Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 102
O’Hara Council: Squaw Valley Park is now O’Hara Township Community Park
People watching the O’Hara Council meeting online via Zoom on Tuesday night erupted in cheers and applause following a vote to rename Squaw Valley Park. Council voted 6-1 to rename the site O’Hara Township Community Park, bringing a swift resolution to a two-month heated debate over removing the word Squaw...
Municipal officers will still have a role in Fox Chapel Area School District plans
Fox Chapel Area officials and local governments are sorting out responsibilities for district police coverage now that budget reductions have eliminated municipal officers from working in district buildings in 2020-21. Municipal officers still will have a role during high school sports and other activities, officials said. O’Hara Officer Ben Wolfson...
Foxwall EMS recognized with Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award
New cardiac monitors and increased training standards have coupled to earn Foxwall EMS top accolades from the American Heart Association. The Fox Chapel-based emergency service was awarded the Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award, which recognizes programs for efforts in treating people who suffer heart attacks. Deputy Chief Tony Cuda...
Fox Chapel Area School Board to vote on back-to-school plan at Aug. 3 special meeting
Fox Chapel Area students will likely have the option to return to class online or through a hybrid model, with in-school learning two days a week. District officials will outline details of the back-to-school plan during a special meeting at 7 p.m. tonight on Zoom. Information on joining the meeting...
Motorcyclist killed in early morning crash in Beechview
One person was killed Thursday in a motorcycle crash in Beechview, authorities said. Police responded at about 6:40 a.m. along Crane Avenue, near Brashear High School. No other vehicles were involved. Crane Avenue is shut down at Route 51. BREAKING: Motorcyclist killed in earlier crash on Crane Ave, near Brashear...
Fox Chapel committee to examine removing word ‘Squaw’ from street, trail names
A new committee in Fox Chapel will examine the impacts of the word “Squaw” and its use in borough street and trail names. The issue has become hotly debated in recent months, with several residents requesting local governments to replace the word, saying it is a slur against Native American...
Pittsburgh police seeking help to identify graffiti suspects
Pittsburgh police are seeking help to identify two women accused of vandalizing businesses with graffiti during a spring protest downtown. Authorities released a series of photos that show the suspects who police believe damaged multiple businesses along the 600 to 900 blocks of Grant Street during the May 30 event....
Goal of Etna stormwater project to reduce flooding
A $669,000 stormwater project is underway along Walnut Street in Etna with the aim of reducing flooding in the borough. Walnut Street between Butler and Locust streets remain closed while crews install tanks to capture stormwater from downspouts and sidewalks, borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage said. The project is part...
News briefs: Fox Chapel Area High School conducting summer blood drive Aug. 3
Fox Chapel Area High School is having a summer community blood drive on Aug. 3 at the Vitalant Harmar/Fox Chapel Donor Center. It is from 1 to 7 p.m. and aimed at people ages 16 and older. Vitalant is offering several scholarships to area high school students. To qualify, Fox...
Shady Side Academy sophomore sets sights on helping others with eyeglasses fundraiser
A Shady Side Academy sophomore is spearheading a no-contact fundraiser aimed at assisting vision care in poor regions across the globe. Morgan Golden, 15, is collecting used glasses to help the nonprofit Project Theia, which provides surgical care, education and other assistance in underserved communities. “During such a difficult time...
The Herald-Area student news for July 28
Recent Shady Side Academy graduate Giri Viswanathan is one of 16 national recipients of the 2020 National Latin Exam (NLE) Scholarship worth $2,000. The scholarships go to high school seniors who won gold medals on the intermediate to advanced NLE during their senior year. Viswanathan has received a gold medal...
Sharpsburg nonprofit hosts outdoor thrift sale to help with back-to-school expenses
A pop-up clothing sale in Sharpsburg is aimed at helping families with back-to-school shopping by offering low prices on essentials such as shoes, jeans and trendy tops. The nonprofit Second Harvest Community Thrift Store will have an outdoor tent sale as families prepare to file back to the classroom next...
Man in stable condition after shooting in Sheraden
A man was in stable condition early Monday after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden section, according to city police. Officers responded to the incident at about 2:20 a.m. in the 2700 block of Glen Mawr Street. Police said the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the leg but was conscious...
Pittsburgh police: Missing girl found safe
Pittsburgh police have located a girl missing from the city’s Beltzhoover area. Officers were seeking help to find an 11-year-old girl who was last seen at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Public Safety Spokeswoman Cara Cruz said the girl was safely located and thanked people for their assistance....
Linden Gym in Sharpsburg set to host Adidas-sponsored basketball tournament
Sharpsburg’s Linden Gym will be in the spotlight next week after being selected to host an Adidas-sponsored basketball tournament. The TD Sports Shootout is Aug. 1-2 and features athletes that range in age from eighth grade to high school juniors. Of particular local interest are the Sharpsburg Wolves, who use...
Portion of Route 28 down to single lane this weekend
Motorists should plan for single-lane traffic restrictions along southbound Route 28 this weekend from Millvale to O’Hara. Work will begin at 7 p.m. tonight and last through 8 p.m. Saturday, PennDOT announced. The project spans the Highland Park Bridge to the Millvale exit. Crews from Gulisek Construction will be patching...
Aspinwall theater group returns, virtually, with an ’80s cabaret starring teen performers
Riverfront Theater Company in Aspinwall is back from its covid-19-related intermission with a 1980s musical review aimed at providing a “totally awesome” distraction from the lingering pandemic. The online cabaret replaces the originally scheduled “Back to the 80s” show and will be available on video and possibly social media sites...
Lower Valley communities launch T-shirt fundraiser to stand against racism
On the heels of a unity rally earlier this summer, Lower Valley communities are banding together to stand against racism with a T-shirt fundraiser. Hosted by Aspinwall Neighborhood Watch (ANW) and Fox Chapel Area Residents for Social Justice, the sale of T-shirts and stickers will benefit the fight for equality....
Fox Chapel Area officials weighing options for freshmen orientations
As July comes to a close, Fox Chapel Area officials are weighing options for a series of orientation sessions to welcome incoming freshmen. Tours of the high school, along with parent and student orientations, are planned for mid-August but students should prepare to be welcomed remotely depending on covid-19 statistics...
La Roche prepares to open for fall semester
La Roche University announced the health and safety plan for reopening its McCandless campus this fall, with officials guaranteeing a reduced number of students in classrooms and daily temperature checks for all. Despite covid-19 and its challenges, the university is prepared for the 2020-21 academic year, La Roche President Sister...
Shaler residents can register for yard waste collection
Shaler residents must register by 3 p.m. Wednesday for the township’s yard waste collection on July 25. According to the township website, items that can be picked up include leaves, garden residue, shrubs without dirt, tree limbs and trimmings, and similar items. Items have to be placed inside a biodegradable...
Fox Chapel Area families running out of time to complete back-to-school survey
Today is the last day for Fox Chapel Area families to complete a survey regarding the district’s back-to-school offerings for fall. Families were sent a link to the survey to provide input on in-person and online instruction, both of which the district will offer for the 2020-21 school year, Jill...
O’Hara applies for grants to help alleviate stormwater issues
O’Hara is seeking nearly $750,000 in grants to ease stormwater issues across the township. Council is applying for three separate grants from the state’s Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund to address problems along Gamma Drive, Powers Run Road and Epsilon Drive. If approved, the money would be funneled through...
Little Free Library coming to Blawnox in August
Anyone with a love of literacy can check out Blawnox’s new Little Free Library under construction in the heart of town near the Veteran’s Memorial along Freeport Road. The box is roughly 2 feet by 2 feet and will be painted in the borough’s colors of blue and gold. It...
O’Hara council applies for ALCOSAN grant
O’Hara is eyeing a grant that would refund nearly $300,000 spent on sanitary sewer work along Powers Run Road. Council is applying to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) for reimbursement for work done over the past four years. The total amount of the application is $289,894. “It’s for sanitary...

