Fox Chapel Herald category
Fox Chapel grad finds success as freshman on Washington & Jefferson mats
Sonnie Blanco likes to watch Jack Viti employ his unorthodox wrestling style. What the Washington & Jefferson coach would like to see Viti do more of is lead the dance. When Viti is in situations he feels comfortable, he employs a funky style that befuddles his opponents. Viti, a 2025...
Fox Chapel Herald notebook: Shady Side Academy boys headed to state tournament
The Shady Side Academy boys basketball team didn’t quite finish its Cinderella run through the WPIAL Class 3A boys playoffs. But the Bulldogs springing two upsets and reaching the semifinals means Shady Side Academy will be returning to the PIAA playoffs. No. 13 Shady Side Academy pushed defending champion South...
Fox Chapel wrestler fights through adversity to earn 100th win
Reaching 100 wins meant that Fox Chapel senior wrestler Joey Geller had to find a way to get through the North section qualifier to reach the WPIAL Class 3A championships. But nothing would be easy for Geller during the 215-pound bracket at Butler High School. He battled strep throat all...
After late-season surge, Fox Chapel boys ready to tackle future challenges
The Fox Chapel boys basketball team typically sits on the line between Class 5A and 6A. The Foxes know that next season, they will have to navigate the WPIAL’s largest classification. When Fox Chapel coach Zach Skrinjar had his end-of-season meetings with his players, the message was a simple one....
Confident Kunkle wins gold in the girls WPIAL Class 3A 100 breaststroke; Fox Chapel girls finish strong
Leah Kunkle was confident. The Kiski Area junior knew her ability to swim well in the 100-yard breaststroke at Friday’s WPIAL Class 3A championships at Pitt’s Trees Pool. But she also understood how talented the others in her heat were and what she needed to do to win gold. All...
In championship rematch, Shady Side Academy drops Greensburg Central Catholic for Class 3A title
Shady Side Academy coach Jonna Burke called Karis Thomas, her senior point guard, “the epitome of calm” after the Bulldogs became WPIAL girls basketball champions for a second time. “I mean, nothing gets to her,” Burke said. “She never ceases to amaze me.” Once a wide-eyed 9-year-old who appeared on...
Fox Chapel freshmen make big splash at WPIAL swim meet
Ellie Lange and Delaney O’Toole didn’t let the pressure of their first WPIAL swimming championship overtake them. In fact, the Fox Chapel freshmen thrived. Lange and O’Toole won Class 3A titles in their individual swims Thursday and also helped the 200-yard medley relay team capture gold. Lange outdistanced the field...
Fox Chapel Rotary member Tom Benic remembered for charisma and compassion
Friends are recalling longtime Fox Chapel Rotary member Tom Benic as a kind and consummate professional. But by all accounts, the history buff and avid photographer was — above all else — a pure fun-loving guy. “Intelligence, wit and charm are rare commodities,” said friend Richard Wolf. “Tom had all...
Aspinwall Presbyterian Church members, friends say farewell to retired pastor
Members of Aspinwall Presbyterian Church celebrated the end of an era with the retirement of the Rev. Scott Hill. Hill, 65, has led the flock at the Center Avenue church for about 10 years; he was in his 36th year of ministry. His final service was Feb. 15. Hill plans...
Family, creative career, cooking, skiing, hot yoga nourish soul of O’Hara resident
Chatting about life in Pittsburgh is one of Christopher R. Evans’ favorite topics. “I’ve lived here my whole life,” said Evans of O’Hara. Evans, 51, grew up in what he describes as “storybook” Churchill and previously resided in Shadyside and Fox Chapel. He moved to O’Hara three years ago and...
New indoor golf simulator lounge eyes March opening in Indiana Township
It’s always perfect weather to hit the links at a soon-to-open indoor golf simulator in Indiana Township. Swing 412 is scheduled to launch in March with 500-plus virtual high-tech golf games for all-ages interested in improving their game, learning golf play or just looking to celebrate the sport with a...
Sharpsburg-Aspinwall Rotary: ‘Service Above Self’ club marks a century of aid
Members of the Sharpsburg-Aspinwall Rotary Club have worked for a century — mostly behind the scenes — to make the Lower Valley a better place. From donations of playground equipment, Free Little Libraries, dictionaries for elementary students and medical supplies, Rotary members are quiet philanthropists who seek to benefit the...
Defending champion South Allegheny gets ‘hot at the right time,’ rallies past Shady Side AcademyVideo
When South Allegheny and Shady Side Academy met for the second time this season, a 20-point win for the Gladiators, few would’ve expected the teams to meet again in the postseason. But No. 8 South Allegheny and No. 13 Shady Side Academy both defied the odds with two playoff wins...
Town hall about proposed Pennsylvania cellphone ban in schools draws crowd
Momentum is growing for a push to ban cellphones in the state’s public schools. State Reps. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, and Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, are among those spearheading House Bill 1814 to restrict cellphones in classrooms. It’s a proposed bell-to-bell ban, meaning students would secure their cellphones in a lockbox...
Aspinwall pharmacy owner pushes for fair shake for independent drugstores
Hours before the president’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, Aspinwall pharmacy owner Jonathan Akanowicz sat alongside U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio to advocate for reforms they say would rein in national monopolies and protect independent pharmacists from being squeezed out of the market. “We’re looking for a level playing...
Aspinwall considering new infrastructure planning system
Aspinwall officials are considering a new infrastructure planning system to improve road maintenance and prepare for future projects. They have received proposals from and met with officials of Logan, Utah-based iWorQ Systems to use its public works software and analyze borough roads. If a deal is made, the company will...
A-K Valley high school basketball playoff preview capsules for Feb. 24, 2026
WPIAL basketball playoffs Girls Class 5A Seventh-Place Consolation 9-Trinity (17-8) at 7-Fox Chapel (15-10) 7 p.m. Tuesday Winner plays: District 4/District 6 champion March 7 in PIAA first round Loser plays: District 3 champion March 7 in PIAA first round Players to watch: Lyla Jablon, Fox Chapel; Sutton Williamson, Trinity...
Aspinwall pharmacist to appear at State of the Union address
An Aspinwall pharmacy owner who has advocated for reform in his industry to protect community pharmacies against national monopolies will attend Tuesday’s State of the Union address as a guest of U.S. Rep. Chris DeLuzio. Jonathan Akanowicz owns Towne Drugs on Commercial Avenue in Aspinwall and has worked to change...
In brief: Happenings from throughout the Fox Chapel area
To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com. Indiana Township hiring summer workers The Indiana Township Public Works Department is hiring workers for the summer. The ideal applicant will have experience using lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment. The candidate also...
Sophomore’s big night delivers memorable playoff win to Shady Side Academy boys
The pressure was going to follow Shady Side Academy 5-foot-11 sophomore guard Kai Lamberson. No. 4 seed Bishop Canevin was trailing at home in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs and needed to create extra possessions in the worst way. The Crusaders did everything they could to...
Work pays off for Fox Chapel wrestler with 2nd straight trip to WPIAL tournament
Andrew Kratsa has been snakebitten at times during his time with the Fox Chapel wrestling program. The 145-pound senior wrestler didn’t get an opportunity to wrestle in the postseason as a freshman because he suffered a concussion after being slammed in practice. Other injuries popped up along the way, but...
Fox Chapel girls find success by creating chaos
The Fox Chapel girls basketball team is at its most comfortable when it is generating chaos for its opponents. While they have to avoid getting enveloped by the madness themselves, the Foxes have found a way to make their high-pressure defense work. The Foxes won their first WPIAL Class 5A...
Staying cool under pressure leads to playoff win for Fox Chapel boys
It was by no means a perfect performance when the Fox Chapel boys basketball team advanced out of the first round of the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs. What the Foxes were able to do is show their ability to keep a steady heartbeat during the wild swings that can accompany...
Fox Chapel area real estate transactions for the week of Feb. 22, 2026
Harmar Estate of Dorothy Ann Schlessman sold property at 354 Guys Run Road to 553 Guys Run LLC for $400,000. Richard Pietroski sold property at 173 Shadow Ridge Drive to David James Matthews for $425,000. Indiana Twin Oaks Development LLC sold property at 3316 Waterford Drive to Maronda Homes LLC...
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Fox Chapel’s Lyla Jablon, Freeport’s Aiden Bauman
Lyla Jablon School: Fox Chapel Class: Senior Sport: Basketball Claim to fame: Jablon dropped 24 points to power the No. 7-seeded Foxes to a 60-58 win over No. 10 seed Latrobe in the Class 5A first round. She then led Fox Chapel in scoring with 22 points in a 72-44...
