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May 28, 2014
Overturned gay marriage ban relief for local couples By Francesca Sacco Staff writer fsacco@observer-reporter. com
Deb and Susan Whitewood were sitting on their back porch, the same place where the couple decided to file a federal lawsuit against Pennsylvania’s ban on gay marriage, when they learned the ban was overturned May 20. “I’m terrifically excited,” Deb Whitewood said. “This isn’t a ruling in favor of our family, but a ruling for all of the gay and lesbian families in the state of Pennsylvania.” The South Fayette Township couple, two of their children, a widow and 10 other couples challenged the state’s law barring same-sex marriages. U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III called the plaintiffs courageous in his ruling.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DAVID HUFFNER
Jason Schneider, left, and David Huffner are pictured in 2011 at their wedding in New York. The Upper St. Clair couple was overjoyed by a federal judge’s ruling that overturned Pennsylvania’s ban on same-sex marriage.
“We are so excited to be is validation that we are lawsuit, the Whitewoods a part of history,” Susan equal. It’s enormous.” attempted to file for a marWhitewood said. “This Before filing the federal riage license at Washing-
ton County Courthouse last June 24. Their request was denied, but that didn’t stop them. The couple married in Maryland last October on their 20th anniversary. After quickly “skimming” the 39-page decision, Deb Whitewood said the ruling recognizes marriages performed legally in any of the other 17 states that previously had given legal status to gay marriage. Oregon became the 18th state to legalize same-sex marriages May 19. Pennsylvania became the 19th. State marriage bans have been falling around the country since the U.S. Supreme Court last year struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The Pennsylvania lawsuit, filed last July, was the first known challenge to the state law that effectively banned same-sex marriages and the recognition of
gay marriages from other states. Gov. Tom Corbett’s office defended the law after Attorney General Kathleen Kane refused, on grounds that it was unconstitutional. An appeal of Jones’ ruling is likely. Same-sex couples and their supporters around the state were celebrating May 20. David Huffner and his husband, Jason Schneider, have been together for the last 15 years. At 54, Huffner doubted he’d witness this until he was in his 80s. “I was pleasantly surprised,” Huffner, a member of the board of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network in Pittsburgh, said of the ruling. “Things like this take a lot of time.” Huffner said he immediately started to cry when he SEE COUPLES PAGE A3
CV students unveil WWII memorial By Deana Carpenter Staff writer dcarpenter@thealmanac.net
DEANA CARPENTER/STAFF
Scott pool drained for repairs
Those hoping to take a dip in Scott Township’s pool will have to wait. Though it was originally slated to open Memorial Day weekend, a surprise leak required that it be drained for emergency repairs. The time frame to do the repairs is not yet known, so a new opening date will be announced as information becomes available.
A new memorial to local men who died in World War II was unveiled at Chartiers Valley High School on May 23 during a program titled “The Legacy Lives on...Remembering Local Heroes of WWII.” At the beginning of the school year, a plaque bearing the names of 17 local soldiers who lost their lives in World War II was found in the basement of the school. The plaque had once hung in the now-closed Rennerdale School. When the plaque was first discovered, superintendent Dr. Brian White tasked social studies teacher Robert Rodrigues to find stu-
DEANA CARPENTER/STAFF
The unveiling of the new WWII monument at Chartiers Valley High School.
dents to help figure out exactly who the men on the plaque were. “We’ve been working really hard for six months,” Mazzarini said.
“It’s been part of the community for so long,” said Kevin McGoogan, a junior at Chartiers Valley who also helped to research the background infor-
mation on the men. Rachel Jones, Mitchell McDermott and Lauren Bittner were also on the research team. “I learned they all SEE UNVEIL PAGE A4
Fire station in Bethel Park is set for demolition By Susan Schmeichel For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net
The Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company station on Brightwood Road will soon be demolished to make way for a new $8.2 million state-of-the-art facility. During a special meeting May 19, Bethel Park Council approved a $51,900 contract with A.W. McNabb LLC to demolish the old structure. The original station was built in 1954, when the company responded to only 96
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dum last year. The tax will not only finance construction of the new building, but also provide $300,000 for the annual operation of the fire company. According to Dennis Ross, an architect with Pancheco Ross Architects PC, the new building can be expected to serve the fire company for 50 to 75 years. The fire company, which also maintains stations on Milford Drive and Clifton ELEANOR BAILEY/STAFF Road, is storing much of its The Bethel Park Fire Station will be torn down to make way for a new, state-of-the-art fire station. equipment at Kiefer Coal calls a year. About 20 years is in bad shape and inad- calls last year, fire officials ing funded by a .34 mill real and Supply on West Liago, the engine bays were equate for a company that have said. estate tax, which was ap- brary Avenue during conrebuilt, but the building responded to nearly 400 The new building is be- proved by a voter referen- struction.
Healthy living
Vegetable garden yields vitamins and exercise. Page B6
At a Glance................... A14 Classifieds.................B9-14 Deaths............................. A3 Deed Transfers............... B8 Editorial........................... A5 Entertainment................ B4 Home & Garden......... B6,7
Opinion........................... A5 Police Beat...................... A2 Real Estate...................... B8 Religion........................... A9 Sights & Sounds........... B4 Sports........................... B1-3 What’s Happening..A12,13
WPIAL champions
Alyssa Battaglia leads Mt. Lebanon to lacrosse title. Page B1