Joyce Hanz stories, Page 54
Crumpet the horse, Steel City Vaulters equestrian team relocate to GilpinVideo
An equestrian team — and its 2,000-pound, 16-year-old star — is coming home to the Alle-Kiski Valley. The Steel City Vaulters is one of 406 competitive equestrian teams nationwide that participate as part of the American Vaulting Association. And Crumpet, a Registered American Shire mare ridden by the team, is...
South Buffalo farm turns field of 150,000 sunflowers into fun, limited-time destination
The flower power scene is reppin’ at a farm in South Buffalo Township. Renshaw Farms has kicked off Sunflower Days. More than 150,000 sunflowers are in bloom in a giant field — available for the public to explore, buy and enjoy. Owner Jason Renshaw said his wife, Jamie, suggested he...
Pink Day fundraiser founder contracts cancer, yet ups game with new Leechburg event
A Leechburg woman diagnosed with cancer hasn’t let personal hardship diminish her passion for fundraising. Sherry Price, founder and organizer of Pink Day, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February during a routine mammogram. “Never in a million years did I think I’d get breast cancer,” said Price, 57. She...
Vandergrift man charged in connection with Apollo Trust Bank robbery
Police have released details concerning the robbery of the Apollo Trust Bank in North Apollo on Monday and the arrest of Vandergrift man charged with the crime. Bradley James Mondi, 33, remains behind bars while awaiting a July 21 preliminary hearing at the Armstrong County Jail after failing to post...
Vandergrift police officer, suspended after encounter with Black restaurant patron, returns to work
Vandergrift Police Officer William Moore, who was suspended last month for unprofessional conduct, is back on duty. Council member Casimer Maszgay confirmed Tuesday that Moore returned to his beat last week. Vandergrift Police Chief Joe Caporali refused to comment on Moore’s return, citing a personnel matter. Moore also declined to...
Gilpin man charged with beating man with political signs during protest
A Gilpin man is facing multiple misdemeanor charges in connection with the assault of a man during his one-man political protest in Allegheny Township. Michael Robert Atwood, 38, has been charged by Allegheny Township police with misdemeanor charges of simple assault and related charges for incidents that unfolded at a...
Leechburg officials want constable to stand down in their town
Leechburg officials have taken legal action in response to a constable they say lacks authority to pursue code violators in the borough. Council addressed the matter during their June meeting, passing two resolutions, after a series of social media posts by Leechburg Constable Corey McIntyre. The resolutions are designed to...
Leechburg woman, local restaurants featured on HGTV’s ‘My Lottery Dream House’
Two Alle-Kiski Valley restaurants and a Leechburg woman were to be featured Friday on an episode of HGTV’s “My Lottery Dream Home.” The series follows its host, David Bromstad, as he helps lottery winners purchase luxury properties with their newfound winnings. Friday’s show was to feature a Leechburg woman, Charity...
Lily’s restaurant in Allegheny Township closes for season, cites lack of staffing
A scenic eatery in Allegheny Township has closed for the summer and fall season. Lily’s, the renovated restaurant at River Forest Country Club overlooking the golf course, announced the closing on social media last week. Referring to the decision to close as “tough” in a Facebook post, Lily’s blamed the...
ATI investing millions in expansion of Vandergrift operations
A four-month strike by workers at ATI hasn’t impacted plans to upgrade and expand the company’s Vandergrift operations from moving forward. “We’ve been proceeding as planned throughout all of the strike activities,” said Danielle Carlini, Vandergrift’s ATI project manager for specialty rolled products. The expansion is set to happen over...
Signature Dishes: Butter sauce adds magic to saffron mussels at Gray Goose in LigonierVideo
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. An appetizer with big flavor is making a splash at The Gray Goose Lakeside Lounge in Ligonier Township. The Saffron...
Vandergrift woman launches petition to slow speeding motorists
A Vandergrift woman has created a petition to try to reduce the speed limit on Holland Avenue. Ursula Clark, a retired steelworker, said motorists exceeding the posted 25 mph speed limit is a daily problem. She said her beloved dog, Titan, recently was struck by a vehicle traveling at what...
Vandergrift group that watches borough’s parks looking for more volunteers
A volunteer group committed to promoting kindness, safety and positive play among children in Vandergrift area parks is looking to grow its membership. The group, called the Vandergrift OWLS Park Supervisor Program, uses volunteers who are dedicated to making sure borough parks are safe and welcoming for the community. During...
Aspinwall historian taking steps to raise money for library, community centerVideo
A new historic walking tour is raising funds for a proposed library and community center in Aspinwall. Terry Nelson Taylor, Aspinwall historian and longtime resident, is volunteering her time and tour guide skills, offering monthly walking tours around the borough that was founded in 1892. All proceeds from the Aspinwall...
Former Vandergrift attorney returns to Appalachian Trail to continue 2,200-mile charity trek
Tim Geary is a man on a mission — again. The 77-year-old retired attorney from Aspinwall has resumed his hike on the Appalachian Trail in honor of his late wife, Gillen, who died after a seven-year battle with melanoma last year. Geary, formerly of Vandergrift, began his hike March 17...
Leechburg Area School District students will return to the classroom 5 days a week
Leechburg Area School District students will return to a pre-pandemic schedule this fall. The school board voted unanimously last month to return to in-person learning five days per week, eliminating previous virtual Wednesdays. “As of now, we are planning a return to school that will look the same as it...
Section of Route 356 in Allegheny Township to close for 7 weeks
A section of Route 356 in Allegheny Township that is used by about 10,000 motorists daily will be closed for nearly seven weeks as a $15.9 million project continues along the state road. “This will be a pain, but to fix a major highway like this you have to be...
Vandergrift’s historic Casino Theatre to reopen SaturdayVideo
Vandergrift’s historic Casino Theatre soon will welcome theatergoers again. The 121-year-old theater, which describes itself as Southwestern Pennsylvania’s oldest operating theater, was shuttered last year because of the pandemic. The Trib previously reported that the venue lost more than $70,000 in booking and show revenue since the pandemic-related shutdown. “We...
Upscale eatery 1844 Restaurant reopening in Gilpin
The upscale 1844 Restaurant in Gilpin is set to reopen after remaining closed for more than a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The family-owned and operated restaurant is scheduled to welcome diners again on July 9. The pandemic forced owner Bob Gorelli, 78, to close in March 2020. He...
Appraising the situation, Michelle Bradley went to great lengths to deal with pandemic
Real estate appraiser Michelle Czekalski Bradley went above and beyond during the pandemic in her quest to follow covid-related safety protocols. Bradley, 54, created her own custom covid prevention outfit to wear while appraising properties. “I scoured the internet every night for gloves, booties, rain ponchos and anything that would...
Overcoming challenges, Alle-Kiski Valley businesses continue to recover
Alle-Kiski Valley businesses are beginning to emerge from the incredible challenges caused by last year’s covid-19 pandemic. Many small-business owners said they’ve experienced a significant loss of income, stress and hardship during the shutdown and subsequent covid restrictions placed on their businesses. A 2020 U.S. Census Bureau Small Business Survey...
Kid vendors will be in the spotlight next month in Vandergrift
A new children’s vendor show is coming to Vandergrift. The inaugural Kids Vendor Show, sponsored by The Center on Franklin Avenue, is scheduled for July 10 at the Center, 262 Franklin Ave. The event will showcase vendors and activities for, by and in support of children. Center founder and owner...
Vandergrift puppeteer spreads cheer, uses craft to help traumatized kids
David English of Vandergrift has a passion for puppetry. His love of the art began when he was 3. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in theater and puppetry from West Virginia University. English said watching “The Muppets” as a youngster in his hometown of Oakmont made a lasting impression....
Apollo-Ridge students combine art, conservation message in street muralsVideo
Colorful murals touting an environmental message are taking over Apollo. The Storm Drain Mural Project is underway and 15 acrylic murals were installed this week throughout the borough by art students from Apollo-Ridge High School. The public art display began nine months ago, created by Apollo-Ridge art student Kate Myers...
Signature Dishes: Pulled pork nachos at Allusion Brewing in VandergriftVideo
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 pint-sized entrepreneur is cooking up a key ingredient used in a signature dish at Allusion Brewing Co. in Vandergrift. Emilee...
