Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 60
St. Joseph High School offers clubs as way to engage students, ignite passions
A new club at St. Joseph High School in Harrison is seeking to give female students an emboldened voice. Empowering Women was spearheaded by junior Jennifer Phan, who said students can only benefit through the open dialogue created by the new club. “We thought it was something we needed,” said...
Prospect Cemetery Ghost Tour brings history to life in Brackenridge
Self-described history buff Fran Jones can’t wait to dress up as long-deceased Tarentum townswoman Annie Walker and share her story during the annual Prospect Cemetery Ghost Tour. “Actually, most of my story is really talking about her husband, (Dr. A.F.) ‘Daddy’ Walker, a most popular figure in local history,” Jones...
St. Ladislaus group lobbies for shrine designation at Natrona church
Longtime Natrona resident Conrad Zylinski attended the former St. Ladislaus Elementary School in the 1960s and served as an altar boy at the magnificent domed church on Spruce Street. He no longer attends Mass every week but said he sees the significance of the 118-year-old church to the community. Zylinski...
Haunted Mine offers hair-raising scares at abandoned Fawn site
Enter if you dare. Dark and dank, the narrow passages that wind deep underground at Tour-Ed Mine and Museum in Fawn have transformed into a frightening Halloween attraction seeking only the bravest souls to wander through. “We play off your natural phobias here, so we’re talking rats, bats and spiders,”...
Blawnox VFC hosting blood drive to assist critical shortage
An upcoming blood drive sponsored by the Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company is aimed at helping people in the community and beyond. Victor Eperthener, department member and blood drive coordinator, said, “We want to help people all across the Pittsburgh area.” The event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m....
Harrison Manager John Pallone resigns after 6 months
Harrison Manager John Pallone has resigned after six months on the job. Pallone, a former five-term state legislator and superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District, was not immediately available for comment. The township commissioners accepted his resignation during their meeting Monday. At least one commissioner said he believes Pallone...
Haunted Guyasuta returns with fright-filled festivities
Fright will abound in the forest during the annual Haunted Guyasuta event at the Boy Scout camp in O’Hara. The Halloween-themed festival is scheduled for Oct. 15 and offers both fun and fear, depending on the time of day. Pumpkin patches, hayrides and other non-scary activities will run from 3...
Building the Valley: One of nation’s largest building wholesalers sets up in Harmar
One of the nation’s largest building suppliers has opened a location in Harmar. ABC Supply Co. opened its doors Aug. 1 at 460 Nixon Road. “We’re a 40,000-plus-square-foot, all-under-roof supplier,” said site manager Mike Mrakovich. “We will be a one-stop shop for the Cheswick community and surrounding areas.” The facility...
More than 7,000 participate in Pittsburgh Great Race
More than 7,000 runners and walkers laced up their shoes to participate Sunday in the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race. Rain was no deterrent for the largest 10K in the state, which marked its 45th year. Squirrel Hill runners Nick Wolk and Jennifer Bigham were first to...
Donor families honored for gift of life at the CORE ceremony
Antwon Rice Sr. of Homewood was shot twice in the head during a crime in April 2020. When he died, his mother, Yolanda White made the difficult decision to donate his kidney and liver through the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), headquartered in O’Hara. “I didn’t even know...
Polkamaniacs concert at Harrison Hills draws a crowd of young and old
Gloria Parobeck alerted everyone on her Brackenridge street that a polka concert was coming to Harrison Hills Park on Saturday. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Parobeck said. “I even brought my German shepherd, Sunshine, because she’s 100% Polish since she joined the family.” About 100 people lounged...
German music, stein-holding contest highlight Vandergrift’s Oktoberfest
Beer flowed and brats sizzled Saturday during Vandergrift’s first-ever Bavarian-themed craft fair. Oktoberfest, co-sponsored by Allusion Brewing Co. and the Vandergrift Business Association, transformed portions of Grant and Columbia avenues into a lively celebration complete with authentic German music, dancing and a stein-holding contest. “We’re hoping to do our best...
Harrison kayak launch parking lot inching closer to reality
Good news keeps rolling in for park-goers in Harrison. The township will receive $70,100 from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for work on its kayak launch parking lot in the Natrona section. The grant covers about half of the $141,000 cost to transform a vacant lot into...
Aspinwall, O’Hara parks land state grants to improve and expand green space
Park users in Aspinwall and O’Hara will benefit from a round of state grants aimed at green space upgrades. Sites in both communities will see significant benefits thanks to grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Sept. 7. O’Hara Township will receive $62,500 for development of the...
Fawn Fire Company No. 2 boosts wildfire gear with state grant
Volunteers at Fawn Fire Company No. 2 will be better equipped to fight wildfires thanks to new gear and equipment. Phillip Smozski, fire lieutenant, said the department plans to outfit its utility terrain vehicle with $1,600 in firefighting equipment that includes fire rakes and Indian packs, or portable pump tanks....
Allegheny RiverTrail Park ready to Rock the River
Allegheny RiverTrail Park is getting ready to “Rock the River” one final time before fall with a concert on Sept. 30. Scott, Rob and Greg of longtime Pittsburgh-band, The Clarks, will perform for free at 7 p.m. in the welcome center pavilion. The large, open space provides for excellent acoustics...
Tarentum’s Pasta King gives takeout the royal treatment
Tarentum resident Dale Davis has earned his title as the pasta king. A longtime chef in restaurants across the Pittsburgh region, Davis made the leap to open the soul food takeout eatery Pasta King at 621 E. First Ave. in Tarentum just more than a year ago. “I started way...
Aspinwall Fireman’s Park pavilion eyed for upgrades
People who use Fireman’s Park in Aspinwall will notice significant upgrades in coming months to the site off West Ninth Street. The state awarded the borough a $45,290 grant on Sept. 19 to renovate the park pavilion. “The borough is thrilled to receive the grant to update our beloved Fireman’s...
Polkamaniacs to perform at Harrison Hills: ‘It ain’t your grandpa’s polka’
An eight-piece band in matching blue plaid suits will perform Saturday in Harrison Hills Park, and the musicians have a message for anyone who might attend: “It ain’t your grandpa’s polka.” “We’re a king-size plaidtastic stage show that no audience can resist,” said Michael Devine, a member of the Polkamaniacs....
Tarentum seeking nearly $300,000 in grants for 2 water line projects
Tarentum Council is eyeing more than $300,000 in grants from Allegheny County to improve borough infrastructure. Council last week approved two applications to the county Department of Economic Development for projects along West 11th Avenue and Collins Way. “Ultimately, both projects are about the safety of our residents,” Manager Dwight...
Travel alert: Long-term single-lane restrictions along Route 28 begin this week
More traffic delays are likely along Route 28 beginning Wednesday, when single-lane restrictions take effect near O’Hara and Aspinwall, PennDOT announced. Work will begin at 6 a.m. in the northbound lanes and is expected to be ongoing through mid-October. Restrictions will be in place from Exit 7 (Delafield Avenue off-ramp)...
‘Winter Ready Rams’ seeks coats, hoodies for students in need
Highlands volunteers are seeking to build a community of warm hands and hearts through a coat collection for needy district students. Parent Christina Faltot of Harrison has launched her third annual “Winter Ready Rams” drive, which runs through October. “Knowing even one student will be warmer this winter is enough...
Highlands Middle School offers clubs as way to grab and keep students’ interest
New Highlands Middle School Principal Becky Bragan started the school year with a goal to boost student engagement. So far, she’s crushing it. With support from the district administration, Bragan tweaked the class schedules so students end each day in an advisory period where several times a week they participate...
Highlands High School could be ‘Going Green’ with proposed greenhouse project
By this time next year, Highlands High School students could be getting their hands dirty in the name of sustainable learning. Senior Eli Majocha proposed to the school board on Monday plans for a greenhouse to be constructed on the Pacific Avenue campus, saying the initiative would help tackle health...
Allegheny Valley Hospital promotes healthy eating with first farmer’s market
Allegheny Valley Hospital hosted its first farmer’s market in Harrison on Thursday with a fresh array of veggies, meats and pastries. Hospital officials said the event was aimed at celebrating nearby farmers and bakers because the cafeteria uses locally-sourced items to supply its kitchen. Represented at the market were Old...
