Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 56
33rd state House District shaping up as vital race
The 33rd state House race is revving up to be critically important in the midterm elections. Democrat Mandy Steele of Fox Chapel and Republican Ted Tomson of Fawn each believe they are the key to growing the economy and revitalizing the district, which runs along one side of the Allegheny...
Harrison police expected to get body cameras by early 2023
Harrison police may soon be equipped with body cameras. The township commissioners voted to join the Body Worn Camera Program, which is sponsored by the Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association. The township has applied for about $41,000 to cover the entire cost. “It’s an important addition to the police...
Brackenridge mayor joins 4 Western Pa. officials in pledge to save butterflies, pollinators
Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser is one of four public officials in Western Pennsylvania to sign the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge to work to save butterflies and other pollinators. Offered through the National Wildlife Federation, the program enlists municipal leaders to steward monarch butterflies, whose populations have declined by 90% in recent...
Harrison tree planting boosts experience for ballpark spectators
Anyone who has ever watched a game at the Natrona Heights Baseball Softball Association complex will likely enjoy the experience even more next year. Volunteers from the youth league in Harrison joined the township tree committee and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to plant more than a dozen Zelkova trees on...
Josh Shapiro rallies in Cheswick, says 33rd House District critically important
A visit to Cheswick by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro on Wednesday highlighted the significance of the 33rd District to flipping the state House, many audience members said. “Having the potential governor spend time and resources in our area shows how important our voices are,” Brackenridge Councilman Dino Lopreiato said....
Public can weigh in on PennDOT plans for Route 356 roundabout
A busy Route 356 intersection in Allegheny Township will get a complete overhaul next year that is expected to increase traffic flow and safety. The public can weigh in on PennDOT’s plans to build a roundabout at Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road, where nearly 11,000 vehicles travel each...
The Waterworks Walmart set to close in November
The Walmart in The Waterworks shopping center will close its doors in early November, before Black Friday and the official holiday shopping rush, company officials confirmed. Felicia McCranie, Walmart communications director for the North and East United States, cited underperforming sales at the store. It is scheduled to close by...
Harrison Commissioners eye reinstating agenda meetings
Harrison commissioners are considering bringing back agenda meetings to have a forum where they can hash out ideas and issues before regular business meetings. Municipalities typically use the sessions to have informal discussions and iron out concerns. In the past, agenda sessions were scheduled the Thursday before the regular Monday...
Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Race 5K postponed until 2023
A popular local road race has been postponed until summer. The Red Kettle Race 5K, sponsored by the Brackenridge Salvation Army, was scheduled for November but now is pushed back, likely until June. Dave Bender, captain of the center along Brackenridge Avenue, cited logistics and scheduling issues but said the...
GQT Movies at Pittsburgh Mills to offer sensory friendly setting
GQT Movies at the Pittsburgh Mills is offering an alternative for people who might be overwhelmed sitting in a dark, loud theater. Sensory friendly movies will be offered the last Wednesday of the month through April in an effort to give everyone a chance to enjoy the theater. “If you’ve...
Sheldon Park’s Pink Out proceeds benefit Highlands students’ Change for Cancer effort
Sheldon Park hosted a Pink Out celebration Thursday at the Lloyd D. Hayden Center, where people packed the facility to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Residents Council President Sydney Hayden said fundraising efforts brought in nearly $500 to be donated to Highlands High School’s Change for Cancer...
Allegheny County election officials announce Tarentum polling site changes
Some Tarentum voters will visit new sites in November to cast their election ballots. The Allegheny County Department of Elections announced changes Friday to two polling locations in the borough. Residents of Ward 1 will vote at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St. People who live in Ward 3...
Hayrides, pumpkin carving and magic on tap for Tarentum Boo Fest
Tricks and treats will abound for people of all ages at Tarentum Recreation Board’s annual Boo Fest. A magic show and pumpkin carving will take center stage while festivalgoers can mill around the park to enjoy crafts, games and hayrides. Organizers expect hundreds of participants after a successful turnout last...
New Chipotle restaurant in works for Pittsburgh Mills
A new eatery could be coming to the Pittsburgh Mills complex. Developers are seeking to bring a Chipotle Mexican Grill to a spot near the Lowe’s store along Village Center Drive. Plans are still in the initial stages. Cardinal Realty applied for subdivision and land development approvals from Frazer supervisors....
Route 28 ramp to The Waterworks will close through mid-November
The northbound Route 28 off-ramp to The Waterworks near Fox Chapel will close Monday for as long as a month. Motorists looking to access the shopping plaza along Freeport Road still can use the exit, but they will be forced to turn left and navigate several traffic lights back to...
Noise complaints prompt regulations at Hartwood Acres
Hartwood Acres is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in Allegheny County, but, starting next year, revelers will need to comply with scaled-back noise and time guidelines. “The township has received complaints of excessive noise from events at the mansion,” Indiana Township Manager Dan Anderson said. The 629-acre park...
‘Music Along the Trail’ scheduled at Aspinwall park
There will be ‘Music Along the Trail’ Oct. 23 in Aspinwall. Fox Chapel Area senior Nathan Moore, in pursuit of his Eagle Scout rank, has organized a free community concert at Allegheny RiverTrail Park. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. It is free for all ages and will feature...
Unique observatory in O’Hara opens galaxy of opportunity
Patients at the H.J. Heinz III campus of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System are defying physical limitations to study the mysteries of the skies thanks to the opening of an observatory at the O’Hara campus. The Sky Shed Observatory is the first of its kind in VA systems across the...
Harrison mulls hiring consultant to guide township in manager search
The Harrison commissioners might seek outside help to hire the township’s next manager. Chairman Gary Meanor said the board is discussing the need for a consultant to guide the process. “We have a job description but would like an outside agency to help with reviewing it along with recommendations on...
Ball fields in Harrison get spruced up thanks to township, ATI and Western PA Conservancy
Youth baseball and softball fields on Highlands School District property are being spruced up with more than a dozen trees this month through a project with the Western PA Conservancy. The planting project in Harrison also includes five trees on Broadview Boulevard and six along Federal Street in the township’s...
Historian Tom Powers tapped to author Blawnox centennial book
When the village of Hoboken — current-day Blawnox — was first laid out in the late 1860s, it was created to support the contractors, and later the employees, of the now-gone Allegheny County Workhouse in neighboring O’Hara. “When Hoboken was first laid out, it was just another land deal,” historian...
Tarentum, Harmar secure Allegheny County grants to fight blight
Tarentum and Harmar were among 33 Allegheny County communities last week to be awarded a total of $2.1 million in grants to address blight. Money was made available through the Act 152 Demolition Fund, now in its second year. Tarentum will receive $35,000 to raze three structures; Harmar will get...
Mary Queen of Apostles’ students, crew prepare ‘Wonktoberfest’ to benefit musical
Bailey Linza likened high school musical theater to finding the golden ticket. She and two classmates at St. Joseph High School in Harrison reaped such joy from their production experiences that they have offered to head up a fall show for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School in New...
Brackenridge playground slated for safety upgrade
The popular playground at Brackenridge Memorial Park will get a surface makeover to boost safety and cut maintenance costs. In a recent round of state funding, the borough received word that it will get about $95,400 from the Greenway, Trails and Recreation Program. “It will be used for safety improvements,”...
Harmar District 3 voters get new polling site
Some Harmar residents will have a new polling site beginning in November. Residents of District 3, who previously voted at the old public works garage along Russellton Road, will now cast their ballots at Pittsburgh’s Syria Shriners center. “In August, the township finalized the sale of 841 Russellton Road,” Manager...
