Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 25
Namdar Realty profits from Pittsburgh Mills, ‘dying’ malls
The owner of Pittsburgh Mills mall has built a real estate empire by buying dying malls and letting them deteriorate before selling off property and walking away, leaving helpless communities in its wake, according to officials where Namdar Realty Group owns assets. New York-based Namdar boasts a portfolio of nearly...
How Namdar Realty profits from Pittsburgh Mills and other ‘dying’ malls
The owner of Pittsburgh Mills mall has built a real estate empire by buying dying malls and letting them deteriorate before selling off property and walking away, leaving helpless communities in its wake, according to officials where Namdar Realty Group owns assets. New York-based Namdar boasts a portfolio of nearly...
Poll workers perform civic duty despite ramped up rhetoric
Tonia Clark doesn’t tolerate bad behavior. The Allegheny Township resident pays particular attention to the motto during twice-a-year stints as a municipal election worker. “If anyone comes in and is nasty to us or name-calling, I won’t put up with it,” said Clark, who serves as judge of elections at...
Then & Now: A look back at The Herald footprint
Here’s a spot that thousands of people pass by each day at the corner of Fox Chapel and Freeport roads in O’Hara. It might surprise some to learn the property has a lively history, dating back to the 1800s when it housed The Meadows estate of U.S. Sen. James Ross....
Fox Chapel Area Newcomers Club marks 50 years building connections
When Rita Ruscetti moved to O’Hara in the mid-1980s, she connected with new friends in no time. It was easy, she said, as a member of the Fox Chapel Area Newcomer’s Club, which hosted a slew of dinner parties, scavenger hunts and card games for people adjusting to life in...
Sharpsburg Community Library to offer remote item pickup, similar to Amazon lockers
By the end of the year, patrons at Sharpsburg Community Library will be able to order a book for remote pickup, much like they order clothes or other items for delivery to Amazon lockers. Leaders said the initiative will address barriers to library services, including limited transportation. Many people in...
Retired teacher keeps feeding Deer Lakes students
Retired Deer Lakes teacher Carol McCaskey was tired of seeing students come to school with a stomachache. “Us teachers knew the truth. We knew it was because they didn’t have food at home,” said McCaskey, who spent nearly three decades at East Union Intermediate Center and, before that, several years...
Haunted Guyasuta oozing with frights, fall-themed fun
Thrills and chills will lurk around each corner at Haunted Guyasuta but only for the bravest souls. The annual fall-themed fest features age-appropriate scares for the entire family — from the fright of your life to good old-fashioned fun. “This is one of my favorite times of the year,” Ranger...
Tarentum declines police dog gifted by singer Brian Kelley
Tarentum will have to wait for a police dog. Borough officials declined a surprise gift from country music star Brian Kelley of a police dog during an August benefit concert. Kelley donated an 18-month-old German shepherd, Ikon, during an Aug. 9 concert in West Deer that doubled as a fundraiser...
2nd runaway sheep found safe, reunited with previously rescued animal on the lam
Storm and Baby are reunited. The runaway sheep from Plum spent three weeks on the lam, creating social media buzz with sightings from Lower Burrell to Tarentum. “It’s been a nightmare,” owner Rick Borowski said. Storm, a 180-pound black-and-white male sheep, was captured Monday in Brackenridge Memorial Park with help...
No charges yet in crash that killed 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni in Natrona
Seven weeks after 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni was struck and killed by a vehicle near her North Canal Street home in Harrison, there is no word on whether the driver of that vehicle will face charges. Allegheny County Police, who led the investigation into the incident, said their report and evidence...
Stewart Elementary aide Mary Esler resurrects A-K Valley’s past for Brackenridge ghost tour
Lower Burrell resident Mary Esler loves striking up a flashy costume this time of year, whether it’s a queen’s gown for the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival or a holiday character for the students at Stewart Elementary School. “I just have a blast,” the 62-year-old Burrell School District aide said. Next week,...
Pastor Susan Moudry a ‘fantastic fit’ for Fox Chapel’s Faith United Methodist Church
The Rev. Susan Moudry believes her diverse background helped her land the job as new lead pastor at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel. “I have a background of working with a variety of people that meant this might be a good place for me,” said Moudry, 41. “The...
Highlands senior hopes people ‘cut footloose’ as local need for warm clothing surges
The Salvation Army in New Kensington never declines donations, especially not at this time of year when temperatures begin to dip and need increases. “We have already accounted for our funding resources to buy children’s coats, and we have a wait list twice as long,” business manager Laurie Suprano said....
Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum offers classical concerts to ‘build community’
Leaders at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum believe a new musical acquisition will hit a high note in creating community connections. A Yamaha baby grand piano will make its debut during Sunday’s kickoff of the 10th annual Academy Concert Series, which is free to the public. The concert will begin...
Harrison Realtor Cameron Yockey spearheading Helene relief mission
Cameron Yockey watched the devastation from Hurricane Helene unfold on TV and social media until he could no longer stomach it. He posted to Facebook on Wednesday that a one-day collection would happen at his Harrison real estate office before he and other volunteers hit the road to Black Mountain,...
2nd caretaker charged with neglect at Verona facility
For the second time in as as many weeks, Verona police charged a caretaker at the same assisted living facility with neglecting the care of a client. “It’s unnerving,” Officer Thomas Dessell said of the most recent charges. Myesha Pennix, 25, of Pittsburgh, was accused Sept. 26 of ignoring the...
Moondog’s concert to benefit North Hills Community Outreach’s winter utility program
Local bands will light up the stage Friday, Oct. 11, at Moondog’s in Blawnox to help ensure people in need can keep their utilities on this winter. Featured acts during the Got It Covered fundraiser will be three-piece surf-rock band The Turbosonics and plaidtastic rockabilly quartet Polkamaniacs 4. Compassion Fatigue,...
O’Hara, Blawnox get state money for soon-to-be merged force
O’Hara police are getting a bump from the state to accommodate its larger force come January. The township was awarded $42,000 to purchase a new vehicle as it is scheduled to absorb the Blawnox force Jan. 1. It means the addition of four full-time officers and a combined squad of...
Harrison police bring back DUI checkpoints to ‘protect community’
Harrison police Chief Brian Turack is bringing back DUI checkpoints to target sections of the township that have become “concerning.” “We want to show our community we are invested,” Turack said. His department, along with the Allegheny Valley DUI Enforcement Task Force, conducted a checkpoint Sept. 20 along River Avenue...
The Brinery offers a fast-casual, scratch-made, culinary adventure in Sharpsburg
In the first several weeks at his new Sharpsburg restaurant, The Brinery, Chef Joe Bardakos kept running out of food. Hungry customers were less than thrilled, but it signaled to Bardakos that his culinary creations were on target. “It was super humbling,” said Bardakos of Reserve. The Shaler native and...
Leaders hope local EMS authority could ensure service in Tarentum, neighboring towns
Small-scale donations are rolling in to help sustain operations at Eureka Community Ambulance Service in Tarentum, enough that Chief Brad James is feeling hopeful about the future of EMS. “They’re not going to keep the doors open, but it’s nice to have the support,” James said. His department this year...
Panera eyes larger space with drive-thru outside Pittsburgh Mills mall
A move by Panera Bread will leave yet another vacant storefront in the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer. The quick-serve restaurant, with more than 2,200 locations in 48 states, wants to fill the former Steak ’n Shake restaurant building in the Village at Pittsburgh Mills near Lowe’s. Frazer Supervisor Lori...
Sober game room in Sharpsburg to create safe haven for people in addiction recovery
A sober game room opening in Sharpsburg is expected to be a game changer for people in addiction recovery. “It’s designed for fellowship because people with addiction issues need support and camaraderie,” said Larry Wagner, a Fox Chapel resident and board member of the Addiction Recovery Ministry who is spearheading...
‘A Joyous Day’ as St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church reopens in Arnold after 2021 fire
George Honchar of Carnegie said it was like “coming home” to attend the reopening services Sunday at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold. “This is my Bubba’s church,” Honchar said. “We come every year for a reunion, and it’s only natural that we would celebrate this.” The city’s only...
