Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 98
Lower Valley libraries combine literacy and laps for StoryWalks
Colorful pictures, entertaining text and fresh air will converge to engage Lower Valley families through a year-long series of StoryWalks. Hosted by Sharpsburg Community Library and Cooper-Siegel Community Library, the walks are scheduled to begin later this month and run through November. “Families will be able to walk and read...
Student news: Food drive, debate tournament, mock trial and more
The Shady Side Academy Senior School service learning club sponsored a virtual food drive and twice surpassed its fundraising goal, first of $500 and then of $1,000, to raise a total of $2,686 for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Proceeds will provide up to 13,432 meals for those in...
A trip to Stippy’s in Blawnox is a sweet treatVideo
Something sweet has sprouted along Freeport Road in Blawnox. Stippy’s Sweet Treats, an old-time candy store, is stocked with all sorts of goodies from gumballs to guava soda to grab-and-go bags of gobstoppers. “Any adult that opens up a bucket of Bazooka and takes a big whiff, I guarantee the...
Little Free Pantry at Sharpsburg Community Library will help combat hunger
A new little pantry in Sharpsburg will help combat hunger and provide necessities that people might not be able to afford. The free food box will be erected at the Sharpsburg Community Library along Main Street. Filled with canned soup, boxed meals, beverages or basic toiletries, the pantry is expected...
Sharpsburg eyes roads for summer paving, seeks volunteers to fill human rights commission
Sharpsburg council has released the list of roads to be targeted in this year’s road paving program. Members are eyeing five streets for improvement, with bids accepted this month. If approved, the project will include 15th Street from Main to South Canal, Church Street from Main to Penn, Short Alley...
Fox Chapel Area to host virtual story time for prospective kindergarteners
Kindergarten story times typically offered as part of the Fox Chapel Area orientation for new students will be hosted virtually, beginning this month. District leaders said they didn’t want to miss the opportunity to reach out to prospective students, despite the lingering pandemic and related social distancing guidelines. “The school...
Shaler Area girls basketball team stands up against racism
When the Shaler Area varsity girls basketball team takes the court against North Allegheny on Feb. 15, hoops won’t be the only spotlight. Athletes on both teams plan to show a united front against racism. The Titans and Tigers will warm up before the 6 p.m. competition in black T-shirts...
Neighbor Spotlight: Sharpsburg garden manager working to provide access to nutrition in community without grocery storeVideo
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Fox Chapel councilwoman lobbies local governments to ban coal tar
Fox Chapel councilwoman Mandy Steele considered it a victory when the borough became the first in the state to ban coal tar, a toxic chemical used to seal asphalt driveways. But she’s not resting with that singular win. “I plan on going in front of all the councils in Allegheny...
Aspinwall school forges ahead with Catholic Schools Week despite pandemic restrictions
There were no donuts with grandparents this year for Catholic Schools Week, nor was there a staff versus students kickball game. Still, Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy (CDTCA) in Aspinwall found a way to mark each day with a special celebration of their faith. “The pandemic isn’t stopping us,”...
Triboro Ecodistrict awarded Hillman Foundation grant for sustainability projects
The Etna EcoPark is among several Lower Valley projects to get a boost from the Hillman Foundation this week, which announced $250,000 for sustainability programs in the borough, along with those in Millvale and Sharpsburg. Money was awarded to the Triboro Ecodistrict, a partnership between New Sun Rising, Etna Community...
Longtime member Jeff Stephens takes reins at Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company
As the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company nears its 100th anniversary, members have elected a new chief — one who has served nearly half of the department’s existence. Jeff Stephens, a 42-year member, was elected in January to a two-year term after longtime head George McBriar retired. “I would like to...
Sharpsburg considering volunteer litter program to beautify streets
Sharpsburg councilman Jon Jaso wants residents to walk the walk when it comes to keeping the borough clean. He is spearheading an Adopt-a-Street program where volunteers would pledge to rid litter from a section of borough roads. “They would have to do a cleanup once a quarter, or more if...
Giant Eagle lauded for LGBTQ workplace policies
Giant Eagle was named tops in corporate policies related to LGBTQ workplace quality, in part for its equitable benefits and fostering an inclusive culture, according to a national benchmarking survey. The O’Hara-based company earned a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). “We...
Top stories from across the Lower Valley for the week of Jan. 25Video
Here are some of the top stories of the week of Jan. 25: - Sharpsburg budget holds taxes steady Sharpsburg residents will pay the same real estate taxes to the borough in 2021. The property tax rate will remain 7.5 mills, meaning the owner of a home assessed at $100,000...
Sharpsburg seeks to fill council seat after longtime member Greg Domian resigns
Sharpsburg is seeking interested volunteers to fill a vacancy on council. Longtime member Greg Domian resigned, citing personal reasons. Manager Bill Rossey said the appointee would fill the term through Dec. 31. Anyone interested must be a registered voter and have lived in the borough for at least a year....
Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church reopens its Harvest Fair for February
After a two-month hiatus, the Harvest Fair at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church is back up and running. The fleatique fundraiser remains by appointment only. The popular shopping event was shut down in late-November for covid-19-related concerns when numbers began to creep up prior to the holidays. “We finally have the...
New portal sign welcomes visitors to Blawnox
A new portal sign erected in Blawnox will greet visitors and help boost curb appeal. Visitors entering the borough along Freeport Road from Harmar or Oakmont might notice the blue and gold greeting at the end of town just beyond the Sunoco station. “It’s a way to welcome people,” Manager...
Some private-lane residents in Fox Chapel required to change street name in conjunction with ‘Squaw’ removal
Fox Chapel residents who live along some private lanes in the borough will be getting new street names this spring. Council’s move to rename Squaw Run and Squaw Run East will affect about 10 properties, in addition to those housed on the Heinz Estate. “Much of Squaw Run and Squaw...
Shaler Area agrees to sale of former elementary school to real estate company; township believed it was buyer
Shaler commissioners were blindsided this week by the announcement that Shaler Area School District reached an agreement to sell the former Jeffery Primary building. The township believed it had a verbal agreement for the acquisition, Manager Tim Rogers said. “The district never advised us that they had retracted the offer...
Volunteers needed to help showcase ‘Best of Blawnox’
From shoveling walkways to picking up trash and litter, a new volunteer group in Blawnox is pledging to showcase the borough through good deeds. Best of Blawnox was launched in January “to recognize the greatness in our community and that through working together we can bring programs to the residents,”...
Kendra Clarke appointed to fill council vacancy in Etna
A new council person was appointed in Etna to fill a vacancy that runs through 2021. Kendra Clarke, a four-year resident of the borough, will represent the 3rd Ward. She was among three applicants seeking to replace Bill O’Dell after his resignation in December. “I have developed a strong commitment...
The top stories for the week of Jan. 18, 2021Video
Here are some of the top stories for the week of Jan. 18: • Biden takes the helm as president Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, calling for unity and declaring a victory for democracy. He took his oath at the U.S. Capitol...
Bob Evans sausage recalled for possible rubber contamination
Check your refrigerators. Bob Evans Farms Inc. is recalling packaged pork sausage that may be contaminated with thin blue rubber, according to the USDA. The sausage was produced in December 2020 and is packaged in one-pound containers labeled with lot code 0352. Packages have a use-by date of Jan. 31...
Blawnox working to correct violations at water plant; drinking water is not affected
Blawnox officials are working with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to resolve violations at the borough’s water plant. Troubles stem from treatment techniques and have not impacted water quality, Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said. “There have been no issues with any of our bacteria samples and there is nothing residents...
