McCandless Polar Plunge rescheduled because of extreme cold
Because of the extremely cold temperatures, the McCandless Polar Plunge has been rescheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. March 20 at North Allegheny High School off Perry Highway. It will take place in collaboration with North Allegheny’s Unified Bocce team. The event, benefiting Special Olympics, originally was scheduled for Feb....
‘We go in the snow’: First responders in North Hills remain ready for emergencies
Preparation is key for emergency crews in the North Hills during extreme weather patterns. First responders are ready for action during the cold spell and will continue the same practices as harsh conditions continue or if they return in the coming months. “We go in the snow,” was Chief Chris...
McCandless Town Hall closed; council meeting rescheduled for Feb. 9
In the wake of Winter Storm Fern, McCandless officials have closed Town Hall today, Jan. 26, for the safety of staff and residents. The closure aims to assist the town’s public works crews as they continue to clear roadways. Hours will return to normal at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27....
Early preparation of salt supplies places North Hills communities in good spot ahead of storm
Mother Nature is pointing a frosty finger at the Pittsburgh region this weekend, and meteorologists predict nearly a foot of snow could fall. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings across a 2,000-mile stretch of the U.S., from New Mexico to New England. Conditions are expected to start...
North Allegheny senior has open mind as he heads to D.C. for prestigious U.S. Senate Youth Program
Reading “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know” had a notable impact on Sagar Raghavan, a senior at North Allegheny and one of 104 high school students selected to attend the 64th annual United States Senate Youth Program in March. In the 2021 release, author Adam Grant...
26th annual Unity Breakfast channels King’s message of being ‘a catalyst for change’
Don’t be complacent but take action was the message from Dr. Paul Spradley, keynote speaker of the 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast on Jan. 19 at La Roche University. Spradley, the executive director of the university’s Ketteler Center for Peace, Justice and Inclusion, shared King’s message...
North Allegheny junior among group lauded by Gov. Shapiro for making difference in Pa.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently celebrated the efforts of local volunteers making a difference in the state, including North Allegheny junior Aayushi Vardhan. The 16-year-old was one of 14 girls, all members of the Pittsburgh Linxx Chapter of the National Charity League, to be invited to a luncheon Dec. 15...
Design phase on track for construction projects in North Allegheny School District
The design phase of several North Allegheny schools was able to proceed in December once a construction manager, architect and energy consultant were approved during the November school board meeting. Hosack, Ingomar and Peebles elementary schools, as well as Phase 1 of the high school, began their design phases, with...
NA Foundation reports doubling fundraising in year-end review
A record $220,600 in funding was awarded to teachers, students and schools by the North Allegheny Foundation in 2024 to 2025, more than doubling its efforts from the previous year, according to the nonprofit’s annual report to the school board in December. The North Allegheny Foundation is a fundraiser and...
Balanced scorecard reveals North Allegheny’s successes, shortcomings
The results of a “balanced scorecard” was shared with the North Allegheny School Board on Jan. 7, providing a transparent review of both the strengths and areas needing improvement in the district. This balanced scorecard is part of the district’s 2024-29 strategic and comprehensive plan, with an emphasis on setting...
McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority helping UPMC with memory care patients
Patients with memory or cognitive deficiencies and their caregivers will have more direction when leaving the hospital, thanks to a new program being offered by the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority in collaboration with UPMC. As part of a Community Paramedic-led Transitions Intervention Program, the MFPAA, an emergency services provider in...
Northland Public Library celebrates results of $4.1M renovation at ribbon-cutting ceremony
Northland Public Library celebrated its newly renovated and more functional space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 8. A large crowd gathered in the library’s front spacious lobby, via the new lower-level main entrance, to tour the robust additions to the $4.1 million project that began in fall 2024. The library...
McCandless Polar Plunge aims to raise $10,000 to support Special Olympics
Editor’s note: Due to the extreme cold and concern for participants’ safety, McCandless has rescheduled its Polar Plunge for 4 to 6 p.m. March 20. It will be held at North Allegheny High School in collaboration with the district’s Unified Bocce team. People who already registered for the town’s event...
Marshall installs new supervisor and formally elected incumbent during reorganization
An incumbent and newly elected supervisor officially joined the Marshall Township Board of Supervisors at its Jan. 5 reorganization meeting. Nina Faber, who ran on a two-party ticket, joins the board, filling the shoes of longtime Supervisor Anthony “Jack” Candek, who did not seek reelection after serving for 30 years....
Democrat-led majority takes helm of McCandless Council as members reorganize
McCandless Council now has a Democrat-led majority as three new members were sworn in during a reorganization meeting Jan. 5 at Town Hall. Laureen Alt of Ward 2, Jack Hickerson of Ward 4 and Nathan Babich of Ward 6 won the seats against incumbent Republicans Jack Casey, Don Hart and...
Bradford Woods swears in new council member, 3 incumbents
Matthew Goss officially joined the rest of Bradford Woods Council during the borough’s reorganization meeting Jan. 5. With four open seats in the general election Nov. 4, Goss, a Democrat, received the most votes at 401. He ran uncontested. He joins Republican incumbents Daniel Dimond, who received 325 votes, David...
Franklin Park’s 1st female mayor eager to get started as council reorganizes for new year
It’s official. Franklin Park’s new mayor, Cristen Fiffik, a Democrat, was sworn in during the borough’s reorganization meeting Jan. 5, replacing Dennis O’Keefe, who served as mayor for three terms. Republican O’Keefe lost to Fiffik, 3,092 to 2,738. Mayoral terms in Franklin Park are four years. Fiffik shared her appreciation...
‘Surreal’ moment: North Allegheny teacher catches Ravens kicker’s missed FG
Fate seemed to be at work on multiple levels during Sunday night’s Steelers game. Not only for Pittsburgh, which edged the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a nail-biter, but also for Justin Karolski, who happened to be seated in the end zone where Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed the would-be game-winning...
Northland Public Library’s $4 million renovation complete; open house set sometime in January
Just in time for the new year, the much-anticipated “New Northland” has opened its updated and expanded space, according to an announcement from the library Dec. 19. Northland Public Library’s two-story building extension, new accessible lower-level entrance, expanded and dedicated teen space, coffee shop and more were set to open...
North Allegheny fourth grader’s holiday vision wins Downtown hotel’s annual card contest
A vision of snowy woods and candy canes came to mind for a North Allegheny student, whose design won Omni William Penn Hotel’s annual holiday card contest this year. Charlotte Neumann, a fourth grader at Bradford Woods Elementary School, was one of the 56 students from the school who submitted...
McCandless leaders approve master site development plan for community’s parks
A master site development plan shaping the future of McCandless’ parks and recreation programs for the next decade was approved by council members on Dec. 15. Pashek+MTR, a Pittsburgh-based Landscape Planning Firm, was hired by the town’s council in August 2024 to lead the development of master site plans for...
McCandless eyes adding paid staff at volunteer fire departments to help ease workload
A paid full-time fire chief and two part-time firefighters may be the answer to helping out the volunteer fire departments in McCandless. Council approved a 6% increase in contributions for the town’s three volunteer fire departments — Highland, Ingomar and Peebles — with each receiving $200,000 for 2026, up from...
McCandless’ budget for 2026 marks 21 years of no tax increase for town’s residents
The Town of McCandless 2026 budget of more than $20 million was passed unanimously by council Dec. 8 with no change in real estate tax for the 21st year. A proposed budget was first presented to council at its Nov. 10 meeting, and a public hearing was held Nov. 24....
2 stormwater projects included in 2026 Bradford Woods budget with no tax increase
Bradford Woods Council passed its 2026 budget Dec. 8 with no change in taxes. The property tax millage rate will remain at 3.375 mills, with Bradford Woods being the fourth-lowest millage rate among 81 boroughs in Allegheny County, according to borough Manager Rusti Null. Easements were a big part of...
North Allegheny’s Student Council collects 2,000 items, $3,000 during food drive
When it comes to helping out their neighbors, North Allegheny students deliver. About 2,000 food and toiletry items and $3,000 were collected for a food drive from Nov. 17-21 at the senior high school, coordinated by the Student Council. The collections were divided among the North Hills Community Outreach, Millvale...
