Teghan Simonton

Managing Editor

University still adjusting to new website launch

After launching a redesigned website in September, Josh Beppler, integrated marketing coordinator, said Waynesburg University’s renewed online presence has been, overall, successful. The process for designing a new website began last spring, when the university partnered with the marketing firm, Ologie, to come up with a new design and brand. Beppler said a committee of … Continue reading

Uphill Battle

Anticipated state grant cuts may impact WU students

Recent cuts from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency are expected to drastically decrease state grant funding for college students, including 39 percent of students at Waynesburg University. Each year, when the governor requests funds for student grants, he relies on revenue service departments within PHEAA to supplement those funds, said Matthew Stokan, director of … Continue reading

Voting by the Numbers

Candidate surprised by voter turnout, party leanings

Despite possessing more registered Democrats than registered Republicans, Greene County, once again, showed overwhelming support for Republican candidates in the 2018 Midterm Elections.  “People are still trying to figure out where things went wrong,” said James Craig, the Democratic candidate for State Senate, who lost Tuesday’s election to incumbent Republican Camera Bartolotta.  Craig said that … Continue reading

Clinics, lobbyists address increase in Black Lung

When the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund was created, it was meant to be a temporary measure. Lawmakers expected rates of the incurable disease to gradually decrease. That’s not what happened. Instead, Black Lung, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, is at its highest rate in Appalachia in 25 years, according to a recent report from NPR–and … Continue reading

Community reacts to Tree of Life shooting

Pittsburgh was shaken Saturday morning when an armed man, Robert Bowers, shot and killed 11 Jewish worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Victims of the shooter ranged in ages 54 to 97, multiple outlets reported. When police arrived on the scene, Bowers exchanged gunfire with the officers, resulting in … Continue reading

Journalism changed; the Jacket staff didn’t

Waynesburg University’s official Twitter account recently posted a vintage photograph of The Yellow Jacket staff circa 1968. Students were smiling, gathered around a typewriter, of all things. As a present-day Yellow Jacket staff member, this was a delightful image to see: a group of student journalists, bonding over something they all love. In a lot … Continue reading

Greene County Comprehensive Plan in draft stage

When Greene County residents walked into the public meeting, they were handed 10 pretend $100 bills, said Robbie Matesic, executive director of Greene County Economic Development. “This is really a demonstration of the fact that if you are the county official, you have to decide how county tax dollars are spent,” said Matesic. “So, here’s … Continue reading

Observer-Reporter future uncertain

Northrop a 'lame duck' as company sells after 116 years

It’s been 116 years, but Friday is Tom Northrop’s last day at the Observer-Reporter. Two weeks ago, the Observer Publishing Company made it public that it had sold all assets to Ogden Newspapers, Inc. based in Wheeling, West Virginia. Ogden, owned and operated by the principal owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bob Nutting, will take … Continue reading

New helmets sense dangerous impacts

The culture around concussions is changing, said Andy Palko, the head athletic trainer at Waynesburg University. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is all over the news, and athletes and their families are more concerned now than ever about the effects of sustaining regular impacts in the game of football. That’s why Waynesburg University’s football team is using … Continue reading

Recent Photographs