M agazine West Allegheny Edition Volume 21, Issue 124 February/March 2020 FREE Direct Mail Community Publication Allegheny West Serving Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon and McDonald in the West Allegheny School District One of 4 editions serving 17 airport area communities www.awmagazine.com West Allegheny School District Official Newsletter Inside Page 25 ALSO: Steubenville Pike Auto donates eighth vehicle in time for Christmas The challenges of being a caregiver WA basketball’s new all-time leading scorer Application Inside!1000 BOWER HILL ROAD • MT. LEBANON, PA 15243 • 412.942.4000 • STCLAIR.ORG Delivering Family-Centered Care For everything you and your baby need during your pregnancy and delivery, count on St. Clair Hospital to provide a full continuum of safe and family-centered care. Here you’ll find some of the region’s finest OB/GYN doctors, state-of-the-art technology, and warm and comfortable Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum suites. At St. Clair, our Level II Special Care Nursery and highly trained pediatricians are available 24/7 to ensure both mom and baby are always in good hands. Every year, more than 1,500 babies are born to proud parents at St. Clair, consistently ranked as a national leader in quality, patient safety, patient satisfaction and value. To find one of our leading OB/GYN physicians, please visit stclair.org/delivering. From laborlullabies toFebruary/March 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2020 West Allegheny Edition ~ February/March 2020 Volume 21, No. 124 Locally Sourced Perspectives Chamber Link Legislative Update Your Schools Around Your Town WACL Programs On the Horizon Penned by Erma 8 12 16 17 19 22 42 44 46 { } Contents - - - - - 8 22 25 36 41 Columns Steubenville Pike Auto donates eighth vehicle in time for Christmas WA basketball’s new all-time leading scorer WA Today - Feb./March 2020 The challenges of being a caregiver West Allegheny Workcamp Application Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our first West Allegheny edition of 2020. In this edition, we’re once again bringing you lots of community news, including a special feature story about caregivers. With this area’s large population of seniors, many in the community are finding themselves in the position of becoming a caregiver, which is no easy task. Oftentimes, caregivers can become overwhelmed as they work to care for their loved ones. That’s why we’re bringing you this special story, which we hope will not only raise awareness of the needs of caregivers, but also provide those who are caring for an elderly loved one with some tips and resources that are available to them. Read this special story, starting on page 36. Be sure also to read the latest official West Allegheny School District newsletter on page 25 and about the basketball team’s newest leading scorer on page 22. Look for our next edition in April, when we’ll be bringing you a rundown of the latest inductees into the West Allegheny Athletic Hall of Fame. If you know someone who you think should be in, nominate them at www.westahalloffame.org. Doug Hughey, Publisher/Editor From the Publisher Allegheny West Magazine-West Allegheny Edition is published in February, April, June, August, October, and December, six issues a year, Hughey Publications, LLC, P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057. Mailed and distributed free to residents and businesses in Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, a portion of McDonald, and adjacent areas. Extra copies available at municipal offices, schools, libraries, stores, advertisers, hotels, and businesses. Available by mail subscription for $15 annually. Story ideas welcomed. Community events and announcements from non-profit groups must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publishing date. Announcements are limited to 30 words and must include a contact phone number. Reproduction of any artwork, photographs, or copy prepared by Allegheny West Magazine is strictly prohibited without written consent of Hughey Publications, LLC. Copyright 1999-2020 Allegheny West Magazine. All rights reserved. Views and opinions expressed by contributors and/or advertisers are the responsibility of the contributors and not those of the publisher of Allegheny West Magazine. P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057 Phone: 724.673.3161 E-Mail: info@awmagazine.com www.awmagazine.com WE PROUDLY SPONSOR AND SUPPORT: A variety of community, school, and nonprofit organizations in our coverage areas of Cornell, Moon, Montour, and West Allegheny. We are committed to recycling our used and left- over products. We encourage our readers to be responsible and dispose of this magazine when finished enjoying it. Consider passing it along to someone else, or placing it in your neighborhood recycling bins. Thank you in advance for doing your part for our earth. Hughey Publications, LLC also publishes the Moon edition of Allegheny West Magazine, the Cornell edition of Allegheny West Magazine and the Montour edition of Allegheny West Magazine. MEMBER “GOOD NEWS ALWAYS, MAILED & DELIVERED FREE, EVERY TIME” Allegheny West Magazine - West Allegheny, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of the West Allegheny School District communities of Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon and McDonald to connect communities, promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of the airport region, and build pride in the western suburbs of Allegheny County. Allegheny West Magazine Now in Our 21 st Year Proudly Serving the Airport Area PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Doug Hughey WRITERS Jill Bordo Pat Jennette GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Kizina WEBMASTER www.ddswebdesign.com CONTRIBUTORS Erma Dodd FOUNDING PUBLISHER Pat Jennette - - - - - - - - - ABOUT THE COVER West Allegheny senior Jackson Faulk celebrates with his family after surpassing the 1,000-point mark on the boys basketball team. Faulk then went on to set the team’s all-time scoring record. For more, see page 22. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEYclearviewfcu.org/transfer No brainer. No transfer fee. Great rate. Enjoy 3.99% APR * on credit card balance transfers until March 31, 2021. * APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Payments to your credit card will be posted according to applicable laws. Balance transfers may not exceed your available credit. The 3.99% APR will be in effect until the March 2021 cycle date, at which time the rate will then revert to your standard variable rate for the life of the transferred balance. Standard variable rate based on creditworthiness. Clearview loans and credit card balances are not eligible for the discounted balance transfer rate. Rate is subject to change without notice. Promotional period is effective from January 1, 2020 until March 31, 2020. Clearview Business credit cards are excluded. All loan approvals are subject to normal underwriting guidelines and may require a co-signer. You must be at least 18 years old to apply. Insured by NCUA. February/March 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 5Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health Bradley Heiple, D.O. and Melissa Rau, M.D. have relocated from the HVMG Family Practice – Robinson practice to their new practice, HVMG Primary Care West. It is located at 6521 Steubenville Pike, Robinson Township, next to Staples. The practice opened Jan. 2, 2020. Dr. Heiple completed his residency in family medicine at the Heritage Valley Family Medicine Residency Program. He received his doctor of osteopathic Medicine degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Rau attended Walsh University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Dr. Rau received her medical degree from the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Heiple, Dr. Rau and their staff look forward to providing patients with the same level of quality care and compassion to which they are accustomed. To make an appointment, call (724) 773-5890. Dr. Denise Wegrzynowicz and Dr. Melissa Kashlan remain with the HVMG Family Practice – Robinson located in the Heritage Valley Robinson Township Medical Neighborhood in Robinson Town Centre. To reach this practice, call (412) 749-6920. Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group opens Primary Care West Practice Heritage Valley Sewickley is one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery, according to a national study by Healthgrades, the leading Online resource for information about physicians and hospitals. The achievement is part of findings released in the “Healthgrades 2020 Report to the Nation.” The new report demonstrates the importance of hospital quality to both hospital leaders and consumers. Additionally, from 2016 through 2018, patients treated at hospitals receiving the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery Award have, on average, a 41.7 percent lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award.* “Heritage Valley Health System is proud to have Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital recognized as one of the nation’s 100 best in spine surgery,” said Norm Mitry, President and CEO, Heritage Valley Health System. “The surgeons, physicians and clinical staff at Sewickley are dedicated to providing the highest level of care. It is their expertise and commitment to excellence that led to this distinction.” Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions using Medicare data, and outcomes in appendectomy and bariatric surgery using all-payer data provided by 15 states. “As consumers navigate their health, it is important to consider a number of factors, including hospital quality, before deciding where to access care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Healthgrades. “Healthgrades’ America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery recognizes those hospitals that have proven their dedication to quality care and exceptional outcomes over time and we applaud their efforts and achievement.” Heritage Valley Sewickley was also recognized for the following clinical achievements: • Five-Star Distinction in Total Knee Replacement for 10 years in a row (2011-2020) • Five-Star Distinction in Spinal Fusion Surgery in 2020 • Five-Star Distinction for Treatment of Stroke in 2020 • Five-Star Distinction for Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism in 2020 Healthgrades recognizes a hospital’s quality achievements for cohort-specific performance, specialty area performance and overall clinical quality. Individual procedure or condition cohorts are designated as 5-star (statistically significantly better than expected), 3-star (not statistically different from expected) and 1-star (statistically significantly worse than expected) categories. The complete Healthgrades 2020 Report to the Nation and detailed study methodology can be found at partners.healthgrades. com/healthgrades-quality-solutions/healthgrades-quality-awards/. * Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2016 through 2018 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Heritage Valley Sewickley named America’s 100 Best for Spine Surgery New report identifies Heritage Valley Sewickley among the top hospitals nationally for excellence in Spine Surgery Bradley Heiple, D.O. and Melissa Rau, M.D. recently relocated to their new practice, HVMG Primary Care West, in Robinson Township next to Staples. 6 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2020Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health As part of Heritage Valley Health System, Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing provides students with education and training that will change their lives as well as those they will care for in the future. In less than 2 years, students earn a diploma, are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and are able to work as a Registered Nurse! We are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Committee for Education in Nursing. · 20-month Curriculum · Affordable Tuition · 100% Job Placement after Graduation · 100% NCLEX Pass Rate (2018 and 2019) · Community location & clinical experiences · Opportunity to complete BSN program in an additional 12 months 25 Heckel Road, Kennedy Township, PA 15136 heritagevalley.org/pages/school-of-nursing A NURSING CAREER CHANGES LIVES PROSPECTIVE STUDENT OPEN HOUSE Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 1:00pm WE WANT TO MEET YOU! Register for the Open House by contacting 412-777-6204 or sgyory@hvhs.org MARCH 21, 2020 • 10AM - 2PM For more information or interest in exhibiting, please visit www.heritagevalley.org/expo. Questions: please call 724-773-2045 or email rcatley@hvhs.org WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? HEALTHY FOODS & WELLNESS EXPO Join us to learn more about healthy eating and living at this FREE Community Event! Community College of Beaver County Athletic & Events Center (Dome) • FREE Food & Product Samples • FREE Health Screenings • Fitness / Cooking Demonstrations • Local Vendors & Farmers • Ask A Doctor / Ask A Chef / Ask A Dietitian • Door Prizes February/March 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 7%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced Steubenville Pike Auto donates eighth vehicle in time for Christmas STORY SUBMITTED Steubenville Pike Auto in Robinson Township once again donated a refurbished vehicle to an individual in need this past December. The donation, which took place less than a week before Christmas, marked the eighth car that Steubenville Pike Auto had donated through its nonprofit, Steubenville Pike Auto Repair Charity. The not-for-profit organization Heroes Supporting Heroes once again covered the transfer and registration fees for the car donation. On Dec. 19, Steubenville Pike Auto owners Jason and Linda Pottle handed Tammy Ciarletta the keys to a maroon Oldsmobile Alero. Steubenville Pike Auto Repair Charity’s selection committee chose Tammy after receiving a nomination from her daughter Autumn, who wrote about Tammy’s commitment to others. Tammy is a caretaker for intellectually challenged adults who reside at a live-in care facility. This past October, Tammy was on her way home from work when her vehicle was struck by an under-insured driver. The accident not only totaled Tammy’s vehicle but it also put her in the hospital, forcing her to miss work for a number of weeks. Additionally, Tammy’s husband was recently informed that his place of employment is closing, even as the Ciarletta family has been faced with mounting medical expenses and accident-related bills. Steubenville Pike Auto Repair Charity chose the Ciarletta family for the donation in hopes that it will turn their recent string of hardships around by providing the family with a much- needed vehicle. “Our program continues to change lives one vehicle at a time!” said Jason Pottle. Steubenville Pike Auto will be giving away another vehicle to a deserving individual or family in 2020. To nominate, visit www. steubenvillepike.com and click on the SPARC icon. Steubenville Pike Auto is a five-acre, full-service auto business located at 6112 Steubenville Pike in Robinson Township. It has been honored as the 7th Fastest Growing Business in Pittsburgh by the Pittsburgh Business Times and has also appeared on INC Magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the U.S. Heroes Supporting Heroes is a not-for-profit organization that supports stable and safe housing for military members and their families as well as veterans and senior citizens. Heroes Supporting Heroes also provides a variety of support services for service members’ families during times of deployment. For more, visit www.heroessupportingheroes.org. Steubenville Pike Auto president Jason Pottle (third from right) and his wife, Linda (far right), present Tammy Ciarletta (at center) and her family with a refurbished vehicle through the company’s Steubenville Pike Auto Repair Charity program in December. They are pictured with Steubenville Pike Auto team members who helped refurbish the vehicle. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2020 In July, Princeton named West Allegheny alumnus Derek Javarone to its list of the university’s all-time greatest football players during the Ivy League era. Javarone, who graduated from West Allegheny in 2002 as his class valedictorian, currently holds Princeton’s record for field goals. According to the Princeton Tigers Football website, Javarone made 45 out of 61 field goals and 78 out of 85 extra points. His kick in 2005 to defeat Cornell is still the last game- winning kick by the Tigers, according to the website. Javarone graduated from Princeton in 2006 and now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he works for Northern Trust. He is the son of retired Oakdale chiropractor Dr. Richard Javarone and Debi Javarone. WA alum named to Princeton football’s all-time list STORY SUBMITTED Derek Javarone PHOTO BY BEVERLY SCHAEFER February/March 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 9Next >