Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 75
Scene from movie ‘A Man Called Otto’ filmed at Oakmont church, sans a man called Tom Hanks
Oakmont resident Kassandra Stotler held her sons, Glenn and Billy, as the stood outside St. Thomas Episcopal Church. They were watching folks not normally seen in town. Crews moved cars, trucks, cameras and equipment up and down Delaware Avenue and Fourth Street. The place of worship just a few blocks...
Quaker Valley School District’s peer jury program helps students learn from mistakes
Imagine being a teen and getting into a fight in school or on a bus. Damaging a desk or some other school district property or involved in other mischief. Going to juvenile court or a local magistrate can result in a criminal record and fines. Quaker Valley School District is...
Quaker Valley School District responds to Leet zoning hearing board’s formal denial of proposed high school application
The future of a proposed Quaker Valley High School may be settled in Allegheny County Court. School district officials announced Wednesday they plan to appeal the Leet zoning hearing board’s denial of its special exception application for the school to the county court sometime in early April. The proposed $95...
Sewickley Sons of Italy embarks on heritage archive project
An effort to help preserve Italian history in the Sewickley area is underway. What started as an idea from residents and members of the Sons of Italy social club has developed into the Sewickley Area Italian Heritage Archive Project. The goal is to amass a collection of materials and then...
Aspinwall, Sharpsburg VFDs to form new joint company
Aspinwall and Sharpsburg volunteer fire departments plan to merge into a new company to boost manpower and share resources. Officials from both companies said they are in the process of forming SAVES — Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services. Although merger talks have been going on for years, the driving force...
Monroeville Convention Center hosts Steel City Con April 8-10
Organizers of Steel City Con, the official pop culture extravaganza at the Monroeville Convention Center, are preparing for their biggest show yet. About 15,000 people are expected to descend upon 209 Mall Blvd. between April 8 and 10. “The demand for Steel City Con is better than it’s ever been,”...
Donations collected at Leetsdale VFW to help people of Ukraine
A Leetsdale collection drive to help the people of Ukraine netted truckloads of donated items, according to township organizers. The event took place March 25 at the Leetsdale Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3372 and at resident Martha Gilbert Golden’s house along Victory Lane. It was organized by Mayor Sandra...
Misuse of books reported at the Sharpsburg Community Library
Sharpsburg police are investigating reported book tampering at the Sharpsburg Community Library, which library officials consider to be attempts at censorship. Branch Manager Sara Mariacher said multiple books were hidden or removed from displays between February and mid-March. A police report was filed March 24. “The library and its board...
Springdale Township woman saves neighbors from burning homeVideo
A Springdale Township woman picking up her grandson after school saved a man and a woman from a fire that destroyed their home Monday afternoon. The fire at 103 Carson St. was reported shortly after 3 p.m. Barbara Arnold was at her grandson’s nearby bus stop when she said she...
Oakmont officials award 2022 road repair project to Youngblood Paving
Oakmont officials have tapped a Wampum-based business to pave several borough roads this year. Council unanimously voted March 21 to award a $290,450 contract to Youngblood Paving. Youngblood was the lowest of six bidders, and this is its first time working for Oakmont, according to borough officials. Borough manager Scot...
2 people hurt after 2 crashes on Route 28
State police Kittanning barracks are investigating two crashes along Route 28 that ended with two people being sent to hospitals. Allegheny County dispatchers said the first wreck occurred around 3:50 p.m. Friday in the northbound lanes at the Sharpsburg/O’Hara Township line. Dispatchers confirmed one person was transported from the scene....
Edgeworth native Josh Green reflects on his roots while running for Hawaiian office
When Josh Green is not leading Hawaii’s covid relief efforts, being a doctor in emergency rooms or addressing constituents’ concerns in the Aloha State, he ponders the future of his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. “I can live with (Mitch) Trubisky and an offensive lineman in the first round or second (in...
Fox Chapel council nixes participation in regional fire department study
Fox Chapel officials have declined to participate in a regional fire department study with other Fox Chapel Area School District communities. The study, which could involve Sharpsburg, Aspinwall, O’Hara Township, Blawnox and Fox Chapel fire departments, would examine memberships, resources, training and other related factors. It would be done through...
Police: Loaded gun found in passenger’s bag at Pittsburgh International Airport
A loaded handgun was found inside a passenger’s backpack by TSA officers at the main security checkpoint of Pittsburgh International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, Allegheny County Police reported. The incident took place shortly before 4:30 p.m. Police determined the passenger, a 49-year-old man from Munhall, did possess a concealed carry...
Rosedale Civic Association project receives boost from Penn Hills Rotary
A project to revitalize Rosedale Park in Penn Hills is closer to fruition courtesy of a local contribution. The Penn Hills Rotary recently presented a $600 check to the Rosedale Civic Association, which has embarked on an estimated $150,000 upgrade effort to the recreation site next to the Rosedale Volunteer...
Quaker Valley middle schoolers to see ‘rite of passage’ return this school year
A right of passage of Quaker Valley School District middle schoolers returns after a two-year pandemic hiatus. The eighth-grade trip to historic sites has traditionally been a several-day educational and bonding experience for youngsters in Sewickley and surrounding communities. About 150-or-so students have gone each year since the 1970s. It’s...
Twice the participants expected at Verona Garden Club’s 2nd annual Botany & Booze benefit
Verona Garden Club members hope double the brews, double the goods and double the space equals double the funds at the second annual Botany & Booze. The fundraiser for the beautification group is scheduled for May 21-22 at Railroad Park. East Railroad Avenue will be closed from Center to South...
Tom Hanks movie ‘A Man Called Otto’ to film in Oakmont; actor not expected to be in town
Portions of some Oakmont roads will be closed Thursday for filming of the Tom Hanks movie “A Man Called Otto.” No parking or travel will be permitted on Delaware Avenue between Fifth Street and Isabella Way, and Fourth Street between Washington and Maryland avenues. The closures will be from 6...
Fox Chapel to reinstate junior council person program, welcome member next school year
A pair of Fox Chapel council’s newest members hope to bring back an opportunity for borough youths to learn about local government. Sarah Hanna and Bradley Harrison are in their first year of their council terms. Among the issues in their political platform is community engagement. One way they hope...
Outfit from Aspinwall boutique to be featured at April fashion show
An Indiana Township seamstress will have one of her creations in an upcoming Pittsburgh fashion show. Elaine “Lane” Root has a few weeks left to perfect “Pangaea,” a dress to be modeled by longtime friend Suzan Falvey in this year’s Ecolution Fashion Gala titled, “Earth Matters Now: For The World...
Emergency dispatcher crafts LEGO set honoring first responder TV show
Baldwin Borough resident Will McDine has combined his passion for building and love of a classic first responder TV show into a potential package for a Danish toy company. The Allegheny County dispatcher and former Castle Shannon volunteer firefighter has created a LEGO set in honor of “Emergency!” an NBC...
Pro wrestling returns to Springdale with fundraiser for high school marching band
Sounds of wrestling ring bells and body slams will be music to the ears as a local pro wrestling promotion partners with a Springdale Junior-Senior High School booster club to raise money for its marching band. The Keystone State Wrestling Alliance returns to the Donald C. McGhee Fieldhouse for Springdale...
Quaker Valley officials approve variety of high school upgrades
Quaker Valley High School will receive some upgrades at the end of the school year while the school board moves forward with plans to replace it. The school board recently approved several contracts for work there. The upper asphalt drives and parking lot will be paved and restriped by Bedford-based...
Police: Man shot in the face in Clairton
A man shot in the face in Clairton is expected to survive, according to Allegheny County Police. Officers responded to the intersection of Holcomb Avenue and Wood Alley for a shooting around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday. First responders found a man with a gunshot wound to the face. Police said the...
Fox Chapel Area School District easing out of social distancing at mealtime
Fox Chapel Area School District students will soon be able to use the gymnasiums, auditoriums, cafeterias and other common spaces they way they were intended as officials move closer to its pre-pandemic environment. The district was using those areas to allow for social distancing during meal times. The school board...
