Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 57
Gatto’s Harley-Davidson showroom set to open as watercraft hub in Tarentum
The Harleys have roared out of Gatto Cycle Shop along East Sixth Avenue in Tarentum, and the owners are transitioning the space to all things water-related to meet an increasing local demand. Jet skis and wave runners already are filling the Gatto Cycle Shop Marine Center, which is expected to...
Highlands Area Rotary Choral Festival makes return after 2-year covid hiatus
One of the high notes of the holiday season is back after a two-year covid-related break. The Highlands Area Rotary Club’s choral festival is set to hit the stage Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Highlands High School in Harrison. It features choirs from five districts: Burrell, Freeport Area, Highlands, Kiski Area...
Equus and PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski in New Kensington surpass 100th GED milestone
Diamond Stockfields was hit with family problems as a teen and decided that graduating from Valley High School wasn’t the path for her. Instead, she earned her GED through Equus and PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski. Now working as an EMT, she hopes to attend college in the spring. “I don’t think...
No injuries reported in New Kensington crash that closed Tarentum Bridge Road
A portion of Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington was closed for a short time Friday morning after an SUV flipped between Leechburg Road and Carl Avenue. No injuries were reported, according to New Kensington Fire Department No. 2. Emergency crews responded to the crash just after 7 a.m. near...
First-ever meatloaf dinner fundraiser a whopping success for Harrison Cub Scouts
Meatloaf dinners are paving the way for exciting Cub Scout activities in the new year. Pack 186, based out of Guardian Angels Parish in Harrison, hosted a fundraiser dinner Nov. 6 where more than 300 meals left the church kitchen. “It was the first time we attempted this type of...
Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison to celebrate 50th anniversary
A reluctant merger of two local churches in 1972 has led to a thriving congregation at Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison. Parishioners will mark the 50th anniversary Saturday, celebrating a unity that “accomplished many wonderful things,” longtime member Elaine Sakaluk said. “Now we’re like family,” said Marilyn Gilkey of Cabot....
Tarentum doubling earned income tax to compensate for budget shortfall; millage to remain the same
An updated tentative 2023 budget for Tarentum calls for an increase in the earned income tax from 0.5% to 1%. Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf blamed the increase on a projected $1.2 million general fund deficit. The overall proposed budget for next year of nearly $17 million assumes the borough will...
Pittsburgh’s rock royalty releases ‘A Very Yinzer Christmas’ to benefit people with autism
Legendary Steel City musicians will release a holiday album Friday that might be the ’Burgh-iest musical compilation to ever hit the airwaves. “A Very Yinzer Christmas” features holiday tracks by more than 25 Pittsburgh music icons, including Donnie Iris, The Skyliners, Johnny Angel & the Halos, Bill Deasy and Joe...
Sharpsburg sewer line project will bring minor disruptions for area residents
Sharpsburg residents in the area of 10th to 13th streets can expect slight water disruptions when a major sewer line project is scheduled in early December. Insight Pipe is expected to begin work Dec. 1 along Main Street. “The sewer line in that area needs to be relined,” Manager Christine...
Demand for Murphy Building in Tarentum shows renewed interest in business district
Demand for office suites at the near-century-old Murphy Building in Tarentum is outpacing available space. The large corner building that sat vacant for eight years is breathing new life into the borough’s business district, with offices on the first floor rented at capacity. Owner Dave Rankin has kicked off a...
Handgun among items stolen from vehicles in Harrison; police seek help to identify suspect
Harrison police are seeking information on a person caught on camera entering and stealing from unlocked vehicles in the township. A handgun was among the items stolen, according to police. The suspect was captured by residential security cameras early Sunday ransacking cars along Saxonburg Road, High Street and Jefferson Avenue....
Local schools share in $190 million from state to boost security and mental health programs
By spring, Highlands students will have roving access to health and hygiene supplies, clothes and classroom items to help increase their chances of success in school. The Mobile Support Station will be paid for through a $270,000 state grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency School Safety and...
Winter Ready Rams brings in 200 coats to keep Highlands students warm
Nearly 200 Highlands students will be extra toasty this winter thanks to a warm-clothes collection hosted by the school district community. Parent Christina Faltot spearheaded the Winter Ready Rams drive for the third consecutive year, bringing in coats, hats, scarves and gloves to help students in need. Faltot of Harrison...
Site work expected to begin at Harrison’s mixed-use business park
A mixed-use development off Route 28 in Harrison is expected to move forward in the spring after several years sitting dormant. Brian Clark, consultant for R&Z Harrison Properties, said site work and infrastructure are scheduled to begin on Harrison Point, a 162-acre development near the Tarentum interchange of the expressway...
Highlands Elementary students mark Veterans Day by honoring family members who served
Desert Storm veteran Frank Banks shared a special breakfast Friday morning with fellow serviceman Robert Hayden and his nephews, Grayson and Ezra Killian, at Highlands Elementary School. “I love being here with the kids,” said Hayden, an Air Force veteran and Harrison resident. “It’s a nice event all-around.” The pancake...
Bitter 2021 ATI strike focus of documentary, Zoom discussion
Caustic picket line conversations and fiery union hall debates will take center stage in an upcoming documentary about the bitter 2021 ATI strike that impacted 450 workers in the Alle-Kiski Valley. “Local 1196: A Steelworkers Strike” gives a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of union workers and their families while...
Friends, family of late Vietnam veteran from Freeport hope to secure military honors for him at VA cemetery
Late Freeport resident Bob Johnston served three tours of harrowing conflict in the Vietnam War, running supplies along the Cua Viet River at Dong Ha. He served four years in the Navy, 1965-68, basically living on the water while repelling ground attacks and artillery fire from the enemy. “He made...
Retired Tarentum serviceman gets free roof in time for Veterans Day
Kenneth Snead Sr.’s mom always told him believing is half the battle. Snead recalled her words Thursday while watching contractors install a free roof on his West Eighth Avenue home in Tarentum. “I am so grateful, but I just knew it was gonna happen,” said Snead, 62, an Army veteran....
Sharpsburg residents face 25% tax increase in 2023
Sharpsburg residents could be facing a considerable property tax increase in 2023. Council approved a tentative $4.6 million budget, which includes $1.2 million in a sewer fund and $78,000 in liquid fuels. The proposed budget includes a property tax increase of 2.25 mills, to 9.75. If approved, the owner of...
Sharpsburg expected to benefit from $2 million state grant for older home repairs
Sharpsburg’s aging housing stock could benefit from a $2 million state grant meant to target critical home repairs for low-income, Allegheny County residents, Sharpsburg Mayor Brittany Reno said. Money from the Department of Community and Economic Development was awarded to the nonprofit ACTION Housing for the rehabilitation program. It will...
Abby Major keeps 60th state House seat
Republican incumbent Abby Major secured a win for the state’s new 60th House District against newcomer Democrat Bob George. Unofficial results show Major earned about 69% of the votes compared to George’s 31%. Major had 18,957 votes, compared to George’s 8,507 votes. “Thank you to the people of the Kiski...
Democrat Mandy Steele defeats Republican Ted Tomson in 33rd state House
Mandy Steele, the Democratic candidate for the 33rd State House District, defeated Republican Ted Tomson to represent the newly drawn district that includes Alle-Kiski towns from Harrison to Aspinwall. As of Wednesday afternoon, Steele of Fox Chapel captured about 55% of the votes compared to Tomson of Fawn, who earned...
Building the Valley: The Hot Dog Guys food truck has been serving the Alle-Kiski Valley for 18 years
The average American eats 70 hot dogs every year, according to hotdog.org. Hungry customers easily could down that many — and never repeat a mix of toppings — from The Hot Dog Guys, Alle-Kiski Valley’s roving food truck. “You gotta try the sauerkraut and Potato Stix,” said regular patron Dave...
Tarentum taxes expected to remain steady
Tarentum residents likely will pay the same amount in real estate taxes next year thanks to council’s approval of a tentative budget. The $15 million plan maintains the property tax rate of 5.84 mills, the same as it has been for nearly two decades. If approved, the owner of a...
Christmas in Guyasuta features winter wonderland with elves, lights and Santa
People can escape to a winter wonderland complete with a bonfire and rides through twinkling lights during the fourth annual Christmas in Guyasuta celebration. The event is scheduled Nov. 26 at the wooded grounds of Camp Guyasuta, just off 23rd Street in the Sharpsburg business district. Santa and Mrs. Claus...
