cutting. “When we made this acquisition we really didn’t know how quickly we could grow this thing, and to be able to double the business within three years has been super exciting.”

9. Ancient power plant towers toppled at Greene County site

The boiler house at the shuttered Hatfield’s Ferry Power Station was brought down in November.

That implosion marked the removal of the last power station at the former Greene County power plant that borders Masontwon in Fayette County. The plant’s tall emission stacks came down in March, and two cooling towers were demolished in June.

FirstEnergy owns the plant, which ceased operations in 2013 after more than 40 years of generating electricity. The company decided to remove the plant’s structures to pave the way for future development and eliminate the public safety risk posed by the vacant facility. Break-ins and thefts have also occurred there.

Minor demolition work on the 236-acre site is expected to be completed in early 2024, with topsoil brought in and grass planted in the spring. After the demolition projects are completed, and the area is cleaned up, the site will have features that can be used for energy-intensive and water-intensive industries.

“And that will make this property attractive to developers,” said Todd Meyers, spokesman for FirstEnergy.

10. Substance Recovery Unit opens at Penn Highlands Mon Valley

When the CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit opened at Penn Highlands Mon Valley this fall, it marked the first inpatient facility of its kind to help those in Washington, Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland counties who are struggling with addiction.

The Level 4 treatment facility offers help to patients who require more specialized care with the support of a full acute-care hospital.

“We have identified a need from our community partners and our resources that there was a lack of care for the patient population that we’re going to be serving, so that’s why we’ve created this unit,” said Kelly Macheska, substance recovery unit director, shortly before the facility opened.

The unit at the Monongahela-based hospital was funded through federal and state grants, and a $1 million commitment from the CNX Foundation.

The progressive unit is on the seventh floor of the hospital at 1163 Country Club Road in Monongahela.

There are 14 private inpatient rooms that include two with Americans with Disabilities Act access, two isolation rooms, and seven rooms that are geared toward those who may be at risk of self-harm.

There are three pillars of treatment for those who use the unit’s services – clinical care, psychological counseling and recovery support.

Physicians, nursing staff and therapists are available 24 hours a day, as well as access to the emergency room, cardiac care unit, behavioral health and other medical services provided at the hospital.

Joe Hardy, founder of 84 Lumber Co., died Jan. 1 on his 100th birthday.