the almanac A U G U S T 24, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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All abuzz
New PennWest AI curriculum may be first of its kind in state By Paul Paterra Staff writer
ppaterra@observer-reporter.com
PHOTOS: JON ANDREASSI/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Marge Mignogna and her grandson Austin Snyder, 7, waiting for bites during the fishing derby at Peters Lake Park.
Fishing for prizes in Peters Children cast out their fishing lines into Peters Lake Park for the Fishing Derby. The Aug. 9 event was organized by the Peters Township Department of Parks and Recreation and McMurray Rotary. From 10 a.m. to noon, kids tried to catch as many fish as they could. Prizes were handed out for the biggest fish, smallest fish and most fish caught.
Photos by Jon Andreassi/ Observer-Reporter
Pennsylvania Western University’s brand-new curriculum in artificial intelligence is creating a lot of buzz. The PennWest Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies was launched in April with the vision of preparing students, faculty and community partners to innovate and lead in the adoption and responsible use of AI and emerging technologies. It’s believed to be the first of its kind in the state and perhaps this region of the country. “We are the only state system school that has a center that focuses on AI and emerging technologies,” said Dr. Camille Dempsey, the center’s director. “It’s really about educating people about what AI and other technologies are all about. We have really positioned ourselves to be not only the hub for all questions, work, research, credentialing for Northwestern Pennsylvania, but also through the state and around the country.” The center is located on the Edinboro campus, but its services are available to students at all of the PennWest campuses, including California and Clarion. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is defined as the capability of computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence. Dempsey said the center is starting to generate a lot of interest throughout the country. “I just talked to a guy in Vancouver who said, ‘I saw your center with this AI solution; we’re super interested SEE ABUZZ PAGE A2
Avery Boland, 10, takes part in the fishing derby Saturday morning.
‘Twists and turns’ Longtime KDKA meteorologist and journalist Emery retiring By John Sacco
For the Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Some, when contemplating the notion of retirement, change their minds, much like the weather. The idea can run hot and cold. Not Kristin Emery. When she decided to retire from her journalistic and broadcasting career – which includes a lengthy stint as a meteorologist – she was as resolute as a 50 mph wind. Emery, after 37 years in the business – the last 13 at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh -- is retiring at the end of the month. She and her husband, Craig, are moving to Southeast Florida, where they will
People line up at the authors’ tables at Read Local/Eat Local in 2022.
Read Local, Eat Local returns to Peters Township Public Library
COURTESY OF KRISTIN EMERY
Washington native Kristin Emery is retiring from a career SEE EMERY PAGE A2 in journalism and broadcast at the end of the month.
CECIL Montour Trail Council plants new trees in two spots PAGE A2 What’s happening, B3
OBSERVER-REPORTER
Peters Township Public Library is bringing back its annual Read Local, Eat Local event in September. There will be 22 local authors at the library Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The all-ages event began in 2018, and in addition to authors will include illustrators and food trucks.
SPORTS Upper St. Clair hosts C-M in football home opener PAGE B1 Real estate transactions, A3
Authors will have books ranging from picture books for children, to young adult novels, adult fiction and non-fiction. Businesses bringing food trucks to the event will include Wood Stoked Barbecue, VAYA Mexican Street Food and Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream.
“We are so excited to have local book lovers join us at the library for our sixth year of Read Local, Eat Local,” says library Director Lacey Love in a press release. “It’s a great opportunity to get up close and personal with authors, help support their work, and take SEE READ PAGE A2
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Disney pin trading event raises funds PAGE B3 Classifieds, B4-6