Zach Petroff stories

Ivy Case was probably best known for helping those in need, but her sisters Susan Buerklin and JoAnne Swift describe her as an artist, midwife, humanitarian and an old hippie. Even after her death in May 2021 at age 67, Case’s life’s work of helping others continues. It’s a legacy...

Twelve-year-old Grace Finley did not know if she could finish the race. Her legs burned and her lungs screamed for relief as she peddled. As she entered the “feed zone” part of the race, Grace felt like she was either going “throw up or pass out.” Much like a runner,...

The academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year was presented for board consideration at the Nov. 13 Pine-Richland school board meeting. The academic calendar for next school year will be “relatively unchanged from the past couple of years,” board member Peter Lyons said. One of the changes will be having...

The Pine-Richland school board had a full agenda at the Nov. 13 meeting, but the fate of 12 book titles at the high school and middle schools was top of mind. In what appeared to be a direct rebuttal to last month’s school board meeting, more than 30 people addressed...

The R.A. Lutz Elementary School in Baldwin-Whitehall School District will be the educational home to more than 1,200 elementary students come Jan. 8. The new school replaces W.R. Paynter Elementary School, which was built in 1969. The new three-story building looks to blend modern technology with an emphasis on prioritizing...

Just one vote separates Democrat Ashley Fortier from current school board president Greg DiTullio in Region 1. Republican incumbent and current board treasurer Marc D. Casciani was the top vote-getter in the two-seat race with 1,552. Fortier, a newcomer, has 1,549 votes and DiTullio has 1,548, according to Allegheny County’s...

Move over PlayStation and social media, the players at Edgeworth Bridge Club have a new hobby recommendation for the upcoming generation — the classic card game bridge. “It’s always good to be learning something new,” said 12-year-player and Edgeworth Bridge Club member Terri Tunick. “It’s good to get out of...

Shortly before the ScareHouse at Pittsburgh Mills Mall in Frazer opens, the staff makes final preparations. Much like the backstage of a Broadway show, the cast and crew hurry to make last minute repairs or add the final touches to their costumes. Each Halloween season, thrill-seekers of all ages willingly...

The Pine-Richland school library has not had a formal complaint about a book since July 2013, district Superintendent Brian Miller said at a school board meeting this week. That changed this week when there were complaints filed on more than a dozen separate titles. Former school board member Therese Dawson...

Clad in her performance black and red tutu with gold trim and USA National Jr. Miss Pennsylvania Preteen sash, 10-year-old Brinsley Grace Benson was ready to put on a show. Her crown crown sparkled against the florescent lighting in the community area of the assisted living facility Magnolia Place of...

Gibsonia resident Paul Fetterman measures success by the impact he made off the field. Fetterman, who recently retired as the spotter and game-clock operator for Pine-Richland high school football team, has had many positions throughout his life — dad, veteran, referee, scout, president and even groundskeeper. However, there is one...

Voters in the Pine-Richland School District will be asked select five of the 10 school board candidates from three regions on Nov. 7. According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, in Region 1, incumbents Greg DiTullio and Mark Casciani are the Republican candidates running against Democrats...

The sound of the applause was so overwhelming, it required a second round of audience voting to distinguish which band would be the hailed victor for the first Battle of the Bands concert held in Bethel Park. “I know there were other people cheering, but we were so loud, I...

All three wards will have contested races for Franklin Park Council on the Nov. 7 ballot. Incumbent Democrat Jiang Li, from Ward 1, will face off against Republican Douglas Kush. In Ward 2, Laura E Czekaj, a Democrat, is running against Republican Mark Butterfiled. Incumbent Democrat Brian Malkin is running...

Matthew Brungo is facing off against Eric Fischer in the Nov. 7 election for magisterial district judge seat in the district covering Bradford Woods, Marshall, McCandless and Pine. The pending retirement of Magisterial District Judge William K. Wagner has created an vacancy in District 05-02-12. Brungo is the Republican candidate,...

Bernadine Novak celebrated her 85th birthday at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in O’Hara Township. While cemeteries are not a typical place for a surprise birthday party, Novak was all smiles as she approached the gravesite surrounded by her loved ones. Her birthday celebration coincided with the fulfillment of a 65-year...

The Pine-Richland School District is relying on its most valuable asset to help with resources to support the English Language Arts curriculum for ninth graders — they are asking student’s for their input to choose which book will be used. “We’re encouraging our high school students if they’re interested, not...

Once 14-year-old Katie Steinfurth has a goal in mind, there is little that can stand in her way on her path to accomplish it. The Quaker Valley High School student maintains above a 4.0 grade point average, competes on the track and cross country team, and participates in student council...