Counting Down Cranberry: The Top 10 Stories of The Year

With 2011 winding down, people love to make lists of the year’s notable happening. Cranberry Patch is no different. Here’s a look at the some of the area’s biggest stories of the year.

Of course, we also want to hear from you. What, in your opinion, are some of the year's biggest stories? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. 

10.  Road Construction

It seemed there were countless construction updates on Cranberry Patch as PennDOT continued a . The work led to single-lane restrictions throughout 2011. The also was delighted when PennDOT opened the long-awaited The $18 million project upgraded two existing ramps and added two ramps to give greater access to I-79. Under construction since spring, the ramps provide a direct link from the interstate to the , , , and athletic fields.

In July, PennDOT began a $1.52 million project to

9.  Marcellus Shale

and the impact it could have on the environment was a hot topic throughout 2011. for the region by creating jobs and providing a new source of energy. Others expressed concern about environmental hazards, believing the drilling process could lead to contamination of drinking water.

The debate came to a head in the Cranberry area when members of advocacy group Marcellus Outreach of Butler in October protested drilling at the Marburger Dairy Farm in Evans City. Nearly 100 people attended the rally with concerns that fracking during the drilling would put crops, livestock and milk at risk of toxic contamination. XTO Energy, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil, is drilling the site.

Craig Marburger, vice president of the family-owned dairy farm, assured people of the site’s safety, saying the family closely examined drilling policies and procedures before leasing the property.

MOB members also showed up at a Seneca Valley School Board meeting in May to .

8.  Seneca Valley Chooses a New Superintendent

After the , Seneca Valley officials in September . Vitale, who joined the district in 2002, formerly was assistant superintendent of human resources and pupil services at the district. She also spent time as assistant principal and principal at At 40-years-old, the Adams Township resident is the youngest and the first female superintendent in Seneca Valley history.

7.  In Memoriam

The community came together for two of its own in 2011. In June, 11-year-old Rehanna Lydon, who had a rare form of muscular cancer, was one of the  at in Cranberry. A few months later, the Evans City Middle School student, whom her teachers dubbed the .

Cranberry also rallied around Shawn O’Donnell, was the beneficiary of this year’s Cranberry CUP (Community Uniting People). After battling inoperable liver and colon cancer since May 2010, the but not before he saw his  during the nonprofit’s annual August softball tournament.

6.  Dan Hahn Takes Steps to Recovery

In February, Cpl. Dan Hahn, a from an overpass on Interstate 79 after a high-speed car chase. After sustaining a broken back, a spinal cord injury, injuries to his shoulder, sternum and multiple other fractures, he has gone from being placed in a medically-induced coma to He’s not finished yet. His goal is to one day return to the police force full time.

Throughout 2011 there were numerous fundraisers in the area – including a  sponsored – to benefit Hahn and his family. Hahn said he also has received After months spent in a rehab facility, Hahn 

5.  Seneca Valley’s Amazing Sports Seasons

Seneca Valley’s fall sports teams, including the cross-country, girls varsity soccer, boys varsity soccer, girls volleyball and the varsity football teams, The spring sports teams, including girls lacrosse, boys volleyball, baseball, softball and track also had outstanding seasons.

Although the football team was, it marked the first time Seneca Valley had made it past the first round of the postseason since 2002. Standouts from the football team included a junior running back.

4.  A Piece of 9/11 History Arrives in Cranberry

In April, Cranberry Township volunteer firefighters that was part of the World Trade Center. The 832-pound artifact will be used as part of a memorial at the company's on Route 19 in honor of the first responders who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

On the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America in September, hundreds of people turned out . Firefighters are hoping to raise $50,000 for the project. Anyone interested in giving to the memorial may go to the fire company’s Web site for information about how to donate. Firefighters hope to have the memorial complete by April.

3.  Cranberry Approves Tax Hike for 2012

With a 4-1 vote, Cranberry's board of supervisors in December officially adopted a 2012 budget that includes in real estate taxes.

Real estate tax rates will jump from to 13 mills, from 10.65 mills. On average, homeowners will pay an annual increase of about $64, township officials said. 

Most of the revenue generated by the tax increase will be distributed to several funds. The and the  will each receive the proceeds of 0.25 mills.

Taxes generated by 1 mill will be used to create a public buildings fund, and taxes from 0.85 mill will be directed to the road maintenance equipment fund.

It is the first time the township has raised taxes since 2004, when officials raised property taxes 1.5 mils.

2.  Seneca Valley Faces $10 Million Shortfall

In May, Seneca Valley School Board officials. The $94.5 million spending plan increased real estate taxes by 5.6 mills and curtailed a half-dozen district programs. By increasing activity fees, cutting back on programs and adding to the millage rate, the budget addressed a the district faced for the school year that officials said were in large part due to extensive funding.

While the business education, physical education, foreign language, guidance, elementary education and alternative learning center programs all were slashed, the  after a strong show of support from students and parents. The budget affected 16 full-time teaching positions and one part-time position. In March, the board accepted the , which was expected to save the district $2.88 million. The district’s 49-person administrative staff agreed to a one-year pay freeze.

1.  Developing Cranberry

Development continues to be a huge story for Cranberry. Retail-wise, wheels are in motion for the on Route 228. The shopping center is at a former campground and will have an 80,000-square-foot Dick’s Sporting Goods store as its centerpiece. Officials also approved the Cranberry Promenade retail complex on Route 19.  at the intersection of Franklin Road and Route 228 in The Village of Cranberry Woods, and a Candlewood Suites Hotel opened in the spring on Route 19. Plans also are moving forward for aon Freedom Road.

Also opening their doors in Cranberry in 2011 were , , , Italian Brick Oven and many others.