Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 5
Harrison woman treated after attack by her own dogs
A Harrison woman was treated late Tuesday after being attacked by her two dogs. Police Chief Brian Turack said no charges were filed in the incident. Emergency crews responded at about 8:50 p.m. to the 1100 block of Lane Avenue for a 45-year-old woman who suffered bite wounds and multiple...
Cherrie Mahan’s family, friends hopeful after property searches in South Buffalo
Friends and family of Cherrie Mahan believe law enforcement is zeroing in on the location of the young girl who disappeared in 1985 near a rural bus stop in Winfield. Hopes have skyrocketed one day after state police and FBI conducted a search along River Road in South Buffalo, about...
The case of Cherrie Mahan: What you need to know
The disappearance of Cherrie Mahan 40 years ago is making headlines again as authorities apparently run down leads and conduct searches related to the case. Cherrie’s is one of the longest running missing persons cases in state history. Here’s what you need to know about the case: • Cherrie Mahan,...
Blawnox voters have choice of 5 candidates for 4 seats
Blawnox voters will have their choice of five candidates for four seats. Democrats Matthew Stanczak, Deborah E. Laskey, Randall R. Stoddard and Christine Carnevali will compete against Republican Mark Lombardi. All terms are for four years. Here’s a look at the candidates: Matthew Stanczak Age: 52 Democrat Education: Bachelor’s degree...
Manos Gallery owners plan cultural hub in New Kensington
A historic New Kensington building that once housed a recreation center for manufacturing powerhouse Alcoa will become a hub for creative arts early next year. The vision by Tarentum businessmen Ernesto Camacho and Brian DeFelice, owners of The Manos Gallery, strives to provide inclusivity for all creative types. “It will...
Scott Zimmermann challenges Joe Noro for Aspinwall Mayor
The Aspinwall Mayor election will give voters the choice between Democrat Scott Zimmermann and Republican Joe Noro. Here’s a look at what the candidates had to say before election day. Scott Zimmermann Age: 56 Democrat Education: Bachelor of Science from Penn State University Occupation: Industrial/commercial electrical contracting Community Involvement/Volunteer work:...
Harrison, Plum need poll workers for election day
Harrison and Plum are among 13 Allegheny County municipalities in need of poll workers ahead of Election Day. The county is seeking workers for what is typically a 15-hour day spent helping people at the voting booths. Workers are paid $150 to $175 for the day and also receive paid...
Aspinwall voters choose among 7 candidates for 4 council seats
Aspinwall voters will choose between seven candidates for four council seats in the November general election. Democrats Patti McCaffrey, Andrew Corey-O’Connor, Jeff Harris and Lara Voytko will vie against Republicans Donald Mazreku, Terry Nelson Taylor and Aggie Lotz. All terms are four years. Here’s a look at the candidates: Patti...
Tarentum home damaged in fire deemed uninhabitable, council considers demolition
A Tarentum home damaged by fire in mid-September has been deemed unsafe and could be demolished, along with two neighboring properties. Fire crews battled a blaze at 917 Porter St. on Sept. 16. No one was injured but two dogs died. The cause of the fire was accidental, said Kasey...
Man found dead outside South Strabane strip mall
A man was found dead early Sunday on the sidewalk of a South Strabane strip mall, according to the Washington County Coroner’s Office. The victim was identified as Jude Cassidy, 62 of Washington, Pa. Coroner Tim Warco said it does not appear to be suspicious. Warco is investigating it as...
1 person treated after being trapped under wires in South Park Township
A person was taken to a trauma center Sunday after being trapped under wires at Evans Field in South Park Township, authorities said. Emergency crews were called mid-afternoon after a downed tree caused the wires to fall, according to a social media post by the Broughton Volunteer Fire Department. A...
Native American storytelling, dancers make for a vibrant day at Westmoreland Museum of American Art
Perry Ground spent Sunday afternoon telling stories at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. It was his way of educating people about his Native American culture — which is alive and well in Western Pennsylvania and across the country, he said. “People think we went away,” said Ground, of the...
Deadly collision on Route 30 in Unity
A motorcyclist was killed after a crash with a car in Unity Township on Saturday, authorities said. The victim was identified as Brandon Shea, 43, of Mt. Pleasant, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Emergency crews were called at about 6:20 p.m. to the intersection of Route 30 and...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum pastor marks 50 years in ministry, counts puppets, baseball as passions
Pastor, puppeteer and avid Red Sox fan. That’s how the Rev. Bob Dayton describes himself. Parishioners at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum, however, go further in their descriptions: supportive, worldly and well-rounded. “I have nothing but good things to say about him,” Barb Diller said. “When he first came to...
Last piece of Community Supermarket removed from Harrison store
Crews removed a piece of Heights Plaza history on Saturday morning — the illuminated Community Supermarket sign came down. The store, in operation in Harrison since 2002, closed Wednesday. Plaza owners Benbrooke Realty said previously they would seek a replacement grocery store, but that plan appears up in the air...
Rankin wine lounge, Mary’s Vine, closing at end of October
A Rankin wine lounge and restaurant will close its doors at the end of the month. Mary’s Vine, which opened along Kenmawr Avenue in 2019, posted its farewell announcement to social media. “We are deeply grateful for your support, your friendship and the memories we’ve created together,” the post said....
Fox Chapel Area Rotary raises $70,000 for local charities at Lower Burrell golf classic
Funding from the Rotary Club of Fox Chapel Area will help a Sharpsburg nonprofit expand its programming for people in need. Roots of Faith, which offers food, clothes and employment assistance from its Main Street location, was named a beneficiary of this year’s Rotary Charity Golf Classic. Hosted at Hill...
Added safety measures begin at Tarentum spray park, playground
A project to make the Tarentum spray park and playground a safer place began Wednesday. Thick posts called bollards are being installed inside the park fence along First Avenue. The equipment is an added measure to protect park-goers from potential vehicle crashes. “We’ve had several incidents over the years where...
Community Supermarket employees, customers bid farewell to Harrison store
Archie Nyga drove about a half-mile in his electric wheelchair Wednesday to Community Supermarket in Harrison to buy lottery tickets. The 75-year-old, a resident of nearby Sheldon Park, was too late. The grocery store was preparing to close its doors for good at 3 p.m. “It’s OK,” Nyga said. “If...
Name change coming for Tarentum street
Tarentum residents who live on Highland Avenue will be getting a change of address of sorts. The road technically is recorded with Allegheny County as Highland Street — not Highland Avenue. Council voted on Tuesday to update borough-issued signs to match the county’s records and alleviate any confusion for emergency...
Habitat project at Deer Creek cuts sediment, boosts water quality
Thousands of trout stocked each year in Indiana Township’s Deer Creek will soon have a healthier habitat. A recent project to stabilize a portion of the creek’s eroding streambank should cut excess sedimentation by 18.7 tons a year, according to the Western PA Conservancy. The nonprofit partnered with the state...
Tarentum borough manager among only 11 in country chosen for Stanford fellowship
Tarentum Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf wants to marry his military and municipal backgrounds to help veterans gain hands-on experience in local government. Boddorf is among 11 people nationwide chosen as a 2025-26 Veteran Fellow at Stanford University, where he will learn to create pathways for veterans to earn what is...
Community Supermarket in Harrison likely to close Wednesday
Community Supermarket in Harrison will likely close its doors Wednesday, about two weeks ahead of schedule. “I was in there today, and we don’t have much left,” General Manager George Sears said. “We’re not 100% sure it will be Wednesday, but it looks like it.” Shoppers who want to peruse...
Heights Plaza in Harrison on the market for $16M
The Heights Plaza shopping center in Harrison is for sale. The 30-acre property, owned by New York-based Benbrooke Realty Investment Co., is on the market for $16 million, according to a listing on LoopNet.com. Rich Lubkin of Benbrooke did not return TribLive calls or email requests for comment. The sale...
Haunted Guyasuta kicks off Halloween season with thrills and chills
The wooded grounds of Camp Guyasuta in O’Hara will be the setting for hair-raising Halloween frights. Zombies, ghosts and goblins will fill the 175-acre campus for the 16th annual Haunted Guyasuta celebration, with family-friendly fun followed by spine-chilling scares later in the night. “Every year we look forward to sharing...

