featured – Point Park News Service

Coach lucky to survive blood clots

May 9, 2017 blood clots, Chris Gathagan, featured, Squirrel Hill

By Alex Young, Point Park News Service: Chris Gathagan, 59, of Akron, Ohio, sat at a circular lunch table surrounded by a group of seven sixth-through-eighth grade students who he advises. It was the day before the St. Edmund’s Academy students began their spring break, and the day of the annual faculty-staff versus student basketball game. Gathagan, who most of... Read More

Mother advocates for cannabis oils to help daughter

May 8, 2017 featured, Health, Heather Shuker, seizures

By Cody Siwicki, Point Park News Service: Not a day goes by for Heather Shuker that she doesn’t drive past a cemetery and think to herself, “should I make funeral arrangements today, ahead of time?” She sometimes goes out to dinner alone, quietly listening to the conversations around her, often surprised at the topic of discussion at the table. Maybe... Read More

Wheelchair-bound man overcomes odds

May 8, 2017 cancer, Cheswick, featured, landscape, Paul Grieser

By Francesca Dabecco, Point Park News Service: One summer, a neighbor approached Paul Grieser in his yard and said, “You know, you’re making me look bad.” “What are you talking about?” he responded. “You’re out here doing yard work, and your place always looks so nice,” his neighbor said. “My wife is down there kicking my butt, asking me, ‘Why aren’t... Read More

Baron Batch sees graffiti as medium for social change

May 8, 2017 artist, baron batch, Christopher Ward, Fall 2016, featured, graffiti, Pittsburgh, Studio A.M.

By Christopher Ward, Point Park News Service: Growing up in West Texas, where high school football is a top priority, Baron Batch knew that playing the game was a given – but deep down inside he always knew that he wanted to be an artist, too. As a kid, Batch had a speech impediment where he couldn’t say the letter R, so... Read More

Marrow’s run to tomorrow

April 11, 2017April 27, 2017 collegiate athletics, Depression, Dresmond Marrow, featured, Point Park University, track and field

By Bryan Partika, Point Park News Service: At track meets across the country, anxious athletes can be seen walking around the infield, focusing on their upcoming event. These athletes pace around each other, mingling in the crowd of warmup suits and backpacks. In Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Desmond Marrow was just another face in that crowd. Marrow said his running career had... Read More

‘The Death Show’ displays joys of life

April 11, 2017April 27, 2017 Arcade Comedy Theater, featured, fictional funeral service, improv, Pittsburgh, the Death Show

By Iain Oldman, Point Park News Service: PRELUDE The green room at the Arcade Comedy Theater is currently cold, like a morgue. Ayne Terceira, an improv actor on the show, is huddled inside her jacket trying to keep warm while the rest of the cast file into the green room, one by one, stopping in front of the mirror to... Read More

Friendly fire is bump in the road for Navy veteran turned Uber driver

April 11, 2017April 27, 2017 featured, Larry Cmar, Navy, Pittsburgh, Uber, veteran

By Sabrina Bodon, Point Park News Service: You’d have plenty to read about if you were ever stuck behind Larry Cmar’s Chevy. Veterans. Afghanistan. The Pirates. The Navy. The Steelers. Uber. For a man who’s spent over two decades in the Navy, Cmar takes pleasure in the laid-back environment of being an Uber driver. He says that he’s happy, but... Read More

Multimedia: Help for the homeless – Mediation Ministries

February 27, 2017 Fall 2016, featured, photojournalism, Point Park University

By Trevor Kirby, Point Park News Service: Maggie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director and founder of Mediation Ministries, talks about her work with the homeless and how the process works going through the Ministry. Read More

Light of Life provides food, shelter and another chance

February 6, 2017 Briana Walton, Fall 2016, featured, Light of Life, photojournalism, Point Park University

By Briana Walton, Point Park News Service: Public Relations and After Care Manager, Kate Wadsworth, and Guest Relations Manager, Lloyd Massie, give information on Light of Life and their role in the community Read More

‘Black Women’ documentary explores diversity

January 4, 2017January 10, 2017 Fall 2016, featured, Intersectionality, photojournalism, Point Park University, Vania Arthur

By Vania Arthur, Point Park News Service: “Black Women” is a growing documentary that I’m exploring through the lives and lenses of black women. It will touch on intersectionality, sexuality, intimacy, interracial relationships, colorism, and the lives of these women, their struggles and their accomplishments. This video is on Intersectionality through the lens of Fenice Thompson, 20, a student and black... Read More