Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 97
O’Hara seeking $770,000 from Allegheny County for stormwater upgrades
O’Hara council is seeking more than $770,000 in Allegheny County grants for stormwater projects across the township. Council green-lighted three applications to the county’s Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund. They include: • $250,000 for the Greenwood Cemetery stormwater project. • $250,000 for the Epsilon Drive work. • $220,000 for a...
Countdown is on: 3 days until Chick-fil-A opens in O’Hara
Major buzz is surrounding the opening of Chick-fil-A in O’Hara this week, with hordes of hungry customers clamoring for waffle fries while others are voicing concern about traffic tangles from the fast food hot spot along Freeport Road. The nation’s top-rated food chain is set to open Thursday in a...
A look back at some of the top stories from The Herald area for the week of Feb. 15, 2021Video
Here are some of the top stories for the week of Feb. 15: • Local churches deliver Lenten messages Ash Wednesday, with or without the black ashes, kicked off the Lenten season with many parishes across the Lower Valley opting for services or online programs in lieu of the traditional...
Residents escape without injury in Bethel Park house fire
No one was injured in an early-morning fire in Bethel Park on Monday, according to fire authorities. Emergency crews were called shortly after 3:30 a.m. to a home in the 700 block of McMurray Road. Crews found smoke billowing from the two-story home but were able to knock the fire...
Shaler eyeing $1.5 million in road paving
Shaler commissioners are eyeing a hearty road paving program this year, with nearly two dozen streets on the list for improvements. Manager Tim Rogers said the board allotted $1.5 million for road work as part of this year’s $14.5 million budget. The list includes: • Locust Ridge, Chapleau, Mica, Peters,...
Shaler Area School Board greenlights 4-day, in-person schedule
Shaler Area students can return to the classroom four days a week, beginning in March, through a phased transition approved Feb. 17 by the school board. Under the plan, the district’s youngest learners would have the option to return first. As proposed, students in kindergarten through third grade can be...
Lenten message delivered across Lower Valley, with or without ashes
Christians who were unable to get ashes swabbed across their forehead to celebrate the start of Lent shouldn’t despair. Ash Wednesday, with or without the black ashes, kicks off a season inner reflection and repentance, according to the Rev. Jim Gretz, the pastor of St. Matthew Parish. “I have always...
Sharpsburg police training aimed at strengthening community relations
A police training session this week in Sharpsburg is aimed at boosting rapport and trust with the community and increasing confidence in officers, Chief Tom Stelitano said. Developed by IUP Police Academy, the eight-hour class is titled “Principled Criminal Justice and Police Legitimacy.” It will be from 9 a.m. to...
Aspinwall’s Christ the Divine school holding take-out only fish fries
Spring fish fry fundraisers at Aspinwall’s Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy won’t resemble years past, but organizers said the Lenten events will forge on. The school along Brilliant Avenue will host two takeouts, Feb. 26 and March 26. Hungry diners can pick up meals from 11 a.m. to 1...
Fox Chapel Area teen earns honors for mental health advocacy
Fox Chapel Area senior Abby Rickin-Marks has emerged as a change-maker in teen mental health advocacy, winning the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Keystone Pennsylvania Youth Award. Given to youth leaders who shift perceptions and spearhead change in mental health education, the NAMI honor comes with a $500 scholarship....
Stormwater project closes Kittanning Street through early March
A stormwater project along Kittanning Street in Etna finally is underway after multiple hiccups delayed the work. The PennDOT project includes gas line relocation and drainage upgrades between Snyder and Greismere streets, and requires a portion of Kittanning Street to be closed around-the-clock to through traffic. Construction is expected to...
Medical shuttles across Alle-Kiski Valley among services funded by St. Margaret Foundation
A free medical shuttle that transports patients throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley is among services funded by $675,755 in grants recently announced by the St. Margaret Foundation. Money will be distributed with the specific goals of supporting patient access, education and experience, foundation President Mary Lee Gannon said. “This past year...
PennDot, Pa. Turnpike issue restrictions ahead of winter storm
A winter storm expected to dump several inches of snow across the region is spurring restrictions by PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, speed and vehicle restrictions will be mandated along the PA Turnpike in both directions from Breezewood to the Ohio border, the entire...
Winter storm won’t halt plans for covid-19 vaccines at Allegheny County sites
Allegheny County Health Department planned to continue dispensing covid-19 vaccinations Monday and Tuesday, despite a winter storm that is expected to drop snow and ice across the region. Clinics are expected to be open Monday in Monroeville and Tuesday in Monroeville and Castle Shannon — although the schedule of appointments...
Aspinwall Riverfront Park gets a little more ‘love-ly’
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Aspinwall Riverfront Park got a little more lovely. Colorful, oversized letters that spell love were installed at the park entrance, near the playground’s imposing slide. Two large painted wooden hearts were erected in the western section and near the off-leash dog park, so that...
Police investigate Brighton Heights stabbing
A man is in critical condition after a stabbing Sunday in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights section, authorities said. Police responded to a call just before 3:15 p.m. to the 3800 block of California Avenue. Officers found a man who had been stabbed in the neck. He was taken to the hospital...
Allison Park attorney seeks to become Allegheny County judge
An attorney with Allegheny County Child Protection Services (CPS) is seeking to become an Allegheny County judge. Alyssa Cowan, an Allison Park resident and assistant county solicitor for CPS, made the announcement Saturday. “I’ve decided to throw my name in this race, not to chase political fame or boost my...
Clairton man killed in Dravosburg crash
A Clairton man was killed in a vehicle crash late Friday in Dravosburg, authorities said. The victim was identified as Alex Keith Anthony Brown Jr., 41, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The crash happened along Washington Avenue just before midnight. Brown was transported to a hospital where...
Bethel Park teen located safely
Bethel Park police said a teen they were searching for has been found safe. Police issued an alert on its Facebook page Saturday that sought help looking for Maria Musciano, 16. According to an alert on the police Facebook page, Musciano was located early Sunday....
Leechburg food distribution organizers say need is clear as 600 boxes go in about 30 minutesVideo
Volunteers at a food distribution event Saturday in Leechburg swiftly doled out more than 600 boxes of fresh meat, yogurt and produce to people struggling with basic needs nearly a year into the lingering covid-19 pandemic. “The lines are crazy,” said volunteer Reilly Sullivan, 15. “We take for granted how...
Waynesburg man found dead after house fire
A Waynesburg man was found dead in his home after a Feb. 12 fire, authorities said. Daniel Ray Lemley, 54, was pronounced dead at about 7:30 a.m. after a fire in his home along South West Street, according to Greene County Coroner Gene Rush. The cause of death is pending,...
O’Hara eyeing up to 15 roads for summer paving
O’Hara council on Feb. 9 laid out its summer paving project, saying it is eyeing nine roads for improvements with the possibility of adding six alternates. The township’s $13.9 million budget includes $1.1 million for road work. Residents can expect to see the following roads milled and resurfaced in 2021:...
Etna Volunteer Fire Department hosts St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt fundraiser
Etna Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt fundraiser but the money won’t pay for turnout gear or new equipment. It will help feed borough neighbors who are struggling during the covid-19 pandemic. Proceeds will benefit Bread of Life Food Pantry, housed in Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church...
All Saints Church steps up to collect donations for Etna food pantry
The Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna has tripled its donation dropoff days in order to meet the climbing demand for help from hungry families. There has been a 33% spike in the number of people seeking food from the site at 94 Locust St., in the basement of...
Fox Chapel Area School Board mulling March return for middle, high school students
Fox Chapel Area School Board on Feb. 8 pushed back a full-time return to in-person class for older district students until at least March. Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac said the administrative team is weighing options for a potential return for students at Dorseyville Middle School and the high school, pending...
