Joyce Hanz stories, Page 46
Division of Cook Medical in Parks Township to be acquired by CooperCompanies; no jobs lost
Cook Medical, with three global locations including a facility in Parks Township, announced last week plans to sell their reproductive health devices division to CooperCompanies, headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. William Cook Australia and Cook Spencer are the other two facilities currently manufacturing reproductive health devices. Cook Medical has locations...
Faces of the Valley: For Melissa Aller of Leechburg, volunteering is a way of life
Melissa Aller of Leechburg knows her way around a fundraiser. Aller, 39, grew up in Natrona and began volunteering at a young age, tagging along with her late mother, Bonnie, a frequent volunteer in the community. “My mother always told me it was better to give than to receive,” said...
O’Hara student designs inspirational painting for nursing home memory unit
A Dorseyville middle schooler is giving back to a local senior center in memory of her great-grandmother. Ella Golomb, 12, of O’Hara created a positive painting project as her required charitable project for her upcoming Bat Mitzvah. Golomb is a congregant at Adat Shalom synagogue in Cheswick and social action...
Dorito Burrito keeps customers coming back at Niki’s Quick Six in Parks Township
A burrito with a snack food flair is creating a buzz in Parks Township. The Dorito Burrito is a specialty offering and best-seller at Niki’s Quick Six, a popular restaurant/bar/takeout place in the township’s North Vandergrift neighborhood. Owner Niki Hosack said she created the quirky sandwich so her customers wouldn’t...
Daisha Clayton proud to be 1st Black person in decades to serve on Vandergrift Council
As Daisha Clayton settles into her third month on Vandergrift Council, she’s keenly aware of the significance of being chosen to fill that role. When Clayton was appointed to Vandergrift Council in December, she was only the second Black person to serve as a councilperson. The late Lorelei Whaley, who...
Harrison native keeping up perfect Super Bowl attendance record with No. 56 on Sunday
Harrison native Tom Henschel has perfect attendance in one of the world’s most exclusive clubs. Henschel, 80, is a member of the Never Miss a Super Bowl Club. Henschel joins Gregory Eaton and Don Crisman as the only football fans on Earth to have attended all of the previous 55...
Kiski Area Elementary Art Show to display over 1,000 works
Art and fellowship will soon fill the hallways at three Kiski Area elementary schools. The annual Kiski Area School District Elementary Art Show returns Tuesday, Feb. 8 after being held virtually last year because of the pandemic. Kiski Area East, North and South Primary Schools will simultaneously host the event...
‘Pippin’ comes to Shady Side Academy stage
Shady Side Academy drama students are bringing live theater back. Last year’s spring musical was presented in late May in a virtual format via video because of the pandemic. Senior School students will perform their winter musical, “Pippin,” Feb. 11-13. First-time Shady Side musical director Dek Ingraham said the cast...
Kiski Area seeks volunteers, supporters for district nonprofit
Kiski Area officials are seeking supporters and donations from the community to help bolster the coffers of the Kiski Area Education Foundation. Foundation president Ron Ferrara said the pandemic affected fundraising the past two years, resulting in a loss of about $25,000. The foundation has only 16 volunteers, all serving...
Leechburg elementary school students celebrate 100th day of classes in fun way
Students from David Leech Elementary School in Leechburg dressed up as 100-year-old ladies and gentlemen Friday, Jan. 28 to celebrate their 100th day of school. The event is an annual tradition that the students look forward to. Students have a choice of dressing up as an elderly person or wearing...
‘Beloved’ former Kiski Area school slated for demolition
A former school building that served elementary, middle and high school students in Washington Township is slated for demolition. The former Washington Elementary School at 4728 Route 66 was part of the Kiski Area School District. The school opened in 1927 and closed in 2013. Township supervisors granted a demolition...
Threat of building collapse forces partial closure of Longfellow Street in Vandergrift
Portions of Longfellow Street in Vandergrift were closed for a time Wednesday afternoon after demolition crews evacuated a condemned building. Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 Chief Albert Wells confirmed there were no injuries. Borough officials roped off the building at 326 Longfellow St. and said it’s unsafe for the...
New assistant principal at Kiski Area Upper Elementary brings homegrown passion to role
A familiar face has a new leadership role at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Washington Township. Maggie Nicholas, a longtime teacher at the school, became assistant principal at KAUE on Jan. 3. She replaced Dan Smith, who moved to a new position as the district’s technology integration specialist. For...
Pair of longtime teachers reflect on meaningful aspects of their jobs at Kiski Area East Primary School
Two Kiski Area elementary teachers have “ruled the school” for a combined 67 years. Sharon Komandt and Mary Emanuelson are the district’s most tenured educators. Both teach at Kiski Area East Primary School in Vandergrift. Komandt, a reading specialist, has been a teacher for 32 years with deep roots in...
After renovation, Lake’s Roadhouse reopens with new look as Kiski River Lodge
It’s out with the old at Lake’s Roadhouse and in with the new — starting with a new name: Kiski River Lodge. When the pandemic forced a prolonged closure of their business, co-owners Wanda and Rick Lake of Loyalhanna Township rolled up their sleeves and got busy renovating their motel,...
Morning Sun Senior Lofts housing project in East Vandergrift delayed
A $13 million revitalization project involving the redevelopment of the former East Vandergrift Elementary School is on hold. East Vandergrift officials said Morning Sun Senior Lofts, a proposed loft-style affordable senior-living residence on McKinley Avenue, was denied about $12 million in tax credits last November from the Pennsylvania Finance Housing...
After 38 years with Parks Township police, Chief Ciuca to retire in February
In his 38 years patrolling Parks Township, Chief Douglas Ciuca has just about seen it all. Tasked with helping to keep law and order in the township’s 14 square miles, Ciuca has responded to calls ranging from quirky to tragic. His most difficult moment? “Finding an infant, alive and unharmed,...
Aspinwall Neighbors winter soup program connects with neighbors
A free soup delivery program in Aspinwall has maintained operations, despite ongoing covid conditions. The Aspinwall Neighbors soup program started more than a decade ago, connecting residents and others with fellow Aspinwall neighbors by providing a free quart of homemade soup each month, personally delivered to homes by volunteers. Last...
Vandergrift Public Library to hold escape room fundraisers with live actors
The Vandergrift Public Library wants you out the door — for a good cause. As a fundraiser, the library will hold two escape room events, on Feb. 11 and 25, in its historic building in downtown Vandergrift. People are invited to register in teams of four to six to compete...
Key Club Talent Show back at Kiski Area schools
Live theater is back with an annual talent show returning to the Kiski Area School District. The Kiski Area annual Key Club Talent Show will showcase the talent of students with a variety show on Friday. All proceeds from the event, which is sponsored by the Key Club, will be...
Lenny Calderone remembered as beloved ‘ambassador’ of Vandergrift
Leonard Rocco “Lenny” Calderone, a Vandergrift native known for intense pride in his hometown, died on Sunday. His sister, Elizabeth Calderone, said he died suddenly at home from a heart attack. He was 78. While Calderone never held a position in local government, he was widely considered the unofficial ambassador...
Kiski Area student leads team trying to raise $100K for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
A Kiski Area High School student is hoping to raise big money for a charity close to her heart. Junior Allison Thompson of Washington Township formed Team WISH (Warriors of Invincible Strength and Hope) on a mission to raise $100,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For her efforts, Thompson...
Eligible preschoolers in Vandergrift can now get a Head Start
There’s a new preschool in Vandergrift. Westmoreland Community Action has opened a Head Start classroom in the lower level of The Center on Franklin Avenue, in the former Trinity United Presbyterian Church. Teacher Abby Wilcox of Kiski Township welcomed new students Monday. Head Start prepares children ages 3 to 5...
Feline fans needed: 2 Alle-Kiski cat rescue groups seeking volunteers
Calling all cat lovers. Two local groups dedicated to helping homeless and feral felines are in need of additional helpers. Cat Crusaders of Leechburg and Homeless Cat Management Team of Tarentum both work to feed, house and tend to cats in need — with a primary focus on providing low-cost,...
N Stuff Music in Blawnox expands with Next Door Cafe and Little Lesson House
The beat goes on for the Sarra family. Bob Sarra and his two sons, Jason and Justin, are co-owners of N Stuff Music, a music instrument store at 468 Freeport Rd. in Blawnox. The business recently expanded to the two buildings on either side of it, which were remodeled into...
