Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 35
Gatto’s Cycle Shop celebrates 60 years in Tarentum, opens Marine Center
George Gatto is riding the wave of change. As his family-owned Gatto Cycle Shop marks its 60th year in Tarentum, it’s shifting focus to the growing popularity of boating in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Gatto’s opened a Marine Center on Saturday in its former Harley-Davidson storefront along East Sixth Avenue. “The...
Tarentum to choose among 4 for council vacancy
Tarentum will have a new council representative next week. Four people have applied to fill a vacancy created when council President Scott Dadowski won two seats in the November election and ultimately chose to keep his position representing the 2nd Ward. He relinquished the at-large council seat, meaning people from...
Graze Craze in O’Hara offers twist on charcuterie trend
Nutrition and art have converged at a new eatery in O’Hara. Graze Craze, at 1153 Old Freeport Road, offers creatively arranged finger foods in a twist on the popular charcuterie trend. “We can cater to your needs, from vegan to keto to a healthy mix of proteins and veggies,” said...
Harrison EMT struck by car is on the mend, determined to return to job
Citizens Hose EMT Kelly Jackson calls herself a walking miracle. The Tarentum woman was critically injured Jan. 6 while working traffic control on Harrison’s Burtner Road during a snowstorm. A vehicle lost control and struck Jackson, throwing her about 30 yards. Jackson suffered a brain bleed, torn aorta, broken bones...
Food pantries count on Fox Chapel church’s Fill-the-Truck event to replenish shelves
In his 20 years managing a food pantry in Indiana Township, Gil Cutruzzula said he can count on donations dipping just after the Christmas holiday — at the same time that need goes up. “It’s like clockwork,” said Cutruzzula, pantry manager at the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center...
Allegheny River voted Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year
The Allegheny River has been chosen by public vote as the top waterway in the state. The 325-mile stretch was named 2024 River of the Year, earning 8,307 votes to edge the Youghiogheny, which received 7,212 votes, and the Lackawaxen River, which received 4,740. “I cannot wait to celebrate this...
Maryland woman faces felony assault charges for allegedly attacking state trooper
A Maryland woman is facing charges of aggravated assault after allegedly attacking a state trooper who stopped her for driving the wrong way on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Margot Bass, 53, of Takoma Park was arrested just before 1 a.m. Thursday. She faces a preliminary hearing before Judge Tom Swan in...
Harrison eyes 13 roads for summer paving
The Harrison commissioners are proposing a hefty list of work for this year’s paving. More than a dozen roads have been tentatively approved, including portions of busy Broadview Boulevard and Dallas Avenue. Township Manager Amy Rockwell said the 2024 budget for paving is about $400,000. “Roads are reviewed annually by...
Building the Valley: Fashion for all at Blushing Moon Boutique & Studio in Tarentum
Before she knew what she’d do with a vacant storefront on East Fourth Avenue in Tarentum, Melanie Malone found herself signing the rental contract. “I was browsing Facebook and thought, ‘What a neat space,’ ” she said. “I really needed to have that space, but I didn’t know what to...
Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Highlands Family Center and police partner to help children experiencing trauma
Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said his officers routinely leave a call feeling like they could do more to help children after a traumatic incident. A program instituted by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit has helped to fill the gap, better connecting police with school officials. “Whether grandpa fell or the...
ATI retirees balk at pension changes
Some ATI retirees fear they’ve lost a pension guarantee after recent changes by the specialty metals company. ATI purchased group annuity contracts from New York-based Athene Annuity and Life Co. and Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Co., transferring about 85% of its U.S.-qualified defined-benefit pension plan obligations, ATI spokeswoman Natalie...
St. Ladislaus church’s Stations of the Cross moves to Most Blessed Sacrament
A piece of history from the now-demolished 120-year-old St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church in the Natrona section of Harrison has found a new home not far away. Fourteen Stations of the Cross, plucked from the walls of the old Polish church, were installed Tuesday at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, also...
Growing West Deer fire department eyes enclosed garage, live-in bunks
When West Deer Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 moved to its new station last year, members knew it would take time for the department to fit the station to their needs. “Making the transition to a new building was needed,” Chief Josh Wiegand said. “We just didn’t have the money...
Program at Harrison library promotes growing vegetables, herbs and flowers at home
A program at the Community Library of Allegheny Valley is growing in more ways than one. The library along Harrison’s Broadview Boulevard plans to expand its Seed to Salad program so people can take packets of vegetable, herb and flower seeds and plant them at their homes. Julia Strzesieski, the...
New parking lot, exterior repairs will position Harrison’s Hilltop Hose for the future
Upgrades to Hilltop Hose in Harrison won’t just boost safety, they’ll provide a station ready to house the next generation of firefighters, officials said. Chief Jeff Balog said his department will spend about $157,000 this year to repave the parking lot and replace the siding and windows. “We are located...
3 more well pads coming to Fawn
Three more well pads are expected to be constructed in Fawn this year along Sun Mine Road. Supervisors in December approved a conditional use application by Range Resources to implement the project. Township Secretary Pam Ponsart said the well pads will be constructed on the Norris property in the 2700...
O’Hara residents can look forward to tennis court upgrades and safer pedestrian access
Upgraded tennis courts and more curb cuts will come to O’Hara after the township landed more than $130,000 in state grants. Accessibility and recreation will get a nice boost, officials said, thanks to the Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund, which is administered through the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority. A...
Alle Kiski Strong Chamber postpones HomeXpo
The HomeXpo scheduled for mid-February at the Pittsburgh Mills mall has been put on hold because organizers haven’t been able to attract enough vendors. “It was a big decision for us to hold off,” said Lynda Pozzuto, executive director of the Alle Kiski Strong Chamber, which sponsors the annual event....
Teen Space offers spot to socialize or chill at Sharpsburg Community Library
Teens now have their own place to hang out, learn something new or just chill at the Sharpsburg Community Library. The dedicated Teen Space will celebrate its grand opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 2. It boasts an extensive collection of technology and creative resources that kids can access...
Natrona ‘rocks,’ thanks to ATI, volunteers
Property that once housed about 20 Penn Salt company homes in Natrona continues to be upgraded by a group of volunteers. About a dozen people braved the cold Friday to scatter 60 tons of river rock on the stretch just near the railroad tracks, sandwiched between Federal Street and a...
Work underway to move Social Security office to former CVS building in Harrison
About a year after it was first announced, the relocation by the Social Security Administration from New Kensington to Harrison is moving forward. Construction is underway inside the former CVS store in Heights Plaza, just off Freeport Road. “The move date will be confirmed as we get closer to construction...
Tarentum police seek lottery ticket thieves
Thieves made off with hundreds of scratch-off lottery tickets during an overnight burglary at Asay’s News Stand in Tarentum, but they didn’t get any winners. Owner Kevin Bertocki said two men smashed the glass door at the East Sixth Avenue store about 3:30 a.m. and were inside for less than...
Injured Citizens Hose EMT Kelly Jackson on the road to recovery
Injured Citizens Hose emergency medical technician Kelly Jackson is coming home — or at least closer to it. After nearly a week in a Pittsburgh hospital, the Tarentum woman was transferred late Thursday to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison to continue physical therapy. “She’s doing pretty good,” said Lori Miller,...
Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation offering free EMT training
In an ongoing bid to thwart the nationwide trend of dwindling first responders, the Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation has announced its fourth round of free emergency medical technician training. Classes are expected to begin in March at the facility on Acee Drive. “We’re all so short-handed,” Citizens Hose Supervisor Jim Erb...
Crew working on water main break in West Tarentum
Residents who live along Bakerstown Road in West Tarentum might experience a water outage this afternoon. Crews were called early Friday for a water main break near the top of the hill. Workers are on the scene trying to repair the break. They said water is expected to be restored...
