Joyce Hanz stories, Page 43

Vandergrift Council will welcome three new faces when it first meets in 2022 on Jan. 3. Daisha Clayton was appointed Dec. 6 to fill a seat left vacant by the resignation of Karen McClarnon last month. Recently elected to four-year terms on council, Democrat Marilee Kessler and Republican Jody Sarno...

In the early months of the pandemic, as pets were in high demand for adoption, Amber Phillips decided to go out on her own. The trained veterinarian tech had worked for years at Golden Mile Animal Clinic in Plum and Kiski Valley Animal Clinic in Allegheny Township. Opening Champion’s Crusaiders...

The motto at New York Super Subs in O’Hara doesn’t mince words. “It’s two feet and a pound of meat,” said owner Clint Vinson. Tucked away in a small strip mall along Freeport Road, the Italian-influenced deli serves up specialty subs, homemade sauces, salads, meatballs and more. “We sell quality...

Where are the fresh-cut Christmas trees? That’s what some Alle-­Kiski Valley businesses are asking as fresh-cut trees are in short supply — or completely sold out. A large vacant lot has been empty for weeks at Kiski Garden Center in Allegheny Township. In previous years, it still would be offering...

At 94, Tom Phillips’ hands have served him well. The Leechburg native and Allegheny Township resident wakes up early each day and gets to work making custom leather chaps. He’s been at it for 60 years. “It’s my hobby,” he said. “I start at 6 o’clock in the morning and...

Technology is changing the way some teens work. Meet three Fox Chapel Area High School sophomores using their entrepreneurial skills online to turn a profit with unique part-time jobs. Stephen Schrim, James Kneiser and Justin Ling are 15-year-old friends and help one another with their businesses. Kneiser, of O’Hara, owns...

Lisa Bonello Brunermer began channeling her inner artist when she was 11 years old — and hasn’t stopped. The Leechburg native and artist was given complete creative control by her parents to paint and design her childhood bedroom. “I got to work,” Brunermer said. “Two walls were blue with clouds,...

Kiski Area School District has created a new position with a focus on student safety. John Tedorski is the new director of Student Information, Transportation, Safety and Security Services. Raised in Arnold and still a resident there, Tedorski has been employed by the district for 29 years. In his early...

Residents displaced by a fire Thursday at Arnold Manor public housing in Arnold are expected to return to their apartments next week. The 76-unit high-rise complex, built in the 1970s, was evacuated about 2 p.m. Thursday when a fire erupted in apartment No. 411. The American Red Cross and a...

Plum officials, environmental groups and some area residents are organizing to prevent a second wastewater injection well project in Plum. Borough Council President Dave Odom led a two-hour public information session Wednesday evening at the Plum Community Center. The Sedat 3A wastewater injection well, at 1815 Old Leechburg Road, began...

Matthew Pagac, 32, of Centerville, Washington County, has a leg up on Christmas decorating. Pagac built a custom illuminated “leg lamp” for his front lawn, installing it Saturday. He said he was inspired to “go big” with his holiday decorating because it’s his daughter’s first Christmas and he was inspired...

A shortage of school crossing guards in Vandergrift has forced more borough police officers to step off their beats to cover the shifts. The schedule became tighter last month with the resignation of full-time crossing guard JoAnn Hazlett. The borough now has four full-time and one part-time crossing guards. Previously,...

The Fox Chapel Newcomers Club held its holiday luncheon on Dec. 3 at the Fox Chapel Field Club with about 65 people attending. For more than 40 years, the club has welcomed new residents to the Fox Chapel Area. Hope Beukema and Dawn Gibel met in 2011 at a Fox...

Vandergrift Council on Monday appointed Daisha Clayton to the seat left vacant by the resignation of Karen McClarnon last month. Clayton said she wanted to join council because she has a vested interest in the borough. “I reside here. I work here. My children go to school here. I love...

There were no injuries when fire tore through a Fox Chapel home Monday afternoon. Fox Chapel police Chief Michael Stevens confirmed everyone escaped the home safely. Fire crews from several surrounding communities responded to the fire shortly after 1 p.m. along Hunt Road, with more than a dozen emergency vehicles...

Vandergrift residents will not see a property tax increase next year. Council passed a final $2.4 million budget Monday. The real estate tax rate will remain at 28 mills. The borough’s budget projects revenue of about $2.2 million and expenses totaling $2.4 million. The difference will be made up from...

Two Kiski Area High School seniors were among the competitors in the 40th annual Weld Off on Friday, sponsored by the American Welding Society. Phillip Miller and Nathaniel Potanko, fourth-year students in the welding program at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington, welded for several hours at...

A rockin’ Christmas concert is coming to Vandergrift. The annual Jingle Bell Rock holiday fundraiser concert returns to the Casino Theatre on Saturday after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Keeping closer to family-friendly event than epic rock show, the music...

Motorists passing an expansive concrete area along Melwood Road in Allegheny Township may ask themselves, “What’s That?” Once a popular community pool and entertainment destination, Melwood Park Pool is empty, overgrown, dilapidated and faces an uncertain future. The pool opened in 1926, measures 100 by 300 feet, and was owned...

Newly appointed Fox Chapel Police Chief Michael Stevens is on a mission to promote unity in the borough. A “Coffee With Cops” meet-and-greet is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 10 at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road. “The purpose of the coffee with cops is...

Police in several communities are imploring residents to lock up after a rash of thefts from unlocked vehicles. “We had 18 reports this week — that’s a high number,” said Shaler police chief Sean Frank. “I want to stress these were not vehicle break-ins, that means a car is locked....

Butler County Community College will be closed Monday and Tuesday in response to a ransomware attack on its computer systems, the college announced Sunday night. The main campus in Butler Township and additional locations in Cranberry, Lawrence, Jefferson and Mercer Counties and remote and online classes will be closed as...

Vandergrift is rolling out a three-day holiday welcome mat. The 2021 Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza festival returns Dec. 3-5. Founder and organizer Denise Lewandowski-George launched the event last year — despite a pandemic. Many Vandergrift residents were disappointed when the annual holiday parade sponsored by the Vandergrift Improvement Program...

It’s out with the old and in with the new-to-you in Aspinwall. Nouveau PGH is a new designer consignment store offering upscale women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. It’s located at 21 Brilliant Ave. Owner Jessica Rehling Vukmir of O’Hara owns Dovecote, which is located right across the...

Debbi Young has never gone Black Friday shopping. Instead, the Leechburg resident prefers to shop locally on Small Business Saturday. “It’s our tradition — when the boys go hunting, the girls go shopping,” Young said. “I grew up shopping for my clothes and everything in downtown Leechburg and I think...