Joyce Hanz stories, Page 14
Inspection reports shed no light on what was wrong with Kennywood’s Steel Curtain
No inspection report for the Steel Curtain roller coaster was filed with the state this year before Kennywood Park announced it was closing the popular ride for the 2024 season. The last inspection reports the state received from Kennywood about the Steel Curtain were from April, May and June of...
Where is the last Ponderosa Steakhouse in Pennsylvania?
Employees of Pennsylvania’s last Ponderosa Steakhouse along Route 8 in Butler County are used to customers taking parking lot selfies and making a big fuss over the staying power of this Ponderosa. Server Denise Morin, 58, has worked at the Ponderosa in Center Township for 40 years. It opened in...
Western Pennsylvania restaurant workers dish on dining etiquette
Workers in the food service industry have their plates full navigating menus, taking orders, making drinks, cleaning tables and running food orders — all while keeping customers happy. The restaurant industry generates more than $28 billion in tips annually, according to a 2023 report from Gitnux, which specializes in consumer...
Will TikTok survive in the U.S.? ‘It’s not over till it’s over’
The clock is ticking on the fate of the wildly popular TikTok social media app after the U.S. Senate voted this week in favor of legislation that could potentially result in its ban in the United States, and a local lawmaker and an IT expert have differing opinions on concerns...
Passover begins amid ongoing antisemitism and unrest in Israel
Shari Lowenstein Zatman of O’Hara is entering Passover with a mix of emotions this year. “I definitely feel like we’re observing Passover with a heavier heart this year. ’Let My People Go’ is something we say as part of the holiday and it’s taken on a relevant meaning with our...
Building the Valley: Frankie’s on 2nd finds niche in Leechburg, expands hours, days
Frankie Failla of Springdale Township is retired, but he goes to work every day. Failla owns Frankie’s on 2nd in downtown Leechburg, a classic American diner serving up hearty, homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner specialties. Some of the specialties are from the Italian-influenced Failla, who grew up learning the food...
Beef farmer fulfills dream with opening of Tubmill Creek Provisions in Ligonier
Farm-fresh goodness has arrived at a cafe in downtown Ligonier. John and Kitty Goodish of New Florence have been married for 50 years and opened Tubmill Creek Provisions on March 6 in a historic building dating back to the 1930s. Cafe is really an understatement, as the new business blends...
Riders react to Kennywood’s Steel Curtain closure
Nathan Hough loves going with his two children to Kennywood, but, with the Steel Curtain coaster out of commission this season, he fears the lines for other rides will be even longer. “It was very disappointing to see the Steel Curtain closed for the majority of last season,” Hough said....
Kennywood closes Steel Curtain for entire season
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain roller coaster has been sacked for the season. According to an Instagram post Wednesday, Kennywood said the Steel Curtain — which opened in 2019 — will be closed for the 2024 season. The iconic Western Pennsylvania amusement park opens on Saturday. The flagship Steelers-themed attraction is undergoing...
Fashion show to benefit Aspinwall school while boosting local women-owned businesses
Girls just wanna have fun — and shop. That’s the message organizers are spreading about the 2024 Sip & Style Fashion Fundraiser scheduled for May 5 at the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel. Co-organizers — and best friends since their children were 3 — Jayna Varley-Ifft of Fox Chapel...
School districts use technology to curb student vaping on campus
Tim Skoog keeps an unusual collection in his office at Franklin Regional School District. As the district’s director of safety and security, Skoog has confiscated hundreds of e-cigarette cartridges, or vapes, for his “vape graveyard” — a reminder of his efforts to decrease e-cigarette use on campus. “You really don’t...
Apollo woman to display Titanic memorabilia at library
An Apollo woman is sharing her passion for the most infamous maritime disaster ever recorded. Sarah Adams, 33, will host a free public Titantic-themed exhibit and question-and-answer event from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 at the Apollo Memorial Library. Adams, originally from Penn Hills, read about the Titanic...
Troy and Theodora Polamalu to host charity event at Acrisure Stadium to benefit those who’ve suffered tough times
A Pittsburgh Steelers icon is combining faith, family and fun in an effort to raise money and awareness for Pittsburgh-area communities affected by trauma. Two-time Super Bowl champion Troy Polamalu visited Pittsburgh on Friday with his wife, Theodora, by his side, spreading the word about the 2024 Inaugural Resilience Bowl,...
New fire captain, just 22, committed to continuing legacy of service in Oakmont
When Joey Flanick was a teenager, people in Oakmont nicknamed him “The Mayor.” “I just talk to everyone,” said Flanick, now 22 and an Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department captain. “The mayor title is like a joke, but it stuck. I’m a very social person, and I can build relationships with...
Fuel leak, slick road suspected in 3-car crash on Route 910 in Harmar
Harmar police are investigating a diesel fuel spill that appears to have resulted in slick road conditions that led to a chain-reaction crash during the Friday morning commute along Route 910. No injuries were reported from the crash, which occurred at about 7 a.m., according to Harmar police Sgt. John...
90-home development slated for portion of industrial park in South Buffalo
A residential housing development is coming to the RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park in South Buffalo. The 90-home development will feature 45 single-family homes and 45 townhouses on 23 acres owned by the nonprofit Armstrong County Industrial Development Council. The residences will be sold beginning in the $300,000 range. The development,...
Plum School District hires director of facilities
Plum Borough School District has new leadership managing its facilities. Shelley Shaffer was introduced at last month’s school board meeting as the new Director of Facilities and Grounds. Shaffer previously held similar positions at Westmoreland County Community College, Shepherd University, Saint Vincent College and Clarion University of Pennsylvania. “We’re thrilled...
Victorian-era fashions on display in Oakmont’s Kerr Memorial Museum
Explore the elegant fashions of the late 1800s with an ongoing Victorian-themed exhibit at The Kerr Memorial Museum. “The Brown Collection Exhibit” shows through August and features a mix of stunning clothing from the gilded 1880s to the roaring 1920s. The collection was donated the W.H. Brown family. The exhibit...
Leechburg officials tight-lipped on police regionalization as West Leechburg fields proposal from Southern Armstrong department
West Leechburg is the latest community that might be getting 24/7 police coverage. The Southern Armstrong Regional Police Commission voted unanimously to extend a proposal to West Leechburg Police Department in March. Southern Armstrong Police Chief Chris Fabec said a revised proposal was submitted last week to West Leechburg Council,...
Daycation: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum offers glimpse into transportation past
Have a trolley good time taking a Daycation Destination trip into the transportation past at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, Pa. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is a nonprofit educational organization sharing trolley-era history and depends on its hundreds of uber-dedicated volunteers for public operations and maintenance of the more...
Hundreds turn out for Gilpin trail opening, look forward to completion of next leg this year
Avid cyclist Bob Cropp enjoys blazing a trail. And with the addition of 10 miles to Armstrong Trails in Armstrong County, Cropp of Grove City arrived on his bike Monday morning to learn more about the ongoing efforts to expand the trail in the Kiski Junction corridor through Gilpin. “It’s...
Student-led survey sparks collaboration with Leechburg Area’s food service director
Some Leechburg Area elementary students created a foodie survey in hopes of bringing back or keeping their favorite breakfast and lunch items served in the school cafeteria. Thanks to a collaboration among fifth grade student council members from David Leech Elementary School and district food service director Tess Diehl, select...
New $3M barge dock planned along the Allegheny River in Gilpin
A deteriorating steel dock along the Allegheny River in Gilpin is showing its age but has promise to be a boon to the local economy. Located in the township’s Schenley section, at milepost 30.8 on the Allegheny River north of Pittsburgh, it’s the last commercial dock going upriver from the...
Plum School Board recognizes high school students’ accomplishments
More than 20 Plum Senior High School students were recognized for spring sports and technical academic accomplishments at the district’s March 26 school board meeting in the high school library. Boys wrestling coach Mike Supak, girls basketball coach Rich Mull, girls wrestling coach Dave Miller, principal Patrick Baughman and athletic...
Verona native, survivor of WWII’s Battle of the Bulge, feted on 102nd birthday
A Verona native who survived the Battle of the Bulge during World War II was honored by the community Monday as he marked his 102nd birthday. John Diamond Lewis was honored with an American flag, an American Legion hat and two celebratory gatherings at Logan Place, a senior living community...
