Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 3
Fox Chapel Area students turn tinkering into innovation
Students from across Western Pennsylvania put their innovative spirits on display during the Tinkercast “Make It Wow” competition last month at Fox Chapel Area High School. More than 2,000 elementary students converged for the creative showcase, which served as a sneak preview of a statewide design challenge in May. Founded...
Alle-Kiski EMS Authority gets state approval
Property owners in Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum will learn in the coming weeks how much they’ll pay for ambulance service next year. The Alle-Kiski Emergency Services Authority, voted into existence March 25 by the three municipal governments, was officially approved this week by the Pennsylvania Department of State. The newly...
Harrison family creates community rock garden to memorialize 3-year-old daughter
A purple tulip sprouted in Madisyn Murray-Sinicki’s Natrona lawn the day she decided to plant a rock garden for her daughter. “I believe it was a sign,” said Murray-Sinicki, whose 3-year-old daughter, Karma, died in January at their Pine Street home. “I have this idea — it’s a little silly...
New traffic signal installed at the foot of Tarentum Bridge after the old one was struck last month
Traffic was temporarily diverted from East Sixth Avenue in Tarentum on Wednesday while crews from the borough’s electric company replaced a traffic signal at the foot of the Tarentum Bridge. The light was damaged last month after being hit by a truck, borough officials said....
$15K gift from Garden Club of Allegheny County to help grow native plant center at Beechwood Farms
The Audubon Center for Native Plants at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is growing. A $15,000 grant from the Garden Club of Allegheny County will support expansion of the center, housed at the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania headquarters on Dorseyville Road in Fox Chapel. Funding will play a key role...
Highlands Area Rotary to host 1st 5K in Brackenridge
An inaugural 5K sponsored by Highlands Area Rotary will help fund scholarships to local high school seniors. The Service Above Self footrace is scheduled for 8 a.m. May 16 in Brackenridge. “We are hoping this becomes an annual event that we can grow year by year,” Rotary President Joe Lucchino...
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...
