Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 44
Vandergrift man sentenced to federal prison for robbing North Apollo bank in 2021
A Vandergrift man has been sentenced to serve nearly five years in a federal prison after he was convicted of robbing a North Apollo bank. Bradley Mondi, 36, was ordered by U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman IV to spend 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised...
Millions in state funds sought for proposed development in Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg is seeking $3 million in state funds to develop infrastructure and create access for a proposed riverfront development. The Mosites Co., best known for its redevelopment of the East Liberty commercial corridor, wants to create housing, commercial and retail space along the Allegheny River from Sharpsburg to O’Hara. Sharpsburg...
Sewickley Academy students to have more academic opportunities this school year
Sewickley Academy officials have implemented a variety of new courses, creative spaces and other facility upgrades in preparation for the new school year. Classes begin Aug. 31 at the private Pre-K to 12th grade academy. “As we approach the new school year at Sewickley Academy, I’m filled with excitement over...
Penn Hills School District superintendent to retire in October
Penn Hills Superintendent Nancy Hines is calling it a career after more than 25 years in public education. A search is underway for her replacement. Her last day is scheduled for Oct. 1. “It just feels right,” Hines said. “It feels like the district is stable. I think the energy...
Fox Chapel Area School District officials excited to start the school year
The halls of Fox Chapel Area School District schools soon will echo with young voices and the tread of new shoes as students and staff begin the new school year on Aug 29. And for those wondering, the last day of school for students is June 6, 2024. The district’s...
Quaker Valley School District officials ready to welcome students this coming school year
Quaker Valley School District officials are eager to welcome students back and greet new learners this coming school year. First day of classes for K-9 is Aug. 23. First day of classes for grades 10-12 is Aug. 24. Total enrollment as of press time was 1,818. Superintendent Tammy Andreyko said...
New Leetsdale cleanup program to launch in September
Leetsdale residents in need of lawn care may be able to get help for free through a new borough initiative. The inaugural Community Cleanup, a day for volunteers to cut grass and other minor landscaping per resident request, is scheduled for Sept. 9. Helpers will get their assignments around 9...
New bike sharing program coming to Sharpsburg
A new community initiative designed to get people bicycling through Sharpsburg may soon be ready to roll. The Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization has partnered with Sharpsburg Community Library to create the borough’s first bike sharing program. Details are still being finalized. Here are the rules so far: Riders don’t need to...
Security cameras may be coming to Henle Park in Leetsdale
Leetsdale officials are considering adding security cameras in Henle Park to combat vandalism. Police Chief Dan Raible said there have only been a few incidents at the recreation site, and the hope is to keep it that way. “It’s very rare,” Raible said about vandalism in the park. “The park...
Penn Hills School District officials and bus drivers getting prepared for the coming school year
Penn Hills School District students will soon fill the halls of its elementary, middle and high school. Nearly 3,000 youths are enrolled for the 2023-24 school year. First day of class is Tuesday, Aug. 22. “We are very excited to get the new year started,” Superintendent Nancy Hines said. “Linton...
Aspinwall hikes business privilege tax to $500
Aspinwall business owners will have to pay more for the privilege of doing business in the borough. Council voted 8-0 on Wednesday, Aug. 9 to raise its business privilege tax from $100 to $500 starting this year. The ordinance was advertised last month. It was also discussed at several meetings....
Cooper-Siegel Community Library summer readers celebrate in Aspinwall park
Summer reading participants at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel and its nearby branch, Sharpsburg Community Library, celebrated the programs’ end with a party at Aspinwall RiverTrail Park. There were stilt walkers, magicians, games, therapy pets, prizes, face painting, hands-on ceramic wheel demonstrations and more at the recreation site Aug....
Baseball, softball field at War Memorial Park in Sewickley to be moved
A Sewickley area youth baseball and softball program may be playing on a new field next year. Todd Hamer, borough councilman and coach of the 10 and younger Quaker Valley Softball & Baseball teams, said no games have been played on the War Memorial Park field along Blackburn Road since...
Allegheny County most wanted fugitive found in Ohio
A Duquesne man wanted on multiple warrants has been apprehended after being on the run for about two years, Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus said. Jordan Lattimer, 23, who was declared a fugitive in September 2021, was arrested without incident in Ohio by the Columbus police on Aug. 1. Kraus...
Loaded gun, magazines caught at Pittsburgh International Airport checkpoint
Transportation Security Administration officers recovered a loaded handgun from a passenger’s carry-on bag Monday at Pittsburgh International Airport. Officials said the 9 mm gun was detected via checkpoint X-ray machine that morning. It was found alongside two loaded gun magazines. The traveler, a Slippery Rock man, was fined. This is...
Park manager: 4-year-old Pittsburgh boy drowns at Moraine State Park
A 4-year-old Pittsburgh boy drowned Monday at Moraine State Park, according to park officials. A park visitor found the boy unresponsive in a roped section of the park’s Pleasant Valley Beach on the South Shore shortly before 2 p.m., park manager Dustin Drew reported. On Tuesday, officials identified the boy...
Battle in the Borough V set for Aug. 19 at Cribbs Field in Verona
Championships, bragging rights and basket raffles will be up for grabs as local pro wrestlers converge on a Verona park for a ring-rocking fundraiser. Keystone State Wrestling Alliance superstars return to Cribbs Field for Battle in the Borough V on Aug. 19. The tradition of songs and slams continues with...
New Kensington church celebrates 42nd annual Italian Fest
Gina Abdallah of New Kensington knows the secret to a delicious cannoli is not its filling, nor is it the shell or nuts, or other accoutrements. It is the love you put into making it. “It’s what makes them tasty, the love,” Abdallah said. “I love doing it. I love...
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium officials announced death of male lion
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium officials are mourning the loss of an African lion. The leader of the pack at the park, 6-year-old Kit died Friday. Officials said via Facebook that he was showing signs of illness that morning and was taken to the zoo’s veterinary hospital. A blockage in his...
Fire at Brackenridge duplex under investigation, candle may be the cause
A fire that gutted the second floor and attic of a Brackenridge duplex Friday night may have been started by a candle, according to Allegheny County officials. Chief Matt Brown, the county’s fire marshal and chief of emergency services, said via email Sunday that the fire remains under investigation. However,...
First responders mingle with the public, display their equipment at New Kensington’s National Night Out
Most police officers want youths to engage in friendly conversations and be in a good mood when they see them ride around town. At least, that’s the case for New Kensington Sgt. Nick Rutkoski. A veteran of the city police force, Rutkoski has been involved in many community events. This...
‘Retired’ host returns to Steel City Con in Monroeville
Monroeville Convention Center soon will be packed with artists, pop culture enthusiasts, costume creators and a familiar face that rivals many of the celebrity guests. Mike “Zombo” Devine of Shaler makes his return to Steel City Con Aug. 11-13 after a brief retirement from hosting such events. The usually silver-haired...
Fishing trip to Highland Park part of Verona church’s summer camp program
Youths from Twin Boro Health Ministry at Verona United Methodist Church’s summer camp made memories on a fishing trip to Highland Park. About 25 people, including the counselors, participated In the camp expedition to the park near the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium on Aug. 1. The trip was organized...
Appeal of former Leet police chief’s termination in the hands of Civil Service Commission
Former Leet Police Chief Michael Molinaro is fighting to get his job back. It may prove to be a Herculean effort as township officials have accused him of conduct unbecoming of an officer including incompetence, insubordination, attempting to steal money during a search warrant, disobedience of orders, submitting false information/documents...
Tour de Sharpsburg bike run rescheduled
A community bike run designed to showcase Sharpburg has been rescheduled. The inaugural Tour de Sharpsburg was moved from July 29 to Sept. 16. It’s organized by the Sharpsburg Community Library. The run starts at 11 a.m. at the library, 1212 Main St. The route will likely be set the...
