Joyce Hanz stories, Page 18
Destination Daycation: Channel the tropics during winter at these Pittsburgh-area tropical-themed eateries
Craving some island vibes but stuck in wintertime Pittsburgh? Take a daycation destination to these tropical-themed bars and eateries that offer a beach-themed escape from the winter doldrums. From lobster specialty sandwiches and nachos to Caribbean-influenced cocktails, these independently owned restaurants put the paradise vibe in Pittsburgh. The Hula Bar...
‘Skill’ games become popular, ubiquitous but may not stay legal
Frequent Pittsburgh Mills walker Paul Tyree recently noticed a new form of entertainment during his fitness jaunts around the inside of the Frazer shopping mall. A four-game skills gambling kiosk, each with large, colorful digital displays and an accompanying chair occupy the middle of a corridor that’s visible from Macy’s,...
Oakmont councilwoman resigns, replacement sought
Editor’s note: This story has been amended to correct the the date of council’s next meeting and the names of current council members. Oakmont officials are looking to fill a vacant council seat after the recent resignation of councilwoman Tracey Holst. Holst, a Democrat, submitted her resignation letter Dec. 31....
Kiski Township launches police dog fundraiser amid pushback from supervisor-elect
Kiski Township police officials are looking to add a dog to their roster of officers. Chief Lee Bartolicius is spearheading efforts to raise about $20,000 to purchase and train a police dog. The department launched the Kiski Township K-9 Fund this month and to date has raised just over $3,000....
Leechburg Area superintendent announces resignation, is hired by the Penn-Trafford School District
Leechburg Area School District is losing its superintendent of seven years. Tiffany Nix submitted a letter of resignation Thursday announcing she accepted a post as assistant superintendent with the Penn-Trafford School District. “We’re very happy that Dr. Nix will be joining the Penn-Trafford team,” said Penn-Trafford Superintendent Matthew Harris. “She...
Leechburg Area School District staff serves students during Christmas-themed lunch
Leechburg Area School District employees and administrators dressed up as holiday characters Wednesday to serve a Christmas-themed lunch to students. “This is the first year that we’re dressing up and spreading holiday cheer,” Superintendent Tiffany Nix said. “The joy on the students’ faces was priceless.” Nix, dressed as Olaf from...
Leechburg Area solicitor vote sparks clash among new school board members
Several Leechburg Area School District school board members are criticizing school board president Ashley Coudriet for what they claim is a lack of transparency surrounding a recent vote to appoint an interim solicitor. In a 6-3 vote Dec. 6, the board appointed a new interim solicitor, Gary J. Matta, to...
Forgoing traditional Christmas celebrations to travel is becoming more common
Melinda Cody of Allegheny Township has implemented a Christmas strike, and she’s never been happier. For decades, Cody — a wife and mother of two adult children — prepped, baked, cooked, decorated, shopped, organized and wrapped gifts, providing a traditional Christmas experience for her family with all the expected holiday...
Freeport official forms coalition to promote child seat safety and provide loaner car seats to the public
Roberta Bouch of Harrison takes her great-grandmother responsibilities seriously. A part-time caretaker for her two young great-grandchildren, Bouch was unsure whether the two child safety seats in the backseat of her vehicle were installed properly. “When I first put the car seat in a few years ago, I contacted a...
Freeport Area student-produced documentary to air on WQED
An award-winning media course has united aspiring student filmmakers and resulted in benefits that go beyond book learning at Freeport Area High School. Students channeled their inner lights, camera, action for months, filming a behind-the-scenes peek into all aspects of creating a high school musical. Junior and senior students enrolled...
Just Be Claus: Group dishes $900 tip to Springdale Township waitress
Kayla Webster was working a hectic Saturday, waiting tables at David’s Diner when a surprise stopped her in her tracks. “I thought she was going to hit the floor,” diner co-owner Pam Morrow-Wolfe said Tuesday, recalling the moment Webster stumbled into the kitchen, pale and appearing in shock, clutching a...
Gilpin looks to half-mill tax to help pay for ambulance, rescue service
Gilpin officials are throwing a financial lifeline to a local EMS service based in Leechburg. Supervisors unanimously approved an EMS tax to help fund Lower Kiski Ambulance Service in an effort to intervene with much-needed funds. “EMS is a mandatory service that townships must supply to its residents per state...
For sale: Brackenridge Heights Golf Course listed for $2.5M in Harrison
Ted Tomson remembers sneaking onto Brackenridge Heights Golf Course as a kid to gather errant golf balls from the course’s pond. “All the rich folks from here went there,” he said. “When I was a kid, I would sneak into there and get the golf balls out of the lake,...
Vandergrift businesses unite with public fundraiser to benefit library
Some Vandergrift business owners are hoping their new initiative to raise money for the borough’s library can revamp how the town thinks about supporting its nonprofits. Throughout the year, customers at Chris Kakias’ G&G Restaurant had the option to donate to the Vandergrift Public Library through a wall-mounted box placed...
Stream restoration work being done along Powers Run Road in O’Hara
It’s not a park that’s going in at the corner of Freeport Road and Powers Run Road, but a sewerage line and stream restoration. “No park,” said O’Hara Township engineer Charles Steinert. The ongoing work is a two-part sewer and stream restoration Powers Run Sanitary Sewer Relocation and Stream Restoration...
Indiana Township woman fulfills lifelong dream of opening a special-needs school
An Indiana Township resident is celebrating a professional milestone. Cherie River worked for decades to accomplish her goal of opening a school specifically designed to meet the educational needs of special-needs students in grades K-8. The River Academy of Excellence opened Nov. 1 at 3390 Saxonburg Blvd. in Indiana Township....
Daycation Destination: Indiana, Pa., is ‘Christmas Tree Capital of the World’
It’s the birthplace of a famous Hollywood star and a major holiday destination dubbed the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World.” Take a Daycation Destination trip to Indiana, Pa., set amid the rural, scenic foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in Indiana County, about an hour east of Pittsburgh. It’s home...
Starbucks opens in Buffalo Plaza
A big name in coffee is perking up rural Buffalo Township, Butler County. Starbucks opened Friday morning along Route 356 in Buffalo Plaza, inside the same building as the former Kings Family Restaurant. “I was definitely surprised when I heard that something new would be here. My mom texted me...
Winfield woman spreads Christmas magic with Letters to Santa mailbox
A Winfield woman is channeling her inner elf to assist Santa, one letter at a time. For a second year, Kathy Kemp has set up a Letters to Santa box on her front lawn, providing a public drop-off spot for anyone wishing to pen a letter to Santa. “The corner...
Former churches are finding new life after religious calling
Jason Fitzpatrick has one primary requirement for his living arrangements: space, lots of it. “I lived in an old gymnasium in Chicago, and that inspired me to buy a church,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m a little claustrophobic, so I’ve always loved big spaces. The gym was 4,000 square feet, and I...
New police chief committed to accessibility in Allegheny Township
A familiar face has been appointed as chief of the Allegheny Township Police Department. Dan Uncapher, most recently officer in charge and a sergeant before that, replaces former Chief Duane Fisher, who resigned in mid-September to become chief in an eastern Pennsylvania community. Uncapher was appointed unanimously as chief during...
Christian homeschooled FINS Robotics team qualify again for regional competition in Colorado
A group of Christian home-schooled students from the North Hills is headed to Denver next month to participate in a robotics competition against top teams from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Dakota and Pennsylvania. Students of FINS—Family Instructors of the Northern Suburbs (of Pittsburgh) Robotics Team have qualified for the...
Morning Roundup: Pitt police investigate air soft gun assaults; 1 injured in North Versailles crash
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Nov. 17. Pitt police investigate air soft gun incidents in Oakland University of Pittsburgh police said Friday they’re searching for two men they say assaulted people with an air soft gun in Oakland. Pitt spokesperson Jared Stonesifer addresses...
Leechburg Area voters ‘ready for change’ with new faces winning out on school board
A fresh crop of faces has been elected to serve on the Leechburg Area School Board. And one of the youngest school board members in the Alle-Kiski Valley earned the most votes of eight candidates vying to fill five seats on the board. Andrew Pallus, 22, received 917 votes in...
Point State Park holiday tree set to return with new name, look
For years, it was an iconic holiday fixture in Pittsburgh. The Point State Park Christmas tree dotted the city’s confluence as an annual beacon of the season. Until last year. Sponsored by Duquesne Light, the tree stood near the fountain in Point State Park since its introduction in the 1988...
