Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 35
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...
Fish fry Fridays in full swing at Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley
Food and fellowship can be found in abundance on Fridays at Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley, as its Lenten fish fry is in full swing at St. James Church on Walnut Street. Last year was a return to indoor dining after the pandemic. The Rev. Brian Noel anticipates more people...
Leetsdale Volunteer Fire Relief Association among those involved in state Auditor General Office’s pilot program
A pilot program through the state Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor’s office has proved to cut audit time by half for the Leetsdale Volunteer Fire Relief Association. DeFoor recently visited the borough fire department to tout the success of the Limited Procedure Engagement (LPE) pilot program after it saved two...
Man apprehended after SWAT response to home in Pittsburgh’s Spring Garden
A man with warrants against him was apprehended in Pittsburgh’s Spring Garden neighborhood Tuesday after he barricaded himself inside a home, according to Public Safety spokeswoman. Officers went to the 1200 block of Seidle Street to serve a protection from abuse order for Joseph Paulik, 46, of Pittsburgh around 6:30...
Audubon Society announces 1st egg of the year in nest in Pittsburgh’s Hays neighborhood
The first bald eagle egg of the year has been laid in the nest in the Hays neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania officials confirmed Tuesday. Audubon communications director Rachel Handel said when the adult eagle stands up, it can be seen rolling the egg to keep it...
Sewer lining repairs set for Fox Chapel; council researching garbage collectors ahead of next bid
Fox Chapel officials have contracted with a Harmony-based construction company for a sewer lining rehabilitation project. Council awarded the near $312,000 deal to Insight Pipe Contracting. The project involves spreading materials through manholes along Buckingham, Hemlock Hollow and Old Mill roads, as well as along The Oaks, a small street...
Sewickley Water Authority charter renewed for 50 years
Sewickley Water Authority has a new lease on life. Council adopted a resolution Feb. 13 to extend its existence for 50 years. The resolution also formally changed the name from the Borough of Sewickley Water Authority to Sewickley Water Authority. “When you’re an authority, that’s like being a little corporation,”...
Indiana Township supervisors vote against livestreaming meetings
Indiana Township remains the only community in the Fox Chapel Area School District to not livestream its meetings after an effort to allow virtual attendance was denied via slim margin. Supervisors on Feb. 14 voted 3-2 not to broadcast their sessions. Mayor Albert Kaan (District 2), Deputy Mayor Darrin Krally...
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 2017 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...
Quaker Valley School District to add new middle school STEM course
Quaker Valley School District officials plan to expand their middle school curriculum with a new project-based engineering eighth-grade course. Next school year is expected to be the third straight year for class additions through Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit that develops STEM curriculum — science, technology, engineering and mathematics....
Leetsdale to require knox boxes at businesses, multi-family facilities
Leetsdale officials want to codify a safety measure that would require businesses and multi-family facilities to provide easy emergency access for firefighters to their facilities. A knox box is a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys that fire departments could use to gain access so they wouldn’t have to...
Holiday Park Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Company in Plum kicked off fish fry season on Ash Wednesday
Fish fry season, and Lent, have officially begun. Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Company in Plum continues its food fundraiser tradition with the same menu as last year. Between 20 and 25 volunteers on Ash Wednesday and every Friday through Good Friday at the fire station at 415 Old Abers Creek...
Plum school renovation projects may be altered after study forecasts declining enrollment
A proposed $1.5 million renovation project at Plum School District’s Pivik Elementary might be off the table after a demographics study projected declining enrollment for the next decade. It is part of an estimated $68.5 million in contemplated renovations and new construction at the K-4 schools, Pivik and O’Block elementary,...
Fox Chapel Area superintendent gets new 5-year contract, starting at $237,000
Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac is expected to continue leading the district for the next five years. School board members unanimously approved a new contract with the top administrator Feb. 12. Reljac was hired by Fox Chapel Area in the summer of 2020 after she served...
‘All the bells and whistles’: New Blawnox public works truck in service
Blawnox officials understand having the right equipment can make a huge difference for municipal public works crews. Roads need to be plowed, streets and sewers need to be repaired and crews need to safely transport themselves and their gear daily. “That’s what it’s all about,” council Vice President Randall Stoddard...
Boy hospitalized in stable condition after being hit by vehicle in Arnold
A boy is recovering in a local hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Arnold. Arnold interim police Chief Rob Haus said the incident took place around 3 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Freeport Road and Rankin Street. Haus said the child was flown via medical helicopter for...
Sewickley Confectionery becoming a new Scoops ice cream shop
A new ice cream shop in Sewickley will soon open at a familiar location. The Sewickley Confectionery along Beaver Street is being remodeled into Scoops. It is the sixth location for Scoops Pittsburgh founder Mike Collins. He said Confectionery owner Chris Bichsel recently purchased the building and reached out to...
Bell Acres approves new 3-year deal with full-time police officers
Bell Acres officials have recently inked a new three-year deal with their full-time police officers. Council unanimously voted to approve the contract on Dec. 11. The police department has five full-time officers, including Chief Kristoffer Korol, and several part-time officers. They serve and protect a town of about 5.5 square...
New fields, amenities proposed for Bell Acres park
Quaker Valley Recreation Association officials want to turn James P. Bouchard Family Park in Bell Acres into an outdoor sports complex with new fields and amenities to benefit generations of young athletes. The association has youth soccer, lacrosse, softball and baseball programs with about 1,700 total participants ages 2-19 each...
Sewickley Valley YMCA Wellness Center renovation project complete
Vince DeBona has made coming to the Sewickley Valley YMCA part of his routine several days a week for more than three decades. The 70-year-old Ambridge man believes staying active is key to healthy living. DeBone loves the amenities and the people at the Sewickley Y. He said the equipment...
Verona Garden Club has a new board; popular fundraiser canceled
A new Verona Garden Club has formed following a mass exodus of board members a few months ago. The nonprofit beautification group installs and maintains hanging baskets throughout the borough as well as planting at the war memorial and other projects. Recently appointed club president Daniel Showalter said its former...
O’Hara, Blawnox officials in early talks about merging police departments
Preliminary discussions between O’Hara and Blawnox officials about merging police departments have begun. The plan so far is to have Blawnox officers become township police and serve under Superintendent Jay Davis, O’Hara Manager Julie Jakubec announced at a workshop meeting Feb. 6. She repeatedly stressed talks are in the very...
Sharpsburg library’s chili cook-off returns in new location, same spirit
A spicy way to honor a Sharpsburg man and support his hometown will take place later this month. The Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off is planned for Friday, Feb. 23, at the borough building, 1611 Main St. The event takes place the day after National Chili Day and is designed...
Indiana Township officials consider livestreaming meetings
People who attend Indiana Township supervisor meetings, particularly ones involving proposed development, know seating can be a problem. There soon might be a way to watch the local government in action without having to travel to the town hall. Supervisors are expected to decide whether to livestream their meetings. Their...
Sharpsburg enacts ordinance protecting tenants seeking safe housing conditions from landlord retaliation
Sharpsburg officials want renters to feel safe and confident while living in the borough. One way they plan to accomplish that goal is through a recently enacted ordinance. The law is designed to protect tenants from retaliation for engaging in individual or collective action to secure healthy and safe housing...
