Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 34
Sewickley officials set 2024 paving project, approve police personnel moves
Sewickley officials plan to spend about $650,000 to pave five streets and an intersection later this year. Council authorized Gateway Engineers to put its 2024 paving program out for bid. The vote was 8-0 at the March 12 meeting. Councilman Tom Rostek was absent. Engineer Mike Galet said the hope...
Police: Construction worker in grave condition after fall in Pittsburgh’s Fineview neighborhood
A man was hospitalized in grave condition with a severe head injury after falling in a worksite in Pittsburgh’s Fineview neighborhood Monday evening. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said the incident took place shortly before 7 p.m. along the 1500 block of Federal Street. The 45-year-old man was doing residential...
White Oak woman dies after crash on East Carson Street
A woman was killed Monday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash that also seriously injured a second woman in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats. Mary Alice Bendick, 60, of White Oak was pronounced dead at about 3:30 p.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. The crash happened at about 1...
Blawnox War Memorial to be upgraded through committee project
The Blawnox War Memorial will soon be updated and upgraded as part of a borough fundraising effort. Located at the intersection of Freeport Road and North Avenue, the memorial was established in 1991. Its inscription reads, “Dedicated to the men and women of this community who served in all wars.”...
Jim Roddey, 1st Allegheny County executive, has died; officials praise his years of service
Jim Roddey, Allegheny County’s first chief executive, died Thursday. He served as county executive from 1999 to 2004 and was a former chairman of the county’s Republican committee. He was 91. Roddey was honored for his service to the Republican committee at its annual Spirit of Lincoln fundraising dinner at...
Aspinwall officials to address parking via study
It is no secret parking is a problem in Aspinwall. Multiple residents have brought their concerns before council and requested that something be done. “It was one of, if not the most, commented on areas in resident feedback collected during the creation of the comprehensive plan, and it’s something that...
Former Leet police chief sues township, again
Former Leet police Chief Michael Molinaro has sued the township in Allegheny County Common PleasCourt and is seeking more than $404,000 for what he called a breach of contract. The suit claims his employment was “terminated without just cause” three years, one month and two days before the contract expiration....
Sewickley man accused of federal drug trafficking crimes, gun violations
A Sewickley man is facing federal drug charges for allegedly trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics in the Quaker Valley area. Jeffrey West, 43, was taken into custody at his Chadwick Street apartment by borough police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents on Wednesday, March6. A grand jury indicted West on...
Blawnox councilman steps down after moving to O’Hara
Blawnox Council has a vacancy. Councilman John Simmons has stepped down after serving the past seven years. He and his wife, Ellie, moved to his hometown of O’Hara. Simmons’ resignation was effective Feb. 29, and council was expected to accept it March 13. Whoever is appointed to fill Simmons’ seat...
Quaker Valley’s Edgeworth Elementary School hosts annual Carnival for a Cure
Edgeworth Elementary families recently gathered at the Quaker Valley school to raise funds for a charitable cause. The annual Carnival for a Cure took place Feb. 29. Hundreds of people from the community played games, enjoyed sweets and won raffles as part of the event benefiting the American Cancer Society....
Allegheny County Council resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas voted downVideo
Allegheny County Councilman Nicholas Futules summed up about five hours of public comment Tuesday night about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. “This world sucks,” he said. The comment was made shortly before the 14 county council representatives in attendance voted 3-9-2 not to pass a resolution...
Voting is Power Pittsburgh coalition launches in the city’s Hill DistrictVideo
Representatives from about 20 organizations, churches and community groups gathered in Pittsburgh’s Hill District Monday to encourage people to vote in the upcoming primary and general elections. The occasion was the launch of the Voting Is Power Pittsburgh Regional Coalition. About a dozen or so people spoke at the event....
Deer Lakes community welcomes boys basketball team at high school as WPIAL Class 3A champsVideo
The Deer Lakes High School boys basketball team received a champion’s welcome Friday night from parents, students and some school district staffers. That’s because they returned to the high school as the WPIAL Class 3A champs after defeating their rival Burrell that evening at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center, 55-49. Fire...
Peoples gas line project in Sharpsburg set to begin March 4
A Peoples natural gas project in Sharpsburg is expected to begin Monday borough officials announced. Crews will be installing a new gas main and service line. Borough officials said work will begin near First Street on South Main Street and move toward Main Street before turning east on Main Street....
Quaker Valley High School presents ‘The Addams Family’
Austin Wolford had a vision of what Quaker Valley high schoolers could perform in his sixth year as musical director. It was creepy and kooky. Mysterious and spooky. Some say all together ooky. He picked “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy.” Wolford said he and his team made the...
Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society in Sewickley to formally install new officers
A historical society dedicated to preserving African-American history in the Sewickley area has been re-formed. The Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society at the St. Matthews AME Zion Episcopal Church had its first meeting on Jan. 16 after being dormant for around seven years. Officials plan to formally install the new...
Sewickley Public Library to host ‘Giant Games’ tournament
The Sewickley Public Library plans to host a youth contest of epic proportions. The inaugural Tournament of Giant Games is set for Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. at the library, 500 Thorn St. Teams of students in grades 6-12 will participate in various competitions. They earn points to eventually...
Quaker Valley School District 2024-25 school year calendar set
Quaker Valley School District officials have approved next school year’s calendar. It has been posted on the district’s website, qvsd.org. The first day of school for K-9 students will be Aug. 21. Sophomores through seniors start classes Aug. 22. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled Nov. 25-26 followed by fall recess Nov....
Sewickley Academy to present ‘Singin’ in the Rain’Video
Sewickley Academy theater students and staff want to give audiences a glorious feeling with this year’s musical. Theater director Rachel Smith chose “Singin’ in the Rain” for her second-year production at the private school. Her inaugural effort last school year was “Big Fish.” Smith said she chose the Gene Kelly...
Leetsdale to reconstruct Ohio River boat launch in borough industrial park
An old Leetsdale boat launch into the Ohio River that deteriorated and has been out of service for about three decades is expected to be repaired later this year. Council vice president Osman Awad said the borough has been working with engineers and the Quaker Valley Council of Governments to...
Quaker Valley Middle School administrators address use of racial language by students
Quaker Valley Middle School administrators are addressing what they call an increase of inappropriate racial language among students both inside and outside of the school. A letter was sent to families signed by principal Anthony Mooney and assistant principal Katy Chapman on Feb. 22, stating that student access to social...
Sharpsburg library’s chili cook-off draws crowd, honors former winner
A food-tasting fundraiser brought folks from Sharpsburg and surrounding towns to the borough building in memory of a community legend. At least 60 people participated in Sharpsburg Community Library’s Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off on Feb. 25. They including 10 competitors and 25 registered taste testers. “This is the best...
Fish fry tradition continues with new management at Our Lady of Joy in Plum
The Lenten fish fry at Our Lady of Joy is under new management. Chris Allman of the Knights of Columbus Council 4242 is the new coordinator of the fundraiser at the Holy Family Parish church in Plum. The parishioner took over for the late Joe Dello Stritto Sr., who passed...
Indiana Township hires new full-time officer
A Springdale High School alum has become the newest Indiana Township police officer. Supervisors unanimously voted Feb. 14 to hire Damian Brand. The 2005 Dynamo grad shook hands with township leaders that evening before taking photos with family members and police Chief Steven Colucci. Brand worked as a West Deer...
Sharpsburg Community Library chili cook-off rescheduled
Sharpsburg Community Library’s Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off has been rescheduled. It is now set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, at the borough building, 1611 Main St. Organizers rescheduled it from its original Friday date because of Lent. People still can register as taste testers via the library website...
