Joyce Hanz stories, Page 59

Joyce Hanz
Joyce Hanz
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Retired Gilpin couple’s hobby keeps them busy as bees 
Life is sweet for Jim and Sylvia Walters of Gilpin. The retired couple took up beekeeping as a hobby about five years ago. “We heard of the honeybees being in decline and wanted to do something. It wasn’t about the honey in the beginning. It was about helping the bees...
Steelers’ Jarron Jones accused of strangling, assaulting woman at Airbnb
A Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad player was arraigned and charged by Pittsburgh police in connection with an alleged incident involving a woman Saturday. Offensive lineman Jarron Jones, 26, of Rochester, N.Y., is charged with one count each of aggravated assault and strangulation — both felonies — and simple assault, a...
Renshaw Farms PumpkinFest offers fall-themed activities, attractions for all ages 
What began as a roadside stand is a sprawling, pumpkin-themed destination in South Buffalo Township. The 12th annual Renshaw Farms PumpkinFest continues Fridays through Sundays during October, offering fall-themed activities and attractions for all ages. Established in 1834, Renshaw Farms is owned and operated by sixth-generation Renshaws. “We have thousands...
Dry weather yielded smaller pumpkins, but Myers Pickle Farm in Gilpin has plenty
The roadside blaze of orange along Route 66 in Gilpin means one thing this time of year. Pumpkinpalooza. Every September, Alle-Kiski Valley residents in search of the perfect pumpkin can find their fix at Myers Pickle Farm, a popular produce stand in continuous operation since 1925. Family owned and operated...
Leechburg Methodist church benefits from federal stimulus money, congregation’s generosity
A Leechburg church has some financial breathing room thanks to money it received as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, both from the federal government and members of the congregation. “Not only have we been able to meet our responsibilities this autumn, but for the first time in a while,...
Keystone Safari zoo near Grove City adds hour-long drive-thru tour 
The wildlife scene has increased at Keystone Safari near Grove City. Just up the road from Keystone Safari’s walk-thru park is their latest expansion: a self-guided drive-thru safari tour, offering interaction with more than 100 animals and 25 species. Keystone Safari opened in 2019 and is family-owned by Adam and...
Supermarket to bring Germany’s Oktoberfest to Saxonburg
A little bit of Bavarian Germany is coming to Saxonburg. Sprankle’s Markets will host their second annual “Octoberfest”-themed beer and food festival on Saturday in its parking lot at 270 W. Water St. in Saxonburg. The location is has moved from last year’s celebration held at Lingrow Farm in Gilpin....
Leechburg Area students to return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5
Leechburg Area School District students will return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5. “I’m thrilled that the students are coming back,” Superintendent Tiffany Nix said. Students have been learning online exclusively since school started Sept 2. The original back-to-school plan approved in June offered students a choice of returning to school...
Fire outside Vandergrift house causes little damage but clogs afternoon traffic
Something smoldering against the outside a cellar door at a recently vacant house shut down busy Custer Avenue in Vandergrift for more than an hour Wednesday afternoon. Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Company Chief Randy Dunmire said Vandergrift police, who were first on the scene, had to force the door open to...
Gilpin farm to host fundraiser in place of Leechburg’s canceled Pink Day event
A Pink Day event has been held annually in Leechburg since 2011, raising more than $100,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, but the covid-19 pandemic forced organizer Sherry Price to cancel this year’s event. Leechburg-area businesswoman Linda Alworth stepped in to help when she found out about the cancellation....
Caribbean-themed brewpub Mastic Trail opens in Shaler 
Reach the beach without leaving the Pittsburgh area at Mastic Trail Brewing. The newly opened Caribbean-themed brewpub and restaurant, at 1044 Saxonburg Blvd. in Shaler, is the creation of island aficionado and Robinson Township native Ben Williams. “My favorite island is Grand Cayman and the Mastic Trail is a three-hour...
Large, costly hole appears on Leechburg street
Leechburg Council has a unexpected road repair on its hands, and all they know right now is that it’ll probably be expensive to fix. A gaping hole on Second Street and Center Avenue is the result of what Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos called a “storm sewer issue.” “The brick manhole...
Meet Hazelnut, a ‘spunky’ calf bought for $13 by Gilpin family 
Hazelnut is a pet with a purpose. The weeks-old baby Brown Swiss calf recently was purchased for $13 at auction by the Karpinski family of Gilpin, with the sole purpose of raising her as a pet dairy cow. “Hazelnut will be here for the long haul,” Kira Karpinski said. The...
Leechburg food truck festival looks to raise money for ailing fire company
A new food truck festival is coming to Leechburg. The “Food Truck Rally on the River,” sponsored by the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday on the fire company grounds on Canal Street. The outdoor foodie fundraiser is needed more than ever, said Brian...
‘Weenie Wagon’ reopens in Leechburg
Weenie season is back in Leechburg. People who operate the popular Weenie Wagon, parked on a lot on the borough’s Market Street, usually start selling hot dogs from the wagon on Memorial Day and continue on Saturdays through October. Covid-19 restrictions and unusually hot summer temperatures presented problems this year,...
Leechburg Area School District to continue free summer lunch program through December 
Free to-go meals are being offered to area youths by the Leechburg Area School District. The meal program is funded by the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and has been extended because of the covid-19 pandemic. The program is scheduled to continue through Dec. 31 unless federal guidelines change,...
Leechburg Area amends policy to allow spectators at some sporting events
Leechburg Area School Board amended the district’s athletic safety plan and spectator policy Wednesday to allow spectators at some sporting events. Previously, the district’s policy did not allow any spectators because of state covid-19 guidelines. Now, up to 250 people will be allowed at outdoor events and up to 25...
Gilpin teen achieves goal of becoming Eagle Scout 
Tucker Spiering of Gilpin set his eye from a young age on the ultimate prize in Scouting. He earned his Eagle Scout rank on Sept. 1, 2020. “I always believed he would eventually earn his Eagle rank,” said mom Jaime Spiering. “He set this goal pretty young and was very...
Renovations to Leechburg’s Riverfront Park create ‘jewel’ along Kiski River, mayor says
A riverfront venue in Leechburg is newly spruced up and available for the public to rent. The white gazebo in Riverfront Park was constructed in 2004 but had fallen into a state of deterioration, Mayor Wayne Dobos said. “The park is a community asset that had started to fall by...
West Virginia University suspends in-person classes as covid-19 cases increase
West Virginia University on Monday suspended in-person classes at its Morgantown campus for undergraduate students for at least two weeks. Additionally, the university placed 29 students under interim suspension from its Morgantown campus Sunday, due to violations of the university’s student code of conduct. The university has limited social gatherings...
Bishop Zubik calls for day of fasting and prayer for racial reconciliation
Bishop David Zubik is calling for people to pray and fast Wednesday for racial reconciliation in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will join other dioceses across the United States as part of the effort. “In solidarity with all people who suffer from discrimination and violence due to their...
Trio of peacocks are people-pleasers at Allegheny Township farm 
Three peacocks rule the roost at Legacy Acres Farm in Allegheny Township. Meet Kevin, Houlahan and Radar — three pet Indian peafowl, commonly referred to as peacocks, owned by Susan Hughan. Hughan, 65, spent her childhood playing with her neighbor’s peacocks while growing up near Leechburg. Her grandmother shared her...
In a time of covid-19, 2 Leechburg area churches among those taking services outdoors
Two Leechburg area churches are offering outdoor worship opportunities in response to covid-19 restrictions. The Revs. Gary and Lisa Lyon, co-pastors at Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg, added a monthly outdoor service in June. The 40-minute service is open to anyone. Those attending are asked to bring a...
Pandemic provides boost for river recreation businesses in Western Pa. 
The covid-19 pandemic appears to have spurred more people to take to Western Pennsylvania’s waterways this summer. Neill Andritz, co-owner of River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak in Gilpin, said kayaking, tubing and canoe rentals have increased 25% this season as people have sought covid-friendly outdoor pursuits. “We’re realizing the outdoors...
West Leechburg man ‘space-ing out’ with online astronomy show
West Leechburg’s James Sanders has turned a childhood interest in science into a celestial pursuit and profession. Sanders, who has an astrophysics degree from Clarion University, is hosting a free Facebook livestream on astronomy Saturday. “I found planetariums in college and realized they would be an excellent marriage of content...


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