Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 69
Sharpsburg library’s little pantry in need of donations
Sharpsburg Community Library leaders are seeking donations, not of books but of food. The Little Free Pantry that sits outside the library entrance on Main Street has been a much-needed complement to the site’s existing services. “If I put something in today, it’s gone by tomorrow,” library Assistant Jamie Cozza...
Valley High grad sells illustrations of St. Vladimir church to assist with church reconstruction
Graphic designer Shane Henderson long has admired the intricate architecture of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Arnold. Even as a child growing up in New Kensington, before developing an eye for art, he recognized the church’s artistry. “I always thought St. Vlad’s was such a cool-looking building and so...
Glassware, furniture and art: Tarentum’s new Vintage Owl has a bit of everything
With every inch of its narrow aisles packed with milk glass, Victorian dolls and embroidered doilies, a new store along West Seventh Avenue in Tarentum is a picker’s dream. The frog-shaped cookie jar and the Hummel figurines, like most of the items at The Vintage Owl, come with a story...
Natrona Heights Presbyterian earns grant for roof repairs
A nearly century-old church situated prominently along Broadview Boulevard in Harrison was among 17 religious sites to earn a recent grant from the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Natrona Heights Presbyterian Church, built in 1928, will receive $5,000 to repair its slate roof. Church Elder Chad Gourley said the roof...
Allegheny Valley Hospital hosts free program on the importance of colon cancer screenings
A free workshop on the dangers of colon cancer, and the benefits of early screening, will be hosted at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison. Surgeon Steven Gribar will present the free seminar April 21 to discuss the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States. “Colorectal cancer is a...
Parents-to-be offered ‘Birthday’ shower in Tarentum
Editor’s Note: This event has been canceled. First United Presbyterian Church in Tarentum is getting decked out for a baby shower where several moms-to-be will be feted but none of the guests will be acquainted. The church at 913 Lock St. is hosting the community event to provide baby items...
Sharpsburg library exhibit shines light on Pennsylvania’s women trailblazers
Journalist Nelly Bly, union organizer Mother Jones and artist Mary Cassatt are among the female trailblazers showcased at the Sharpsburg Community Library for Women’s History Month. “We wanted to highlight sung and unsung women of Pennsylvania and educate people on their contributions,” library Director Sara Mariacher said. The Trailblazing Pennsylvania...
‘High School Musical 2’ will have audience singing, dancing in seats at Highlands
What time is it? Come Friday, it’ll be time for Highlands students to dazzle audiences by dancing across the stage to catchy, up-tempo songs made popular in Disney’s “High School Musical 2: On Stage!” “Being on stage always feels exhilarating, akin to playing sports in a huge stadium in front...
Harrison 2nd Ward commissioner hosting informal get-togethers to identify vision for future
Harrison residents in the 2nd Ward have a chance to build up their neighborhood through a series of small group get-togethers hosted by Commissioner Jamie Nee. Nee was elected to represent the 2nd Ward in November. “I wanted to find out what’s important to them, what will make us strong,”...
Faces of the Valley: Raine Siegel helped shape Highlands musical theater program
Former Highlands Theater Director Raine Siegel finds it miraculous that high schools are able to stage a Broadway musical with just a few months of rehearsal time. As department head from 1992 until her retirement 10 years later, Siegel said it always was wonderful to watch the students discover the...
Highlands eyes $3.2 million in safety upgrades
The Highlands School Board on Monday will consider $3.2 million in safety upgrades that would impact all four campuses. Dan Engen, from DRAW Collective architectural firm, presented design options to the board during its agenda meeting Tuesday night. Work ranges from HVAC to paving to new water coolers. “There is...
First Baptist Church in Tarentum eager to rebuild after covid shutdown
The Rev. Felicia Brock moved to the Alle-Kiski Valley in late 2019 to start a new life as pastor of First Baptist Church in Tarentum. Then covid-19 shut everything down. “When you have a calling from God, you follow it,” said Brock, who relocated from Detroit. “God didn’t tell me...
Community gardens planned near Citizens Hose in Harrison’s Birdville neighborhood
A community garden in the Birdville section of Harrison is expected to be producing crops by summer. The groundbreaking for the one-acre plot adjacent to Citzens Hose Fire-EMS-Rescue is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 24. The public is invited. “We are so excited to move forward with this and...
Highlands students benefit from trauma notice program
Harrison police Chief Mike Klein welcomed the chance to partner with the Highlands Family Center on a program to comfort children suffering from trauma. The Handle with Care initiative, established in November by the Tarentum-based family center, bridges the gap between the Highlands School District and local police by notifying...
Run, walk or swim the St. Margaret Foundation virtual 5k
Runners, dancers, swimmers — even pickleball players — can track their miles to participate in the virtual St. Margaret Foundation 5K in May. The Brian Demchak Hope Challenge, formerly a one-day event in Aspinwall, will take place May 15-21 to raise money for underserved patients at UPMC St. Margaret. Registration...
Medical marijuana dispensary coming to New Kensington
A vacant pizza shop along Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington is expected to become the city’s second medical marijuana dispensary this year. City officials confirmed Zen Leaf, headquartered in Nevada, is set to take over the space formerly leased by Papa John’s across from Giant Eagle and adjacent to...
Tarentum, Brackenridge will consider sharing services
Tarentum and Brackenridge officials will team up to consider sharing certain municipal services to save tax dollars. It’s an idea Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser said makes sense because of the proximity of the two boroughs. “Given the geography, maybe we can, hopefully, look at merging some of our services,” Fraser...
Harrison resident named Pennsylvania’s Miss Agribusiness, with mission to highlight the food chain
Growing up in a suburban neighborhood of Harrison, Emily Rankin’s favorite TV show was “Green Acres.” It was a comedy from the 1960s about a fancy New York couple who moves to a country farm. To this day, she relishes the foibles of Lisa and Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eva Gabor...
Tarentum seeking $2.5 million from state for water system projects
Tarentum is eyeing more than $3 million in water line infrastructure upgrades, with council hoping to land most of the money from the state. Council voted Tuesday to apply for about $2.5 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development. Three projects...
Riverfront Theater Company to present Sondheim’s ‘Company’
A musical comedy about relationships and marriage foibles, which some consider to be composer Stephen Sondheim’s best work, will be staged two weekends in March along the Allegheny River in Aspinwall. “Company” will be presented by Riverfront Theater Company on March 17-19 and March 24-26 at Allegheny RiverTrail Park off...
Dogs get their day at Harrison Hills Park; off-leash area planned by Allegheny County
Dogs will soon have a space to run leash free at Harrison Hills Park, and some local pet owners found the announcement by Allegheny County worthy of a tail-wag. “I’m thrilled,” said Bev Bogan of Harrison. “We have been wanting this for 10 years.” Bogan and others won’t have to...
Teacher strike authorized, but not set, at New Ken-Arnold
Teachers in the New Kensington-Arnold School District authorized a strike if a new contract isn’t reached in the near future. The New Kensington-Arnold Education Association represents 151 teachers and professional staff who have been working without a contract for nearly eight months. Ashley Pujol, union president, did not provide an...
Highlands Elementary students ‘Bite into Books’
Librarian Susan Wilson held up a colorfully illustrated book about a fire-breathing dragon that eats tacos as she announced to the second grade class at Highlands Elementary School that it was time to “Bite into Books.” “Oh my gosh, I thought you really meant we had to eat that book!”...
Harrison zoning board to weigh Aldi proposal for Freeport Road
Harrison residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposal by grocery giant Aldi, whose company officials are eyeing a site along Freeport Road. J.R. Perry, Aldi’s Saxonburg Division vice president, confirmed last month that plans are in the works for a store in the Natrona Heights section...
Tarentum residents will face instant penalty for unsafe, eyesore properties
A new quality-of-life ordinance approved by Tarentum Council is expected to keep residents accountable for their properties, council members said during a meeting Tuesday night. Council enacted new guidelines aimed at keeping properties tidy and safe. The ordinance outlines health and safety requirements that target high grass, junk vehicles and...
