In brief: Happenings across the North Allegheny Journal area

McCandless offering fall junk collection

McCandless residents invited to a Dump Your Junk collection from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at the town’s Public Works yard, 9957 Grubbs Road, with the assistance of Waste Management and Junkluggers.

Residents only — IDs will be checked — can get rid of a carload or truckload of oversized items, furniture, construction materials, lumber, scrap metal and large bags of trash.

From 8 to 11 a.m. only, Junkluggers will be on-site to collect computers, flat-screen TVs, small electronics (DVD players, video game consoles, cellphones, printers, etc.), small appliances (toasters, microwaves, etc.) and window air-conditioning units.

Unaccepted items include tires and other auto parts, mattresses, batteries, tube TVs or monitors, large appliances (washers, dryers and refrigerators), medical equipment, yard and tree waste, paints, varnish and household chemicals.

There is a limit of one carload or truckload per address; no trailers will be accepted. This is for residential trash only — no businesses or contractors.

McCandless adopts ‘no soliciting’ list

McCandless residents now can request to be placed on a “no solicitation” list.

Last month, council voted on Ordinance 1560, which allows property owners to be placed on a list of addresses that door-to-door vendors are to stay away from. The ordinance took effect Oct. 5.

Transient vendors — all of whom are required to have a permit from the town — who enter or attempt to enter properties on the list can be fined up to $1,000.

To be placed on the list, residents may sign up online at townofmccandless.org/FormCenter/Police-Department-8/No-Solicitation-List-signup-60.

Fall craft show to feature handmade goods

Marshall will present its fall craft show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at Altmyer Park and Barn, 607 Wexford Bayne Road.

The craft show will feature handmade goods from a wide variety of vendors.

Township officials are warning the public to beware of scam accounts posting that they’re running the craft show. The public is advised to not interact with those people or accounts and do not send them money.

Anyone with questions or concerns should directly reach out to the township at 724-935-3090.

Free scary movie night open to tweens, teens

Marshall is hosting a free scary movie night for tweens and teens from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Elias Fry Barn in Knob Hill Park.

The movie will be “The Ring,” a 2002 supernatural horror film from DreamWorks Pictures about a journalist who discovers a cursed videotape that causes its viewers to die seven days later. The film, rated PG-13, is an American remake of a 1998 Japanese film, titled “Ring.”

The township will need approval from parents for all children younger than 13 to view the movie.

There will be snacks by the fire pit.

Registration is required and can be done online at secure.rec1.com/PA/marshall-township-pa/catalog by clicking on Halloween Fun under Special Events.

Marshall plans Halloween bash for children

Marshall is planning a Halloween Kids Bash for children 11 and younger from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Elias Fry Barn in Knob Hill Park, 415 Knob Road.

There will be music, crafts, face painting, snacks and lots of candy.

Children are encouraged to come in costume.

The even is free for Marshall residents and $5 per nonresident.

Registration is required and closes Oct. 22.

To register, visit secure.rec1.com/PA/marshall-township-pa/catalog and click on Halloween Fun under Special Events.

Trick-or-treat event to include collection for local food bank

McCandless Crossing, 8878 Covenant Ave., is hosting its annual Give a Treat, Get a Treat community event from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27.

Families are asked to donate nonperishable food items with members of Girl Scout Troop 36774 on the Town Green by Old Navy and Ethan Allen. The Girl Scouts will be making “Everything but the Turkey” care packages for the North Hills Food Bank.

Children then can make the rounds at participating shops to collect treats. Costumes are encouraged.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend and can get their own treats and pet photos at PetPeople by Hollywood Feed, 9190 Covenant Ave.

Registration is required so organizers can plan for enough treats. To register, visit lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/qff5k8s.

Fall, Halloween events set in county parks

Allegheny County Parks is hosting several family-friendly events to mark fall and spooky season, including:

• A screening of the 2024 comedy/horror film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” will start at dusk, between 6:25 and 6:40 p.m., Oct. 17 at the lawn of the Hartwood Acres Mansion, 200 Hartwood Acres, Indiana Township. The movie, a sequel to the 1988 classic, is rated PG-13 and stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara reprising their original roles. Bring blankets, chairs and snacks and enjoy treats from Giant Eagle. Come in costume for a chance to win a special prize from Giant Eagle.

• The ninth annual Punkin Chunkin festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 near the Hartwood Acres Amphitheater, 4000 Middle Road, Hampton. Join the Allegheny County Parks Department and SHARP Robotics from the Sarah Heinz House to watch as pumpkins are launched across the amphitheater field in Hartwood Acres Park by a full-size trebuchet. This free, family-friendly festival will include crafts, games, face painting, interactive storytelling, cookie decorating, a farmers market and food and beer vendors. Registration is advised to make sure there are enough supplies. To register, visit alleghenycounty.us/Parks-and-Events/Special-Events/Punkin-Chunkin.

• Dog owners are invited to stick around for Bark or Treat, a pet-friendly Howl-o-Ween event for dogs from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 during the Punkin Chunkin festival. It will take place at the Hartwood Acres Dog Park, next to the amphitheater. Bring pups in costume for treats, tricks and tennis balls. Registration is advised to make sure there are enough supplies. To register, visit alleghenycounty.us/Parks-and-Events/Special-Events/Punkin-Chunkin.

• Campfire Ghost Stories featuring storytellers Josh Verbanets and Gab Bonesso will be shared from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 on the lawn of the North Park Boathouse, 10301 Pearce Mill Road, McCandless. Bring blankets and chairs and enjoy an evening gathered around a campfire for family-friendly ghost stories and songs. Attendees are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume for a chance to win a prize. The pair will bring their ghost stories to three other county parks: 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at South Park Community House, Maple Springs Drive, South Park; Oct. 25 at Boyce Park’s Four Seasons Activity Center, 901 Centerview Drive, Plum; and Oct. 26 at Harrison Hills Park’s Yakaon Shelter, Parks Lane, Natrona Heights.

All events are weather-permitting. Visit Allegheny County Parks on Facebook for updates.

Public invited to genealogy conference

The North Hills Genealogists is a group of family history enthusiasts who hold free monthly meetings both on Zoom and in person at Christ Episcopal Church, 5910 Babcock Blvd., Ross.

To celebrate 35 years, the organization is hosting a special one-day conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Sechler Event Center, 500 Commonwealth Drive, Marshall, and via Zoom.

The public is invited to register to hear speaker Blaine Bettinger discuss genetic genealogy and artificial intelligence topics. Bettinger is a professional genealogist, author and blogger who specializes in DNA evidence.

Everyone also is welcome to register for the organization’s free monthly meetings, which are held the third Monday of each month except December.

For details and to register, visit northhillsgenealogists.org/index.php.

Dog ordinance now in effect in McCandless

McCandless Council recently passed Ordinance 1559, which requires dog owners to keep their pets under control.

The following rules took effect Oct. 5:

• Dogs are not allowed to be running at large on public or private property. When on their owner’s property, dogs must be reasonably contained to that property.

• Dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash (and clean up after them) when on public property. The leash cannot be longer than 10 feet.

• Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated when on public property.

• Dogs are allowed to be unleashed at dog parks, provided that the dog is licensed and vaccinated, and the owner is carrying a leash and has verbal control of the dog.

Violators can be sentenced to 30 days of imprisonment or up to $600 in fines.

Any parts of the ordinance that would hinder the services of a guide dog or a dog used by emergency personnel do not apply.

Tickets, sponsorships available for annual Shining Star Gala

The McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center will host its third annual Shining Star Gala at 5 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Camelot Event Center, 250 Swinderman Road, Pine.

The gala recognizes outstanding volunteers in the community. This year’s honorees are Jay Adzema, Kristin Chick, Steven D’Achille, Mary Anne Eisenreich, Don Falkner, Paul Kline, Chuck Jackson, Longvue Acres Garden Club, Margie Miller, Daniel Moon, Michael Tarle nd Bob Wright.

For more information about the volunteers being honored, visit townofmccandless.org/457/Shining-Star-Gala-2025.

Cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a welcome message at 6 p.m. and dinner, dessert, music and dancing.

There will be a cash bar, raffle baskets and more.

To become an event sponsor or to purchase an ad for the event program, email heritagecenter@townofmccandless.org.

Individual tickets are $90 each, and a table of eight is $720.

All proceeds advance the mission and programming of the heritage center.

To purchase tickets, visit secure.rec1.com/PA/mccandless-pa/catalog and click on Shining Star Gala.

Residents sought for various boards, committees

McCandless is looking for residents to serve of a variety of boards and committees:

• One partial term on the Environmental Advisory Committee (to expire Dec. 31, 2028)

• Three terms on the Heritage and Cultural Center FDPC (to expire Dec. 31, 2029)

• One term on the McCandless Industrial Development Authority (to expire Dec. 31, 2030)

• One term on the McCandless Township Sanitary Authority (to expire Dec. 31, 2030)

• Two terms on the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority (to expire Dec. 31, 2030)

• Two terms on the Personnel Board (to expire Dec. 31, 2028)

• Two terms on the Planning Commission (to expire Dec. 31, 2029)

• One term on the Zoning Hearing Board (to expire Dec. 31, 2028)

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Oct. 27.

Anyone interested is encouraged to complete the fillable PDF application online and email it to administration@townofmccandless.org or mail or hand-deliver it to Town of McCandless, 9955 Grubbs Road, Wexford, PA 15090. A majority vote by McCandless Council will lead to the appointment.

For additional details about each committee, including when they meet, visit townofmccandless.org.

Hard-to-recycle event planned Oct. 18

The Pennsylvania Resources Council has another hard-to-recycle collection set in Allegheny County with an event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at Northgate High School, 589 Union Ave., Bellevue.

Participants must register in advance at prc.org/CollectionEvents or by calling 412-488-7490.

There is a $5 participation fee to drop off unlimited cellphones, home phones, computer towers and peripheral equipment such as keyboards, laptops, mice, etc. Also accepted will be expanded polystyrene packaging material, microwave ovens, video game consoles and DVD players.

For an additional fee, people can recycle televisions, computer monitors, printers, fluorescent tubes, small Freon appliances and tires (with and without rims). Visit PRC’s website at prc.org for a complete price list.

Floral shop participating in Petal It Forward

McCandless Floral, in partnership with the Society of American Florists, will distribute bouquets to morning commuters at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 on the streets of McCandless Crossing as part of the national Petal It Forward initiative.

Each person will receive two bouquets — one to keep and one to share.

McCandless Floral, owned by Emily Betler, is just one of hundreds of floral shops across the U.S. participating in this random-acts-of-kindness effort.

Petal It Forward began 10 years ago in response to survey data released by the Society of American Florists that showed the positive health benefits of giving and receiving flowers.

For details about McCandless Floral, visit mccandlessfloral.com. For more information about Petal It Forward, visit safnow.org/petalitforward.

Discounted park tickets available for fall, holiday events

Franklin Park is reminding residents that fall and holiday amusement park discount tickets are available.

Tickets are available for Kennywood’s Phantom Fest ($40 as opposed to the gate price of $75.99), Idlewild’s Hallowboo! ($36 instead of the $65.99 gate price) and Kennywood’s Holiday Lights ($24 instead of the $60.99 gate price).

To purchase tickets, visit the township’s Discount Park Tickets page at franklinparkborough.us/323/Summer-Discount-Park-Tickets.

Spooky science fun planned in Marshall

Marshall is offering a spooktacular event for children 5 to 12 with Mad Science Pittsburgh from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 at the municipal building, 525 Pleasant Hill Road.

North Allegheny students are off that day.

Participants will be able to watch Count Eggbert’s hilarious coffin struggles and help Countess Meggbert’s witchy spell with science.

There will be creepy potions, an eerie cemetery effect and floating eyeballs.

Each child will take home glow-in-the-dark slime.

The cost is $29 for residents and $34 for nonresidents.

The event is limited to 20 participants.

Registration is required and can be done online by clicking on the Youth Programs tab at secure.rec1.com/pa/marshall-township-pa/catalog.

Franklin Park seeks items for annual Thanksgiving drive

For the ninth year, Franklin Park will serve as a drop-off site for North Hills Community Outreach’s annual Thanksgiving on Every Table campaign.

Donations will be accepted during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Nov. 5 at the municipal office, 2344 W. Ingomar Road.

Please consider donating any of the following items to help families in need: $25 grocery store gift card; large box of stuffing mix or instant mashed potatoes; canned cranberry sauce, vegetables or yams; box of muffin mix, “easy” pumpkin pie mix, pie crust mix or andy dessert mix; turkey gravy mix; evaporated milk; and canvas shopping bags.

Cosmetology students offering free haircuts to veterans

The cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center’s training salon will provide free haircuts for all veterans on Veterans Day.

The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11.

No appointment is needed; the event is walk-ins only.

The center is located at 9600 Babcock Blvd. in McCandless.

Tickets, sponsors available for Green Light Gala

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Keystone Pennsylvania is hosting its Green Light Gala from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Wintergarden at PPG Place.

This benefit for mental health awareness takes place every other year. Proceeds benefit peer and family support, education and advocacy services in the community.

The evening will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, complimentary valet service and silent and chance auctions.

Standard tickets are $250. Patron sponsor costs $300 and includes one ticket or $550 for two tickets; benefactor sponsor costs $500 for one ticket or $950 for two tickets.

Patron and benefactor sponsors will be listed in the gala’s program.

There also are opportunities for other sponsor levels and to place an ad in the gala program.

For details, visit namikeystonepa.org/events/green-light-gala-for-mental-health-awareness.

NAMI’s Keystone Pennsylvania affiliate is located in McKnight Plaza, 105 Braunlich Drive, Suite 200, in Ross.

For information about the organization and to find help and support, visit namikeystonepa.org.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or you need to talk for any reason, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org; the service is available 24/7, and a trained crisis worker will listen to your concerns and share resources that can help. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Fall tree adoption event open to McCandless residents

The Town of McCandless and its Environmental Advisory Committee is offering a fall tree adoption event to McCandless residents from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 in the back parking lot of Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road.

Tree Pittsburgh will be on hand to distribute the trees. There is a limit of one tree per McCandless address.

A variety of trees are available: Allegheny serviceberry, bald cypress, black birch, black cherry, Eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, musclewood, swamp white oak, umbrella magnolia and white oak.

Registration is required through Tree Pittsburgh’s website and closes Oct. 16.

For details and to register, visit action.treepittsburgh.org/a/tree-adoption-mccandless-fall-2025.

The website also includes descriptions of the various trees.

Course to explore how to care for trees

Tree Pittsburgh is offering a free Tree Tender course for adults from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at McCandless Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road.

The course will cover community forestry practices, tree biology and health, proper planting and pruning techniques, and basic tree identification, as well as a panel discussion with Duquesne Light on the concept of Right Tree, Right Place.

The McCandless Environmental Advisory Committee will share where and how to put one’s newly gained skills and knowledge to use, including the new Tree Champion initiative.

There will be indoor and outdoor instruction, weather permitting, with the majority of time spent indoors. Participants should bring a lunch or plan to pick up something during the 40-minute lunch break.

Registration is required through Tree Pittsburgh’s website at action.treepittsburgh.org/a/tree-tender-course-mccandless-2025-registration-1.

For questions or additional details, contact Maeve Rafferty, education coordinator for Tree Pittsburgh, at maeve@treepittsburgh.org or 412-781-8733, ext. 214.

Signups under way for 12th Trick or Trot

Registration is now open for the 12th annual Trick or Trot 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run on Oct. 25 on the campus of Marshall middle and elementary schools.

The 5K will start at 8:30 a.m., and the fun run starts at 9:30. All money raised benefits North Allegheny students and staff through the North Allegheny Foundation.

North Allegheny cheerleaders will cheer on the racers and welcome them at the finish line. Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

A fun-filled morning for the entire family is planned, with a performance at 9 a.m. by the North Allegheny Marching Band, arts and crafts, as well as lots of candy. There will be a costume parade at 10 a.m..

The cost is $35.

Packet pickup will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Marshall Elementary School gym and the morning of the race at 8 a.m.

To register, visit northallegheny.org/trickortrot.

Franklin Park readies for fall yard spruce-ups

Franklin Park is planning a series of leaf bag collection dates for fall.

Residents must place all bags curbside by 6 a.m. Monday of the following weeks: Oct. 20; Nov. 3, 10 and 17; and Dec. 1.

Only leaves in biodegradable paper bags will be collected. Bags should not be taped or stapled; leave enough room at the opening so the top can be folded or rolled closed.

Fall brush clipping will start Monday, Nov. 3.

All brush must be placed curbside by 7 a.m. Monday morning. The service is provided for brush and tree trimmings up to 4 inches in diameter. No thorn bushes will be accepted.

Yard waste and leaf bag drop-off sites for Franklin Park residents are located at the south end of Blaine’s Way in Blueberry Hill Park and are open from March 1 to Dec. 1. An application must be completed annually. The sites are for residential disposal only; commercial use is prohibited. Landscapers using residential permits are prohibited. The disposal of entire trees also is prohibited.

These areas are under video surveillance, and all violators will be prosecuted.

Veterans invited to 3rd annual breakfast salute

Franklin Park is planning its third Salute to Veterans Breakfast on Nov. 15 at the Blueberry Hill Park Activity Center.

All veterans are welcome, no matter when, where or how long they served.

The breakfast is to honor the service of the men and women who have served or currently are serving in our nation’s armed forces.

If you are a veteran or know a veteran who you think would like to attend, contact Donna Platt at 412-364-4115, ext. 302, or email her at dplatt@franklinparkborough.us.

Breakfast sponsorships currently are available.

The borough welcomes gold sponsors at $1,500, silver at $1,000 and bronze at $500. Each sponsorship will include two tickets to the breakfast, signage indicating event sponsorship and recognition in borough publications. In addition, gold and silver sponsors will receive an ad in the borough newsletter.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor at any level is encouraged to contact Platt.

Outreach collecting coats, accessories for kids

North Hills Community Outreach is collecting new coats for children ages infant to 18 through Oct. 16.

New hats, scarves and gloves also are being accepted.

Gift cards to purchase coats are welcome as well.

The outerwear will be distributed in the fall to area children in need.

Donations can be dropped off at any of NHCO’s three offices — its main office at 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton; the second floor of the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave.; and Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Avalon.

Coats and accessories also can be ordered through the NHCO Winter Coat Shop wishlist on Amazon at tinyurl.com/ypc74ws9 and shipped directly to the nonprofit.

Blood donors sought

The need for blood donors persists, and the American Red Cross and Vitalant are encouraging people to help.

Donations of all blood types are crucial year-round, especially type O, the most frequently transfused blood type. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

Here are a few nearby Red Cross blood drives:

• 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – St. Athanasius Church, 7 Chalfonte Ave., West View

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Keystone Summit Park, 3000 Ericsson Drive, Marshall

• 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at Keller Williams, 1001 Village Run Road, Pine

• Noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at Christ Lutheran Church, 917 Evergreen Ave., Millvale

• Noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 at Stoneridge Covenant Church, 811 Dressel Road, Shaler

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 28 at Baierl Family YMCA, 2565 Nicholson Road, Sewickley

To find a Red Cross location and to learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Vitalant operates about 115 donation centers nationwide and is hosting drives at several locations in the North Hills area, including:

• 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 15 at Fox Chapel High School’s LGI Room, 611 Field Club Road, Fox Chapel

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Matthew Parish, Holy Spirit Campus lyceum, 106 North Ave., Millvale

• 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at eVinci Westinghouse, 51 Bridge St., Etna

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at AHN-Wexford Hospital, 12351 Perry Highway, Pine

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Hampton High School library, 2929 McCully Road, Hampton

Vitalant also regularly schedules collection dates at its Cranberry Donation Center, Butler Centre, Second Floor, 20421 Route 19; Pittsburgh Fox Chapel Donation Center at One Alexander Center, Suite 207, 2585 Freeport Road; and Pittsburgh North Hills Donation Center at McKnight North Professional Center, Suite 600, 9365 McKnight Road, McCandless.

To make an appointment and find other locations, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Animal Friends in need of wet cat food

Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon Pet Food Bank is facing a critical shortage of wet cat food.

For many families in crisis, the meals can mean the difference between keeping their beloved cats or having to rehome them.

Animal Friends’ goal is to keep these families together.

To help, wish lists are in place through Amazon at tinyurl.com/3nnvss7h and Chewy at tinyurl.com/ywsph223. Purchases made on those sites can be delivered directly to Animal Friends.

Donations of unopened wet cat food also can be dropped off in the grey donation bins in the lobby of Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Ohio Township.

Every single can makes a difference. Every donation helps keep pets with the people who love them.

Singles welcome to join Association of University People

The Association of University People invites singles 50 and older who are four-year college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include spring/summer picnics, monthly dinners, a book group, Scrabble, meeting up at wineries and local outdoor concerts.

Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.

For details about AUP or to become a member, call and leave a message at 412-353-9088 or email aupsingles@gmail.com.

To have your news or event listed, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.