Tanisha Thomas stories, Page 3

During 2020 when people stayed indoors to occupy their time, Bob Addleman wanted to give the community a fun environment outside while still being safe. Addleman, who serves as recorder, secretary and business manager for the Pittsburgh’s Syria Shriners, would find the perfect opportunity by using the Pittsburgh Shrine Center’s...

Michelle Meade said it’s a miracle to see her bar still standing and thriving following the setbacks caused by covid. The Leechburg resident owns Wicked Witches Bar & Grill in Harmar, a bar known for its witchy decor and charm and its community outreach. Meade, 60, ran the bar alongside...

A highly anticipated Jersey Mike’s Subs location officially opened Wednesday morning next to a recently opened Starbucks. The restaurant at 2825 Freeport Road Suite B in Harmar is one of the chain’s 22 locations in the Pittsburgh area. Area director Bill Farley said the building was not on the restaurant’s...

A new business is coming to the former space where the Rivertown Pub and Grill operated on 118 Third St. in Leechburg. In 2019, Hyde Park resident Chris Frank kicked around the idea of opening a pool hall with his friend, Kevin McKee, to provide a space for people to...

East Deer officials are looking forward to their next phase of renovating the recreation facilities in East Deer Memorial Park. East Deer Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said the township was approved for a $50,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Greenway Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP)....

PennDOThas announced single-lane restrictions will begin Mondayon Route 910 at the northbound Route 28 interchange in Harmar. The restrictions will occur on northbound Route 910 at the Harmar (Exit 11) interchange between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. until the end of July. Crews from Swank Construction Co. will perform concrete...

A vision that grew from a love for God and sports is continuing to grow each year. Fun and Freedom, a Christian-based nonprofit, held its annual four-day camp, which wraps up Friday in Springdale. . In its first year in 2009, the camp had 54 campers. This year, the count...

Everything is in place for work to begin in a month or two to improve Low Grade Road in Cheswick, Springdale Township and Harmar. Matt Pitsch of Senate Engineering, who oversees engineering for the municipalities, said final paperwork and approvals have been sent to the Allegheny Valley North Council of...

PPG Industries’ Springdale plant is marking a big milestone: 75 years. To celebrate the occasion, the plant hosted an event for employees and their families to tour the facility Saturday. The plant, built in 1947, specializes in manufacturing coatings used on a variety of items, including commercial vehicles, buildings, kitchenware,...

Gas line installation work will begin Wednesday on Route 1028 (Bakerstown-Culmerville Road) in West Deer if weather permits, according to PennDOT. Crews from Peoples Gas will be doing the gas line work. There will be single-lane alternating traffic from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through late July on Bakerstown-Culmerville...

Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship has appointed a new principal. Jessica Zuk, who is the school’s director of curriculum and instruction and MicroSociety coordinator, will assume her new position July 1. The charter school announced the hire June 9 in a press release. Zuk succeeds Tamara Allen-Thomas, who was...

Wicked Witches Bar & Grille in Harmar is gearing up for its 14th annual Ride Now for Autism motorcycle run in July. The charity ride attracts hundreds from across the country on a 100-mile ride to raise funds for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh. There are two to three stops,...

The Cheswick Volunteer Fire Company is coming close to finalizing its merger with the Allegheny Valley Fire Company. Once the state approves the merger, Cheswick will officially consolidate with Allegheny Valley, said Nino Pollino, president of the Cheswick department. The state requested documentation from the borough expressing its support of...

A surprise was in store for a Cheswick councilman during a meeting Tuesday evening. Councilman Frank Meledandri was awarded the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs President’s Award for his 40 years serving the borough. The award recognizes individuals who have served in a position for a decade or more. Meledandri’s...

As the region celebrates Juneteenth, education about the holiday and its importance has been at the forefront of many festivals and events. The new federal holiday, celebrated annually on June 19, recognizes the day in 1865 that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and spread the news that the Civil...

The Northbound Route 28 ramp to Delafield Avenue (Exit 7) will be closed through June 29 for ramp reconstruction. The work is a part of a $15.32 million project to improve 3.5 miles of Route 28 between the Delafield Avenue exit and the Harmar Township line, according to PennDOT. The...

A medical marijuana dispensary has made its way to a bustling food plaza in Harmar along Freeport Road. Ethos Cannabis, a Philadelphia-based firm, opened a third regional location in the former Kings Restaurant building on 5 Alpha Drive East in late April, according to a news release. Ethos also has...

Walking into Cheryl Vizzo’s home feels like a museum of cherished memories — from the flowery lamp on her living-­room side table to the spring-themed knobs on her kitchen cabinets. Every decorative item in her home was created by her late mother, Marie Fucci Williams, an accomplished porcelain artist and...

Allegheny County Police detectives are investigating a pickup truck rollover crash in Fawn that resulted in four children being taken to the hospital. Fawn police Chief Timothy Mayberry said officers were dispatched at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday to a one-vehicle crash on Route 908 and Lardintown Road. He said six people...

The Leechburg Area Community Association is organizing a new monthly communitywide event dubbed Mingle on Market. The event will run every second Thursday along Market Street in Leechburg. It will feature a farmers market from 4 to 8 p.m. and food and live music from 6 to 8 p.m. Businesses...

A Deer Lakes teacher is looking forward to the next chapter in her life as she retires from the school district after 35 years. Chemistry teacher Donna Turk — also known by the last name Howells — was surprised by students from her class with a breakfast and retirement celebration...

Penn Hills School District will have increased police presence after receiving a social media threat. The district sent students an email Monday night alerting them about the message. The correspondence said the post referenced potential violence at Linton Middle School on Wednesday. Superintendent Nancy Hines said Penn Hills police officers...

After being closed for about a week and a half, Freeport Road reopened shortly after 5:30 p.m. Monday. Allegheny Valley Regional Emergency Management Agency coordinator Bruno Moretti said the road is restricted to one lane in each direction. Moretti said there is still work to be done with removing the...

Becoming a police officer was a lifelong dream for George Polnar, and now, after dedicating 35 years of service, he’s ready to step away from it. Growing up, Polnar was inspired by his uncle, who was a sergeant with the Monroeville Police Department. He admired the uniform and looked up...

Taxpayers will not see an increase in taxes in Allegheny Valley School District’s proposed $23.8 million final budget for the 2022-23 school year. School board officials voted, 8-0, to approve the budget during a May 17 meeting. The budget is a 4.09% increase from the 2021-22 budget of $22.8 million....