Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 64
Faces of the Valley: Pam Seguin works to bring history to life at Harrison’s Burtner House
Sarver resident Pam Seguin considers her volunteer role with the Burtner House Restoration Society a perfect fit. Outside of being transported for a visit to life in the 19th century, nothing could suit her passions better, Seguin joked. The Burtner House, situated on a Harrison hillside near the Route 28...
Tarentum church to celebrate Feast of Corpus Christi with sawdust carpets
A tradition that can be traced to the Black Forest of Germany will continue for nearly the 80th year at Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum. The Corpus Christi Celebration featuring sawdust carpets will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday, June 19, at the church, which is part...
Historic stained glass to be revamped at Central Presbyterian in Tarentum
It’s hard to miss the massive stained-glass windows at Central Presbyterian Church. “When people come in, they’re in awe,” said Gail Taglieri, secretary at the church along Allegheny Street in Tarentum. “It’s such beauty and art. The reverence I feel is a reminder that there’s something greater than ourselves out...
Juneteenth marked by music, dance and art at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall
A series of events at Allegheny RiverTrail Park will mark Juneteenth with music, dance and art. The celebration begins June 17 with a dance class by Afro Love, a Sharpsburg-based group whose mission is to build bridges by sharing African culture. Events culminate June 19 with a free concert by...
Harrison Hills off-leash dog park on pace to open in fall
An off-leash dog space at Harrison Hills Park is on track to open this fall. Joel Perkovich, Allegheny County landscape architect, is eyeing a summer start for construction of the 1.3-acre site along Woodchuck Drive, across from the Laurel Shelter. “It’s a big open field right now,” Perkovich said. “It’s...
Brackenridge playground surface could get $100,000 revamp
The slide at Brackenridge Memorial Park will have a softer landing if the state approves a grant to redo the playground surface. Council is seeking nearly $100,000 through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Borough Engineer Gordon Taylor said that money would pay for a soft rubber pad...
Tarentum Farm Market opens season with fresh flowers, berries and barbecue
It’s fair to say that customers were clamoring for the opening of the Tarentum Farm Market on Wednesday. A small crowd gathered mid-morning, browsing fresh-picked strawberries, pepperoni rolls and specialty cupcakes. The parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church of Tarentum was transformed with colorful flower baskets, bright-red tomatoes and...
O’Hara working to strengthen sustainability through DEP program
O’Hara leaders are working to reduce emissions and combat climate change in the township. The community is among 12 participants across the state to complete a program to mitigate risks and strengthen sustainability. “Council has long been committed to helping improve the environment for our residents and beyond,” township Manager...
Harrison library welcomes children to dive into summer reading with new outdoor storytime
Riverview Memorial Park in Tarentum will transform once a week into a beachfront paradise for an outdoor summer reading program sponsored by the Community Library of Allegheny Valley. The program, “Oceans of Possibilities,” will offer a bevy of literacy activities at the Harrison library on Broadview Boulevard and for the...
Building the Valley: Vesta Vintage and Handcrafted Goods coming to Tarentum
Brackenridge resident Denise Sloan vividly recalls childhood walks with her father through the booming Tarentum business district. “He worked at DiGirolomo’s and we would walk to Berkey’s, where he would chat with everyone,” she said. “The last stop was always Harrison’s on Corbet Street.” Sloan, a Highlands High School grad,...
Harrison Hills Park gets facelift as students revamp overgrown pond embankment
Bird populations are expected to soar near the south pond at Harrison Hills Park after a rigorous project to restore habitat at the Allegheny County site. Japanese barberry, honeysuckle and other bushy invasives were plucked from the pond embankment — nearly an acre’s worth — and replaced with native species...
Fawn will become Hollywood backdrop for Highlands grad’s feature film
The bright lights of Hollywood will transform some rural Fawn landscapes in July when a Highlands grad comes home to shoot a feature film. Nikki Serafini Neurohr, 26, will return to her Steel City roots for her directorial debut of a dark comedy called “Baggage Claim.” “It’s basically a homage...
Summer camps at St. Joseph High School in Harrison combine learning, fun
School’s out for the summer, but there still are lessons to learn and fun to be had at St. Joseph High School in Harrison. Summer camps will be offered in a variety of subjects, from science and art to basketball and music, at the school on Montana Avenue. “The camps...
Alle-Kiski Valley pools poised to make a splash
Local pools are prepped and ready for a sizzling summer swim season. Alle-Kiski Valley residents have several options to cool off, including sites in Harrison, Allegheny Township, Leechburg and Kittanning. “Last weekend was so ridiculously hot, it was definitely a good start to the season,” said Gianna Kraus, a Kiski...
Tarentum man faces prison for part in drug trafficking ring
A Tarentum man faces at least 10 years in prison for his part in a cocaine distribution ring, officials announced. John William Montgomery, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court before U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy to charges of conspiracy to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine. Montgomery admitted...
Highlands High seniors reminisce, celebrate with elementary walk-through and parade
Lots of cheers — and plenty of tears, too — marked a series of events Wednesday for Highlands seniors who are set to graduate Friday and embark on their next journey. Pre-commencement celebrations began with a 9 a.m. walk-through at each of the three former buildings that most students attended...
FC Pride in the Park aims to show support for all
“Be who you are” – that’s the message of the second annual FC Pride in the Park, a family-friendly event scheduled to fill the grounds at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall. An inclusive festival featuring crafts, carnival games, button making, canvas painting and food will be 5 to 8 p.m....
Health, wellness and employment fair returns Saturday in Tarentum
Nearly 50 health, wellness and employment experts will fill Riverview Memorial Park in Tarentum on Saturday during a community fair. Hosted by state Rep. Carrie DelRosso, the event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park along First Avenue. Among the offerings will be: • Health screenings;...
Allegheny Land Trust secures capital to preserve 75 acres in Sewickley Hills
The goal has been met. Sewickley-based Allegheny Land Trust announced on May 26 that it successfully met a $1 million campaign to purchase and preserve a 75-acre property in Sewickley Hills. The nonprofit is expected to close his month on the Buerkle Woodlands, which sit at the northwest corner of...
Tarentum Manager Michael Nestico excited for new post in Murrysville, proud of work in borough
Outgoing Tarentum Borough Manager Michael Nestico is eager to rebuild ties with Westmoreland County when he assumes the position of top administrator in Murrysville next month. A resident of Jeannette, Nestico worked as an attorney and municipal manager there before taking the reins in Tarentum five years ago. “I’m looking...
‘Riverfront Revival’ to offer food, music, prayer in Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park
A Pentecostal preacher and a Brackenridge church are teaming up to put love into the community with a food giveaway Wednesday where everyone is invited. “That’s it. That’s the whole mission — just to let people know they are loved and there is a place for them,” said Chris Cugini,...
Signs, flyers to be prohibited on Tarentum utility poles, even for nonprofits, charities
Signs that advertise lost cats and yard sales no longer will be permitted on utility poles in Tarentum. Neither will signs touting events for charities and nonprofits. Council is expected to vote at its next meeting at 6 p.m. on June 14 to modify an ordinance regarding boroughwide posting. Manager...
Harrison baby couldn’t wait as mom delivers on Highland Park Bridge with help from EMS crew
Harrison mother-to-be Caitlin Fox knew her baby was coming fast. “It was about 7 a.m., and things started getting real,” Fox said, of the morning of May 9. “I started understanding that this was happening now, and I needed to get my butt to the hospital.” In a Citizens Hose...
Fox Chapel Area students earn high rankings in Governor’s STEM competition
Fox Chapel Area High School teacher Lisa Gibson never fails to be inspired by her students’ creativity. The gifted support facilitator said the teens’ solutions to modern-day dilemmas are innovative and capable. Most recently, a team of her students was named runner-up in the ninth annual state Department of Education...
Highlands’ Girls on the Run program fuels fitness, builds character
When Highlands fourth grader Kendall Walter runs laps around the playground after school, she hums tunes from the hit Broadway show “Hamilton.” “That Lin-Manuel Miranda really keeps me going,” said Kendall, a second-year participant in the elementary school’s Girls on the Run (GOTR) program. Hosted in part by the University...
