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Franco Harris, Steelers legend best known for making 'The Immaculate Reception,' dies at 72

Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died. He was 72.

Harris’ son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight. No cause of death was given.

His death comes two days before the 50th anniversary of the play that provided the jolt that helped transform the Steelers from also-rans into the NFL’s elite and three days before Pittsburgh is scheduled to retire his No. 32 during a ceremony at halftime of its game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Pittsburgh Steelers great:Franco Harris, Steelers legend best known for making 'The Immaculate Reception,' dies at 72

🔒 'Avatar: The Way of Water' visual effects master, a Center High grad, discusses trailblazing work

The waves look amazing, the new sea creatures astonish, everything from the forest fauna to menacing war machines pops off the screen to dazzle the mind in "Avatar: The Way of Water."

Pioneering technology spearheaded by Beaver County native Joe Letteri has begun entrancing moviegoers as the long-awaited sequel to the largest-grossing movie ever plays in theaters globally.

One key reason it took 13 years to release this sci-fi blockbuster: New technology and techniques needed to be crafted first by Letteri and his team at Weta FX to realistically portray detailed, underwater movements for computer-generated characters and creatures.

Special FX:'Avatar: The Way of Water' visual effects master, a Center High grad, discusses trailblazing work

A local midwife and mom's passion for children inspires new boutique Reverie

Julie Huston has helped thousands of mothers and babies in Somerset County during her 18 years as a certified nurse midwife. She’s also a business owner and a mom of four children.

All of that life experience has influenced the start of Huston’s newest venture, a retail boutique called Reverie, which officially opened with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday at 614 S. Franklin Ave. in Somerset.

The boutique is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. There are three employees.

Shopping in Somerset:A local midwife and mom's passion for children inspires new boutique Reverie

🔒 How a promise led Terry Dantzig to adopt his wife's mission at the Somerset animal shelter

Over the last two-and-a-half years, Terry Dantzig worked behind the scenes at the Humane Society of Somerset County. He took photos of the animals, spruced up some of the rooms and made repairs around the property to support his wife, Nancy, in her role as the shelter manager.

This year he’s “taken over the reins" to continue her work with animals and support the shelter staff through what has so far been a difficult year for all of them.

Nancy Dantzig died Jan. 13 at UPMC Somerset, two weeks after entering the hospital’s intensive care unit with COVID-19 and pneumonia in both lungs. She was 65.

Humane Society of Somerset County: How a promise led Terry Dantzig to adopt his wife's mission at the Somerset animal shelter

'It looks and smells fishy': Attorney for Somerset DA Jeff Thomas questions AG's role

Following a hearing Friday, an attorney for suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas asserted that the state attorney general should not prosecute Thomas's case.

Thomas, who was charged last year with sexual assault, and his legal counsel Ryan Tutera stood on the Somerset County Courthouse addressed members of the media after a court hearing about obtaining discovery items. Tutera said they believe that the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is the wrong prosecuting arm in this case.

Tutera implied that it's improper for Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro's team to handle the case because his office employs former Somerset County District Attorney Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser — the incumbent office-holder that Thomas bested in the 2019 general election.

More on DA Jeff Thomas:'It looks and smells fishy': Attorney for Somerset DA Jeff Thomas questions AG's role

🔒 The attorney for Somerset DA Thomas is demanding these records on victim, two others.

The defense for suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas is on the offensive.

On Dec. 20, subpoenas "for the production of documents (basically entire employment files) and things" were served by the request of Thomas's attorney, Ryan Tutera. The defense is seeking employment files of the woman who — according to Pennsylvania State Police — Thomas assaulted last year and two other individuals at her place of employment.

Thomas is facing sexual assault-related charges in relation to an incident that police said occurred the evening of Sept. 18.

Somerset PA DA: The attorney for Somerset DA Thomas is demanding these records on victim, two others.

🔒 'It puts a smile on': Meet the man behind the wheel of Somerset's 'Mystery Machine'

Bruce Mimna says he never has trouble finding his van in a parking lot.

That’s because the Geiger resident owns a 1998 Chevrolet Astro van that is easily recognizable, whether it’s parked somewhere or he’s cruising along county roads in the warmer months of the year. Fans of the Great Dane detective Scooby-Doo and his friends Fred, Daphne, Shaggy and Velma instantly recognize Mimna’s van as a copy of "The Mystery Machine," the animated crime-fighting group’s regular mode of transportation.

Painted to match the cartoon van’s original colors of light blue, neon green and bright orange, Mimna’s van has turned many heads and produced many smiles in kids of all ages over the last decade.

“It draws a lot of attention,” he said. “A friend of mine calls it ‘a rolling work of art.’ It’s a good conversation piece.”

Scooby-Doo on the road:'It puts a smile on': Meet the man behind the wheel of Somerset's 'Mystery Machine'

🔒 IPAs, stouts, amber ales & more — new Rockwood brewery hopes to catch GAP trail traffic

A new craft brewery opened in Rockwood last week, and the owners hope to serve many cyclists along the Great Allegheny Passage.

Trailhead Brewing Company co-owners Bob and Hope Metzgar make all kinds of craft beers. These include IPAs, stouts, amber ales and more.

"We self-distribute to local bars and restaurants," Bob Metzgar said, "but we also have a taproom and tasting room."

Microbrews in PA:IPAs, stouts, amber ales & more — new Rockwood brewery hopes to catch GAP trail traffic

🔒 A brighter shade of Gray: Residents past & present invest big in little village's future

GRAY — In the beginning of Gray, residents obtained their water from the mines that ran into two water tanks in town.

"Bring up water," local historian Ryan Sopich said, "and you'll get an amusing response."

Those water tanks are a thing of the past. The village has a new center and beating heart — a community park has gone through a revitalization — thanks to the contributions and volunteer hours of several dedicated residents, past and present.

"These small towns ... are in trouble, just the transmission from the old to the new," said Carl Schrock, a former occupant of Gray who is among those who invests in the neighborhood's future. "New people (are) moving in and keeping the core of its generational families. It is all good."

PA coal mining town:A brighter shade of Gray: Residents past & present invest big in little village's future

🔒 Alicia Markovich: Who was behind the cryptic confessions involving other missing girls?

The writer said he or she was prompted to pen the confession after seeing a missing person flier on the side of a Philadelphia mailbox.

In a letter mailed more than 20 years ago, the person claimed to have details about how Windber resident Alicia Markovich — who vanished in 1987 at the age of 15 — had been killed and buried. A portion of the text released by state police reads almost like poetry.

"The second time I saw (the missing persons flier)," the person wrote, "it was like everything faded to gray, nothing seemed real for a long time, I had thought it all had been forever buried."

Missing person in PA:The writer said he or she was prompted to pen; the confession after seeing a missing person

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