Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 13
AI-powered heart scans transform care at Allegheny Valley Hospital
Cardiovascular analysis that used to take hours can now be done with the click of a button at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison. As artificial intelligence seeps into almost every aspect of life, the technology is helping to revolutionize medical care at the Allegheny Health Network community hospital. “When you...
Building the Valley: My Garden Floral in Indiana Township celebrates 25 years
Pamela Vrabel was a teenage Springdale Dynamo when she started working at the now-defunct Peterson’s Greenhouse. The high school job in the early 1970s sparked a passion for plants that has led to a 53-year career in the floral industry. “I think I was born with an eye for design,”...
Brackenridge section of Three Rivers Heritage Trail important for ‘bigger picture’
Small but mighty. That’s what officials are saying about the recently completed half-mile segment of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Brackenridge. The path along First Avenue provides a significant amenity for the small borough, but it is an even bigger deal for the nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront. The...
Planting project in Fox Chapel will support stormwater management
Residents are encouraged to get their hands dirty to help complete the transformation of McCahill Park in Fox Chapel. Borough officials will join the nonprofit Western PA Conservancy to host a planting day at the site off of Hemlock Hollow Road. The event will be 9 a.m. to noon July...
Vote to appoint new Fawn supervisor ends in tie
Fawn is still without a fifth supervisor after a vote to appoint someone on Tuesday ended in a tie. Three residents — Carrie White, Shannon Rummel and Bryan Ward — applied to fill a vacancy created in June when Phillipi Smozski resigned. But the vote ended in a draw, Secretary...
Indiana Township cancer survivor raises $700,000 for research while state senate weighs expanded testing access
Astrid Bitzer was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in 2022 and after 13 biopsies, ultimately decided on a full mastectomy. Though clinically in remission, the Indiana Township woman is hedging her bets to keep the disease at bay. “Cancer is a funny thing,” she said. “What you can be sure...
Blawnox teen wins full-ride Coolidge Scholarship, only 5 in nation awarded
A rising senior at Fox Chapel Area High School just got a major boost on her career path. Ulyana Kubini, of Blawnox, earned the prestigious Coolidge Scholarship — a full presidential scholarship that covers four years of tuition, room, board and expenses. It can be used to pursue undergraduate studies...
Prospect Cemetery to honor Civil War soldiers buried in Brackenridge
Harrison resident Eric Schmitt was well aware of his family’s unique lineage growing up. The 55-year-old is a descendent of two Civil War soldiers: one who fought for the Union and its desire to abolish slavery and one who stood with the Confederate Army and its hope to expand slavery...
West Tarentum’s Summit Hose earns nod from state for commitment to fire training
Summit Hose Company in West Tarentum was named by the state to an elite list for its commitment to training. The Participating Department Recognition Program lauds departments for ongoing education. Of the 2,400 fire departments in the state, about 200 — or 8% — are recognized. There are four state...
16-year-old killed in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill section
A 16-year-old was shot and killed early Sunday in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. The victim was identified as Kevin McKinzie of East Hills, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Police were called at about 1 a.m. to the 300 block of Addison Street...
Woman shot in South Oakland
A woman is in critical condition after being shot early Sunday morning in Pittsburgh’s South Oakland section, authorities said. Police were called at about 3:30 a.m. to the intersection of Fifth and Craft avenues where they found a woman with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Pittsburgh Public...
2 Pittsburgh bridges close Monday to make way for Picklesburgh
Picklesburgh, the briny three-day festival marking its 10th anniversary, returns to the city this week, commanding the closure of two Downtown bridges. The Roberto Clemente Bridge (Sixth Street) will shut down at 9 a.m. Monday through 4 p.m. July 14. The Andy Warhol Bridge (Seventh Street) will close at the...
Fireworks confrontation leads to Beaver Falls shooting, police say
A tossed firework led to a shooting Friday in Beaver Falls, authorities said. Police were called at 10:30 p.m. Friday to the 300 block of 12th Street where they found a 47-year-old man shot twice in the leg. He was taken to a local medical facility before being flown by...
Fireworks damage South Park Township garage
Emergency crews are blaming fireworks for damage to a garage in South Park Township early Saturday. The Broughton Volunteer Fire Department was called to a home on Frickwood Drive after fireworks discarded into a trash can caught fire and spread to a wall at the home’s garage. The department posted...
Fireworks cause multiple fires in Allegheny County
Fourth of July revelry caused at least four fires across Allegheny County, authorities said. Crews were called to the 100 block of Park Ridge Place in Forest Hills for a duplex fire Friday. Multiple units were damaged, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. A second fire, in the the 7500...
‘Best of the best’ shown off at Westmoreland Arts and Heritage fest, organizer says
Fawn artist Len Kaminski chipped away at a stump of wood inside his booth at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, unaware that a small crowd gathered to watch. “I just get in the zone,” said Kaminski, a sculptor who got his start as a Boy Scout decades ago. “Ideas...
Morning Roundup: Police investigate shootings in Swissvale, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar
Here’s a look at some of the news events for this morning: - Shooting sends one to hospital Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man riding an e-bike in the city’s Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar section was shot late Thursday. Emergency crews were called just before 9 p.m. to the 1300 block of...
Traffic tangles ahead: Upcoming Tarentum Bridge project to last 3 years
It’ll be a long three years for Tarentum Bridge motorists once the span’s $97.5 million rehab project gets underway late next year or in early 2027. A portion of the work will require a full closure, with much of the traffic likely rerouted through East Deer to New Kensington. “We...
Harrison police get less-lethal weapons to deal with increasing crises
Harrison police are responding to more mental health crises than ever before. Since 2012, the number of calls dealing with noncompliant people has increased more than 500%, Chief Brian Turack said. Officers responded to 16 such calls in 2012 and 98 in 2023. “It’s not all mental health; it’s anywhere...
Kittanning teen to be charged in connection with stealing $10,000 in goods from Harrison, Fawn
At least two homes in Harrison and another in Fawn appear to have been targeted for thefts after residents posted items for sale on social media. Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said charges are pending against a 17-year-old boy from Kittanning in connection with all three incidents, which occurred June...
Sharpsburg, Etna, Millvale residents can get stipends for ongoing education
It’s been 25 years since John Moore graduated from high school, and now the Sharpsburg resident is eager to complete his college degree. He is enrolled at Community College of Allegheny County to earn a paraprofessional certification. His expected commencement date is early 2027. Moore, 43, got some help with...
Cyber school’s flexibility and support help West Tarentum boy thrive
Brook Stitt is keeping a close eye on the state budget vote this year. The West Tarentum mother is concerned about a proposal to limit per-student payments to Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools. The bill, which also calls for changes to how cyber charters operate, narrowly passed the state House last...
Pickleball popularity presents sustainability problems with plastic balls
When pickleball exploded in recent years as America’s favorite sport, the pastime came with collateral damage — plastic neon-colored balls piling up in landfills. More than 500 million pickleballs are manufactured each year, seemingly with nowhere to go, said Jeff Pepper, an avid player from Verona. “The number is huge,”...
Highlands School District holds tax rate steady as budget is approved
Property owners in the Highlands School District won’t see a tax increase for next school year after the board approved its $54.5 million budget. The plan holds the property tax rate steady at 25.13 mills. The median household income for the district is about $60,000. The owner of a home...
Student-led garden at Fox Chapel Area High School to help feed community
An organic idea by two rising Fox Chapel Area seniors is expected to make a lasting impact on their larger school community. James Manges and Aavree Hill are creating a community garden at the high school, the crops from which will help feed those in need. Fruits and veggies will...
