Joyce Hanz stories, Page 30
Fox Chapel Area teens volunteer their tech skills helping others
A tech-savvy team of teens are on a mission to help close the digital divide — one person at a time. Technology Trained by Teens is a nonprofit created last year by Fox Chapel Area High School junior David Feder of Indiana Township. Students from Fox Chapel Area High School...
Gilpin officials investigating reports of stolen business yard signs
Gilpin officials are investigating recent reports of sign thefts in the township. Supervisor Charles Stull took to social media Friday to ask for the public’s help regarding multiple reports of what he described as a “strange” crime throughout the township. “Yard signs for various businesses throughout Gilpin Township have gone...
Armstrong County commissioners explore park transfer offer to Gilpin and Leechburg officials
The Gilpin/Leechburg Park in Gilpin might soon be under new ownership. On Jan. 26, the Armstrong County commissioners sent letters to Gilpin and Leechburg officials to gauge interest on the municipalities taking ownership of the park property. The Gilpin supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 14 to accept the park’s transfer....
After treating pain with medical marijuana, Ryan Shazier launches new line of products
When former Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a terrifying injury during a 2017 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he didn’t know that trying to walk again would lead to even more battles during his recovery. As his journey progressed from paralysis to relearning how to walk, Shazier not only had...
Spaghetti dinner fundraiser returns after long hiatus at St. Gertrude’s in Vandergrift
A big fundraiser with big flavor is back in Vandergrift. The monthly spaghetti dinner, long held in person at St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Vandergrift, has returned. “I’m glad it’s back,” the Rev. James Loew said. “It’s a fundraiser, but it’s an event that brings the parish and the...
North Apollo, Parks Township join Leechburg police regionalization study; more participation sought
Leechburg officials are hoping to add more nearby municipalities to an upcoming police regionalization feasibility study. In addition to Leechburg, North Apollo and Parks Township officials have agreed to participate in a state-run study to explore whether regionalization would reduce costs and pave the way for 24/7 police coverage. Leechburg...
Valley Dairy Restaurant slated for former Kings restaurant in Allegheny Township
A new family-style restaurant is coming to Allegheny Township. Valley Dairy Restaurant plans to set up shop in the former Kings Family Restaurant at 315 Hyde Park Road. Kings permanently closed at 2 p.m. Feb. 5 without advance notice to staff and customers. Known for its “You Never Had It...
Vandergrift officials amend ordinance allowing recreational play in streets
Kids can finally be kids again in Vandergrift. At its meeting last month, council unanimously amended a decades-old ordinance that prohibited the “throwing, kicking or knocking of any ball,” including snowballs, on borough streets, alleys and sidewalks. Borough solicitor Larry Loperfito said Monday the ordinance was changed to prohibit such...
Inclusive dance entertains at O’Hara Elementary School
A red-carpet event returned after a pandemic-induced hiatus, welcoming more than 600 students and family members to the “Special Someone Dance” Feb. 11 at O’Hara Elementary School. Each student was invited to bring a special someone as his or her guest. There was no dress code, and people were encouraged...
Man shot, killed in Wilkinsburg on Sunday
Allegheny County Police are seeking information after a man was shot to death Sunday afternoon in Wilkinsburg. According to Allegheny County 911, the county’s homicide unit responded to a request for assistance around 2:49 p.m. in the 100 block of Bryn Mawr Court. When first responders arrived, they discovered a...
Boil water advisory affects thousands of households in multiple Pittsburgh neighborhoods
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has extended a precautionary boil-water advisory for Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield, East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Homewood North, Morningside, North Point Breeze, Point Breeze, Shadyside, South Oakland and Swisshelm Park neighborhoods after an electrical outage Sunday at an undisclosed pump station. More than 6,100 households...
‘Absolutely heartbreaking’: Mourners honor slain McKeesport police Officer Sean SluganskiVideo
Brittany Weaver of Monessen broke down in tears Sunday afternoon en route to pay her respects to slain McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski. Sluganski, 32, of McKeesport was killed in the line of duty Feb. 6 while responding to a domestic/ mental health incident in the city. Weaver, 33, worked with Sluganski...
Fast love: 4 couples share their speedy romance stories
In life and love, the length of a couple’s engagement holds no hard and fast rules. The average engagement length for U.S. couples is 16 months, according to a study presented by the Knot in 2021, an increase in duration from 14 months in 2019. Retired co-pastors Lisa and Gary...
Belle Vernon woman gives old cat a new home after 11 years at Apollo shelter
Courtney Scalzott was grieving the recent death of her cat when she saw a Facebook post that changed everything. The social media plea by Kiski Valley Cat & Kitten Rescue was made in hopes of finding an owner for an adult cat that had been waiting 11 years to be...
New food bank in Apollo overwhelmed with high turnout
A library is offering more than just books in Apollo. The Apollo Memorial Library opened the Fresh and Free Community Pantry last week, offering perishable foods such as eggs, vegetables and fruit to the public. In its first three days of operation, more than 260 people visited the library seeking...
Leechburg resident combines passion for barbecue with helping people in need
A barbecue pitmaster from Leechburg uses his grill skills for charity. Joe “Big Joe” Felschow organizes barbecue benefits for anyone experiencing hardship in the Leechburg area. “It’s something I started and have a passion for. I love helping others in this crazy world we live in, even if it’s just...
Once-popular summer festival set to return in Allegheny Township
A popular summertime festival is returning to Allegheny Township. Community Days — last organized in 1997 — is set to return June 24. The township recently approved the formation of a Community Days Committee, spearheaded by Supervisor James Morabito. “We have no records indicating why the event ceased 26 years...
Former Vandergrift YMCA preschool teacher branching out with new program
A longtime educator and former Valley Points Family YMCA employee is opening a new preschool program after a drama-filled departure from her previous teaching post at the West Vandergrift Early Learning Center in Vandergrift. Andrea Bennett was a YMCA employee for 35 years before cleaning out her classroom at the...
Kiski Garden Center in Allegheny Township under new ownership
A popular year-‘round garden center in Allegheny Township is under new ownership. Dave Vargo, former owner of Kiski Garden Center, sold his business Friday for $200,000 to Pat D’Amico of Buffalo Township. Vargo removed a large banner outside his former business that same afternoon as D’Amico looked on and later,...
Couple plans to open full-service dog kennel in Allegheny Township
A canine-loving couple are moving ahead with plans to open a full-service dog kennel in Allegheny Township. Dan and Lindsay Janoski live on 15 acres along Indian Hill Road. Lindsay Janoski grew up with fond memories of her grandparents’ former dog kennel, Mar-Ken-El in Allegheny Township. “I’ve had dogs my...
New physical therapy business in Allegheny Township partners with Kiski Area School District
A new physical therapy business in Allegheny Township has partnered with the Kiski Area School District. East Suburban Sports Medicine Center opened Jan. 2 at 451 Hyde Park Road in Hyde Park Plaza. ESSMC, the official sports medicine provider for Kiski Area, signed a three-year athletic training contract with the...
Fox Chapel Evening of Hope fundraiser returns after three-year hiatus
An elegant evening fundraiser benefiting Pittsburgh-area students is returning to Fox Chapel. The Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh’s Fox Chapel Evening of Hope will be March 2 at the Pittsburgh Field Club. The event, last held in 2019, had been on a pandemic-induced hiatus. “We’re happy to be back....
Father-son firefighting leadership continues in Leechburg
The Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company has new leadership from a fifth-generation firefighter. John A. Foster was appointed chief Jan. 1, replacing his father, Tom, who was appointed chief emeritus after 36 years of serving as chief and 50 years as a firefighter. “I was 5 when my dad became chief,...
Leechburg Area third graders take a walk on the historic side to celebrate 100th day of school
The third grade hallway inside David Leech Elementary School was transformed Friday into a historical photo display project to celebrate the 100th day of school. The inaugural 100 Day Museum Walk, created by third grade teacher Michelle Grooms, is a black-and-white photo display containing 32 photos taken in various locations...
Sharpsburg artist creates social media page to promote borough
Visual artist Corey Ochai is on a mission to positively promote the borough he calls home. “I want people to give people a birds-eye view of Sharpsburg and all the beautiful things here,” said Ochai, 36. Ochai created a Facebook group four years ago called “The Beautiful Sights of Sharpsburg”...
