Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 46
West Mifflin Council unanimously condemns former Century III Mall
West Mifflin Council voted unanimously Tuesday to condemn the former Century III Mall. The vote was 6-0 with Councilman Anthony Topolnak absent. Attorney Nicole Nino, filling in for borough Solicitor Phil DiLucente, said the property owner, Moonbeam Capital Investments, has 30 days to appeal. She said she could not comment...
Fox Chapel Council approves new fire truck purchase
Fox Chapel Council has approved purchasing a new fire truck for the borough’s volunteer department. The borough will purchase a Seagrave custom seven-person Marauder stainless steel full cab walk around rescue truck manufactured by Seagrave Fire Apparatus in Clintonville, Wis., from McKeesport-based Flashover Fire Apparatus & Equipment Co. for nearly...
Verona, Ambridge breweries collaborate to craft new summer pale ales
Two music-themed breweries have partnered to produce two new summer brews inspired by a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. Inner Groove Brewery in Verona and Fermata Brewery in Ambridge launched “Hey, Hey, My, My,” an American Indian pale ale style of beer (6.5%). It’s christened after the song of...
Vandergrift pool to open Tuesday
The Vandergrift Pool is expected to open Tuesday. The opening was announced via Facebook Monday. It is scheduled for noon to 7 p.m. The pool, officially named the Joseph A. Petrarca Memorial Pool, at 1639 La Belle Vue Road had not opened for the season because of repairs needed on...
Aleppo woman caught on camera slashing tires
An Aleppo woman is facing charges after being caught on camera slashing a vehicle’s tires in a borough parking lot along side Division Street. Ashley Edmondson, 24, is charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, according to court documents. Charges stem from an incident July 1 around 3 p.m. Video...
Three Rivers Karting in Leetsdale hosts charity fundraiser with pro racers, local talent
Pro go kart racers and local driving talent joined forces for a charity race at a Leetsdale indoor track. Misson for Miracles, a nonprofit that supports medical facilities that treat neurological conditions, hosted a fundraiser at Three Rivers Karting Entertainment Park July 7. The event was in partnership with Stars...
New Penn Hills High School principal looking forward to first school year with the district
Penn Hills High School students will have a new friendly face welcoming them next month to start the 2023-24 school year. Tricia Mayo was recently hired to fill the shoes of Eric Kostic, who retired the end of June after 12 years at Penn Hills and 34 years as an...
Aspinwall’s business privilege tax hike moves a step closer to reality
Aspinwall officials have taken another step to raising the borough’s business privilege tax from $100 to $500. Council unanimously voted July 12 to advertise an amendment to the borough’s business privilege tax ordinance that would allow the borough to impose the increase. The tax also would apply to all businesses...
Aspinwall police to start cracking down on garbage ordinance violators
Aspinwall police want residents to start taking better care of their refuse. Police Chief David Nemec said people are leaving their trash cans and lids along alleys and are not following a borough ordinance. “Garbage, rubbish and bulky wastes shall be set out no earlier than 5 p.m. on the...
Sewickley officers honored for actions in dangerous situations
Several Sewickley police officers were recognized for their heroism in arresting a homicide suspect, and another for saving a would-be bridge jumper. Smiles were plentiful at the July 11 council meeting as elected officials presented Officer Recognition Awards to Sgt. William Hanlon and officers Matthew Baroni, Raymon “Darcel” Bouyer and...
A food pantry is being constructed at the Blawnox Municipal Building
Blawnox officials need help stocking the shelves of a new food pantry. It’s a project at least six months in the making and could be open by the end of August. Blawnox Manager Kathy Ulanowicz and Assistant Manager Mallori McDowell have been transforming a second-floor caucus room into a pantry...
O’Hara officers recognized for heroism, leadership skills
O’Hara Township honored several of its police officers for outstanding service, leadership and lifesaving skills. Council chambers was packed with family and friends of the four officers lauded at the July 11 meeting. Natalie Richards, of Hampton received the township’s Life Saving Recognition Award for her response to a possible...
Carson City Saloon in Pittsburgh’s South Side temporarily closes amid recent shootings
A popular nightspot in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood has temporarily closed after recent gun violence. Carson City Saloon announced Monday on Facebook that it will shut its doors for a while “for the safety of our staff and patrons alike.” It is the first such closure in the sports bar’s...
Bicyclist struck by vehicle in Sewickley on Fourth of July
A Sewickley bicyclist is recovering after being struck by a vehicle in the borough on Independence Day. Police Chief David Mazza said a resident in his late 60s or early 70s was riding a bike southbound along Beaver Street when he was struck near the Boundary Street intersection by a...
Sewickley Night Mart brings thousands to the borough
Liam Loughney had the best view out of the thousands of people in attendance for this summer’s opening Sewickley Chamber of Commerce Night Mart. The young borough resident was perched atop his father, Roger’s, shoulders as the pair made their way through the crowd along Beaver Street June 30. “I...
Penn Hills School District 2023-24 budget approved with no tax hike, program cuts
Penn Hills School District property owners will not have to dig deeper into their wallets to pay real estate taxes in the upcoming school year. School directors approved their 2023-24 budget with no tax hike and no cuts to programs or staffing. The vote was 8-0 at a June 28...
Kennywood to close every Tuesday through the rest of the season
Got a free Tuesday this summer? Kennywood will not be an option, beginning next Tuesday, July 11. According to the West Mifflin park’s website calendar, Kennywood will be closed every Tuesday for the remainder of the summer season. Park spokesperson Tasha Pokrzywa issued a statement about the change in hours...
Fox Chapel-area municipal races taking shape for November
Fox Chapel-area municipal races in November are becoming more apparent as Allegheny County Elections Division officials updated the list of write-in party nominations. The list of write-in winners and status of acceptance was updated as of June 26. A person needs at least 10 write-in votes to qualify as a...
Penn Hills School District joins growing list of educational entities suing social media companies
The Penn Hills School District has joined many others nationwide taking legal action against social media companies. The school board voted 8-0 at its June 28 meeting to join a civil, multijurisdictional lawsuit against social media companies including Facebook, TikTok and YouTube claiming they have bolstered a youth mental health...
Former Sewickley police chief, Pittsburgh officer remembered as ‘all-world human being’
John F. Mook of Leet dedicated his life to serving his country, community and family. The former Sewickley police chief and Pittsburgh officer died June 20. He was 83. Law enforcement was one of his passions. Mook served in the U.S. Army Military Police in the early 1960s and began...
Rodi Road in Penn Hills briefly closed Monday afternoon after a sinkhole, utility pole fell
Rodi Road in Penn Hills was temporarily closed after a sinkhole opened up and a utility pole fell Monday afternoon. Penn Hills police sent out a traffic alert about the hole and power lines being down around 1:30 p.m. The hole was off the road between Dunkin’ Donuts and Flynn’s...
Sharpsburg hires new public works foreman
Sharpsburg Council promoted Dominic Magnelli to public works foreman to fill a vacancy left by public works Director Joel Carmody of Aspinwall, who resigned June 21, less than a year after he was hired. Carmody did not specify in his resignation letter why he was leaving, only to “move on...
Oakmont Greek food festival serves record crowds, meals
Officials and parishioners of the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church are celebrating after a record-setting weekend of the Oakmont Greek Food Festival. Tens of thousands of people participated in the post-pandemic party and fundraiser June 23-25. “This year was a record year for us, and we prepared food...
New Sharpsburg Sports Hall of Fame in the works; nominations sought for inaugural class
Nominations are being sought for the inaugural class of Sharpsburg’s new Sports Hall of Fame. Launched this year by Councilwoman Kayla Portis, District Judge Matthew Rudzki and volunteers with the Sharpsburg Historical Commission, about 14 nominations had been received as of June 14. There is no deadline for submissions. The...
Penn Hills High School principal Kostic retiring
Penn Hills High School principal Eric Kostic likes to remind seniors about an important life lesson: the message is to not burn bridges and be the best person you can be. Or, as he puts it: “Don’t tease the alligator until you cross the river.” It is something that does...
