James Engel stories, Page 16
Pine-Richland School Board candidate pulls out of race amid accusation of falsifying petition signatures
A lawyer from Pine has withdrawn her candidacy in both primary races after a legal objection to her Democratic election petition alleged that several signatures were falsified. The objection, filed on March 17, questioned the authenticity of five signatures — 10 are required to run— on the petition of Kathleen...
Shaler Area marched in New York, Hampton in Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day parades
Two school districts from the North Hills marched in the nation’s largest two St. Patrick’s Day parades — in New York and Chicago — during festivities March 17. Hampton High School’s marching band ambled up Columbus Drive near Lake Michigan in Chicago, while its counterparts from Shaler Area High School...
North Hills junior 1 of 5 Americans selected to attend International Science School in Australia
A North Hills junior, after a rigorous admissions process, was selected as one of five Americans set to attend the prestigious International Science School at the University of Sydney this summer. Raine Dickinson said she became aware of the school while participating in a program with the STEM nonprofit Higher...
North Hills music teacher in the running for $10K Barry Manilow award
A North Hills High School music teacher is one of several area educators nominated to receive a $10,000 award from the Manilow Music Project, which is giving away grants to schools during 81-year-old Barry Manilow’s final arena tour. If Len Lavelle emerges victorious from a public vote, North Hills would...
Alioto’s, a longtime Etna staple, will close at the end of March
After decades of service, the owner of Alioto’s Restaurant & Sports Bar in Etna announced it will permanently close its doors March 31. Lilli Mosco, who has owned the restaurant since 2009, said Alioto’s has not been able to “keep pace” in the face of rising costs, especially after the...
Objection to Pine-Richland School Board candidate petition alleges forged signatures
A legal objection requesting a judge set aside an election petition for a Pine-Richland School Board candidate alleges that several signatures appearing on her Democratic primary petition were falsified. To register for the Democratic primary, candidates must acquire 10 signatures from Democrats in their election region. The objection, filed on...
Pine-Richland board gives itself final power over book selections at school library
After months of tumultuous debate, the Pine-Richland School Board voted 5-4 Monday night to pass a new library policy, amid outcry from community members who have labelled it a “book ban.” The policy places the final power to add or remove district library books in the hands of the school...
Students in North Hills school districts continue to organize against hate ahead of upcoming conference
Students throughout Pittsburgh’s North Hills have persisted in organizing events and countering hate in their communities as they prepare to convene for a conference later this month at Acrisure Stadium with more than two dozen schools. The event is a follow-up to last October’s Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh,...
Shaler commissioners table Mt. Alvernia development discussions amid community concerns
After a more than two-hour meeting with extensive public engagement, Shaler commissioners voted March 11 to table a zoning ordinance that would have advanced a plan to redevelop the Mt. Alvernia property. The property, which straddles the border of Shaler and Millvale, was once the campus of the Sisters of...
Memorial Park Church in McCandless seeking to pack a quarter-million meals in upcoming drives
In two upcoming events, Memorial Park Church in McCandless hopes to pack 250,000 meals for local distribution, requesting aid from the public for the second event. Memorial Park, an Evangelical Presbyterian Church with about 1,000 members, is a “mission-based” congregation, according to its communications director, Greg Hollack. The upcoming events,...
6 people scammed after card skimmer found at 7-Eleven in Etna; more people likely affected
Several customers at a 7-Eleven location in Etna have reported fraudulent charges on their accounts after a card skimmer was found Monday on one of the store’s registers. Etna police Chief Tim Rodman said his department has received fraud reports from six residents so far, though it is likely more...
Pine to host 2nd Earth Day event with more environmental activities, vendors and 5K run
After large crowds and a positive reception last year, Pine is set to mark the second iteration of its Earth Day celebrations. The event, which will take place throughout the grounds of the Pine Community Center and its surrounding park, will feature workshops, merchants and food vendors, resembling something close...
Etna to relocate borough’s headquarters to higher elevation with purchase of building
After years of seeking higher ground, the Borough of Etna purchased a building March 7 that eventually will become the municipality’s new headquarters. The location, at 30 Pine St., sits almost directly above the current borough building at 437 Butler St. The 47,570-square-foot building is an industrial space formerly occupied...
Area fish fries gear up for lent, often with expanded menus
As Western Pennsylvania communities rev up the fryers for Lenten season fish fries, many churches and organizations have expanded their menus beyond the cod. Last year, during the first Friday of Lent, Kristen Jones said Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Department in Unity served 2,000 meals, using about 1,500 buns. Though the...
Projectiles launched, zombie art composed at annual Shaler Area STEAM competition
Teams from 16 schools applied their knowledge and creativity in a series of challenges Friday during an annual STEAM competition hosted by Shaler Area High School. The competition, which began several years ago with just six schools, features a daylong sequence of science, technology, engineering, art and math trials in...
Construction begins on Rachel Carson EcoVillage in McCandless
Construction on the long-awaited Rachel Carson EcoVillage at Providence Heights, a sustainable cohabitation of 35 units in McCandless, has broken ground after several years of discussions and rezoning. The village is located on land donated by the Sisters of Divine Providence near Cumberland Road and Babcock Boulevard adjacent to La...
Ingomar Living Waters fundraiser to help hydrate thousands around the world
Gazing out over Pittsburgh’s three rivers from the Carnegie Science Center, attendees of Ingomar Living Waters’ upcoming fundraiser will be considering the waters elsewhere. The group, founded as a charity organization among parishioners at Ingomar United Methodist Church in Franklin Park, has held its Turning Wine Into Water event since...
Etna’s Bread of Life Food Pantry seeking donations after number of shoppers ‘skyrockets’
During the Lenten season, the Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna is seeking donations to provide Easter hams to local families and bear the weight of a “dramatic increase” of people seeking its services. Alexis Weber, manager of the pantry located in Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church at 94 Locust...
Shaler seeks residents’ thoughts on master plan for parks
After years of discussions about park improvements and the potential addition of a recreation center, Shaler is seeking resident input about the future of its dozen parks in a survey. The extensive questionnaire comes as a result of recommendations made by the Kiwanis Park Focus Group in May 2024, Shaler...
Ross honors 9 police officers in inaugural awards ceremony
Ross recognized several police officers with awards and commendations March 3 in what Deputy Chief Brian Kohlhepp said he hopes is the first of many years of annual awards for its 46-officer staff. Though nine officers were recognized at a meeting of a township commissioners, two took home special honors....
After initial hesitation, Ross votes to approve former Steeler’s medical marijuana dispensary
While the Ross commissioners voted to table the approval of a medical marijuana dispensary on McKnight Road at its last meeting, the nine member board voted unanimously Monday to allow the facility to operate. The dispensary will sit at 7725 McKnight Road, where G&G Fitness Equipment currently resides. That will...
Shaler Area student to be charged for allegedly assaulting basketball referee
Shaler police are in the process of charging a juvenile after they allegedly punched a referee on March 1 during a fourth grade basketball game at Shaler Area Elementary School. According to Lt. Josh Watkins, police likely will charge the suspect, a Shaler Area High School student, in juvenile court...
10 Japanese exchange students to attend Shaler Area High School classes in March
Hailing from Niigata High School on Japan’s western coast, 10 Japanese students attended three days of classes at Shaler Area High School. The students, mostly third-year high schoolers, sat in on science, technology, engineering and math classes from March 10-12 in an effort to learn more about American STEM education....
North Allegheny middle schoolers advance to international Lego competition
After finding success at a statewide competition Feb. 15, six North Allegheny middle schoolers will head to an international Lego competition in June with their team Bands of Steel. The competition, organized by the international youth organization First Lego League, tasks participants with constructing and coding a Lego robot in...
Pine-Richland students win 1st place at Shakespeare competition; teacher honored
“Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs, myself am moved to woo thee for my wife.” With those words, amid a flurry of puns and Shakespearean sparring, two Pine-Richland seniors took first place on Feb. 24 in the upper-level scene category of Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Shakespeare Monologue & Scene...
