Joyce Hanz stories, Page 53
Grant money to help Vandergrift’s historic Casino Theatre replace crumbling fire escape
A crumbling fire escape at Vandergrift’s historic Casino Theatre that dates back nearly a century will be replaced with the help of grant money. “It’s rusty, attached only in one location and the steps are not up to code,” said Janice Oberdorf, treasurer of the nonprofit Casino Theatre Restoration Management....
Kiski Area poised to hire new superintendent
A woman appears to be in line to become Kiski Area School District’s next superintendent. Kiski Area officials wouldn’t identify the top candidate late this week, but Business Manager Peggy Gillespie said the district’s website would be updated Monday to announce the choice. The school board is expected to vote...
Signature Dish: Chilean sea bass at newly restored Bloser Mansion in ParnassusVideo
This is part of an ongoing series highlighting Signature Dishes at locally owned restaurants in the region. See Trib Total Media’s new online directory of restaurants, Dine Local, at dinelocal.triblive.com. A new restaurant housed in a historic venue in New Kensington is dishing up lots of buzz. The Bloser Mansion,...
Gold medalist Jade Carey has strong ties to Alle-Kiski Valley
Long before gymnast Jade Carey won gold with her nearly flawless floor routine Monday at the Tokyo Olympics, the 21-year-old from Arizona nailed a living-room floor routine in the Alle-Kiski Valley during a visit to see relatives. “We had a huge family room, and from the time she walked in...
Vandergrift Council appoints committee to study how to regulate home-kept chickens
Vandergrift officials are taking steps to adopt an ordinance on backyard chickens. “The only thing we have in place right now is an old ordinance for nuisance fowl,” borough Solicitor Larry Loperfito said, adding that the decades-old ordinance addresses concerns such as a noisy rooster crowing. A three-person committee created...
West Leechburg’s ‘accidental’ garlic grower has been at it for half-century
West Leechburg’s Jack Froncek doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet. He prefers garlic. Froncek, 94, has been growing garlic at his Giron Street residence for 50 years. He said he got his start in garlic growing by accident. After noticing a large dirt excavation project near his home...
Vandergrift library to offer self-guided StoryWalk
Walking is about to get more interesting with a new self-guided family program offered by the Vandergrift Public Library. StoryWalk is a self-guided initiative encouraging the public to visit local parks, learn something new and spend time together. The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., and...
Missing Vandergrift ArtFest painting returned to artist
A painting that was feared stolen from Vandergrift’s ArtFest last weekend has been found. ArtFest chairperson Lisa Dormire posted the update to social media Sunday morning. An ocean-themed 16x20 oil painting by Alle-Kiski Valley artist JoAnn Wesolosky disappeared from a pop-up gallery last Sunday and organizers took to social media...
Painting reported missing by organizers of Vandergrift ArtFest, feared stolen
Organizers of Vandergrift ArtFest are seeking help from the public to locate a missing painting they fear was stolen. ArtFest chairperson Lisa Dormire said the ocean landscape painting by Alle-Kiski Valley artist JoAnn Wesolosky was last seen Saturday night in the Decorator’s Workshop, a pop-up gallery and acoustic lounge on...
Market Street Pizza, born out of the pandemic in Leechburg, closes its doors
Downtown Leechburg is losing another restaurant. Market Street Pizza, at 132 Market St., is scheduled to close July 30. Thistle Events president Joe Hesketh announced the news on social media Wednesday, posting the decision to close was decided with “conflicting emotions.” Market Street Pizza is part of a restaurant portfolio...
Leechburg Area makes masks optional for students, staff
Leechburg Area School Board voted to make it optional for students and staff to wear masks or face coverings when classes resume Aug. 25. Superintendent Tiffany Nix presented the proposed change to the district’s health and safety plan to board members on Wednesday. Under it, masks and face coverings also...
Fox Chapel Area parents divided on district’s proposed mask-wearing policy
Fox Chapel Area School District parents have started opposing online petitions regarding the district’s proposed voluntary mask-wearing policy for students and staff. A petition drive on ipetitions .com, started Tuesday by Sarah Stanger, asks the district to require mask-wearing on campus and had gathered more than 375 signatures as of...
Allegheny Township ice cream stand is up for sale
A popular ice cream business in Allegheny Township is on the market. Sweetie’s Ice Cream, at 6273 Leechburg Road, is listed for $339,000 with Jason Mazzei of Keller Williams Realty. Co-owner Edward Spix, who has owned it for almost a decade, said, “It’s time to move on.” Mazzei said he...
The late Ellen Toy, longtime volleyball coach, honored with court in Vandergrift’s Kennedy Park
A new volleyball court in Vandergrift aims to honor the memory of a longtime devoted Alle-Kiski Valley coach and teacher. The Ellen Toy Grass Court at Kennedy Park recently was completed. It was made possible by funding from the nonprofit We Serve First Foundation. “Let’s let people know there’s a...
Portion of Route 356 in Allegheny Township reopens after being closed because of utility pole problems
A portion of Route 356 in Allegheny Township near Stanford Home Center was closed for several hours Tuesday because of what the township deemed a utility pole failure. Township officials posted a traffic alert to their official Facebook page around 8:50 a.m. Tuesday that showed a utility pole leaning over...
Leechburg carnival returns, will help fire department raise money for new engine
The Leechburg Carnival is returning after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. The popular event raises money for the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. It will be held from Aug. 2-7 at the fire company grounds located at 268 Canal Street. The department is trying by August 2022 to...
Artfest returns to VandergriftVideo
The arts came alive under a perfect summer sky Sunday in Vandergrift. More than 75 artists and vendors took over a closed-off Grant Avenue for the 2021 themed “Art, Heart and Soul” event that draws hundreds annually to the vibrant street fair. The event returned this year bigger-than-ever after being...
Celebrating Christmas: On July 25, because of the pandemic
One Alle-Kiski Valley family hasn’t let covid stand in the way of celebrating Christmas. When the pandemic forced a cancellation of their usual Christmas Day family gathering in Tarentum last year, Kathy Kemp of the Cabot section of Winfield Township, Butler County, got creative. “My mom was not happy with...
Oakmont Yacht Club holds regatta
It’s been smooth sailing this weekend for the 119th annual Oakmont Yacht Club Regatta. The three-day event is back along the banks of the Allegheny River this summer after being canceled last year because of the covid-19 related pandemic. Dom Conte, board member and 2021 regatta organizer, said the regatta...
No worries about what’s for dinner in Lower Burrell as food truck rally satisfies crowd
Lisa Fiorina of Lower Burrell didn’t have to fret over what to make for dinner Saturday. The Food Truck Extravaganza sponsored by Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 solved her dinner dilemma. “No cooking tonight,” Fiorina said. “It’s important to support your local fire community.” More than 18 food...
Farmer x Baker expanding with O’Hara location
A popular waterfront eatery is expanding its operations. Farmer x Baker, a repurposed shipping container-turned-eatery located inside Aspinwall Rivertrail Park, plans to open a new brick-and-mortar location in O’Hara Township this fall and serve as the exclusive caterer and provider for a new weekend brunch at Cellar on Penn in...
National Night Out picnic to be held at Northmoreland Park
Allegheny Township is hosting a picnic next month at Northmoreland Park as part as part of the community’s participation in National Night Out. It’s a free gathering aimed at building relationships between first responders and the community and serves as a positive crime and drug prevention event. Coordinated by the...
Signature Dishes: Birdville Pie, the ‘top-secret’ pizza at Phillippi’s in HarrisonVideo
This is part of an ongoing series highlighting Signature Dishes at locally owned restaurants in the region. See Trib Total Media’s new online directory of restaurants, Dine Local, at dinelocal.triblive.com. The bird’s the word at one pizzeria in Harrison. The best-selling Birdville Pie is the draw and signature menu item...
Party bus fundraiser benefits Arnold firefighters
It’s a fundraiser with an emphasis on fun. The Arnold Volunteer Engine Company #2 is offering a party bus package fundraiser, featuring a 26-passenger party bus from Extreme Limousines in Lower Burrell. The unique fundraiser prize is in response to what company volunteer and secretary Chris O’Leath said is a...
Newly created Leechburg Angling Club promotes fishing on Kiski River, its tributaries
Danny Hilliard of Leechburg has loved fishing since he was old enough to clutch a rod. He recently created the Leechburg Angling Club, a new public Facebook group, with a goal of promoting angling on the Kiski River and its associated tributaries. “When I was a kid, the Kiski was...
