Work Samples

The articles below are a selection of my published work as a watchdog intern and later correspondent at LNP | LancasterOnline, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania's largest newspaper. During my time there, I reported enterprise and investigative stories focused on local government and accountability. You can find additional work by searching “Anna Chiaradonna” at LancasterOnline.com.

Lancaster homeowner’s energy-efficient renovation sparks clash over historic preservation [Lancaster Watchdog]

A Lancaster city homeowner’s effort to make his house a highly energy-efficient property has turned into a dispute
over whether the city should prioritize historical character over environmental impact.

At issue is a house on the 400 block of West Lemon Street, where property owner Nathan Charles says he followed every city procedure — obtaining permits and approval to remodel his two-story rowhome into a taller, high-efficiency building — only to face pushback from the Lancaster Historical Commission, which argues the project altered the historic streetscape.

Flood repairs lag at Lancaster city public library [Lancaster Watchdog]

The library and Lancaster Parking Authority, which owns the library building, agree on at least two things: The flood happened, and the damage was significant. However, when it comes to repairing the space, the two sides might as well be on different planets.

The February flood, caused by a sewage backup in a toilet, damaged
flooring, fixtures and shelving. The library estimates the total repair cost at
over $200,000. Despite receiving a $50,000 insurance payout, no formal
renovations have begun.

Abandoned school-zone signs are maintenance hot potato [Lancaster Watchdog]

Fifteen years after two Pequea Valley elementary schools closed, motorists are still passing outdated school zone signs in parts of eastern Lancaster County.

In Leacock Township, school zone signs remain posted along eastbound Route 340 outside the former Leacock Elementary School south of North Hollander Road, and just this week, after an LNP | LancasterOnline reader
complained, PennDOT contractors finally removed signs along Route 30 west of Frogtown Road near the former Paradise Elementary School in Paradise Township, which shut its doors in 2009.