Joyce Hanz stories, Page 17
Leechburg forges ahead with regional police plans; state study supports move
Leechburg officials are moving forward with efforts to regionalize their police force with West Leechburg and Parks Township. A regional police study was completed in December, and it recommended consolidating the departments. Officials met Jan. 11 to review the study results. “The biggest thing is the coverage and the assistance...
Harrison native has never missed a Super Bowl. He’s set to attend for 58th time
Harrison native and mega-Steelers fan Tom Henschel isn’t letting recent physical ailments deter him from continuing his streak of attending every Super Bowl. “It’s my 58th year going to a Super Bowl,” Henschel said Tuesday. “He’s determined to go and on a mission,” added Regina, his wife of 47 years....
Annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest festival moving to permanent, rural location
A German-themed festival is moving to new permanent digs in southeastern Butler County. The annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest, in its sixth year, has grown from a fledgling festival to a full-scale three-day event filled with beer, fellowship, food, music, family fun and entertainment. “We’ve been looking for land, and the Sprankle...
New Fox Chapel Area club ‘bakes’ a difference for those in need
A classic round green cake, decorated with a simple phrase, “Congratulations,” delivered a big message of support to a cancer patient who completed chemotherapy. The cake, a gift delivered to a person who recently completed chemotherapy, is one of numerous desserts donated by a group of student bakers from Fox...
Leechburg church to host new, free, after-school youth club
A church is ready to spread some good news to children in Leechburg. Kiski Valley Community Church is extending an invitation to Alle-Kiski Valley youngsters enrolled in grades K-6 to join the “Good News Club,” a free weekly Bible-themed after-school program. The program kicks off Monday from 6 to 7:30...
Leechburg Cub Scouts’ Pinewood Derby brings out more than 100 spectators
More than 100 spectators showed up Saturday at the Leechburg Elks club to watch one of the most celebrated events in Scouting — Pinewood Derby Day. More than 30 scouts from Leechburg Cub Scout Pack 553 revved up their engines — gravity — as they competed in six divisions. The...
Retired doctors combine creativity with camaraderie through woodworking
A group of medical professionals with almost 200 years of combined service in the health care industry are using their hands for something beyond helping and healing: woodworking. Dr. Frank Kunkel, 66, of McCandless shares his passion for creativity through woodworking with a group of retired medical professionals, including an...
Indiana Township dad continues backyard hockey rink tradition
The more than 2,700-square-foot ice hockey rink in Ken Kieffer’s Indiana Township backyard is a far cry from the first rink he made as a kid. “It was a dam in a creek that flowed into Pine Creek,” said Kieffer, 46, a plumber who grew up in Shaler. He was...
Leechburg Area School Board’s vice president pushes to implement policy against nepotism, encounters resistance
The youngest Leechburg Area School Board member is spearheading discussions in favor of implementing a nepotism policy. Vice President Andrew Pallus again brought up the topic under a review of policy during the board’s meeting last week. Pallus previously discussed nepotism in October. “I think it’s a way to be...
West Leechburg Hill Road work to last another 3 months
Motorists will have to wait another three months for work to be complete on West Leechburg Hill Road. On Nov. 13, PennDOT closed a portion of the road in West Leechburg between South Leechburg Road and Pleasant Hill Road to make structural repairs to a large culvert. The $400,000 project...
Unused metal detectors from Acrisure Stadium to be donated to Leechburg schools
Leechburg Area School District plans to boost security thanks to a sharp-eyed school security officer and the generosity of officials at Acrisure Stadium. Mike Kapustik, a security guard at Leechburg schools, recently noticed unused metal detectors inside a storage area during a visit to Acrisure Stadium. “One of our security...
Building the Valley: Freeport graduate makes the cut with new salon business
A Freeport native has opened her first business — in her hometown. Jamie Bieranowski opened Bier Beauty on Jan. 4 at 227 Fifth St. The salon offers complete hair, nail and waxing services, with an emphasis on brides, color and haircuts. “The salon is co-ed and all ages are welcome,”...
No word on superintendent replacement at Leechburg Area; board members criticized for ‘bullying’Video
There’s still no word from Leechburg Area School District officials on when or who will replace Superintendent Tiffany Nix. Nix, who announced this month that she’s resigning to become an assistant superintendent at Penn-Trafford School District, said Thursday she is not aware of the school board’s plan to select a...
Former Freeport golf course, restaurant sale pending; future use uncertain
It was apparently an offer two Freeport business owners couldn’t refuse. Co-owners and married couple Michael and Virginia Graff of Fawn recently closed their businesses, The Clubhouse on the Hill and White Buffalo Golf Course, after receiving two separate offers from different buyers interested in purchasing the public golf course...
West Leechburg firefighters take delivery of new firetruck
West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department officials are ramping up fundraising to pay for a new custom firefighting vehicle. The department purchased a 2023 Pierce Saber Tanker for $572,000 using two loans, one from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the other from Kansas State Bank. The new truck replaces a...
Historic mansion reopens as cafe in Leechburg
A long-shuttered historic mansion in Leechburg has reopened as the 1st Street Cafe. The cafe occupies the space in the building formerly known as the Addison House Restaurant & Lounge. Serving specialty coffees and homemade desserts, the cafe opens at 6 a.m. and is the retirement project of Devra Gromley...
Age no barrier for newly elected female mayor in Leechburg
Doreen Smeal of Leechburg received a unique gift on her 70th birthday. A mayoral title. She was sworn in Dec. 29 as the second female mayor of the borough she has called home her entire life. “I live in my late grandfather’s house,” Smeal said Monday while stopping by the...
Police accuse Parks Township man of stealing thousands from relatives’ bank account
A Parks Township man is accused of stealing more than $9,000 from his parents’ bank account, police said. Brandon Watterson, 52, was charged via summons Friday by state police with six felony counts, including theft, theft by deception and access device fraud. Watterson faces a preliminary hearing March 28 before...
Faces of the Valley: Leechburg woman volunteers countless hours at Alle-Kiski Valley organizations
Volunteering is more than a word for Leechburg resident Robin Patton. It’s a lifestyle. Patton volunteers at four Alle-Kiski Valley organizations: Leechburg Area Food Bank, Cat Crusaders, Homeless Cat Management Team and Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department. “I’ve met a lot of special people in all the groups I work with...
Beach-themed eatery on the market in Gilpin
A little slice of the beach life is for sale in Gilpin — shoes optional. The popular Barefoot Bar & Grill on Schenley Road was listed Monday for $325,000 by Chrissy Heinle of Realty One Group. Jim McKee, Barefoot co-owner, said the decision to sell comes with mixed emotions but...
Destination Daycation: Channel the tropics during winter at these Pittsburgh-area tropical-themed eateries
Craving some island vibes but stuck in wintertime Pittsburgh? Take a daycation destination to these tropical-themed bars and eateries that offer a beach-themed escape from the winter doldrums. From lobster specialty sandwiches and nachos to Caribbean-influenced cocktails, these independently owned restaurants put the paradise vibe in Pittsburgh. The Hula Bar...
‘Skill’ games become popular, ubiquitous but may not stay legal
Frequent Pittsburgh Mills walker Paul Tyree recently noticed a new form of entertainment during his fitness jaunts around the inside of the Frazer shopping mall. A four-game skills gambling kiosk, each with large, colorful digital displays and an accompanying chair occupy the middle of a corridor that’s visible from Macy’s,...
Oakmont councilwoman resigns, replacement sought
Editor’s note: This story has been amended to correct the the date of council’s next meeting and the names of current council members. Oakmont officials are looking to fill a vacant council seat after the recent resignation of councilwoman Tracey Holst. Holst, a Democrat, submitted her resignation letter Dec. 31....
Kiski Township launches police dog fundraiser amid pushback from supervisor-elect
Kiski Township police officials are looking to add a dog to their roster of officers. Chief Lee Bartolicius is spearheading efforts to raise about $20,000 to purchase and train a police dog. The department launched the Kiski Township K-9 Fund this month and to date has raised just over $3,000....
Leechburg Area superintendent announces resignation, is hired by the Penn-Trafford School District
Leechburg Area School District is losing its superintendent of seven years. Tiffany Nix submitted a letter of resignation Thursday announcing she accepted a post as assistant superintendent with the Penn-Trafford School District. “We’re very happy that Dr. Nix will be joining the Penn-Trafford team,” said Penn-Trafford Superintendent Matthew Harris. “She...
