Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 74
Edgeworth Elementary principal among Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation MVPs
Principal Carol Sprinker is just as important to Quaker Valley School District’s Edgeworth Elementary as Sidney Crosby is to the Pens, according to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. Crosby was recently named team MVP – and so was Sprinker through the foundation’s Principal MVP program. “It’s very humbling,” Sprinker said. “I’m...
Fox Chapel Area School Board gives prelim approval to 1.5% property tax hike
The Fox Chapel Area School Board has given preliminary approval to a 2022-23 budget that contains a 1.5% tax increase. The spending plan would raise the millage rate by 0.3019 mills. The overall tax hike is expected to produce about $1.07 million in additional revenue for the district. The current...
Sharpsburg to have Local Government Academy do financial review
Sharpsburg officials are seeking a Pittsburgh nonprofit’s help in reviewing borough finances. Council on April 28 authorized an application to the Local Government Academy for a financial health assessment. A finance expert would spend between six to 10 months reviewing records, examining trends and make recommendations on how to modernize...
Memorial Day parade in Aspinwall to return after pandemic hiatus
A longtime tradition of honoring veterans and celebrating America is returning to Aspinwall. After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Memorial Day parade and service is scheduled for May 30. Festivities begin with a ceremony at 11 a.m. outside the American Legion Post 77 along Commercial Avenue. Mayor Joseph Noro will...
‘Gospel Explosion’ felt in New Kensington as Alle-Kiski Valley, Pittsburgh churches singVideo
Halls of the Quality Inn in New Kensington were rocked by an explosion Saturday evening. It was the inaugural Gospel Explosion, featuring nearly a dozen churches from the Alle-Kiski Valley and Pittsburgh area. The event featured 10 singers and was hosted by Shiloh Baptist Church in Brackenridge. “We do this...
The Manos Gallery in Tarentum showcases student, professional artwork, benefits free hospital care
A Tarentum art house has partnered with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for a monthlong fundraiser benefiting the Free Care Fund. The Manos Gallery is presenting “Artist of Tomorrow,” an exhibit featuring pieces from 65 student artists from across Western Pennsylvania. Paintings, drawings, mixed media and other artistic creations from...
Legislation for proposed Sharpsburg parks and recreation commission moving forward
Sharpsburg officials are inching ever closer to forming a group dedicated to improving borough recreational opportunities and amenities. Council unanimously voted April 28 to advertise an ordinance establishing a parks and recreation commission. It is expected to be formally adopted at the May 26 voting session with members to be...
Candles lit, balloons released in memory of Azuree CharlesVideo
“Playful,” “friendly,” “polite” and “nice kid” were all common responses from people when asked about Azuree Charles. The 9-year-old boy was remembered by at least 200 people outside the East Ken Manor office building along Gardlock Court in New Kensington on Thursday evening, a day after his body was found...
Aspinwall officer recognized for helping save a man’s life in O’Hara
A man who attempted to end his life last month is alive thanks to the quick action of Aspinwall Police Officer Leann Heffley and other responding police. Mayor Joseph Noro commended Heffley for her service and presented her with a proclamation at the May 4 council meeting. “It’s nice,” she...
Fox Chapel Area senior named a Student of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
When a classmate and friend asked Hanna Essey to help raise money and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society last school year, the Fox Chapel Area High School student did not hesitate. She assisted with then junior Sarah Giuffre’s campaign and the team raised around $30,000. Now, both seniors,...
Police say Bethel Park officer struck by motorist, driver arrested for suspicion of DUI
A Bethel Park police officer was hospitalized after being struck by a motorist Tuesday night, according to police. Officers charged a man with driving under the influence and multiple traffic violations in connection with the incident around 8:40 p.m. along South Park road near Pennsylvania Avenue, police Chief Tim O’Connor...
Quaker Valley School District highlights mental health efforts
When Penny made her way into last month’s Quaker Valley school board meeting, board members smiled and some administrators took pictures. The 2-year-old purebred bulldog has that impact on everyone at the high school, Principal Deborah Riccobelli said at the April 26 voting session. Penny trained at Misty Pines Pet...
Michael Mullins named Sewickley emergency management coordinator
Army veteran and former Boy Scout Michael Mullins believes he is prepared for his next opportunity. The retired lieutenant colonel and certified registered nurse anesthetist was recently named Sewickley’s new emergency management coordinator. Hailing from Champaign, Ill., Mullins served in active duty from 1975 through 1978, and was in the...
Blawnox-Glenover Volunteer Fire Co. celebrates 100 years of operation
Pam Stephens can count on three fingers the members of the Blawnox-Glenover Volunteer Fire Co. back in the late 1980s. A simple, yet sobering task, considering that she, fire company Engineer Scott Krause and her brother, Chief Jeff Stephens were the members. The others, “just retired, moved away (and) quit,”...
Architects give presentation update on proposed Quaker Valley High SchoolVideo
Leaders of Quaker Valley School District’s project team have delivered a presentation and update on the proposed high school project. Architects at the April 26 school board highlighted community engagement that took place the past year or so, and showcased some conceptual drawings of an estimated 167,000-square-foot facility. Alternate plans...
Sharpsburg Community Library may add materials, increase hours through O’Hara donation
Sharpsburg Community Library officials are considering adding hours and to its collection courtesy of a $20,000 donation from O’Hara Township. The Sharpsburg library is a branch of Fox Chapel-based Cooper-Siegel Community Library. O’Hara Council approved the gift on April 12 provided it be used specifically for the Sharpburg library and...
Pittsburgh man federally indicted on charges related to several robberies in Allegheny County
A Pittsburgh man arrested in connection with four armed robberies in March, including two in which people were shot, now faces federal charges. Eric Jones, 32, of the city’s East Hills neighborhood has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of robbery, attempted robbery and firearms violations, authorities...
Penn Hills man sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for traveling extensively while on supervised release
A Penn Hills felon who wasn’t supposed to travel outside of Western Pennsylvania after serving 14 years in prison was found to have gone on at least 14 trips to places such as Las Vegas, Disney World and Los Angeles. Federal authorities say Kevin Carter, 50, was busted when he...
Police: Man in critical condition after being shot in Wilkinsburg
A man was in critical condition after being shot in Wilkinsburg on Tuesday afternoon, according to Allegheny County Police. Officers were dispatched around 2:45 p.m. for a shooting along the 500 block of Franklin Avenue. First responders found the man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. He was...
O’Hara to spend more than $1 million to pave 9 streets this year
Nine O’Hara roads expected to be rebuilt this year as part of the township’s road paving program. Council unanimously voted April 12 to award an estimated $1.284 million contract to Wampum-based Youngblood Paving. Engineer Charles Steinert said it was the lowest of four bidders, and it did paving in the...
Sharpsburg dedicates new playground equipment
The late business man Norman E. Gottschalk Jr. would often talk about Sharpsburg and how it influenced him, said his wife Patricia. “He always said the lessons he learned in his youth in Sharpsburg made him the businessman he became,” she said. Sharpsburg officials dedicated new playground equipment on April...
Man fatally shot in McKeesport identified
Allegheny County Police said a McKeesport man died after being shot Friday afternoon in that city. The county Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Michael Gunter, 22, of McKeesport. Officers responded to the shooting along the 100 block of Fifth Avenue around 1:35 p.m. Police said first responders found...
Police: Man killed in White Oak crash, another person hospitalized
A man was killed and another person injured in a three-vehicle crash in White Oak on Friday afternoon, Allegheny County Police reported. The crash happened around 12:40 p.m. along the 3100 block of Jacks Run Road. Police said first responders found a man deceased when they arrived. Another person was...
Fox Chapel Area High School students earn top honors at STEM contest at Heinz Field
A team of Fox Chapel Area High School freshmen have a plan for the future of Heinz Field. It doesn’t involve adding seats to the rotundas of the North Shore stadium. Nor does it follow scouting analysis of college players for the upcoming NFL draft. Instead, students Arnim Kuchhal, Varad...
Quaker Valley School District files court appeal over Leet zoning board’s denial of high school-related application
Quaker Valley School District officials have formally filed an appeal in Allegheny County Court challenging the Leet Township Zoning Hearing Board’s denial of its special exception application for a proposed high school. The 45-page appeal was filed April 12. Its documents were also posted earlier this month on the township’s...
