Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 62

Verona Presbyterian Church will soon shut its doors for good. Church leaders said its membership has dwindled over the years from more than 400 to just 31 people, and about 10 come to Sunday services religiously. The pandemic also had a tremendous impact in cutting programs and stopped in-person services...

A specialty food store in Aspinwall that recently expanded with a cafe plans to sell beer, wine and alcoholic beverages and has begun the process to get a restaurant liquor license. Aspinwall Council voted 5-0 on Wednesday to approve the transfer of a restaurant liquor license to Feast on Brilliant....

A controversial ordinance limiting outdoor business activities in Aspinwall has been put on hold until September. Borough officials had planned to advertise what has been called the “hours of operation” ordinance at Wednesday night’s meeting. However, council President Tim McLaughlin announced they would not be taking action that evening as...

Penn Hills School District officials are in the process of creating a school police force. The board unanimously voted to authorize administrators and solicitor Bruce Dice to “take the next steps” in forming the force at a special meeting Aug. 3, according to district documents. Steps include petitioning the Allegheny...

A McKees Rocks man, who is serving a state prison sentence of more than 16 years for a third-degree murder conviction, was sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for violating federal narcotics laws, authorities announced Wednesday. Omarr Harris, 39, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute...

A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison after being convicted of federal drug crimes, authorities announced Wednesday. Lamont Goodwine, Jr., 34, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to deliver at least 100 grams of heroin. U.S. District Judge William...

Leet officials have appointed a new interim police chief as the township continues its legal battles with the township’s former top cop. Commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 8 to hire Brian Jameson as the police department’s temporary leader. Jameson, 50, of Ambridge, has more than 26 years of law enforcement experience,...

People who want to observe a Sewickley Council meeting soon may not have to leave their home. Council voted 8-1 Tuesday night to livestream their voting sessions. Councilman Todd Renner dissented and did not explain his decision at the meeting. The proposed setup is a NexiGo conferencing camera and stream...

Sewickley officials are considering adopting regulations for short-term rentals in the borough. Such rentals are defined as being less than 30 days. Council voted Tuesday night to approve advertising an ordinance that would require a person operating such a property to have a permit and be subject to various stipulations....

Riverview School Board vice president Tara Jean Schaaf has resigned. Her departure was effective Aug. 1. The Verona parent cited a new job as her reason for leaving the board. “I loved my time on the board and was sad to have to resign, but I had to make decisions...

Everybody is Italian, and everybody is family at Festa Italiana at Mount St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in New Kensington. That’s what parishioner Donna Muto of Arnold said at its kickoff Friday evening. “It’s nice to see people coming out after covid, everybody being here,” Muto said. She was among...

Thousands of people packed Beaver Street for the second summer Sewickley Chamber of Commerce Night Mart. The rocking sounds of Bobby Thompson and the Groove filled the air of the borough’s main thoroughfare July 29. About 23 artisans with handmade goods and eight food vendors set up shop between Broad...

Sharpsburg public works Director Jordan D’Ambrosio has taken taken his talents to Swissvale. D’Ambrosio was serve Sharpsburg the past seven years. He was presented a proclamation by Mayor Brittany Reno, and council members lauded his services at the July 28 council meeting. During his tenure, the department has grown from...

A woman was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle on Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said police were dispatched shortly after 4 p.m. for the incident near the intersection of Ward Street and Boulevard of the Allies. Cruz said a woman, believed to be in...

Thunderstorms and heavy winds knocked down trees and power lines in Lower Burrell on Thursday evening, according to West Penn Power officials. Spokesman Eyad Gheith said the city was the hardest hit area in the Alle-Kiski Valley, with between 500 to 1,500 customers affected. He said outages in Westmoreland County...

Two young women were rushed to a local hospital, one in critical condition, after being shot late Thursday morning in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. Public Safety spokeswoman Amanda Mueller said officers were dispatched at 11:17 a.m. to the intersection of Brushton Avenue and Stranahan Street for reports of two people shot....

Quaker Valley School District officials gave a tour of a proposed high school site in Leet to a group of area residents, while legal challenges to a zoning issue continue in Allegheny County Court. The school district wants to build an estimated 167,000-square-foot facility on about 150 acres of land...

Fox Chapel Police said two men and a woman are accused of stealing credit cards from cars parked at the Pittsburgh Field Club in the borough and going on an expensive spending spree at a local mall. Sgt. Craig Sorg said officers on Aug. 4 were still trying to identify...

The Herbst House, a former Catholic school, convent and private residence along Broad Street in Sewickley, will stand a while longer. The Sewickley Historic Review Commission has recommended denying a demolition request from the Divine Redeemer Parish. Commissioners unanimously voted on the denial Aug. 1 after hearing from a Catholic...

A pedestrian safety project to install new sidewalks from Alpha to Gamma drives in O’Hara may not be possible without state assistance, according to township officials. Council last month unanimously approved the application for a $909,500 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. It requires a $390,200 township...

Monroeville Convention Center once again will be the hub of all things pop culture and comics as Steel City Con returns for its summer convention. About 12,000 people attended last August, and organizers are hoping to match or exceed that number despite several big-name cancellations. SSC officials had announced a...

A Verona woman authorities said was involved in drug trafficking has been sentenced in federal court to 10 months in prison after being convicted of federal drug charges. Prosecutors said Shania Wilson, 40, was involved with the Hustlas Don’t Sleep drug trafficking gang. Along with re-distributing portions of the fentanyl...

Sharpsburg officials have appointed a group of residents dedicated to coordinating and promoting borough recreational opportunities. The first parks and recreation commission was formed at the July 28 council meeting. Members include junior council member Roman Mason, family physician Dr. Paul Brayer, former councilman and Linden Gym director Greg Domian,...

Hundreds of people braved the rain and humid temperatures to take part in the 15th annual Vandergrift Artfest on Sunday. Grant and Washington avenues were packed with people, artists, vendors and costumed characters, as this year’s theme was “Wonderland” based on the magical story “Alice in Wonderland.” “We’ve settled into...

Fun and Freedom Youth Sports, a Christian- based nonprofit based in the Tarentum area, hosted a free community picnic at Natrona Community Park in Harrison on Saturday evening. Youths from across Western Pennsylvania flocked to the Alle-Kiski Valley to play dodge ball, enjoy snacks and meet new friends. Crisp watermelon and...