Michael DiVittorio stories
Petition launched to show support to Aspinwall Council’s censuring, resignation request of mayor
An Aspinwall resident has launched a petition campaign seeking signatures in support of borough council’s recent censuring request of Mayor Scott Zimmermann, and the calls for his resignation. Its virtual version, posted to ipetitions.com, is titled “Upholding Integrity and Accountability in Aspinwall Leadership.” It purported to have had a little...
USA Today ranks Sewickley best small town in the NortheastVideo
Sewickley officials believe they live in one of the best towns around. USA Today readers agree as they have recently named the Allegheny County borough the No. 1 small town in the Northeast. The announcement came as part of the media outlet’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Ten towns in...
Charges dropped against Sewickley man detained by ICE
Charges against a Sewickley man detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been withdrawn. Bruno Guedes da Silva, 38, has been in federal custody since Feb. 22. He was charged with the sale or transfer of firearms and unsworn falsification to authorities. Charges stem from an incident in early...
Sewickley community joins together in prayer for young girl battling cancer, dad detained by ICE
Squeezing a plush toy that matched her white and blue dress, Maria Paula de Araujo Guedes sat on the steps leading to the pulpit of the Sewickley United Methodist Church. Accompanied by her older brother, Breno de Araujo Guedes, and their mother, Ana Paula de Araujo Pinto, the family was...
Blawnox VFC, SAVES host Good Friday fish frys
Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services and Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company continued their respective traditions of hosting a fish fry on Good Friday. The food-themed fundraiser has been a staple for both fire companies for years. SAVES — the merged fire department serving Aspinwall and Sharpsburg — moved fish fry operations...
Divine Redeemer Parish officials testify about need to demolish, not sell or restore former convent
Divine Redeemer Parish reaffirmed its intent to demolish the former convent known as the Herbst House during continued testimony late last month in a court-ordered hearing before Sewickley Council. The hearing — remanded by Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas after council denied the demolition in April 2023 — is...
Leetsdale hosts annual Easter egg hunt at Henle Park
Leetsdale hosted its annual Easter Egg hunt at Henley Park on April 4. About 130 children rummaged to find at least 3,000 eggs at the community park along Ferry Street. There were different hunting areas for children of different age groups. The borough also provided light refreshments. Mayor Sandra Ford...
Leet couple accused of inappropriate encounter with minor now face slew of theft-related charges
A pair of former Sewickley Water Authority employees under investigation for alleged inappropriate conduct with a minor now faces new theft-related charges. Nathan Turner, 40, and his wife, Stephanie Turner, 35, both of Leet’s Fair Oaks neighborhood, are charged with receiving stolen property, access device fraud, criminal conspiracy and theft...
Volunteers replace 10 invasive trees with native ones along Freeport Road in Blawnox
Blawnox is looking a little greener with the help of multiple volunteers and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The nonprofit environmental agency partnered with the borough for a tree planting through TreeVitalize on April 2. TreeVitalize is a community tree planting program. It’s a joint project of Allegheny County Parks, the...
O’Hara considers mandating safety boxes at commercial, industrial, multifamily buildings
O’Hara officials are considering an ordinance mandating commercial, industrial and multifamily facilities provide quick emergency access for first responders to their facilities. A Knox Box is a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys that fire departments could use to gain access so they wouldn’t have to force their way...
Quaker Valley School District administrator honored by state organization
A Quaker Valley School District administrator was recently recognized by a state organization for making an impact on students. Aaron Rea, coordinator of instructional programs, was given the PA EDGE’s Data-to-Impact Educator Award at a conference earlier this year. EDGE stands for Elevating, Developing, & Growing Educators. The organization is...
Sewickley’s Fun by the Pound closes, memories remain
Brenda Fisk has built a castle of memories, brick by plastic brick, in her Sewickley toy store. From being “the first job” of her five children to supplying holiday and birthday gifts for countless Quaker Valley-area families, Fun Buy The Pound Toy Store served as a go-to place for fun...
Sewickley Heights Police Chief James Harrison resigns
Sewickley Heights Police Chief James Harrison, who was under investigation for alleged controversial communications, has resigned. Council voted 5-0 to accept his resignation at a special meeting the morning of March 27. Early March 27 worked best for council members’ schedules instead of postponing action another 20-plus days, borough manager...
Sewickley Community Center program strives to develop young leaders through faith-based initiatives
A Sewickley-based youth program that focuses on physical, mental, spiritual and emotional development just concluded its sixth year. About 20 participates ages 8-15 from various Western Pennsylvania communities took part in Premier Youth & Community Center’s Mindset of a Leader: Forged in Faith mentorship program. Created by PYCC founder Jaryd...
Growing number of Quaker Valley area municipalities livestreaming meetings
Glen Osborne officials are considering livestreaming their council meetings. Mayor Matthew Doebler made a pitch at the March workshop meeting to get an Owl Labs camera and microphone in order to boost local government transparency and accessibility. The microphone is very sensitive and should pick up audio with ease, and...
Fox Chapel Area School District, community partners prepare for 5th annual health and wellness event
A community event launched by Fox Chapel Area School District is about to hit a milestone. The fifth annual free Community Safety, Health & Wellness Event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 in the Aspinwall municipal parking lot. The event will feature vendor booths, a touch-a-truck...
Sharpsburg Councilman Corey Ochai resigns; opportunity available
Sharpsburg Council has a vacancy. Councilman Corey Ochai has stepped down from his elected post to refocus on family and art. He tendered his resignation at a council meeting March 26. Ochai was in the first year of his second term. In his letter, Ochai thanked the community for its...
Indiana Township first responders thanked for lifesaving efforts during cardiac arrest incident
Multiple Indiana Township police officers and West Deer EMS personnel recently were commended for their efforts in saving a resident’s life earlier this year. First responders were dispatched shortly before noon on Jan. 18 to a home along Chatham Lane for a person having a cardiac arrest. EMS Executive Director...
Quaker Valley Recreation Association proposed lights be installed at Bell Acres field
Quaker Valley High School sophomore Damien McClay’s love of baseball shines brighter than the diamond he and his teammates play on. The multi-position player enters his second season with the Quakers this month and feels positive about the team’s chances of success. “It’s awesome,” said Damien, 15, of Sewickley. “The...
Leet officials considering a proposed resolution limiting interactions with ICE
Leet officials want to hear from residents before considering a resolution limiting interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Solicitor Stephen Chesney said the proposed resolution is based on a template from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. Part of its...
State files charges against 2 companies for allegedly unlawfully storing, disposing of hazardous waste
The State Attorney General’s Office has filed charges against two companies for allegedly unlawfully storing and disposing hazardous waste from a facility in Beaver County. One Brewery Place, Inc. and M. Ultra Investment Group were charged this week with a felony regarding management of hazardous waste and several related misdemeanors....
Sewickley Public Library hosts indoor golf fundraiser
Sewickley Public Library recently hosted one of its largest sports-themed fundraisers with more than 340 patrons navigating fairways between the bookshelves. The third annual Mini Golf in the Library took place March 6-7. It was presented by the Friends of the Sewickley Public Library and included three sessions: a Teen...
Man in critical condition after shooting in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood
A man is in critical condition Monday night after being shot multiple times in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood Monday evening. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of Wilson Avenue at 8:42 p.m. after an 18-round ShotSpotter alert. Police found a man in the area...
Man shot multiple times in Pittsburgh’s Knoxville neighborhood
Pittsburgh police are on the hunt for suspects in connection with a shooting in the city’s Knoxville neighborhood Monday evening. Police said a man in his 30s was shot multiple times along the 200 block of Suncrest Street at about 6:15 p.m. The man was taken to a hospital in...
Leet commissioners approve proposed fire department merger funding
Leet commissioners voted March 9 to approve $2,000 toward legal fees for the proposed merger of Leetsdale Volunteer Fire Department, Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Protective Association in Leet and Big Sewickley Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Bell Acres. Ryan Buttermore, Leetsdale Fire Department lieutenant and merger spokesman, said Leetsdale and...
