Joyce Hanz stories, Page 58
Incumbent Vandergrift mayor to face primary challenge from councilman
Democrat Barbara Turiak has competition from a familiar face in her bid for a second term as Vandergrift’s mayor. Councilman Lenny Collini, also a Democrat, announced his candidacy for mayor after serving 12 years on council. Pennsylvania’s primary is May 18. Both candidates said they are friends and there’s not...
Hyde Park canoe launch grows into river recreation gemVideo
What once was a small canoe launch and water source for local firefighters has grown into a river recreation gem in Hyde Park. The Twin Towers Landing, referred to as the Hyde Park Boat Launch, offers a boat launch, picnic pavilion and trail area along the banks of the Kiski...
Police: Vandergrift man faces attempted homicide charge after masked home invasion
An Apollo man told police he woke to a masked man pistol-whipping him during a robbery and a fight ensued. The allegations led state police to charge a Vandergrift man with attempted homicide stemming from the apparent robbery. Javon Michael Lambert, 21, faces 11 felony charges, among them attempted homicide...
North Buffalo Township woman captures photo of large black bear at her home
Jessica Rock of North Buffalo Township may have another mouth to feed. A black bear sauntered onto Rock’s deck last Wednesday night, inches away from her door. The mother of four said that after her dog began barking frantically, she peered out her window and saw a bear eating on...
Kiski Area graduate who lost cousin in fire recognized with Firefighter AwardVideo
Jade Bothell used to be afraid of fires. Now, the East Vandergrift woman fights them. Bothell, 20, joined the Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Company at 17 after a fire claimed the life of her 16-year-old cousin in 2017. “When I was little, I was terrified of fires — house fires, everything...
Gilpin Supervisor Susan Brown was ‘able to turn any situation to good’
Gilpin Supervisor Susan Brown died unexpectedly at home Wednesday morning at age 61. Family members and friends remembered her for her steadfast dedication to the community, her church and her career. “I’m overwhelmed with how many people truly cared for Sue,” said her mother, Shirley Camp. “I never realized how...
Kiski Area assistant principal wins statewide awardVideo
Kiski Area Upper Elementary Assistant Principal Dan Smith has been named Pennsylvania’s 2021 Outstanding Assistant Principal. Smith, a Kiski Area High School alumnus, said the award from the Pennsylvania Principals Association has special meaning given his hometown ties to the district. “It’s wonderful to continue working in the same place...
Another Dollar General coming to Washington Township
Washington Township is getting another Dollar General discount store. Construction is nearing completion at Hancock Avenue and Route 66. In an email, Dollar General spokeswoman Angela Petkovic said the store is tentatively scheduled to open within the next two weeks but didn’t provide a date. Supervisor Rich Gardner said exterior...
Fox Chapel cheerleader Sloane Simon to perform on ‘American Idol’
Fox Chapel Area High School cheerleader Sloane Simon is going to Hollywood. The 16-year-old sophomore from O’Hara is a contestant on “American Idol.” She announced the news Tuesday on her Twitter account. So my audition didn’t air, but I got THREE YESes and I’M GOING TO HOLLYWOOD!! Make sure you...
Kiski Area Superintendent Tim Scott to retire
Kiski Area School District Superintendent Tim Scott announced he is retiring from the district’s top post. Scott, 58, did not give a timetable for his departure from the district of about 3,500 students. “There is such a distinct sense of purpose in trying to grow children into caring adults and...
Zebra, camel OK’d for Victory Stables in Washington Township
Things are about to get exotic in Washington Township. Township supervisors on Thursday approved a request by Victory Stables on Camp Nancy Road to house two exotic animals. Victory Stables manager Jessica Corbin, 31, said she plans to acquire a zebra and a camel within the next few months and...
The Hyde Park Museum may be small, but it’s packed with more than 2,500 local artifacts
Take a big trip down memory lane through three small rooms that comprise the Hyde Park Museum. Originally called the Hyde Park Museum Historical Room, volunteers Kathleen Baker and Maria Vokish have helped to expand the exhibits, adding rooms since opening in 2001. The museum is nestled inside the former...
Craft, vendor show planned in Parks Township to benefit animal sickness research
Vandergrift’s Joni Bertelle once bought a severely neglected horse for $2 at a livestock auction and tried to nurse the animal back to health, but it died of colic six months later. After Bertelle’s dog of 16 years, Trixie Lee, died of cancer, she created Pawz for Cure in 2017...
6 roads to be repaved in Washington Township project
Washington Township Supervisors on Thursday awarded a $356,823 contract to Derry Construction Co. Inc. to pave six township roads this year. Derry Construction Co., based in Derry Township, was one of 10 companies to bid for the contract. Roads to be repaved with asphalt include McQuilkin Drive; Turack, Owens and...
In-person dining resumes at Apollo Senior CenterVideo
The lunch bunch is back at the Apollo Senior Center. In-person dining for seniors resumed on March 1 after the pandemic forced a closure of the dining room for more than 10 months. The center, located inside the Oak Hill Apollo Hose Company No. 3 in Apollo, is funded by...
Three-quarters of Allegheny Township’s police force yet to be vaccinated
The covid-19 vaccination rate for Allegheny Township’s police force remains low despite officers having priority access to the free Pfizer vaccine, officials said. Police Chief Duane Fisher told township supervisors this week that he knows of three officers — including him — who have received the vaccine so far. The...
Allegheny Township rehires former public works director after unexpected death of Shawn Kuhn
Allegheny Township has hired a new director of public works to replace the late Shawn Kuhn, who died unexpectedly Feb. 8 at age 49. Township supervisors hired Steve Kanas on Monday night. Kanas’ starting pay will be $50 an hour, with his hours limited to 32 a week. Township officials...
$2.2M in improvements planned at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township
Westmoreland County is planning $2.2 million in improvements at Allegheny Township’s Northmoreland Park this summer. Brandon Simpson, the county’s parks and recreation director, said the work will include adding a large playground, a walking trail and a handicapped-accessible kayak and canoe launch. Soccer complex No. 2, used by the Kiski...
Homeschooling parents unite in Vandergrift for program where kids can socialize — without computers
Yoga, painting, gardening and storytime await home-schooled youngsters at a new program in Vandergrift. The Homeschool Co-op class meets every Friday in the lower level hall at The Center on Franklin Avenue in Vandergrift. It’s two hours of creative and nontechnology focused activities for children who are home-schooled. It’s taught...
Kiski Area Upper Elementary sixth-grader brightens Fridays with his dance movesVideo
An autistic pre-teen with a big heart and even bigger dance moves is causing a stir at school. Cash Malobicky, a sixth-grader at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School, is a featured dancer each week during the schoolwide video announcements broadcast. “My parents named me after the singer Johnny Cash,” said...
Washington Township man in his 80s homeless after fire destroys mobile home
A Washington Township man in his 80s was displaced Thursday morning when fire destroyed the George Drive mobile home in which he lived alone. Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Clayton Murphy said the fire in the 300 block of rural George Drive started around 10:30 a.m. The occupant of...
In the Kiski Area School District, students tutoring students benefits bothVideo
There was fraction action happening Tuesday at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School. Fifth-grader Kolton McKain met with Kiski Area High School 10th-grader Kayla Mull after school for one-on-one math tutoring — part of a new After School Mentorship tutoring program. “I couldn’t imagine trying to learn fifth-grade math online —...
Police: Gilpin man reports own dog as stray, asks officer to remove it
A Gilpin man is accused of lying to police last month when they said he reported a stray dog had been barking all night outside his residence and asked for the dog to be removed. Police said they learned that the dog belonged to the man, identified in court documents...
Vandergrift website remains dark, officials mum on details
Vandergrift residents still don’t have a functioning borough website, and some residents are seeking answers from council. The website went offline more than a week ago. The outage was brought up by Councilwoman Karen McClarnon during Monday’s virtual council meeting. Visitors to the disabled website encounter an oversized message stating...
Leechburg man charged with assaulting juvenile
Police have charged an 18-year-old Leechburg man with sexually assaulting a juvenile runaway under the age of 13. Pennsylvania State Police in Kittanning filed charges against Ethan James Cogley last Thursday in connection with the alleged incidents. Cogley was arraigned Thursday and faces five felony charges including indecent assault of...
