Tanisha Thomas stories, Page 11

A West Deer preschool teacher is continuing her tradition of bringing a Hallmark-like holiday setting to town with her Christmas tree program. Caylin Zaremski leads the “Our Trees of Light” project that aims to give back to the community by setting up township Christmas trees. The idea was birthed from...

The Penn Hills School District wanted to help make a difference for families in need during the holiday season. The contest, “Use Your Noodle to End Hunger,” encouraged classrooms to donate food pantry items to local food banks. The class that brought in the most items would receive a prize....

While former Steelers player John Banaszak was enjoying retirement, the three-time Super Bowl champion and longtime college football coach was ready to make a return to sports in his own way. He recently became president of Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena in Harmar. He knew the owners, Karyn and Bob Brooks,...

Harmar Township officials assured residents they will find an answer to their sewage backup issues as they continue their investigation. During the supervisors’ Nov. 18 meeting, residents were updated on what is next on the township’s agenda to finding the main cause of the sanitary sewage overflows. It’s an issue...

Some Hampton Police officers are getting a little furry overe for the next couple months to raise awareness and money for a charitable cause. Half of the department is participating in No Shave November, a month-long journey to help support cancer prevention, research and education. Hampton police officers will be...

Some Harmar property owners might pay less in taxes under the proposed $2.7 million budget for 2022, but it will come at a cost. The proposed $2.7 million spending plan would increase the Homestead Exemption by $5,000, from $30,000 to $35,000. That move, though, could cost the township more than...

One of the largest empty spaces in the Pittsburgh Mills mall has a new tenant. M@C Discount announced it will open a location Dec. 1 in the space formerly used by Sears Grand. The online bidding store signed a five-year lease with the mall. Spirit Halloween occupied the space during...

The real estate tax rate will remain the same for Frazer property owners in 2022. The township supervisors voted 2-0 to approve a $1.1 million budget preliminary budget on Nov. 2. Supervisor William Creevey was absent for the vote. Property taxes would remain the same, at 2.5 mills. The township...

West Deer residents have differing opinions on whether the township should approve proposed natural gas well pads at two locations in the township. Residents and taxpayers spoke Tuesday during the ninth and final public hearing regarding the proposal presented by Olympus Energy LLC. The hearing took place at West Deer...

When Monroeville native Kelley McNeil was driving along a rural road with her daughter in the car, she had an idea pop into her head. “I thought what if we got into an accident and when we woke up, (my daughter) had disappeared,” she said. McNeil would explore that idea...

Alumni from the Penn Hills class of 2001 wanted to find a way to give back to the school district that left an impact on them after graduating. The class showed its gratitude by collecting school supplies to donate to Penn Hills Elementary School earlier this month . The tote...

A Plum Senior High School senior achieved the rank of Eagle Scout for his project highlighting mental health. Ryan Kmonk wanted to find a way to address mental health among teens to raise awareness. The 18-year-old decided to create a 42-minute documentary, “The Quiet Crisis,” to touch on mental health...

Springdale High School drama club students are eager to perform a production in front of a live audience for the first time since 2019. The school will perform “The Wildman” by J. Omar Hansen. The one-act play is a comedic hillbilly retelling of the ancient folk tale “The Heartless Giant.”...

West Deer Township is ringing in the holiday cheer with its 25th annual toy drive. Former West Deer Police Chief Jon Lape started the drive to help families experiencing hardship during the holiday season. This year will be first time Lape is not leading it after his retirement in June....

After being out of work for two years from a car accident, Bobbi Cupka was ready to begin a steady stream of work with her wife, Maggie Destein. The two met at a franchise cleaning company, before Cupka’s accident. Cupka had long been making plans to start her own cleaning...

The name “Black Canary” might sound familiar to DC Comic readers who are fans of the fictional superhero, but that’s not who is making an appearance in Springdale. It’s the Black Canary coffee shop on Pittsburgh Street at Murtland. The shop sits between two superhero-themed neighbors: Marvel Motors, a used...

East Deer Township residents would not see a tax increase from the proposed $1.3 million budget for 2022. Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the preliminary budget during their Thursday evening meeting. The board will vote to approve the final budget Dec. 31. The property tax rate would remain at 4.9...

Two new faces will replace two incumbents on the Springdale Township board of commissioners after winning Tuesday’s election. Republicans Tim Basilone and Bradley Stanzione won the two open seats, replacing incumbents Tim Sweet and Shirley Redman, both Democrats. Basilone led in votes and received 31.9%, according to unofficial results. Stanzione...

An incumbent and newcomer will be taking seats as Harmar Township supervisors. Newcomer Sam Boak, a Democrat, came out on top with 29.18% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Board of Elections. He was followed by incumbent Harry Lenhart, also a Democrat, with 27.57%. First-time...

Barbara Spiri can only say she is grateful as she enters the Penn Hills Arts and Music Education’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 13. The induction will be happening during PHAME’s gala event,”Keepin’ the Music Alive,” at 7 p.m. at the Penn Hills High School auditorium. The event will be...

The director of the Lower Valley Community Food Bank expects an uptick in those in need as the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas ramps up. The food bank serves Cheswick, Harmar, Indiana Township, Springdale Borough and Springdale Township. Pre-registration by recipients is not required. Director Kathy Otterbeck said numbers...

The Lower Valley Community Food Bank will hold a food distribution from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday near the rear entrance of the Springdale Borough Building on School Street. The food bank serves Cheswick, Harmar, Indiana Township, Springdale and Springdale Township. Advance registration is not required. Director Kathy Otterbeck expects...

The ballot in the Springdale Township commissioners race offers voters two familiar names and two political newcomers. The four candidates are vying for two commissioner’s seats. Commissioners Tim Sweet and Shirley Redman, both Democrats elected in 2017, are seeking second terms. Tim Basilone and Bradley Stanzione, both Republicans, are seeking...

Penn Hills theater students are focusing on bringing normalcy back to the department after their fall play was canceled last year due to covid. The first step in that direction is performing their annual fall play after a successful return with their spring musical “Mary Poppins” in February. Director Ben...