Natalie Beneviat stories, Page 8
Refugee resettlement agencies determined to continue work despite halt to federal funding
Local agencies are still determined to help resettle refugees despite an executive order halting federal funding. Four agencies in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are contracted through the Office of Refugee Resettlement as a partner of the national resettlement agency, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, to provide resettlement services. This...
Local entrepreneur donates $20,000 to McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority
An unexpected — and much-appreciated — $20,000 donation recently was made to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority by local entrepreneur, Jason Wolfe. Wolfe, owner of The Wolfe Companies, who lives in McCandless with his wife and family, made the donation as a way to support the nonprofit. The donation will...
Lenten fish fry season is back; here are few spots to reel in a meal
The start of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and there are plenty of places in the region to seek a seafood dinner on Fridays. Here are a few of them. A.W. Beattie Career Center About 80 students from around the North Hills will serve lunch at A.W. Beattie Career Center...
North Allegheny retirements in June reflect hundreds of years of service
More than 530 combined years of service of professional employees at North Allegheny School District were approved for retirement by the North Allegheny School Board on Feb. 26. Adding on two more employees who retired mid-year increased that number to more than 590 years of service, according to board director...
North Allegheny counselors say limiting cellphone use at school appears to be helping
A decrease in cellphone use by students in the North Allegheny School District appears to be showing some benefits. The topic came up as part of a conversation at a Feb. 12 school board meeting during a presentation of the School Counseling Program Review. The counselors said the decrease of...
North Allegheny counselors assess mental health in school district
Mental health issues seem to be increasing in all grade levels in the North Allegheny School District, and school counselors are working hard to make sure the support is there for students and their families. As part of a School Counseling Program Review Presentation at the school board meeting Feb....
4 North Allegheny students make Junior Achievement’s 18 Under Eighteen list
Four students from North Allegheny School District were chosen out of 36 finalists to make the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania 18 Under Eighteen Class of 2025, presented by the EQT Foundation. The 18 honorees were celebrated at a Feb. 4 banquet at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. “They are truly...
Members of North Allegheny community learn how to react in active shooter scenarios
While random gun violence can be unpredictable, knowing how best to react could help prevent tragedy. That was the message relayed to residents Feb. 19 during the Active Shooter Community Educational Night at Marshall Middle School. About 70 members of the North Allegheny community, local hospital workers, church leaders and...
Residents invited to complete parks survey to help shape future of recreation in McCandless
McCandless residents are encouraged to help shape the future of the town’s parks and recreational programming by completing a Parks Master Plan Questionnaire. The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to March 31. The survey is available online at townofmccandless.org. Paper copies are available by request at Town...
Early fascination with pipe organ leads to successful career for Franklin Park native
It was an organ performance at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland that made up the mind of Daniel Ficarri, then just an eighth grader in the North Allegheny School District. He was entranced by the sounds and sights of an instrument that beautifully echoed throughout the grand space of the...
Renovation work at Northland Public Library not expected to impede upcoming gala
The Northland Public Library’s annual garden gala, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” drops in on April 26, and guests can be assured the event will have all of the bells and whistles as usual, despite the renovation work still happening there. “After our 2024 ‘Gatsby in the Garden’ literary theme, we...
Year in review reveals McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority answered 9,412 calls in 2024
National accreditation, hundreds of hours in training, and 146,000 miles on the road were some of the highlights of the 2024 year-in-review presentation by the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority on Feb. 17. Local council and municipality officials, community members, MFPAA staff and state Rep. Arvind Venkat attended the event held...
North Allegheny looking to fill vacant positions
Bus drivers, special education assistants and paraprofessionals are some of the positions that need to be filled at the North Allegheny School District, according to a mid-year human resources report to the school board Feb. 12. The report is given twice annually, taking data from the third day of a...
McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority establishes 5-year agreements with 3 communities
The communities of Pine, Marshall and Bradford Woods have secured service/funding agreements with the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority for the next five years, from 2026 to 2030, according to MFPAA Chief Chris Dell. This allows for better financial planning for the nonprofit. These communities already have been providing financial contributions...
9 North Allegheny alumni feted at awards gala
A bit of glitz, glamour and lots of grins made the scene at the 2025 North Allegheny Foundation Alumni Awards gala Jan. 23 at the Holy Trinity Event Center in McCandless. The annual event featured nine North Allegheny alumni, each recognized for significant contributions to society or outstanding professional accomplishments....
Chocolate Walk benefiting North Hills Community Outreach returns to McCandless Crossing
Eating lots of chocolate can have its benefits. And such is the case for the McCandless Crossing Chocolate Walk on March 1, a fundraiser for North Hills Community Outreach. The sweet sequel to 2024’s inaugural chocolate walk is the result of last year’s great response, said Jeff Geissler, spokesperson for...
Firefighters remind residents about staying safe during winter months
The wildfires in California may be a sobering reminder of the importance of fire safety locally, especially in the dry winter months. Generally speaking, there does seem to be more fire-related incidents during the winter, said Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company Chief Greg Quatchak. “We also see an increase in the...
Free Unlimited Sound concert to celebrate music by artists who overcame disabilities
Classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven and singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder are among those being celebrated for their talents and overcoming their disabilities at Unlimited Sound, a free concert set for Feb. 2 at Temple Ohav Shalom in Allison Park. The event from 2 to 3 p.m. is part of the Azure...
North Allegheny hosts presentation to train responders on how to help people with autism
Local law enforcement attended a presentation at Carson Middle School on Jan. 20 on how to best interact with those who may be on the autism spectrum or have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event was presented by Scott Bailey, an officer for the Fox Chapel Area School District and...
McCandless police chief graduates from FBI Academy
A yellow brick means a lot to McCandless police Chief Ryan Hawk, as it signifies his successful completion of training at the FBI National Academy. Hawk is part of the 292nd graduating class of the academy, located in Quantico, Va., where he trained for 10 weeks. Only he and one...
PennDOT seeks public input on aesthetics of Wexford Interchange
PennDOT is inviting motorists to chime in on the aesthetics of the Interstate 79/Route 910 Wexford Interchange Project in Marshall through Jan. 31. An online survey asks for color and concrete texture preferences, which will help determine the project’s look. There are two color options: • Nautilus Blue, a lighter...
Kansas City Chiefs president among those to be honored at North Allegheny Foundation Alumni Gala
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 NA Distinguished Alumni Gala to be held Jan. 23 at the Holy Trinity Center, 985 Providence Blvd., in McCandless. “As usual, there is an amazing group of honorees, including the Soergel family, who is receiving the Spirit of NA award for their...
North Allegheny Foundation awards more than $60,000 in grants
Donations raised by community members helped fund $60,459 in grants from the North Allegheny Foundation, benefitting students throughout the school district. The North Allegheny Foundation awards grant applications submitted by school district staff in both the spring and fall. Any district staff member can submit a grant application with the...
2 Hosack Elementary staffers recognized for saving student
Two staff members at North Allegheny’s Hosack Elementary School recently received the Chief’s Challenge Coin for saving a student from choking last fall. Just a day before Halloween, April Wismer, a teacher, and Jenna Danka, a paraprofessional, noticed a student experiencing a medical emergency while eating, and eventually started choking....
Marshall holding zoning, SALDO ordinances open house
The draft of the zoning and SALDO ordinances for Marshall Township will be reviewed at an open house on Jan. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Marshall Township Municipal Building’s lower level. The municipal building is located at 525 Pleasant Hill Road. The meeting is part of the...
