Joyce Hanz stories, Page 34
Leechburg Area employee named paraprofessional of the year
When Angela Vigna goes to work each day, she isn’t expecting accolades. In fact, she was surprised recently to learn she had been named the 2022 Pennsylvania State Education Association Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year. “I’m very honored. I love my job. Working with students has changed...
Hundreds brave cold to be part of Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration
Hundreds of parade-goers braved freezing temperatures Saturday evening to kick off the holiday season with street fair in Oakmont. Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration offered an evening chock full of holiday entertainment, including an elf named Zippy. Sven Drop, 14, likes to dress up as holiday favorites like the...
Bonfire Shortcut to close for the day Monday in Allegheny Township
The well-traveled Bonfire Shortcut detour along White Cloud Road in Allegheny Township will close most of the day Monday. The road is scheduled to be closed from 7 a.m. up until 5 p.m. The Bonfire Shortcut, which is township-owned, has become a detour route during major construction of Route 356....
Tarentum-Brackenridge parade kicks off holiday season with festive funVideo
Samantha Thomas of Springdale donned three layers of clothing Saturday in an effort to keep warm during the annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas Parade. Temperatures hovered in the mid-20s under sunny skies as hundreds of parade-goers lined the streets for the 1 p.m. start. The parade was filled with plenty...
Leechburg native returns home to open bookstore/gift shop
Lindsey Smith has a way with words. The Leechburg native embraced writing and English from a young age, and now she’s using her decades of experience in the publishing industry with her latest venture: a bookstore and gift shop opening soon in downtown Leechburg. One Idea Books & Gifts will...
‘A Christmas Story’ home for sale in Cleveland
One of the most recognizable homes in holiday cinematic history is for sale. The iconic house from “A Christmas Story,” watched by millions every yuletide, was listed Monday. Vandergrift resident Lisa Dormire took a day trip last December to tour the home with a group of senior citizens from Redstone...
Part of Route 356 reopens in Allegheny Township
Portions of Route 356 reopened to motorists Tuesday evening in Allegheny Township. Allegheny Township Supervisor Jamie Morabito confirmed the reopening about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The road is open in both directions. He said the road will remain open until PennDOT resumes construction in the spring. It’s estimated the road will...
Leechburg appoints Doreen Smeal as new councilwoman after resignation of Ruth Bender
A Leechburg native is the newest face serving on Leechburg Council. Doreen Smeal was unanimously appointed to council Oct. 18 after the resignation of former Councilwoman Ruth Bender. Bender of Leechburg served almost three years and cited a hectic schedule for the reason for her departure from council. “Personally and...
Building the Valley: Vandergrift native’s jewelry business success set in stone
Vandergrift native Bobbie Morda opened her dream jewelry store 34 years ago with a handful of necklaces and six engagement rings. Her store, Bobbie’s Jewelers, occupies a former barbershop at 173 Columbia Ave. in Vandergrift’s historic business district. “This comes from blood, sweat and tears. This was not turnkey,” Morda...
Delayed $16 million senior housing project resumes in East Vandergrift
After a nine-month setback, development plans for a new senior citizen residential complex have resumed in East Vandergrift, Westmoreland County. The Morning Sun Senior Lofts project was awarded a $1.2 million grant this month from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and $1.3 million in low-income tax credits. The low-income...
Missing 70-year-old Springdale Township man found
A Springdale Township man who has been missing since Sunday was found Monday night, police said. Gerald Zilka, 70, was found near the Fox Chapel exit of Route 28, according to Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department chief Mike Naviglia. Zilka’s wife and daughter reported him missing after Zilka told his...
Gilpin officials urge residents to provide input on zoning ordinance
Gilpin officials are seeking additional public participation at an upcoming zoning ordinance update meeting. An in-person zoning meeting is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Gilpin Township Volunteer Fire Department, 113 Fire Hall Road. Gilpin Supervisor Charles Stull said the informal meeting is open-house style, and...
Leechburg’s Twisted Thistle has new ownership, new name
A well-known restaurant in Leechburg is under new ownership and has a new name. Twisted Thistle was sold this month by Linda Alworth of Gilpin to three new owners: friends Bobby Elliott, Sean Watson and Corey Pistininzi. They’ve renamed it National Public House. Alworth, 68, recently sold Lingrow Farm, a...
Kiski Area bus drivers recognized by students at Kiski Area Upper Elementary
Kiski Area bus drivers were recognized by students Wednesday at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Washington Township. It’s the second year the school has rolled out the KAUE Bus Driver Thank You event for its 21 bus drivers. Hosted by KAUE Student Council, the surprise event began at 3 p.m....
Damage from wayward taxi forces Tailspin Hobbies in Washington Township to close for now
Car crash woes continue to wreak havoc at a local hobby shop in Washington Township. Tailspin Hobbies, a full-service hobby shop at 4498 Route 66, was severely damaged about 10 p.m. Tuesday when a taxi, owned by CCC&P Transportation, careened into the business and left a gaping hole. It’s the...
‘Snoopy!!! The Musical’ fundraiser set at Leechburg Area High School
Snoopy and the “Peanuts” gang are set to grace the stage this weekend at the Leechburg Area High School auditorium as the district’s drama department presents “Snoopy!!! The Musical.” The fall musical serves as the primary fundraiser for the spring production, which will be “Chicago: Teen Edition,” said drama club...
Annual tree plantings take root in Aspinwall
The green scene continues to grow in Aspinwall. Members and volunteers with The Aspinwall Shade Tree Commission planted 31 trees during a daylong event Oct. 29. Aspinwall Shade Tree Commission Chairman Bruce Columbus said about 30 volunteers participated during the six hour planting mission. The commission was formed in 2009...
River Forest Country Club under new ownership
Longtime friends have partnered as co-owners of the country club in Allegheny Township. River Forest Country Club’s new faces are David Rice and Eric Meyhofer, joining co-owners Andi and Steve Irwin. The new general manager is Gary Miller of Gilpin. Previous co-owners Jamy and Robert Rankin recently sold their interest...
Fox Chapel Area School District partners with 6 districts to offer new STEM initiative
Fox Chapel Area School District has partnered with six school districts to lead a STEM advancement effort for students and educators in Western Pennsylvania. The district announced in September it was awarded a $480,000 PAsmart Advancing Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The grant will help to support educational...
Daycation: Smicksburg offers a rural retreat 60 miles from Pittsburgh
Unplug and unwind with a rural road trip retreat to Amish country in Indiana County. A daycation to Smicksburg offers a glimpse into a large Amish population living a simpler, agricultural lifestyle rich in their religious beliefs. More than 300 Amish families reside in the Smicksburg area, co-existing among those...
Indiana Township Police Department to host free class on the dangers of child sextortion
The Indiana Township Police Department is hosting a free class Nov. 15 about child and internet safety, and topics covered will include the dangers and methods involved with online child sextortion threats. Indiana Township Sgt. Marc Myers said the department is committed to offering educational seminars about relevant criminal topics...
Airfare takes off this holiday season — priciest in recent years
Airline ticket prices are set to soar this holiday travel season. Domestic airfare for Thanksgiving is expected to increase by more than 17% per round-trip ticket, according to travel booking group Hopper lead economist Hayley Berg. International fares have increased 30% compared with last year, with a round-trip ticket this...
Indiana Township Police Department to host free class on the dangers of child sextortion
The Indiana Township Police Department is hosting a free class Nov. 15 about child and internet safety, and topics covered will include the dangers and methods involved with online child sextortion threats. Indiana Township Sgt. Marc Myers said the department is committed to offering educational seminars about relevant criminal topics...
Bakers sought for bakeoff fundraiser to benefit Leechburg library
Calling all bakers. Organizers from the Leechburg Public Library are seeking bakers of all ages and skill levels for the annual Spaghetti Dinner and Bakeoff fundraiser on Saturday. The dine-in dinner will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. in Marconi Club’s Mirror Ballroom in Leechburg. Spaghetti, salad and bread...
Building the Valley: Specialty drink business set to open in Allegheny Township
An Allegheny Township couple is ready to mix it up with their first business. Bobby and Jennifer Bucci are co-owners of Mixed Nutrition, a specialty nutrition-based drink shop set to sell smoothies, juices, loaded teas, meal-replacement shakes, iced coffees, children’s drinks and more when it opens before Christmas. Weight management...
