Joyce Hanz stories, Page 41

An award-winning former Kiski Area principal has a new position in the district. Dan Smith has been named director of Technology and Information, responsible for all grade levels on six campuses. Most recently, Smith served as assistant principal at Kiski Area Upper Elementary, where he was named Pennsylvania’s 2021 Outstanding...

The Cat in the Hat is one of the many Dr. Seuss characters set to unleash entertainment in Fox Chapel Area High School’s spring musical production of “Seussical.” A cast of more than 100 students will present “Seussical” March 3-6 in the high school auditorium. The family-friendly, whimsical show is...

Sara Smith Voyten, a lifelong resident of Armstrong County, is about to add another chapter to the story of her life: turning 100. Voyten, an avid reader, spends the majority of her time with her nose in a book in her private room at Pine View Personal Care Facility in...

A former British barrister turned minister in Fox Chapel has turned to technology to boost membership during the pandemic. The Rev. Alex Shuttleworth, 43, a native of Liverpool, has been at Christ Church Fox Chapel since 2014. Since then, membership has grown by 50%, with 44 new members added during...

Kerri and Frank Bacco of West View are channeling their grief by honoring their late son with a fund created to assist foster children in Western Pennsylvania. The couple, both 44 and teachers, created The Dalton Bacco “Living the Dream” Fund in June 2017 after the tragic death of their...

In response to students’ growing needs for emotional support, Kiski Area School District has increased its counseling staff. Behavior specialist Autumn Patterson was hired in December to assist students in grades K-6. She joins fellow specialists T.J. Neal and Chelsey Perriello, both hired in August. In the wake of the...

Brett Zambotti recently traveled from his home in Kittanning to downtown Vandergrift with a gastric goal — take The Big Bucker food challenge at Sweetlane Chocolate Shop. The old-fashioned confectionery broadened its range last month, offering breakfast and lunch. To promote the expanded menu, Sweetlane created a breakfast sandwich that’s...

Cook Medical, with three global locations including a facility in Parks Township, announced last week plans to sell their reproductive health devices division to CooperCompanies, headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. William Cook Australia and Cook Spencer are the other two facilities currently manufacturing reproductive health devices. Cook Medical has locations...

Melissa Aller of Leechburg knows her way around a fundraiser. Aller, 39, grew up in Natrona and began volunteering at a young age, tagging along with her late mother, Bonnie, a frequent volunteer in the community. “My mother always told me it was better to give than to receive,” said...

A Dorseyville middle schooler is giving back to a local senior center in memory of her great-grandmother. Ella Golomb, 12, of O’Hara created a positive painting project as her required charitable project for her upcoming Bat Mitzvah. Golomb is a congregant at Adat Shalom synagogue in Cheswick and social action...

A burrito with a snack food flair is creating a buzz in Parks Township. The Dorito Burrito is a specialty offering and best-seller at Niki’s Quick Six, a popular restaurant/bar/takeout place in the township’s North Vandergrift neighborhood. Owner Niki Hosack said she created the quirky sandwich so her customers wouldn’t...

As Daisha Clayton settles into her third month on Vandergrift Council, she’s keenly aware of the significance of being chosen to fill that role. When Clayton was appointed to Vandergrift Council in December, she was only the second Black person to serve as a councilperson. The late Lorelei Whaley, who...

Harrison native Tom Henschel has perfect attendance in one of the world’s most exclusive clubs. Henschel, 80, is a member of the Never Miss a Super Bowl Club. Henschel joins Gregory Eaton and Don Crisman as the only football fans on Earth to have attended all of the previous 55...

Art and fellowship will soon fill the hallways at three Kiski Area elementary schools. The annual Kiski Area School District Elementary Art Show returns Tuesday, Feb. 8 after being held virtually last year because of the pandemic. Kiski Area East, North and South Primary Schools will simultaneously host the event...

Shady Side Academy drama students are bringing live theater back. Last year’s spring musical was presented in late May in a virtual format via video because of the pandemic. Senior School students will perform their winter musical, “Pippin,” Feb. 11-13. First-time Shady Side musical director Dek Ingraham said the cast...

Kiski Area officials are seeking supporters and donations from the community to help bolster the coffers of the Kiski Area Education Foundation. Foundation president Ron Ferrara said the pandemic affected fundraising the past two years, resulting in a loss of about $25,000. The foundation has only 16 volunteers, all serving...

Students from David Leech Elementary School in Leechburg dressed up as 100-year-old ladies and gentlemen Friday, Jan. 28 to celebrate their 100th day of school. The event is an annual tradition that the students look forward to. Students have a choice of dressing up as an elderly person or wearing...

A former school building that served elementary, middle and high school students in Washington Township is slated for demolition. The former Washington Elementary School at 4728 Route 66 was part of the Kiski Area School District. The school opened in 1927 and closed in 2013. Township supervisors granted a demolition...

Portions of Longfellow Street in Vandergrift were closed for a time Wednesday afternoon after demolition crews evacuated a condemned building. Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 Chief Albert Wells confirmed there were no injuries. Borough officials roped off the building at 326 Longfellow St. and said it’s unsafe for the...

A familiar face has a new leadership role at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Washington Township. Maggie Nicholas, a longtime teacher at the school, became assistant principal at KAUE on Jan. 3. She replaced Dan Smith, who moved to a new position as the district’s technology integration specialist. For...

Two Kiski Area elementary teachers have “ruled the school” for a combined 67 years. Sharon Komandt and Mary Emanuelson are the district’s most tenured educators. Both teach at Kiski Area East Primary School in Vandergrift. Komandt, a reading specialist, has been a teacher for 32 years with deep roots in...

It’s out with the old at Lake’s Roadhouse and in with the new — starting with a new name: Kiski River Lodge. When the pandemic forced a prolonged closure of their business, co-owners Wanda and Rick Lake of Loyalhanna Township rolled up their sleeves and got busy renovating their motel,...

A $13 million revitalization project involving the redevelopment of the former East Vandergrift Elementary School is on hold. East Vandergrift officials said Morning Sun Senior Lofts, a proposed loft-style affordable senior-living residence on McKinley Avenue, was denied about $12 million in tax credits last November from the Pennsylvania Finance Housing...

In his 38 years patrolling Parks Township, Chief Douglas Ciuca has just about seen it all. Tasked with helping to keep law and order in the township’s 14 square miles, Ciuca has responded to calls ranging from quirky to tragic. His most difficult moment? “Finding an infant, alive and unharmed,...

A free soup delivery program in Aspinwall has maintained operations, despite ongoing covid conditions. The Aspinwall Neighbors soup program started more than a decade ago, connecting residents and others with fellow Aspinwall neighbors by providing a free quart of homemade soup each month, personally delivered to homes by volunteers. Last...