Joyce Hanz stories, Page 37
Annual program stresses safety at Kiski Area Upper ElementaryVideo
Kiski Area Upper Elementary sixth-grader Charlotte McKenzie had never seen the inside of an ambulance. A program Friday held at her school changed that. Safety was the theme for the day Friday at the school in Washington Township. The annual “KAUE Safety Day” was held for all sixth-graders under sunny...
‘il Messarggero’ tells the story of how a local Italian immigrant connected others to their homeland
A Sharpsburg native is paying tribute to his hometown with a documentary highlighting an Italian American immigrant who brought over more than just luggage with him from Italy. Pete Ferraro, an Emmy-award winning filmmaker, producer and writer, will premiere his documentary, “il Messarggero” — “The Messenger” — Oct. 1 on...
5 people left homeless when fire breaks out at Leechburg duplex
Five people were left homeless Thursday afternoon when fire heavily damaged a duplex on Main Street in Leechburg. Leechburg Fire Chief Tom Foster said the fire was reported around 5:48 p.m. at 135 Main St. Foster said two cats remained unaccounted for. The fire erupted from the second floor of...
Leechburg Area School District’s energy-saving renovations near completion
Leechburg Area School District is set for huge savings as it nears completion of renovations to ensure greater energy efficiency on campus. The district’s Energy Savings Project, implemented by Harrisburg-based McClure Co., began in June and is expected to wrap up in a few weeks. Eric Petrazio, McClure senior account...
Indecent graffiti in Kennedy Park in Vandergrift draws ire from parents
The last thing Vandergrift resident Sarah Cooper expected to find at her local park during an outing Sunday with her young son was X-rated graffiti. Cooper said her 10-year-old son noticed vulgar images of male genitals and obscene words spray-painted on two stone pillars at the entrance to Kennedy Park....
Christian-based fundraiser on tap Sunday in West Leechburg
West Leechburg resident, author and tax collector Kevin Smith is hosting a Christian-based charitable dinner to help raise funds for the West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. Smith will discuss his book, “God Discovery: How Science and Logic Reveal the Existence of God,” during the God Discovery Banquet on Sunday, Sept....
Public survey seeks input on zoning issues in Gilpin
The Gilpin supervisors are seeking public input as they work to modernize what they consider an outdated zoning ordinance. Supervisor Charles Stull launched the first of two online public surveys Tuesday. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey, which is available through Oct. 7. It can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/GilpinZoning....
Leechburg’s Pink Day fundraiser/street party grows even larger, more popularVideo
Leechburg knows how to think pink. Pink Day, one of the largest annual fundraisers for breast cancer research in the Alle-Kiski Valley, celebrated its 11th anniversary Saturday under sunny skies and large crowds along Market Street in Leechburg. The event has grown every year and for founder and organizer Sherry...
Blooms, butterflies at Allegheny Township business honor late customer
An Allegheny Township salon is paying tribute to a former loyal customer with fondness and flowers. Employees at Fashions Ahead Salon & Grand Day Spa in Leechburg created a butterfly memorial garden this spring in honor of the late Leonard “Lenny” Rocco Calderone. Calderone died suddenly Jan. 16. He was...
New Oktoberfest Festival brewing in Vandergrift
Beers, bratwurst and German culture are set to collide with a new festival in Vandergrift. The area’s first Oktoberfest Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24. It is co-sponsored by Allusion Brewing Co. and the Vandergrift Business Association, and organizers are excited to close off Grant Avenue and roll out...
2nd medical marijuana dispensary opens in New Kensington
Obtaining medical marijuana just got more convenient in the Alle-Kiski Valley, with the opening of another dispensary in New Kensington. Zen Leaf medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday at 215 Tarentum Bridge Road, in the former Papa John’s Pizza location. “It’s been great. A strong start,” said Joseph Kuches, Zen Leaf...
Vandergrift shutterbug lands first public exhibit
A nature-loving shutterbug from Vandergrift has landed her first public photography exhibit. Karlee Holmes spends most of her time outdoors, photographing animals and scenery across the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond. Butler Area Public Library is exhibiting “Call of the Wild,” featuring some of Holmes’ images, through Sept. 30. The display,...
Fox Chapel Area High School grad earns highest rank in Girl Scouts
Mackenzie Borkovich of O’Hara channeled her experiences living with a life-threatening tree nut allergy into a school-wide education project. Borkovich, a 2022 Fox Chapel Area High School grad, has been named a Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. She received her official notification letter...
Kiski Area’s new curriculum director eager to help students ‘reach their full potential’
A new curriculum-related position with a federal focus has been added to the lineup of administrative jobs in Kiski Area School District. Emily Mather is the new director of curriculum and instruction and the director of federal programs. Her annual salary is $110,000. Mather began the new job July 1....
Flags on the move for the 9th year in Harrison to remember 9/11 attacksVideo
Predawn pouring rain Sunday couldn’t dampen the spirit of more than 300 patriotic participants on a mission to never forget the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The ninth annual Allegheny Valley Moving Flag Tribute for 9/11 began at 5:30 a.m. in Harrison, with the first participant running with an...
Vandergrift Public Library’s new director returns to her roots
The Vandergrift Public Library has a new full-time director. Vandergrift resident Sarah Buzzard, 28, began her new role Tuesday. Buzzard holds a master’s degree in information and library sciences from Clarion University. She replaces Vanessa Groholski who served as director for a decade. Groholski’s last day as director was Aug....
5-day Leechburg Carnival fundraiser slated for later this month
The annual Leechburg Carnival returns this year with a new date and a big fundraising goal. Brian Scott, president of the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, said the department, with a roster of 32 volunteer firefighters and eight administrative volunteers, has been raising funds for a new pumper truck for a...
Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 hosts craft-themed fundraiser that serves as community reunion
Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 hosted its second annual Craft and Vendor Show on Saturday. Company president Mike Ogurchock said the event raised about $17,000 last year and proceeds go to the company’s general fund. “During covid we had a lot of restrictions and we couldn’t hold our...
Volunteers work to keep the Allegheny’s riverbanks clean in Natrona, Tarentum as part of 3 rivers effort
Tim Negley of Natrona rolled up his sleeves and collected trash for hours Saturday in an effort to clean up the banks of the Allegheny River and in his hometown. “We usually go out on the river and have a good time. I just wanted to volunteer and help,” said...
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. settles into its state-of-the-art new home of Iron City Beer in East DeerVideo
The makers of Iron City Beer are brewing on a large scale now in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is settling in at its state-of-the-art brewery in the Creighton neighborhood of East Deer. It’s more than 150,000 square feet. Brandon Mayes, director of brewing and quality, watched Thursday...
Students star in daily video announcements at Kiski Area Upper Elementary
Morning announcements rule the school at Kiski Area Upper Elementary in Washington Township. Forget the usual, no-frills audio announcements broadcast at most schools. At Kiski Area Upper Elementary (KAUE), a morning video featuring multiple segments, colorful graphics, props and music kicks off each school day with a creative welcome, delivered...
Kiski Area students collecting items to honor local police officers
Students from the Kiski Area School District and other Alle-Kiski schools, including Burrell, are collecting items to honor local police officers on National Thank a Police Officer Day. The day of giving thanks to officers is a nationwide event and is always held on the third Saturday of September. This...
Free adult clothing swap coming to Sharpsburg
Looking to clean out your closet and snag a free outfit? Fox Chapel Area High School senior Diya Reddy has organized a public clothing swap scheduled for Sept. 18 in Sharpsburg. Ketchup City Creative owner Nanci Goldberg partnered with Reddy to host the free event scheduled from 6 p.m. to...
Allegheny Township officials overhaul website, add complaint link
Allegheny Township officials have updated the community’s website. The website had not been updated for about a decade, according to township Manager Greg Primm. “It was updated with content, just not as often as it could have been,” Primm said. A new online feature for residents is a link to...
McKeesport baby who police say was shaken by father dies at hospital
A 5-month-old infant boy who police said was injured after being violently shaken by his father has died. Michael Armstrong of McKeesport’s Harrison Village died at a hospital at 5:12 p.m. Sunday, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The office did not provide the cause or manner of...
