Joyce Hanz stories, Page 12

Two friends on a evening biking excursion Friday had an unexpected encounter in Kiski Township: an alligator. Robert Perri and Dan Murray, both of Burrell Township, were cycling on the Roaring Run Trail near dusk when they both noticed an alligator ahead on the trail. “I thought it was fake....

A familiar face in volunteer circles is the new executive director of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh. Ali Brush of Fox Chapel is serving to advance the local affiliate of the international organization that strives to graduate educated young people in the U.S. and Latin America. Brush and her...

Pittsburgh, meet Barcelona Wine Bar. And you’re invited to the party. That’s the message from Barcelona general manager Autumn Williams. “Our goal is to have a party every night in the restaurant,” Williams said. “And to have a party, you need people at the party.” On that note, reservations are...

Leechburg Area School Board members Monday appointed David Leech Elementary School Principal David Keibler as the district’s acting superintendent. The move was made after former acting superintendent Peter Emery D’Arcangelo abruptly resigned last week, citing “an erosion of trust” among himself and school board members. D’Arcangelo was set to start...

Joyce Stewart of Bethel Park has visited her favorite furry mammal for more than 70 years in South Park. Meet the gang of nine bison that provide a unique attraction in the South Park Game Preserve — Big Head, Daisy, Rosie, Violet, Lily, Alice, Crimson, Clover and Baby Diane. Technically,...

Rina Foley would like to see some of her peers boost their personal finance prowess. “I honestly don’t think this generation has a good knowledge of how to handle their finances,” said Foley, 21, of Leechburg, who is a senior at Seton Hill University. That’s bad for young adults and...

Peter Emery D’Arcangelo resigned as Leechburg Area’s interim superintendent before his first day on the job, leaving it unknown who will lead the school district after next Friday. Hired in January, D’Arcangelo was supposed to start on Monday. Instead, the school board will meet Monday evening to decide what to...

A Christian high school has plenty of space for more students in Penn Hills. Redeemer Lutheran High School relocated from the nearby Redeemer Elementary campus to a new school building exclusively for grades 9-12. Freshman Quincy Davis of Penn Hills is happy to have a school solely catering to teenagers,...

Customers of certain pharmacies in Lower Burrell and Leechburg have to find somewhere else to fill their prescriptions. Burrell Health Mart Pharmacy located in Stewart Plaza, Lower Burrell, and Leechburg Health Mart Pharmacy located on Market Street in downtown Leechburg closed Wednesday, without prior notice. The news, however, quickly spread...

A Leechburg pastor is prepping for double ministerial duty at Protestant churches that cross denominational lines. With The Rev. Sue Washburn preparing to leave her post as interim pastor of Leechburg’s Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in mid-February, church leaders on Sunday approved naming the Rev. James Arter as part-time...

It’s not usually a good thing when someone cries at work. But happy tears were at the ready recently for Nikki Miller, banquet coordinator at Dobi Catering and Take Out in Allegheny Township. Miller was working last week when an elderly couple showed up to order the signature Dobi chicken,...

Linda Merle of Arnold visits Oakmont often for medical appointments with her dogs, Mopsy and Nixon, in tow. Within the borough, dogs must be leashed and are not permitted to run at large. A proposed outdoor dog recreation site called Chateau Beach Dog Park would provide an unleashed area for...

After eight years, Leechburg Area School District is getting new leadership, albeit in a temporary role. The school board voted 6-3 Wednesday to hire Peter Emery D’Arcangelo as acting superintendent. He will temporarily replace Superintendent Tiffany Nix, who will be leaving for Penn-Trafford early next month. D’Arcangelo served as superintendent...

Leechburg officials are moving forward with efforts to regionalize their police force with West Leechburg and Parks Township. A regional police study was completed in December, and it recommended consolidating the departments. Officials met Jan. 11 to review the study results. “The biggest thing is the coverage and the assistance...

Harrison native and mega-Steelers fan Tom Henschel isn’t letting recent physical ailments deter him from continuing his streak of attending every Super Bowl. “It’s my 58th year going to a Super Bowl,” Henschel said Tuesday. “He’s determined to go and on a mission,” added Regina, his wife of 47 years....

A German-themed festival is moving to new permanent digs in southeastern Butler County. The annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest, in its sixth year, has grown from a fledgling festival to a full-scale three-day event filled with beer, fellowship, food, music, family fun and entertainment. “We’ve been looking for land, and the Sprankle...

A classic round green cake, decorated with a simple phrase, “Congratulations,” delivered a big message of support to a cancer patient who completed chemotherapy. The cake, a gift delivered to a person who recently completed chemotherapy, is one of numerous desserts donated by a group of student bakers from Fox...

A church is ready to spread some good news to children in Leechburg. Kiski Valley Community Church is extending an invitation to Alle-Kiski Valley youngsters enrolled in grades K-6 to join the “Good News Club,” a free weekly Bible-themed after-school program. The program kicks off Monday from 6 to 7:30...

More than 100 spectators showed up Saturday at the Leechburg Elks club to watch one of the most celebrated events in Scouting — Pinewood Derby Day. More than 30 scouts from Leechburg Cub Scout Pack 553 revved up their engines — gravity — as they competed in six divisions. The...

A group of medical professionals with almost 200 years of combined service in the health care industry are using their hands for something beyond helping and healing: woodworking. Dr. Frank Kunkel, 66, of McCandless shares his passion for creativity through woodworking with a group of retired medical professionals, including an...

The more than 2,700-square-foot ice hockey rink in Ken Kieffer’s Indiana Township backyard is a far cry from the first rink he made as a kid. “It was a dam in a creek that flowed into Pine Creek,” said Kieffer, 46, a plumber who grew up in Shaler. He was...

The youngest Leechburg Area School Board member is spearheading discussions in favor of implementing a nepotism policy. Vice President Andrew Pallus again brought up the topic under a review of policy during the board’s meeting last week. Pallus previously discussed nepotism in October. “I think it’s a way to be...

Motorists will have to wait another three months for work to be complete on West Leechburg Hill Road. On Nov. 13, PennDOT closed a portion of the road in West Leechburg between South Leechburg Road and Pleasant Hill Road to make structural repairs to a large culvert. The $400,000 project...

Leechburg Area School District plans to boost security thanks to a sharp-eyed school security officer and the generosity of officials at Acrisure Stadium. Mike Kapustik, a security guard at Leechburg schools, recently noticed unused metal detectors inside a storage area during a visit to Acrisure Stadium. “One of our security...

A Freeport native has opened her first business — in her hometown. Jamie Bieranowski opened Bier Beauty on Jan. 4 at 227 Fifth St. The salon offers complete hair, nail and waxing services, with an emphasis on brides, color and haircuts. “The salon is co-ed and all ages are welcome,”...