Southwestern Pennsylvania Planning for the 2026 NFL Draft

All eyes will be on Southwestern Pennsylvania in April of 2026 when the National Football League Draft comes to Pittsburgh.

In the meantime, there is a lot of work to be done, and that’s why the Pittsburgh Steelers invited a delegation of regional county commissioners to attend an NFL Draft Briefing & Brainstorming Session at Acrisure Stadium.

As a Washington County Commissioner and a member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, I was honored to attend this planning meeting. The draft is the second biggest event in the NFL next to the Super Bowl and that's why the NFL want all hands-on deck in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The SPC, which works with local, state and federal partners to plan for the continued growth of our region, is working to make that happen. 

In the Steelers' locker room with
 Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian.

We learned that participation from the surrounding counties is important, because the NFL Draft, which is free, will attract over 700,000 people from around the world to the Greater Pittsburgh area. And while Pittsburgh will be the epicenter, the event is expected to spill over into Washington and surrounding counties. As a result, we need to prepare for the thousands of fans that will be staying in our hotels, dining in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, using our businesses, and visiting our casino and other venues.

In addition to this deluge of visitors, more than 50 million viewers worldwide will watch the draft on television. The economic impact will be more than $213 million dollars. In 2024, Detroit, MI, benefited from this NFL Draft, and this year the benefactor will be Green Bay, WI.

The current plan for the Pittsburgh draft is to set up a main stage in front of Acrisure Stadium, facing the Allegheny River, with the stadium itself serving as the “green room.”  Local football legends such as Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, and other hall of famers from our local high schools will be invited by the NFL to participate. The NFL also plans to invite youth sports programs and high schools in the surrounding counties to participate in the ceremony. Surrounding counties will be asked to assist with law enforcement and other logistics as deemed necessary.

It was very interesting to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, discuss plans, and learn how it will affect counties like Washington. One thing that was made perfectly clear is that the NFL is spearheading this meticulous planning process and will be hosting many more meetings.  

Click here for more information on the NFL Draft. 

 

Larry Maggi

maggil@co.washington.pa.us

Washington County Boys Advance to PIAA Wrestling Regionals

As the wrestling community prepares for the state wrestling championships in Hershey, I can’t stop thinking about how I’ve been officiating wrestling for 54 years.  For me the thrill of the sport never gets old. It’s been a privilege to be a small part of the sport and to have the opportunity to watch the accomplishments of some great athletes. This weekend, I joined 11 other officials at the WPIAL to officiate the individual tournament at Chartiers Valley High School.

As I mentioned last week, Southwestern Pennsylvania is a hotbed for the sport of wrestling, and Washington County has always been a stronghold – producing a long list of state champions and college wrestlers. This tradition holds true, as Washington County is sending a strong contingency of wrestlers to the state tournament March 6-8 in Hershey.

Here’s how the Washington County boys placed in the WPIAL tournaments held in Chartiers Valley and Canon-McMillan High School this past weekend.

AA: The 1st and 2nd place winners, along with other Washington County place winners, will advance to the PIAA Regionals on March 1 and 2 in Altoona.

•  107 lbs. Darius Simmons, Burgettstown, 2nd place.
• 127 lbs. Danny Smith, Burgettstown, 2nd place.
• 133 lbs. Drake McClure, Bentworth, 2nd place.
• 139 lbs. Lucas Barr, McGuffey, 1st place.
• 160 lbs. Owen Ivcic, Bentworth, 1st place.
• 215 lbs. Braedon Welsh, Fort Cherry, 1^st place.

AAA: The 1st and 2nd place winners, along with other Washington County place winners, will advance to the PIAA Regionals March 1 and 2 at Canon-McMillan.

• 107 lbs. Nicholas McGarrity, Peters  Township, 1st place.
• 127 lbs. Dominic Canali, Trinity, 2nd place.

Both tournaments will be covered by WJPA radio (95.3 FM and1450 AM) so you will be able to listen to the action.

Click here to see the entire list of WPIAL AA Championship medal bouts from the WJPA website: https://wjpa.com/sports-archive/wpial-2a-championships-medal-bouts/

Click on this link to see the entire list of WPIAL AAA Championship medal bouts from the WJPA website: https://wjpa.com/sports-archive/wpial-3a-championships-medal-bouts/

Good luck in the next round, boys!

 

Larry Maggi

maggil@co.washington.pa.us

Washington Mall: Big Plans & Big Memories

Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi looks at the old J.C. Penny entrance to the Washington Mall on February 20, 2025.

As a Washington County Commissioner, I’m pleased to announce that there are big plans for the old Washington Mall property.

The mall, which opened to the public on October 17, 1968, was a wonderful asset to our county for decades. But in recent years the mall hit hard times, formally closed in 2014, and has sat mostly abandoned at the intersection of Interstates 79 and 70 ever since. As Washington County grew and prospered, this former shopping destination proved to be a waste of prime real estate.   

We announced yesterday that federal stimulus funds through the county’s blight mitigation program are earmarked to raze portions of the building to make way for new development. This process took decades to negotiate and has been a long time in coming. Now, I look forward to seeing new businesses in this area.

It was a big deal when the $6 million mall opened 57 years ago on a 40-acre tract of land. It was the perfect place to meet with friends and neighbors as they strolled the halls and shopped.

On the day of the grand opening, it was such big news and our local newspaper the Washington Observer-Reporter sent photographers to snap the amazing photos I’ve included with this story. These pictures are proof that the Washington Mall was the place to be.

Observer-Reporter photo of the ribbon cutting on October 17, 1968

I remember eating hot dogs at Shorty’s, grabbing a famous stromboli at Pizza Boy, and enjoying a chocolate peanut butter ice cream cone, which was my favorite of the 31 flavors at Baskin-Robbins. For special occasions, our family went to the old 21^st Amendment Restaurant and Lounge for great food.

Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968

In November of 1972, I took my wife to the theater for a first date to see a re-showing of the 1965 movie Dr. Zhivago. When our daughter Bronwyn came along, we took her to the mall to sit on Santa’s lap, and I would sneak over to do “Santa Shopping” at Toys ‘R Us.

I also remember taking my state police uniforms to Imperial Cleaners to have them dry cleaned. Then, when I was promoted to my new assignment as a criminal investigator, I went to the J.C. Penney store to buy new suits and sport coats.

Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968

When I left the state police barracks after my shift, I would often get prescriptions filled at Thrift Drugs, pick up items at G. C. Murphy Co., and grab a gallon of milk at Giant Eagle. Of course, I'd also get a treat at Time for Donuts, which was located in the middle of the mall.

Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968

Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968

But one of my favorite places to visit was National Record Mart, where I could spend hours flipping through records to add to  my collection. I’m really dating myself now, but I remember going to this store to buy a Creedence Clearwater Revival album, or as called the band - CCR.

Today’s Washington Observer-Reporter stated that only two tenants remain on the property: Grand China Buffet and Harbor Freight. It’s not certain if these establishments will remain once portions of the mall are razed. It was also reported earlier this month that a recreational vehicle dealer plans to set up shop at the site of the former Toys ‘R Us and Giant Eagle locations.

Although I have many fond memories of the old Washington Mall and I’m sad that it suffered a tragic fate, my hope is that it sees brighter days, is a beacon of local commerce, and that it is once again a destination for our residents and those who travel through Washington County. It’s progress like this that makes me proud to be a Washington County Commissioner. 

For more information about the project, please check out this link to today’s story in the Washington Observer-Reporter.

 

Commissioner Maggi with the Washington Mall in the background.

 

Larry Maggi

maggil@co.washington.pa.us

Here are more photos of the Washington Mall's Grand Opening:

Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968

Observer-Reporter photo October 17, 1968

The Trinity High School Band performed at the grand opening of the
Washington Mall on October 17, 1968. Observer-Reporter photo.

Washington County's Girl Wrestlers Make their Mark

Southwestern Pennsylvania has always been a hotbed for high school wrestling, and we are currently in what every Washington County wrestling fan considers the best time of the year: tournament season!

Right now, the wrestlers are in the midst of the girls’ WPIAL individual section tournaments, which were held in five locations this past weekend, one of which was North Allegheny High School in Wexford. The girls who qualified here will advance to the next level, which is the PIAA tournament.

It's nice to see that girls have finally taken their rightful spot on the mat. Their presence has had such an impact that the national Federation of High School Sports, the governing body of all high school sports, proclaimed that the fastest growing high school sport in America now is wrestling. Why? Because girls have discovered the sport.

In Pennsylvania, girls’ wrestling has really taken off and now numerous high schools in the commonwealth have girls’ wrestling teams. At the collegiate level, a lot of universities and colleges have started women’s wrestling teams and are heavily recruiting in our area. For example, Washington & Jefferson College and West Liberty University now have girls' wrestling teams.

As a longtime wrestling official, it’s good to be part of the area’s rich wrestling tradition, which has produced numerous legendary and outstanding boy wrestlers who rose from the ranks to compete at the highest level of collegiate sports and even in the Olympics.

Now, let’s see what the girls can do. Here’s how our local Washington County girls placed at the individual championships at North Allegheny High School this past weekend:

100 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 4^th place Canon-McMillan’s Natalia Clem.

106 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 1^st place Fort Cherry’s Ella Trahan; 2^nd place Canon-McMillan’s Malia Ramos.

112 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 1^st place Canon-McMillan’s Marlee Solomon; 4^th place Ringgold’s Rhiana Tolliver.

118 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 3^rd place Canon-McMillan’s Yuni Ayala

136 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 4^th place Canon-McMillan’s Ava Williams

142 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 1^st place Avella’s Abigail Dolance; 4^th place Trinity’s Alexia Ashby

148 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 2^nd place Canon-Millan’s Evangeline Gray; 3^rd place Trinity’s Elaina Ashby

155 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 6^th place Canon-McMillan’s Alaya Henderson.

 170 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 3^rd place Canon-McMillan’s Audrey Calgaro; 2^nd place Avella’s Virginia Smith.

190 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 3^rd place Canon-McMillan’s Natalie Rush; 4^th place Peters Township’s Liliana Giulianelli.

235 LB. WEIGHT CLASS: 4^th place Canon-McMillan London Ellis; 6^th place Trinity’s Daelyn Norris.

These girls are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to the sport. But let’s not forget the boys, who will also wrestling in the WPIAL AA wrestling tournament which begins at 5 p.m. February 21 and continues at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Chartiers Valley High School. The state tournament for the boys will be held March 6-8 in Hershey.

Check out my blog next week for more wrestling updates.

 

Larry Maggi

maggil@co.washington.pa.us

Free Fraud Alert System: An Easy Way to Protect Your Property

Recorder of Deeds Carrie Perrell spoke at last week's Commissioners' meeting about her efforts to keep your property safe.

She explained that her office has a system that allows you to monitor your property. If you are a Washington County property owner, click on this link https://landex.com/recordalert/washington and complete the form to enroll in a free fraud alert system.

Once you have completed this easy task, you will be registered with Landex to receive a text or an email notification if and when documents pertaining to your property are filed at the Recorder of Deeds Office. 

Carrie is to be commended for taking these extra measures to keep you informed about one of your most valuable assets - your property.

The Recorder of Deeds Office is located at 95 West Beau Street, Suite 520, Washington, PA 15301. Please call 724-228-6806 is you have any questions or concerns. 

Larry Maggi

maggil@co.washington.pa.us 

 

 

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome to my newsletter, or as they call it today - a blog.

Life is a journey and mine is one dedicated to public service.

As a lifelong resident of Washington County, I started out as a kid in Claysville, served in with the U.S. Marine Corp and then as a trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police. I later served as the Washington County Sheriff and I'm currently a Washington County Commissioner, a member of the PennWest California Board of Trustees, a wrestling official, and a member of the American Legion and other veterans' organizations. Most importantly, I'm a husband, a father, and a very proud Pappy.

This blog will serve as a place to provide information to my constituents in Washington County, share memories, and write about my favorite place: Washington County.

Please check my Facebook Page for updates.

Enjoy the ride.

Larry

Larry Maggi

maggil@co.washington.pa.us