Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 104
‘Comeback Crawl’ designed to help Oakmont businesses set for Saturday
It is no secret that small businesses, such as family restaurants and corner stores, have been hit hard during the covid pandemic. With vaccinations on the rise and safety protocols loosening up, Oakmont Chamber of Commerce members believe now is a great time to encourage more people to come out...
Pittsburgh police: Man dies after being wounded in North Side shooting
A man shot Wednesday night in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood has died, police said Thursday morning. The shooting happened about 9:30 p.m. on Brightridge Street. Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert and found a man shot in the head with a possible puncture wound to his chest, said Public Safety...
Rotary Club plans to post a peace pole in Monroeville Community Park West
A new monument designed to promote peace and togetherness may soon be installed in a Monroeville park. Rotary Club of Monroeville members want to install a peace pole in the the botanical garden section of Monroeville Community Park West. “We want to draw the diverse community together,” outgoing Rotary president...
Warm weather and sun brings people and pets to Boyce Park in PlumVideo
People and pets from all over flocked to Boyce Park in Plum on Wednesday to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine. Temperatures were in the low 70s most of the day. Park walkers were treated to the flute playing of Penn Hills resident and retired teacher Mike Stur. The dog...
Plum dog washing event raises money for Monroeville Animal Shelter
A Plum pet grooming business recently raised nearly $400 for the Monroeville Animal Shelter. The Barker Shop along Saltsburg Road hosted a dog washing event March 21. Monroeville animal control officer and shelter coordinator Corye Ramsey and his family assisted volunteer Lisa Wisiloaky with bringing the 21 dogs in and...
Fundraising effort underway for Springdale father and son left homeless after house fire
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help a Springdale family recover from a house fire. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to the two-alarm blaze around 2:30 p.m. Friday in the 300 block of Orchard Street. Robert Collier and his son, Kendall, lost a lot to the flames including...
Plum approves agricultural advisory board, another step in protecting farmland
Plum officials have taken another step toward protecting farmland and developing “agricultural security areas.” An agricultural security area helps participating farmers in various ways including prohibiting municipalities from enacting laws or ordinances that would unreasonably restrict farm structures or farm practices within the ASA. It also discourages condemnation of agricultural...
Police: Motorcycle, Jeep collide near Penn Hills Elementary School, road reopened hours later
A man on a motorcycle was severely injured Tuesday afternoon after colliding with a Jeep near Penn Hills Elementary School. Police Chief Howard Burton said the crash occurred along the 1000 block of Jefferson Road around 4:15 p.m. The motorcycle rider was taken to an unnamed hospital. An Allegheny County...
Arson suspected in Penn Hills fire that left one man burned
A husband and wife domestic dispute may have been the spark that caused a Penn Hills fire Sunday afternoon. “It’s a possibility,” police Chief Howard Burton said Monday night. “We don’t believe it was an accident. We believe it was definitely set. It was arson.” Firefighters were initially called to...
Verona, Oakmont to host Memorial Day parade
Oakmont and Verona officials are working to restore the twin boroughs’ Memorial Day parade. The annual event to honor the men and women who fought and died for this country was canceled last year because of the pandemic. Both borough councils recently gave approval to their respective committees to begin...
Springdale father and son safe, sheltered after fire damages home
Kendall Collier was at work when he received an emergency call from his father Friday afternoon. “ ’Our house is on fire. Come home quick’ were his exact words,” Collier said, standing outside their three-story Springdale home. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to the two-alarm blaze around 2:30 p.m. along...
Harrison man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child porn
A Harrison man who already was a registered sex offender has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for child porn possession. U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Hornan imposed the sentence Thursday against Jack Ulrich Jr. Ulrich, 43, had pleaded guilty last June to one count of possession of...
Some Sewickley restaurants say loosened covid restrictions won’t have much impact
While some covid restrictions for businesses throughout the state may soon be lifted, some Sewickley restaurant owners say the changes will not have a significant impact on their operations. Gov. Tom Wolf on March 15 announced he would roll back a slew of mitigation measures effective April 4, including the...
Verona to host drive-in Easter movie instead of egg hunt this year
Verona parks and recreation board members want to do something different for Easter this year due the covid pandemic. A special drive-in movie night in Railroad Park has been planned in lieu of the traditional egg hunt. “We’d love to see it full,” said Trish Hredzak-Showalter, councilwoman and recreation board...
Plans for Verona’s 150th anniversary celebration nearly complete
Verona’s 150th anniversary is such a huge deal it will be celebrated with at least four separate events throughout the year, organizers announced. “I think people are excited about it,” said Jessica Varone, founder and chair of Verona Community Group (VCG). “It’s been hard for us to make plans due...
Families from several communities play at Plum park Tuesday afternoon
Families from Plum, Monroeville and other communities took advantage of the sun and mild weather by heading outdoors for a little fun. Some showed up at the O’Block Playground on Monroeville Trestle Road in Plum for swinging on swings and climbing on playground equipment on Tuesday afternoon....
Riverview School District to offer all students full-time, in-school instruction starting in April
All Riverview School District students will have the option of full-time, in-person or virtual instruction starting next month. It is part of the district’s plan to eliminate its hybrid model where students are split into two groups with each having a couple of days of in-class instruction and virtual learning...
Verona, Oakmont planning to host Memorial Day parade
Oakmont and Verona officials are working to restore the twin boroughs’ Memorial Day parade. The annual event to honor the men and women who fought and died for this country was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Both borough councils recently gave approval to their respective committees to begin...
Plum’s Oblock Junior High on remote learning Wednesday due to covid cases
Plum School District’s Oblock Junior High School students will be remote learning Wednesday due to covid cases. District officials said six students tested positive for the virus, and 48 people will need to quarantine. Contact tracing is underway to determine who may have been in close contact with the staff...
Sewickley gets Netflix makeover as part of new film projectVideo
Several Sewickley residents and business owners were excited for the borough’s closeup as Netflix production crews were in town filming scenes for an upcoming project. “I think this is a really pretty area, and think it’s nice that people would want to feature it in some film,” said Kimberly Anderson,...
Oakmont officials approve paving, line painting contracts
Oakmont officials tapped a Valencia-based company to cover this year’s paving program. Council unanimously voted to award a nearly $302,000 contract to Shields Asphalt Paving. Borough manager Scot Fodi said he is familiar with the company from when he worked at Middlesex and Pine townships. Shields was the lowest of...
Riverview High School music department’s drive-thru pasta dinner fundraiser set
Riverview High School music department’s annual pasta fundraiser will be a little different this year due to covid-19 restrictions. A drive-thru event is set for Sunday, March 28 from 3:30 p.m. until the food runs out at the high school, 100 Hulton Road. The Easter bunny will be on hand...
William Shatner to headline Monroeville’s Steel City Con in June
Organizers of Steel City Con, the largest pop culture gathering at the Monroeville Convention Center, have announced a new special guest headliner. Hollywood icon William Shatner is scheduled to attend the first two days of the convention set for June 11-13. The Emmy award-winning Canadian-born actor, writer, producer/director is best...
Divine Mercy Academy in Monroeville on remote learning due to covid cases, staffing
Divine Mercy Academy in Monroeville switched to remote learning this week due to four positive covid cases and staffing concerns, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh officials announced Wednesday. All athletic practices and games were also suspended until Monday, when in-person instruction is expected to resume. Officials said school families were notified...
Oakmont, Verona named banner communities by Allegheny League of Municipalities
Oakmont and Verona have been named banner communities by the Allegheny League of Municipalities. The program recognizes communities that show a commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability, and proactive communications to engage community stakeholders. The two were among 68 communities and five municipal authorities recognized this year,...
