Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 77
Pittsburgh gang member sentenced to federal prison for drug, firearm conviction
A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after he was convicted of violating federal drug and firearms laws, officials announced Tuesday. Devonte Parker, 26, became the latest member of Darccide/Smash 44, or DS44, a neighborhood gang involved with significant drug trafficking in the city. U.S....
Peter Adams appointed to Sharpsburg Council
Sharpsburg officials have tapped a health care professional as their next council member Peter Adams, an administrative fellow at UPMC, was recently appointed to fill the vacant seat of Brian Kozera, who moved out of the borough. Kozera was elected to his first term in November. Adams’ appointment is for...
Penn Hills demolition plans in various stages
Multiple blighted and unsafe buildings will be demolished this year in Penn Hills. Municipal planning director Chris Blackwell said plans to take down just under 40 properties are in various stages – from 19 properties under contract for demolition and a recent grant application for five more. “Penn Hills has...
Quaker Valley School District yet to respond to Leet board’s denial of school-related application
The future of a proposed Quaker Valley high school is uncertain as school district officials continue to mull over a denial by the Leet zoning hearing board. The board unanimously voted to deny the district’s special exception application for the project on Feb. 9 — however, board members said they...
Sharpsburg council pulls measure to decriminalize possession and use of marijuana, paraphernalia
With virtually no public support and a police chief saying the proposal conflicted with state law, Sharpsburg Council on Feb. 24 permanently yanked a controversial measure to legalize marijuana in the borough. The measure itself never came up for a vote. The sponsor, Councilman Jon Jaso, made a motion to...
Libraries host bilingual story time, energy fair
Story time Cooper-Siegel Community Library hosts a Spanish and English storytime from 10:30-11 a.m. March 8 at 403 Fox Chapel Road. Gather in the library’s Program Room for a playful storytime that includes interactive books, rhymes and songs in both Spanish and English. The free program is geared toward babies...
Police: Mother charged for threatening student on Gateway school bus
A Monroeville woman is charged with terroristic threats and other crimes for allegedly threatening a Gateway elementary student on a bus. Jada Northcutt, 34, got on to a bus with Evergreen Elementary School students at the intersection of Garden City and SunnyField drives the morning of Jan. 27, according to...
Quaker Valley School District officials invest in new technology for students, staff
New iPads and laptops are expected to be in the hands of Quaker Valley School District students and staff next school year. District director of innovation and strategic initiatives Karyn Dobda said 320 iPads were purchased for first and ninth-grade students. It also approved the purchase of 100 MacBook Air...
Ross commissioners president defends police chief after ‘no confidence’ vote from union
Dan DeMarco, president of the Ross Board of Commissioners, defended his police chief at Tuesday night’s meeting following a “no confidence” vote from the township’s police union. A letter sent earlier that day from the executive board of the Ross Township Police Association announced that 27 officers voted in favor...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to nearly 4 years in federal prison for heroin trafficking
A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for his involvement in a heroin trafficking ring, federal officials announced Tuesday. David Joyner, 26, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. US District Judge William S. Stickman IV sentenced him...
Pittsburgh man sentenced to more than 3 years in federal prison for drugs, guns
A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for violating federal narcotics and gun laws, federal authorities announced Tuesday. Prosecutors say Don Eric Copeland, 20, possessed illicit drugs with intent to distribute them — crack cocaine and a mixture containing cocaine and fentanyl. Pittsburgh police seized...
Fox Chapel teen, emergency responders and dispatcher honored for saving boy’s life
New Year’s morning began with a crisis for the Stephany family of Fox Chapel. Their youngest member, Max, 11, was found unconscious inside their Riding Trail Lane home. Parents Rob and Molly Stephany tried all they could to wake him up. However, Max did not respond and was not breathing....
Fox Chapel Area School District police chief to become treasurer of national nonprofit
Joseph Kozarian, Fox Chapel Area School District’s chief of police, will soon add a new title to his resume. The law enforcement veteran takes over as treasurer for the National Association of School Resource Officers in July. “It’s a great honor, great organization and wonderful people,” said Kozarian, 55, of...
Financial aid available for families impacted by Penn Hills fire
People impacted by a devastating apartment complex fire in Penn Hills are eligible for financial relief, state officials announced Friday. About 30 families were displaced by a fire Jan. 22 at the Rodi Arms apartments along the 300 block of Rodi Road. No injuries were reported. Gov. Tom Wolf said...
Castle Shannon man admits to child porn possession
A Castle Shannon man has plead guilty in federal court to child porn charges, officials announced Friday. David Colaianni, 62, admitted to U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman, IV that he possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. Officials said a federal search warrant was executed by FBI...
Route 356 in Butler County to have lane restrictions Saturday to address flooding
PennDOT officials said lane closures in both directions of Route 356 in Jefferson Township will take place Saturday. The northbound lane will be closed at the intersection of Route 356 and Bonniebrook Road, extending about 2,500 feet from the intersection in both directions, starting at 7 a.m. The southbound lane...
Some Fox Chapel Area parents lobby for masks to be optional at schools
Several Fox Chapel Area School District parents want administrators and elected leaders to rethink their health and safety plan and lift the district’s mask mandate. They have brought their concerns before the school board. Protests also have occurred outside the district’s administration offices. “Covid has affected every aspect of our...
Health care leaders and Alzheimer’s Association officials celebrate passage of state lawVideo
A new state law promotes Alzheimer’s awareness and, its backers say, will help provide assistance to families impacted by it and other degenerative diseases. Local health care leaders and other officials gathered Thursday at Presbyterian SeniorCare Network’s facility in Oakmont to celebrate the Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or...
Northbound Route 28 in Aspinwall to have single-lane restriction during the day starting Monday
Lane restrictions will start Monday on northbound Route 28 in Aspinwall, PennDOT announced. Single-lane and shoulder restrictions are planned between the on-ramp from the Highland Park Bridge to the Delafield Avenue exit starting Monday, weather permitting. Officials said they will continue as needed weekdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m....
Juices are flowing as Juicery at Oakmont opens along Allegheny Avenue
A Fox Chapel couple has opened a new business at the former Oakmont Bakery location along Allegheny Avenue. The Juicery at Oakmont has replaced Rev22 Salud Juice and Wellness Bar. The new smoothie and shake shop had a soft opening in November after some renovations and adding a new menu....
Briefs from Fox Chapel Area High School
Fox Chapel Area High School’s speech and debate team participated in the annual North Catholic High School Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, held in-person on Dec. 11. Senior Patrick Alexander won an Outstanding Performance award by finishing in the top five. Approximately 270 students from 27 public and private high...
Quaker Valley School District makes masks optional when county is in ‘moderate’ covid transmission levels
Quaker Valley School District officials have updated their health and safety plan to make masks optional at all schools provided certain criteria are met. Board members voted 8-1 to have masks be recommended and not required when Allegheny County reaches what is considered to be in “moderate” transmission. Danielle Helkowski...
Parkway East reopened after police pursuit, crash in Squirrel Hill Tunnels
The Parkway East in Pittsburgh was closed both directions Wednesday afternoon in the wake of a police pursuit in which the suspect crashed his car in the Squirrel Hill Tunnels. Allegheny County dispatch said the incident began near the Tunnels shortly before 12:40 p.m. According to a state police release,...
Jefferson Hills Council has new leadership
Jefferson Hills Council is once again under new management. Melissa Girman-Steffey and Hilary Kingsley-Budd were both unanimously appointed president and vice president, respectively, Monday night. The unanimous votes came after other council members were nominated but failed to get enough votes. Councilwoman Nicole Ruscitto was also unanimously named president pro-tem....
Fox Chapel Area school board approves needs assessment to bolster district mental health services
Fox Chapel Area School District officials have taken another step this year to address mental health issues. The board unanimously voted Monday night to have a University of Pittsburgh professor do a school mental health needs assessment of prevention and intervention services and resources. Cost of the assessment is expected...
