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Year in review: The top 10 news stories of 2011
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Some of the headlines dominating news coverage in 2011 might have been predicted at the beginning of the year, based on growth in health care rivalries and gas drilling, but no one could have foreseen a shocker out of Happy Valley. There were other big legal dramas during the year and other troubles befalling local sports icons, but nothing like the surprise, sleaze and sorrow connected to actions of powerful figures at the state's biggest academic institution.
Here's a rundown of the region's top stories of 2011, as voted by the Post-Gazette staff:
Graphic allegations that former football coach Jerry Sandusky repeatedly used young males for his sexual gratification stunned Penn State fans and non-fans alike and damaged the image of the university, its vaunted football program and legendary coach Joe Paterno. A grand jury report charged that Mr. Sandusky spent years abusing multiple boys entrusted to his care in the Second Mile charitable program and that university officials irresponsibly failed to stop it. The scandal drew national media to State College while costing Mr. Paterno and longtime university President Graham Spanier their jobs. It also led to criminal charges against Mr. Sandusky and two university officials accused of turning a blind eye toward the accusations, with their trials expected in 2012.
The most powerful entities in Pittsburgh's health care industry waged a nasty, public dispute that had much of the region worried about the fallout. Highmark Inc. moved to acquire West Penn Allegheny Health System in a deal its officials said was essential to ensure health care competition in the region. UPMC announced plans to quit accepting Highmark insurance coverage for use of its facilities, since it now viewed the insurer as a competitor. Government officials, business leaders, physicians and others expressed alarm about the damage the dispute could do to patient care and costs. Use of a mediator helped assure the current contract terms between Highmark and UPMC would continue until mid-2013, but after that, there's no telling.
Increased drilling of Pennsylvania's vast underground natural gas reserves is likely to be a big story for years, but it spurred especially heated debate in 2011 at local and state levels. The Legislature and Gov. Tom Corbett were unable, despite much discussion, to settle on a plan for state oversight of the drilling boom and how to raise revenue from it. Local municipalities took numerous votes for and against drilling bans and regulations, but their representatives worried about losing their decision-making authority to the state. Environmentalists renewed their criticism that too little was being done to protect the state's natural resources from contamination. More than 1,600 wells were in production by mid-year, with Pennsylvania's output about twice that of the previous year.
The Penguins superstar, arguably the most popular athlete in a sports-obsessed city, spent the end of the year like he did most of it since early January -- sidelined by head injuries. Mr. Crosby's injury during the Jan. 1 Winter Classic vs. the Washington Capitals went unnoticed until another head shot in the next one resulted in a diagnosed concussion. What he and many fans hoped would be a short-term disability turned into one that ended his season (presumably also shortening the Pens' 2010-11 playoff run) while heightening the National Hockey League's awareness of concussion risks. He missed 61 games until returning for a magnificent two-goal, two-assist performance vs. the New York Islanders on Nov. 21, but has been inactive since Dec. 5 as a result of new "concussion-like symptoms."
While storms earlier in the year raised flooding concerns along Washington Boulevard in the East End, the horrific occurred when up to 10 feet of raging water covered the roadway during an Aug. 19 downpour. A mother and two daughters drowned while trapped in their van, and an elderly woman died when swept into a storm sewer. Numerous government agencies responsible for the roadway and water management in the area sought solutions to prevent future tragedies, though none took responsibility for the deaths. The state Transportation Department is to have a $450,000 gate system installed in early 2012 to prevent vehicles from entering the boulevard during future storms, and the city is undertaking extensive water rescue training of its emergency personnel.
The troubled economy and federal funding cutbacks created a severe fiscal situation in 2011 for Pennsylvania. Vowing to avoid tax increases while closing a $4 billion deficit, new Republican Gov. Tom Corbett led passage of a $27.1 billion budget for 2010-11 that was 4 percent less than the prior year -- the first reduction in state spending since 1970. The budget was also passed on time for the first time in nine years, but that was no consolation to many who said they suffered from it, especially public school officials who received $900 million less from the state. Worries among those who depend on funding from the capital were further compounded late in the year, after announcement that the next budget could be even tighter because state revenues are lagging projections.
Before 2011, the average Pittsburgher would have had little reason to be familiar with William S. Dietrich II, who had been a successful steel industry entrepreneur who donated his service to numerous local boards. But by the time of his Oct. 6 death from cancer at age 73, he assured himself a legacy as one of the most generous Pittsburghers ever. Initial announcements of gifts of $265 million to Carnegie Mellon University and $125 million to the University of Pittsburgh were followed by smaller -- but nonetheless impressive -- donations to Duquesne, Chatham, Thiel, the Pittsburgh Foundation, Carnegie Museums, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Heinz History Center and others. Those and other gifts added up to nearly $500 million committed by the Dietrich Charitable Trusts.
Allegheny County's transit agency started the year with a 25-cent fare increase for most rides and followed it with a 15 percent cut in service in March. And in some ways, that was the good news, since originally a 35 percent slash in service was planned. As 2011 progressed, Port Authority officials kept warning that more severe steps would be needed if the state failed to address transportation funding needs. Legislators never took up a state advisory commission's recommended fees, however, and the county agency reports it's facing a $64 million deficit in the budget starting July 1, 2012, if nothing changes. That could entail a new round of cuts that would cause additional hardship for many of the county's disadvantaged citizens.
With the Super Bowl victories of 2006 and 2009 still fresh in their minds, the Steelers Nation tuned in to Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6 with hopes of seeing a dynastic third Lombardi Trophy in six years. The black and gold ran into a Green Bay juggernaut, however, with the flawless Aaron Rodgers leading the Packers to a 31-25 win. Three turnovers kept the Steelers behind throughout the game, and unlike 2009, no miracle finish came of a drive mounted in the last two minutes. While a 41/2 month lockout interfered with preparations for the 2011 season, the Steelers overcame it with another successful run into the playoffs. Once more, fans start a year able to dream that another Downtown victory parade lies ahead.
The state senator from McCandless was in the spotlight much of the year, but none of it was the kind of attention coveted by an elected official. Ms. Orie and her sister and aide, Janine, went on trial on political corruption charges, allegedly having used the senator's taxpayer-funded staff for campaign purposes. A mistrial was declared on the second day of jury deliberations in March, based on a stunning accusation that the defense submitted fraudulent evidence by tampering with documents. A new trial is planned in February, and it includes additional charges of perjury and forgery against the senator. Janine Orie, meanwhile, was newly accused of illegally directing the judicial staff of another sister, Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, to do political work.
Some of the headlines dominating news coverage in 2011 might have been predicted at the beginning of the year, based on growth in health care rivalries and gas drilling, but no one could have foreseen a shocker out of Happy Valley. There were other big legal dramas during the year and other troubles befalling local sports icons, but nothing like the surprise, sleaze and sorrow connected to actions of powerful figures at the state's biggest academic institution.
First Published January 1, 2012 12:00 am
