Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 55
‘They’re not going to leave him’: Brackenridge officers keep watch over fallen chief
Police officers from across Western Pennsylvania are keeping watch over Brackenridge, as the borough’s own officers stand guard over their fallen chief. At least one officer from Brackenridge has remained alongside Chief Justin McIntire’s body since he was killed in the line of duty Monday. “There has been at least...
Tarentum officer injured in shootout released from hospital, healing at home
Tarentum police Officer Jordan Schrecengost got to eat breakfast in his own home Wednesday after being shot in the leg during a frenzied and fatal manhunt in Brackenridge earlier this week. “He’s doing well,” Tarentum Mayor Bob Lang said. “He’s in some pain, but he’s out of the hospital.” Lang...
Vigil for Brackenridge chief set for Thursday; yard signs also available
The late Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire will be honored with a community vigil Thursday at the same community park where he played as a child. People are invited to attend the candlelight event at 7 p.m. in Brackenridge Memorial Park along First Avenue. “It’s really just a time for...
Fox Chapel’s Mandy Steele sworn in as 33rd District representative
Fox Chapel resident Mandy Steele took the first step in her legislative journey on Jan. 3, being sworn in as state representative for the 33rd District during a ceremony at the state Capitol. “I come from a background of bringing people together from all walks of life and ideologies to...
Support services available to community, Highlands students
Highlands School District will return to in-person classes Wednesday after a day of remote learning that followed the killing of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. McIntire was shot Monday afternoon during a manhunt that spanned Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge, all Highlands communities. Tarentum police Officer Jordan Schrecengost also suffered a...
Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire recalled as ‘humble, hard-working hometown son’
Friends of Justin McIntire say that if there’s a heaven, the slain Brackenridge police chief is up there either hunting or playing euchre. “I knew him since he was a little kid, playing in his grandfather’s yard,” said Butch Magnetta, a family friend. “He loved this community, and he always...
Tour-Ed leaders envision adding natural energy center at former Fawn mine
Administrators of Tour-Ed Mine & Museum in Fawn already tout the site as “one of the coal-est” attractions in the region. Director Bob Black wants to add to the lure of the 170-year-old facility by building a natural energy center. “We give good tours here,” said Black of Plum, who...
Harrison eyes reconstruction of eroded Harbison Street
A Harrison street that has eroded because of a lack of storm sewers is expected to be reconstructed in 2023. The township commissioners have applied for a nearly $500,000 state grant to rebuild Harbison Street, which is marked with craters because of water runoff. “This is to remedy a long-standing...
Tarentum eyes more than $2 million in infrastructure grants
Tarentum could be in store for more than $2 million in infrastructure upgrades if the borough is awarded several grants that it applied for this week. Much of the money would be used to replace aging equipment at the borough’s water plant, which dates to the 1930s. More than $1...
St. Margaret Foundation funds free shuttle for senior citizens in Alle-Kiski Valley
Senior citizens from Tarentum to Etna can get free rides to medical appointments thanks to support from the St. Margaret Foundation. The agency last week announced it again will fund an Alle-Kiski Valley shuttle with a $90,500 grant, as well as three other shuttles that transport people between grocery stores,...
Tarentum gets buy-in from resident to help fight blight
Residents of West 10th Avenue in Tarentum can look forward to the cleanup of a habitual eyesore and potential hazard. A buyer plans to pour $40,000 into renovations at 208 W. 10th Ave., Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni said. “This is a house that’s been vacant going on three years,”...
Fawn property taxes hold steady for 25th consecutive year
The Fawn supervisors hit a milestone with the approval of their 2023 budget: The township has not seen a property tax increase in 25 years. “Everything is staying the same,” Township Secretary Pam Ponsart said. Supervisors approved the $1.8 million budget, holding the tax rate steady at 3.04 mills. The...
Harrison holds the line on taxes
Harrison residents won’t face a property tax increase in 2023. The township commissioners on Monday approved the $6.3 million budget and held the tax rate steady at 5.106 mills. The owner of a home assessed at $100,000 again will pay $510. “I’m glad to see we could keep the millage...
Brackenridge Salvation Army plays Santa for more than 200 families
Georgetta Field said she was like a kid in a candy store when a truckload of toys was delivered to the Salvation Army in Brackenridge ahead of the group’s Christmas shop on Wednesday. “We got such nice things,” said Field of Brackenridge, who volunteers year-round at the site with her...
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches hosts free Christmas store for clients
In the social hall at Trinity United Methodist Church in Brackenridge, single father Samajai Williams loaded up a shopping bag with toys, clothes and other goodies to supplement Christmas wish lists from his three children. “I’m so thankful,” the Harrison resident said. “In these post-covid times, a lot of people...
Vintage toy exhibit at Alle-Kiski Valley History Center in Tarentum looks back through the decades
A Tyco train set and official White House tree ornaments are among vintage holiday items on display at the Alle-Kiski History Center in Tarentum. The exhibit takes people on a sentimental walk through the decades, with offerings from the 1920s to the present day. “People have left us toys and...
Lowes employees bring Santa for a visit to Highlands Family Center in Tarentum
Rhylee Griffin had her first-ever meet and greet with Santa on Monday in Tarentum. She slept through the entire visit. The 6-week-old was snuggled by Santa and Mrs. Claus during a Christmas party at Highlands Family Center along East Fourth Avenue. “This is her first time in her life seeing...
Building the Valley: Diamond Antiques and Gifts offers treasure hunt in Tarentum
It’s all about the hunt at Diamond Antiques and Gifts in Tarentum. The vintage goods shop along East Sixth Avenue has two floors chock-full of treasures new and old. Where else might shoppers find a 1920s wooden-handled cookie cutter sitting near a white Melamine bowl decorated with Snap, Crackle and...
Fox Chapel AAUW to present ‘Healthy Longevity’ on Jan. 10
The Fox Chapel Area Affiliate of the American Association of University Women will host “Healthy Longevity” at 10 a.m. Jan. 10. The program will be at Longwood at Oakmont, 500 Route 909, Plum, in The Commons Ballroom. Guest speaker is Laurie Lesoon, director of lifestyle engagement for independent living residents...
Weather cancels Tarentum Night Market finale
Mother Nature is doing a number on Tarentum’s Night Market finale. Organizers canceled Friday’s outdoor event because of the wintry weather expected. An Ice Storm Warning has been issued for portions of western PA and northern WV for tonight and tomorrow. ????The higher elevations of the Allegheny Front from northern...
Tarentum residents will pay the same in real estate, earned income taxes next year
Tarentum Council approved the borough’s final 2023 budget, which holds property taxes at 5.48 mills. Owners of a home assessed at $100,000 will again pay $548 to the borough. Council also agreed to maintain the earned income tax rate of 0.5%, withdrawing a proposal to raise it to 1%. Borough...
Demolition to begin this week on Corbet Street building in Tarentum
Tarentum Council President Scott Dadowski said Santa should have a prime spot to park his sleigh when he flies through the borough in a few weeks. Demolition of 215 Corbet St., a significant building in the heart of town, is expected to begin in days. “We’re hoping to begin this...
Harrison’s fire-ravaged Country Pools & Spas reopens in Freeport
A Harrison pool store that burned to the ground three weeks ago has reopened about a mile down the road in Freeport. Country Pools & Spas is up and running in a shop that formerly housed Classic Tent Rentals at 1179 Butler Road. “I didn’t know how long it would...
Walking trail at Harrison’s Silverlake Park nearly complete
People are flocking to a new trail in Harrison that took barely a few weeks to construct in a park that sat vacant for decades. There wasn’t an official grand opening, but the walking trail is the first step in the commissioners’ plan to resurrect Silverlake Park, sandwiched at the...
Meet Charlie: Highlands School District’s first-ever therapy dog
Trotting through the halls at Highlands Middle School in Harrison, an 8-month-old Labrador retriever is the district’s newest tool to help improve student success. The puppy, Charlie, will be tasked with more than looking cute. “He will increase the overall well-being for students,” said the dog’s owner, Principal Becky Bragan....
