Penn Hills Progress category, Page 20
Fitz Willys barbecue restaurant emphasizes family, community and good food
The staff members of Fitz Willys Kitchen and Catering have a few standards they strive to meet every day: The restaurant is clean; everyone who walks through the door is greeted with a smile; and the food is fresh, consistent and served quickly. These seem like pretty standard restaurant practices....
All in the family: 4th-generation employee retires after more than 4 decades working at Peoples Natural Gas
Craig Wyke’s first job at Peoples Natural Gas was in the delinquent accounts department. “I had to inform people their gas was about to be turned off,” said Wyke, who grew up in Penn Hills and lives in West Deer, as he recalled his more than 40-year career with the...
Former ‘Dance Moms’ cast member charged with DUI in Murrysville
A cast member from the former hit Lifetime reality series “Dance Moms” was charged with driving under the influence after a crash in Murrysville. Christina M. Lukasiak, 47, of Mars was charged following a June 27 crash on Logan Ferry Road near Remaley Road, according to court records. Police said...
Teen in critical condition after Penn Hills stabbing; suspect apprehended
Allegheny County Police are investigating a stabbing in Penn Hills that left a teenager in critical condition Tuesday afternoon. Police were called about 4:40 p.m. to the 1100 block of Hamil Road, where they located a teenage male who had been stabbed multiple times. He was taken to an area...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of July 15, 2024
Technology position open in school district Penn Hills School District is looking to fill the position of assistant to the superintendent for technology, innovation, safety and security. Brian Brown, who served in that capacity since February, recently was hired as an assistant superintendent for the Shaler Area School District. Brown...
3 Pittsburgh Elite teams headed to NFL’s flag football national championships
The Pittsburgh Elite flag football team will be well-represented at the NFL Flag National Championships on July 18-21 in Canton, Ohio. Three of the organization’s travel teams, the 9U, 12U and 13U teams, all won regional championships. The organization, which runs an in-house league that plays at Linton Middle School,...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of July 14, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Estate of Raymond Jurewicz sold property at 213 Thornberry Drive to Zachary Farley and Sida Wang for $384,000. Edgewood Michael Kostiew sold property at 437 Maple Ave. to James Caird and Katie McHolme for $729,431. Beverly Harding sold property at 410 W Swissvale Ave. to VMO Swissvale...
Lawsuit: Penn Hills hookah bar owners’ negligence created ‘public nuisance’
The parents of a 28-year-old woman killed in a shooting at a Penn Hills hookah bar sued the owner of the property Thursday, claiming they should have known the bar was “a public nuisance” prone to gun violence. Two or more people fired seven to 10 gunshots at Ballers Hookah...
Security guard charged in Penn Hills hookah bar killing says gun accidentally discharged
Police said they don’t believe the security guard who is accused of killing a woman at a Penn Hills hookah bar last month had any motive to shoot her, but he will face trial for criminal homicide. Chaz Jackson, 42, of Pittsburgh was charged in connection with the death of...
Volunteer’s skills shine light on veterans with repainting of military mural in Verona
A project expected to cost Verona at least $10,000 ended up being free thanks to community donations and the efforts of two volunteer painters. Verona Council Vice President Trish Hredzak attributed the borough’s good fortune to “the magic of living in a small town.” Verona’s doughboy memorial has been at...
Penn Hills boy takes 2nd place in regional Rotary spelling bee
A Penn Hills boy took home second place at the Rotary’s regional spelling bee June 29. Vincent Olisa, a rising fourth grader in the Penn Hills School District, was selected to compete after winning the Rotary’s annual third grade spelling bee in May at Linton Middle School, where he competed...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of July 8, 2024
Job openings available in water department Penn Hills has listed several full-time positions in its Water Pollution Control Department. The municipality is seeking an operation and maintenance supervisor as well as multiple wastewater treatment operators and laborers. Applicants for the supervisor and operator positions must possess Class B, E Subclass...
Cousins open ‘judgment-free zone’ Brick House Chic Boutique in Tarentum
When Anna Mayhood and Kristen Farringer couldn’t find styles to suit their size, they did something better — they opened their own boutique. “Everyone should love themselves, no matter their size,” said Mayhood, 46. “We want to provide a fun experience for us girls who typically don’t have luck in...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of July 7, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Estate of Robert Perkoski sold property at 1541 Williamsburg Pl to 2669 LLC for $103,000. Edgewood Steven Crandell sold property at 300 Beech St. to Kirk Brown and Wendy Rondeau for $440,000. Jeffrey Weiss sold property at 180 Gordon St. to Ryan Bernier and Sandra Bernier Yu...
Penn Hills’ new boys soccer coach Kevin Truman seeks to make impact beyond the pitch
Kevin Truman would like to win soccer games when he takes over as head coach of the Penn Hills boys soccer team this fall. However, Truman believes his job will go beyond what happens in the field. Truman, who is the senior pastor at McKeesport Alliance Church and has five...
Hard lemonade the latest collaboration from Turner Dairy and Pittsburgh Brewing
A year after launching IC’d Tea, Turner Dairy Farms and Pittsburgh Brewing Co. are back with another twist on a Pittsburgh favorite. Turner’s Hard Lemonade will hit shelves Monday, July 8 as a limited-edition offering from the iconic local brands. A release from Turner’s describes the beverage as a balance...
Anti-discrimination Penn Hills Advisory Council commended for ‘energy and drive’
When Ronald Saunders saw an FBI report that named Western Pennsylvania as a hub for hate activity, the longtime civil rights activist knew he had to step in. After consulting with Richard Stewart, former president of the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, he got in touch with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission...
Canceled vote shows engineering services remain a sore spot for Penn Hills Council
Penn Hills Council has once again put off a vote to hire Gibson-Thomas Engineering. Hours before it was set to begin, Mayor Pauline Calabrese called off a June 24 special meeting to consider appointing the firm as engineer for Community Development Block Grant projects over the next three fiscal years....
Security guard accused of homicide in Penn Hills hookah lounge shooting
A security guard is accused of killing one of two people shot at a hookah lounge and cigar bar in Penn Hills a month ago, Allegheny County Police said Monday. Chaz Jackson, 42, of Pittsburgh was charged in connection with the death of 28-year-old Stephanie Stuart. He also was accused...
Inner Groove Brewing announces MikelParis collab, limited edition beers
Inner Groove Brewing has announced a collaboration with musician MikelParis of the rock band O.A.R. Two limited edition beers will be available at Inner Groove Brewing — inspired by MikelParis’ new album titled “Snidbits,” which was released in February. Inner Groove Brewing said the beers will be available on tap...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of July 1, 2024
School board passes budget with 1-mill tax increase The Penn Hills School Board unanimously approved a final budget June 25 for the 2024-25 school year that includes a minimal tax increase. The budget is balanced with revenues and expenditures of just over $100,300,000. A portion of the revenues will go...
Penn Hills Eagles track club runner smashes record, leads contingent to regional meet
Londyn Tomman was nervous and excited for the USATF Three Rivers Championship at Slippery Rock University. The uncertainty of an event with such a deep field of competitors was an exciting challenge for her. Sure, it’s possible to do some research with many club teams posting times and information online....
East suburban real estate transactions, week of June 30, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Chalfant Nedsem Investments LLC sold property at 224 Lynnwood Ave. to EdibertoSepulveda Caraballo for $55,000. Edgewood Estate of Pamela Walker sold property at 107 Lacrosse St. to Lori Ann Heiles and Tara Yaney for $154,000. Justin Meenan sold property at 29 McKelvey Ave. to Mariam Sanogo for $310,000....
‘It just keeps expanding’: Oakmont Greek Food Festival celebrates 50th anniversary
Frank and Karen Sansosti have been married for 50 years, as long as the Oakmont Greek Food Festival has been around, and almost as many as they’ve attended it. The allure is simple for the North Huntingdon couple. “The food,” Frank Sansosti said. “You don’t get lamb every day.” Whether...
Details emerge in fugitive’s arrest that closed Frankstown Road in Penn Hills
A section of Frankstown Road in Penn Hills was closed briefly around 3 p.m. Friday,June 28, as the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force served a search warrant and took a Pittsburgh man into custody. Daelon T. Hill-Johnson, 26, of Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood was arrested for possession of a firearm while...
