Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 70
Blawnox officials appoint new junior councilperson
Blawnox Council has appointed its newest junior councilperson. Jacob Anthikad, 16, was sworn in by council President Deborah Laskey on July 13. The Fox Chapel Area High School junior said he was grateful for the opportunity to learn more about how his community government works. “It was exciting to be...
Historic Herbst House in Sewickley may be coming down
The Herbst House, a former Catholic school, convent and private residence along Broad Street in Sewickley, may soon be demolished after standing for more than 137 years. Divine Redeemer Parish officials want to raze the property in the historic district due to safety concerns. The parish includes St. James Church...
Sewickley officials seek $3 million grant for multi-phase project
Sewickley officials hope to obtain a $3 million state grant to bolster some major reconstruction along Crescent Avenue. Council voted 7-0 Tuesday night to apply for Commonwealth Financing Authority money through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for a multi-phased transportation improvement project. Council members Thomas Rostek and Anne Willoughby were absent....
Pittsburgh police: Man in custody after SWAT situation along Kelly Street
A man was taken into custody following a SWAT situation in Pittsburgh on Wednesday evening. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said officers were dispatched shortly before 7:30 p.m. for a domestic call along the 7000 block of Kelly Street. An armed man had reportedly barricaded himself inside an apartment and...
Police: Investigation underway into death of goat working in Aspinwall park
Aspinwall police took to Facebook hoping people would come forward about what happened a goat that was part of a herd clearing brush and noxious plants at Firemen’s Memorial Park and died. Six goats from Capricious Goats, run by McCandless couple Monica and Timothy Shields, began work to clear the...
Criminal charges, firing spark protest at Fawn Personal Care Home
A worker at a personal care home in Fawn was arrested after, police say, he injured an elderly patient Sunday. Luke Bondra, 43, of Arnold is charged with neglect of care of a dependent person, simple assault and harassment. The charges stem from an incident at Fawn Personal Care Home,...
Christmas comes early to Sewickley, Sundae 5K planned later this month
The holiday season starts early in Quaker Valley as the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce gears up for its sixth annual Christmas in July. “It’s a great time to bring people in from all over Pittsburgh to come visit Sewickley, plan their big day trip, shop, eat, really experience the town....
Student wins essay contest
O’Hara Elementary School fifth-grader Sidera Kingman-Graves won second place in this year’s Rule of Law Essay Contest. The contest was open to fifth- and sixth-graders from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Virgin Island schools, and focused on civics, citizenship, and the concept of the “Rule of Law.” The...
Sharpsburg Community Library revamps free adult art program
Sharpsburg Community Library has rebooted one of its programs offering adults an opportunity for artistic expression. The library, at 1212 Main St., hosts Art After Dark the last Monday of the month at 6 p.m. “It’s a relaunch,” library branch manager Sara Mariacher said. “When (program coordinator) Alison (Babusci) was...
It’s official: Corey O’Connor named Allegheny County controller
Former Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor has been appointed Allegheny County controller. O’Connor took to Twitter on Friday to thank the state legislators who supported him. “My family and I are humbled by the opportunity to serve as Allegheny County Controller and the support that we’ve received,” the post read...
Penn Hills Community Carnival and Cookout draws a crowd
Cody Mack scanned the game table, checked for wind resistance, pulled his arm back and gave an underhanded toss of a ping-pong ball with the confidence of a championship softball player. It landed, after a bounce or two, into a small bowl. Cody, 10, of Penn Hills had just won...
Mon incline to close in August for 4 months for upgrades
The Monongahela Incline will be closed for four months for a rehabilitation project, Pittsburgh Regional Transit authorities announced Thursday. Improvements include modernizing the mechanical controls and electrical systems as well as upgrades to the interiors of the upper and lower stations. PRT and its contractors will begin mobilizing this month....
Edgeworth infrastructure projects boosted by state grants
Edgeworth officials plan complete two infrastructure projects with the help of state grant funding. The borough was awarded two $100,000 grants in June from the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Gaming and Economic Development Tourism Fund. The grants are provided through taxes levied on casino revenue. They are...
Edgeworth officials to spend more than $400K on paving this year
Edgeworth officials plan to repair about five roads as part of this year’s paving program. Council approved an estimated $407,000 contract with Wampum-based Youngblood Paving earlier this year. Youngblood was the lowest of five bidders and handled last year’s Edgewood paving contract, according to borough manager John Schwend. “They were...
Stop the violence rally held in New Kensington in response to Raiford shootingVideo
Calls to “stop the violence” and “put the guns down” rang out Wednesday evening through the heart of New Kensington as dozens of residents participated in a rally, three days after a fatal shooting. The Rev. David Trent of Chosen Generations Ministries led the group of about 30 people in...
Aspinwall police officer struck by vehicle while working traffic detail
An Aspinwall police officer was treated and released from a hospital after being hit by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon. Allegheny County dispatchers said there was a vehicle/pedestrian crash about 4 p.m. near the intersection of Western Avenue and Freeport Road. The department posted on its Facebook page that Officer Scott...
Families enjoy O’Hara Township Community Park
Several families were out enjoying the warm temperatures and cool breezes at O’Hara Township Community Park on July 5....
Return of Leetsdale’s July 4 celebration welcomed by many
People in the Leetsdale area celebrated Independence Day with fireworks, inflatables and so much more at Henle Park. July 4 festivities in the borough began around 10 a.m. with a parade that started at the corner of Village Drive and Beaver Street by the Giant Eagle and made its way...
Edgeworth Independence Day bike parade draws about 100 cyclists
Edgeworth’s annual bike parade lined up at least 100 cyclists on Independence Day. Participants of all ages gathered at Edgeworth Elementary School shortly before 10 a.m. for the parade, which was led by borough police. The holiday celebration designed to bring children and families together with emergency responders for a...
Sharpsburg’s inaugural Art and History Stroll brings people, art together in business district
Sharpsburg’s inaugural Art and History Stroll brought hundreds of people along Main Street in the borough. There were face painters, artists, live music and more going on in the business district between Fifth and 13th streets on June 4. It was organized by officials from the Sharpsburg Business Group, Sharpsburg...
Police: Kiski Township couple arrested after their baby was found wandering alone in North Apollo
A Kiski Township couple was arrested Friday after their infant child was found wandering alone in North Apollo, according to a news release from the Kiski Township Police Department. Joseph Hazlett, 31, and Brandy Teeple, 27, were charged with endangering the welfare of a child, the release said. Township police...
Pa. Auditor General: Parkview VFDRA made unauthorized purchase, failed to keep meeting minutes
The Parkview Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association made more than $6,000 in unauthorized purchases and failed to keep meeting minutes, according to a recent report by the state Auditor General’s Office. AG Press Secretary Gary Miller said via email June 28 that the findings were “fairly typical” of volunteer firefighter...
Sewickley Light Up Night being planned for early December
Sewickley residents are planning for the borough’s second annual Light Up Night since a covid hiatus. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available for the event, which is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 2. Festivities will take place along Broad Street, from Centennial Avenue to Thorn Street; and Beaver Street,...
Family, friends make Greek Food Festival in Oakmont possible year after yearVideo
Many people deserve recognition when it comes to the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church’s annual Greek Food Festival in Oakmont. From the committee organizing the volunteers and tracking funds to people ordering supplies, from the chefs baking and preparing foods months in advance to the young workers setting...
Several thousand people participate in Plum’s SummerFest at Larry Mills Park late June
Plum’s annual SummerFest returned to its pre-pandemic power with games and rides, a community section packed with nonprofits and organizations, and a firefighter obstacle course. The three-day festival took place June 23-25, with thousands of people visiting Larry Mills Park. C&L Shows had about half the park for its carnival...
