Joyce Hanz stories, Page 26
Sky-high steeple restoration continues in New Kensington
A Catholic church critically damaged by Mother Nature three years ago is undergoing restoration and repairs in New Kensington. St. Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church sustained more than $3 million in damage on April 8, 2020, when an EF-1 tornado with wind gusts of up to 100 mph traveled...
Borough officials work to certify over 300 parking meters in Vandergrift
A Vandergrift resident advocating for legally operating parking meters throughout the borough appears to be making headway on her mission. Rae Ann Bruner has been spearheading efforts to fix broken, inaccurate and jammed parking meters since mid-March. “They have begun the process of gutting and repairing the meters,” Bruner said....
Parks Township animal rescue nonprofit to donate digital animal scanners to area police
A Parks Township woman is turning to technology to help local law enforcement identify lost animals in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Amber Phillips, owner and director of the nonprofit Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue, hopes to donate at least 28 digital animal microchip scanners to the Parks Township, Apollo, Leechburg, Southern Armstrong Regional,...
Building the Valley: Hyde Park counselor opens new therapy practice in Leechburg
Amy Halter of Hyde Park is on a mission to break down stereotypes about mental health and to provide accessibility to those living rurally who may face challenges seeking professional treatment. Halter, 50, opened Balance and Grow Counseling Center in February at 152 Market St. in Leechburg. She said that...
Fulfilling a dream: Allegheny Township man, 94, relishes 4-month world cruiseVideo
Merle Sober of Allegheny Township knows how to “seas” the day. Actually, 111 of them. Sober, 94, recently completed an unaccompanied cruise around the world that took him to every continent except Antarctica. “I had to go all the way — go big,” Sober said during an interview at the...
Fundraiser for Aspinwall’s Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy draws record attendance
A fashion-themed fundraiser proved to be a perfect fit for Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall. The school hosted the 2023 Sip & Style Fashion Fundraiser May 7 at the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel. The event drew more than 200 people and raised more...
Roaring Run Watershed Association trying to raise money for trail-related projects
A new project organized by trail stewards and volunteers of the Roaring Run Watershed Association is tackling ongoing parking issues at the Rock Furnace Trailhead in Kiski Township. The Rock Furnace parking lot expansion and relocation project is underway at the trail on Brownstown Road to offer additional parking spaces...
Roundabout construction requires summerlong road closure in Allegheny Township
An ongoing construction project in Allegheny Township soon will have motorists driving in circles, but for all the right reasons. Township officials long have sought a solution for a problematic traffic area at the intersection of Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road. Enter the roundabout. “That intersection has traditionally...
O’Hara and Fox Chapel officials plan public meeting to discuss long-term plan survey results
Two communities are working together to create a long-range plan in Allegheny County. More than 1,300 residents of Fox Chapel and O’Hara Township completed online and paper questionnaires last year to assess community needs and determine how well officials were meeting them. Survey results will help to shape decisions concerning...
Fox Chapel Area High School prom pic roundup
Fox Chapel Area High School students and dates, decked out in formal finery for prom, had pre-prom photo sessions Saturday, May 6 around the Fox Chapel area. The prom was held that evening at the Sheraton Hotel in Station Square. Fox Chapel Area High School senior Sophie River...
Former Vandergrift church transformed into new public venue
A former church sanctuary has been transformed into a public event center in Vandergrift. After years of sitting dormant, the worship area of the former Trinity United Presbyterian Church has been transformed by owner Chloe Kruse into a multipurpose rental venue. “There hasn’t been a congregation here in more than...
Daycation: Blaze a trail with family-focused fun near Clear Creek State Park
A rural roaming adventure awaits with a daycation to Clear Creek State Park in Sigel. Family-friendly activities abound amid the scenic park that encompasses more than 1,900 acres in Jefferson County. “It’s pronounced Sig-ul,” said local Seth Crate. “This area has a classic, old-fashioned charm.” Nature enthusiasts come from far...
East Vandergrift officials launch new Food Truck Friday event
A new food truck event is rolling into East Vandergrift. Food Truck Friday is the latest community event sponsored by the East Vandergrift Community Foundation. The monthly gathering encompasses eating, drinking and socializing with a street-fair vibe. It will take place the second Friday of each month, May through October....
Prom Grand March dazzles in Leechburg
Leechburg Area High School students sparkled onstage Saturday as they kicked off festivities for the 2023 “Crystal Gala” Junior/Senior Prom. More than 80 students were introduced onstage at 2 p.m. before a packed audience as they walked between a giant “2023.” Prom-goers boarded a bus after the grand march for...
Preschool program set to expand this fall at Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall
The preschool program at Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall is set to expand this fall, offering a full-day option for ages 4 and 5. “We decided to take it full-time because we noticed that seems to be the trend these days. There’s a lot more working parents,”...
Former bank transformed into event venue in Leechburg
A busy couple is banking on making their latest business venture a success in Leechburg. Sarah and Shawn McGonagle, both 35, hold down steady jobs, Sarah as a Realtor and Shawn working in finance, and juggle the demands of raising four young children. They relocated from O’Hara to Leechburg last...
Bishop Larry Kulick returns to hometown to emcee Hall of Fame ceremony in Leechburg
Organizers of the Leechburg Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony are set to honor three people for their outstanding contributions to the community. In its 18th year, the awards dinner is hosted by the Leechburg Area Community Association. This year’s inductees are Ian Coyle, Robin Patton and the Rev....
East Vandergrift officials plan town hall meeting to gather input on projects
East Vandergrift officials are extending an invitation to residents for a town hall-style community gathering Tuesday evening. The inaugural East Vandergrift Community Planning Session kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at the borough office, 254 Kennedy Ave. The event is co-sponsored by the East Vandergrift Community Foundation and East Vandergrift Council....
Leechburg Council approves new police contract
Leechburg’s two full-time police officers are getting a raise. Leechburg Council approved a new, four-year contract for the borough’s two full-timers, Chief Jason Schaeffer and officer Mark Pollick, during its April meeting. Councilman D.J. Zelczak served as lead negotiator with Allegheny Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 39. “Both...
Bereaved Mother’s Day event first of its kind in Fox Chapel
Marcy Henry of East Palestine, Ohio, experienced firsthand the heartbreak and grief that accompanies the loss of a child. Henry lost her daughter, Madeline, at 40 weeks and five days gestation on Oct. 26. “Losing my daughter has absolutely destroyed me,” Henry said. “But I know that she would want...
Tredway Trail, dubbed ‘gem’ of Allegheny Township, nears completion
A woodsy recreational asset is nearing completion in Allegheny Township. The Wynn and Clara Tredway River Trail, which formerly stretched from the Braeburn section of Lower Burrell to the Freeport Bridge, now extends nearly 2 miles farther north to Kiski Junction. The latest $1.2 million expansion project was made possible...
5 Democrats vying for 3 nominations for seats on Aspinwall Council
Five Democrats will compete in the May primary for three Democratic Party nominations for seats on Aspinwall Council. Challengers Louis Curcio Jr., David C. Brown and Mark Chimel II will vie against incumbents Heth R. Turnquist and Patti McCaffrey. Barring any unexpected write-in campaigns, the winning Democrats could face Republicans...
Do not pass: Police crack down on school bus scofflaws in Freeport, Leechburg districts
Jennifer Pirhalla grinds her teeth with worry every time she accompanies her two children to their bus stop in rural Gilpin . Pirhalla is concerned about student safety after witnessing numerous motorists disregarding the lighted stop sign arm on the school bus that picks them up along Johnetta Road. “I...
Duplex fire displaces senior citizen in Allegheny TownshipVideo
A senior citizen is displaced after a Monday morning fire at a duplex in Allegheny Township. A fire broke out about 8:49 a.m. in the kitchen area of a patio home in the 600 block of Cedar Ridge Drive, Allegheny Township police Chief Duane Fisher said. Fisher said a neighbor...
Valley Dairy Restaurant’s opening date set in Allegheny Township
Calling all ice cream lovers. Promising the “best banana split of your life,” Valley Dairy Restaurant training manager Joe Wyant took a few minutes out of his increasingly busy schedule Thursday to provide details on the upcoming May 1 grand opening in Allegheny Township. “It’s original strawberry and vanilla hand-dipped...
