Joyce Hanz stories, Page 63
Leechburg honors veterans, dedicates ‘Hometown Heroes’ banners in Thursday eventVideo
Local veterans were honored during an outdoor Veterans Day tribute and banner dedication Thursday in Leechburg. Mayor Wayne Dobos said he organizes the annual event because “it’s the right thing to do.” He rescheduled the event for Thursday because Wednesday’s forecast called for heavy rain. Four Leechburg veterans were recognized...
Alle-Kiski Valley couple celebrates 70 years of marriage, 75 years in loveVideo
An instant schoolgirl crush proved to be a life-changer for Vivian Beers. “I saw a guy sitting outside with a bunch of boys and I said to my girlfriend, ‘See that boy over there? I’m going to marry him,” said Vivian Beers, 89, of Winfield. That boy was Jim Beers,...
After 80 years, Leechburg Cemetery gets new sign thanks to Rotary Club’s efforts
The Leechburg Cemetery has a new entry sign that pays homage to its original. The sign at the cemetery was scrapped for metal in the 1940s during World War II and it hadn’t been replaced. The cemetery was founded in 1864. Longtime cemetery volunteer Larry Boehm, 47, installed the sign...
Veterans honored in Leechburg, Gilpin with more than 200 banners hung through the areaVideo
More than 200 banners are being erected on utility poles throughout Leechburg and Gilpin as part of a new “Hometown Heroes” push to honor veterans. Mayor Wayne Dobos said the goal is to have all of the banners hung by Veterans Day. Main and Market streets were the first areas...
O’Hara woman sells balloon arches to cheer spirits, gives all proceeds to Kidney Foundation
Meredith Levy of O’Hara was searching for a colorful and creative surprise for her twin daughters’ birthday during the covid-19 quarantine. She found it close to home. “I found these balloon arches offered by a lady online in a Fox Chapel Facebook group,” Levy said. “I ordered a Foxes-themed one...
Leechburg’s Pink Day raises $27K for breast cancer research despite cancellation of major fundraiser
The founder of a Leechburg fundraiser for breast cancer research managed to raise nearly as much money this year as she did last year, despite having to cancel this year’s major fundraising event because of the covid-19 pandemic. Leechburg’s Sherry Price, the founder and organizer of Pink Day, recently donated...
Leechburg Area to hold classes online for next 2 Wednesdays
Leechburg Area School District students will receive instruction remotely for the next two Wednesdays so custodians can thoroughly clean the district’s buildings on those days. The district has been holding classes in person all five days each week. The move, approved by the school board on Wednesday, was prompted by...
Leechburg Public Library to reopen with expanded hours at new location
Leechburg Public Library has a new location and reopening date. The library is set to welcome patrons Tuesday at 139 Market St., the former site of The Gifted Garden gift shop. Formerly housed within Leechburg Area High School for more than 93 years, the library closed abruptly in May for...
With granite shop relocated to Gilpin, former corporate exec’s future set in stone
Lisa Akscyn of Manor Township has risen from a place of adversity. Akscyn, 54, received life-changing news in 2011 while caring for her terminally ill brother. “I got a letter in the mail informing me I was let go,” Akscyn said. She had lost her her lucrative, long-term corporate job...
Leechburg fire company to host food truck festival this weekend
Another food truck festival is coming to Leechburg. Oktober Fest 2020, sponsored by Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, will be Saturday on the fire company grounds on Canal Street. The second mobile food-themed fundraiser comes on the heels of the inaugural food truck festival hosted last month, said Brian Scott, president...
Former popular Leechburg restaurant slated to tax sale next month
A former restaurant in Leechburg remains unsold and is now up for public auction as the result of delinquent taxes. The former Pappy’s restaurant, located at 81-83 Second St., closed last year. The property, built in 1949, originally was listed for $185,000 last November by Coldwell Banker. The price has...
Alta Via reopens in Fox Chapel Plaza
Alta Via, part of the Big Burrito Restaurant Group, reopened Oct. 6 Located in Fox Chapel Plaza in O’Hara Township, the upscale Italian-influenced eatery closed in June as pandemic restrictions tightened, along with Big Burrito’s five other specialty restaurants: Casbah, Eleven, Kaya, Soba and Umi. Those five have all reopened...
Leechburg’s river rescue team get new inflatable boat thanks to public’s donations — despite pandemic
The Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company river rescue team has a new boat. The company took delivery of a new Rescue One inflatable rescue boat last week. It replaces a damaged 10-year-old Zodiak inflatable. Paid for with fundraising dollars, the new boat seats up to four people. It joins a larger...
A free lunch: Leechburg Methodist church starts local Feeding Our NeighborsVideo
Leechburg Area School District faculty and staff were treated to a free lunch Wednesday, thanks to a local church. Volunteers from Leechburg First United Methodist Church prepared and delivered 120 lunches to the school faculty lounge. It’s part of a new outreach program, “Feeding Our Neighbors.” Program coordinator Lori Klingensmith...
The Shadows attraction in Fawn isn’t scaring anyone this Halloween
The screams are silent this season at a popular Halloween destination in Fawn. The Shadows, Alle-Kiski’s only outdoor haunted attraction, announced late last month on Facebook that it would not open for the season. Co-owner Chuck Lynn said the decision not to open was made because of covid-19. “It was...
Be my guest: Charming Leechburg bed-and-breakfast (and former church next door) can be yours
The only B&B in Leechburg is for sale. John Truett, a former Disney World executive, owns both the Old Parsonage Bed and Breakfast and the Enchanted Abbey (formerly Holy Innocents Episcopal Church) at 156 Siberian Ave. The two buildings are listed at $185,000 and are on the same lot. Truett,...
Growing up in Leechburg shaped monsignor’s faith, devotion to churchVideo
Growing up in Leechburg, Monsignor Larry Kulick was no stranger to church. “I often say one of the main reasons I’m a priest today is because of my experience in my home parish,” Kulick said. “I can remember being really interested in altar serving.” Kulick, 54, serves as diocesan administrator...
Retired Gilpin couple’s hobby keeps them busy as beesVideo
Life is sweet for Jim and Sylvia Walters of Gilpin. The retired couple took up beekeeping as a hobby about five years ago. “We heard of the honeybees being in decline and wanted to do something. It wasn’t about the honey in the beginning. It was about helping the bees...
Steelers’ Jarron Jones accused of strangling, assaulting woman at Airbnb
A Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad player was arraigned and charged by Pittsburgh police in connection with an alleged incident involving a woman Saturday. Offensive lineman Jarron Jones, 26, of Rochester, N.Y., is charged with one count each of aggravated assault and strangulation — both felonies — and simple assault, a...
Renshaw Farms PumpkinFest offers fall-themed activities, attractions for all agesVideo
What began as a roadside stand is a sprawling, pumpkin-themed destination in South Buffalo Township. The 12th annual Renshaw Farms PumpkinFest continues Fridays through Sundays during October, offering fall-themed activities and attractions for all ages. Established in 1834, Renshaw Farms is owned and operated by sixth-generation Renshaws. “We have thousands...
Dry weather yielded smaller pumpkins, but Myers Pickle Farm in Gilpin has plenty
The roadside blaze of orange along Route 66 in Gilpin means one thing this time of year. Pumpkinpalooza. Every September, Alle-Kiski Valley residents in search of the perfect pumpkin can find their fix at Myers Pickle Farm, a popular produce stand in continuous operation since 1925. Family owned and operated...
Leechburg Methodist church benefits from federal stimulus money, congregation’s generosity
A Leechburg church has some financial breathing room thanks to money it received as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, both from the federal government and members of the congregation. “Not only have we been able to meet our responsibilities this autumn, but for the first time in a while,...
Keystone Safari zoo near Grove City adds hour-long drive-thru tourVideo
The wildlife scene has increased at Keystone Safari near Grove City. Just up the road from Keystone Safari’s walk-thru park is their latest expansion: a self-guided drive-thru safari tour, offering interaction with more than 100 animals and 25 species. Keystone Safari opened in 2019 and is family-owned by Adam and...
Supermarket to bring Germany’s Oktoberfest to Saxonburg
A little bit of Bavarian Germany is coming to Saxonburg. Sprankle’s Markets will host their second annual “Octoberfest”-themed beer and food festival on Saturday in its parking lot at 270 W. Water St. in Saxonburg. The location is has moved from last year’s celebration held at Lingrow Farm in Gilpin....
Leechburg Area students to return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5
Leechburg Area School District students will return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5. “I’m thrilled that the students are coming back,” Superintendent Tiffany Nix said. Students have been learning online exclusively since school started Sept 2. The original back-to-school plan approved in June offered students a choice of returning to school...
