Joyce Hanz stories, Page 20
Political newcomers vying for supervisor seats in Kiski Township
Voters in the Kiski Township supervisors race will have their choice of four candidates vying for four open seats in the Nov. 7 election, with two seats available for six-year terms and two seats for four-year terms. There are three candidates on each term’s ballot. Mary Long, who is cross-filed,...
Gas leak forces evacuation at new store in Allegheny Township
Shoppers and employees had to vacate the newly opened Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Monday afternoon after a reported gas leak, according to a spokesperson from Westmoreland Public Safety. The store held its grand opening on Oct. 25 and is located in Hyde Park Plaza, Allegheny Township. Fire units were called to...
Multimillion-dollar anonymous donation benefits Catholic high school students in Greensburg and Pittsburgh dioceses
The generosity of an anonymous donor is helping to bridge the financial gap faced by some Catholic school students as they seek to continue their Catholic education into high school. The same donor has contributed nearly $7.5 million to the St. Pope John Paul Tuition Opportunity Partnership over the past...
Westmoreland 250: 10 things to see in Allegheny, Washington townships
Two rural townships offer visitors history, agriculture commerce and nature pursuits in Westmoreland County. Allegheny and Washington townships have a combined population of fewer than 10,000 residents. Early settlers were drawn to the once-prosperous coal mining industry in Washington Township, which was founded in 1789 and named after George Washington....
Gilpin officials look to expand business district
Gilpin officials have drafted a proposed zoning ordinance with a goal of modernizing the township’s 38-year-old rules in hopes of attracting businesses to the rural township. “The board is hopeful new, less restrictive and more inclusive zoning will help spur development within the township,” said Charles Stull, chairman of the...
$250,000 improvement project slated for Aspinwall Park
More pickleball courts are coming to Aspinwall. But it’s going to take a while. A large-scale park refurbishment is being financed with a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Plans include adding four pickleball courts, constructing a pedestrian walkway and a multipurpose court, installing fencing,...
Morabito responds to criticism of Allegheny Township’s Community Days management
A newly formed nonprofit plans to ensure Community Days remains an annual event in Allegheny Township. James Morabito, a township supervisor and one of the organizers of the festival, responded to criticism from some residents and fellow supervisors Rennick Steele and Michael Korns, who allege financial wrongdoing concerning the summer...
Nationally recognized magician to perform at Casino Theatre
Spending countless hours practicing magic in his bedroom as a youngster growing up in West Kittanning paid off for Tim Kutch. “I’d lock myself in my room practicing my magic tricks and then test them out on my family,” said Kutch, 39. Kutch, a practicing minister and part-time professional master...
Leechburg Area School Board candidates weigh in on biggest issues facing the district
Voters in the Leechburg Area School District will select from seven candidates in the Nov. 7 election to fill five seats on the Leechburg Area School Board. An eighth name on the ballot, former school board member Karen Freilino, resigned Sept. 20. Although her name remains on the ballot, Freilino...
High-speed fiber internet expansion announced for several Armstrong County communities
More than 2,200 homes and businesses in Armstrong County are now eligible for high-speed fiber internet, through broadband provider Kinetic by Windstream. Kinetic’s Armstrong County fiber project is part of a $2 billion multiyear investment strategy by Kinetic to expand gigabit fiber service across the company’s 150-community, 18-state fiber footprint....
La Belle Vue Road roundabout connection opens
Construction on the first roundabout in the Alle-Kiski Valley is complete. Mark Kmetz, assistant construction engineer for PennDOT, confirmed Wednesday that the La Belle Vue Road portion comprising the third access to the roundabout in Allegheny Township opened to motorists without incident Tuesday afternoon. “There was a complete reconstruction to...
Tractor-trailer damaged, disabled in unusual accident in Allegheny Township
Allegheny Township police Chief Duane Fisher just about has seen it all in his 20-plus years responding to vehicle accidents. That is, until he responded about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to a 911 report of a tractor-trailer incident along South Leechburg Hill Road. A major malfunction caused the trailer to crush...
Construction on new Starbucks, other businesses nears completion in Buffalo Township
It’s out with the old and in with the new in Buffalo Township. A former Kings Family Restaurant in Buffalo Plaza along Route 356 has undergone sweeping renovations since January to make way for a new Starbucks and two additional businesses, all under one roof. “It’s better than an empty...
Route 356 reopening now expected Friday, related to weather delays
After waiting three years, Alle- Kiski Valley motorists have something to toot their horns about. But they’ll have to wait until Friday. Mark Kmetz, PennDOT’s assistant construction engineer for the area, said Route 356 through Allegheny Township now is scheduled to reopen completely late Friday. PennDOT officials originally were eyeing...
Eagles’ ‘Long Goodbye’ concert delivers nostalgia, classic hits for fans
Legendary American rockers the Eagles needed no introduction Sunday night as they presented “The Long Goodbye,” their final tour, at PPG Paints Arena. “Thanks for coming out on a Sunday night. It’s a beautiful time of the year in Western Pennsylvania,” said original Eagles band member Don Henley to more...
Aspinwall merchants host monthlong shopping event to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh and Morgantown
Aspinwall merchants are hosting a shopping-themed fundraiser to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities in Morgantown, W.Va., and Pittsburgh. “Bags on Brilliant” is monthlong shopping event where customers can purchase a $25 tote bag stuffed with more than $250 worth of coupons that can be redeemed at various Aspinwall merchants from...
Fox Chapel Area High School student earns worldwide recognition for perfect AP score
Who says there’s no such thing as perfection? Anna Delale-O’Connor, a junior at Fox Chapel Area High School, recently earned a perfect score on the Advanced Placement (AP) World History: Modern Exam. Her score landed her in the company of only five other students globally. “I didn’t believe it at...
Allegheny Township appoints new officer in charge, hires full-time officer
There’s new leadership in the Allegheny Township Police Department. Supervisors appointed Sgt. Dan Uncapher on Monday as officer in charge, replacing Chief Duane Fisher, who ends his employment with the township Oct. 20. Fisher submitted his resignation in mid-September and recently was named police chief in Manheim Township, a Lancaster...
Ollie’s plans grand opening in Allegheny Township — 1st in A-K Valley
Matt Cevario of Hyde Park was ready for some bargain shopping Monday, but he’ll have to wait a few weeks. Cevario stood near the entrance to the new Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, checking out the employees bustling about, in anticipation of the store’s grand opening scheduled for Oct. 25. “It’s exciting...
Witch-themed festival returns after successful inaugural run in Vandergrift
Witchy ways are returning with a nighttime Halloween-themed street fair in Vandergrift. The Witching Hours Night Market will take over Grant Avenue on Saturday in the business district. “This is an event you won’t forget,” said organizer and business owner Shannon Gourley of Vandergrift. Grant Street will be closed to...
$16 million senior housing complex underway in East Vandergrift
The walls of a former school are tumbling down to make way for new, affordable senior citizen housing in East Vandergrift. The Morning Sun Senior Lofts project is a $16 million residential complex that will offer 41 units for seniors 55 and older in the former East Vandergrift Elementary School...
Switching career fields is more common than you think
Americans are pulling a career 180 — moving from one industry to a completely different one — more often than ever before. A 2021 poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce showed 41% of Americans were looking to switch industries for their next job. The reasons for changing career...
Tenants unknown as new ‘tech flex’ building breaks ground at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park
Armstrong County officials are mum on identifying possible tenants for a new 30,000-square-foot tech development project at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park in South Buffalo Township. The news of construction commencing on a “tech flex” building was announced Wednesday in a news release issued by Darin Alviano, the executive director of...
Armed burglar arrested in downtown Freeport
Police are reassuring residents that a section of downtown Freeport remains safe after an armed burglar was arrested Thursday night at a residence in the 200 block of Second Street. “My officers acted quickly, and there was never any danger to public safety,” said Southern Armstrong Regional police Chief Christopher...
Kiski gators at rescue center, headed for permanent southern homes
Nathan Lysaght has some alligators to bathe. Nine of the them, actually, all from Thursday night’s roundup of the animals in Kiski Township. “The goal is to safely relocate the nine alligators to rescues in either South Carolina, Texas or Florida,” said Lysaght, director of Nate’s Reptile Rescue in South...
