Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 42
Jennifer Kaniecki MacNeil appointed president of St. Joseph High School
Jennifer Kaniecki MacNeil attended St. Joseph High School in the 1980s, when Steve Jobs first introduced the desktop computer to the masses. “We had an Apple IIe at school and that actually launched my passion for technology,” MacNeil said. “It was while at St. Joe’s that I found an enthusiasm...
The Depot Wi-Fi cafe and laundromat in Tarentum still in the works
A community resource center in Tarentum that was expected to open in 2021 is slowly rebounding from what organizers say was a covid-induced stall. The Depot, in the 300 block of Fifth Avenue, was hailed as a first-of-its-kind co-working space with a Wi-Fi cafe and laundromat. Backed by nonprofit Faith...
Summit Hose Fall Festival gearing up for 3 days of food, fun, bingo and bands
It’s three weeks until the official start of autumn, but that’s close enough for Summit Hose Company to stage its popular Fall Festival in Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park. The carnival, scheduled for Sept. 7-9, is expected to draw thousands of people of all ages. “There will be rides and games,...
Harrison police Chief Brian Turack will ‘meet and greet’ residents in Natrona
New Harrison police Chief Brian Turack will host a meet-and-greet with residents to introduce himself and outline plans to help the township thrive. “It will be very informal,” he said. “I just want to talk about some of the plans we have coming up.” The event is Tuesday at the...
Highlands partners with Ronald McDonald Care Mobile to offer free medical services
Highlands School District students will have access to limited medical care on-site through a partnership with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. The roving 40-foot truck will visit the district once each quarter to offer immunizations, physicals for sports, work permits and driver’s licenses. “This will be available to all children...
Fox Chapel Area teens prove vital to Harvest Fair preparation
Recent Fox Chapel Area graduate Siheng Chao spent the last few weeks of summer – before starting classes at the University of Pittsburgh – picking up and packing thousands of donations for one of the area’s most anticipated fall events, the Harvest Fair at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. “We literally...
Community invited to ‘Worship by the Water’ at Allegheny RiverTrail Park
So long as Danny English is Director of Music Ministries at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church, worshippers can expect something special. From original scores at Sunday services to his efforts to maintain a choir despite changing demographics at the Center Avenue church, English has poured his heart into the job since 2016....
Dog-lovers can bring pups to Camp Guyasuta for 5th annual Hound Hike
Camp Guyasuta will host a day of dog-gone fun in September when people and their four-legged friends are invited to enjoy the scenic grounds. The 5th annual Hound Hike provides dogs and owners a day of pet-friendly vendors, demonstrations and of course, hiking on the tree-lined trails. The event is...
Large commercial trucks to be restricted on Argonne Drive in Harrison
Some large commercial trucks will be restricted from portions of Argonne Drive in Harrison after multiple calls to police in recent years for trucks stuck on the railroad tracks and others unable to handle turns. The weight limit will be 10 tons. “Trucks with trailers were unable to navigate the...
Highlands Family Center to offer free food distribution in Tarentum
Fresh fruits and veggies will fill the parking lot near Highlands Family Center in Tarentum on Aug. 30, and the goodies are all up for grabs. No income requirement is necessary to participate in the free food distribution hosted by the Family Center and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank....
Police: Vandergrift man flees traffic stop, crashes into Allegheny Township home
A Vandergrift man faces charges after police said he passed a loading school bus, fled a traffic stop and crashed into a home along Melwood Road in Allegheny Township. Nico Hawley, 20, was arraigned Thursday in District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec’s office, hours after he caused a high-speed chase and...
Braeburn Alloy Steel workers ratify new contract
Braeburn Alloy Steel workers in Lower Burrell ratified a new contract, capping off unusual negotiations during which the plant owner didn’t recognize or bargain with the labor union until ordered to do so by the National Labor Relations Board. Union employees ratified a three-year agreement Tuesday, with leaders saying the...
Highlands kicks off school year with new hires, promotions
A slew of adminstrative changes will greet Highlands School District students when they return for the first day of class Aug. 31. The school board on Monday approved several promotions and new hires, setting in place new administrative teams at the high school and middle school. They include: • Kaitlyn...
Founder of clothing mission for disadvantaged women to speak at Aspinwall meeting of AAUW
The founder of a clothing mission for women in crisis and transition will be the guest speaker at September’s meeting of the Fox Chapel Area American Association of University Women. Sally Power, executive director of Treasure House Fashions, will share with audience members how her agency has grown its reach...
Dwindling interest slashes cross country, girls soccer at Highlands
When Highlands cross country coaches Rich Bogaty and Kevin Deasy retired in the spring, it appears most of the team hung up their running shoes as well. The district won’t field a cross country team this year for lack of interest, according to athletic director Katie Jo Stobert. The same...
Large crowd voices opposition as Highlands renews superintendent’s contract
An overflow crowd turned out Monday to hear the Highlands School Board consider a contract renewal for Superintendent Monique Mawhinney, seven months before her term is set to expire. Close to 100 people crammed into the high school library, with several asking the board to consider the district’s economics, test...
Busy Fox Chapel intersection gets $205,000 in state grant to upgrade traffic signals
A traffic signal more than 50 years old that controls vehicles at a major Fox Chapel intersection will be modernized in the coming years. The borough was named Aug. 11 as part of PennDOT’s Green Light-Go program, designed to improve efficiency and operation of traffic signals across the state. Gov....
Highlands grad heading to Dominican Republic with Peace Corps
Highlands alum Madalyn Heinle is about to set off on the adventure of her life. The 22-year-old will jet off to the Dominican Republic as a member of the Peace Corps, a federal program that deploys volunteers to provide help in 60 developing countries. “I’m very nervous, but the excitement...
Portion of Sixth Avenue in Tarentum closed for gas line work
Portions of Sixth Avenue in Tarentum were shut down Monday for work by Peoples natural gas company crews. Spokesman Nick Paradise said crews were closing off a gas line in the area. The road is closed from near the Marathon gas station and Gatto’s to the intersection at Lock Street....
Harrison juveniles charged with using stolen pistol to fire shots near Heights Plaza
Two boys from Harrison are facing charges after shots were fired early Friday near Heights Plaza. Police responded just before 2 a.m. after several reports of suspicious activity near Community Supermarket, off Freeport Road. They found two children, 11 and 14, fleeing the area and running toward the Sheldon Park...
Highlands pool undergoing $2 million renovation but won’t open until spring
Construction continues on the long-closed pool at Highlands High School, but the facility likely won’t be open until spring. That means, for the third consecutive year, the high school swim team will practice and host meets away from the building. Last year, the team used facilities at Valley High School....
Operation Christmas Child seeking partner in Deer Lakes area to house thousands of gift-filled shoe boxes
Donations keep flowing in for Operation Christmas Child, but organizers need somewhere to pack them — specifically in the Deer Lakes area. “We are prayerfully and earnestly in search of a church partner that would like to participate in this mission,” said volunteer Stefani Allegretti of East Deer. Operation Christmas...
Organizers encourage back-to-school shoppers to include Operation Christmas Child
While temperatures still hover in the 80s, volunteers at Harvest Baptist Church in Harrison already are thinking about Christmas. The church off the Millerstown exit of Route 28 serves as a drop-off site for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse, an international outreach that sends thousands of stuffed shoe boxes...
Sparrow’s Nest clothes and household pantry in Harrison helps stretch dollars, save environment
Dakota Kuniak browsed the clothes racks and artwork at the new Sparrow’s Nest pantry in Harrison, commenting on the mounds of items available for free. “This is so great for people who need help,” said the teen, an eighth grader at Mary Queen of Apostles in New Kensington. “It’s also...
6th annual Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Ride to draw 800-plus bikers
A charity motorcycle ride in memory of New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw has grown into the largest of its kind in Western Pennsylvania. The event, scheduled to pull out of the Shrine Center in Harmar at 10 a.m. Saturday, is expected to draw more than 800 riders, organizers said....
