Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 2
Harrison targets blight with demolitions, forms revitalization group
The first of 26 dilapidated homes is set to come down in Harrison, with more demolition expected later this spring. It’s the kind of project that will be targeted by the township’s new community development and revitalization committee, which is being formed now. “The goals of the committee are, obviously,...
Paws Across Pittsburgh installs blessing box for struggling pet ownersVideo
Pet owners in need can get a helping hand 24/7 through a Tarentum nonprofit. Paws Across Pittsburgh on East Sixth Avenue unveiled a blessing box Friday, stocked with small bags of food for dogs and cats. “This special box is here to support pet families who may be going through...
Clinical trials offer hope for multiple sclerosis treatment breakthrough
Longtime runner Annie Saunders didn’t let a 2021 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis sideline her passions. If anything, the 40-year-old Irwin native pushes harder — through weakness and imbalance caused by the neurological disease — to keep her body strong. Saunders remains hopeful because she believes a cure will be found...
Pittsburgh Brewing hosts ‘Shake Yinz Booties’ fundraiser
It’s last call for tickets to the 25th annual “Shake Yinz Booties” gala, hosted at Pittsburgh Brewing Company in East Deer. The event by The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh was re-titled from “Shake Your Booties” this year to focus on all things black-and-gold in honor of the anniversary. It is...
Man rescued from hillside near Emsworth Lock and Dam
A fisherman was rescued after being trapped on the riverbank near the Emsworth Lock and Dam late Saturday. Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company posted to Facebook that crews responded at 9:45 p.m. and found an elderly man about 20 feet over the hillside on rocky ground. The incident happened near Pittsburgh...
81-year-old Verona man charged with arson
An 81-year-old Verona man admitted to starting a fire Thursday that damaged a vacant house not far from his own home, borough police allege in court filings. Verona police charged Ricardo Vantine on Friday with arson and criminal mischief. According to a criminal complaint, police used video surveillance to identify...
Macy’s at Pittsburgh Mills announces closing date
Two weeks remain for shoppers of the Macy’s at Pittsburgh Mills. The company announced that April 26 will be closing day for the Frazer store, which opened in 2005. The location is among 150 that the New York City-based company plans to close this year. A video posted to Facebook...
Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh police detective attacked by dog; fire in Baldwin
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Sunday, April 12: Pittsburgh officer bitten by dog during pursuit A Pittsburgh police detective was bitten by a dog during a foot pursuit Saturday in the city’s Knoxville section. The dog was subsequently shot and killed, authorities said. Officers...
Port Authority Police investigating rowdy bus fight among juveniles
An apparent fight among juveniles on board a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus Friday is under investigation, authorities said. A video circulating online shows a number of people shouting and punching each other. It is unclear if there were any injuries or if charges are pending. Port Authority Police are investigating...
Greensburg Diocese Bishop Kulick says peace doesn’t have to be political
Taylor Stuart said she considered the prayer vigil for peace held Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg a grassroots movement that could rally people toward change. “The pope can’t tell each and every one of us what to do,” she said. “It’s important for me to hear it in...
Morning Roundup: Police seeking man for indecent exposure; gun flashed at PPS student
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Saturday, April 11: Police seeking man after alleged indecent exposure Pittsburgh police are seeking help from the public to locate a man accused of exposing himself in the city’s Uptown section. The incident happened April 8 at the Shell...
McDonald martial arts teacher accused of sexual assault on young teen
A martial arts teacher from McDonald is accused of sexually assaulting a young teenage girl on multiple occasions at a West Hills studio, according to Allegheny County Police. Steve Burnisky, 22, was arrested Friday and taken to Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh. He faces felony charges of involuntary deviate sexual...
Human papillomavirus-related throat cancer skyrocketing in men over 50
Kevin Shields thought nothing of an unusual but persistent sensation in his throat. A public address announcer for the Fox Chapel Area School District baseball, softball and flag football teams, Shields also is the man behind the mic for the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans teams. He chalked up the sensation...
Brackenridge considers security cameras at Memorial Park
Brackenridge Council is hoping for extra eyes around-the-clock in the borough’s riverfront park. Council members proposed the idea to install cameras at the park along First Avenue, if costs and funding can be worked out. “It’s not like we want to watch everyone, but if something bad happens, we would...
West Deer, Foxwall ambulance services explore merger for better coverage, faster response times
A fledgling partnership between the West Deer and Foxwall ambulance services has resulted in faster, more efficient service for residents. Just four months in, the chiefs of both stations have agreed to participate in a state study to gauge the viability of a merger or shared management. “Instead of each...
Small space, big environmental impact: Aspinwall resident to plant public pollinator garden
Pam Dickinson hopes to beautify her Aspinwall neighborhood, even if it’s one little green patch at a time. The First Street resident plans to install a butterfly and pollinator garden along Commercial Avenue in the borough’s business district, just a block or so from her home. “I always walk by...
Aspinwall eyes Brilliant Avenue realignment to provide safer access to Allegheny RiverTrail Park
A project to realign Brilliant Avenue in Aspinwall with the entrance to Allegheny RiverTrail Park is expected to improve safety and ease navigation along one of the borough’s busiest and most challenging corridors, authorities said. Mayor Scott Zimmermann said the $3.9 million construction will fix a long-standing “wonky” entrance to...
Free ‘Birds of Prey’ program aims to ‘inspire curiosity of our own backyards’
Chris Kubiak is willing to bet that time spent outdoors can provide more wonder than social media scrolling. “Everyone has screens galore these days,” said Kubiak, director of education for Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. “Putting the phones down and connecting with nature always makes me want to do it...
Foxwall EMS invites people to annual Run for the Hill of It fundraiser
Endurance will be on full display during an annual fundraiser that challenges runners to scale one of the steepest hills in Allegheny County. Registration is open for the Run for the Hill of It, scheduled for April 26 in Aspinwall. The course begins at the borough building and ends at...
Male wounded in Shaler shooting
One person was shot Thursday evening in Shaler. Allegheny County dispatchers said police were called to a home in the 1400 block of Mt. Royal Blvd. Shaler Police posted to its Facebook page just before 7:30 p.m. that two people were involved in an incident and both were being evaluated...
Auto pioneer Gary Bowser dies at 81
Family members recalled Gary Bowser as an automotive titan who never forgot his humble beginnings. Bowser of Murrysville died peacefully surrounded by family March 28 after a brief illness. He was 81. “He was originally from Kittanning, and he never forgot where he came from,” said Bowser’s son, Gary. “He...
Tarentum Book Club, the 2nd-oldest in the state, marks 125 years
Members of The Tarentum Book Club — the oldest club in the Alle-Kiski Valley — aren’t surprised people are clamoring to join. “Everyone in the club values it,” member Mary Jane Jacques said. “Whatever committee you’re on, we all do our very best.” As the club marks its 125th anniversary,...
Flag-raising ceremony at Harrison hospital part of AHN’s salute to organ donors
Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison will host a flag-raising ceremony next week to raise awareness about organ donations. The initiative takes place each April as part of National Donate Life Month and is observed across Allegheny Health Network sites. It started Wednesday at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh’s North Side...
Sharpsburg Family Worship Center hides 10,000 eggs for annual extravaganza
It was an “egg-cellent” day at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall when more than 1,000 children searched for a whopping 10,000 eggs as part of an Easter extravaganza sponsored by Sharpsburg Family Worship Center. “We moved the event to Aspinwall this year, and it turned out to be a great...
On a small Greek island, a former Pittsburgh attorney discovers a new chapter worth writing about
Emails to cheer up a sick friend have been parlayed into a collection of essays by former Pittsburgh attorney and Fox Chapel resident Laura Aristidou Candris. Her literary debut, “Greek by Osmosis: My Life on a Small Greek Island (With Mama Kiki’s Recipes),” reached Amazon’s bestseller status in the Cyclades...
