Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 50
Fire reported at Kennywood Park’s future Primanti’s site Friday
A fire broke out at Kennywood Park on Friday afternoon. Communications manager Tasha Pokrzywa said smoke was reported from the site expected to house a new Primanti’s restaurant shortly before 3 p.m. She said no contractors or Kennwood staff were on the site at the time, and no injuries were...
Sewickley Academy student-led production was ‘Amore’ than folks could ask for
Few things can bring people together like pizza. The various toppings and styles, from Chicago pepperoni deep dish, to New York sausage, and California green peppers — there’s something for just about everyone. Sewickley Academy kindergartners explored what makes a great pizza pie during the past few weeks and developed...
Blawnox Memorial Day plans set
Blawnox will have a parade and service on Memorial Day that one official believes will be its biggest ever. “This is probably the biggest parade that we have,” Mayor Anthony Gross said. “It’s a very big town event. It’s always exciting. It’s become more exciting because year by year we’re...
Quaker Valley School District food service director earns state recognition
Quaker Valley School District officials believe they have the best food service director in the state, and the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania agrees. Carla Escribano was recently named Director of the Year by the organization. She will be recognized at its annual conference in August. Escribano, a registered dietitian,...
Aspinwall considering ordinance regulating movie filming in the borough
It is no secret that Western Pennsylvania has had its share of Hollywood experiences the past few years. The Tom Hanks film “A Man Called Otto,” which made it to No. 1 on Netflix earlier this month, was shot in various locations including Oakmont in 2022. Season two of Amazon...
Fundraiser in Sewickley draws families to help families
A fiesta in Sewickley brought families from across Quaker Valley and other communities together in support of a local nonprofit. Donations for Christopher’s Kitchen are still being counted from the May 5 celebration along Locust Place. About 260 people participated at the Cinco de Mayo-themed Familia Fiesta. There were gift...
Iranian man arrested in connection with bomb threat at Pittsburgh International Airport
Allegheny County Police have arrested an Iranian national in connection with a bomb threat at Pittsburgh International Airport on Wednesday. Officers were dispatched at 4:35 p.m. to gate B-30 for a report of a passenger making a bomb threat. Police said Hossein Dehnavifard, 37, was taken into custody. He is...
Florida teen dies after crashing motorcycle in Pittsburgh
State police are investigating a fatal crash Wednesday afternoon that took place along the Veterans Bridge on-ramp from Route 28. Officers were dispatched around 1 p.m. for the crash involving a motorcycle. The driver was transported from the scene via Pittsburgh EMS to UPMC Mercy hospital where he later died...
Sewickley officials award paving contract to Youngblood
Sewickley council approved a contract with Wampum-based Youngblood to pave four streets with the potential to do other work as well. The nearly $462,000 agreement was made via 8-0 vote at the May 9 council meeting. Councilman Todd Hamer was absent. Engineer Mike Galet said Youngblood was the lowest of...
Taste of Two Towns brings communities together at Oakmont library
Brisket was served by bookshelves and wine was sipped near hundreds of writings as residents from Oakmont and surrounding communities gathered in support of their local library. Oakmont Carnegie Library officials said at least 172 people participated in its annual Taste of Two Towns fundraiser at 700 Allegheny River Blvd....
Sharpsburg gets intern to help craft capital improvement plan
A Carnegie Mellon University grad student will assist Sharpsburg officials in crafting a plan for future borough projects. Saul Bezner, who is studying for his master’s degree in public policy and management at CMU’s Heinz College, was selected from a dozen candidates for a summer internship, borough Manager Christine DeRunk...
Pittsburgh police: Overbrook man safe after being reported missing
An 82-year-old Pittsburgh man who was reported missing Tuesday has been found, city police said. Police said Wednesday that John Roginski, who lives in Pittsburgh’s Overbrook neighborhood, is safe. He was considered missing after last being seen leaving his home at about 3 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities were concerned about his...
Spring break trip to New Orleans impacts Quaker Valley high schoolers
Spring break is generally a time for students to unwind, maybe go on a vacation and celebrate not having to be in class for awhile. For nearly 30 Quaker Valley high schoolers, it was an opportunity to help out a national charity in New Orleans and share adventures in The...
Pittsburgh fugitive sought after DUI crash, home break-in apprehended
A Pittsburgh man wanted in connection with a vehicle crash in the city last Saturday was arrested Thursday. Andrew Nelson, 43, was apprehended by the Pittsburgh Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Public Safety spokeswoman Amanda Mueller reported. Police said Nelson was involved in a vehicle crash at Frankstown and Brushton avenues....
Downed tree causes delays, detours on Route 366 in New Kensington
A downed tree along Route 366 in New Kensington blocked traffic and knocked out power for a period from late Thursday afternoon until early Friday morning. A Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said the incident happened about 5:45 p.m. Thursday. Route 366 was closed from Leechburg Road at Tarentum Bridge Road...
Indiana Township couple helped by Red Cross after house fire
An Indiana Township couple is being assisted by the American Red Cross after their home was heavily damage by fire Thursday afternoon. An Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating what caused the fire at 225 Indianola Drive around 12:15 p.m. No injuries were reported. The couple could not immediately be...
Sharpsburg parking ordinance updated, fines to go up next April
Parking at charging stations in Sharpsburg is now restricted just to electric vehicles, which may use the stations only while actively charging and for 15 minutes after completion. That is one of several parking ordinance changes that borough officials approved April 27. Other updates include metered parking lots changing from...
New Kensington-Arnold School District’s proposed 2023-24 budget contains no tax hike
New Kensington-Arnold School District property owners won’t pay more in real estate taxes as a result of next school year’s budget. The school board voted, 7-0, Tuesday night to pass a preliminary budget for the 2023-24 school year that includes no tax increase. Board members Eric Doutt and Jane Graham...
Thousands of daffodils bloomed in Sewickley Heights as part of resident’s project to thank mayor
A Sewickley Heights resident had thousands of daffodils planted in honor of Mayor John Oliver III. About 19,000 of the flowers bloomed last month. They were planted in the fall along the hillside at the Fern Hollow Nature Center as part of a project by Elise Keely and her friend,...
Quaker Valley School District to receive state funds for high school dual credit enrollment opportunities
The Quaker Valley School District will receive a nearly $40,000 state grant to bolster its duel credit enrollment opportunities for its high school students. It’s one of several Allegheny County school districts to receive a portion of about $650,000 state Department of Education funds, according to state officials. Those funds...
Aspinwall fundraiser brings people to the borough; donations still being counted
A charitable fitness event brought more than 150 people into Aspinwall RiverTrail Park on April 29. Donations are still being tallied for the eighth annual Spin Your Wheels fundraiser for Riding for the Handicapped of Western PA, a group that works to assist disabled children through therapeutic horseback riding. The...
1.5% tax hike proposed in Fox Chapel Area School District’s 2023-24 budget
Fox Chapel Area School District property owners should expect to pay more in real estate taxes next school year. District officials have proposed a 1.5% tax hike in the 2023-24 budget. If approved, the millage rate would rise to 20.7352 mills, which equates to a $31 increase in property taxes...
Retirement party held for outgoing Sewickley Public Library executive director
Retiring Sewickley Public Library executive director Carolyn Toth mingled with dozens of guests at an open house and party in her honor at the library last month. The library at 500 Thorn St. hosted the celebration April 27. Her last day has not been announced. The search for her replacement...
Fox Chapel Police Department bike rodeo rescheduled
Bad weather forced the Fox Chapel Police Department’s second annual Bicycle Rodeo to be rescheduled, said event organizer Sgt. Craig Sorg. The rodeo had been set for April 29, but now will take place from 5-7 p.m. on May 23 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road. Admission...
UPMC lifts mask mandate for most facilities
UPMC officials announced they are lifting mask mandates at most UPMC buildings starting Monday. “Universal masking is no longer required at most UPMC facilities and locations (beginning May 1), but will be required in specific patient care areas where patients are particularly vulnerable to infection,” according to a UPMC spokesperson....
