As 2025 comes to an end, the West Hills Gazette thought it appropriate to look back on the growth we’ve seen in our readership and dive into the stories that resonated with readers over the past 12 months.
For those who are not aware, the Gazette launched in the summer of 2024 in hopes of slaking the thirst of those living in a local news desert. The Gazette’s predecessor – Gazette 2.0 – had closed in the fall of 2023, leaving an area of roughly 135,000 people without a true local news source.
That changed when the West Hills Gazette went live on July 14, 2024.
In our first full month of operation, the Gazette website attracted 2,116 visitors and by the end of the year, 53,807 readers had visited the site.
Our first full year of operation has seen sizable gains in every area. Through Dec. 29 of this year, the Gazette site had attracted 186,363 visitors for a total of 291,187 page views.
Jeff Butya
The Gazette ran several stories that touched readers, most notably the saga surrounding the death of local restaurateur Jeff Butya. Butya, who first attracted attention in 1980 by walking on to the Penn State football team a la Notre Dame’s “Rudy,” later became a popular owner of a Robinson Township bar/restaurant and a fixture behind the bar – and everywhere else — at a second location.
Our story detailing Butya’s passing and the impact he had on people garnered plenty of attention, but it was the story of how Butya’s remains were cared for – or not cared for – that truly struck a nerve with readers. That story alone was viewed more than 16,000 times. All told, three stories on the topic amassed more than 27,000 views.
Caffeine fix
Another story that proved to be massively popular with readers was the news that Moon Township would be home to Allegheny County’s first 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop. That story attracted more than 13,000 views.
Megachurch controversy
Another Moon Township story that proved to be of interest to readers was the ongoing drama swirling around Revival Today, a controversial megachurch that had angered local residents with its tent-based services in the summer of 2024. A court order halted those services in the final days of 2024, and church officials spent much of 2025 attempting to earn township approvals to erect a 15,000-square-foot tent on Coraopolis Heights Road to revive its services.
As of mid-December, however, the church failed to gain the necessary permits from township officials and appeared to relocating to an industrial park in nearby Hopewell Township.
Riley’s rebuild
Plans to rebuild a Carnegie icon – Riley’s Pour House – that had been destroyed by fire also generated interest among readers, as it garnered nearly 4,200 views.
An artist’s rendering of the rebuilt Riley’s Pour House. (Artwork courtesy of Studio St. Germain) 
Plans for the new patio include both air conditioning and heat. (Artwork courtesy of Studio St. Germain) 
An artist’s rendering of the rebuilt pub side of Riley’s Pour House. (Artwork courtesy of Studio St. Germain)
Top 10
Other stories ranking among the top 10 in terms of page views included a look at a boil water notice in Robinson Township, aggravated assault charges filed against an off-duty Robinson police officer, the closure of key services at Heritage Valley Kennedy Hospital, the opening of a new Jenny Lee breakfast spot in Moon, Stowe Township commissioners’ decision to allow data centers to operate in the township’s industrial district and the fatal shooting of a Robinson motel clerk.
Readers also enjoyed learning about Ama Sow’s journey from Africa to the basketball court at Montour High School; Moon supervisors’ decision to raise property tax rates for the first time since 2014; the closure of Kennedy Township’s Rite Aid store; and the ongoing case of a fatal stabbing that occurred on the Montour Trail in the fall of 2024.
The McComb family poses for a photo at Montour High School last month. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress) 
Montour basketball coach Bill Minear shares a laugh with 6-10 Ama Sow, the tallest player Minear has had in his many years of coaching. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress) 
At just 15 years old and without knowing how to speak English, Ama Sow arrived in the United States from Senegal in December 2021. (Emily Matthews/Pittsburgh Union Progress) 
Montour’s Ama Sow, shown here dunking against Blackhawk earlier this season, led the Spartans with 24 points and 23 rebounds in Friday’s 60-50 win over Moon. – (Photo by Mike Longo Jr.)
Writers weigh in
We asked some of our freelance writers and columnists to weigh in on their favorite stories and columns of 2025.
Carrie Moniot mentioned three of her favorites – one that detailed her tour of the new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal months before it opened for business, a profile of McKees Rocks music man Don Hollowood and West Hills’ favorite son Michael Keaton’s induction into the new Pittsburgh Walk of Fame.
“I particularly enjoyed covering the hard hat tour of Pittsburgh International’s new terminal,” Moniot said. “It was fun getting a sneak peek at the $1.57 billion project before anyone else!”
Moniot said she enjoyed the profile of Hollowood because it showed “how a family business that began in a basement became a local landmark.”
The Keaton Walk of Fame ceremony was memorable, Moniot said, because she was able to interview one of Keaton’s brothers, who happened to be sitting in the row immediately in front of the media section.
“That was pretty special,” she said. “It’s times like these that make being a journalist worthwhile.”
Rachel Windsor, who was responsible for the 7 Brew story that attracted so much attention, chose a feature on Hope Grows as her favorite effort of the year.
Drew Moniot, who provides twice-monthly movie reviews for the Gazette in his Drew’s Reviews column, took a trip down memory lane in this February story that chronicled his 1980 interview with music icon Bob Dylan.
Gazette Sports Editor Mike Longo said his favorite Behind the Lens column was one that focused on EJ Borghetti’s promotion at the University of Pittsburgh. The social media post on X related to the story has received 1.2k views.
Freelance writer/photographer Laura Smail chose her coverage of a VIP preview of the new 17,500-square-foot Moon Township Goodwill superstore as her most rewarding assignment of the year.
Smail, an avid thrifter, said it was a privilege to cover the grand opening of the region’s largest Goodwill store.
“I was honored to meet many interesting people who are passionate about thrifting, fashion, creative reuse and community development,” she said. “It was important to me to include as many voices as possible in this story: from employees and customers to influencers and business leaders.
“I discovered that the local community is passionate about supporting mission-oriented small businesses that give back to the communities they serve.”
We wish all Gazette readers a happy and healthy 2026. If you appreciate our work and would like to see us continue to bring you the news, sports and entertainment that are important to you, please find your way to our Donate button at the top of our home page. And if you own a business and would like to reach a potential audience of nearly 135,000 people, visit here.
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