Natalie Beneviat stories, Page 6
Franklin Park lauds hands-on track record of new borough manager, who takes helm July 7
Zachary Filous is excited to take on the role of borough manager for Franklin Park, beginning July 7, after successfully managing Freeport Borough in Armstrong County since 2023. Though the communities are very different in size, Filous feels confident in making the switch. Freeport has a population of 1,736, while...
Franklin Park fielding interest on transitioning to a home rule charter community
In November, Franklin Park residents may have the opportunity to vote on whether the borough should form a government study commission to investigate transitioning to a home rule charter community. Council stressed that the ballot question is only to ask residents whether they want to form a government study commission...
McCandless intern helping to document town’s land developments for future digitization
As land develops and properties change ownership over the years, it’s important to keep it all straight and accessible. Taking on this necessary work for McCandless is summer intern Alyssa Broome-Webster, who graduated in May from Duquesne University with a bachelor’s degree in history. She also interned with the university’s...
North Allegheny School Board OKs 2025-26 budget with no tax increase for 3rd year
The North Allegheny School Board unanimously approved its 2025-26 budget of $204,355,366 on June 11 that keeps real estate taxes at 19.74 mills. “This is the third year we will not be raising our millage rate, and I think that’s quite an accomplishment given the big hit we took in...
Northern Regional Police Department test-pilots equine therapy program
Several officers from the Northern Regional Police Department recently traded in their patrol vehicles, uniforms and police radios for saddles, fresh air and horses. The day was spent at Orchardview Stables in Marshall to learn about the benefits of equine therapy. “I can speak for myself when I say it...
Annual NerdCon brings comic convention fun to Northland Public Library
The day when everyone wants to be a nerd finally arrived at Northland Public Library’s annual NerdCon celebration, held June 14, as folks of all ages dressed in their cosplay best. Anyone into comics, anime, board games, role playing — or even Mario Kart — were able to dress up...
AARP Chapter 595 provides hundreds of work gloves to nonprofit that conducts home repairs
One organization quite literally is offering a helping hand — albeit a gloved one. The Pittsburgh North Hills AARP Chapter 595 is donating 407 work gloves to volunteers at Hosanna Industries Inc., a local nonprofit that helps build and repair houses for people who are less fortunate. Hosanna Industries, with...
North Allegheny School District celebrates graduation of 673 students
They did it. The Class of 2025, the 69th graduating class of North Allegheny School District, was celebrated the morning of June 7, after the event was postponed from the previous night due to inclement weather. The stadium was packed with friends and families of the 673 graduates. After an...
North Allegheny students surpass goal with Jared Box Project to brighten days of hospitalized children
More than 1,000 little boxes of happiness have been prepared for children at local hospitals over the past four years, courtesy of students in the North Allegheny School District. Senior Julia O’Keefe and sophomores Fischer Modic and Sidney Rice spearhead the project to make Jared Boxes, handheld containers filled with...
North Allegheny soccer standout Elliana Vitale scores scholarship named for 1983 graduate
The Richard J. Collins Scholarship, a $3,000 award given to a North Allegheny soccer player, was presented to Elliana Vitale, a senior and one of the captains of the high school soccer team. Vitale, 18, of McCandless received the award May 21 from members of the Collins family, with her...
Police departments in the North Allegheny area address needs, shortages
Police departments in the North Allegheny region are addressing various needs, from more staffing to newer facilities. The McCandless Police Department currently is advertising for positions. Chief Ryan Hawk said they fall just short of their traditional manpower because of recent retirements. “We are down two officers right now, but...
Outcry by Marshall residents postpones vote on proposed zoning, subdivision ordinances
Adoption of new zoning and subdivision and land development ordinances in Marshall was rescheduled for July 7 after a lengthy public hearing at the June 2 supervisors meeting. The meeting marked the end of an official 45-day review process on the final draft of the proposed SALDO and zoning ordinance,...
McCandless seeks residents to help plan 175th anniversary, provide input on parks study
There are two ways to help with planning in the Town of McCandless this month, including applying to be part of the committee for the upcoming 175th anniversary celebration and participating in an open house on the town’s parks on June 19. Residents have until June 15 to submit applications...
Marshall’s manager resigns to take same role in Fox Chapel
After seven years of serving Marshall as its township manager, Julie Bastianini is taking her expertise to serve the community of Fox Chapel. Her resignation was accepted at the June 2 supervisors meeting. “Our loss is Fox Chapel’s gain. We will miss you. You’ve done a wonderful job. The township...
Lawmakers suit up to learn about firefighting during Fire Ops 101 training in North Park
It’s not easy work to search for a person trapped in a smoke-filled basement or hallway, as local legislators recently discovered. But it’s something Pittsburgh firefighters are prepared to do on a daily basis. It was all part of a Fire Ops 101 training experience May 22 at the Allegheny...
11th annual Walk Like MADD 5K in North Park strives to raise awareness of impact of impaired driving
Impaired driving fatalities have increased by 7% in Pennsylvania since 2019, according to a statistic from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The national nonprofit, created in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed in a drunken-driving accident, is working to erase that number. “It is really something that is 100%...
McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority lauded for lifesaving work at open house
A former McCandless resident attended an open house of the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority on May 18 to publicly thank its crews for helping to save his life last year. The MFPAA invited the public to its headquarters along Grubbs Road in McCandless to tour the station, showcase its equipment...
Summer concerts return to McCandless Crossing
Let the good times roll as the outdoor Summer Concert Series returns to McCandless Crossing’s Town Green, kicking off the first show June 2 with singer and guitarist Shelley Duff at 6 p.m. McCandless Crossing, located at the intersection of McKnight Road and Duncan Avenue, holds free concerts from 6...
Memorial golf outing raises $20,000 for summer camp for young burn victims
The Balls of Fire golf fundraiser held on May 12 at Wildwood Golf Club in Hampton doubled its fundraising goal by raising $20,000. The event, held by the WWDD Foundation, will donate the funds to Kamp KOALA, a free five-day summer camp for children who have suffered burn injuries offered...
Going with the flow: Local businesses aren’t too concerned yet about impact of tariffs
As U.S. tariffs on foreign goods continue to fluctuate, local business owners are sharing their opinions and concerns. The tariffs are part of President Donald Trump’s “Fair and Reciprocal Plan.” The plan is designed to counter nonreciprocal trading arrangements with trading partners by determining the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff...
North Allegheny Foundation announces scholarship winners
The North Allegheny Foundation presented scholarships to 16 students at the May 7 school board meeting. The nonprofit received more than 120 applications for its 14 available scholarships, said Tiffany Thirkell, chair of the NA Foundation scholarship committee. “This year’s applicants exhibited high academic achievements, strong leadership skills, commitment to...
Sweet standoff: Tasters flock to strawberry dessert contest for charitable cause
This wasn’t your grandma’s Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad. Twelve purveyors teamed up with their favorite nonprofit to present their sweet twist to the iconic Pittsburgh dessert during the Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad Standoff presented by Ya Jagoff! on May 10 at The Block Northway in McCandless. “It is a Pittsburgh...
Brandt Trail in McCandless ready for use after partnering with Landforce for upgrades
Hikers looking for a new route can try out the recently improved Brandt Trail, a 1-mile hiking path next to Wall Park off Sloop Road in McCandless. Brandt Trail is an easy-to-moderate walk, with the trailhead located just beyond the entrance to the park along Sloop Road. McCandless partnered with...
8 cross-filed candidates seek 4 Democratic, 4 GOP spots on North Allegheny School Board
Eight candidates, all cross-filed, are running in the May 20 primary for eight seats, four Republican and four Democratic, on the North Allegheny School Board. All of the candidates will appear on both the Republican and Democratic ballots. Here’s a look at the candidates voters will see on the ballot:...
Annual Dyngus Dash celebrates Polish roots
More than 300 registrants, 660 pierogies and one lively polka band helped to warm things up during the fifth annual Dyngus Dash 5K in North Park. Despite a cool drizzle, Polish and non-Polish people descended on the race course April 26 at the parking lot of the North Park’s boathouse...
