Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 154
Plum gas drilling meeting opened to public after brief protest
A private meeting between officials from local municipalities, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the oil and gas industry was made public after a protest. Members of Citizens 4 Plum and Protect PT (Penn-Trafford) rallied for a short time outside the Plum municipal building along New Texas Road Tuesday...
Rosedale Food Pantry gets financial boost from Giant Eagle
Verona Giant Eagle’s inaugural donation drive for the Rosedale Food Pantry netted more than $2,800 for the Penn Hills-based nonprofit. Money was raised throughout January and food bank volunteers recently accepted the check. Senior Store Leader George Sears said Giant Eagle employees and owners, the Rosenberg and Thimons families, were...
Summer Fest in Plum to have more carnival rides, fewer vendors
More carnival rides and fewer vendors will be on hand for the second annual Summer Fest at Larry Mills Park in Plum. Organizers said more space was allocated to C&L Shows of Mt. Pleasant to incorporate more amusement park-style activities. A Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and roller coaster are among some...
Plum promotes deputy to tax collector’s job
Plum officials promoted from within to fill the late Fran Ferragonio’s shoes. He was the borough’s tax collector and retired Penn Hills police officer and juvenile detective. Ferragonio died May 28 after a long fight with respiratory issues. He was 64. Council voted 6-0 Monday night to appoint deputy tax...
2 people shot in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood
Two people were rushed to a local hospital after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood Monday afternoon. Police said they responded to a ShotSpotter notification of multiple gunshots around 4:30 p.m. along the 400 block of Larimer Avenue. Multiple calls to 911 for gunfire also were received. Police and EMS...
Things to do in Plum and Oakmont this week
Having trouble finding things to do in Oakmont and Plum this week? Here are some suggestions:Oakmont Carnegie Library at 700 Allegheny River Blvd. hosts stitching and other artwork by Greensburg artist and Navy veteran Duffy Greba. She uses quilting to create pictures and other household items, which will be on...
Braddock man struck by vehicle in Duquesne taken to local hospital
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle along North Second Street in Duquesne Monday afternoon. City police said they were dispatched around 1:15 p.m. for the incident in front of Truman Towers. Officers reported a 56-year-old Braddock man had walked onto the street behind a vehicle and was struck by...
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Jun. 10, 2019
Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for courtWillie Newkirk, 62, of Pittsburgh on charges of resisting arrest. Charges were filed May...
World War II fighter pilot, retired Leechburg eye doctor promotes recycling, renewable energyVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do. Dr. Arthur Duppstadt owes most of his life to the French. The now-retired optometrist from Leechburg was 20 when his P-51 Mustang, a single-seat fighter plane, was shot down...
Storms wash away abutment of Thompson Run Bridge in Ross, closing lane
Allegheny County Department of Public Works crews shut down the southbound lane of Thompson Run Road between Radcliff Drive and Babcock Boulevard in Ross Friday due to concerns about the safety of the bridge. Officials said a consultant handling the Thompson Run Bridge No. 3’s annual inspection discovered that a...
Retaining wall crossing the Verona and Oakmont border to be beautified
A retaining wall along Allegheny River Boulevard near the viaduct in Verona and Oakmont will be restored via a state grant project. Oakmont was recently awarded $138,000 through the state Department of Community and Economic Development for repairs to the wall, which is on the southern entrance of the borough...
DUI, traffic cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Jun. 6, 2019
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Held for courtTara Wolfe, 39, of Verona on charges of identity theft, false reports, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without a license, driving with a suspended license and operating a vehicle without...
Theft cases among recent Monroeville police investigations
Monroeville police filed the following charges June 4 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office:Veronica Valdez, 49, of Vandergrift with criminal conspiracy and retail theft. Charges were filed June 4 in connection with an incident along the 3600 block of William Penn Highway. Heather Stefanik, 24, of Vandergrift with theft...
Drug, theft cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville – Jun. 6, 2019
Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Held for courtHeather Stefanik, 24, of Vandergrift on charges of receiving stolen property, possession of controlled substances,...
Police arrest Murrysville man in connection with 2017 homicide of his estranged wife
A Murrysville man has been arrested by Allegheny County Police, accused in the 2017 murder of his estranged wife. Antonio Vecchiola, 34, was apprehended at a Monroeville strip mall Thursday afternoon. He is charged with homicide for the death of Jessica Vecchiola, 29, of Penn Hills. Police said she was...
Inner Groove Brewing in Verona promises suds and sounds
A new brewhouse in Verona promises to be the place for sounds and suds. Inner Groove Brewing along East Railroad Avenue is expected to open at noon on June 15 with eight beers on tap. It’s located in a former interior design shop near the borough building and owned by...
Verona’s annual bike derby set for Saturday
The Verona Police Department’s bike derby is about to hit a milestone. Saturday marks the 20th annual installment of the community event, designed to teach youths about bicycle safety. It is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along the 700 block of East Railroad Avenue. It will be the...
A former Donora man pleads guilty to federal drug crimes
A former Donora resident accused of conspiring to get drugs from China via the internet has pleaded guilty to violating federal narcotics and firearm laws. Christian B. Drennan, 28, currently of St. Clairsville, Ohio, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti. Authorities said from...
Drugs, theft cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court
Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for courtWilliam Rose, 41, of Penn Hills on charges of possession of controlled substances and...
Traffic light going up at busy Verona intersection
A traffic light is being installed at Allegheny River Boulevard and Wildwood Avenue in Verona. Crews from Prospect-based Bronder Technical Services put the pole in front of Senge Graphics. Borough Manager Jerry Kenna said Duquesne Light needs to turn on the power, and PennDOT requires at least two weeks of...
Penn Hills residents voice concerns about school district’s financial plan
Penn Hills School District residents voiced their concerns about a proposed recovery plan designed to bring the financially struggling district back into the black. Proposed tax increases and finding alternative means to fix the debt crisis were among the main discussion points of a town hall meeting at the high...
Things to do in Oakmont and Plum this week
Looking for things to do in Oakmont and Plum this week? Here are some suggestions:Plum Community Center offers line dancing 10 a.m. Thursday at 499 Center New Texas Road.Tai chi is scheduled for 6:30 p.m Wednesday at the community center.Mommy and Me Yoga is set for 10-11 a.m. Thursday at...
Plum’s summer movie series to kickoff Saturday at Larry Mills Park
Plum’s Summer Movie Series returns to Larry Mills Park for its third straight year. Event coordinator Mona Costanza said the borough and Plum Rotary are excited to continue their partnership in providing free family-friendly movie screenings. “Each year it grows. That’s why we’re continuing to do it,” she said. Movies...
Verona farmers market under new management, season starts Thursday
Verona’s farmers market is under new management and about to start a new season. Verona Chamber of Commerce marketing director Patty Thomas stepped down as market coordinator citing personal reasons. Chamber board member Stefani Garibay will take over the role. “Patty did a wonderful job,” Garibay said. “She did all...
Oakmont Relay for Life participants await the day when cancer is defeated
Cancer survivors smiled at the sunshine as they and hundreds of supporters flocked to Riverside Park in Oakmont the first weekend in June for the 19th annual Relay for Life. “We were very fortunate,” said organizer Nancy “Moochie” Donatucci, a 12-year, Stage 3 cancer survivor. “Gorgeous day, we appreciate all...
