A look back at the Butler Eagle’s top stories of 2024
An assassination attempt of Donald Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States, during a campaign rally at the Butler County Farm Show grounds and its aftermath in the run up to his historic political comeback highlighted a list of the most consequential stories in the county for 2024.
A team of Butler Eagle editors gathered up all of the news that made waves as the year draws to a close.
Here’s a recap of the local stories that shaped headlines:
The history of Butler County was forever altered when gunfire erupted while then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was speaking about illegal immigration during a campaign rally on July 13 at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township.
Shortly after 6 p.m., the sound of gunshots, initially mistaken for fireworks by some, caused panic among the attendees and prompted everyone to take cover.
Trump suffered an injury to his ear before being taken to the ground by a host of Secret Service agents. While being escorted away to safety, he raised his fist in triumph and shouted “Fight, Fight, Fight.” The crowd roared back at him, still weary of what had just occurred around them.
The now President-elect avoided serious injury after being rushed to a local hospital. However, former Buffalo Township Fire chief Corey Comperatore was killed in the gunfire while protecting members of his family. Two others in the crowd were left critically wounded.
A member of the Butler County Emergency Service Unit took a shot at the gunman before a Secret Service countersniper ultimately killed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park.
Witnesses like Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche and rally attendees like Austin Wiehagen and Lisa LeGrand described the chaos that included people ducking for safety and others quickly evacuating the scene in fear for their lives.
The incident left many attendees in disbelief, with people dispersing after the immediate danger was thought to be extinguished as dozens of law enforcement personnel attempted to maintain order.
The tragic event underscored the detrimental impact of political violence, leaving a permanent scar on the Butler community and the country at large.
The U.S. Department of Energy extended the compliance period for new energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers, giving Cleveland-Cliffs' Butler Works five years instead of three to meet the new requirements.
The decision followed objections from Cleveland-Cliffs management, union leaders and local politicians who argued the initial three-year timeline was too aggressive and also threatened 1,300 jobs at the Butler Township facility.
The new standards, which have to be implemented by 2029, focus on increasing the efficiency of transformers, with the company's grain-oriented electrical steel still playing a significant role and expected to constitute 75% of transformer cores, alongside 25% amorphous steel.
UAW Local 3303 president Jamie Sychak and Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves praised the DOE's decision, seeing it as supportive for future production and investment.
Additionally, Butler Works is set to receive a $75 million DOE grant to install an electric arc furnace, helping to meet the new efficiency standards. The adjustment aims to balance environmental goals with economic stability, potentially saving $14 billion in energy costs over 30 years while supporting domestic steel production.
The July 13 assassination attempt of Trump included significant security lapses by the Secret Service.
Butler Township police officer Drew Blasko warned the Secret Service about potential vulnerabilities, particularly concerning the AGR International building where Crooks managed to position himself, according to footage obtained from the event.
The incident resulted in the death of Comperatore, and injuries to three others, including Trump, leading to the resignation of the Secret Service director and sparking a Congressional investigation.
A more local investigation that was spearheaded by the Butler Eagle, Spotlight PA and ProPublica revealed systemic failures in security protocols, most notably in how the Secret Service collaborated with local law enforcement.
The Secret Service’s overall execution was heavily scrutinized in the days and weeks that followed. Communication breakdowns scratched the surface of what went wrong. It was revealed that critical information about the shooter did not reach the Secret Service in time.
Local county officials expressed a mix of support for Trump's potential return at the time but also raised concern about the community's readiness and the strain on the resources necessary to hold an event of its magnitude.
Residents in the southwestern portion of the county dealt with significant flooding in the area, particularly in April.
The flooding issues in Zelienople, Harmony and other surrounding communities stem from the Connoquenessing Creek and have been exacerbated over the years by historic rainfall.
The Southwestern Butler Stormwater Group, which has invested nearly $10 million in stormwater projects since forming in 2019, led the efforts to better manage the ongoing situation. Despite these measures, some residents like James Hulings of Harmony believe the flooding frequency has actually increased over time.
In response, a new stormwater authority was planned to fund further flood prevention through fees on impervious surfaces. The authority, which will begin meeting in 2025, will aim to enhance infrastructure to better manage stormwater moving forward.
On Oct. 5, former President Donald Trump returned to the Butler Farm Show grounds for a rally, the same place where an assassination attempt occurred just months earlier on July 13.
Trump began his speech by remembering Comperatore with a moment of silence and thanked first responders, who admirably handled their responsibilities when the July rally quickly spiraled into chaos.
He then touched on his standard campaign agenda that included fracking, immigration and transgender rights, all while criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris' policies and lack of consistency on a multitude of issues plaguing the nation.
Tech-billionaire Elon Musk appeared alongside Trump, speaking on free speech, gun rights and voting. Trump's return to Butler was both a political event and a tribute to those impacted by his first visit, emphasizing the importance of voting to honor Comperatore and to secure policy changes.
The rally highlighted the ongoing political battle for Pennsylvania's crucial electoral votes, with Trump and Harris neck-and-neck in polls. The atmosphere was a mix of remembrance and political fervor as Trump rallied support for his campaign and Republican candidates like Dave McCormick.
After nearly three years of negotiations, Pennsylvania American Water finalized its purchase of Butler Area Sewer Authority (BASA) on Oct. 29 for $230 million.
The private company took over wastewater operations for over 15,000 connections across 32.5 square miles, including Butler and surrounding areas. The sale's proceeds will be split between Butler and Butler Township, with plans to use the funds for local projects and debt repayment.
Despite legal challenges from other townships, the sale was completed following an appeal denial in September. Pennsylvania American Water committed to investing $75 million in system upgrades over the next five years and promised continued local engagement in the project.
BASA staff integrated into the company's’ operations and expanding customer financial aid programs. The acquisition marked a significant expansion for Pennsylvania American Water in the region, which promised improved service and infrastructure.
Heather Pressdee, a 41-year-old former nurse from Natrona Heights, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on May 2 after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and 19 counts of attempted murder.
She was involved in the deaths of 17 patients by administering lethal doses of insulin at five nursing homes across Butler, Armstrong, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties between 2020 and 2023.
Judge Joseph Kubit described Pressdee's actions as “absolute depravity,” and sentenced her to three consecutive life sentences plus 380 to 760 years. The decision not to seek the death penalty was based on Pressdee taking responsibility and providing some sense of closure to the victims' families.
Pressdee expressed remorse in court by apologizing for her actions. She was initially charged with numerous counts, including neglect and endangerment, but some charges were dismissed upon her plea.
Family members described their loved ones' lives and the profound impact of their deaths during sentencing.
Marc Fogel, a teacher from Butler, has been designated as “wrongfully detained.”
He was arrested in August 2021 at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport for possessing medical marijuana for chronic back pain. He was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony in June 2022.
Later this year, however, the U.S. government officially recognized him as “wrongfully detained,” which marks a significant step toward his potential release.
His family, including his mother Malphine and sister Anne, has been advocating for his freedom. A prior lawsuit against the State Department for not designating him as wrongfully detained sooner was dropped in the final week of the year.
The documentary “Did You Forget Mr. Fogel?” was released on YouTube on Christmas, highlighting the family's ongoing struggles. His sister, Anne, has consistently emphasized the need for better U.S. government support for citizens detained abroad. Despite some government interactions, the Fogel family remains committed to seeing Marc return home.
Shane Nolan, 51, of Chicora, died following a racing accident at Lernerville Speedway during the Geibel Fest Day of Destruction on Oct. 13.
His car crashed into a wall, flipped and landed on its roof with only two laps left in the Enduro 100-lap race.
Nolan was airlifted to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh but was pronounced dead the next day from “blunt force trauma to the head and trunk,” according to the Allegheny County coroner.
He was remembered fondly by the speedway community across social media.
Nolan was the third racer to die at Lernerville since 1967. He was participating in his fourth career race at the track.
Butler officials held a grand opening for “Center on Center” recovery center located at 100 Center Ave. with a grand opening on May 8.
The center, previously the Grace Youth and Family Foundation, offers resources, networking, and activities for those in recovery, aiming to create a supportive community environment.
The center now operates from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, welcoming members who have been sober for at least 60 days.
Features include a commercial kitchen, spaces for entertainment and wellness activities. The center's programming will evolve based on member needs, potentially including education and job assistance. The initiative hopes to foster a “culture of recovery,” providing a place for individuals to feel supported and reintegrated into the community.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that counties must count provisional ballots for voters whose mail-in or absentee ballots were defective, following a case involving two Butler County voters whose ballots lacked secrecy envelopes.
The decision was split, with the majority supporting voters Faith Genser and Frank Matis. This ruling may lead to an increase in provisional ballot use, complicating quick result announcements in close races, as these ballots are only counted days after the election.
Osche said the county will adjust procedures accordingly, emphasizing the importance of using secrecy envelopes to avoid provisional voting.
Commissioner Kim Geyer questioned the consistency of election laws, suggesting that court interpretations are effectively rewriting legislation.
Meanwhile, Kevin Boozel anticipated more provisional ballot requests and the need for procedural adjustments.
The court's decision highlights ongoing tensions and legal ambiguities in the Commonwealth’s relatively complex voting practices in comparison to other states.
Mason Martin, a former Karns City Jr./Sr. High School student, returned home after more than nine months in the hospital because of a brain injury sustained during a September 2023 football game.
He initially found the transition stressful after being discharged on June 11, but ended up having a great day that was punctuated by a peaceful evening on the back deck with his father and dogs.
His father, Denny Martin, expressed gratitude for the medical staff, home nurses and rehabilitation specialists, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead but also optimistic about what the future holds for his family.
Martin posts regular social media updates about Mason’s recovery and his family.
Dakota B. Hughes, 23, of Eau Claire, was acquitted this year of homicide charges in the shooting death of Seth G. Smith, 27, his mother's boyfriend, in 2023.
The incident occurred when Smith and Hughes' mother, Carri McKinney, came to their home to pick up a new debit card. Hughes claimed self-defense, stating he shot Smith three times after feeling threatened when Smith approached him.
The jury found Hughes not guilty of first-degree and third-degree homicide, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.
The trial included testimonies about Smith's violent behavior toward McKinney and threats against her family, alongside evidence such as a video interview with Hughes and autopsy photos.
Family members expressed relief and gratitude for the verdict, allowing them to begin healing, while Smith's family declined to comment on the decision.
The solar eclipse on April 8 brought a significant economic boost to the county despite not being in the path of totality. The event led to packed hotels, with local establishments like the SpringHill Suites experiencing full occupancy.
Jack Cohen from the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau estimated that “eclipse fever” had the potential to inject tens of thousands of dollars into the local economy.
High traffic volumes were noted, particularly in the southwest part of the county, as visitors either stayed in Butler or used it as a stopover on their way to Erie for the total eclipse.
The influx of tourists was not just beneficial for immediate revenue but also for potential repeat visits, as suggested by local officials. Unique eclipse-themed offerings at hotels added to the festive atmosphere, and places like Moraine State Park saw all cabins booked, highlighting the event's draw for outdoor enthusiasts.
When visiting local lakes, county residents should be cautious of algae blooms, officials warned.
While most algae are harmless, some blooms, particularly those from cyanobacteria, can be toxic, causing health issues like rashes or stomach illnesses.
In Butler County, three lakes are notable for algae blooms: Lake Arthur, Glade Run Lake and Oneida Valley Reservoir. These blooms can affect water quality by reducing oxygen levels as they decompose.
