In brief: Hungry goats, community collections and more around the North Hills

Marshall hosting hungry goats to clear invasive plants

A herd of goats is being brought in to help clear invasive vegetation along a section of the Harmony Trail in Marshall.

From Sept. 13 to 23, goats from Allegheny GoatScape will be clearing knotweed and other plants on a hill about a half mile from the parking lot on Route 910, according to township officials.

The goats will eat plants on the side of the trail, particularly the invasive knotweed that dominates the hillside across from the Marian Crossman Bridge.

The goats will be penned in with a portable electric fence and accompanied by a donkey that protects them from coyotes and curious dogs.

Residents are advised not to touch the fence, which supplies an “unpleasant” shock.

Winter wear collection to help needy

North Hills Community Outreach is collecting new winter outerwear through Oct. 19 for needy children from infants to age 18.

New coats, hats, scarves and gloves as well as gift cards to purchase the items can be dropped off at the charity’s site at 1975 Ferguson Road in Allison Park.

People also can donate items by placing an order on the organization’s Amazon Wish List and have them shipped directly to NHCO. Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. Items should not be left outside the building.

For questions or additional information, contact Vicki Burstynowicz at vdburst@nhco.org or call her at 412-487-6316, Opt. 1 Ext. 3143.

Constitution Day poster contest

To commemorate Constitution Week 2020, the Kushkushkee Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is partnering with Northland Public Library for the seventh annual Constitution Day activities.

As part of the celebration, local elementary-aged children are invited to participate in a poster contest titled “We the People ….”

Poster contest guidelines are available at the library’s Children’s Services Reference Desk, on the library’s website, or by sending an email to Stacey Shaffer at: sshaffer77@gmail.com.

Entries can be submitted at Northland Library or directly to Shaffer through Sept. 17.

Because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the Constitution Day Celebration at Northland will not be held. Instead, contest participants are being asked to join in on the “Bells Across America” celebration at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17.

McCandless seeks volunteers for fall roadside cleanup

McCandless is signing up volunteers for the annual fall roadside cleanup planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17.

To be able to conduct the cleanup safely during the coronavirus pandemic, people who sign up will be placed into small groups ahead of time and be assigned a location to clean. Residents can also organize their own group of between five and 10 people. During the event, participants should follow all social distancing and face covering guidelines outlined by the state Department of Health. Safety vests and reflective t-shirts, gloves and bags will be provided.

To sign up, send an email to eac@townofmccandless.org or call 412-364-0616 Ext. 118.

McCandless collecting ‘KnitHope’ donations through Oct. 1

McCandless Town Hall will serve as a collection site for KnitHope through Oct. 1.

KnitHope collects homemade knitted or crocheted hats and scarves and distributes them to those in need in the Pittsburgh area.

To participate, volunteers are asked to knit or crochet a scarf or hat and drop it off in the container at Town Hall, which is located at 9955 Grubbs Road.