Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 91
Sharpsburg’s Kayla Portis becomes borough’s first Black councilpersonVideo
It seems only fitting that Sharpsburg resident Kayla Portis made history last month with her appointment as the first Black person to serve on borough council. A fourth-generation Sharpsburg resident, Portis’ trailblazing grandfather Charles Smith was the first Black Commander at the VFW Post 709 along Main Street. A mural...
Week in review: Here is a look at some of the top stories from The Herald for the week of March 14, 2021Video
Here are some of The Herald’s top stories for the week of March 14: • Aspinwall considers $2 million in traffic upgrades Aspinwall council is taking a look at how to improve parking, crosswalks and traffic flow in the borough. Projects could begin this spring and, over the course of...
Shady Side Academy hires new director of enrollment
The new director of enrollment at Shady Side Academy is poised to seize and build on current momentum at the private school. Bayh Sullivan will start in the position on July 1, taking the place of Katie Mihm who is retiring after 22 years leading admissions at the school. “Shady...
Etna, Shaler, Millvale honored as Banner Communities
Etna, Millvale and Shaler were honored as Banner Communities last week, reinforcing diligent work by the three local governments. Hampton Shaler Water Authority was also recognized. A total of 71 communities and five municipal authorities were lauded by the Allegheny League of Municipalities and Allegheny County, recognized for careful spending,...
Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company to host annual Good Friday fish fry
More than 1,000 pieces of fish will hit the fryers at Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Good Friday fundraiser. The April 2 event will offer eat-in and takeout service in hopes of reeling in profits for the fire department. Sandwiches, dinners and a la carte items will be served from...
Sharpsburg garden benefits from Sisters of St. Joseph grant
The Sharpsburg Market Garden is among several groups to receive a grant from the Sisters of St. Joseph to help provide fresh produce and stave off hunger in local communities. Garden director Ruth Ann McGarry said her group will use the money to purchase supplements for the soil and also...
Aspinwall has joined the North Hills COG
Aspinwall is now a member of the North Hills Councils of Government (COG), leaving its longtime membership at the Allegheny Valley North group. Council green-lighted the move, saying the change was based largely on logistics. “The AVNCOG was great and served Aspinwall well,” council president Tim McLaughlin said. “However, we...
Squaw Run Road in Fox Chapel will become Hemlock Hollow Road
In a nod to the borough’s early years, Fox Chapel council voted on Monday night to rename Squaw Run Road to Hemlock Hollow Road, bringing an end to a nine-month conflict on how to remove the slur “Squaw” from place names. The change to one of the borough’s most heavily...
O’Hara resident, Allegheny County assistant district attorney, seeking Magistrate position
Running on a platform of experience and commitment, Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Megan Sasinoski is seeking election for Magisterial District Judge in Sharpsburg. The first-time candidate is a lifelong O’Hara resident who hopes to bring her courtroom experience to the job. “I have done literally thousands of cases in...
Shady Side Academy faculty, staff can be vaccinated Friday at on-campus clinic
Shady Side Academy faculty and staff will have the chance to be vaccinated against covid-19 during a clinic Friday on campus. It is one of two on-campus clinics that will be offered over the next month through Rite Aid, which will administer the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer shots to school...
Richland Elementary first grader reaches goal of collecting 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for Hampton Fields Village
Richland Elementary first-grader Brielle Connelly hasn’t been a Girl Scout all that long, but she takes the oath to heart. The 6-year-old set out recently to spread kindness in a big way by collecting 100 boxes of cookies for the residents at Hampton Fields Village, a UPMC independent living retirement...
Aspinwall, Fox Chapel, Indiana, O’Hara and Sharpsburg named Banner Communities
Several Fox Chapel Area municipalities were named this week as Banner Communities for their prudent finances, transparency and proactive communications. A total of 71 communities and five municipal authorities were lauded by the Allegheny League of Municipalities and Allegheny County, among them Aspinwall, Fox Chapel, Indiana Township, O’Hara and Sharpsburg....
Take a spring lantern walk to benefit Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy
The public is encouraged to put on their hiking boots and hit the trail at Riding Meadow Park in Fox Chapel for a good cause. The Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy is hosting a spring lantern forest walk at sundown on March 20, the first day of spring. Lanterns will illuminate...
People invited to participate in ‘Waves of Gratitude’ public art exhibit at Aspinwall Riverfront Park
Following an unprecedented year of isolation and hardship, Aspinwall Riverfront Park wants to know what you are grateful for. Be it your job, your family or your pet guinea pig — an answer which four people have already submitted — park directors will include your attitude of gratitude in a...
Fox Chapel Area teachers to be vaccinated as early as this week; school board approves full-time return to class
Fox Chapel Area teachers will be scheduled for a covid-19 vaccination as early as this week, school officials announced Monday. At the same time, the school board voted to return middle school and high school students to full-time, in-person education beginning March 15. “Personnel may begin to receive invitations (for...
Aspinwall council to consider more than $2 million in traffic upgrades
Aspinwall council will consider more than $2 million in traffic upgrades along Freeport Road that include increased parking, safer crosswalks and a directional change along Eastern Avenue. Council heard from consultants, TranSystems, during its March agenda meeting about a plan to improve safety for pedestrians and bikers, as well as...
Week in review: The Herald’s top stories for the week of March 1, 2021Video
Here’s a look at The Herald’s top stories for the week of March 1: • George McBriar steps down at Blawnox VFC Blawnox fire Chief George McBriar retired after 32 years on the job, saying it was time to relax. He has been a staple of Lower Valley emergency services...
New director at Etna Community Organization demonstrates commitment to the borough
Armed with a passion for her small river town and a desire for its revitalization, Megan Tunon has taken the lead at the Etna Community Organization. A seven-year resident of the borough who also serves on council, Tunon hopes to advance projects of the Etna EcoDistrict and expand on the...
Blawnox launches Adopt-A-Block program to keep borough clean
Blawnox is launching a new beautification program in the weeks leading up to Earth Day. Adopt-A-Block is a volunteer initiative designed to rid the streets of litter and other debris. Spearheaded by residents Casey Cunningham and Leah Krenn, it is a simple way to show community pride, the duo said....
Aspinwall resident, former Allegheny County assistant district attorney, seeking District Judge position
A former Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney is calling for increased diversity in the court system and will seek to fill the vacant magistrate office in Sharpsburg. Jen Evashavik, an Aspinwall resident for more than 20 years, said she has worked tirelessly through both her professional and personal life to...
Neighbor Spotlight: Blawnox fire chief, coordinator of Allegheny County Swiftwater Rescue Team, retires after 32 years
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Neighbor Spotlight: Etna pastor, a North Hills native, works to build communityVideo
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
3 UPMC St. Margaret nurses honored with Pitt’s Cameos of Caring award
For their bedside manner and for giving priority to patient care, three UPMC St. Margaret nurses were honored with the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing’s Cameos of Caring award. Meghan Jones of Edgewood, Amber Cole of Verona and Karen Coyne of Burgettstown were chosen for the top honors. “Cameos...
Glenshaw church hosting Fill-A-Truck food fundraiser to benefit Etna food bank
Members of Glenshaw Presbyterian Church are campaigning for an even larger than usual turnout for their Fill-A-Truck event to help feed the hungry. The increased need for food pantry services during covid-19 has caused a 33% spike in the number of patrons at Bread of Life food pantry in Etna,...
Spring programs at Lauri Ann West Community Center include STEAM classes
Spring programs that include STEAM classes and art lessons begin this week at Lauri Ann West Community Center in O’Hara. Jamie Rhoades, director of development, said the staff wanted to utilize the Maker Studio for creative, hands-on science- and engineering-related activities, in addition to the usual sports and ballet sessions....
