The Biggest Stories in Moon

Moon hires new football coach

A former Aliquippa High School defensive coordinator has been named head coach of the football team.

The Moon Area School Board hired Mark Washington at its meeting Monday. Washington replaces former coach who resigned in March.

searched the home of a student Tuesday evening after reports that he threatened students and staff. 

Police Chief Leo McCarthy said the student, who is a juvenile, underwent a psychiatric evaluation and has cooperated with the investigation. He has been suspended from school but has not been charged in connection with the incident.

Police seized printed and electronic materials from his home following the incident. McCarthy said the student has no previous criminal history.

On the heels of a $76 million , officials in the say it's time to refurbish two elementary schools as well.

School board member Jerry Testa, chairman of the district's elementary facilities committee, said the board is in the beginning phases of extensive renovation projects for Allard and Hyde elementary schools.

The board will contact contractors regarding the project after the district's budget is completed next month. A timeline for the project has not been determined.

Township officials have agreed to install a rain garden between the Municipal and Public Safety buildings on Beaver Grade Road.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded the township a $90,000 grant for the project.

The garden will feature the township's , which will be crafted from a piece of steel from the World Trade Center in New York City, as well as walkways and benches.

The garden, which will consist of three 20-by-60-foot landscaped islands, will absorb rainwater runoff from the buildings' parking lots and allow it to filter through plants and into the ground.