Joyce Hanz stories, Page 21

Nothing screams back-to-school like a new backpack. Kiski Area School District faculty, staff and volunteers are making sure any students enrolled in the district have access to a new backpack this year with a free giveaway event Thursday at Kiski Area High School. The Back to School Backpack Bash, in...

A new scholastic-themed street party is coming to Leechburg. The inaugural Back 2 School Block Party will welcome students from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday along Main Street, between First and Second streets, for free food, refreshments, games and more. Music will be provided by DJ Jonathan. The event...

New sightings of an alligator Sunday in the Kiski River have prompted officials and volunteers to focus their search in a new area in hopes of catching the wayward reptile. Kiski Area police Chief Lee Bartolicius confirmed Sunday there have been additional reports of alligator sightings since Friday. Officials would...

Walk on the wild side with a Daycation Destination to Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo in Kingwood, W.Va. Brenna Yokum was excited to view and interact with exotic furry and feathered animals during her inaugural zoo visit in July. “I’m enjoying everything. My boyfriend and I are animal enthusiasts and we’re like...

Ronald and Sue Zola of West Deer had no idea their beloved farm would garner a million-­dollar price tag. Their family farm dates to the 1700s and is listed for $1.29 million. The couple’s decision to sell their 60-plus-acre farm to relocate closer to family resulted in a recent appraisal...

Restrictions are planned next week for the southbound section of Route 28 in Harmar after stones fell from an overhead railroad bridge and forced the northbound lanes to close for hours early Friday. According to PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan, the stones fell because the flashing covering concrete joints, which prevents...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Aug. 4: Woman, child injured in rollover on Parkway West Green Tree Volunteer Fire Company responded Thursday afternoon to reports of a vehicle rollover crash and entrapment on the Parkway West. First responders found a vehicle that landed...

A helicopter joined the search for an alligator reported to be in the Kiski River, but didn’t spot it. Since Sunday’s initial report, Kiski Township Police Chief Lee Bartolicius said multiple sightings of the reptile have been reported. He said authorities are working to locate it, safely remove it from...

Fox Chapel Area High School Football Booster volunteers are tackling ongoing fundraising efforts with a music-filled event in September. The “Farewell Summer” Concert Festival is scheduled for Sept. 3 at the Dive Bar & Grille in Indiana Township. The summer fundraiser returns after a successful inaugural event last summer, but...

An invasive fish found in Pennsylvania fresh waters has made the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission advisory list. In a release Wednesday, the agency said anyone reeling in a Northern Snakehead in Pennsylvania should report their catch and dispose of the fish. The advisory applies to the lower Susquehanna River...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 3. Police pursuit results in man jumping into Mon River Pittsburgh police said a man they were pursuing over an attempted carjacking Wednesday jumped into the Monongahela River to escape arrest. Authorities said the attempted carjacking happened...

Allegheny County has issued an alert regarding a recent data breach on May 28 and 29. In the notice, the county said it had been targeted by a global cyber security breach affecting the common file transfer tool MOVEit, which the county uses. The cybercriminals responsible for the breach are...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Aug. 2: ‘Pink Shuttle’ set to sail for concert The Gateway Clipper Fleet announced its “Pink Shuttle” schedule available for fans attending the upcoming Pink performance on Saturday. Shuttle service will escort attendees beginning at 3 p.m. to...

A rogue reptile seen in and around the Kiski River is still on the loose in the Apollo area. Volunteers and Kiski Township officials are continuing their efforts to safely locate, trap and relocate an alligator spotted multiple times over the weekend along the Kiski River. A group of kayakers...

Fitness can be fun. That’s the message from a New Kensington business owner promoting a fitness festival for all ages in downtown New Kensington. Cullen Maag, owner of BodyWork412 on Fifth Avenue, is the organizer of the annual NK5K Fitfest. This year, the physically themed event returns from 9 a.m....

Armstrong County officials apparently intend to retain ownership of Gilpin/Leechburg Park. In January, Armstrong County commissioners sent letters to Gilpin and Leechburg officials to gauge interest in both municipalities taking ownership of the park property. Gilpin officials voted to accept ownership, but the matter never made it to a vote...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Aug. 1: Police continue South Side patrols Pittsburgh police have released the numbers from a recent four-day weekend (July 27-30) patrol of East Carson Street. Increased officer presence and patrols resulted in two arrests, 15 traffic stops and...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, July 31: Man shot in foot in Beltzhoover Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting Sunday night in the city Beltzhoover’s neighborhood. Officers responded around 11:15 p.m. to reports of 24 rounds fired in the 200 block of Industry...

Pittsburgh police are investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy Sunday night in Mt. Oliver. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Andrew Lavaughn Smith of Pittsburgh. Police responded to a report of shots being fired in the 400 block of Brownsville Road around 9:15 p.m. Pittsburgh...

Tommy Scanga got serious with his spuds Sunday in anticipation of feeding hundreds of hungry festivalgoers in Vandergift. Scanga, owner of Del Vecchio’s Sausage & Fries, had 1,000 pounds of potatoes at the ready in his food truck to make his specialty fresh-cut fries for the 16th annual Vandergrift Artfest,...

Chasing a pesky bat inside a residence Thursday led a Leechburg homeowner to discover a piece of American history. “I was in ‘dad mode,’ trying to get a bat out of the house — up in the attic,” said Shawn McGonagle, a father of four. “I realized there was an...

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? More than 1,000 students in three of the six schools in the Kiski Area School District will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2023-24 school year. The meals are being provided to all students at Kiski Area Intermediate School...

A community concert wowed hundreds Saturday evening in South Buffalo. In an effort to provide new and more contemporary entertaining fellowship options, St. Mary Mother of God Church hosted its inaugural Community Day and Music Festival inside a filled fellowship hall. “I was a little nervous but excited to perform,”...

Two Pittsburgh-area high schools have been recognized by Gov. Josh Shapiro for excellence in civics education. Presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Governor’s Civic Engagement Award celebrates the efforts of high school students to engage, educate and inform their fellow students about involvement in the voting process. Leechburg...