Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 64
Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments moving to Tarentum
The Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments will move its offices to Tarentum after more than three decades in Harmar. The 11-member municipal group will be housed in the Murphy Building on Corbet Street. “There’s more space for conducting business, and it’s easily accessible for every member community,” said Rhoda...
Blawnox walking group offers fitness, friendship
For fitness or fun, a Blawnox group is inviting residents to join them on Mondays for a jaunt around the borough. Knox Walks, hosted by the Best of Blawnox advocacy group, is a weekly trek through the business district and side streets of town. “It’s to exercise or socialize,” organizer...
Demolition of 8 buildings in Tarentum could happen by late summer
Demolition of eight blighted homes in Tarentum could happen as soon as late summer. Code enforcement officer Anthony Bruni said a list will be compiled by July 1 for council’s approval. “Realistically, we could start work by September,” council President Scott Dadowski said. “That would be fantastic to see this...
Vacant Tarentum property to become parking lot
A vacant Tarentum property near the defunct Tarena skating rink is expected to be transformed into a parking lot this year. Bridges & Co., the construction outfit that purchased the Tarena, also is seeking to buy the nearby property at 204 Lock St., zoning officer Anthony Bruni said. “They would...
Allegheny Technologies moves executive headquarters from Pittsburgh to Dallas, officially adopts ATI as company name
A new executive headquarters for one of the region’s largest employers will not diminish its presence in Western Pennsylvania. Allegheny Technologies announced its home base will leave Pittsburgh and relocate to Dallas. At the same time, it adopted ATI as the official company name to match “what most already call...
Highlands Elementary students collect coins for Kendall, a rescue dog with medical issues
A Tarentum foster dog born with his intestines wrapped around several organs is on the road to recovery thanks in part to efforts by Highlands Elementary students. Kendall, an 8-month-old terrier mix housed at Tarentum-based Paws Across Pittsburgh, has undergone three surgeries to fix a multitude of birth defects, including...
Search for new Tarentum manager moving along quickly
The search for a new Tarentum manager is moving at a good clip, according to borough leaders. “We’ve already started to get applicants, and they’re quality people,” council President Scott Dadowski said. “I can’t share too much, but my fingers are crossed that things will be happening in the next...
State officials, Highlands administrators recognize achievements of Sheldon Park students in Harrison
Rising Highlands fourth grader Genisus Prager said the best hack she has learned for getting good grades is to ask questions. “You have to listen and help others, but you also have to know when to ask for help yourself,” said Genisus, 9. Her method appears to have worked. Genisus...
Guardian Angels Parish expected to close 5 of 7 churches
Meager finances and dwindling attendance will force Guardian Angels Parish in Harrison to reduce its seven churches into two campuses later this year. “Decisions to recommend the closing of churches are never easy and never taken lightly,” said the Rev. John Lendvai in a letter to parishioners. “This is a...
Portion of Argonne Drive in Harrison to close for 2 months
A portion of a heavily traveled Harrison road will close in early July for up to two months. Argonne Drive, which runs from Freeport Road near Highlands Middle School to the railroad tracks in Natrona, is scheduled to shut down at 9 a.m. on July 5. Work is part of...
Juneteenth festival Saturday in Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg will host its second annual Juneteenth festival on Saturday, June 25, seeking to promote cultural change in the borough and beyond. Hosted by the Fox Chapel Social Justice group, the event will showcase Black-owned businesses and offer family-friendly fun. “Juneteenth is a holiday of progress that represents the fight...
Highlands residents to see slight tax increase
Highlands School District residents will pay slightly more in property taxes in the coming school year. The board this week approved a $50 million budget that sees the tax rate climb from 24.88 mills to 25.13 mills. It is about a 1% bump. Lori Byron, the district’s executive director of...
Highlands Meals on Wheels to make its last delivery July 1
Dick Potter has been delivering food for the Highlands Meals on Wheels for more than three decades — about a third of his life. At 93, Potter reports three times a week to the kitchen at Citizens Hose firehall in Harrison to package food and hit the road for distribution...
Tarentum seeking councilperson after Adam Blythe resigns
Tarentum is looking for a new council member. Second Ward representative Adam Blythe resigned from council May 31 after citing limited time availability, according to council President Scott Dadowski. “He has a lot on his plate, and he didn’t think it was fair to the borough not to give 100%,”...
Get your fill of shortcakes, tours, artisans and more during Burtner House Strawberry Festival
Jeff Jones spent the past week or so pulling weeds, arranging for Civil War reenactors and slicing strawberries — nearly 60 pounds of the sweet red fruit. As president of the Burtner House Restoration Society, Jones has a variety of odd jobs that need to be done to prep for...
Harrison garden coordinator Jennifer Greenwood aims to grow community spirit
After 14 years in education administration, Harrison resident Jennifer Greenwood is turning her talents away from the confines of the classroom and toward the outdoors. As coordinator for the township’s new community garden off Burtner Road, Greenwood is eager to grow the space into more than a place to pluck...
Faces of the Valley: Pam Seguin works to bring history to life at Harrison’s Burtner House
Sarver resident Pam Seguin considers her volunteer role with the Burtner House Restoration Society a perfect fit. Outside of being transported for a visit to life in the 19th century, nothing could suit her passions better, Seguin joked. The Burtner House, situated on a Harrison hillside near the Route 28...
Tarentum church to celebrate Feast of Corpus Christi with sawdust carpets
A tradition that can be traced to the Black Forest of Germany will continue for nearly the 80th year at Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum. The Corpus Christi Celebration featuring sawdust carpets will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday, June 19, at the church, which is part...
Historic stained glass to be revamped at Central Presbyterian in Tarentum
It’s hard to miss the massive stained-glass windows at Central Presbyterian Church. “When people come in, they’re in awe,” said Gail Taglieri, secretary at the church along Allegheny Street in Tarentum. “It’s such beauty and art. The reverence I feel is a reminder that there’s something greater than ourselves out...
Juneteenth marked by music, dance and art at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall
A series of events at Allegheny RiverTrail Park will mark Juneteenth with music, dance and art. The celebration begins June 17 with a dance class by Afro Love, a Sharpsburg-based group whose mission is to build bridges by sharing African culture. Events culminate June 19 with a free concert by...
Harrison Hills off-leash dog park on pace to open in fall
An off-leash dog space at Harrison Hills Park is on track to open this fall. Joel Perkovich, Allegheny County landscape architect, is eyeing a summer start for construction of the 1.3-acre site along Woodchuck Drive, across from the Laurel Shelter. “It’s a big open field right now,” Perkovich said. “It’s...
Brackenridge playground surface could get $100,000 revamp
The slide at Brackenridge Memorial Park will have a softer landing if the state approves a grant to redo the playground surface. Council is seeking nearly $100,000 through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Borough Engineer Gordon Taylor said that money would pay for a soft rubber pad...
Tarentum Farm Market opens season with fresh flowers, berries and barbecue
It’s fair to say that customers were clamoring for the opening of the Tarentum Farm Market on Wednesday. A small crowd gathered mid-morning, browsing fresh-picked strawberries, pepperoni rolls and specialty cupcakes. The parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church of Tarentum was transformed with colorful flower baskets, bright-red tomatoes and...
O’Hara working to strengthen sustainability through DEP program
O’Hara leaders are working to reduce emissions and combat climate change in the township. The community is among 12 participants across the state to complete a program to mitigate risks and strengthen sustainability. “Council has long been committed to helping improve the environment for our residents and beyond,” township Manager...
Harrison library welcomes children to dive into summer reading with new outdoor storytime
Riverview Memorial Park in Tarentum will transform once a week into a beachfront paradise for an outdoor summer reading program sponsored by the Community Library of Allegheny Valley. The program, “Oceans of Possibilities,” will offer a bevy of literacy activities at the Harrison library on Broadview Boulevard and for the...
