Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 62
Small but mighty, Natrona riverfront trail opens
A small but vital trail link recently opened in Natrona to connect the community park with the Allegheny River shoreline. The strip of land — 10 feet wide and 100 feet long — provides a major impact. “It is critical,” said Bill Godfrey, president of the Natrona Comes Together advocacy...
Highlands looks to combat poor student attendance with rewards, repercussions
Highlands High School Principal Laura Burns said students find greater success in the classroom when they attend school regularly. But getting kids to school appears to be a problem. Administrators are fighting to buoy dismal attendance rates at the high school, as data show that only about 70% of the...
Renovations underway at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel
Cooper-Siegel Community Library created such a buzz when it opened 11 years ago that it lacked ample parking from day one. At long last, the facility along Fox Chapel Road is expanding its parking lot thanks to the purchase of an adjacent property for $350,000 using funds from a bequest...
Original nursing school at Allegheny Valley Hospital set for demolition
Demolition of the nearly century-old former administrative building that abuts Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison is moving forward. The facility is expected to be razed in early October. The cost of the demolition has not yet been determined, said JoAnne Clobus, strategic communications adviser for Allegheny Health Network. Opened in...
Device distribution slated this week at Highlands
Highlands families can pick up their district-issued Chromebooks and iPads during four separate events over the next week. Devices will be doled out from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday and 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 29. The...
Gatto Harley-Davidson moving from Tarentum; watersports, bike sales will remain
A cycle shop that has grown to become a Tarentum institution since opening in 1964 will move part of its operations from the borough. Gatto Cycle Shop announced it will close its Harley-Davidson dealership along East Sixth Avenue. It will merge it with a shop along Glenn Avenue in Shaler,...
Pitt move-in days coincide with high covid levels — masks required indoors
Move-in day at the University of Pittsburgh will mean wearing masks for the estimated 8,000 students lugging their belongings into campus housing starting Saturday. With covid-19 transmission still in the high level in Allegheny County, the university requires masks to be worn indoors, as per CDC guidelines. Face coverings are...
Duquesne man found shot inside vehicle in McKeesport dies
Authorities have identified a man who died after being found shot late Thursday in McKeesport. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said the victim is Maricco Randolph, 32, of Duquesne. Officers responded just before 10 p.m. to the 600 block of Versailles Avenue, where they found multiple shell casings. A...
Route 28 crossover scheduled near Harmar, O’Hara this weekend
A traffic crossover is scheduled for northbound Route 28 in O’Hara and Harmar this weekend. Motorists should be aware of the restrictions, which will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, PennDOT announced. Paving will continue around-the-clock and should wrap up in time for rush hour at 5 a.m. Monday. Work will...
Kennywood, Idlewild host hiring fairs for Halloween-themed events
Ghouls, goblins and other spooky species — it’s your time to shine. Kennywood and Idlewild are hiring more than 350 new “creatures of the night” to bring — er, life — to the parks’ Halloween-themed events. Phantom Fall Fest at Kennywood and HallowBOO at Idlewild are scheduled to open Sept....
North Hills High School hires new assistant principal
A new assistant principal will greet students at North Hills High School this year. Meghan Watelet will begin her post in mid-September. Watelet previously served as assistant principal at Chartiers Valley High School since 2020. “We are excited to welcome Meghan who brings valuable experience to our high school and...
4 injured, 2 buildings collapse in Beaver County fire
Two buildings along Brighton Avenue in Rochester collapsed after fire tore through them overnight, authorities said. Beaver County dispatchers said four people were injured. Crews responded around 2:30 a.m. to the 100 block of Brighton Avenue, where officials believe the fire started in an apartment before spreading to an antique...
Highlands Dems host environmental rally at Harrison Hills
Highlands Dems are hosting an environmental rally Thursday at Harrison Hills, where participants are encouraged to don Super Hero capes and accept the challenge to help climate-friendly candidates get elected in November. “This is a call to action,” said Autumn Monaghan, organizer. “All of us green heroes will channel our...
Move-in day a success for Duquesne’s Class of 2026
It was a big day for more than 1,200 freshmen at Duquesne University on Tuesday. Campus move-in day for the Class of 2026 saw students and families touring the campus, meeting new people and of course, lugging totes full of items into the residential halls. The university hosted an outdoor...
Power restored in Hampton hours after downed tree takes out wires
A portion of Mt. Royal Boulevard in Hampton was closed down Wednesday and residents were without power after a tree fell and knocked down power lines. More than 900 properties have had their power restored, after being without the utility for hours. Duquesne Light crews were on the scene before...
1 person injured in Kittanning fire
One person was injured in a house fire early Wednesday morning in Kittanning, authorities said. Crews responded to scene in the 500 block of North Water Street just before 5 a.m. Armstrong County dispatchers said one person suffered burns and was transported to a hospital. Crews are still on the...
3 people escape Munhall fire, 2 pets rescued, 1 dies
Three people were able to escape a fire that broke out early Wednesday at a Munhall home, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. Crews responded to the home in the 2800 block of Main Street at about 1:50 a.m. Three adults were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Two...
Woman killed in Cecil fire identified
A woman killed in a house fire early Tuesday in Cecil was identified by the Washington County Coroner. Rose Churray, 81, was pronounced dead after a fire at her home along Swihart Road. Emergency crews from six companies responded to the home just before 5:30 a.m. after a passerby observed...
Body recovered from Allegheny River near Acrisure Stadium
A body was found in the Allegheny River near Acrisure Stadium early Tuesday, authorities said. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials confirmed that river rescue responded to the North Shore area at about 7:10 a.m. and recovered a body. The identification and cause of death will come from the Allegheny County Medical...
Phoenix Theatres 18 closing in North Versailles
A North Versailles movie theater that’s served as a town hub for several decades will close in September. The final day for movies at Phoenix Theatres 18, which sits along Lincoln Highway, will be Labor Day. “We know many people have memories of coming to the theatre on dates, family...
Woodland Hills food service workers approve strike authorization
Woodland Hills School District food service workers voted to strike if a new contract isn’t reached soon. Workers have been without a contract since July 1. Members of the Woodland Hills Cafeteria Education Support Personnel (WHCESP) on Monday approved a strike authorization if negotiations fail during an upcoming meeting on...
Woman shot in leg in Homestead
A woman was shot late Monday in Homestead, according to Allegheny County Police. Officers responded at about 10:30 p.m. to the 1200 block of Sarah Street where they found an adult woman with a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was treated at the scene and was in stable...
Building the Valley: Cindy’s Soft Serve and Hometown Food serves up good vibes in Tarentum
A Tarentum diner is offering “good vibes only” through its homestyle cooking and friendly conversation. Cindy’s Soft Serve and Hometown Food, at 309 E. Fourth St., is a 1950s-style eatery with menu items named as an homage to the Alle-Kiski Valley. There’s the Red Cat, a burger with fries and...
Blawnox National Night Out attracts crowds for ice cream, dog walk
Safety checks, doggie treats and free fresh produce awaited crowds who participated in the Blawnox National Night Out. About 150 people converged Aug. 2 on Blawnox Community Park to celebrate the borough and all it has to offer. The advocacy group Best of Blawnox hosted “Ice Cream with a Cop”...
Inmate dies at Allegheny County Jail
A man incarcerated at Allegheny County Jail died Sunday, according to authorities. Ronald James Andrus, 78, of McKees Rocks, was identified in a release by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Andrus was pronounced dead at about 3:15 p.m. The county did not provide further details. However, on Monday, Allegheny...

