North Allegheny junior’s gown, tuxedo made from books set the scene for library’s spring gala
Teen fashion phenom Sidney Rice spent 120 hours designing a “Phantom of the Opera”-themed dress and tuxedo made entirely out of book pages for Northland Public Library’s Garden Gala on Saturday, April 25. Tickets for the 2026 Garden Gala: Phantom of the Library are $75 and can still be purchased...
As e-bike use grows, safe operation is top of mind for police departments in the North Hills
E-bikes continue to be a popular recreational activity and mode of transportation. But their growing use has local police departments concerned about safety. An e-bike is defined as a pedacycle with an electric assist, normally weighing less than 100 pounds and traveling at speeds not exceeding 20 mph. “E-bikes are...
Nurture House, a new preschool in McCandless, keeps play the focus of learning
A nature-based, child-centered education in a unique space with a cottage-like feel are just some of the alluring benefits of Nurture House, a new early childhood program in the North Hills. Nurture House, founded by Ashley Cifone, a prelicensed therapist, educator and 20-year child care professional, wanted to create a...
Horseback riding program for children with disabilities seeks volunteers
Working with horses and helping children with disabilities go hand in hand at Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania in McCandless, which is holding a volunteer orientation day at 11 a.m. May 2. The orientation will be held at the riding arena at 9950 Grubbs Road. RHWPA Inc., a...
North Allegheny School District’s proposed final budget includes tax increase
Addressing rising costs, inflation and other financial needs, a higher tax bill for residents in the North Allegheny School District is on the table as the proposed final budget was approved with a raise in millage rate to 20.43 from the current 19.74. The school board approved the proposed final...
North Allegheny 4th grader sets the stage for success
Lorelai Hedgepeth may be a typical fourth grader while walking the halls of North Allegheny’s Hosack Elementary School. But it’s outside of school where she takes a more untypical path. At 9 years old, Lorelai is enough of an on-stage regular that she already has a pretty impressive performance dossier,...
North Allegheny senior makes history as 1st male dancer with Penn State Lionettes
Braeden Gray of Marshall was driving home with his dad after auditioning for the Penn State Lionettes Dance Team in March, when he got the call. He made the cut. Gray, a North Allegheny senior, will be the first male to join the team. The team’s professionalism inspired him to...
More events slated for McCandless’ 175th birthday, including Salute to Service, Bday run/walk and Kids Dash
A warm, sunny Sunday afternoon was the perfect backdrop to celebrate the birthday of the Town of McCandless on March 22, the exact date of its founding 175 years ago. To celebrate the significance of this hallmark anniversary, the town distributed 175 cupcakes, 175 ice cream scoops from Bruster’s Ice...
Free Earth Day celebration set at Bradford Woods Reserve
A 5-acre wooded hideaway in Bradford Woods, featuring a trail, pond and recreational fishing, is anything but secret. This gift of nature is the Bradford Woods Reserve and the site of a free Earth Day celebration from 10 a..m. to 2 p.m. April 25. Located on 156 Bradford Road, the...
Baierl Family YMCA in Franklin Park hosting free Healthy Kids Day fair
There will be something for everyone during Healthy Kids Day from noon to 3 p.m. April 18 at Baierl Family YMCA in Franklin Park. The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is hosting free educational and activity-filled health fairs at several YMCA locations in and around Pittsburgh, including at the Baierl center,...
License plate readers to be installed at 2 intersections of North Allegheny Senior High School
License plate readers will be installed at both intersections at the North Allegheny Senior High School on Perry Highway with the school board agreeing to split the cost with the McCandless Police Department. The total cost to the district is $11,000, according to the board vote. This covers about half...
Field trip to NHCO shows North Allegheny students how their fundraising efforts help others
A jumping-powered fundraiser took students from the gym to the food bank for a fun and educational field trip to North Hills Community Outreach in Hampton. North Allegheny School District’s seven elementary schools have been participating in the seventh annual Jump for the Hills fundraiser, where students raise money over...
Pittsburgh Sakura Project readies for peak cherry blossom viewing in North Park
A spring hanami event, a Japanese term for flower-viewing, will be celebrated from 2 to 4 p.m. April 18 along the lake and at Harmony Shelter in North Park, near the boathouse off Pearce Mill Road. The blooming buds are all part of the Pittsburgh Sakura Project, a group of...
Temple Ohav Shalom in McCandless secures $25,000 to boost security
Safety and vigilance are a top priority for the congregants at Temple Ohav Shalom in McCandless, which recently received $25,000 to bolster security. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded the grant, applied for by Temple Ohav Shalom and supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, which has...
Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company recaps a busy year, puts call out for new members
Keeping costs down and recruiting more volunteers are continued goals for the Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company as it reviews last year’s successes and challenges. Celebrating its 104th year in 2026, the Franklin Park department had one of its busiest years in 2025, responding to 347 calls, compared to 293...
Pat Tillman race in North Park to honor fallen Army Ranger, raise money for veterans’ education
Runners and walkers will be trekking exactly 4.2 miles in the Pittsburgh Tillman Honor Run, a nod to the late Army Ranger’s football No. 42 jersey at Arizona State University. The Pittsburgh race will start at 9 a.m. April 18 at the North Park Boathouse along Pearce Mill Road in...
Ambulance authority secures $235K to expand lifesaving capabilities
A recent grant of $235,000 given to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority will help provide more life-saving tools for the community. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded the money for the purchase of six CPR devices and a new heart monitor, according to a March 23 announcement...
2025 included 22 CPR saves for McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority
What mattered most to Chief Chris Dell was the 22 successful CPR resuscitations achieved by the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority crew in 2025. Dell provided a year-in-review presentation of the MFPAA on March 16 at its main station on Grubbs Road and highlighted that meaningful statistic. “That’s a big number....
Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company receives funding for radio upgrades
A $308,000 grant will help Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company in McCandless replace outdated radios throughout the department, ensuring its volunteers have safe and dependable communication in emergencies. The grant, awarded by the Department of Community of Economic Development, will enable the station along Harmony Drive to purchase new radios so...
$226M renovation project for 5 North Allegheny schools on track, according to update to board
Early cost estimates for the renovation of three elementary schools, the intermediate and senior high schools, including a reconstruction of the natatorium, is more than $226 million, according to a project status update presented to the school board March 11. The project is on track, with construction scheduled to begin...
Deadline looms for North Allegheny students to apply for foundation scholarships
The deadline for North Allegheny graduating seniors to apply for one of eight scholarships offered through the North Allegheny Foundation is April 3. Students bound for post-secondary education — college, university or technical school — who are looking for extra financial support can pursue a scholarship of up to $2,000,...
Daisy Troop witnesses official swearing in of McCandless’ K-9, Leroy, while learning about government
Though Leroy has been working at the McCandless Police Department since 2025, the K-9 had an official swearing-in ceremony March 12 with his handler, Officer Shawn Davis, and local Daisy Troop 21955 in attendance. District Judge Matthew J. Brungo, serving Bradford Woods, McCandless, Marshall and Pine, conducted the ceremony in...
AARP teams up with McCandless for free paper-shredding event during Fraud Prevention Month
When someone throws away documents with personal data on it, whether bills, junk mail or private papers, they could be tossing away their identity as well. “Our paper documents contain a surprising amount of personal information. When they’re thrown away intact, they can become an easy target for fraud and...
North Allegheny promotes from within for new superintendent
Hiring a new superintendent from within proved to be the best move for the North Allegheny School District. Assistant Superintendent David Deramo was unanimously voted into the position at the March 11 school board meeting. That was the sentiment by board members, who also approved the retirement of Superintendent Brendan...
Runner in 1st Boston qualifier marathon at North Park returns for race’s 50th anniversary
Ken Balkey fondly recalls the local North Park race that qualified him to run the iconic Boston Marathon in 1977. The First Annual Boston Marathon Qualifier Marathon, later known as The Spring Thaw, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Feb. 28, where Balkey served as honorary starter. Even at age 75,...
