Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 59
Noise complaints prompt regulations at Hartwood Acres
Hartwood Acres is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in Allegheny County, but, starting next year, revelers will need to comply with scaled-back noise and time guidelines. “The township has received complaints of excessive noise from events at the mansion,” Indiana Township Manager Dan Anderson said. The 629-acre park...
‘Music Along the Trail’ scheduled at Aspinwall park
There will be ‘Music Along the Trail’ Oct. 23 in Aspinwall. Fox Chapel Area senior Nathan Moore, in pursuit of his Eagle Scout rank, has organized a free community concert at Allegheny RiverTrail Park. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. It is free for all ages and will feature...
Unique observatory in O’Hara opens galaxy of opportunity
Patients at the H.J. Heinz III campus of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System are defying physical limitations to study the mysteries of the skies thanks to the opening of an observatory at the O’Hara campus. The Sky Shed Observatory is the first of its kind in VA systems across the...
Harrison mulls hiring consultant to guide township in manager search
The Harrison commissioners might seek outside help to hire the township’s next manager. Chairman Gary Meanor said the board is discussing the need for a consultant to guide the process. “We have a job description but would like an outside agency to help with reviewing it along with recommendations on...
Ball fields in Harrison get spruced up thanks to township, ATI and Western PA Conservancy
Youth baseball and softball fields on Highlands School District property are being spruced up with more than a dozen trees this month through a project with the Western PA Conservancy. The planting project in Harrison also includes five trees on Broadview Boulevard and six along Federal Street in the township’s...
Historian Tom Powers tapped to author Blawnox centennial book
When the village of Hoboken — current-day Blawnox — was first laid out in the late 1860s, it was created to support the contractors, and later the employees, of the now-gone Allegheny County Workhouse in neighboring O’Hara. “When Hoboken was first laid out, it was just another land deal,” historian...
Tarentum, Harmar secure Allegheny County grants to fight blight
Tarentum and Harmar were among 33 Allegheny County communities last week to be awarded a total of $2.1 million in grants to address blight. Money was made available through the Act 152 Demolition Fund, now in its second year. Tarentum will receive $35,000 to raze three structures; Harmar will get...
Mary Queen of Apostles’ students, crew prepare ‘Wonktoberfest’ to benefit musical
Bailey Linza likened high school musical theater to finding the golden ticket. She and two classmates at St. Joseph High School in Harrison reaped such joy from their production experiences that they have offered to head up a fall show for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School in New...
Brackenridge playground slated for safety upgrade
The popular playground at Brackenridge Memorial Park will get a surface makeover to boost safety and cut maintenance costs. In a recent round of state funding, the borough received word that it will get about $95,400 from the Greenway, Trails and Recreation Program. “It will be used for safety improvements,”...
Harmar District 3 voters get new polling site
Some Harmar residents will have a new polling site beginning in November. Residents of District 3, who previously voted at the old public works garage along Russellton Road, will now cast their ballots at Pittsburgh’s Syria Shriners center. “In August, the township finalized the sale of 841 Russellton Road,” Manager...
Warrants issued for Tarentum brothers for their role in ‘gun battle’ in Sheldon Park public housing in Harrison
Two brothers from Tarentum have been charged with attempted homicide, as they are accused of shooting at people in a Sheldon Park apartment early Thursday in Harrison. Troy Vickers, 30, and Brian Vickers, 19, are each also charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, conspiracy and firearms violations in what Allegheny...
Summit Hose celebrates members for 50-year milestone
Tarentum resident David Kengor’s life changed forever just by hanging out with friends at a pizza shop across from the Summit Hose fire hall. “We were all young teenagers, and some of the firefighters came over and said they were starting a junior department — the first one in the...
St. Joe’s student-run Spartan Streaming allows online viewers to catch up with sports, events
Watch out Bob Costas, 16-year-old Nicholas Sarno is coming for your job. A junior at St. Joseph High School in Harrison, Sarno isn’t shy in front of the camera. He has become the voice of the Spartans sports teams, providing play-by-play for basketball, volleyball and other games for online audiences...
Tarentum seeks creative crafters for 14th scarecrow contest
Witches and ghosts, step aside. It’s time for scarecrows to have a moment in the spotlight. The Tarentum Recreation Board launched its 14th annual scarecrow contest Monday, with entries competing for a $100 top prize. “They are so creative every year,” said Carrie Fox, recreation board president. “We appreciate everyone’s...
Drive-through food distribution open to Alle-Kiski Valley residents
Tarentum resident Rayann Urbanski plucked large bundles of kale from boxes outside Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer and placed them in more than 300 vehicles waiting in line at a recent drive-through food distribution. “Everyone seems to really appreciate the help,” said Urbanski, a Highlands and Pitt grad who now works...
Sheldon Park’s first-ever Fall Fest aims to create unity among residents
A pair of relatively new Sheldon Park residents is working to provide year-round activities that create unity in the Harrison neighborhood. Elizabeth Rivera and Monica Squires are organizing a Fall Fest for all ages Oct. 22 that will offer pumpkins, games and maybe even a hayride. “What we’re looking to...
Single-lane restrictions begin Monday along Route 28 near Highland Park Bridge
Motorists who travel along northbound Route 28 in O’Hara and Sharpsburg should allow extra time next week. Single-lane restrictions are scheduled to begin Monday, according to PennDOT. Crews from Swank Construction Company will be installing new signs. Work will begin at about 7 a.m., just before rush hour, and will...
Penn Salt Museum will give visitors glimpse into Natrona’s historic significance
Polish immigrants Stanley and Josephine Lapczynski arrived in the Natrona section of Harrison before the turn of the 20th century and settled into a cottage at 34 Federal St. The couple raised six children in the four-room house owned by Penn Salt Manufacturing Co., which abutted the Allegheny River and...
Family, friends hope for news on Tarentum woman missing more than 5 weeks
Family and friends of missing Tarentum woman Tonya Sadecky are holding out hope that she will be found safe after last being seen Aug. 28. “I drive around, up and down the streets just hoping that I’ll see her,” said Sadecky’s mother, Carol Richardson. Allegheny County Police on Thursday issued...
Lower Burrell author Tamara Girardi visits Highlands classrooms; Rotary and Lions gift books to students
A Lower Burrell author joined the Tarentum Lions Club and the Highlands Area Rotary on Tuesday to spark a passion for literacy in young students. Kindergartners at Highlands Early Childhood Center were paid a visit by Tamara Girardi, author of “Why, Daddy? Why?,” who read aloud to the youngsters in...
Blawnox seeks code enforcement officer to help keep town in shape
Blawnox is seeking to hire a code enforcement officer — and the search is becoming a bit frustrating for administration officials after not being able to fill the position for at least eight months. “It’s been a struggle,” Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said. “Code enforcement is one of the most important...
Shaler Area students rally to protect Girty’s Run farmland
A project to protect green space and fill it with clusters of endangered butterflies has taken flight at Shaler Area High School. Students in the district’s Sustainability class have partnered with the Sewickley-based nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust on a fundraiser to preserve former farmland in Reserve and Shaler. The parcel...
Harrison’s Hunger Walk to raise awareness of food insecurity
A tradition for more than 40 years to help feed the needy will continue Sunday in Harrison. The Hunger Walk will step off at 1 p.m. from Heights Plaza along Freeport Road. Hosted by the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches (AVAC), the walk attracts about 50 people who traverse a...
Allegheny County Police seek help finding Frazer woman last seen Sept. 11
Allegheny County Police are seeking help to find a Frazer woman they fear may have been kidnapped. They believe Darlene Harbison, 59, who was last seen Sept. 11, disappeared at the hands of her boyfriend, Eric Gibbs, with whom she had a volatile relationship, according to county police. Gibbs, 57,...
Faces of the Valley: Highlands graduate Josephine Vance earns prestigious $25,000 Statler Foundation scholarship at IUP
If her dream came true, Highlands graduate Josephine Vance would someday work as a Disney wedding planner and coordinate events at the happiest place on Earth. A senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Vance just got a major boost toward her goal, earning the prestigious Statler Foundation Scholarship of Excellence...
