George Guido stories
OLSH boys headed back to WPIAL title game, take down South Side in Class 2A semifinals
After losing to Sewickley Academy in the WPIAL finals the last two seasons, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is hoping to bring home the gold against a different opponent this time. The top-seeded Chargers (21-2) will take on Serra Catholic at 5 p.m. Friday at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center....
No. 3 North Catholic boys knock off Aliquippa in Class 3A semifinals
North Catholic was aware of the intense defensive pressure it would face Monday in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals against Aliquippa. But the Trojans weathered several storms and came away with a 61-49 victory over the Quips at North Allegheny. No. 3 North Catholic (21-4) will face top-seeded Lincoln Park...
No. 2 South Park girls rally back to defeat Deer Lakes in Class 3A quarterfinals
For much of Saturday afternoon, Deer Lakes appeared headed toward its first WPIAL girls semifinal appearance since 1991. But South Park’s Maura Huwalt took over, scoring 20 of her 26 points in the second half as the No. 2-seeded Eagles came from behind to defeat the No. 7 Lancers, 46-41,...
Kropp lifts No. 2 Penn Hills to Class 5A quarterfinal win over Montour
With the game up for grabs early in the second half, Penn Hills needed a lift. The No. 2-seeded Indians got it when 6-foot-4 sophomore Wes Kropp scored five points in 11 seconds and nine for the third quarter. Penn Hills then shot 11 of 11 from the free-throw line...
No. 1 Vincentian boys slip past upset-minded Leechburg
Down by 17 points to the defending WPIAL champion and No. 1 seed Vincentian, Leechburg worked its way back to a tie with 3 minutes, 6 seconds to go. Vincentian then called on its big man, 6-foot-6 sophomore Angelo Reeves, who drove in for two straight baskets and added a...
Short-handed Leechburg girls no match for perennial power Vincentian
Unaccustomed to entering the playoffs with a sub-.500 record, 11-time WPIAL champion Vincentian showed why it shouldn’t be forgotten at playoff time. The Royals controlled the boards and held Leechburg without a field goal for nearly 13 minutes to defeat the Blue Devils, 56-24, Tuesday in an opening-round Class A...
George Guido: Rare absence of WPIAL coaches leading NFL teams
For the first time since 1966, no coach from a WPIAL high school will be an NFL head coach this coming season. The last two vacancies were filled earlier this month when the Miami Dolphins hired Patriots assistant Brian Flores and the Cincinnati Bengals brought on Zac Taylor to replace...
McKeesport’s pressure rattles Greensburg Salem girls in 1st-round win
With leading scorer Jhayla Bray spending most of the first half on the bench with foul trouble, McKeesport’s defense started strong and built a double-digit lead Monday night against Greensburg Salem. Bray scored all 16 of her points in the second half and pulled down 17 rebounds as the Tigers...
Ellis School tops Aliquippa for 2nd playoff victory in program history
The Ellis School won only its second WPIAL playoff game in school history Friday night. But it wasn’t without some anxious moments as the Tigers ultimately posted a 47-37 victory. Down 22-2 a little more than a minute into the second quarter, Aliquippa staged a strong comeback, tying the game...
Gas, drain line work could delay some Allegheny Township paving this year
Allegheny Township’s paving projects for this summer are temporarily on hold. Shawn Kuhn, public works director, told supervisors that a large drain pipe along Victoria Way, just off Melwood Road, needs to be replaced. After that work is done, remaining budgeted money will determine the direction of summer road projects....
Handicapped parking in Vandergrift now limited to 15 percent of any block
Vandergrift Council has adjusted the borough’s handicapped parking policy. Now, up to 15 percent of any block of a street can be set aside for handicapped parking. Previously, it was a maximum of two cars per block. Borough officials continue to grapple with the needs of an aging population in...
Longtime Valley News Dispatch sports editor remembered for his keen eye for young talent
During his 26-year tenure as sports editor for the Valley News Dispatch, Bob Schank oversaw a drastic transformation of the local sports scene. From the mergers of Alle-Kiski Valley high school sports programs to the elevation of the Pirates and Steelers from punchlines to world champions, Schank saw it all....
Support strong for recreational trail through Brackenridge
Support was strong Thursday night for the proposed Three Rivers Heritage Trail’s plans to pass through the Brackenridge riverfront. About 25 people attended the informational meeting in Brackenridge Council’s chambers. The Heritage Trail would run from Millvale to Freeport, where it would hook up with several other recreational trails. While...
Vandergrift finally gets to move on its 2018 paving projects
Although the calendar says 2019, Vandergrift is still working on its 2018 paving program. Money from the federal Community Development Block Grant program didn’t arrive until mid-November, after the hot asphalt facilities closed for the winter. The borough will seek new contract bids on paving and, if Punxsutawney Phil is...
Freeport Area looks to make up to $600,000 in upgrades before end of school year
The Freeport Area School District has a nearly $600,000 “honey-do” list it wants to get done before the end of the school year. The school board plans to move the money from the general fund to the capital fund and consider projects on a line-item basis. Some of the projects...
Springdale Township to review ordinances written in 1958, last updated in ’69
After 61 years, Springdale Township will be updating and modernizing its subdivision and land development ordinances. Many of the proposals would replace those passed in 1958, some of which were updated in 1969. A hearing on the new development proposals will take place Feb. 18. Some of the issues to...
Apollo moves to fill borough official vacancies
Following a rash of resignations and redefining positions, Apollo is hoping to move forward after a series of appointments Thursday night. However, one of the council members resigned Thursday night. Council members said salaries of Thursday’s appointees have yet to be determined. Borough council appointed Deanne Shupe as part-time borough...
Leechburg Area students thriving at Lenape Tech
Leechburg Area students continue to thrive at Lenape Technical School. That’s the word from Wesley Kuchta, administrative director at the vocational technical school in Manor Township. “In 2018, 12 of the 13 seniors from Leechburg achieved advanced or proficient on national exams,” Kuchta said. “Our students average just below 90...
Kiski Valley sewage pump stations getting ready for upgrade
The design is complete for the upgrade of Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority pump stations. All but one pump station has been designated for upgrades and modernization. Some of the pump stations haven’t been updated in 40 years or more. The pump stations are located in East Vandergrift; Elder...
Lenape vo-tech head hopes strong bond will continue with the school districts it serves
School officials are hoping the solid bonds the Freeport Area School District has with the Lenape Vocational School continue. Wesley P. Kuchta, Lenape’s new administrative director, spoke before the school board Wednesday night and emphasized the success Freeport Area students have had at Lenape. “It’s important that superintendents and I...
