Polar Bear Plunge - 1/1/2016

The 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge took place at Yough River Park in Connellsville, Pa. on Friday morning, January 1, 2016.

Hunter Breakiron, 12, of Mt. Pleasant signs in at the tables for his first ever Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 1, 2016 at Yough River Park in Connellsville. 

Frank Gailey of Connellsville emerges from the Youghiogheny River with his grandson Jasper Galley during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge, Friday morning, Jan. 1, 2016 at Yough River Park in Connellsville.

Debbie Hoover of Uniontown poses for a photo with the Connellsville Polar Bear during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge, Friday morning, Jan. 1, 2016 at Yough River Park in Connellsville.

Kerry Bell of Connellsville and his Golden Retriever, Spartacus, emerge from the Youghiogheny River during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge, Friday morning, Jan. 1, 2016 at Yough River Park in Connellsville.

Emily Durst (left) of the Connellsville School District shares a hot chocolate with Gina O'Nell, 12, of Connellsville during the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge, Friday morning, Jan. 1, 2016 at Yough River Park in Connellsville.

Approximately 400 people participated in the 12th annual Polar Bear Plunge, Friday morning, Jan. 1, 2016, at Yough River Park in Connellsville.

HObo Model Railroad Club - 12/20/2014

The HObo Model Railroad Club has recently re-opened at the Connellsville Community Center after two years of rebuilding their models.

John Greenawalt, member of the HObo Model Railroad Club, watches over the performance of his trains Saturday afternoon at the Connellsville Community Center. The club has recently re-opened after two years of rebuilding their models.

Haley Partridge, 8, and her step-brother Alex Friguglietti, 9, of Connellsville count cars on the model trains Saturday afternoon at the Connellsville Community Center. The club has recently re-opened after two years of rebuilding their models.

Connellsville Christmas Parade - 11/22/2014

Santa Claus rides atop a fire engine and tosses candy to parade-goers during Saturday evening's Christmas Parade in Connellsville.

A.J. Napolillo, 4, and his step-brother Aiden Brown, 3, of Connellsville scoop up candy during Saturday evening's Christmas Parade in Connellsville.

Rev. Marvin Watson of Mt. Pleasant plays the trombone for Connellsville's Molinaro Band during Saturday evening's Christmas Parade in Connellsville.

Shirley Rosenberger and Haley Adams, 16, of the Project Talent Theater Workshop prance down the street calling out holiday greetings during Saturday evening's Christmas Parade in Connellsville.

Christmas in the Park - 11/23/2013

Kaylee Harshman, 2, of Connellsville, is created by Santa and Mrs. Claus at the annual Christmas in the Park event Saturday at Yough Park. The event is sponsored by The Greater Connellsville Area Chamber of Commerce and raises money for its causes.

Joe Klocek of Mount Pleasant cooks up a batch of fried dough for the annual Christmas in the Park event Saturday at Yough Park. Klocek is a member of the board of directors for the Greater Connellsville Area Chamber of Commerce which sponsors the event.

Derek Prinkey, 6, of Connellsville creates a candy cane ornament while being overseen by his grandmother, Sharon Huffine, during the annual Christmas in the Park event Saturday at Yough Park. The ornament booth is sponsored by the ECHO Child Development Center in Connellsville.

Cat's Courts Dedication Ceremony - 8/10/2013

The dedication ceremony of the new Cat's Courts sand volleyball court was held on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Mountz Creek Park in Connellsville. The courts were created and dedicated in memory of the late Catherine "Cat" Healy who died at the hands of an intoxicated driver in June.

Greg Lincoln (right), secretary of the Connellsville Parks and Recreation Board, presents Sam Cook of Connellsville with a plaque of thanks and recognition for his efforts in the creation of Cat's Courts at the court dedication ceremony in Connellsville, Saturday.

Tim Healy, uncle of the late Catherine Healy, stops to take a picture of the stone monument outside the new courts at the dedication ceremony in Connellsville, Saturday.

Dozens of balloons are released by members of the Connellsville community in honor of Cat at the dedication ceremony of Cat's Courts, Saturday.

Mikisa Solomon of Bear Rocks and former teammate of the late Catherine Healy signs a special volleyball in honor of her departed friend to be presented to Healy's parents during the dedication ceremony in Connellsville, Saturday.

Members of Cat's former Penn State Erie volleyball team Ashley Solo (left to right), Tory Storino and Nathan Steele engage in a special honorary scrimmage against members of the Penn State Fayette team at the dedication ceremony of Cat's Courts in Connellsville, Saturday.

Freedom Festival for the Ten Commandments - 6/29/2013

The Rev. Ewing Marietta, Liberty Baptist Church, speaks to the citizens of Connellsville about the importance of the Ten Commandments in society and dedicates the new monument to the memory of his deceased son Ewing Marcus Marietta II at the Freedom Festival for the Ten Commandments in Connellsville, Saturday evening. The movement comes during a controversy involving the potential removal of a historic Ten Commandments monument from the front of the public Connellsville Area Junior High School.

Former Eagles president Guy Tressler (left to right) shakes hands with the Rev. Ewing Marietta, Liberty Baptist Church, and Fayette Patriots founder David Show as the first of 14 new Ten Commandment monuments is unveiled at the Freedom Festival for the Ten Commandments in Connellsville, Saturday evening. Tressler was president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1956 when the original monument was donated to Connellsville Area Junior High School.

Members of American Legion and V.F.W. 21 Kahl Conroy (right) and Thomas McFadden fold an American Flag to honor the sacrifices of deceased World War II veteran Harry Springer of Uniontown at the Freedom Festival for the Ten Commandments in Connellsville, Saturday evening.

Judy and Ken Suprano (right) of Uniontown purchase a Ten Commandments sign from Tami Marietta, wife the Rev. Ewing Marietta at the Freedom Festival for the Ten Commandments in Connellsville, Saturday evening. Proceeds from the sign sales go to the creation of new Ten Commandment monuments from the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Weekend Features, Yough Park - 4/21/2013

A gaggle of geese graze peacefully on the lawns at Yough Park in Connellsville, Sunday afternoon.

Kaylynn Bryner (left), 8, and her sister Breanna, 5, race down the slides at Yough Park in Connellsville, Sunday afternoon. Kaylynn, Breanna and their other sisters say that Yough Park is their favorite park to frequent especially because of the train toy which they love to play on.

Kane Korn, 14, of Connellsville hooks his first catch of the season out of the Youghiogheny River at Yough Park in Connellsville, Sunday afternoon. "I know where I'm fishing from now on," said Korn after only a few minutes in the water.

Weekend Features, Xmas Events - 12/9/2012

Santa rolls in aboard a Fayette Central Railroad train along with conductor Henry Sobota of Armburst during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Jerry Yealey, 7, of Vanderbilt plays a game of holiday ringtoss during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Jadyn Tesauro, 3, of Vanderbilt succeeds in tossing a ball through the holiday wreath during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Minerd, 11, of Lemont Furnace is assisted aboard a Fayette Central Railroad trail during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Davey Black, 3, of South Connellsville receives a gift of Candy from Santa at the South Connellsville Christmas event Saturday night.

Mackenzie Haky, 3, of Connellsville is introduced to Olive the Reindeer at the South Connellsville Christmas event Saturday night.

Katie Sutton, 16, Smithfield serenades visitors to the Fairchance Christmas Event with "Canon in D" on the harp at the Fairchance Volunteer Fire Department, Saturday evening.

Weekend Features - 8/12/2012

Fran Lemansky of Hopwood spends his Sunday afternoon practicing his chipping wedge on the soccer field at Hutchinson Park. Lemansky chooses the soccer field due to his role as the founder of the Laurel Highlands High School soccer program, several subsequent programs and all the memories he associates with the field. "It's an addiction" he says when asked about the game and the kids. "When they're having fun, I'm having fun."

Kiley Turner of the Nemacolin Wildlife Academy allows kids to touch the tail of Taz, the Argentine Black and White Tegu Lizard at the 21st annual Areford Area Neighborhood Picnic, Saturday afternoon in Areford Park. The event was sponsored by the Areford Area Picnic Committee and was open to all current and past Areford Area residents.

Residents of Connellsville and around Fayette County raise their glasses in toast to the city of Connellsville and its people at the inaugural Savor the Avenue event on Crawford Avenue in Downtown Connellsville. The event was sponsored by the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce with all proceeds benefiting the chamber.

Bud Murphy Run For Autism, Connellsville - 6/8/2012

Runners begin the the 2012 Bud Murphy Race for Autism in Connellsville, Thursday evening. The 5K run raises money for the Highland Hospital Autism Services to provide health care to people with behavioral disabilities.

Amanda Freger, Director of Autism Services, welcomes people to the the 2012 Bud Murphy Race for Autism.

Eric Porter of Mount Pleasant is the first runner to finish the 2012 Bud Murphy Race for Autism in Connellsville with a time of 16:24

Jace Mascioli of Connellsville stretches in preparation for the the 2012 Bud Murphy Race for Autism in Connellsville, Thursday evening. The 5K run raises money for the Highland Hospital Autism Services to provide healthcare to people with behavioral disabilities.

Connellsville Geranium Festival - 5/26/2012

The Connellsville Geranium Festival was held along Crawford Avenue on Saturday, May 26, 2012.

Susie Seman (left) of Dunbar browses for flowers with her daughter Christie, 14.

Members of the Junior High West choir, directed by Marilee McFadden (right), serenade visitors to the Connellsville Geranium Festival. This will be the last performance by the group as Junior West High is set to close following this school term.

Eva Metzger, 5, of Connellsville takes part in a free arts and crafts booth; set up by Pastor Dennis Roser (right) of St. John's and Trinity Lutheran Church.