Joyce Hanz stories, Page 17

Kiski Township officials are clamping down on alligator ownership in the township after two reported alligator sightings in recent weeks along the Kiski River. In light of the recent capture of a juvenile alligator some nicknamed Chomper in August and a rogue alligator named Neo that remains at large after...

Two new businesses are hiring in Hyde Park Plaza, Allegheny Township. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Dollar Tree have signs posted with contact information for potential employees. The stores are located where a former Big Kmart once occupied about 85,000 square feet of retail space. Township officials have not provided opening...

The recent report of a second alligator swimming Sunday in the Kiski River appears to be a runaway reptile named Neo. Austin Randall, 23, of Lyndora, Butler County, said Wednesday he lost Neo on Aug. 29 while attempting to re-home the baby male alligator to Kiski Township resident and alligator...

Say cheers to beer at two separate Oktoberfest festivals on back-to-back weekends in Saxonburg and Vandergrift. Sprankle’s annual Octoberfest celebrates its fifth anniversary with a three-day celebration Friday through Sunday at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company fairgrounds in Saxonburg. Oktoberfest in Vandergrift is a one-day celebration Sept. 16 on Grant...

A Kiski Area School District therapy dog was ready for her closeup Wednesday during picture day in the high school library. Roo, a 1-year-old deaf therapy dog, joined the Kiski Area staff in January after being adopted by Superintendent Misty Slavic. “She’s the sweetest thing when she roams the hall,”...

“Let’s talk.” That’s the message from Leechburg-area clergy and officials as they prepare to host an inaugural town hall meeting Sept. 27 at the Marconi Club in Leechburg. The meeting is presented by the Leechburg Ministerial Association, which comprises several Leechburg and Gilpin churches. Participants will include government officials, school...

Apollo area residents were saying “see ya later, alligator” after a gator some called Chomper was captured last month from the Kiski River. But over the weekend, another alligator, or something thought to be an alligator, was spotted in the same area. It left some river enthusiasts less enthused over...

The weather wasn’t the only hot thing at the 2023 Labor United Celebration held Sunday and Monday at Northmoreland Park. Hot fresh-cut fries were a hit with toddlers Waylon Smith and Jax Wheeler of Parks Township. The two friends were focused and determined as they shared a large helping of...

There appears to be a reptile repeat of sorts along the Kiski River in Kiski Township. After a weeklong search and rescue of an alligator from the river near Apollo in August, a group of six kayakers reported spotting another alligator swimming in the Kiski on Sunday afternoon, about a...

Penn’s Colony Festival organizers have canceled their regional dayslong festival, mere weeks from its scheduled kickoff date of Sept. 16. The event typically runs on two weekends and showcases the French-and-Indian-era history of Western Pennsylvania. It offers an expansive outdoor village featuring period craftsmen, demonstrations, live music, food, battle reenactments...

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a daycation road trip to the unofficial chocolate capital of Western Pennsylvania in historic Canonsburg, located 18 miles southwest of Pittsburgh in Washington County. Sarris Candies, a family-owned chocolate mecca, has been a sweet tradition for more than 50 years in Canonsburg. Founded by the...

Bride-to-be Ashley Pometo spent most of Wednesday night in shock — and in tears. Pometo, 23, of New Kensington thought the plans for her Sept. 23 wedding were neatly squared away until a fire swept through Futules’ Harmar House on Wednesday evening, leaving the popular family-owned event venue considered to...

A jam-packed Labor Day festival returns to Northmoreland Park, celebrating the traditions and heritage related to organized labor in Western Pennsylvania. The annual two-day 2023 Labor United Celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday and runs through Labor Day. The event typically draws more than 20,000 attendees to pavilion grounds...

It was a European trip filled with faith, family, friends — and a first. Greensburg Bishop Larry J. Kulick combined exploring his Slovak heritage with official duties during a trip this summer to numerous towns in Slovakia, including his ancestral village of Nova Bystrica. While there, he experienced a vocational...

A longstanding specialty steel processing business is for sale in Vandergrift. MSI Corp., at 210 First St., is listed for $9.9 million by listing agent Scott Lewis of Edward Lewis Inc., based in Youngstown, Ohio. Owners Henry “Duke” and Gisela McLaughlin of Allegheny County, both in their 70s, are looking...

A surge in kindergarten enrollment has hit David Leech Elementary School in the Leechburg Area School District. The kindergarten program welcomed 69 students Wednesday on the first day of classes. That’s a 64% increase over last school year’s enrollment of 42 pupils. As a result, a fourth class was added...

A luxurious estate with mega-amenities is on the market in North Strabane Township, Washington County. Oak Grove, a 110-acre property at 784 Waterdam Road in North Strabane, is listed by Coldwell Banker Realty for $28 million. That whopping listing price makes it the most expensive single-family residential listing currently in...

Plum Borough School District’s previously scheduled Back-to-School Movie Night will go on as planned Saturday evening. In its second year, the event will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and include games, food trucks and tables featuring school resources and information. It is open to the public. Assistant Superintendent Denise...

Plum Senior High School’s girls and boys golf teams are uniting to raise funds for the victims of the house explosion in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood. The Rustic Ridge “Plum Strong” Plum Boys & Girls Golf Teams Charity Outing is scheduled for Sept. 17 at Willowbrook Country Club in Allegheny...

A slew of administrative resignations in Allegheny Township apparently has resulted from unrest among its three supervisors. Three township administrative employees — administrative assistant Denise Johnston, Director of Public Safety Lee Schumaker and Township Manager Greg Primm — submitted letters of resignation to supervisors. Johnston intends to resign effective Aug....

A few days ago, Erica Kuhn and Melissa Gionta-­Oliver were strangers. Now the two therapists from Plum are spearheading efforts to provide an online database of mental health resources for the Plum Borough School District and community after the tragic house explosion Saturday in the borough’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood. The...

A pint-sized Plum Area School District student put her grief to good use Saturday with an on-the-spot charity event to raise money for victims of the house explosion in Plum. Emmy Halasowski, 7, was understandably shaken and scared Saturday as events unfolded after the deadly explosion on Rustic Ridge Drive...

A Washington Township couple is hoping to help victims of Saturday’s house explosion in Plum by honoring one family’s love of fishing. Angela and Mike Blasko created a fundraiser in which one winner will land an all-­expenses paid, full-day offshore fishing trip on Lake Erie on the Blasko’s charter fishing...

The power of prayer united strangers and friends Monday during a daylong candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the house explosion Saturday in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood. Holy Family Parish’s St. Januarius Church on Renton Road in Plum hosted the vigil from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We just...