Sewickley Academy steps into spotlight, fends off Pine-Richland at PPG Paints Arena
A late Pine-Richland surge wasn’t enough as Sewickley Academy held firm for a 59-53 win in the Edgar Snyder Holiday Hoops Classic at PPG Paints Arena on Monday. The Panthers were led by Mamadou Kane, who delivered 18 points. Adam Ikamba had 11. “Every practice, we compete,” Kane said. “I...
La Roche University gifted buildings, including motherhouse, from Sisters of Divine Providence
A property transfer from a Catholic organization to La Roche University sets the college up for long-term growth, officials say. The Sisters of Divine Providence has gifted the Providence Heights Motherhouse and about 15 acres of nearby property to La Roche, the university announced Tuesday, Dec. 16. The transfer includes...
Rising special education costs could allow Pine-Richland to increase property tax by up to 5.2%
Property taxes in the Pine-Richland School District could increase up to 5.2% if the state allows the school district to exceed its inflation limit. District administrators and the school board are considering ways to increase revenue, a property tax increase among them, along with spending reductions to tackle a $4.9...
Realtor: North, South Hills real estate markets have more similarities than you’d think
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series on real estate market trends in Western Pennsylvania. Twenty-six years ago, Bob Topich broke the age-old social norm of Pittsburgh suburbanites — departing his native South Hills for a home north of the city. Topich, 65, of Franklin Park, has never...
Long-time Pine resident keeps up exercise regimen, positive attitude at 98 years young
Esther VanCura is living proof the benefit of exercising has no age limit. The 98-year-old and her wellness coach, Nick Majoris, devote part of a morning each week to strengthening the senior’s core, maintaining muscle and keeping her mind sharp. “It’s never too late,” said Majoris, who designed a program...
Holiday performances, gingerbread house display keep things festive at The Block Northway
The shopping atmosphere at The Block Northway was kept seasonally festive thanks to a free concert performed by the Slippery Rock University Clarinet Choir on Nov. 30. The clarinetists were part of a free series of concerts and performances held during the holiday season at the mall off McKnight Road...
In brief: Happenings across the Pine Creek Journal area
Donations sought for Veterans Memorial in Pine The Friends of Pine Community Parks is seeking the community’s help in raising $200,000 for a Veterans Memorial in the township. Donations, no matter the size, will help support the creation and preservation of the memorial. Every donor will be recognized at the...
Pine-Richland School Board names new leadership following election of 4 new members
The Pine-Richland School Board has new leadership following the election of four new members in November. At the board’s reorganization meeting Wednesday, Dec. 3, Ashley Fortier was elected president, replacing Philip Morrissette, who remains on the board. Newly elected member Melissa Vecchi was elected vice president, replacing Lisa Hillman, who...
Moon grad Amalia Simmons’ ‘homecoming’ highlights WPIAL players competing in NCAA volleyball tournament
Amalia Simmons already has her name in the transfer portal. She is winding down her fourth year with the Michigan women’s volleyball team and is looking forward to what her final year of athletic eligibility might bring. But before she doffs the famed maize and blue, the Moon graduate will...
Oldest tree in Allegheny County stands a little mightier after Eagle Scout project
A Pine-Richland High School senior sought to give special recognition to a piece of Western Pennsylvania history for his Eagle Scout project. Carlton Fogliani of Boy Scout Troop 150 repaired and refurbished the site of the Penn Tree in Richland Township Community Park. The majestic oak tree, believed to have...
Long-time coach provides ‘GPS’ for youths in book detailing challenges from childhood
A McCandless resident, known to many in the North Hills as Coach Dave Gray, is celebrating the release of his debut book, “Next Point Wins: A Playbook for Future Champions.” The book details what it was like growing up as a foster child, finally being adopted, his challenges as a...
Pine celebrates SilverSneakers instructor for being named a finalist for national award
Pine Township’s SilverSneakers instructor Leslie Basilone was honored for being named a finalist for the SilverSneakers Member of the Year Inspiration Award in a ceremony Nov. 7 at the Pine Community Center. SilverSneakers, a leading fitness program for older adults, established the Inspiration Award to celebrate individuals who demonstrate perseverance,...
More than 2,000 turn out for Pine’s annual Holiday Dazzle festivities
The Pine Community Center was packed on Nov. 15 forthe township’s annual Holiday Dazzle celebration. The family-friendly event kicked off the holiday season with festive lights, live entertainment and activities for all ages. More than 2,000 attendees joined the festivities. Families enjoyed everything from train rides and horse-drawn carriage rides...
Richland taxes remain unchanged in proposed 2026 budget
Richland residents will see their property taxes hold steady for another year, according to the proposed 2026 budget. The township’s supervisors are scheduled to vote on it at their Dec. 17 meeting. For 2026, a millage rate of 2.696 mills is levied on all commercial, residential and nonexempt real property....
Round of grants to benefit multiple North Hills communities
Multiple communities in the North Hills are getting a boost from a recent round of state grants. A $106,000 grant will support the chassis replacement of an ambulance from the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. The total cost of the chassis replacement, also known as an ambulance remount, is $225,000, according...
A.W. Beattie students turn Thanksgiving parade into schoolwide event benefiting North Hills Community Outreach
Giving thanks and giving back to those in need were the themes of a student-led Thanksgiving parade at A.W. Beattie Career Center in McCandless. It also was a special treat for the preschoolers of Beattie’s Kiddie Tech program, who got to march in the parade around the school. While the...
Veterans and active-duty military members find a career fit with Postal Service
Two words: mail call. That may be one of the most welcoming phrases for deployed men and women in the U.S. military, said Ross resident Mark Wahl, a strategic communications specialist for the U.S. Postal Service. So, it’s rather fitting that the Postal Service also has been a rewarding career...
Pine-Richland students honor veterans
Veterans Day on Nov. 11 was a special day for students in the Pine-Richland School District. JROTC cadets at the high school hosted a breakfast with community veterans. Members of the high school orchestra, women’s ensemble and band provided the entertainment. Following breakfast, the cadets performed a flag-folding ceremony and...
Veterans touched by ceremony, parade at Holy Cross Academy in Ross
A time of reflection, reverence and recognition was part of the annual Veterans Day celebration and parade Nov. 7 at Holy Cross Academy in Ross. “It’s very emotional,” said Dave W. Graver of McCandless, who was visibly moved after coming out of the church service honoring the veterans. Graver served...
Undefeated Spring-Ford fends off Pine-Richland in PIAA Class 4A volleyball final
SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP — Spring-Ford entered the PIAA Class 4A volleyball tournament with a perfect 29-0 record. It finished the dream season with a 3-1 win over WPIAL runner-up Pine-Richland at the Cumberland Valley Eagle Dome on Saturday. The game scores were 26-28, 25-10, 25-21 and 25-14. “If someone had...
No. 1 Pine-Richland holds off Moon in semifinals, will face Peters Township in rubber match
Those who thought that No. 1 Pine-Richland would cruise into the WPIAL Class 5A championship game forgot to tell members of the Moon football team. The No. 5-seeded Tigers gave the Rams all they could handle in the first half of Friday’s semifinal until a roughing the passer penalty sent...
‘Pain,’ ‘change’ to be expected as Pine-Richland School District tackles $4.9 million deficit
The Pine-Richland School Board will be diving into building the district’s 2026-27 budget after finishing a series of four meetings dedicated to examining the district’s finances as it confronts a $4.9 million deficit. A combination of spending cuts and revenue increases, including an administratively recommended property tax increase, are expected...
WPIAL Class 5A football semifinal preview: Top seeds Pine-Richland, Peters Township hope to fend off challengers
The WPIAL Class 5A semifinals have a familiar ring to them. Three of the four teams set to lock up Friday were part of the 2024 district Class 5A semifinals. The top two seeds, Pine-Richland and Peters Township, look to win and meet for a third time for WPIAL gold....
Cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center thank veterans with free haircuts
As a thank-you for veterans, cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center’s training salon provided free haircuts for all members of the military, past and present, on Veterans Day. The training salon, located at the school along Babcock Boulevard, is a full-service salon for students in the cosmetology program. This...
Allegheny County offices to close for Veterans Day
All Allegheny County offices, including the independently elected offices, courts and County Council, will be closed Tuesday for the Veterans Day holiday. The North Park and South Park golf courses will be open during their normal operating hours, from dawn to dusk. The offices will return to regular hours on...
