After graduating from West Virginia University in 2005, I spent five years writing for newspapers in Charleston, W.Va., Washington, Pa., and Pittsburgh before joining Patch.com. I grew up in Mt. Lebanon and currently reside in the Bridgeville area, so Western Pennsylvania has been home to me for most of my life.
In September 2005, less than a month after beginning my first job as a professional newspaper reporter, the Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail sent me with the West Virginia Air Guard's 130th Airlift Wing to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast to report on the evacuations and recovery efforts in New Orleans. My series of reports following Hurricane Katrina earned me a West Virginia Press Association award for best-written news stories in the state. While in Charleston, I also covered crime and wrote numerous feature stories.
After moving to the Washington (Pa.) Observer-Reporter in late 2006, I covered municipal government, crime and energy issues, including the construction of a coal-refuse power plant near Imperial, Pa., and a proposed high-voltage power line through Washington and Greene counties.
Last year, I began working as a general assignment freelance reporter for Trib Total Media, covering local government and school board meetings for the second largest print news organization in Western Pennsylvania.
Now, I am excited to continue my journalism career by bringing interesting stories and important news items to residents living in the Chartiers Valley area.
<strong>Local Hot-Button Issues: </strong>Chartiers Valley is made up of four unique municipalities that each offer sprawling neighborhoods, bustling business districts and diverse recreation activities. Bridgeville, Collier Township, Heidelberg and Scott Township are tied together by the Chartiers Creek, which begins in Washington County and terminates at the Ohio River in McKees Rocks, Pa.<b><br></b>
Mike Buzzelli, a humor columnist who wrote for Chartiers Valley Patch, talks to the newspaper about growing up in Scott Township and where comedy has taken him in life.
Heidelberg police say two men stole a beer pitcher and then ran over the bar manager with their truck when he tried to stop them.
Here's a look inside five homes for sale in Bridgeville, Scott and South Fayette that are having Open Houses on Sunday, Jan. 27!
Here's a look inside five homes for sale in Upper St. Clair.
Here's a look inside some of the homes for sale around McMurray.
The blast of cold air that has engulfed the Pittsburgh region over the past few days will linger a little longer and now is expected to bring snow showers.
Also, tips from Allegheny County on dealing with severe winter weather.
The blast of cold air that has engulfed the Pittsburgh region over the past few days will linger a little longer and now is expected to bring snow showers.
The blast of cold air that has engulfed the Pittsburgh region over the past few days will linger a little longer and is now expected to bring snow showers.
Plus, a look ahead to the weekend forecast.
Plus, a look ahead to the weekend forecast.
The blast of cold air that has engulfed the Pittsburgh region over the past few days will linger a little longer and now is expected to bring snow showers.
The blast of cold air that has engulfed Western Pennsylvania in recent days is expected to bring snow showers.
Collier police say a worker stole more than $138,000 worth of nickel from a Kirawn Heights industrial complex over several months. Read about that and other crime in the Collier Township police blotter.
The blast of cold air that has engulfed the Pittsburgh region over the past few days will linger a little longer and now is expected to bring snow showers.
A Pittsburgh teen who was caught on cell phone video discharging a fire extinguisher at a Scott Township pizza restaurant is heading to trial on some of the charges.
Scott Township now boasts one of the biggest and most pristine boxing clubs in the Pittsburgh area after Wolfpack Boxing Club opened there last month. You might be surprised to learn that 30 percent of their members are women.
Niel Loebig, an assistant offensive coach at Duquesne University, was hired Tuesday night as Chartiers Valley’s new football coach.
School resource officers will begin working at Chartiers Valley's three school campuses on Feb. 1.
Two teenage girls were arrested after police said they stole items from a Bridgeville business. Read about that and other crime in the weekly Bridgeville police blotter.
