Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 72
St. Joseph students to stage ‘Into the Woods’ at Vandergrift’s Casino Theater
St. Joseph High School students have tapped into the expertise of professional directors for the spring production of “Into the Woods.” The guidance has taken them from “amateur to stars,” some of the theatrical teens said. “We’ve gone to a whole other level,” said senior Hannah Laskowski, 18, of Arnold....
Port Authority light-rail service resumes
Port Authority’s light-rail service is back up and running after a lengthy shutdown Tuesday morning caused by a power issue, according to the agency. All rail car service along the Blue and Silver lines was stopped just before 6:30 a.m. but was restored at about 10:30 a.m. Power has been...
I-79 south reopens after crash between Prospect and Zelienople
The southbound lanes of Interstate 79 — from Prospect to Zelienople — are reopen Tuesday morning after a multiple vehicle crash. One person was flown by medical helicopter to a local hospital, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. The incident happened just before 6:30 a.m., according to PennDOT. Lanes were...
No reported injuries in Larimer fire that spread to neighboring home
There were no reported injuries in a fire early Tuesday that spread between two homes in Larimer, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. Firefighters were called just after 1 a.m. and worked from the rooftops to fight the flames at the homes in the 6000 block of Llewellyn Place. The...
Construction to limit traffic along Homestead Grays Bridge
Motorists who use the Homestead Grays Bridge should allow extra travel time when the span goes under construction at the beginning of May. The inner southbound lane of the bridge is scheduled to close from 6 a.m. May 7 to 6 a.m. May 9. During the closure, crews will work...
Tarentum Recreation Board touts exciting summer lineup
Tarentum Recreation Board has released its summer lineup, with a schedule of events aimed at drawing people to the borough’s riverfront park and beyond. “They have something for everyone,” resident Cathy Fajbik said. “The fact that it’s free helps a lot, but, really, to look out at the boats and...
Brackenridge seeking money from Allegheny County to fight blight by razing vacant buildings
Brackenridge Council is seeking money from Allegheny County to launch an anti-blight effort. Council last week voted to apply for about $129,000 to raze several vacant or dilapidated structures. Most are residential properties, Borough Secretary Denise Tocco said. “All of them have been vacant a long time,” she said. Borough...
Communities across Pittsburgh region participate in Drug Take Back Day
Residents across the Pittsburgh region will be able to rid themselves of unwanted medication Saturday as several communities participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Events are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations include: • Oakmont: Rite Aid, 109 Allegheny River Blvd. • Aspinwall: Municipal office, 217...
Police say man in critical condition after stabbing in Homewood South
Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man was stabbed Sunday in the city’s Homewood South section. Emergency crews responded to the 700 block of Brushton Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. Responders found a man with multiple stab wounds to the abdomen, according to Public Information Officer Maurice Matthews. The victim...
Faces of the Valley: Harrison’s David Bowser ready to run at Florida’s National Senior Games
David Bowser was in his mid-40s before he laced up his first pair of running shoes. The Harrison resident, now 71, hasn’t stopped hitting the pavement, the treadmill or the trails ever since. “Back in 1995, my son went out for cross country at Highlands,” Bowser said. “I started to...
Alle-Kiski students come together for ‘One Song’ concert
Musical theater students from several Alle-Kiski Valley school districts will converge on stage Wednesday to convey unity and hope during the “One Song” Show Choir Festival at Highlands. Students from the host district, along with those from Freeport Area, Kiski Area and Springdale, will perform. The concert is at 7...
Retired Highlands teachers still promoting literacy with Tarentum storywalks
Two retired Highlands teachers are working to promote literacy in young children, albeit in a park instead of a classroom. Jody Shumaker and Deb Turner, longtime district teachers, are spearheading a program through the Tarentum Area Lions Club to offer story walks in Riverview Memorial Park. “Nobody loves a good...
New guiderails coming to Sun Mine Road in Fawn
Traffic along Sun Mine Road in Fawn could be affected in coming weeks after the township supervisors approved installation of new guiderails. “We already paved it; this is just putting the finishing touch on certain sections,” Township Secretary Pam Ponsart said. Canonsburg-based Interstate Enterprises was awarded the contract at the...
Riverview Senior Living apartment building set to open its doors in Harrison
A nearly 100-year-old former elementary school in a residential Harrison neighborhood is expected to open its doors as senior citizen rental apartments in June. “We’re doing ‘punch out’ work now,” developer Andy Haines said. “There’s lots of cosmetic work and cleaning up. The last month is always challenging to get...
Fathers for Literacy event in Harrison offers books, bean bags and bonding
When George Fleming first began a career in social work, he immediately noticed a lack of interest in reading by children. A supervisor for Allegheny Family Network, which has offices in Harrison and Oakland, Fleming was startled to learn that nearly two-thirds of low-income families have no books at home...
Hampton seeks vendors for farm market’s June opening
Come June, Hampton Community Park will hoppin’ on Wednesdays with the return of its bustling farm market. The parking lot along McCully Road teems with vendors hawking organic honey, fresh-popped kettle corn, a variety of veggies and other prepared foods. “A variety of offerings can attract a greater number of...
Herb Society returns to Beechwood Farms in Fox Chapel with spring sale after pandemic-related break
Members of the Western PA Unit of the Herb Society of America will be back in action for their annual spring plant sale after a two-year covid-related break. “After two years with no sale, it will be great to see and talk with friends and gardeners once again,” club member...
Foxwall EMS, Aspinwall VFD fundraiser will conquer Center Avenue, one of region’s steepest hills
Foxwall EMS and Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department are encouraging people to Run for the Hill of It. The new fundraiser to benefit both groups will celebrate its inaugural race on Sunday, April 24. “This is the kind of event that we have thought about for a long time,” said Rob...
Harrison Commissioners eyeing couches, tires, TVs in Earth Day cleanup
Harrison Commissioner Jamie Nee already is eyeing larger-than-normal pieces of litter to be collected at the township’s April 23 Earth Day cleanup. Her list includes an inventory of 82 tires, 25 TVs and seven couches that have been tossed in township parks or left on sides of roads as eyesores....
New life for Cycle Diner in Tarentum is possible, owners say
There might still be life in Tarentum’s Cycle Diner, just not as a traditional sit-down eatery. The 1949 diner is owned by Gatto Cycle Shop and attached to its Harley-Davidson showroom along East Sixth Avenue. In January, it was denied a permit by the Allegheny County Health Department to reopen....
Policy’s gender definition at center of debate for Highlands School Board
The question of what constitutes gender could be front and center at the next Highlands School Board meeting. On Tuesday, board members will consider approval of an education equity policy that at least two members have voiced concern about. The aim of the proposed policy is to remove educational barriers...
Cintas’ move will double industrial space at RIDC Park in O’Hara
An O’Hara business that specializes in first aid, safety and cleaning supplies is expanding to nearly double its size in the township’s industrial park. Cintas will move operations from a 5,000-square-foot facility along Alpha Drive in RIDC Park to one that’s nearly 10,000 square feet and just a few doors...
Volunteers sought for Harrison rain garden cleanup
A rain garden installed near Highlands Middle School has done its job of helping to eliminate a swampy lawn at the campus in Harrison. But it needs help to remain effective. “We pruned back a lot in the fall, but we need a group to go in there and really...
2 years into pandemic, the Brackenridge Salvation Army still churning out free meals
The lunch menu Thursday at the Brackenridge Salvation Army was far more elaborate than its grab-and-go description. Fresh out of the oven was a nutritious meal of baked tilapia with garlicky lemon butter, mac and cheese, and green beans. It was free and waiting for the first 100 people to...
Fox Chapel Area Adult Education adds tech lessons to help eliminate digital clutter
Fox Chapel Area Adult Education has a perfect class this spring for tech novices who accumulate thousands of emails or for people who yearn to shoot better photos with an iPhone. Private lessons for Apple devices, taught by Plum resident Emily McNeil, are part of the spring offerings that launched...
