Content about United States

01.14.12

For far too many of us, Monday, Jan. 16, will be, at best, just another day off work or school. Few of us will stop to really think about the man who is honored on that day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In reality, this world would be a far better place if all of us stopped for a bit and really thought about Dr. King, about the role race plays in the way we think and respond, about the horrifying events that unfolded not centuries ago, but in our lifetimes.

07.22.11

Keeping in touch over the summer...

A good, old-fashioned egg toss was just one of the activities at a picnic hosted by the Northgate High School National Honor Society Tuesday for refugee children who live in the area. The NHS kids teamed up with the youth group from Bellevue Christian Church, one of a number of area churches that help people who have resettled in this little part of the United States. Most of the children who attended the picnic were refugees from Bhutan, a small country just below China.

07.22.11

Slow down

I have done a good bit of traveling in the southern United States, Mexico and the Carribbean. In addition to the beautiful scenery and points of interest, there is a rhythm in these areas that draws you in. It doesn't take long before you find your heart rate slowing, your blood pressure dropping, your movements becoming more languid and relaxed.

It's not just being on vacation, you know. The way of life along the tropical beaches of this hemisphere is slower, life is more casual, the pace of everything becomes a relaxing crawl.

11.20.10

No place for politics

There are some places that politics just do not belong.

Not many such places exist in today's United States, and I can handle most of that. I can accept that health care decisions are being made by doctors and politicians who are (heavily) influenced by pharmaceutical companies. I can even live with the fact that what I eat and what I pay for it are controlled in large part by which government regulations or subsidies we're enforcing this month.

But there are some places that must remain sacred, untouched by politics in any form, or humanity as a whole is threatened.

07.30.10

Local student aces advanced placement tests

When Alex Riddle addressed his fellow seniors as class valedictorian at Avonworth High School's graduation ceremonies in June, nobody doubted his claim to being at the top of the Class of 2010, his grade point average being 4.28.

06.04.10

What is patriotism?

A letter to the editor in this week's paper is very disturbing to me because it accuses several local elected officials of not being patriotic or loyal Americans because they did not attend a Memorial Day service.

Granted, there is a whole lot more going on here than who showed up where, but it has become the norm for many people to equate patriotism solely with support for the military. That bothers me, because America is so much more.

09.12.09

Reality check

I don't care what your politics are -- when schools start choking at the idea of showing a video of the President of the United States speaking to students, someone needs to get a much firmer grasp on reality.

07.22.11

Keeping in touch over the summer...

04.22.11

Bellevue park “going to the dogs”

Before long, local dogs now restricted to short-leash walks down concrete sidewalks or brief jaunts into small backyards could find themselves running full-speed in a wide grassy area, or roaming through the woods.

All within minutes of home.

03.04.11

Everything has a purpose

Members of avonworth High School’s Honor Society would have preferred wearing the clothing articles they were packing rather than readying them for distribution to Third World countries serviced by the international charity World Vision. But the mountains of shirts proclaiming Pittsburgh as winners of Super Bowl XLV will never be worn by diehard “ if only” fans or become eBay curiosity items.

01.07.11

Rev. John Guest retires from Christ Curch at Grove Farm

Rev. John Guest, senior pastor and rector of Christ Church at Grove Farm delivered farewell comments, along with his final sermon, to congregants on Sunday, Dec. 26, ending his work in those positions he has held for nearly the entire 15 years that the church has existed in its Duff Road location.

The Ohio Township church was formed in 1995 with approximately 120 people worshiping each week. Under Dr. Guest's leadership, attendance has grown to four Sunday morning services with the current participation of more than 1,500 people.

12.03.10

Obituaries 12-3-10

Audrey Andrews Audrey E. Andrews, 91, of Brighton Heights, formerly of Warrendale, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010. She is survived by four children, Barbara Hyde, Joanne Hyde, Andrew Golden and his wife Kathleen and Maureen Golden; four grandchildren, Jeff, Sherry, Jay and Afton; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Eva Andrews. Services and burial were private. Memorial contributions are suggested to Forbes Hospice. Arrangements were made by McDonald-Linn Funeral Home, Avalon.

Christine Snyder

01.15.10

Ben Avon sisters face earthquake with orphans

Two Ben Avon natives who have spent years helping orphans in Haiti aren’t about to let a little thing like a massive earthquake get in their way.

Jamie (30) and Ali (21) McMutrie have been living in Haiti, with Jamie spending about half the year there, caring for the children who come to live at Brebis de Saint-Michel de L’Attalaye, or BRESMA, orphanage in Port-au-Prince.

The orphanage is sponsored by the Answered Prayers organization in Washington State.

In addition to providing for children in one of the world’s most impoverished countries, BRESMA also arranges for adoptions.

01.08.10

Local sailor honored for recruiting efforts

A local Navy veteran has been honored in Navy Recruiting District Pittsburgh.

Petty Officer First Class Matthew Koll, a graduate of Northgate High School, won Recruiter in Charge [RINC] of the Year honors at Navy Recruiting District Pittsburgh's annual awards banquet in Niagara Falls.

12.04.09

Students compete in "Project Polar Bear"

While politicians and television personalities dither about what to do to protect the environment and some argue if global warming even exists, two Avonworth High School students have taken on a pro-ject that addresses the perils of the planet, with special emphasis on the plight of polar bears.

11.06.09

Nolan announces run for Congress

Bellevue tax collector Joe Nolan announced last week that he is seeking the Republican nomination to run for the United States Congress in the 14th Congressional District.

The 14th District is represented by Democrat Mike Doyle.

Nolan, who previously served on Bellevue Council, is the owner of a tax service business in Bellevue. His wife, Susan, is a member of the Northgate School Board.

10.09.09

News Briefs

Bond refinanced

Refinancing Ohio Township's current bond will produce about $87,000 for capital projects.

The Ohio Township Supervisors voted unanimously at their Oct. 5 meeting to refinance the debt. Township manager John L. Sullivan Jr. said that favorable interest rates had allowed refinancing with no extension of the amount or term of the bond. Instead the township will receive $87,000 as a refund or reimbursement for capital projects, he said.

Contract extension

09.11.09

Most students waiting for speech

While many students across the country were watching a live broadcast of President Obama's back to school speech on Tuesday at noon, many local students were not, and continued with their school days as normal.

That's not to say that they won't get an opportunity to in the future, though.