Joyce Hanz stories, Page 60
Police suspect 3 men of stealing $30K in copper from shuttered ATI plant in Gilpin
A West Deer man is accused of stealing copper valued at $30,000 from an idled Allegheny Technologies Inc. plant with the help of two men who were not in custody as of Tuesday afternoon, Gilpin police said. Police said they had not recovered the stolen copper as of Tuesday afternoon....
Sprankle’s Saxonburg store now offering free grocery delivery
There’s a new free grocery delivery option in the Saxonburg area. Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Saxonburg said Monday it is offering the service to customers living within 10 miles of the store, which opened in July. Sprankle’s stores in Leechburg and Kittanning have offered free grocery delivery for decades. “Covid-19...
Leechburg Area High students combine efforts to create art aimed at encouraging kindnessVideo
A collaborative art project at Leechburg Area High School is promoting kindness. “Kindness Comes in Every Color” will showcase the works of advanced art students with 20 individually painted jigsaw puzzle pieces assembled into one large display. “In a time of crisis like a pandemic, these art projects are especially...
Gilpin woman says 100 ‘doesn’t feel any different,’ celebrates with familyVideo
Alice Newton turned 100 having a great hair day. She still makes her weekly hair appointments in Leechburg and was coiffed and ready to usher in triple digits on Friday. Relaxing by the fire in her rural Gilpin home, Alice chimed in on her new centenarian status. “I”ll tell ya,...
Leechburg historical society to honor Black Civil War veteran Joseph KellyVideo
The only known Black Civil War veteran buried in Leechburg is being honored by the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society. The museum is adding a new display, scheduled for completion in March, commemorating the life and service of Joseph Kelly. “It’s an important piece of the town’s history both...
Harrison native to keep streak alive of attending every Super Bowl
Harrison native Tom Henschel will make a short, 15-minute drive from his home to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to continue a remarkably long streak. Henschel, 79, has attended all 54 Super Bowl games. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, attendance at this year’s Super Bowl, the 55th, will be...
First-come, first-served: Free food to be distributed in Leechburg
Free food for the public is coming to Leechburg every Saturday in February. About 1,100 boxes will be distributed Saturday in a drive-thru format from noon-5 p.m. in the Leechburg Fire Hall lot at 268 Canal St. Saturday’s distribution kicks off the first of a four-day outreach this month. The...
Allegheny Township’s Bob Key, accomplished attorney and businessman, was avid pilot who bred champion horses
Bob Key was no stranger to travel and adventure. His pursuits took him to six continents, but he always returned to his hometown roots in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Robert “Bob” J. Key died at his home in Allegheny Township on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. He was 87. Up until his death,...
Leechburg pizzeria, florist team up for heart-shaped pizzas, flowers for Valentine’s
A Leechburg pizza shop is spreading the love this Valentine’s Day season with heart-shaped pizzas and flowers and stuffed animals on the side. “With the pandemic, we’re thinking outside of the box because a lot of people are not going to be able to go out to dinners, and there...
Leechburg Area adds covid tracker to school district’s website
Leechburg Area School District added a covid case tracker to its website. In a weekly email update to district families Friday, Superintendent Tiffany Nix explained the reason for adding the new link. “This will be much easier for you to access any district information that you may need or want...
Owner of popular 1844 Restaurant willing to wait out pandemic before reopening
A historic rural restaurant remains closed because of the pandemic. 1844 Restaurant, located at 690 Route 66, 3 miles north of Leechburg in Gilpin, closed in March. It is too early to say when it will reopen, said owner/operator Robert Gorelli. Gorelli, 78, said he wants to see widespread covid-19...
West Leechburg Mayor Jim Gallucci figures 40 years of public service is enough
A West Leechburg resident is retiring from public office after serving the borough for 40 years. Jim Gallucci, 72, has served as mayor for 36 years. Prior to being elected, he served on council four years. Long ago, a friend urged him to run for mayor after leading a successful...
Gilpin to install signs along roads where ATVs are allowed to ride
Motorists in Gilpin soon will share the road with ATV riders. Township supervisors voted 4-0 in July to pass an ordinance allowing ATVs on most local roads. The board voted down a similar proposal in 2019. “There were around 25 residents in attendance, most for, a few against,” Supervisor Charles...
Leechburg Recycling Center could use more volunteers for eco-friendly programVideo
Calling all volunteers. The Leechburg Recycling Center, near the high school football field on Logan Avenue Extension, depends on a dedicated core group of about 10 volunteers for its operations. But more volunteers are needed, said Nancy Bono, Leechburg councilwoman and recycling chairwoman. “I’m tired,” said Bono, 84, the oldest...
Freeport native Alex Isenberg making all the right moves
Freeport native Alex Isenberg had been dancing his way through life, landing professional gigs with celebrities such as Madonna and Liza Minnelli and performing around the world. Then the pandemic brought much of the entertainment industry to a halt. “No live shows, no filming, no in-person auditions, nothing,” said Isenberg,...
Former Gilpin man extradited from Texas to face child sex charges
A former Gilpin man accused of sex crimes against a young girl has been extradited from Texas to face the charges. Michael Henry Brucker, 31, of Montgomery, Texas was brought back from Texas early this month, according to Gilpin police. Gilpin police Chief Chris Fabec said police began an investigation...
Leechburg mayor hopes former bank drive-thru location gets a new owner
A historic former bank building in Leechburg is for sale. The former drive-thru location of First Commonwealth Bank, at 200 Market St., was listed for $55,000 several months ago. Two First Commonwealth bank locations in Leechburg closed in December, the result of an increase in online banking and continuing challenges...
Police: DUI suspect from Kiski Township had 2 children in back seat of car
A Kiski Township man is accused of driving under the influence of drugs with two children in the back seat of his car. Kiski Township police charged Kevin William Zetler, 34, with DUI, child endangerment and traffic violations in a traffic stop at North Second and North 11th streets about...
Gabby Barrett welcomes baby girl
Pittsburgh’s celebrity songstress is a new mom. “American Idol” alum and Munhall native Gabby Barrett and husband Cade Foehner welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Baylah May, on Jan. 18. Barrett, 20, updated her fans with the big news in various social media posts including a Twitter post...
Leechburg mansion once home to steel, tin industrialist now great digs for family of 11
A historic residence in Leechburg has new owners. The three-story mansion at 701 First St. was purchased by Ashley and Quinto Martin in August. According to Armstrong County records, the property was sold for $210,000. Money doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. It was built in 1866 —...
Sunday marks return to in-person service for Leechburg churches
Two churches in Leechburg are offering in-person worship. One is returning to church, while the other never stopped in-person services during the pandemic. In a letter to the congregation Thursday, the Rev. Beverly Spore of First United Methodist Church announced a return to face-to-face worship, meetings and small groups is...
West Leechburg program to honor veterans with Main Street banners
Excitement over an anticipated homecoming reunion turned to horror for West Leechburg’s Natalie Schmidt when she received life-changing news in 2012. Her husband, Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Schmidt, was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan five days before their 3-year-old son Aiden’s birthday. Jonathan Schmidt, then 28, had been...
Reconstruction of Third Street wall in Leechburg expected to start in April or May
A new wall reconstruction project on Third Street in Leechburg is underway. Borough engineer Shane Michael said portions of the wall on Third Street are collapsing in some places. “It’s 260 feet long, and we’re replacing about 150 feet of the wall,” Michael said. Council opened six contract bids Tuesday....
Lower Burrell American Legion to hold Mexican dinner fundraiser next Saturday
Lucy Peters of West Leechburg is sharing her love of authentic Mexican cooking with another love — service. Peters, 38, an Army veteran and member of American Legion Post 868 in Lower Burrell, will serve as chef, cooking hundreds of flautas and tamales for a Mexican-themed fundraiser hosted by the...
2 Leechburg Area students test positive for covid
Two students in grades 6-12 at Leechburg Area High School have tested positive for covid-19. Students and staff returned to face-to-face instruction Monday, Jan. 11. In an email to district families Friday, Superintendent Tiffany Nix outlined the latest covid-19 updates for all students in grades K-12. Nix said because the...
