Tony LaRussa stories, Page 99
McCandless police chief returns to duty after suspension
McCandless police Chief David DiSanti returned to work Feb. 18 after agreeing to a corrective action plan developed after he was suspended from duty when a female officer accused him of engaging in inappropriate behavior toward her, officials said. DiSanti was placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 29 while town...
Thousands raised for Ross man who lost uninsured home in fire
Fundraising for a Ross Township man whose uninsured home was destroyed by fire last week has exceeded half its goal, so far. A GoFundMe page was set up to collect contributions for Chris Fromme, who lost all of his posessions in a fire that destroyed his home along Pittview Road...
15 North Allegheny students to be inducted into National Technical Honor Society
Fifteen North Allegheny High School students attending the A.W. Beattie Career Center will be inducted in to the National Technical Honor Society this year, district officials announced. To be considered for the honor, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have a...
Nominations for 24th North Hills Sports Hall of Fame open through April 1
Nominations for the North Hills School District’s 24th annual Sports Hall of Fame are being accepted through April 1. Each year the district honors alumni who have distinguished themselves in athletics during or after the years they attended North Hills High School or the former West View High School. Inductees...
North Allegheny’s IT director nets statewide tech association’s top honor
The director of information and technology for the North Allegheny School District recently was selected as the 2019 Chief Technology Officer of the Year by a statewide technology association. Richard Platts, who joined the district in n January 2017, received the honor by the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and...
North Hills partnering with Apple for free family tech workshops at Ross Park Mall
A series of free Family Technology Workshops is being offered at the Apple Store in the Ross Park Mall through a partnership with the North Hills School District. The program will cover the operating system features on the iPhone and iPad that help users become more aware of how their...
Ross Commissioner DeMarco reappointed to Northland Library board of directors
Ross Commissioner Dan DeMarco has been reappointed to a five-year term as the township’s representative on the board of the directors for Northland Public Library. Commissioner voted unanimously on Feb. 11 to reappoint DeMarco, who represents the township’s 2nd Ward and is vice president of the board of commissioners. He...
Suspended McCandless chief planning Feb. 18 return to duty
Suspended McCandless police chief David DiSanti has received the corrective action plan he must implement before he can return to work. Attorney Timothy P. O’Brien, who represents DiSanti, said Tuesday that the chief will agree to the terms of the plan and return to work on Feb. 18. DiSanti was...
Ross tables vote on proposed Perry Highway project amid concerns about impact on neighborhood
Ross commissioners have decided to take more time to review a developer’s plan to tear the former liquor store building along Perry Highway and replace it with an apartment and retail complex amid concerns that the project may have a negative impact on surrounding properties. Curtis Kossman is proposing to...
Etna hosting free ‘winter street skate’ Feb. 24
Etna residents can help beat the winter doldrums by gathering with their neighbors for an evening of outdoor fun at the 3rd annual Etna Winter Street Skate on Sunday, Feb. 24. The borough will set up a portable ice skating rink in the middle of the street for the free...
Ross zoning change bans political, other signs along public roads
For people seeking elected office, putting signs along well-traveled roads and busy intersections can be just the ticket for building name recognition. But for the folks who have to look at the sea of signs dotting the landscape, they’re no more than litter on a stick. On Monday, Ross commissioners...
Board delays vote to OK Ross Park Mall project until pedestrian access improved
Several Ross commissioners on Monday praised plans to tear down the vacant Sears store at the Ross Park Mall and replace it with businesses that can help expand its attractiveness as a destination for more than just shopping. Despite their desire to see one of the township’s biggest taxpayers make...
Marshall seeking residents to fill openings on township advisory boards
Marshall Township is seeking applicants for openings on three groups that advise the board of supervisors. Residents who want to be considered for the positions should send a letter of interest and qualifications to: Marshall Township, Attn: Julie Bastianini, Township Manager, 525 Pleasant Hill Rd., Suite #100, Wexford, PA 15090....
Ross Township naming new service award after Tree of Life shooting victim and his wife
Ross Township officials know that each year, countless residents quietly use their time and talents to make the community a better place to live. The board of commissioners think acknowledging some of those people might be a good way to inspire others to community service. The township’s inaugural Distinguished Service...
Free well, spring water testing available through Duquesne University study
Pittsburgh area residents who rely on wells or natural springs can get a free test of their water’s quality. The tests are being done as part of a research study by Duquesne University professor John F. Stolz, who is creating a map of water well and spring locations throughout the...
Ross reviewing redevelopment plans for former liquor store on Perry Highway
Ross Township commissioners on Monday will consider granting preliminary approval for a proposal to tear down the former state liquor store building on Perry Highway to make room for an apartment and retail complex. Kossman Development Co. want to construct a 4-story apartment complex with 120 units dubbed Perry View...
Meeting tonight to outline McKnight Elementary construction plans
North Allegheny School District residents with school-age children in the McKnight Elementary School attendance area can learn more about the planned expansion of the school during a meeting this evening. The Feb. 11 meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the school, which is located at 500 Cumberland...
North Hills expanding annual ‘THON’ charity fund-raiser to 3 separate events
For the past four years, North Hills High School students have been hosting a dance marathon to raise money for charity. Based on the legendary annual dance marathon held at Penn State University known as “THON,” North Hills is taking the popular and successful idea a few dance steps forward...
March 22 dinner slated to mark Bradford Woods Conservancy’s 25th year
The Bradford Woods Conservancy will mark a quarter century as stewards of the borough’s 4.5-acre nature reserve with an anniversary dinner on March 22. The event starts at 6:30 at the firehall and will include entertainment by the Echo Valley Bluegrass Band and dinner provided by Mitch’s BBQ in Marshall...
Plan giving suspended McCandless police chief pathway to return to duty expected next week
A corrective action plan that McCandless’ suspended police chief must agree to before returning to duty is expected to be completed within a week, according to the town’s lawyer. Chief David DiSanti was placed on paid administrative leave on Oct. 29 while town officials investigated allegations from a female officer...
Nominating petitions for spring primary in Allegheny County available Feb. 12
Allegheny County residents interested in seeking their party’s nod in the upcoming municipal primary can pick up nominating petitions starting on Tuesday. Petitions for all elected offices on the May 21 ballot with the exception of state judicial seats are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the county...
Cranberry medic secretly filmed 4 women in restroom, police say
A Cranberry Township medic has been charged with using a phone camera to secretly record women using the restroom at his EMS station. Matthew Thomas Leonard, 37, has been suspended without pay as police investigate. Police were first called to the Cranberry Township EMS station along Rochester Road on Jan....
Ross Park Mall hosting free Chinese New Year celebration Saturday to mark Year of the Pig
North Hills residents can celebrate Chinese New Year at the Ross Park Mall on Saturday with a variety of performances, food and other activities focusing on Chinese culture. The free event in the mall’s Center Court runs from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be colorful performances by the Yanlai...
McCandless Democrats hosting fundraiser at Sieb’s Pub
Democrats in the North Hills will gather Feb. 28 for a fundraiser to support the McCandless Democratic Committee. The event will be held at Sieb’s Pub starting at 6:30 p.m. Participants will be able to meet committee members, elected officials and potential candidates for the upcoming election. A 50-50 raffle...
Ross swears in 5 new cops; 4 more could come on board this year
Five recently hired Ross Township police officers were sworn in on Feb. 4 by District Judge Richard Opiela. The officers — Nathan Roy, Christopher Shortley, Troy Modrak, Kevin Novak and Jason Gilotty — were hired by unanimous vote on Jan. 7. The new officers will be paired with a field...

