Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 48
Tarentum beefs up security at water plant
Ahead of a possible $2 million upgrade at Tarentum’s water plant, cameras will be installed to boost security. Council on Tuesday approved about $11,500 for five security cameras that will be mounted at the plant, pump house and water tanks. Video feed will be collected from several locations, including parking...
Free prom prep for Highlands students offered by volunteer glam squad
A Highlands-area glam squad is converging to help students prep for prom on Friday — for free. With hashtags like #GetYourPrettyOn and #FeelHandsomeFriday, volunteers from the Highlands Partnership Network have plastered social media to seek teens who need a little assistance getting red-carpet ready. “I want to make sure that...
Deer Lakes School Board draws pool of 7 candidates for May 16 primary
Residents in the Deer Lakes School District will have a choice in the May 16 primary of seven candidates seeking nominations to the ballot of the Nov. 7 general election, where five school board seats will be determined. Newcomers James Calvert, Susan Claus, Pietro Porco, Leonard Verdetto III and Phillip...
‘Stuff-the-Truck’ food drive to benefit Highlands Family Center
Leaders at the Highlands Family Center in Tarentum tried to think outside the box with their latest fundraiser. Where could they target a crowd of people who might step up to do good for those in need? “Our food pantry is getting a little scarce, and we thought the Night...
Foxwall upgrades ambulance equipment courtesy of state grant
Foxwall EMS will be better equipped to care for critically ill and injured patients thanks to new IV pumps aboard their ambulances. The Fox Chapel-based group, stationed along Hemlock Hollow Road, said the upgrade came courtesy of a grant from the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Foxwall was...
Building the Valley: Maria V’s Bridal Boutique touts inclusivity, affordability
Future brides can say yes to the dress at a new boutique in Tarentum. The boho business is creating a buzz as the only shop of its kind in the borough. “I want everyone to feel comfortable and welcome here,” said Madison Vargo, owner of Maria V’s Bridal Boutique. “We’re...
2 Harrison residents with lengthy community service vie for local magistrate’s office
A Harrison attorney hoping to bring fresh ideas to the magistrate’s office is taking on an incumbent who has served in office for three decades. Thomas Babinsack will compete against Carolyn Saldari Bengel for the position that covers Brackenridge, East Deer, Fawn, Harrison and Tarentum. Magisterial district judges earn about...
Portion of Corbet Street in Tarentum to close for 4 days for pole replacement; some power outages expected
Motorists who drive through Tarentum should be aware of a construction project that is scheduled to begin Monday. Crews will be working on Corbet Street to replace a pole. A section of the road from East Ninth to East 10th avenues will be closed through Thursday. A portion of the...
ATI sales top $1 billion for 3rd consecutive quarter
Sales at ATI, one of the Alle-Kiski Valley’s largest employers, exceeded $1 billion for the third quarter in a row, officials announced Thursday. Aerospace and defense sales in particular are driving strong year-over-year growth, spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said. First-quarter results showed that products for aerospace and defense represent 56% of...
Natrona native Stephen Ferris named dean of IUP’s Eberly College of Business
Natrona native Stephen Ferris, dean of the Miller College of Business at Ball State University, said it’s unusual for strong professional opportunities to align with personal interests. So when a position opened at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Ferris jumped at the chance to move closer to home. “I still have...
Corbet Street traffic light upgrade in Tarentum delayed by supply shortage, but must be completed this year
A new traffic light at Corbet Street and 10th Avenue got the green light from Tarentum Council more than a year ago, but a supply chain shortage has stalled the project. Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said he met with engineers last week, and work is expected to be done this...
Residents can help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ with help from U.S. Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service is making it easy for people to join the fight against hunger. A Stamp Out Hunger campaign will take place May 13 in Blawnox and Sharpsburg where people can set out cereal, chicken soup, canned corn and other items for mail carriers to collect. Food will...
Tarentum marks First Avenue, other roads for summer paving
Tarentum Council is eyeing a whopping paving list this year expected to cost nearly $540,000 which will include First Avenue, one of the busiest streets in the borough. A total of eight roads will be upgraded, with money coming from the borough’s capital fund and the liquid fuels account. First...
Penn Salt Museum to give glimpse of early life in Natrona
Natrona artist Bill Godfrey has long been nagged by the history of the 1850s-era Penn Salt row houses along Federal Street. “Oh, if these walls could talk,” he often tells people. Godfrey’s advocacy group, Natrona Comes Together, purchased the Gothic revival cottage at 34 Federal St. in 2012 and set...
LEED AP architect joins PWCampbell in O’Hara
Architect Rob Zoelle has joined the ranks at O’Hara-based PWCampbell’s full-service firm, Studio 109 Designs, LLC. Zoelle has LEED AP credentials, meaning he has advanced knowledge in green building principles. He has won awards for his projects, including those from the AIA Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Construction Award and...
Skills on display at Monroeville martial arts tournament
The 47th annual National All Martial Arts Championship was hosted April 29 at the Monroeville Convention Center. Athletes of all ages completed in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu and Karate. More than 1,200 trophies were awarded in about 345 divisions, from white belt to grand champions. Events...
Long-term road closure coming to Fawn
More than 400 motorists a day will be impacted when a Fawn road is closed long term May 15. Thompson Road will be shut down between Hemphill and Sun Mine roads to accommodate the replacement of Bull Creek Bridge No. 7, according to Allegheny County officials. Work is expected to...
New Tarentum warehouse will accommodate growth at Tripak Industries
A West Tarentum packaging manufacturer is outpacing space at its Sixth Avenue facilities and will construct a new warehouse this summer. Tripak Industries got the green light from Tarentum Council to build a space that measures about 5,000 square feet. Expansion is necessary to meet growth at the 15-year-old company,...
Natrona Community Garden growing its reach
The Natrona Community Garden will feed even more people this year from its plots along Federal Street thanks to support from the nonprofit Grow Pittsburgh. The garden was awarded $1,200 to repair planters, add growing boxes and purchase equipment, garden coordinator Drew Jonczak said. The lifelong Natrona resident has tended...
Highlands names new high school principal
Highlands administrator Michael Toole joked he hasn’t sat still for long during his eight years with the district. He started at the high school before serving as middle school dean of students and, most recently, as assistant principal to about 625 students at the elementary school. Last week, Toole was...
Faces of the Valley: Lou Nagy, last surviving charter member of Fawn’s No. 2 fire company, remains passionate about volunteerism
Lou Nagy’s first piece of fire apparatus at Fawn Township Fire Company No. 2 was a fruit tree sprayer donated by a local farmer. It was 1950, and a 13-year-old Nagy was a charter member of the fledgling fire company, founded by a group of friends to serve a largely...
Tarentum Council turns off utilities at boat docks until safety restored
Arnold resident Eric Sinclair dished out $3,500 to ensure that electricity at his Tarentum boat dock was up to code. The Kenneth Avenue resident and avid boater enjoys balmy days and nights at the small space along the Allegheny River where he devotes time from May to October. The effort...
Youth football parents blindsided by ATI field lockout
Parents and volunteers of a Highlands area youth football league that was evicted from their home facility said they feel like they’ve been sacked. “It’s heartbreaking,” said Bethany Currie of Harrison, whose son and daughter participate in the Rams Youth Football Organization. “The kids don’t understand why this is happening....
Youth football league locked out of ATI-owned fields over neighbors’ complaints
A youth football league that serves Highlands School District communities is alleging a major fumble by Harrison-based ATI, one of the Valley’s largest employers. Leaders of the Rams Youth Football Organization (RYFO) said more than 150 young athletes are being evicted from their home facility, Bushman Field, leaving the group...
Brackenridge recreational trail takes shape
Construction crews put the finishing touches on a half-mile Brackenridge trail Wednesday, as borough officials hope that the simple amenity will expand outdoor recreation and economic development opportunities. The project cost about $450,000. It was coordinated by the nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront. “We’re excited to move forward on this,”...
