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Joyce Hanz stories, Page 55

Joyce Hanz
Joyce Hanz
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Help wanted: West Leechburg seeks new part-time borough secretary; no takers so far
West Leechburg Borough is seeking a new part-time secretary and treasurer. Pat Grantz, who held the position for 43 years, died earlier this month, leaving what Mayor Jim Gallucci said are “big shoes to fill.” Councilwoman Marcia Cole has volunteered her time to serve as interim secretary until the position...
Well, La Dee Dah! Vintage jewelry store in Leechburg celebrates 10th anniversary 
Judy Provias has always loved antiques. “My grandmother lived in a 200-plus-year-old house that George Washington actually slept in. Everything in her house was antique,” Provias said. “I loved it.” Provias, of Leechburg, owns and operates La Dee Dah Antiques, located at 161 Market St. in her hometown. La Dee...
Leechburg Area reports covid-19 cases dropping, in-person musical rehearsals underway
The number of active covid-19 cases in the Leechburg Area School District has decreased. Superintendent Tiffany Nix reported one active case campuswide during Monday’s board meeting, which was a decrease from two active cases the week before. Friday’s covid case tracker reported a further decrease to zero active cases, and...
Gilpin seeks donations for care of township's police dog
Gilpin’s police dog now has a fund designated for his expenses. Township supervisors Monday approved a Gilpin Township K-9 Fund, an account specifically for donations that go toward the dog’s needs. Rudy is a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois certified police dog that specializes in detecting drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana...
2 Leechburg sisters spread kindness, love to strangers for Valentine's Day 
Two Leechburg sisters are making Cupid proud. Sisters Madison and Olivia Chiusano, aka The Kindness Girls, delivered Valentine’s Day-themed treats to the public Friday. Madison is 5, and Olivia is 3. Dressed in coordinated red outfits and bouncing up and down — a lot — the duo doled out what...
West Leechburg mourns the loss of longtime borough Secretary Pat Grantz
The community of West Leechburg is mourning the loss of a longtime, steadfast borough employee. Patricia Ann Grantz of West Leechburg died Feb. 7. She was 82. Grantz served as borough secretary and treasurer for 43 years. “She was the rock that kept everything together,” West Leechburg Mayor Jim Gallucci...
BBQ, pizza business grows from West Leechburg man's passion
Call Joe and Brenda Sperski a smoking-hot couple, and they won’t be offended. The West Leechburg couple opened Smokey Joe’s House of Q in 2018, offering takeout barbecue and pizza from a mobile trailer at various locations in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Joe Sperski smokes the meats and does all the...
Procedures change for Leechburg food distribution following last weekend's intense demand
An overwhelming response to a free food giveaway in Leechburg last Saturday has prompted the church that sponsored it to change how this coming Saturday’s distribution will be handled. People lined up in their cars hours before the event’s noon start time last Saturday, and all of the food boxes...
Police suspect 3 men of stealing $30K in copper from shuttered ATI plant in Gilpin
A West Deer man is accused of stealing copper valued at $30,000 from an idled Allegheny Technologies Inc. plant with the help of two men who were not in custody as of Tuesday afternoon, Gilpin police said. Police said they had not recovered the stolen copper as of Tuesday afternoon....
Sprankle's Saxonburg store now offering free grocery delivery
There’s a new free grocery delivery option in the Saxonburg area. Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Saxonburg said Monday it is offering the service to customers living within 10 miles of the store, which opened in July. Sprankle’s stores in Leechburg and Kittanning have offered free grocery delivery for decades. “Covid-19...
Leechburg Area High students combine efforts to create art aimed at encouraging kindness 
A collaborative art project at Leechburg Area High School is promoting kindness. “Kindness Comes in Every Color” will showcase the works of advanced art students with 20 individually painted jigsaw puzzle pieces assembled into one large display. “In a time of crisis like a pandemic, these art projects are especially...
Gilpin woman says 100 'doesn't feel any different,' celebrates with family 
Alice Newton turned 100 having a great hair day. She still makes her weekly hair appointments in Leechburg and was coiffed and ready to usher in triple digits on Friday. Relaxing by the fire in her rural Gilpin home, Alice chimed in on her new centenarian status. “I”ll tell ya,...
Leechburg historical society to honor Black Civil War veteran Joseph Kelly 
The only known Black Civil War veteran buried in Leechburg is being honored by the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society. The museum is adding a new display, scheduled for completion in March, commemorating the life and service of Joseph Kelly. “It’s an important piece of the town’s history both...
Harrison native to keep streak alive of attending every Super Bowl
Harrison native Tom Henschel will make a short, 15-minute drive from his home to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to continue a remarkably long streak. Henschel, 79, has attended all 54 Super Bowl games. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, attendance at this year’s Super Bowl, the 55th, will be...
First-come, first-served: Free food to be distributed in Leechburg
Free food for the public is coming to Leechburg every Saturday in February. About 1,100 boxes will be distributed Saturday in a drive-thru format from noon-5 p.m. in the Leechburg Fire Hall lot at 268 Canal St. Saturday’s distribution kicks off the first of a four-day outreach this month. The...
Allegheny Township's Bob Key, accomplished attorney and businessman, was avid pilot who bred champion horses
Bob Key was no stranger to travel and adventure. His pursuits took him to six continents, but he always returned to his hometown roots in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Robert “Bob” J. Key died at his home in Allegheny Township on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. He was 87. Up until his death,...
Leechburg pizzeria, florist team up for heart-shaped pizzas, flowers for Valentine's
A Leechburg pizza shop is spreading the love this Valentine’s Day season with heart-shaped pizzas and flowers and stuffed animals on the side. “With the pandemic, we’re thinking outside of the box because a lot of people are not going to be able to go out to dinners, and there...
Leechburg Area adds covid tracker to school district's website
Leechburg Area School District added a covid case tracker to its website. In a weekly email update to district families Friday, Superintendent Tiffany Nix explained the reason for adding the new link. “This will be much easier for you to access any district information that you may need or want...
Owner of popular 1844 Restaurant willing to wait out pandemic before reopening
A historic rural restaurant remains closed because of the pandemic. 1844 Restaurant, located at 690 Route 66, 3 miles north of Leechburg in Gilpin, closed in March. It is too early to say when it will reopen, said owner/operator Robert Gorelli. Gorelli, 78, said he wants to see widespread covid-19...
West Leechburg Mayor Jim Gallucci figures 40 years of public service is enough
A West Leechburg resident is retiring from public office after serving the borough for 40 years. Jim Gallucci, 72, has served as mayor for 36 years. Prior to being elected, he served on council four years. Long ago, a friend urged him to run for mayor after leading a successful...
Gilpin to install signs along roads where ATVs are allowed to ride
Motorists in Gilpin soon will share the road with ATV riders. Township supervisors voted 4-0 in July to pass an ordinance allowing ATVs on most local roads. The board voted down a similar proposal in 2019. “There were around 25 residents in attendance, most for, a few against,” Supervisor Charles...
Leechburg Recycling Center could use more volunteers for eco-friendly program 
Calling all volunteers. The Leechburg Recycling Center, near the high school football field on Logan Avenue Extension, depends on a dedicated core group of about 10 volunteers for its operations. But more volunteers are needed, said Nancy Bono, Leechburg councilwoman and recycling chairwoman. “I’m tired,” said Bono, 84, the oldest...
Freeport native Alex Isenberg making all the right moves
Freeport native Alex Isenberg had been dancing his way through life, landing professional gigs with celebrities such as Madonna and Liza Minnelli and performing around the world. Then the pandemic brought much of the entertainment industry to a halt. “No live shows, no filming, no in-person auditions, nothing,” said Isenberg,...
Former Gilpin man extradited from Texas to face child sex charges
A former Gilpin man accused of sex crimes against a young girl has been extradited from Texas to face the charges. Michael Henry Brucker, 31, of Montgomery, Texas was brought back from Texas early this month, according to Gilpin police. Gilpin police Chief Chris Fabec said police began an investigation...
Leechburg mayor hopes former bank drive-thru location gets a new owner
A historic former bank building in Leechburg is for sale. The former drive-thru location of First Commonwealth Bank, at 200 Market St., was listed for $55,000 several months ago. Two First Commonwealth bank locations in Leechburg closed in December, the result of an increase in online banking and continuing challenges...


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