Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 65
Plans for $1.3 million renovation of Overlook Park in Whitehall released
Whitehall officials have revealed plans for an estimated $1.3 million redevelopment project at Overlook Park. They include a new playground and swings, installation of an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant pathway to the playground, upgrades to the baseball field and improved access via rebuilt stairs from Spring Valley and Orchard...
O’Hara officials seek $1.775 million in various grants for capital improvements
O’Hara officials hope to bolster the township’s capital improvement efforts by acquiring state grants. Council recently voted to seek five grants for a combined $1.775 million from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund through the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County. The money would help help cover the cost of five...
Volunteers, law enforcement celebrate National Thank a Police Officer Day
Members of the National Thank a Police Officer Day AK Valley Team spent Sept. 17 bringing bags of gifts and thank you notes to law enforcement from Fox Chapel to Kittanning and many stations in between. The annual appreciation day takes place the third Saturday in September. More than 900...
Man dead after motorcycle crash in Carrick
A Sheraden man riding a motorcycle died Monday evening after a crash in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, police said. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said the crash occurred along Saw Mill Run Boulevard/Route 51 shortly before 7:30 p.m. The man was found on the road unconscious and not breathing, Cruz said....
Bank robbery in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood under investigation
Pittsburgh Police are searching for a man who robbed a bank in the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Public Safety spokesman Maurice Matthews said offers responded to the 3700 block of Fifth Avenue around 3 p.m. Monday for a reported robbery. When officers arrived, they were told a man walked into the...
Pittsburgh man caught with gun at court facility
A Pittsburgh man has been arrested after being spotted with a gun Monday at the Juvenile Family Law Center, Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus’ office said. Kinda El-Attrache, 34, is charged with possession of a firearm/weapon in a court facility and carrying a firearm without a license. Security guards...
Aspinwall officials move to advertise controversial ordinance, adoption in October
A borough ordinance regulating outdoor operations for businesses in Aspinwall is one step closer to going on the books. Council voted Sept. 7 to advertise what has been called the “hours of operation” ordinance. It prohibits all outdoor business, commercial and trading activities from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sundays...
Inaugural Pumpkin Festival planned for Leetsdale
The Leetsdale parks and recreation committee has planned a new fundraiser to help harvest support for its children’s programs. The inaugural Pumpkin Festival is slated for Oct. 6-8 at Henle Park at the corner of Beaver and Ferry streets. Activities include pumpkin sales, arts and crafts, face painting, a corn...
Sewickley officials approve contractors for pair of major restoration projects
Two major renovation projects in Sewickley are expected to begin within the next few weeks now that council has approved the contracts. Allison Park Contractors’ $350,000 bid for the first phase of the Crescent Avenue restoration project was awarded at council’s Sept. 13 meeting. Borough engineer Mike Galet said they...
Proposed development in Sewickley clears borough hurdle, permits still required
A proposed development along Locust Place in Sewickley is one step closer to becoming a reality. Former office buildings in what is colloquially called Sewickley Village are being renovated into chef-owned restaurants, a listening lounge and an apartment, among other developments. Council unanimously voted Sept. 13 to approve a conditional...
Natrona Heights woman, 80, struck by vehicle in Tarentum, condition unknown
A Natrona Heights woman was taken to a hospital in stable condition Thursday night after being struck by a vehicle in Tarentum. The 80-year-old woman was transported to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, according to Tarentum police. Police did not release her name. Police said the woman was in a...
O’Hara Council to approve new township ward map to go into effect next May
O’Hara Council is expected to approve new township ward boundaries next month that aim to make ward populations more equal. The change will go before council Oct. 12 for final approval. Because of other steps needed to put the changes into effect, the remapping will not affect the November elections....
Scholarship fundraiser honoring Susan Harger Hartford planned at Sewickley Heights Golf Club
Quaker Valley High School alumni and guests will soon tee off in support of a scholarship founded in memory of a former music standout. The inaugural Susan Harger Hartford Memorial Scholarship golf outing is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Sewickley Heights Golf Club, 126 Backbone Road. Hartford, a 1972 graduate...
Police: Man shot in chest in Pittsburgh’s Homewood North neighborhood
A man was hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday after being shot in the chest in Pittsburgh’s Homewood North neighborhood. Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman Maurice Matthews said officers were dispatched around 10:25 a.m. Wednesday for a reported shooting along the 7200 block of Bennett Street. Officers found a man in a...
Sewickley officials delay taking action on parish demolition request
Sewickley officials want a structural study done on a historic district property before possibly authorizing its demolition. Council tabled action at its Sept. 13 meeting on a recommendation by the borough’s historic review commission to deny a demolition request from the the Divine Redeemer Parish. Parish officials want to raze...
Rosedale park in Penn Hills rededicated, past fire chiefs honored
The memories of two past Penn Hills fire chiefs will live on in a park behind their old fire station. Penn Hills officials, firefighters, community members and guests came out for the rededication of the park behind the Rosedale fire station on Sept. 10. Dignitaries cut the ribbon at the...
Pair of Sewickley police officers promoted to sergeant
Sewickley Police officers David Yurkovac and William Hanlon have new leadership roles. The two full-time patrolmen were promoted to sergeants at a council meeting on Tuesday, Sept.13. Chief Dave Mazza said they were the two top finishers out of four candidates of a civil service exam. Mayor George Shannon administered...
Pine-Richland parents voice concerns following racist social media incident involving students
In the first school board meeting since a Pine-Richland student’s racist homecoming proposal went viral on social media and made national news, several parents made it clear to the board on Sept. 12 that they want more education on diversity and inclusion in the district. “This district has been made...
Sewickley Academy hopes to upgrade athletic facilities
Sewickley Academy officials believe a revamped athletic complex with synthetic turf, lights for night games and various other upgrades will make the school more competitive. “We really want this to be a collaborative, cooperative venture with the community and the town,” Head of School Ashley Britwell said at a tour...
Mobile food pantry benefits Blawnox, other communities
Jon Jordan knows some families may need help getting food and supplies. The food pantries coordinator for Allison Park-based North Hills Community Outreach also believes in bringing blessings to people. That is why he and other outreach members launched NHCO On the Go, a mobile effort that sets up shop...
Woman injured, person in custody in mid-afternoon shooting in Lawrenceville
Pittsburgh police took one person into custody after a woman was shot Friday afternoon in Lawrenceville. Allegheny County emergency dispatchers said the shooting happened around 3 p.m. in the 5200 block of Keystone Street. Public Safety spokeswoman Amanda Mueller said the woman was shot in the arm and went to...
Warrants issued for man accused of breaking into, stealing from Pittsburgh area businesses
An Aliquippa man is wanted in connection with a recent string of burglaries in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside and Lawrenceville neighborhoods, officials announced Thursday. Michael Moffett, 33, faces multiple charges including burglary, criminal mischief and theft from a motor vehicle. Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz said Moffett is believed to have...
O’Hara officials move forward with social worker search
O’Hara Township Council voted unanimously Sept. 6 to create the social services coordinator position and begin a candidate search. “The social worker would allow the police department to concentrate on what they do best, which is dealing with the criminal justice system,” council President Robert Smith said. “The social worker...
Litigation regarding proposed Quaker Valley High School continues in Allegheny County Court
Attorneys for and against a proposed Quaker Valley High School in Leet will plead their case before an Allegheny County Court judge in October. Kathy Lederman, law clerk for Court of Common Pleas Senior Judge Joseph James, confirmed all parties involved filed briefs Aug. 29. The legal battle surrounds the...
Sharpsburg officials hire new manager, public works foreman
Christine DeRunk of Shaler and Joel Carmody of Aspinwall were recently hired as Sharpsburg borough manager and public works foreman, respectively. DeRunk starts her new job Sept. 19. Interim Manager Jason Dailey is expected to help with the transition for at least a few weeks and possibly through October to...
