Pennsylvania
Unbreakable: Garnet Valley hockey wins first Pennsylvania state hockey championship
NEVILLE ISLAND — Nolan Stott’s trip from center ice to the boards, yelling toward the crowd and lifting the Class 1A Pennsylvania State Finals trophy above his shoulders wasn’t long enough. The Garnet Valley senior forward was around the program for lean years. After the Jaguars beat Avonworth, 7-2, Saturday at the RMU Island Sports Center, he wasn’t eager to look toward the future.
“This is the experience of a lifetime,” Stott said. “I’m never going to forget this. This is one of those moments you want to live in a little bit longer, but I can’t do that right now.”
The Jaguars reached a number of historical markers with their win over the Antelopes. Garnet Valley won its first state title and in the process, extended the Flyers Cup champions streak of beating the Penguins Cup champion in Class 1A to 13 years.
Garnet Valley is the first Delaware County team to win a state title in 15 years and the first public school from the county to win a championship since Penncrest did in 2005.
Jaguars coach Stephane Charbonneau said this group will majorly impact the groups below them who watched them play.
“This is huge,” Charbonneau said. “We have some young elementary and middle school kids who came to our games during the playoffs. That is our future, you know?”
Stott, who scored twice against Avonworth, remembers what it was like for the Jaguars his freshman year. Garnet Valley was on the wrong end of a few double-digit losses.
“We were brutal,” Stott said.
But the Jaguars continued working and steadily improved. Stott was worried Garnet Valley may take some time to come together after losing a few key seniors from last year’s team. But the Jaguars didn’t need much time.
Garnet Valley finished the regular season with a 19-2 record and won the Inter County Scholastic Hockey League division title.The Jaguars outscored their opponents 143-34 and earned the top seed in the Flyers’ Cup playoffs.
Garnet Valley won all three games to win their first Flyers Cup since 1998.
Charbonneau said this is a tough group of kids.
“I had these guys three years ago and we were getting beat 12-0,” Charbonneau said. “They stick together and my captain, Nolan Stott, keeps these guys together. I told them if you have an individual with a little popsicle stick, you can break it very easily. When we have 20 of them, try to break them. It’s very tough to break.”
Avonworth was making its first appearance in the state final after flattening perennial contender Mars in the Penguins Cup. The Antelopes’ school is only around 7 miles from the arena, while Garnet Valley had a 307-mile trip to Neville Island. The Jaguars didn’t let the long trip slow them down.
Jake Morrow opened the scoring with a power-play goal around seven minutes in. Cooper Powell tied the game for Avonworth two minutes later.
However, the Antelopes couldn’t sustain the momentum.
Kaden Longo added a goal late in the first period to put the Jaguars up 1-1. Kevin Walton, who scored twice, and Stott would add goals in the second period to stretch the lead to 5-1.
“Them tying it up just made us play harder,” Walton said. “I thought we came out harder in the first five minutes.”
The Antelopes scored their only other goal late in the third on a strong effort from Austin Dzadovsky.
Avonworth coach Chris Chiusano said Garnet Valley was tough to slow down.
“They had a lot of speed,” Chiusano said. “They have guys on the puck constantly and don’t give us a lot of room to work from an offensive standpoint. They were committed to the backcheck.”
The Jaguars’ offensive attack allowed them to put their battle with Avonworth out of reach early. Aiden Delfin also scored goals for the Jaguars. Garnet Valley netminder Garrett Stoops stopped 24 of the shots.
Stott, who tied for a team-high three points with Walton, is happy to go out as a winner. Having the moment where he raised a trophy wasn’t something he thought much about during his first year.
“Our freshmen year, we were so bad during our high school season we didn’t even look to the future,” Stott said. “We didn’t even do anything like that. To be here right now, it’s a blessing.”
–Josh Rizzo | rizzo42789@gmail.com | @J_oshrizzo
Pennsylvania
Dog, cats die in South Shenango house fire
SOUTH SHENANGO TWP., Pa. (WKBN) – Jamestown Fire Department responded to a house fire in South Shenango Township at 4:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Crews were on scene for two hours, according to a Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department Facebook post.
Nobody was home at the time, but a dog and two cats perished as a result of the fire.
A cause of the fire was not mentioned in the Facebook post.
Pennsylvania
Between Harrisburg And Baltimore Is Pennsylvania’s Lovely State Park Escape For Hiking Trails And Scenic Views – Islands
In Pennsylvania, 300,000 acres of land are dedicated to 125 state parks. It’s an understatement to say that the state’s residents are proud of their outdoors. Among PA’s most-visited state parks is Presque Isle State Park, a seashore destination with sandy beaches. Not to be left out, Susquehanna Riverlands State Park is a unique riverside spot whose primary trail delights its guests with breathtaking views.
Riverbanks along this section of the Susquehanna River are dotted with parks, and Susquehanna Riverlands is right off Interstate-83. Located in York County, it’s 40 minutes south of Harrisburg and 1 hour north of Baltimore. You can hike Susquehanna Riverlands’ easy 1.3-mile out-and-back Overlook trail, rated 4.6 on AllTrails, for views from Schull’s Rock.
Susquehanna Riverlands State Park is a convenient dip into nature that you can enjoy during a lunch hour. One Google review described it as “beautiful,” with trails that are “well marked” and “easy to follow.” Open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, Susquehanna Riverlands is free to access, as are all Pennsylvania state parks. At the time of publication, there are no permanent restroom facilities, only port-a-potties.
Enjoy extended hiking along the Mason Dixon Trail
For hikers with a little more time to invest and something more than flip-flops or sandals on their feet, the Mason-Dixon Trail crosses the southern border of the Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, where it joins the Robert A. Kinsley Nature Preserve. At 2.75 miles, the going is slightly challenging, with steep grades and narrow paths, but guests are rewarded with another overlook of the Susquehanna at Buzzard’s Roost.
AllTrails rates this section of the Mason-Dixon as moderate, unusual for such a short jaunt, and worthy of note. You’ll want to follow the trail counterclockwise from the first Y for the best advantage on the terrain. A 500-foot elevation change, largely in the middle of the trail, is no joke for the inexperienced. AllTrails reviews note the steep incline and muddy spots in wet seasons. Plan on taking up to two hours to finish the entire loop to the Roost and back, and don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes.
To reach the Mason-Dixon trailhead, park in the first lot at the top of River Farm Road, just inside the park, and follow signs to the blue-blazed trail. Please note, there are no amenities along the Mason-Dixon, and hikers are advised to take plenty of water and bug spray if hiking in the summer, when the humid PA climate can get steamy without a breeze.
Dip down to Wrightsville for more views of the Susquehanna River
Despite Susquehanna Riverlands State Park’s abundant river scenery, don’t expect to find a boat launch. There’s a natural “soft put-in” where the Codorus Creek converges with the Susquehanna, but it is undeveloped and parking is limited. Experienced paddlers use it to exit the bottom of the creek, before hitting the river.
Fortunately, there’s more than one way to enjoy the Susquehanna. Before or after your time at the state park, grab a beer and a bite to eat 11 minutes away in nearby Wrightsville. John Wright Restaurant has an outdoor pizza patio on the riverfront that’s open in the summer and nets views of the historic Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, officially dubbed the Veterans Bridge, above. Housed in a former silk mill, John Wright guests enjoy steak and fresh local fish for dinner. If you’re an Old Bay fan, give the Chesapeake Nachos a try. You’ll want reservations before you go.
If you get too sweaty on the trail, the Burning Bridge Tavern is nearly next door to John Wright’s and serves upriver views in a considerably more casual environment, alongside craft burgers and a rotation of 12 beers on tap. If you want to avoid weekend traffic on Front Street, top off your day with a sandwich and soda at Riverside Subs or pizza from Marcello’s. If you want to check out York while you’re there, it has a vibrant art scene and affordable attractions.
Pennsylvania
Sandra “Sandy” J. Kulka, Transfer, PA
TRANSFER, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Sandra “Sandy” J. Kulka, age 68, of Transfer, Pennsylvania, passed away on Friday, April 24th, 2026, peacefully.
She was born June 24th, 1956, in Mercer, Pennsylvania, to Gerald Stainbrook and Violet (Patton) Stainbrook.
Sandy was a graduate of Hickory High School.
She was a homemaker and later in life worked as a custodian at Hermitage School District until her retirement. She enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren and beloved pets, Teddy and Bella.
Sandy is survived by her three children, April Redfoot and her husband Daniel, Becky Kulka and Samuel Kulka, all of Greenville, Pennsylvania; a brother, Dennis Stainbrook and his wife, Margaret Kern of Transfer, Pennsylvania; and her five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Kulka; her sister, Gail Hall; and her parents, Gerald and Violet Stainbrook.
In following Sandy’s wishes there will be no services.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Strayhaven Animal Shelter, 94 Donation Road, Greenville, PA 16125
John Flynn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is serving the family with arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sandra J Kulka, please visit our floral store.
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