the almanac M AY 5, 2024
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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Cause for celebration South Fayette students celebrate after their fund-raising efforts during this year’s Mini-THON exceeded their national record total set a year ago.
South Fayette breaks Mini-THON record South Fayette High School students set a new record with this year’s Mini-THON event, raising $338,205.15. The sum beat last year’s national record by $80,000. The previous mark of $336,140.10 was also set by South Fayette. The big reveal took place after 12 hours of dancing, games, and celebrating at approximately 5:45 a.m. April 27. The event ran from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Modeled after the annual 46-hour dance marathon at Penn State University, Mini-THON em-
MODELED AFTER THE ANNUAL 46-HOUR DANCE MARATHON AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY, MINI-THON EMPOWERS K-12 STUDENTS TO SERVE AS LEADERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER. STUDENTS WHO VOLUNTEER AS PART OF THEIR SCHOOL’S MINI-THON PROGRAM FUNDRAISE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR FOUR DIAMONDS AND CAP OFF THEIR EFFORTS WITH A GRAND CELEBRATION. powers K-12 students to serve as leaders in the fight against childhood cancer. Students who volunteer as part of their school’s MiniTHON program fundraise throughout the year for Four Diamonds and cap off
their efforts with a grand celebration. This is South Fayette’s 12th year hosting Mini-THONs. The district has raised approximately $1.8 million for Four Diamonds, an organization dedicated to the fight
against pediatric cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds covers the cost of treatment that insurance or other means do not cover. The organization also helps with other emergency expenses for the fam-
ilies of children battling cancer, as well as pediatric cancer research aimed at finding a cure and more gentle treatments. What sets South Fayette apart from the other 200 schools that participate in
Mini-THON, besides the hundreds of thousands of dollars students raise, is how it is embedded in the high school’s curriculum. This most ambitious and anticipated fundraising event of the year is the capstone of Brandon Flannery’s honors management and marketing applications course. In this second-semester, senior-level course, students rely on their critical understanding of event management, promotion, ticketing, corporate sponsorship, and fundraising to plan, manage, and market Mini-THON.
Bass Pro Shops coming to South Fayette On the ballot By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
SOUTH FAYETTE – Bass Pro Shops has announced plans to build a new store in the Pittsburgh region. It is set to be located in South Fayette Township’s Newbury Market, according to a news release from the retailer. Located just off Interstate 79 near Bridgeville, it would be the third Bass Pro Shops store in Pennsylvania and the first in the Pittsburgh region. The 100,000 square-foot, two-level store, called “Outdoor World,” is projected to open early in 2026. The announcement that a Bass Pro Shops store is coming to the region has been a long time coming – almost 20 years ago, ambitious plans were announced for a Bass Pro Shops store off Racetrack Road in South Strabane that would have sprawled over 200,000 feet and included attractions like a 200-room hotel, nature park and restaurants. SEE BASS PAGE A2
BP man secures Democratic write-in nomination for 40th state House race By Mike Jones Staff writer
mjones@observer-reporter.com
COURTESY OF BASS PRO SHOPS
A rendering of the Bass Pro Shops store that is set to open in South Fayette’s Newbury Market in 2026
FINLEYVILLE Father of two survives rare thymoma tumor PAGE A3 What’s happening, B3
SPORTS Baseball helps South Fayette’s Schepis conquer cancer PAGE B1 Real estate transactions, A5
State Rep. Natalie Mihalek will have a Democratic challenger in the November election. Peter Kohnke of Bethel Park easily surpassed the 300 write-in votes he needed from Democrats during the April 23 primary to get on the ballot to run for the 40th state House District seat. The district, which Mihalek has represented since winning her first election in 2018, includes Peters Township in Washington County and Bethel Park and the southern area of Upper St. Clair in Allegheny County. SEE BALLOT PAGE A2
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Put a creative, crafty twist on date night PAGE B3 Classifieds, B4-6