Joyce Hanz stories, Page 33
Allegheny Township’s proposed budget includes no tax increase
Allegheny Township residents won’t see a property tax increase next year. The 2023 proposed budget includes a general fund budget of $4.27 million, according to the budget presentation by township Manager Greg Primm. The tax rate will remain at 13.35 mills. “I’m pleased that for the 13th consecutive year our...
Student-run credit union opens at Kiski Area High School
An on-campus credit union is open at Kiski Area High School in Allegheny Township. The Kiski Area Cash Stash, run by students, opened Monday. In partnership with Pheple Federal Credit Union, the credit union is a fully functioning branch office, staffed by three high school students. It’s the first on-campus,...
Oakmont Walgreens on the market for more than $7.2 million
Wanna buy a drugstore? A Walgreens at 324 Hulton Road in Oakmont is on the market for more than $7.2 million. The commercially zoned property, built in 2006, is offered as a triple net lease (NNN) in a commercial listing on Loopnet.com by Deerfield Partners. Janet Czekalski, co-owner and sales...
East Vandergrift set to ‘Welcome’ the holidays with community gathering
Officials and volunteers from East Vandergrift are ringing in the holidays with a new event. East Vandergrift’s inaugural “Welcome to the Holidays” community gathering will combine Christmas-themed activities with socializing. Sponsored by the Holiday Mothers, borough council and the East Vandergrift Community Foundation, the event is free. It kicks off...
Nostalgic 3-day festival offers holiday fun in Vandergrift
When people call Denise Lewandowski “Crazy Christmas Lady,” she considers it a compliment. Lewandowski, of Vandergrift, proudly embraces her holiday moniker. She wore a sweatshirt with that phrase on it while preparing Wednesday for a big holiday event this weekend in Vandergrift. She talked about her passion for all things...
Proposed ordinance to allow backyard chickens in O’Hara scheduled for council consideration in January
A proposal to allow O’Hara Township residents to keep backyard chickens is now before O’Hara Council and is scheduled for consideration at its Jan. 3 meeting. Chickens have never been permitted on township residences under 5 acres. Allowing them on smaller properties has been on the radar for several years....
Daycation: Steubenville, Ohio, boasts world’s largest display of life-sized nutcrackers
Experience a whimsical and traditional holiday walking tour of 200 life-sized nutcrackers on display in historic Steubenville, Ohio, located about 40 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. The Steubenville Nutcracker Village offers a free, 24/7 nutcracker self- guided outdoor tour opportunity through Jan. 7. Billed as the world’s largest collection of life-sized nutcrackers,...
Kiski Area marching band takes bronze medal at national competition
The Kiski Area High School marching band capped its 2022 performance season with a national award. The band earned the 2022 Bands of America Class AA National Bronze Medal at the Bands of America Grand National Championships held recently in Indianapolis. The competition featured more than 100 high school bands...
Light the Season holiday event returns in Allegheny Township
The annual Light the Season holiday kickoff event is returning to Allegheny Township. Light the Season begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Allegheny Township Municipal Complex. The community gathering has been on hiatus since 2019 because of ongoing covid conditions and construction on the township building. Township...
Santa Claus pays a visit to Leechburg’s Small Business Saturday
Leechburg was among the towns across the Alle-Kiski Valley that had a Small Business Saturday event. The event was started by American Express about a decade ago to promote shopping at small businesses the day after Black Friday, which has been dominated by big box retailers. One of the visitors...
Small Business Saturday gaining momentum across region
On the Saturday after Black Friday across America, shopping small can lead to big gains for businesses and customers alike. Small Business Saturday is an annual post-holiday shopping day celebrated nationwide that encourages shoppers to buy from small, local community businesses. Created by American Express in 2010 during a nationwide...
New business brewing in Blawnox
A new java spot is coming to Blawnox. Black Canary Coffeehouse, located in Springdale, is expanding with a second location at 276 Freeport Road. The flagship coffee and ice cream shop opened in 2021 in Springdale and is located at 636 Pittsburgh St. Co-owners Julie Kahlbaugh and Rodney Burrell said...
Alle-Kiski churches offer free turkey meals on Thanksgiving
Free turkey meals were flying out the door Thanksgiving morning at St. Mary’s Church in Freeport. Four years ago, the parish began cooking, packaging and giving away Thanksgiving Day turkey meals with all the trimmings. It’s a no-strings-attached outreach — just a free hot meal on America’s day of giving...
Annual turkey trot in Washington Township breaks attendance records
More than 900 participants gobbled up the chance to run or walk during the annual Thanksgiving Day Kiski Valley Turkey Trot in Washington Township. The in-person race that draws runners from neighboring states kicked off at 9 a.m. under blue skies and below-freezing temperatures. Organizers set up multiple fire barrels...
Casino Theatre’s Hometown Christmas returns, celebrates 25 years
After two seasons without, the holiday spirit returns to the stage at the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift. The annual Hometown Christmas show was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the covid-19 pandemic. This season, the production celebrates its 25th anniversary with “Our 25th Magical Lyrical Annual Miracle, Going Home.”...
Teen fight shatters hair salon window in Downtown Pittsburgh
A window of a hair salon in Downtown Pittsburgh was shattered Wednesday during a fight between teenagers, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. “It’s awful,” Joe Cardamone, owner of Cardamone’s Hair Salon on Forbes Avenue, told WPXI. “The kids were arguing out front here. We were in here working with...
$1.65M Pennsylvania Lottery prize still unclaimed by winner in Kiski Township
Time is running out for a person to cash in a $1.65 million-winning Pennsylvania lottery ticket sold last year in Kiski Township. The unclaimed Cash 5 winning ticket was purchased Dec. 16, 2021, at the BP Fueland on River Road. The ticket is on the verge of expiring if unclaimed by...
Student-curated WWII exhibit on display at new LIGHT Center at Dorseyville Middle School
A group of eighth-graders at Dorseyville Middle School are volunteering their time to take others back in time to the 1940s. The school’s new LIGHT Center is hosting its first exhibit, a World War II display featuring a collection of artifacts on loan from faculty members. “The students were trained...
New community foundation plans first event in East Vandergrift
A new nonprofit in East Vandergrift is striving to support and increase activities in the borough. The East Vandergrift Community Foundation, established over the summer by a handful of residents, is hosting a holiday home-decorating contest. Borough residents are encouraged to participate, and homes will be judged by foundation members...
Leechburg Area employee named paraprofessional of the year
When Angela Vigna goes to work each day, she isn’t expecting accolades. In fact, she was surprised recently to learn she had been named the 2022 Pennsylvania State Education Association Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year. “I’m very honored. I love my job. Working with students has changed...
Hundreds brave cold to be part of Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration
Hundreds of parade-goers braved freezing temperatures Saturday evening to kick off the holiday season with street fair in Oakmont. Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration offered an evening chock full of holiday entertainment, including an elf named Zippy. Sven Drop, 14, likes to dress up as holiday favorites like the...
Bonfire Shortcut to close for the day Monday in Allegheny Township
The well-traveled Bonfire Shortcut detour along White Cloud Road in Allegheny Township will close most of the day Monday. The road is scheduled to be closed from 7 a.m. up until 5 p.m. The Bonfire Shortcut, which is township-owned, has become a detour route during major construction of Route 356....
Tarentum-Brackenridge parade kicks off holiday season with festive funVideo
Samantha Thomas of Springdale donned three layers of clothing Saturday in an effort to keep warm during the annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas Parade. Temperatures hovered in the mid-20s under sunny skies as hundreds of parade-goers lined the streets for the 1 p.m. start. The parade was filled with plenty...
Leechburg native returns home to open bookstore/gift shop
Lindsey Smith has a way with words. The Leechburg native embraced writing and English from a young age, and now she’s using her decades of experience in the publishing industry with her latest venture: a bookstore and gift shop opening soon in downtown Leechburg. One Idea Books & Gifts will...
‘A Christmas Story’ home for sale in Cleveland
One of the most recognizable homes in holiday cinematic history is for sale. The iconic house from “A Christmas Story,” watched by millions every yuletide, was listed Monday. Vandergrift resident Lisa Dormire took a day trip last December to tour the home with a group of senior citizens from Redstone...
