A thrilling ride: O’Hara plans for bike skills course
Plans for a bike skills course in O’Hara are cruising along. The project is planned for Raymond A. Schafer Jr. Memorial Park in the township’s Montrose Hill section. The topography of Schafer Park at the top of the hill, combined with the township’s acquired land at the bottom of Powers...
Girl Scouts meet with Sharpsburg mayor, learn about local government
Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania Troop 10328 recently met with Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis and got a look at how local government works. The Scouts took turns banging the gavel, asking Portis various questions and took t a tour of borough council chambers Feb. 25. The visit was part of...
Dozens of works by student artists on display at The Block Northway in Ross
A spotlight is shining on dozens of young artists at The Block Northway in Ross. The free art exhibit, located on the upper level of the mall, will be on display through March 22. It features works by students from several schools in the North Hills, including Blessed Trinity Academy...
In brief: Happenings throughout the Fox Chapel area
To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com. Bar Bingo to raise money for baseball teams The Fox Chapel Baseball Boosters will host its fourth annual Bar Bingo at 6 p.m. March 14 at Nox’s on 8, 3008 William Flinn Highway,...
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...
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...
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. The venue is for those interested in improving their game, learning golf play or just looking...
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...
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...
