Unsolved Cases: Richard and Donna Hyde of Moon Township

While it is widely believed that serial killer Edward Surratt is responsible for their deaths, he never admitted to the slayings nor was he ever charged in their deaths.

Richard Hyde, the principal of Fern Hollow Elementary School in Moon Township, was talking with a friend on the phone in the bedroom of his home he shared with his wife, Donna and two daughters. That was about 1 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 1977. During the conversation, he heard glass break in a window on the other end of his ranch home. After hanging up, he walked past a nightstand that contained a loaded gun and proceeded to the hallway, according to a story in the Beaver County Times. A 12-gauge shotgun blast ripped through his chest/abdomen area. He staggered to the kitchen, past his wife who was in a bathroom off the hallway, and died in a pool of blood on the linoleum floor of the kitchen. Donna, a beautician who had a shop in her home…

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Whiz Kids

Moon Elementary Students Meet with Norwegian Pen Pals on Skype

The pen pal program is a part of a districtwide anti-bullying program.

With the help of technology, Hyde Elementary students went face-to-face recently with their Norwegian pen pals. Students had the chance to chat with their pen pals March 6 in Norway via video conferencing site Skype, according to the Moon Area School District. Students previously exchanged letters with the students.  "It's a wonderful way for students to learn about a different culture, acceptance, tolerance and building friendships," said Hyde Elementary librarian Amber Jackson, who led the event. "Students involved in this program are learning essential skills in communication and collaboration while thinking about the goals for our anti-bullying program."  The project is a part of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which …

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Five Things You Need to Know This Week

Patch gives you a rundown of things going on around town for the week of Monday, Feb. 6.

Hyde Elementary will hold a Parent-Teacher Organization meeting at 9 a.m. Feb. 8 at the elementary school. All parents of Hyde students are welcome to attend. The Moon Area Softball Boosters will hold a Texas Hold 'Em tournament on Feb. 10 to raise money for the area's softball teams. Click here for more information. Moon Township Public Library isn't leaving the adults out when it comes to crafts and candy this Valentine's Day. The library will host two events: "The Importance of the Cocoa Plant" (which is all about chocolate!), and "Adult Craft Night: Valentine's Votive Holders" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7-8. Visit the library's website for more details. Moon winter sports are in full swing and several games are at home this week. Check out the …

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Hyde Students Sing for School Board Members

The Singing Tigers performed as part of January's School Board Recognition Month.

Led by elementary music teacher Jamie Rea, fourth and fifth graders from Hyde Elementary's Singing Tigers group performed for school board members as part of January's School Board Recognition Month.  Click the video above to view a portion of their performance. 

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