Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 15
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...
No tax increase expected for Highlands residents
Despite a dip in real estate revenues and an increase in district salaries and benefit costs, Highlands School Board is proposing a 2025-26 budget that holds the property tax rate steady. The board on Monday approved a tentative $54.5 million spending plan that maintains the 25.13 millage rate. If approved,...
Highlands officials want at least $500,000 for former Fawn Elementary
Highlands officials are trying again to offload an unused former elementary school. The school board is accepting bids on the former Fawn Elementary, later known as the Highlands Support Center, on Ridge Road. Bids must be at least $500,000. Vacant for about six years, the 30,000-square-foot school sits on nearly...
Carjacking in Pittsburgh’s Friendship section ends with arrest in Pitcairn
A Monday morning carjacking in Pittsburgh’s Friendship neighborhood ended with a suspect apprehended in Pitcairn, about 12 miles away, authorities said. Pittsburgh police responded just after 11 a.m. to the 5100 block of Friendship Avenue for a ShotSpotter alert. A man at the scene told officers he was carjacked and...
Tarentum to reveal plans for Riverview Memorial Park renovation
Plans for the potential makeover of Riverview Memorial Park in Tarentum will be revealed Tuesday. Residents will get their first chance to view three concepts for the park, which stretches nearly the length of the borough along the Allegheny River. A public meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Alle-Kiski...
Fox Chapel-based Women’s Board hosts annual fundraiser
The Women’s Board of Pittsburgh on May 1 celebrated its annual fundraiser, “All You Need is Love.” Hosted at the Pittsburgh Field Club, the theme echoed the board’s long-standing commitment to show love for children and support their needs. The group has brought in more than $1.6 million over three...
Anchor Inn owners ready to retire, close Harrison favorite founded by their dad in 1953
Ask anyone from the Anchor Inn’s former “Wednesday Night Gang” what makes the Harrison restaurant and pub so special, and the answer is simple — good food, good people. “This town has been so supportive,” owner Joe Kolek said. “It’s been a great living and so much fun.” He and...
James Sharp Landing provides perfect spot for kayak, canoe safety class
People looking to bone up on water safety skills ahead of summer can check out an upcoming class in Sharpsburg by Friends of the Riverfront. The introductory level program will give an overview of kayak and canoe basics, foundational non-motorized safety and general approaches to launching and paddling the three...
New Brackenridge councilman has long history of borough service
Larry Chifulini was meant to serve on Brackenridge council. Newly appointed for a second stint, Chifulini follows in his family footsteps, continuing decades of service to the borough where he was born and raised. His father, grandfather and grandmother all served on council. “The first time I was around, my...
Tarentum working to resolve DEP water plant violations
Tarentum has been called out by the state Department of Environmental Protection for the second time in six months for violations at the borough’s water plant. Borough officials said the water is safe to drink. “If there were a serious health risk, DEP regulations would require us to take much...
Brackenridge will use $6 million combined grant, loan to overhaul water system
Brackenridge officials will get $6 million in help from the state to address problems at the borough’s water plant flagged by the Department of Environmental Protection. The borough’s water is safe to drink, according to DEP spokesman Brandon Glass. Concerns are for the lack of automatic shut-offs for low chlorine...
