Rob Amen stories

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88

A week after fatal house explosion, Plum community seeks the will to push forward

The idyllic innocence of Rustic Ridge shattered a week ago. Tragedy struck this close-knit community in Plum, a neighborhood of more than 200 homes, about 10:23 a.m. last Saturday. An explosion leveled a home on Rustic Ridge Drive and resulted in an inferno that destroyed two neighboring homes. The shock...

For one afternoon, Rustic Ridge kids put horrific explosion out of their minds

The corner lot of 154 Rustic Ridge Drive in Plum on Tuesday turned into a therapeutic group session for dozens of kids in the neighborhood — even if they didn’t know it. At least two dozen kids of all ages, from toddler to teen, gathered in the driveway and backyard...

Remembering devoted mom who died in Plum explosion: Heather Oravitz was ‘a special wife’

Lindsay and Fran Sciullo thought so highly of Heather and Paul Oravitz that they entrusted to the Oravitzes’ daughter what was most precious to them — their two sons. Taylor Oravitz would babysit the Sciullo boys, Maddox and Brady, when Lindsay and her husband, Fran — educators in the Plum...

With his home in ruins, Plum’s high school soccer coach committed to tryouts

Rafal Kolankowski was determined to forge ahead, the chaos engulfing his neighborhood — his life — be damned. Soccer tryouts loomed Monday night, the first of three days of tryouts, and the Plum High School boys coach wasn’t about to let the kids down. “Unfortunately, I have to make cuts,”...

Remembering family man who died in Plum explosion: Kevin Sebunia ‘had a heart of gold’

Above all else, Kevin Sebunia was a dedicated family man — a devoted father and doting husband who willingly gave his time to others. His wife, Kelly, and daughters, Emily and Abigail, were the most important people in Sebunia’s life, longtime friend Joe Pulcini said. “His family came before anything,”...

‘A humbling responsibility’: Rustic Ridge’s Greg Renko leads neighbors through tragedy

Greg Renko bounced from one house to the next on Sunday, one neighbor to the next, one phone call to the next. He consoled them. Answered their questions. Offered whatever insight he could provide, both as Rustic Ridge Estates Home Owners Association president and as an Allegheny County Police officer...

‘We’re so lucky’: Family forced from home after Plum explosion grateful to be alive

Jeremy Rogers arrived back in his Rustic Ridge Estates neighborhood Sunday morning, unsure what he would find. When he left Saturday, his neighbor’s house was still smoldering, having been consumed hours earlier by a fire that quickly spread when a neighboring home exploded. The Rogers family home, at 145 Rustic...

Remembering father and son who died in Plum explosion: Casey and Keegan Clontz ‘loved by so many’

Casey and Keegan Clontz were darn-near inseparable. Keegan, just 12 years old, was known as his dad’s shadow. In particular, they loved the outdoors, especially the times they spent together hunting and fishing. Casey and Keegan Clontz of Plum died Saturday when a house on Rustic Ridge Drive suddenly exploded...

Death toll rises to 4 in Plum house explosion, stuns bedroom community

A house explosion in Plum on Saturday killed at least four people and injured several others, sending shock waves throughout a community that has been stricken by similar explosions in the past. Authorities announced the revised death toll at a press conference late Saturday. Officials did not release the victims’...

Death toll rises to 4 in Plum house explosion; 3 homes destroyed

A house exploded in Plum late Saturday morning, killing four people and injuring several others. Authorities announced the revised death toll at a press conference late Saturday. Officials did not release the victims’ identities, ages or genders, where they were found or where they died. They said another person is...

With a painting and pickup, these 2 veterans bring heightened awareness to military members’ suicide

David Williams and Heather Allen’s visit to Western Pennsylvania lasted only a few hours, but their message is one they hope endures. “The main message is, you are not alone,” Allen said, referring to military veterans and their families who have been affected by suicide. “There are so many people...

3 injured in fire at Plum manufacturing facility

Three people were taken to a hospital Saturday after being involved in a fire at a Plum manufacturing facility. The fire started shortly before noon at Affival Inc., a metallurgy-based manufacturing firm specializing in cored wire products. Workers handling titanium and calcium powder reported a machine “had caught fire or...

In Instagram post, Antonio Brown says he’s sorry … again

Antonio Brown is sorry … again. At least that’s what a post on the former Steelers, Raiders and Patriots wide receiver’s verified Instagram account says. Brown, who is being investigated by the NFL in the wake of sexual assault allegations, took to Instagram on Friday afternoon, apologizing for what he...

Pennsylvania puppy abandoned in plastic-wrapped crate ‘improving every day’

A 10-week-old puppy is recovering after being left outside of a south-central Pennsylvania animal shelter in a crate wrapped in plastic with no ventilation holes. The Presa Canario puppy was dropped off about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday at the end of the Adams County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to...

Front Porch Theatricals’ musical ‘Baby’ is a labor of love

Washington townhouse on the market for $1,225,000

Folk legend Bruce Cockburn gives uplifting performance at City Winery

‘Champagne & Chapeaux’: Westmoreland Symphony’s annual soiree for a good cause

Jimmy Stewart’s P-51 Mustang stops in hometown for museum anniversary

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