the almanac O C T O B E R 6, 2024
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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ISRAELI STUDENTS SPEAK TO MT. LEBANON CONGREGATION PAGE A2
A divisive issue A gas well drilling rig operates on the border of Redstone and Menallen townships in Fayette County in this 2012 file photo.
KNOW IT’S Local officials have had to grapple “WE SOMETHING THAT’S NEEDED with fracking since its arrival IN THE COUNTRY. Editor’s note: This is the sec- space in the township lot should ond in a series of stories reflect- not park outside the Dollar Gening on 20 years of gas drilling in eral store next door. Southwestern Pennsylvania. The fervor surrounding the proposed changes to the ordiBy Brad Hundt nance, which has been in effect Staff writer since 2011, reflects how natubhundt@observer-reporter.com ral gas drilling in the region still CECIL – When Cecil Town- generates strong feelings. The ship’s board of supervisors has its overwhelming majority of those monthly meetings and the sub- attending the hearings have been jects are standard fare like sub- arguing that the board should division plans, pavement main- keep surface operations by gas tenance, liquor license transfers drillers at a minimum of 2,500 or hiring police officers, there feet from homes and even farther are typically seats to spare in the from schools and hospitals. To be sure, though, they have been room where they meet. Since April, though, when su- countered by attorneys and reppervisors have been discussing resentatives of oil and gas commaking changes to the township’s panies who say that an ordinance oil and gas ordinance, residents that would keep drilling almost have been crowding in and even a half-mile from any dwelling filling seats in the lobby outside would unduly throttle the industhe meeting room’s glass doors. try and limit the rights of property Before one public hearing began, owners to profit from their land. Tom Casciola, a longtime sua warning was issued that those attending who could not find a pervisor in Cecil and the current
ENERGY chairman of its board, said at one meeting that dealing with natural INDEPENDENCE gas drilling has been “a divisive IS A BIG DEAL. and contentious issue” and “the most important issue this townBUT IT TRULY IS ship has ever faced.” When the first Washington AN INDUSTRIAL County well was drilled in OctoUSE. WE HAVE ber 2004 at the farm owned by the Renz family in Mount Pleasant TO BE MINDFUL Township, elected officials who OF ALL THE were used to dealing with a predictable menu of responsibilities and PEOPLE LIVING issues were suddenly faced with IN THE questions on how to handle zoning for an activity that was providing an COMMUNITY.” infusion of revenue to landowners and communities but was also batCINDY FISHER, tering roads and disturbing some CECIL TOWNSHIP residents with its noise, its odor and potential health impacts. SUPERVISOR And zoning is the primary tool local officials have to control natinspections, safeguarding the enural gas drilling. The state’s Devironment and issuing fines and partment of Environmental Prosuspending permits to violators. tection regulates it through the issuance of permits, carrying out SEE FRACKING PAGE A2
PETERS TOWNSHIP’S BENSON WINS WPIAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE B1
SENIORS LEARN TO PAINT AT PRIMARY COLORS ART GUILD PAGE B3 What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A6 Classifieds, B4-6
South Fayette carnival a treat for all By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
Halloween arrived early for the Butkus family from South Fayette, and costumes were not required when the clan attended the annual homecoming carnival held Sept. 26 on the high school campus. “Our pockets are full of candy,” said Jason Butkus. “And we love candy,” he said. Butkus then introduced his sons, Kash, 5, and Knox, 4. “These are my two candy guys,” he said. “Candy,” they cried. “We like that and the bounce houses.” “It’s our first time at carnival,” added their mother, Kim. “It’s a good time.” The Thomas and Belford families also were first-time carnival attendees. They gave the event two thumbs-up. Retired from the Army, Ralph Belford moved his wife, Carmina, and sons, Matthew and Ralph, from El Paso, Texas, into the township recently. “We’re putting down roots. Making (South Fayette) our home,” Ralph said. “So we are out here having a good time, supporting the school and the community. We love it here and we are having fun.” Newlyweds Kacey and Chuck Thomas are also recent residents. They purchased South Fayette sportswear and
PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
ABOVE: Kupono Jeremiah (left) watches his cousins Genevieve, 3, and Jackson, 5, race aqua animals in a pool while their parents, Noah and Renee Himberger, help them play one of the games at the South Fayette Homecoming Carnival. AT RIGHT: Hannah Yeh waves to friends just before she falls into a vat of cold water at the dunk tank booth.
watched their sons, Chuck and Viktor participate in a variety of games and activities. “We love it here,” Kacey said. “Everybody is pleasant and this is an exciting event. Plenty to do,” she added.
In addition to the slide, there was an inflatable obstacle course as well as a bounce house. The carnival, held from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., featured SEE CARNIVAL PAGE A2
TOP: Faran Ives, 3, exits an inflatable maze with a big smile. BOTTOM: Sisters Shanaya and Sara Yuddandi (right) were among those intently watching the piglets race to the finish line during one of the games at the South Fayette Homecoming Carnival.