Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 44
Fawn No. 2 Volunteer Fire Company proposes new cell tower on its property
A communications tower might be erected in Fawn to help boost cellphone coverage. The Fawn Zoning Hearing Board will consider a variance request from the Fawn Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 to build a cell tower at its property. The fire company is at 182 Fawn Drive, off Ridge Road....
Public pitches in during exotic pet fundraiser in Sharpsburg
Mila the iguana soaked up the sun, and lots of attention, during an animal-themed fundraiser at Kennedy Park in Sharpsburg on July 22. Nanners, the albino ball python rescued in Ross after being released by its owner, was also a hit with people at the Sharpsburg event. “It was a...
Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation paying for 2 of 6 new public pickleball courts in Freeport
People passionate about pickleball soon will have new courts to play on in Freeport. The sport that’s sweeping the nation will be available for free at Freeport Community Park, thanks in part to the Harrison-based Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation. Construction of six pickleball courts is underway, with two of the spaces...
Former Tarentum church up for sale, could become 24-hour gym
Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum could once again draw crowds of people, albeit not for prayer. The 51-year-old building at 344 W. Ninth Ave. is up for sale, with the potential owner hoping to replace pews and altars with treadmills and a basketball court. The site is being sought by...
Formal arraignment postponed for Harrison nurse accused of killing 2 patients
The formal arraignment for a Harrison nurse accused of killing two patients by insulin overdose was continued Tuesday. Heather Pressdee, 40, was scheduled for a hearing at the Butler County Courthouse, but her case will be heard at a later unscheduled date, according to the Clerk of Courts Office. Pressdee...
‘Not your grandmother’s center’: Seniors centers evolve with Pilates, pickleball and pub burgers
Strong coffee and bingo are enough to draw Betty Delaney to the Highlands Area Senior Center every day. But her “partner in crime,” Christine Drane, said there’s a spicier reason to check out the Tarentum facility. “The meatballs are exceptionally good,” said Drane of Natrona Heights. “The lunches can’t be...
Program to honor Korean War soldiers on 70th anniversary of its end
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, Prospect Cemetery in Brackenridge will host a program Thursday honoring local veterans who fought the three-year battle in Eastern Asia. “We have sent so many soldiers from the Valley to all the wars,” said Bob Sauro, vice president of the...
$25 million in upgrades underway at Highlands schools
With the start of school just over a month away, Highlands is readying its buildings with safety upgrades such as lighting and new sidewalks in time for the first class bell. Projects are underway at all four campuses as well as the community center. The cost is about $25 million....
Tarentum targets 3 abandoned properties with holes, mold and rodents
Three abandoned Tarentum homes that officials say double as raccoon and rat refuges could come down as early as next month. “All three are in severe disrepair. They have holes, mold and are a nuisance to their neighborhoods,” code enforcement officer Anthony Bruni said. Work could start by late August...
St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold helps children orphaned by war
With help from the Catholic community in Arnold and beyond, Ukrainian children orphaned by war now have day camps and new friends to look forward to. A campaign by the Rev. Yaroslav Koval at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church sought donations to assist a youth group in his native country....
Plans being drafted for public works facility in Brackenridge
Brackenridge officials are eyeing a new public works building to replace one that dates to 1900 and has floors that are caving in. The construction is expected to cost about $750,000, all of which will be covered by grants awarded to the borough. Officials hope to move forward in the...
Art enthusiasts and sleuths can conspire for The Great Heinz Caper in Sharpsburg
A Sharpsburg scavenger hunt has the potential to be a really big ‘dill.’ The Great Heinz Caper – a live, Clue-like game on borough streets – is scheduled Sept. 9. It combines the punch of live gaming with the perk of learning about the borough’s most famous son, ketchup magnate...
Highlands hopes to name 3 new administrators in August
Highlands could have three new administrators when school starts in August. Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said the district is finalizing interviews for the high school assistant principal, the athletic director/transportation director and the elementary associate principal. “Hopefully, we will have the candidates to recommend for approval at the August board meeting,”...
Westmoreland 250: 10 unique things in Vandergrift, East Vandergrift
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a...
Concrete floor crumbling under weight of newest engine at Harrison Hills VFC
The Harrison Hills Volunteer Fire Company should see improved response times, if only slightly, thanks to a new floor at its garage on Freeport Road. Installation of a concrete floor began last week because the old one was crumbling under the weight of the engines, Chief Jim Bartolovich said. “Our...
Code orange air quality alert issued for Monday
A statewide code orange air quality alert has been issued for Monday. That means young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems should limit outdoor activities for risk of exposure to elevated air pollution. According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to...
Police seek help finding Bethel Park teen
Bethel Park police are seeking the public’s help to find a 15-year-old girl last seen Saturday. Armor Wilson is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 150 pounds. She has short faded red hair. When she left home Saturday morning, Wilson was wearing pajama pants and a black hoodie...
Part-time officer to be new chief of Parks Township police department
Part-time Parks Township police Officer Kyle Lewis will be announced as chief of the department on Monday. Supervisor Chairman Greg Artman said Lewis will take over for recently departed John Arce, who left June 30 for the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department. “Kyle’s a good kid,” Artman said. “I think...
2 Pittsburgh facilities up for ‘America’s Most Beautiful Hospitals’
Two Pittsburgh medical facilities are in the running for “America’s Most Beautiful Hospitals” contest. The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, both situated along Penn Avenue, are among 50 hospitals nominated nationwide. Sponsored by healthcare staffing firm Soliant, the contest runs through July 27. Soliant plans...
Teen girl charged with shooting death of 16-year-old boy in Uniontown
A 16-year-old boy was shot to death Saturday in Uniontown and police are charging a teenage girl with the crime, according to Tribune-Review news partner WTAE-TV. Police responded to the incident at about 3:15 p.m. on Wilson Avenue. The name of the victim has not yet been released. Uniontown Lt....
Playground surface, tree removal on tap at Brackenridge Memorial Park
The wait was worth it for Brackenridge officials. Council last month dismissed a bid of more than $200,000 for safety improvements at Memorial Park and were able to green-light the work for half the price. The project includes removing trees and installing a new rubber surface at the fenced-in park,...
Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue provides a chance to ‘Swine and Unwind’
Everyone at a Saturday yoga fundraiser in Frazer agreed their favorite position was downward-facing hog. The exercise event, hosted by the nonprofit Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue at its 25-acre farm, featured sweet-natured sows and well-behaved boars that ambled among the participants. Dubbed “Swine and Unwind,” proceeds help feed the 11 resident...
Harrison police advise residents to stay alert to phone scams
Harrison police are issuing an alert to residents to be on the lookout for phone scammers. Chief Brian Turack said his officers are investigating a high-dollar fraud in which a resident was duped out of thousands. He said he could not release specific information because the case is active. “We...
University Women honor several for work in promoting equity
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd was honored at a Fox Chapel luncheon for her work in promoting equity for women and girls. The Fox Chapel Area branch of the American Association of University Women honored Todd with its Gateway to Equity Award at a May ceremony at Fox Chapel...
Audubon’s Succop Nature Park will be energy self-sufficient by year’s end
Succop Nature Park, a prime trail-walking and bird-watching spot spread over 50 acres near Butler, will become even more eco-friendly as it transitions away from fossil fuels this year. The Audubon Society-owned property along West Airport Road in Penn Township, Butler County, will use solar panels to produce 100% of...

