the almanac A U G U S T 4, 2024
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Major milestone
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PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Fans cheer on Josh Matheny.
Matheny falls short in Olympic final By Eleanor Bailey
The Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
Fans of Josh Matheny gathered in the auditorium of his alma mater July 31 to watch the 2021 Upper St. Clair graduate realize a dream of competing in the finals of the 200-meter breaststroke event during the Summer Olympics in Paris. Matheny clocked a 2:09.52 and finished seventh at the Paris La Defense Arena. It was the first Olympics for the 21-year-old son of Kristin and Jeff Matheny. Tak-
ing the Gold Medal was France’s Leon Marchand, with a time of 2:05.85. Matheny was one of 25 swimmers from 20 countries entered in the race, which featured five different prelim races. Matheny’s Heat 3 time of 2:10.39 thrust him into the semifinals. He qualified for the finals with a 2:09.70 by finishing sixth overall in the semifinals. An All-American swimmer at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., Matheny was a record-setting, multi-WPIAL and SEE FINAL PAGE A2
Judy Caves and her friends raised a champagne toast to Josh Matheny after watching him qualify for the finals in the 200-meter breaststroke event during the Summer Olympics.
A view from home Upper St. Clair High School was not the only place hosting a watch party for Josh Matheny as he battled for a medal in the Summer Olympics held in Paris. Judy Caves of Mt. Lebanon held more intimate events for members of the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club’s masters program, in which Matheny’s mother, Kristin, competes. After their early morning workout on July 28 at the Mt. Lebanon outdoor swim center, Caves and her friends gathered at the Josh Matheny prepares for his start in the 200-meter breaststroke final.
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Seeking a more ‘level playing field’ Bipartisan effort tries to tackle crisis facing local pharmacies in Pa. By Mike Jones Staff writer
mjones@observer-reporter.com
The term “bipartisan” seems to have become a dirty word in politics in recent years, but the divided state Legislature just passed a new law designed to give struggling local pharmacies a more “level playing field” when competing for business against major chains. The Pharmacy Audit Integrity and Transparency Act, which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers and was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro on July 17, is an attempt to stop predatory practices by insurance middlemen know as Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, that can skim reimbursements or push customers away from smaller pharmacies. “We’ve been talking about this for years, trying to get a level playing field so we can take care of our communities,” said Erich Cushey, who owns Curtis Pharmacy. “It’s a first step, but we’re excited to see where things are going.” Cushey and his wife, Tina, have locations in Washington, Claysville, Carmichaels
PETERS TOWNSHIP GRAD STOPPERICH WINS WEST PENN OPEN PAGE B1
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McMurray man charged with homicide in stabbing spree Suspect also accused of attacking victim’s neighbor and police officer By Mike Jones Staff writer
mjones@observer-reporter.com
MIKE JONES/OBSERVER-REPORTER
State Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run, speaks at Curtis Pharmacy near Carmichaels on July 25 about a recent law designed to help local pharmacies, while state Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, and Curtis Pharmacy owner Erich Cushey listen beside him.
and Connellsville, so on July 25 they invited local state representatives, other pharmacy owners and industry advocates to discuss what the legislation will mean for smaller operations like theirs. State Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, who was the primary sponsor for House Bill 1993
that was the framework for the eventual passage of Act 77 of 2024, stood alongside Republican state Rep. Bud Cook, who represents Greene County, at the Carmichaels pharmacy as they talked about the bipartisan effort to make things more fair for local pharmacies.
“A good idea is a good idea,” Cook said about the bipartisan effort on an important issue. “That’s where we’re at. To get things done.” “This is an issue that unites us,” Benham said. “Regardless of your party or whether you’re from a rural SEE CRISIS PAGE A4
A McMurray man is charged with homicide after police in Allegheny County accused him of stabbing a man to death in Versailles, before assaulting the victim’s neighbors and attacking a police officer. Robert Francis Kail, 40, was arrested following the stabbing spree on Worthington Street in the borough July 25. Allegheny County police said when officers arrived at the scene about 8 p.m., they found a man dead on a front porch with multiple stab wounds following an altercation with Kail. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office identified the victim as 38-year-old Vincent Bazzone of Versailles. Police said Kail then went next door and stabbed another man and assaulted a woman. Those two victims, who were not identified by police, were both taken to an area hospital and are expected to survive. Kail then left the neighborhood in a vehicle, but was soon
located by a McKeesport police officer. Investigators said Kail fought with officers and a police dog while they tried to arrest him. One officer was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment, while the police dog was checked out by a veterinarian for unspecified injuries. Kail was also transported to a local hospital for treatment, although police did not say what injuries he or the officer suffered in the fight. Investigators did not release information on the motive for the stabbing spree in the Versailles neighborhood. Allegheny County police are handling the investigation and charged Kail with homicide, attempted homicide, burglary, assault on law enforcement, taunting a police animal and two counts each of aggravated assault and terroristic threats. He was arraigned July 26 and is being held without bond at the Allegheny County Jail while he awaits his preliminary hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 2 at 8:30 a.m.