Joyce Hanz stories, Page 36
Kiski Area swim team to host clinic fundraiser
The Kiski Area High School varsity swim team is making a splash with a new fundraiser. Team organizers hope to boost swim safety awareness in the community and showcase the program during the Oct. 29 clinic. A Halloween swim theme will welcome registered participants during the one-hour swim session from...
$172,000 donation to fund overhaul of outdated fitness facility at Kiski Area High School
Kiski Area High School freshman wrestler Abrahm Taylor works out almost daily in the weight room on campus. But using outdated, old and broken equipment isn’t optimal, he said. “Everything is so old,” Taylor said Thursday during a lunchtime weightlifting session. A new weight and cardio facility renovation project is...
New specialty mobile coffee cafe opens in Gilpin
A one-woman barista is stirring up the coffee scene in Gilpin. Gilpin native Damia Lorenz, 29, opened The Caffeinated Co., a mobile coffee cafe, on Aug. 21. On most days, you’ll find the trailer parked and operating from a vacant lot next to Stu’s Truck & Auto at 352 Route...
Developer aims to revive Hyde Park Plaza in Allegheny Township
Big changes are coming to the former Big Kmart and the plaza it occupies in Allegheny Township. A new owner is redeveloping the once-busy plaza at 451 Hyde Park Road. Hyde Park Plaza was purchased for $3.8 million Sept. 16 by Pittsburgh-based developer Jeff Paul of Fox Chapel. The long-shuttered...
Volunteers beautify with blooms along the boulevard in Oakmont
A group of volunteers has major flower power in Oakmont. The Oakmont in Bloom committee from The Garden Club of Oakmont plants and maintains 27 flower beds, 12 hanging baskets, nine urns, three hay baskets and three planters along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont. The boulevard project bloomed a decade...
Preschool program in West Vandergrift sees sharp decline in enrollment amid teacher’s absence
Enrollment in Valley Points YMCA’s Explorers program at the West Vandergrift Early Learning Center in Vandergrift has dropped by about 33% since rumors about the fate of the program and its teacher began swirling on social media and in the community last week. Administrators of the preschool are dispelling rumors...
Formal Masquerade fundraiser aims to enchant in Leechburg
Fancy a formal fundraiser? The inaugural Leechburg Masquerade Ball is scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29 at The Marconi Club at 135 River Ave. in Leechburg. Proceeds from the ball benefit the Leechburg Area Community Association. Organizer and LACA volunteer Kira Karpinski of Gilpin said she pitched the...
New specialty convenience store in Leechburg offers late hours and homemade meals
There’s a new specialty market in Leechburg. Market on Second opened last week and sells made-from-scratch, grab-and-go meals, soup, sandwiches, sides and more. Everything is made fresh daily. “I opened this because I have a passion for cooking soups and pierogies,” said owner Jennifer Tony, who also owns the Beermuda...
Noted Fawn ceramics artist honored with 2022 Polonian Award
Ron Korczynski of Fawn is proud of his 100% Polish heritage. A noted ceramics artist for more than 20 years, Korczynski, 79, is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Polonian Award by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation. An award luncheon in his honor is scheduled for Sunday at...
Hurricane Ian’s impact on Western Pa. forecast to be mild
How much rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian can the Pittsburgh region expect to receive over the weekend? National Weather Service meteorologist Jenna Lake said most of the Pittsburgh area will remain on the edge of Ian’s system, resulting in about a half-inch of rain over the weekend. “But...
Daycation: Agritourism farm tours offer rural retreats in Waynesburg
Explore green acres in Greene County with a day trip focused on agritourism. Agritourism is described as a form of business enterprise linking agricultural businesses with tourism for education and entertainment purposes. Tourism in Greene County has created more than 480 jobs, and, in 2019, visitors spent more than $78...
Police investigate overnight shooting in Duquesne
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting early Friday morning that left a man injured in Duquesne. Officers responded just after midnight to a report of shots fired in the 100 block of Peter Street. Responders discovered an adult man with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was transported...
Police investigate 2nd Shadyside area carjacking in 24 hours
For the second time in 24 hours, Pittsburgh police are investigating a reported carjacking near Shadyside. Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman Amanda Mueller officers were called about 11:20 p.m. Thursday to the 700 block of College Street for the latest incident. Police said a driver told them three males approached, showed...
Vandergrift police seek public’s help in identifying man who they say illegally dumped a TV in Kennedy Park
Vandergrift police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man they said illegally dumped a big screen TV Wednesday in Kennedy Park. Chief Joe Caporali said surveillance footage obtained from Kennedy Park recorded a man getting out of what appears to be a dark Jeep Grand Cherokee with a...
New Leechburg Area psychologist focuses on students and service
A Freeport native is the new psychologist at Leechburg Area School District. Cortney Chelecki, 32, resides in Harrison and graduated from Freeport Area High School in 2009. But high school life had its challenges for Chelecki, and, as the district psychologist, she is dedicated to helping students navigate school in...
Kings Family Restaurant in Plum closes to make way for new Sheetz
After 48 years in business, another Pittsburgh-area Kings Family Restaurant has closed. Kings district manager George Brown confirmed that the Kings in Presque Isle Plaza in Plum’s Holiday Park neighborhood closed its doors Monday. “The plaza has been sold, and the new owner had different plans,” Brown said. “We’re still...
Man fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s St. Clair neighborhood
A fatal shooting Tuesday night has left a man dead in Pittsburgh’s St. Clair neighborhood. The man, identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner as Marcus Watts, 26, of Pittsburgh, was discovered by Pittsburgh Police around 8:15 p.m. in the 500 block of Kohne Street after officers responded to reports...
Arson suspected after fire destroys 3 Pittsburgh police vehicles
A suspicious fire overnight Wednesday gutted three Pittsburgh Police cruisers at their Training Academy facility. Pittsburgh police said they are investigating the incident as an arson case. The three cars were parked in the academy parking lot. ATF investigators arrived on scene early Wednesday morning at the academy at 900...
Luke & Mike’s in Aspinwall gets new culinary team
There’s a new culinary team at Luke & Mike’s Frontporch in Aspinwall. The newest face customers will see there is Scott Baker, of Pittsburgh’s North Side. Baker, 31, will serve as executive kitchen supervisor. He was born in Charleston, S.C. After graduating high school, Baker began working as a cook....
Gathering on Grant gains momentum in Vandergrift
A new seasonal monthly event in Vandergrift has proved to be a crowd-pleaser. Gathering on Grant, a community-based food and vendor festival, debuted in May. Lead organizer Eric Mikula said the event has been a great success. “It’s been wonderful. The response from our neighbors has been great. We have...
Custom costume shop to open, by appointment only, in Vandergrift
A mother-daughter duo is combining their creativity to open a costume and mending shop in Vandergrift. Lauren Andrews, 28, grew up in Vandergrift and always had a keen interest in Halloween and dress-up. “I had four Halloween costumes every year. I was always winning the costume contests,” said Andrews, of...
Vehicles struck by gunfire in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood
Pittsburgh police are investigating several vehicles damaged by bullets in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. Police responded to the area of 18th and Mary Street around 1 a.m. Monday morning, after receiving a ShotSpotter notification for 12 rounds for the 100 block of 18th Street, according to the Trib’s news partner...
2 juveniles shot in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden
A shooting in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood Sunday night resulted in two juveniles being sent to the hospital, police said. Pittsburgh police said officers were alerted to a 17-round Shotspotter alert in the 500 block of Sherwood Avenue around 8:45 p.m. Update: Two juveniles were located with non-fatal gunshot wounds. A...
New witch-themed Halloween festival slated for Vandergrift
Unleash the magic broomsticks! The inaugural Witching Hours Night Market is scheduled for the night of Oct. 15 in Vandergrift. Its organizers say more than 70 vendors are booked. The event will be held rain or shine, and Grant Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic. The market was organized...
Leechburg Area art students create custom birdhouses for local business
Some lucky birds are about to score colorful new digs, thanks to recent creative artwork by students at Leechburg Area High School. The Birdhouse Project is the latest project from high school art teacher Shayle Prorok. Six students designed and painted birdhouses last month. The houses will be donated to...
