Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 13
Leave it to the laser: Green beam gets rid of geese at Blawnox park
Green means go, at least to the geese at Blawnox Community Park. Mayor Tony Gross said that for whatever reason, the borough’s new green laser system meant to shoo geese is working like a charm. Council hired Harrietta Hills Trout Farm to tackle the persistent problem of birds on the...
Recent Pine-Richland grad earns college certificate before high school diploma
Pine-Richland graduate Kate Turner doubled-down on hitting the books in high school — so much so that she simultaneously earned a college business certificate from Community College of Allegheny County. Turner, 18, will start Duquesne University this fall to study accounting. “With my classes from Pine-Richland and my CCAC classes,...
Fox Chapel church kicks off summer with collections for fall festival
Summer hasn’t officially begun, but members of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church already have autumn on their minds. Preparation for the 2025 Harvest Fair is underway, with donations being accepted three days a week. People are encouraged to rummage through their gently used household goods, linens, glassware, decorations and tools to...
Plum author details RIDC’s efforts to revitalize Pittsburgh region over 7 decades
The Regional Industrial Development Corporation is marking its 70th year of helping guide southwest Pennsylvania’s turbulent economic journey spurred by the steel industry collapse. Plum native Jeff Fraser tells the company’s tale in a newly released book, “Rebuilding Pittsburgh: RIDC and the Transformation of the Steel City.” It details RIDC’s...
Demand for Mohs surgery skyrockets; treatment up to 99% effective for skin cancer
Erin Wheeler has always known she was at high risk for skin cancer. A kidney transplant, combined with fair skin from her Irish heritage, put skin cancer on her radar at age 10. Some three decades later, Wheeler, a senior career consultant at the University of Pittsburgh, is a quasi-regular...
Highlands senior graduates from CCAC Dual Enrollment program before earning high school diploma
For Alex Lane McCants, earning a college certificate before graduating from high school was a no-brainer. A Highlands senior, McCants is one of 11 regional students to participate in the Dual Enrollment program at Community College of Allegheny County. Other students attend Pine-Richland, Montour, Allderdice and Baldwin, among others. Open...
Fourth Avenue bridge in Tarentum over Bull Creek closed
The Fourth Avenue bridge over Bull Creek in Tarentum is closed after a sinkhole formed near the span. Borough engineers said a storm sewer line beneath the road collapsed, causing ground instability. It poses a risk to the bridge and surrounding infrastructure, according to an online post by the borough....
American Legion Post 48 holding strong, represents ‘the legacy of Natrona’
For the better half of the last century, you could set a watch by the Sunday morning tradition on Garfield Street in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood. “Everyone went to 9:30 Mass at St. Joe’s in their white shirt and tie, and then you’d see them all running down the street to...
Tarentum welcomes police dog, Kilo
It took a while to find the right fit, but Tarentum has its police dog. The borough announced the arrival of Kilo, who is paired with Officer Jeremy Belusar. The team worked their first shift together on Tuesday. “He’s a beautiful dog, and we’re lucky to get him,” Mayor Bob...
East Deer eyeing bandstand for Memorial Park
A new bandstand at East Deer Memorial Park could hold endless possibilities, officials said. Commissioners hope to add the amenity to the Front Street recreation area, giving people even more reason to visit. “We have a mobile stage there now but the goal is to get something nicer, more permanent,”...
Building the Valley: Yesterday’s Kidz offers top-notch resale items in Tarentum
Joyce McElwain said she’s guaranteed to be in a good mood at work. “When I get here and look at these little clothes, I smile,” said McElwain of Arnold. She opened a children’s consignment shop in Tarentum this month with business partner and friend Lisa Marnell of Apollo. Yesterday’s Kidz...
Tarentum woman says her family’s graves, and others, flooded for a decade at Mt. Airy Cemetery
Sola Samuels’ mother passed away in 2014, and, in nearly all that time, she’s not been able to find solace while visiting the gravesite. Buried at Mt. Airy in Harrison, Samuels’ mother is in a section plagued by flooding for about 10 years. “It’s a soupy mess,” said Samuels, of...
River Rec Day set at Allegheny RiverTrail Park
Annie Tritsch and her children describe Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall as a magical place where they spend time collecting pinecones, exploring trails and roller skating. “It’s a beautiful place for kids to connect with nature and see the river, run and play,” Tritsch said. A summer kick-off at the...
ATI’s Specialty Rolled Products lands long-term Airbus deal
ATI has a multi-year contract with Airbus, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer and largest producer of airliners. The majority of the deal will be served by Specialty Rolled Products, ATI’s Harrison facility, with other operations in Brackenridge, Vandergrift, Latrobe and Washington, Pa. The specialty metals manufacturer will produce Airbus’ titanium...
Allegheny County Parks create economic spillover in nearby municipalities
Dave Brooke spends at least three days a week at Harrison Hills Park, checking for nesting success in the wooden bluebird boxes that dot the lawns in the Allegheny County-owned space. Birding and conservation are among a number of activities that draw people to the 500-acre park off Freeport Road...
Brackenridge mayor, an independent, seeking re-election; may be challenged by write-in
Brackenridge was without a mayoral candidate on the primary ballot, but that doesn’t mean the current mayor wouldn’t like to keep her job. Incumbent Lindsay Fraser announced on primary election day that she is running for a second, four-year term. A registered independent, Fraser was not able to be on...
Allegheny County launches 1st-of-a-kind free audio tours at Hartwood Acres sculpture garden
Visitors to Hartwood Acres can pop in their headphones to hear highlights of Pittsburgh’s industrial legacy while taking in the park’s impressive sculpture garden. It’s part of a mission to provide more people access to world-class art. Allegheny County on Thursday launched a new initiative to offer free, self-guided audio...
Faces of the Valley: The Rev. Angelique Edmonds a ‘gifted and spirit-filled’ pastor
From prayer hikes to women’s brunches to painting with parables, the Rev. Angelique Edmonds has used her gifts to help strengthen convictions at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel and its outreach ministry, Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg. Appointed associate pastor in 2021, the Beltzhoover native feels as though...
Branding contest to spur buzz ahead of Sharpsburg bicentennial
From an industrial juggernaut to the birthplace of Heinz ketchup, Sharpsburg is marking its storied history by creating buzz for the future. The borough’s parks and recreation commission is launching a branding contest in advance of the 2026 bicentennial. People of all ages are encouraged to submit a logo design...
Fox Chapel Area students help keep Pittsburgh bird-friendly
Ornithologists say nearly 600 million birds die every year in North America from window collisions. Students at Fox Chapel Area High School are working to reduce those numbers. The school’s Wildlife Conservation Club, in conjunction with the National Aviary and BirdSafe Pittsburgh, is urging residents and businesses to dim unnecessary...
Design for Riverview Memorial Park in Tarentum include sports courts, docks, entrance plaza
Tarentum Councilman Ray Kerr believes the No. 1 enhancement to Riverview Memorial Park would be “more people.” “The park is already beautiful,” said Kerr, during a meeting Tuesday where three unique concepts for potential upgrades were revealed. “If you draw more people to the park, it drives success in the...
Pittsburgh Mills potholes force cancellation of Hard-to-Recycle event in Frazer
Pittsburgh Mills potholes are causing more problems — this time, the cancellation of a long-running, highly popular recycling event. The annual Hard-to-Recycle dropoff, hosted in the spring for nearly two decades by the Pennsylvania Resources Council, will not happen this year. “The condition of the roads there made it unfeasible...
Highlands voters will choose between 3 for 2 available seats in Region 2; other races decided
Nominees for Highlands School Board were solidified Tuesday, with two incumbents and three newcomers on the November ballot. There are four seats up for election. In Region 1, which covers Tarentum and Fawn, incumbent Bobbie Neese ran unopposed. In Region 2, which includes Brackenridge and parts of Harrison, incumbent Debra...
Tarentum spray park opening scheduled after minor delay
After a slight setback, the countdown is on for the opening of Tarentum’s popular spray park. The facility along First Avenue is scheduled to open May 30, a bit later than usual. Manager Dwight Boddorf said the section typically opens on or near Memorial Day but was pushed back after...
Harrison police urge residents to stay alert after recent vehicle vandalism
Residents in the Carlisle Street neighborhood of Harrison are urged by police to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. In recent weeks, more than one vehicle has been the target of vandalism. Police Chief Brian Turack said his officers have been called at least two or three times this...
