A Greyhound named Grace got loose from her owner after being attacked by another dog while on a walk in Canonsburg Wednesday. According to our friends at Going Home Greyhounds, Grace belongs to Sherry Sulkowski. The dog got loose at the corner of Hawthorne and Bluff Streets. She was bitten, and it was unclear how badly she was hurt. According to the Going Home Greyhounds Facebook page, someone spotted Grace earlier this afternoon in the borough—so we know she made it through the night. Anyone with information is asked to Facebook message Going Home Greyhounds. The page can be found here.

Happy Valentine's Day! Here are a few songs I thought would be appropriate for your holiday playlist. In no particular order, here are 10 of my favorites (the YouTube videos are attached, so listen away!) 1. Things You Already Know - Quiet Comfort 2. Ice Cream - Sarah McLauchlan 3. Yer So Bad - Tom Petty 4. Handle With Care - Traveling Wilburys 5. You're in My Heart - Rod Steward 6. At My Most Beautiful - R.E.M. 7. She's an Angel - They Might Be Giants 8. The Luckiest - Bend Folds (makes me cry *every* time) 9. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison 10. Good to See You - Neil Young And here were some…

Dear Energy In Depth, I'll just put my cards out on the table here: I don't know what kind of unit you're running over there. First off, and by way of background for those unfamiliar with your operations: I understand that my website and yours are different. Mine is journalism-based. And as a reporter who has worked for a laundry list of newspapers over the years, I can tell you that accuracy, objectivity and fairness are cornerstones of every one of those organizations. Second: While yours might be a site that is funded by the Marcellus Shale industry, your "about us" section indicates that …

We know them all by heart. But here are some versions you might want to put on your playlist. At least, here are a few of my favorites. 1. "Father Christmas" - The Kinks 2. "Silent Night" - Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty 3. "The Christmas Song" - James Taylor 4. "Baby It's Cold Outside" - Norah Jones and Willie Nelson 5. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Coldplay 6. "Lonely Christmas Eve" - Ben Folds (From "The Grinch) 7. "Little Drummer Boy" - Neil Young and Johnny Cash 8. "What Christmas Means to Me" - Stevie Wonder 9. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" - Barenaked Ladies 10…

I know, I know: It's difficult for me to believe that Canon-McMillan Patch is 2-years old, too. But that's how long it's been since we started covering all things Canonsburg, Cecil, North Strabane and the Canon-McMillan School District. And we've been through a lot together, news-wise, in the past year alone. There's been the fun stuff: Canonsburg's Fourth of July Parade, North Strabane's municipal park grand opening and some amazing accomplishments by Canon-McMillan staff and students. And there's been some not-so-fun-stuff ... there have been some downright tough things to write about. We'…

Dear Canon-McMillan Friends, The signs say “fresh cut trees” and the lot is right behind the Frank Sarris Public Library in Canonsburg. There are trees of various shapes and sizes, some shorter and stouter—some taller and more slim. The lot was also adorned with decorative wreaths for those front doors that mght look a little less festive without them. Two women walked past Monday afternoon and asked me, “Do you know who runs this lot?” And sadly, I did not. “I just saw the signs and figured I would stop by for more information,” I told them. There wasn’t an attendant available. There were no…

I said to my uncle the other day, “You know what really makes me mad?” His response? “Everything?” And so, I realized that today of all days, I should stop thinking about all the stuff that makes me red, and concentrate on what we all should be: The people, places and things that make us happy—that make us thankful. G.K. Chesterton said, "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." What makes me thankful? I have a family who loves me. I have friends who care about me. I have a job I love—and one that I think actually makes …

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, along with Peg Wilson of the Greater Washington County Food Bank have been holding a three-day canned food drive that ends today. The Meadows will add $1 to the prize pool for every pound of food donated during the collection drive—up to $5,000. One lucky donating individual will win $5,000 Cash and 10 more will win $500 FreePlay at the 7 p.m. drawing on Monday. The Meadows also donated to the annual 2,000 Turkeys campaign as part of its ongoing partnership with the food bank. So if you're in the area, remember to drop off a donation!  

Dear Canon-McMillan Boys Soccer Team, On behalf of Canon-McMillan Patch, I wanted to congratulate you on winning your first state title playoff game this past Wednesday—and against rival Peters Township High School, no less. Congrats specifically to Ivan Viveros, who the team said scored the first goal in the first half, and Corey McCurdy, who scored late in the second half. I understand the team is excited, and ready to take on Upper St. Clair High School at 3 p.m. Saturday at Chartiers Valley High School in their quest for the state title. And I wanted to spread the word: The team members …

I have to admit first thing: I’m a horror geek. Whether it’s scary, gory, or of the B variety, you can be sure I have either watched it or intend to. In honor of my favorite holiday, I wanted to share with you the films I find I have to watch this time of year. All I ask in return is you leave me a comment and let me know what your favorites are. OK. Here goes. 5. “The Lost Boys” I can’t help but want to watch this movie this time of year. About vampires that overrun a California town, it includes performances from both Kiefer Sutherland (one of my first celebrity crushes) AND the two Coreys…

We at Canon-McMillan Patch have a soft spot for animals...especially cuddly little puppies. So when Angel Ridge Animal Rescue emailed us about its upcoming Puppies Galore event, I just had to write about it. As an caregiver of three rescued cats, I would encourage anyone who is thinking about adopting a friend...er...animal, to check out this event. Here is the email we received: "Fluffy, bouncy, face-lickin' puppies in assorted colors will be wagging and waiting for somebody to adopt them to forever homes. The puppies from Angel Ridge Animal Rescue will welcome all visitors to pet, hug and …

Miss the opening of Canonsburg's Bavarian Oktoberfest yesterday? No worries: There are two more days of fun left. So if you are hankering for a beer or a brat (or any any festival delicacy), are in the mood for games, rides or feel like checking out various vendors, stop on down today! The fun is slated from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.—and live music is scheduled. For a list of entertainment scheduled for Oktoberfest, click here. For information on what streets and parking lots are closed, click here. And did we mention that Canon-McMillan Patch will be there, too? Yes, our bright green tent can be …

Does anyone recognize this dog? I noticed this Facebook post on the page of state Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, this afternoon: "My staff found this old girl on Route 980 in Cecil Township heading toward McDonald. If you know who she might belong to, call my district office at 724-746-3677," he wrote. The dog was turned over to animal control, White said on his page, adding that if no one claims her within 48 hours she will be placed in the adoption program. Anyone? Leave me a comment or call White's office for more information, please!

Canon-McMillan Patch friends, we’ve added a new member to our Patch family! Yes, you will be seeing a new face around town: Brian Duncan, our new advertising manager. Please allow me to introduce you—at least online for now. Here’s a bit more about Brian in his own words: Community journalism and neighborhood togetherness have played a strong role in my life since I was a young boy.  It all started when I delivered the "Community News" weekly publication when I was 12. My dad was also always hyper-aware of everything going on around town, so I learned a lot about community awareness and …

If you're an overzealous aunt or uncle, perhaps you can relate to this sarcastic phrase (uttered in my case by my little sister): "Thanks, Aunt Mandy." The latest "thanks" came after my sister, Ashley, was staying up after her husband and two little ones went to bed—the only time her house was quiet enough for her to concentrate on her online classes. It all went fine until the burping started. After searching around for where the heck the mechanical belching was coming from, she discovered its source: A small toy that I had bought my niece Lilly. It's a small alligator that had a lollipop on…

Consider the gauntlet thrown. The Yinzer gauntlet, that is. Yes, I, too, have been bitten by the Yinztagram bug. The app suggests you "add some Pittsburgh to your pictures" by adding images such as Rick Sebak's head shot or Primanti Brothers sandwiches onto existing photos (to name a few). I’ve uploaded the best I have in my arsenal and I wanna know: Can you out Yinztagram me? Yeah? Then upload your photos by clicking the “upload” button by the picture above. Remember to leave a comment about which photo is your favorite. And let the best Yinzer win (bragging rights).

My niece, Lilly, has, at times, crawled on all fours and roared, saying to us, "I'm the Lion King" (she's been obsessed since she first saw the film). At almost 3 years old, she's a trip no matter what trip she's on. Because everyone could use a laugh on a Monday, I hope this video my sister posted will count as one of yours. Her family took a trip to the Washington County Fair this past weekend. This is what happened. Enjoy! Editor's Note: Do you have pictures from your time at the Washington County Fair? Upload them by simply hitting the "upload" button above!

In hindsight, I should have known better than to buy my niece a girl toy. While I really thought the Disney Princess-themed trinket would make Lilly happy, all she wanted to do was play with her brother’s toy light saber. Like most younger siblings, Lilly wants to have everything Nicholas has, to the point where I’ve instituted a new Aunt Mandy rule: Both children get the same treats. Because Lilly’s usually end up tossed to the floor, and Nicholas’ end up in Lilly’s possession. Nicholas? He takes it all pretty well (until she tried to smooch him). He is 8, and Lilly will turn 3 next month, …

I got a text message late last night telling me I had to check out the Facebook page of a friend who is trying to honor her father—who just happens to be a retiring veteran police sergeant with Cecil Township. I was struck by Angela Weaver’s idea—the Sergeant Weaver Blue Ribbon Tribute—and was inspired to think of how we at Canon-McMillan Patch could show our gratitude for her dad’s years of service protecting the community. But I’m getting ahead of myself (as I usually do). And besides, this is Angela’s story, anyway. So I will let her tell it. Here’s what she wrote on the Sergeant Weaver …

I’m absolutely convinced that each of us is born with some great talent, and that it’s up to us to find out what it is and bask in it. While I think I can use words with the best of them, and tell a dirty joke with the worst of them—I can’t be beat when it comes to worry. Like it or not, worrying has been a skill I’ve been honing since I can remember. And even though I’ve got mad skillz when it comes to obsessing about the worst-case scenario, I’m here to tell you I’m trying to quit it. Because basking in worry only makes you think you’re gonna be more prepared when the bad stuff happens. But…