Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 110
Aspinwall VFD holds annual awards ceremony
Veteran Aspinwall firefighter Robert French Jr. wasn’t expecting to be recognized during the department’s annual awards ceremony last week when he snagged the night’s biggest honor – Firefighter of the Year. “I’m deeply humbled and honored,” said French, who has been with the department since 2007. “I do it for...
Sharpsburg Sustainability & Civic Engagement Center opening this week
The Sharpsburg Sustainability & Civic Engagement Center is set to open its doors this week, ushering new opportunities in an eclectic array of topics from public art to stormwater management to community gardening. It will make its debut in a transformed upholstery shop at 511 S. Main St., along the...
Shady Side Academy’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ plant puppets on display at O’Reilly Theater
Limelight continues for the student-built plant puppets used in the 2019 Shady Side Academy musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” The hand-made creations have made their regional debut, on display in the lobby of the O’Reilly Theater in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District for the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production of the same musical,...
Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel area student news for the week of Jan. 27
Thirteen Fox Chapel Area High School students were selected to perform with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1 Chorus. They are seniors Alyssa Fabian, Christiana Paljug, Preston Rowe and Ella Tramontina; juniors Matthew Eschman, Catherine Heidenreich, Nathaniel Hines, Xavier Perry and Dylan Stein; and sophomores Julia DeMarco, Anna Ferris,...
Pittsburgh regional fitness centers come together to support Australian wildlife
Whether it’s running or riding, boxing or boot camp, Sunday is the time to gear up and send relief to Australian wildlife charities still scrambling from ongoing and devastating fires. Ramp ‘N Rize fitness center in Sewickley is spearheading a unique fundraiser to benefit WIRES, an Australian wildlife charity dedicated...
O’Hara council sets preliminary list of roads to be paved this summer
O’Hara residents are in store for about $1.1 million in summer road paving projects. Council has narrowed the list of roads to be targeted this year, depending on costs. They are Harding and Oakhurst roads; Grove, Division and Joanne streets; Meadow Park Heights; and Alleyne, Weir, Kappa and Dowling drives....
4Four6 Distillery opens in Sharpsburg
What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there. It was trip to Sin City where Sharpsburg resident Marcy Sunday and her sister-in-law Maria Yeater developed a passion for craft distilled beverages. “We went into one of the bars and there was this whole wall of craft bourbons and gins, and...
Fox Chapel municipal trash bins reopened
Trash bins at the Fox Chapel municipal building have reopened for residents’ use, months after being closed during site preparation for an upcoming project. Bins are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. Dumpsters are for borough residents to discard bulk items, such as furniture and small appliances. They...
Chick-fil-A to open in O’Hara by end of year
Chick-fil-A, the nation’s favorite fast-food restaurant, is expected to open in O’Hara by year’s end. The chicken sandwich giant, which operates every day except Sunday, is expected to take the place of the now-vacant Rita’s Ice at the far end of Fox Chapel Plaza. O’Hara council on Jan. 14 granted...
Fox Chapel’s Hardie property to be discussed at public meeting
Potential concepts for the newly acquired parkland in Fox Chapel will be unveiled during a public meeting today. The Hardie property, a 17-acre parcel off Old Mill Road, was purchased by the borough last summer and officials tout the land as the missing link in the municipality’s 345-acre park system....
Waterworks Giant Eagle among 1st to eliminate plastic bags
Several shoppers at The Waterworks Market District bustled about the parking lot early Wednesday, toting armfuls of reusable bags, seemingly prepared for the company’s initiative to eliminate single-use plastics. The O’Hara-based retailer announced its plan in December to rid all of its stores of single-use plastics by 2025. Most notably,...
La Roche unveils $6.5 million Palumbo Science Center renovationVideo
A 70 percent spike in undergraduate STEM majors at La Roche University drove a $6.5 million renovation of its Palumbo Science Center, with leaders touting its potential to make global society more just and peaceful. “It is in these spaces that the human element, our students, our faculty and others...
Sara’s Pets and Plants reopens in Sharpsburg after moving from Squirrel Hill
A new store along Sharpsburg’s busy Main Street corridor is sure to draw pet owners and animal lovers alike with its odd assortment of furry, hairless and dancing feathered creatures. It’s where you can meet an 11-foot-long red-tailed boa named Large Marge and a legless lizard called Ralph. Sara’s Pets...
Knights of Columbus donate telescope, observatory to O’Hara VA
What started as a simple plan to buy a telescope for patients at the VA PHS Heinz campus in O’Hara has transformed into the first-of-its-kind program to bring astronomy to hospitalized veterans. Spearheaded by James Surman, veteran’s services chairman for the Knights of Columbus in West Mifflin, the plan was...
Week in review: Steelers season ends, Darlene Harris Day, Rich Fitzgerald’s 3rd termVideo
Here’s a look back at some of the top stories of the week. Steelers lose postseason bid The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their final regular-season game to the Baltimore Ravens, capping off a disappointing season in which the team failed to grab a postseason bid for the second consecutive season. Fans...
Woman dies weeks after being shot in Penn Hills
A woman shot Dec. 17 in Penn Hills has died, authorities said. Ladea Terrell, 33, died Wednesday, weeks after being wounded multiple times, according to an Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office report. The incident occurred about 9:15 p.m. along Eastgate Drive, police said. Police said a man drove himself to...
Police seek help locating Hazelwood woman
Pittsburgh police are seeking help to locate a Hazelwood woman missing since Dec. 30, 2019. Tonee Turner, 22, may have been in the Homestead area when someone last had contact with her at about 6 p.m., police said. She is described as 5 feet, 2 inches tall and 130 pounds....
Lauri Ann West Community Center in O’Hara open after power outage
Lauri Ann West Community Center in O’Hara has reopened after a power outage Friday morning. The center along Powers Run Road was closed temporarily while Duquesne Light crews worked to resolve the issue. Officials said early this morning that they were trying to keep the doors open for programs and...
Pittsburgh police officer injured during Hill District arrest
A Pittsburgh police recruit officer was injured Monday during an arrest in the Hill District, officials said. The officer was kicked in the face by a disorderly man who was resisting arrest, according to Cara Cruz, Pittsburgh public safety spokeswoman. Cruz said the the suspect appeared to be suffering from...
Fresh noodle bowls recalled for listeria risk
Fresh veggie ramen sold locally at Whole Foods Market is being recalled for possible health risks, company officials said. Veggie Noodle Co. voluntarily recalled its Cece’s Brand noodle bowls for potential listeria contamination. The veggie ramen with chicken broth is sold in 11.5-ounce containers at retailers nationwide. Locally, it is...
Downed wires limit portions of Guys Run Road to single lane
Motorists who use Guys Run Road in O’Hara should expect delays this morning. Downed power lines are causing single-lane restrictions along a section of the road between Campbells Run and Locust Hill roads, WPXI reported. Allegheny County tweeted just before midnight that the road was closed in all directions and...
Pittsburgh region could see light snow as mild temperatures move out
The Pittsburgh area should expect a taste of winter this week as the string of mild temperatures will come to an end Monday. National Weather Service meteorologist Jared Rackley said temperatures will drop into the lower 30s by Tuesday morning, with some areas seeing a trace of snow. “It will...
Giant Eagle to get rid of plastic grocery bags, straws by 2025Video
Giant Eagle announced plans to get rid of single-use plastics by 2025, aiming to keep flimsy shopping bags and fresh food containers from clogging oceans and rivers and piling up on land. The O’Hara-based retailer, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and Sustainable Pittsburgh, unveiled its plan Tuesday during...
Washington Boulevard reopens after crash involving Pittsburgh Public Works truckVideo
Washington Boulevard has reopened following a three-vehicle crash involving a Pittsburgh Public Works truck early Friday. The crash happened at about 6:50 a.m. and left two people injured but in stable condition, Maurice Matthews, public safety spokesman, said. It closed all but one lane of the road for several hours...
Steel Valley cancels some classes for alarm system repairs
Some students in the Steel Valley School District in Homestead don’t have to report to class Friday. A problem with the fire alarm system has closed the high school, middle school and the Steel Center. Repairs are expected to be made today. The district posted on its website that students...

