Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 158
Highlands student reads between 100 and 200 books a year just for funVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. Lucas Witt sees life mostly in black and white, like the words on a printed page. That’s because the Highlands High School junior can often be found with a book...
Riverview district facing tax hike
Riverview School District property owners could see a hike in real estate taxes as part of next school year’s budget. District officials said their 2019-20 preliminary spending plan contains no program cuts, but it does have a 2.3 percent tax hike and an estimated $215,000 shortfall. Board members voted 7-1...
Verona school plans first Community Appreciation Day
St. Joseph Catholic School students and staff want to show their communities how much they are appreciated. The Verona-based parochial school at 825 Second St. will host its inaugural Community Appreciation Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 19. Principal Tina Bucci said she expects people from Penn Hills,...
Verona’s Verner Elementary principal retiring, replacement selected
Verner Elementary School in Verona will have a new principal next school year. Mary Ann Plance is calling it a career after five years in the district and 35 years overall in education. Her official retirement date is July 1. The new principal will be current district special education director...
Riverview teacher brings technology, inspiration to lessons
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. Rachelle Dene Poth has dedicated her life to the educational development of youths and other professionals who lead them. “I was just always into learning, even as an adult,” the...
A Jefferson County man pleads guilty in federal court to buying guns for another man
A Jefferson County man has admitted in federal court about lying when he was involved with a gun sale. Brock Powell, 43, of Summerville entered his plea before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Joy Flowers Conti to one count of making false statements in relation to the acquisition of firearms....
PAN coin show keeps rolling at the Monroeville Convention Center
Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists’ spring coin show keeps rolling at the Monroeville Convention Center this weekend. More than 100 dealers and collectors have set up shop in the center. Some are from West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland. Doors open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 209 Mall Blvd. There...
North Apollo man, 21, dies in motorcycle wreck on Dime Road, Parks Township
Armstrong County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died in motorcycle crash Friday night on Dime Road in Parks Township. The crash victim was identified as Alec D. Miller, 21, of North Apollo. Miller was killed near Ed’s Tire & Auto Services when his bike, a 2018 Husqvarna, went...
Anytime Fitness in Oakmont named top club in Pennsylvania
Anytime Fitness in Oakmont was recently named the top club in the state by company officials. There are more than 70 clubs in Pennsylvania and 2,466 in the United States. The 24-hour gym at 111 Allegheny Ave. had ranked in the top 20 nationally since March 2018 and reached No....
Riverview students give back to Verona, Oakmont
Riverview School District students in every grade did their part to better Oakmont and Verona earlier this month as part of the district’s third annual Give Back Day. High school students assisted the Verona Garden Club with beautification efforts. They also lent a hand to Riverview Children’s Center, Verona United...
Guns, theft cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville
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 courtPaul Kulasa, 52, of Belle Vernon on charges of retail theft. Charges were filed March...
Drug, theft cases among recent Monroeville police investigations – May 9, 2019
Monroeville police filed the following charges April 30 - May 5 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office:Shane Mains, 24, of Turtle Creek with criminal conspiracy, retail theft, forged or counterfeit documents and driving with a suspended license. Charges were filed May 4 in connection with an incident along the...
Drug, DUI cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Waived preliminary hearingsBonnie Dosch, 56, of Apollo on charges of receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of controlled substances. Oakmont police filed the charges Sept. 28. Erika...
Penn Hills students to receive free lunches, breakfasts next school year
Penn Hills School District students will not have to worry about paying for breakfasts and lunches next school year. District officials recently approved the high school’s participation in the National School Lunch Program’s Community Eligibility Provision. It’s being administered by the state Department of Education’s Division of Food and Nutrition....
Police: Homestead man shot in leg in front of his home
Homestead police say a resident was shot in the lower left leg while walking up the steps to his home on Wednesday night. Allegheny County dispatchers said police and EMS activity was reported at West 12th Avenue and Hays Street around 10:15 p.m. Homestead Police Chief Jeff DeSimone said the...
League of Women Voters to host meet the candidates forum in Plum
The League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh will host a public forum next week for Plum school board candidates at the Plum Community Center. The event is set for 8 p.m. May 13 at 499 Center New Texas Road. Organizers said all candidates have been invited to participate. Audience...
Old Oakmont Bakery location could become yoga studio, juice bar
A yoga studio and juice bar may be coming into the old Oakmont Bakery location along Allegheny Avenue. Bakery owner Marc Serrao confirmed there have been discussions to lease the former retail building next to Chelsea Grille, and another nearby property. “I have somebody looking at the warehouse and two...
A Taste of Two Towns to serve up the best of Oakmont, Verona
Oakmont Carnegie Library’s largest annual fundraiser promises to offer a variety of food and drink from Verona and Oakmont establishments. The eighth annual A Taste of Two Towns is set for 5:30 p.m. May 19 at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. “This event is great because it’s a community...
Oakmont hires former Penn Township public works director as borough manager
Oakmont Council hired former Penn Township Public Works Director Scot Fodi as the new borough manager. Council made it official in a unanimous vote at a special meeting Monday night. “I love municipal work,” Fodi said after the meeting. “I look for any opportunity to get back into a manager’s...
Oakmont taps Penn Township public works director as new borough manager
Oakmont officials hired former Penn Township Public Works Director Scot Fodi as their new borough manager. Council made it official via unanimous vote at a special meeting Monday night. “I love municipal work,” Fodi said after the meeting. “I look for any opportunity to get back into a manager’s position....
Things to do in Plum and Oakmont this week
Looking for something to do in Plum and Oakmont this week? Here are some suggestions:Oakmont Carnegie Library hosts Gentle Yoga with instructor Cora Fetchko 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at 700 Allegheny River Blvd. The program is suitable for all levels and no registration is necessary.Meditation with a Monk is set for...
An Arnold tax preparer pleads guilty to filing false federal income tax returns
A tax preparer for Cititax Refund Co. in Pittsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court to aiding or assisting in the preparation or filing of false federal income tax returns. Authorities said Daniel K. Hamilton of Arnold prepared federal income tax returns for other persons that included false Schedule C information,...
Assault, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – May 6, 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 courtDinisha Smith, 38, of Pittsburgh on charges of retail theft, tampering with physical evidence...
7 have cross-filed for 5 Riverview seats
Riverview School District has three incumbents and four newcomers battling for five seats on the board. Those seeking to retain their posts include board President Maureen McClure and members Alex DiClaudio and Tara Jean Schaaf. Newcomers are Melanie Pallone, Jennifer Chaparro, Brian Hawk and Jane Miller. All the candidates have...
Penn Hills Police police dog gone but not forgotten
Penn Hills police have announced the death of its police dog. Penn Hills police announced via Facebook the passing of Riggs, a 12-year-old Dutch shepherd from Holland. Riggs served with Officer Ryan Walters since 2009. The department said Riggs was diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer, and Walters made...

