Joyce Hanz stories, Page 24
Follow the yellow brick road … to Artfest in Vandergrift
Karen Shoop of Springdale has fond childhood memories of visiting Vandergrift with her grandfather. “We went there all the time to visit my aunt and uncle,” said Shoop, a Realtor and amateur painter. Shoop is prepping to follow the yellow brick road back to Vandergrift to attend the upcoming “Wizard...
‘Blessing bouquets’ outreach blooms in Vandergrift
A Vandergrift woman is using her green thumb and the power of flowers to brighten the lives of strangers. Last year, Katie Vance, 33, transformed her front lawn, once a rocky, barely there lawn with two small trees, into a floral oasis, complete with native perennials and annual flowers. Each...
New library director hits the ground running, continues popular free food pantry program in Apollo
The Apollo Memorial Library has started a new chapter in its leadership. After the sudden departure of former library director Jennifer Ramsey on May 9, members of the library’s board of trustees began their search for a replacement. They found it in Spring Church resident Beth Moore. Moore, 56, said...
STEM-themed camp captivates kiddos in Aspinwall
A STEM-themed summer day camp offered more than robotics at Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall. From racing crickets to chemical reactions, digital design to egg-drop parachutes, students enrolled in grades 1-5 from various schools spent more than five hours daily from July 10-14 exploring the world of...
2 national chain stores set to open in Allegheny Township
Bargain shoppers will have two new shopping options in the coming months in Allegheny Township. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Dollar Tree are the newest tenants confirmed by Pittsburgh-area developer Jeff Paul to open in Hyde Park Plaza, the former home to a Big Kmart. Paul is the man behind the...
Parks Township police chief exits for new post as lieutenant with regional department
A familiar face in law enforcement has returned to his roots in Gilpin. After 28 years in uniform, former Parks Township Chief John Arce reported for his first shift with the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department on July 3. Arce resigned in June, after 17 years as a full-time officer...
Building the Valley: Pup-friendly ice cream joint has tongues and tails waggin’ in Vandergrift
A beloved pet is the inspiration behind a new business venture in Vandergrift. Vandergrift native and business owner Stephanie Crooks, 40, designed the logo for her ice cream shop, Scoops on Jackson, using the likeness of her late pup, Brody, who loved to eat ice cream. “I made the logo...
Thieves unsuccessful in removing 1,800 pounds of stolen copper from shuttered ATI plant in Gilpin
Police are investigating two separate incidents of theft and trespassing at the shuttered ATI plant in Gilpin. Southern Armstrong Regional Police Lt. John Arce said Thursday that police were notified by ATI security around 9:45 p.m. Sunday of three people entering the locked Bagdad plant. According to police, the three...
Previously uncertified parking meters operational, now being enforced in sections of Vandergrift
It’s time to feed the Vandergrift parking meters again. At least some of them. After several months with unenforceable meters, borough officials are making progress in their efforts to repair and certify 330 meters in Vandergrift to make them operational again. Police began enforcement of the parking meters Monday along...
Fox Chapel Area High School student and Class of ’22 grad take the stage in CLO’s ‘The Sound of Music’
Two young actresses with Fox Chapel Area High School connections have landed plum roles in an iconic musical based on a true story. FCAHS Class of ‘22 graduate Maddie Dick and Fox Chapel Area senior Emily Harajda are portraying sisters Leisl von Trapp and Louisa von Trapp, respectively, in Pittsburgh’s...
Oklahoma Borough tax collector honored for 45 years of service
A somewhat reluctant recipient was honored Monday for her tireless dedication and service to her community. Joyce Spillers of Oklahoma Borough was recognized at the monthly council meeting with a few surprises to honor her 45 years serving as the borough’s tax collector. “I didn’t know this was going to...
Leechburg resident continues fundraising blitz, topping $215K for breast cancer research
A Leechburg resident is using music to bring folks together and help raise funds for breast cancer research. Sherry Price, a breast cancer survivor and organizer of Pink Day, one of the largest festivals in Western Pennsylvania dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, is organizing Notes for Hope...
Police continue to investigate fatal cat shooting in Gilpin
Amber Fouse of Gilpin is still reeling from the news that her beloved cat was killed by gunfire. Linus, a 5-year-old tuxedo (black-and-white) cat, was shot and killed June 21, according to the results of a recent necropsy report. Fouse, 27, said she went to the Southern Armstrong Regional Police...
Road closure planned for stretch of River Road in Parks Township
PennDOT announced upcoming pipe repair work will shut down a portion of Route 66 (River Road) in Parks Township beginning July 24. River Road will be closed, weather permitting, between Industrial Park Road and Montgomery Lane. The closure is expected to remain in effect until July 28 as maintenance crews...
New art-focused nonprofit in Armstrong County seeks recruits
A new nonprofit aims to boost the arts scene in Armstrong County. The Armstrong County Arts Council formed in May and held its first meeting in June. The organization is dedicated to advancing the arts in Armstrong County, and its leaders are hoping to recruit more artists from the county...
Vandergrift Pool remains closed for repairs
Poolside recreation is still out of reach for patrons of the Vandergrift Pool in Allegheny Township. The Vandergrift Pool, officially named the Joseph A. Petrarca Memorial Pool, remains closed because of repairs required around its perimeter. Borough Secretary Steve DelleDonne said Friday the pool committee is hopeful the repairs will...
Leechburg officials concerned about ongoing rat sightings in borough near Kiski River
An uptick in rat sightings in a concentrated section of Leechburg has caught the attention of some residents — and borough officials. Leechburg Mayor Anthony “Tony” Roppolo addressed recent resident reports and complaints of rats at June’s council meeting. Referencing two blighted and abandoned buildings and one occupied home as...
Freeport Theatre Festival kicks off 34th season with patriotic play
“The Red Coats are coming!” That’s the cry heard loud and clear in a historical drama set to hit the stage Friday as Freeport Theatre Festival presents “Spirit of the Revolution” on July 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23. The performance kicks off the theater’s 34th summer season and revolves around the...
Vandergrift’s Allusion Brewing Co. honored with 3 global booze-related awards
The only in-house brewery in Vandergrift is brewing up global accolades. Allusion Brewing Co. recently won Best Tap Handle, Best Charitable Partnership and Best RTD (ready-to-drink) Cocktail at the Craft Beer Marketing Awards. Co-owner and head brewmaster John Bieranoski attended the weeklong Craft Beer Conference in Nashville in May. “We...
Parking options expand in Leechburg’s business district
Leechburg officials have taken steps to resolve an ongoing parking predicament in the borough’s downtown business district. After fielding complaints from a business owner about limited parking options on Second Street, council unanimously voted to approve the installation of two, 10-minute free parking spaces along the street. The new spots...
Daycation: Charming riverside retreat Foxburg enchants
A tiny riverside borough big on tourism is rolling out the welcome mat for visitors from near and far along the Allegheny River in Clarion County. Foxburg, located less than 15 minutes off exit 45 on I-80 and about 85 miles from Pittsburgh, offers natural beauty, a nationally recognized public...
More than 800 Springdale Junior-Senior High School alumni gather for an all-class reunion
Hundreds of Dynamos appeared to have a dynamite time Saturday at an all-class high school reunion in Harmar. More than 800 Springdale Junior-Senior High School alumni didn’t let rain damper their robust reunion that included food trucks, cash bar and music. The event was held outside, under the picnic pavilion...
Allegheny Township manager resigns, set to become Lower Burrell’s manager
Allegheny Township supervisors will be searching for a new township manager with the pending departure of Gregory Primm. But it appears Lower Burrell has found its new city clerk — Primm — as its council is set to vote on his hiring. Primm submitted his letter of resignation via email...
Gilpin family celebrates million-dollar lottery win in Allegheny Township
A Leechburg Area High School senior is having a summer to remember. Summer St. John, 17, celebrated the news Tuesday of her mother’s million-dollar lottery win with a commemorative check presentation at the Giant Eagle in Allegheny Township. Summer and her parents, Paul and Tricia St. John, shared hugs, smiles...
Vandergrift’s 1st female mayor remembered for her dedication, kindness and work ethic
A former Vandergrift mayor and longtime Leechburg Area School District educator is being remembered as a dedicated servant in two neighboring communities. Barbara Jo (Sendry) Turiak died on June 20, 2023 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was 70. Turiak lived in Vandergrift for more than 19 years, often...
