Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 54
New Harrison Manager Amy Rockwell eager to build for township’s future
Harrison’s new manager, Amy Rockwell, has hit the ground running. She began her stint Jan. 16 after the township went three months without an administrative head. John Pallone resigned his post in September after six months on the job. Rockwell is a resident of Lower Burrell, where she most recently...
DA investigating 2nd person of interest in Chief McIntire’s ambush
The degree to which a second person was complicit in the shooting death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire or whether the person was involved in other local criminal activity is expected to be determined in the coming weeks. Police are investigating a man who was spotted multiple times with...
Highlands Middle School launches Golden Bean Coffee Shop run by Life Skills students
The halls are buzzing at Highlands Middle School since the launch of a new student-run initiative: The Golden Bean Coffee Shop. Twice a day, apron-clad teens scurry between classrooms to deliver coffee, tea and hot chocolate to thirsty teachers, many of whom have become loyal customers. “It’s kind of cool...
Pittsburgh Kids Marathon to debut sensory inclusive heat
The lights and sounds of the 2023 Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon will be dialed back briefly for the event’s first-ever sensory inclusive heat. “Our mission is to inspire any and all to move, and this offers that chance for people who might not feel comfortable in a large crowd,” said...
Brackenridge officers return to duty; borough needs assistance from state police to cover shifts
Brackenridge police returned to the job Sunday, nearly three weeks after Chief Justin McIntire was shot and killed during a pursuit. In the days following his death, police from across the region volunteered to cover patrols so borough officers could grieve. Limited manpower in the borough will require continued assistance...
Faces of the Valley: Julia Strzesieski returns to her roots for role at Harrison library
Julia Strzesieski graduated from Highlands in 1979 and hit the road for California. She graduated from San Francisco State University and spent 42 years building an award-winning marketing career with a focus on sustainability efforts. Now, the 61-year-old is back in Harrison in hopes of using her experience to bolster...
Former Harrison bar-restaurant Bird Dog’s on the market for $750,000
A prime piece of commercial real estate is for sale in Harrison. Bird Dog’s Sports Bar & Grill, a 7,000-square-foot space along Freeport Road, is on the market. The asking price is $749,900. The restaurant opened at 2615 Freeport Road in October 2018 by township resident Bruce Daniels and his...
A-K Health Foundation footing the bill for EMT certification to help alleviate responder crisis
Free EMT training by the Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation will help stop the bleed for ambulance services hit hard by dwindling funding and worker shortages, local officials said. John Pastorek, president of the Harrison-based foundation, said his group will pay up to $21,000 to cover EMT training for 21 students, beginning...
Staffing issues force temporary closure of Periwinkle’s in O’Hara
An O’Hara bakery renowned for its award-winning donuts is temporarily closed. Periwinkle’s Bakery & Cafe — a spinoff from the original, popular 1970s Harmar bakery — shut down in late 2022. A sign posted to the door of the RIDC Park location cites a worker shortage as the problem. “We...
2nd T-shirt sale set for fallen Brackenridge chief; organizers say support has ‘surpassed expectation’
Anyone who missed the chance to buy a memorial T-shirt for fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire will have another chance next week. Considering the merchandise at the first sale Jan. 14 sold out in 25 minutes, lines are expected to be long, organizer Shasta Biricocchi said. More than 4,000...
One-woman play to be featured at Fox Chapel AAUW meeting
A one-woman play that examines the rights of women in the first half of the 19th century will be performed during a February meeting of the Fox Chapel affiliate of the American Association of University Women. “Fanny Kemble at the Slave Plantation” is a 40-minute production to honor Black History...
Staffing issues force temporary closure of Periwinkle’s in O’Hara
An O’Hara bakery renowned for its award-winning donuts is temporarily closed. Periwinkle’s Bakery & Cafe — a spinoff from the original, iconic 1970s Harmar bakery — shut down in late 2022. A sign posted to the door of the RIDC Park location cites a worker shortage as the problem. “We...
People encouraged to ‘Fill the Truck’ to help feed the needy
Without donations from the public, Bread of Life food pantry in Etna would struggle to serve its 140-plus families each month with fresh eggs, milk and produce. “The help is invaluable,” Director Alexis Weber said. “It is our mission to provide and we would never turn anyone away. I don’t...
Former Blawnox Mayor Tom Smith recalled as epitome of small borough
Friends are recalling former longtime Blawnox Mayor Tom Smith as the ultimate figurehead for the small Allegheny River town. He founded the Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home in 1966 and later delved into local politics as a way to spur community revitalization. “My family knew him all our life, and...
Tarentum officials challenge people to keep community spirit high
Tarentum Mayor Bob Lang and Council President Scott Dadowski are challenging people to maintain the lofty neighborhood spirit that spiked in the wake of the Jan. 2 death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. The pair posted a three-minute video to the borough’s Facebook page Sunday to thank everyone who...
Worthington businessman defends billboard messages some consider hate speech
The man behind a Butler County billboard displaying what some consider disturbing messages said his intent is to rally “Americans to take back the country.” John Placek of Worthington rented an electronic billboard at the intersection of Route 422 and Bonniebrook Road in Summit Township to lobby against issues he...
Fox Chapel-based Women’s Board of Pittsburgh delivers 50 boxes of food for children
Members of the Fox Chapel-based Women’s Board of Pittsburgh collected a hearty amount of food with the mission of feeding needy children at the holidays. “No child should ever go hungry,” member Lisa Bowden said. She said the group delivered 25 boxes of food to each of two local organizations...
Local streets flooded with police signs; organizers hope to print more
It’s hard not to notice the blue police signs sprouting up through Brackenridge, Tarentum and Harrison. More than 1,000 in all, the signs are popping up in yards, parks and along streets in the week since the fatal shooting of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. “What impresses me is that...
Resident recalls meeting Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire on his last stop
E.L. Swiklinski has lived 10 years along Cleveland Avenue in Brackenridge, a quiet street tucked on a hillside overlooking the Allegheny River. On Jan. 2, the maintenance worker had the day off from Trinity United Methodist Church and spent the afternoon pouring seed into his multiple bird feeders and offering...
People can cozy up this winter at Allegheny RiverTrail Park
Fire pit Fridays are coming to Aspinwall, and everyone is invited to cozy up. Allegheny RiverTrail Park will host Cabin Fever, featuring fire pits, indoor movies and snacks, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays through February. The 10-acre park is off Freeport Road in Aspinwall. Another 6 acres recently was...
Collections for Brackenridge chief’s family continue with sticker sale, card drop-off
An online fundraiser for slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire has topped its $100,000 goal in just four days since it was first posted. People and businesses across the Alle-Kiski Valley have stepped up in a major way to help McIntire’s widow, Ashley, and his four children. Donations were nearing...
Mourners line up to pay respects to Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire
George Uhler boarded a yellow school bus at Valley High School mid-Monday, headed to pay his respects to fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. “It’s hard to understand life,” said Uhler of New Kensington. “But you have to honor someone that gave his life for us.” McIntire was gunned down...
State Rep. Steele secures state grant for emergency alert system in Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum
The police manhunt in Brackenridge on Monday unfolded over hours into a frantic scene that drew dozens of police from across the region, but residents were largely kept in the dark about what was happening. Later that afternoon, Chief Justin McIntire was ambushed by suspect Aaron Lamont Swan Jr. between...
Effort underway to ‘Flood Freeport Road’ in honor of fallen Chief Justin McIntire
A Tarentum man who credits Justin McIntire with saving his life plans to honor the late Brackenridge chief with a proper farewell. Bill Pacek of Tarentum will be among thousands who are expected to “Flood Freeport Road” during a funeral procession Wednesday , Jan. 11 for the fallen chief. “It’s...
Brackenridge names officer-in-charge; Steele releases $75k in state money for police department
As a crowd gathered blocks from the Brackenridge municipal office Thursday to honor slain police Chief Justin McIntire, council met briefly to name an officer-in-charge of the small department. Members appointed Sgt. Mike Duffy to head the three-member force. Duffy did not attend the meeting. It was not clear when...
