Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys and Pennie Executive Director Devon Trolley this week discussed the importance of Medicaid in providing health care coverage to millions of Pennsylvanians amid proposed federal cuts to the program — which would kick more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians off their health insurance.

More than three million Pennsylvanians – or 1 in 4 people – get their health care coverage through Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania. With this coverage, Pennsylvanians can see a doctor, fill prescriptions and access preventive services like health screenings. This coverage is vital to helping people stay healthy, take care of their families and contribute to our economy.

“All of us know someone — whether its ourselves, a friend, loved one, or a neighbor — who Medicaid has helped,” Arkoosh said. “But no matter how you personally get your health care coverage, Medicaid is vital to protecting the health of your community. Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid would be devastating not only for those who would lose their health coverage, but for all of us who would face the real life consequences of crowded emergency departments, increases in the cost of health insurance, and the catastrophic effects on economies and health systems in rural areas.”

More than 300,000 Pennsylvanians will lose access to Medicaid due to:

• New eligibility requirements.

• Increased bureaucratic paperwork because of proposed six-month re-determinations, whether eligibility is determined every six months instead of every year.

• New work reporting requirements, which will require more staff and new IT infrastructure.

The bill also proposes other federal cuts that will further destabilize our health care infrastructure and threaten the closure of hospitals, especially in our rural communities. Half of Pennsylvania’s 65 hospitals serving rural communities operate at a deficit, struggling to survive, and relying significantly on Medicaid to cover the cost of providing care.

“The Congressional Republicans’ bill would have devastating consequences for Pennsylvanians. From unaffordable health care costs to a higher number of uninsured individuals seeking uncompensated care through our hospital systems, this bill should concern every one of us.” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys.

As of today, Congressional Republicans’ bill needs to pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law. There are no changes to Medicaid.

Lawrence confirmed as Pa.’s Consumer Advocate

Attorney General Dave Sunday this week announced that the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Darryl Lawrence to serve as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate.

Lawrence has been serving as interim Consumer Advocate since Feb. 4, where he has been representing Commonwealth consumers in public utility service quality and pricing matters. Lawrence has been with the Office of Consumer Advocate since June 2005 and previously held the position of Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate for the office.

“I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed my appointment of Darryl Lawrence as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate, and am confident that Darryl will serve Pennsylvanians well in that capacity,” Sunday said. “Darryl dedicated his career to advocating on behalf of Pennsylvanians who may not have a voice in the regulatory, judicial, and legislative processes attached to public utilities. He has proven himself as an experienced, tough, fair, and honest advocate.”

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate was established by the General Assembly in 1976 to serve as the legal representative for all utility ratepayers in the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate is housed in the Office of Attorney General, but functions independently. The Office of Consumer Advocate has discretion and authority to intervene in litigation on its own behalf, and has actively participated in matters before the Pennsylvania Utility Commission and in state and federal courts.

Public utilities include electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecom companies under either Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission jurisdiction.

PUC Chairman confirmed for second term

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week thanked the State Senate for unanimously confirming the reappointment of Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank to a second term as Commissioner and expressed appreciation to Governor Josh Shapiro for submitting the nomination.

Chairman DeFrank was confirmed on June 4, by the Senate and will continue serving as chairman of the commission. His new term extends through April 1, 2030.

“I’m honored by the confidence shown by Governor Shapiro and the Senate,” DeFrank said. “At a time of fast-moving change across our energy and utility systems — from rising demand and extreme weather to cyber-security and infrastructure modernization — the Commission’s mission remains clear: ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable service for every Pennsylvanian.”

DeFrank was sworn in immediately following his confirmation.

NIL legislation to protect student athletes to be introduced

Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford/Fulton, and Rep. Perry Stambaugh, R-Perry/Juniata, this week announced they will soon introduce legislation to provide protections for student-athletes receiving compensation for the use their name, image and likeness (NIL).

While a case wending through federal courts will likely expand the NIL universe, no state legal structure exists. This leaves compensated student-athletes vulnerable to poor financial decisions and without recourse if they should become injured during their career.

“NIL is one of the most dynamic and evolving spaces in the national sports market that has become a life-changing positive for many student-athletes and families,” Topper said. “As the NIL landscape continues to advance at the federal level, it is appropriate for state legal supplements to ensure student-athletes are protected at a vulnerable time in their lives.”

“Our legislation will ensure that students have the financial education and protection available to safeguard their NIL assets while giving them the opportunity to save NIL earnings should they become injured or otherwise incapable of pursuing their athletic career.”

According to the recently filed co-sponsorship memo in advance of the introduction of formal legislation, the Topper-Stambaugh NIL proposal would require institutions of higher education to offer all student-athletes the option to place a portion of their revenue sharing or NIL earnings into trust accounts. The institutions may partner with established financial firms experienced in educational trust management to minimize administrative overhead. The accounts would have the following features:

• Funds become fully accessible upon graduation or departure from the university.

• Limited hardship withdrawals permitted with appropriate oversight.

• Professional investment management with transparent reporting.

• Opt-in structure that preserves athlete autonomy while encouraging responsible financial planning.

In addition, colleges and universities would be mandated to provide financial literacy education and resources to their student-athletes.

“In the new ‘Wild, Wild West’ of collegiate athletics that NIL has spawned, helping protect student-athletes from financial harm or exploitation is a solid first step states should take,” Stambaugh said. “As the landscape surrounding NIL evolves, Pennsylvania will be studying changes and enacting policies to ensure our colleges and universities can remain competitive.”

Cliff Wysinger had a big game on Saturday as the Madisonville Miners picked up a big win over the Hoptown Hoppers.

Wysinger was 3-for-4 and drove in four as the Miners beat the Hoppers 14-3 to take over first place in the Ohio Valley League standings.

Wysinger’s biggest hit was a three-run homer to left as part of a nine-run fifth inning that put Madisonville in control.

Check out the round-tripper in this Max’s Moment.

People-Tag: Cliff Wysinger

It’s hard to believe, but with the publication of the spring sports all-league teams and photos today another high school sports season is just about in the books. All that is left on the schedule is the Spokane Youth Sports Awards on Tuesday, one of the coolest nights of the year for dozens of exceptional young athletes.

This was my eighth full season as high school editor for the paper (along with my other duties covering the Spokane Indians and Chiefs), and like every year, I was able to witness and chronicle some astounding individual and team efforts in the Greater Spokane League and across Eastern Washington.

I told sports editor Ralph Walter when he hired me full time that I would stay on the job until it was no longer fun. Lucky for him (and me, and I hope you), I still consider this to be the best job in the world.

And though occasionally there are long days or frustrating moments or tight deadlines or tricky interviews or an infrequent disgruntled parent, I still love what I do and the fact I get to watch and write about sports for a living. And considering my health scare 15 months ago, I’m incredibly lucky to still be at it.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of our personal highlights of the past season. And don’t worry – fall practice starts in just 10 ½ weeks and we’ll do it all over again.

Fall sports

It was a record-breaking football season in the Greater Spokane League, with two long-standing marks broken – one a single-game achievement, one a career record – in the same game. Central Valley’s Beau Butner broke a 2003 record for rushing yardage in a game, running for 367 yards (with six touchdowns) in a 66-35 win over Ridgeline.

In the same contest, Ridgeline’s Brayden Allen had seven catches for 111 yards with two TDs. He moved past Shadle Park’s Tanner Pauly into first place in career receiving yards and finished his career with 2,741. Allen graduates as the league’s all-time single game (17), season (90) and career (275) receptions and career receiving touchdowns (40) leader.

The GSL honored longtime University Athletic Director Ken VanSickle, naming the league’s annual slowpitch softball rivalry night under the lights at Merkel Sports Complex the “Kenny V Classic,” in recognition for his induction into the state’s AD hall of fame and his dedication to championing the sport of slowpitch.

Freeman girls soccer went undefeated with a state title and boasted the highest-scoring player in the state regardless of classification – junior Rylee Russell, who scored 66 goals, good for No. 2 in the nation.

Lewis and Clark boys cross country won the State 4A title despite not having a runner place in the top 12 – but each of its top five finished within 14 seconds of each other.

Ridgeline volleyball won the school’s first team state title, knocking off perennial state contenders Mead and Mt. Spokane in league to earn the top seed to state before downing second-seeded North Thurston in the final.

New coach. New quarterback. Only one senior among the skill positions. No problem, as Gonzaga Prep football went undefeated until a state semifinal when they led No. 1 Camas until late in the fourth quarter.

Winter sports

Perhaps the final “The Fitz” tournament at Lewis and Clark kicked off the region’s high school basketball season.

University’s Libby Roberts finished her high school career just like she started – in dominant fashion, winning her fourth consecutive state title and leaving a legacy for girls wrestling in the region and state.

Garfield-Palouse sophomore Kaydence Kivi thrives on the basketball court (and anywhere else), despite being born without a left hand.

Gonzaga Prep’s Matty McIntyre has had his share of high-profile players and talented squads. But none exemplified “team” as much as the 2024-25 version, which rode its defensive toughness and willingness to share the ball to McIntyre’s fourth State 4A title in 16 seasons.

McDonald’s All-American and state Gatorade player of the year Brynn McGaughy and Central Valley knocked off four-time defending champion Garfield en route to the storied program’s seventh state title in 10 trips. Earlier in the winter, the school inducted the Hull twins and their state-title winning teams into the Bears’ “Wall of Fame.”

The Northwest Christian girls basketball team didn’t have a coach a week before the season started. The Crusaders ended up as state champions.

The Greater Spokane Showcase, featuring the Denny Humphrey and Jack Blair Memorial all-star games, allowed league rivals an opportunity to play as teammates and produced two competitive, high-level basketball games.

Spring sports

Mt. Spokane’s Brayten Ayers was named GSL baseball MVP for the second straight season. His graduation this year closes out a special era in the Mt. Spokane baseball program.

Cheney distance runner Cameron Frenk brushed off his brain tumor removal as “just another obstacle” and just barely missed qualifying for state.

East Valley fastpitch softball team showed out, going from 6-13 last year to winning the district title and coming one game away from reaching state.

Locals did remarkably well at state track again, highlighted by Mead’s Simon Rosselli setting new marks in discus, Mt. Spokane’s Kade Brownell finally reaching the top of the podium, Rogers’ Brady Krebs winning a state title in high jump in his first year in the sport, and Josie McLaughlin of St. George’sending her storied high school career with 13 track and field gold medals.

Though it won’t ease the pain of the terrible tragedy for his family or the Northport baseball community, it was a tremendous gesture that retiring North Central coach Curly Rousseau named the Mustangs’ Dawson Baribault as starting pitcher for the all-state baseball feeder game last week, and even better that the senior and three-time league Northeast 1B MVP was one of 10 selected to the the all-state games in Yakima this month.

A state runner-up finish by the River Falls boys in the Division 1 4×400 meter relay finals put the finishing touches on a successful WIAA State Track and Field Championships for a number of area student-athletes Saturday in La Crosse.

The Wildcat team of senior Jack Silloway, sophomore Charlie Burke, senior Quin Andrews and senior Ty Bauschelt cut over a half-second off their own school-record time, but came up just over three-tenths of a second short of Oak Creek, who claimed the state title with a time of 3 minutes, 17.34 seconds. River Falls was second in 3:17.69.

River Falls qualified for Saturday’s finals with a time of 3:19.27, the fastest time in the 24-team field in Friday’s preliminaries, while Oak Creek had the third fastest time of 3:20.29. Silloway, Burke, Andrews and Bauschelt set the previous school record of 3:17.69 earlier this season.

Earlier Saturday River Falls junior Blake Schneider reached the awards podium with a fourth place effort of 14-feet, 6-inches in the pole vault.

St. Croix Central senior Brady Jackman and Somerset senior Broden Thiel both earned podium finishes in the Division 2 boys shot put. Jackman finished third with a throw of 175-04, while Thiel placed fifth with 165-09.

St. Croix Central freshman Lena Wilson made a splash in her state tournament debut by bringing home a fifth place medal in the Division 2 girls shot put with a distance of 39-03.

After qualifying for the finals in Friday’s Division 1 preliminaries, the New Richmond boys 4×200 meter relay team of Joe Hoeppner, Graham Kammerer, Ben Hoeppner and Tragon Timm just missed making the podium with a seventh place time of 1:28.29, while Miley Covey placed eighth in the girls 400 meter dash final in 58.8 seconds.

St. Croix Central junior Matthew Goossens reached Saturday’s final in the Division 2 boys 400 and finished eighth with a time of 50.66 seconds.

By: Ray Fisher


Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Several senior student-athletes at Sewickley Academy were honored May 21 at its spring awards banquet.

Severin Harmon (golf, tennis) and Katherine Varghese (soccer, track and field) were named as the Most Outstanding Male and Female Athletes.

Cooper D’Antonio (cross country, track and field) landed the Stan Partenheimer Sportsmanship Award while the Kate Dresher Sportsmanship Award went to Marie Bigi (softball, soccer, tennis, basketball).

Nolan Donnelly (basketball, baseball, golf) and Quincy Sirko (softball, soccer, track and field, basketball) were lauded as the Most Outstanding Male and Female Contributors.

Eden senior medals

Eden Christian Academy senior Lara DeFazio capped her high school track and field career as a PIAA medalist.

DeFazio finished fifth in the girls high jump at the PIAA Class 2A championships May 23-24 at Shippensburg University.

The versatile Eden Christian athlete also placed 10th in the triple jump and 12th in the long jump at the state meet.

One other PIAA qualifier for the Warriors was senior E.J. DiVito in the boys triple jump event.

DeFazio earned her second WPIAL gold medal in the long jump after previously winning in 2023.

DeFazio landed in first place in the long jump at this year’s WPIAL finals with a leap of 18-06.50.

Group promotes lacrosse

Sewickley Valley Lacrosse (SVLAX) is a nonprofit lacrosse association conducted for the Quaker Valley School District and surrounding communities.

It was started in 2004 and is run under the umbrella of the Quaker Valley Recreation Association.

SVLAX was formed to encourage early participation in and enthusiasm for lacrosse through age-appropriate instruction for boys and girls in first through sixth grade.

Both spring and fall programs are held. All programs are funded by registration fees, donations and the support of volunteers.

The Sewickley Valley Lacrosse operating committee consists of Judy Windle (president), Matt Chapman (vice president), Emily Bauersmith (program director), Tessa Chapman (secretary) and Devin Fisher (treasurer).

Quaker Valley’s boys middle school program for seventh and eighth graders also is run through SVLAX.

QV record breakers

Did you know that the Quaker Valley boys 1,600-meter relay and 3,200-meter relay teams and senior Davin “Macky” Gartley (300 hurdles) rewrote the record book at the WPIAL Class 2A track and field championships this year?

The 1,600 relay team, consisting Gartley, sophomore James Irwin and seniors Jackson Pethel and Clark LaLomia, posted a time of 3:22.36 while the 3,200 relay team — Pethel, Lalomia, junior River Capek and sophomore Jonah Montagnese — snapped the 2A record in 7:51.89. Riverside held the 1,600 record (3:24.26) since 2018. QV set the 3,200 mark (7:57.16) in 2012.

Gartley won with a 38.15 performance in the 300-meter hurdles, shattering the 2A district record established in 2012 by Washington’s Dustin Fuller (38.50). Gartley also reset the school record.

Both relay teams retained their WPIAL titles while Gartley, who won the 110 hurdles event in 14.36, was a four-time medalist. He was joined on QV’s third-place 400 relay team by senior Winston Clifford, Irwin and sophomore Kieran Cain.

Gartley holds three school records and has won seven gold medals in WPIAL track and one gold in cross country in his accomplished career.

Eden takes 3rd

The Eden Christian Academy (15-5) and Greensburg Central Catholic (17-3) baseball teams combined for 32 wins before meeting in the WPIAL Class A consolation game May 28 at Ross Memorial Field at Washington & Jefferson.

The Warriors defeated GCC, 10-2, to land the No. 3 seed for the PIAA playoffs; GCC received the fourth seed.

No. 2 Eden blanked No. 10 Avella (6-0) and lost to No. 6 Carmichaels (4-3) in the district postseason.

Both Eden and GCC won their section this spring, with the Warriors sharing the Section 3-A crown with Serra Catholic and Bishop Canevin and GCC finishing first in Section 1-A.

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy