Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 69
Community gardens planned near Citizens Hose in Harrison’s Birdville neighborhood
A community garden in the Birdville section of Harrison is expected to be producing crops by summer. The groundbreaking for the one-acre plot adjacent to Citzens Hose Fire-EMS-Rescue is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 24. The public is invited. “We are so excited to move forward with this and...
Highlands students benefit from trauma notice program
Harrison police Chief Mike Klein welcomed the chance to partner with the Highlands Family Center on a program to comfort children suffering from trauma. The Handle with Care initiative, established in November by the Tarentum-based family center, bridges the gap between the Highlands School District and local police by notifying...
Run, walk or swim the St. Margaret Foundation virtual 5k
Runners, dancers, swimmers — even pickleball players — can track their miles to participate in the virtual St. Margaret Foundation 5K in May. The Brian Demchak Hope Challenge, formerly a one-day event in Aspinwall, will take place May 15-21 to raise money for underserved patients at UPMC St. Margaret. Registration...
Medical marijuana dispensary coming to New Kensington
A vacant pizza shop along Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington is expected to become the city’s second medical marijuana dispensary this year. City officials confirmed Zen Leaf, headquartered in Nevada, is set to take over the space formerly leased by Papa John’s across from Giant Eagle and adjacent to...
Tarentum, Brackenridge will consider sharing services
Tarentum and Brackenridge officials will team up to consider sharing certain municipal services to save tax dollars. It’s an idea Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser said makes sense because of the proximity of the two boroughs. “Given the geography, maybe we can, hopefully, look at merging some of our services,” Fraser...
Harrison resident named Pennsylvania’s Miss Agribusiness, with mission to highlight the food chain
Growing up in a suburban neighborhood of Harrison, Emily Rankin’s favorite TV show was “Green Acres.” It was a comedy from the 1960s about a fancy New York couple who moves to a country farm. To this day, she relishes the foibles of Lisa and Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eva Gabor...
Tarentum seeking $2.5 million from state for water system projects
Tarentum is eyeing more than $3 million in water line infrastructure upgrades, with council hoping to land most of the money from the state. Council voted Tuesday to apply for about $2.5 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development. Three projects...
Riverfront Theater Company to present Sondheim’s ‘Company’
A musical comedy about relationships and marriage foibles, which some consider to be composer Stephen Sondheim’s best work, will be staged two weekends in March along the Allegheny River in Aspinwall. “Company” will be presented by Riverfront Theater Company on March 17-19 and March 24-26 at Allegheny RiverTrail Park off...
Dogs get their day at Harrison Hills Park; off-leash area planned by Allegheny County
Dogs will soon have a space to run leash free at Harrison Hills Park, and some local pet owners found the announcement by Allegheny County worthy of a tail-wag. “I’m thrilled,” said Bev Bogan of Harrison. “We have been wanting this for 10 years.” Bogan and others won’t have to...
Teacher strike authorized, but not set, at New Ken-Arnold
Teachers in the New Kensington-Arnold School District authorized a strike if a new contract isn’t reached in the near future. The New Kensington-Arnold Education Association represents 151 teachers and professional staff who have been working without a contract for nearly eight months. Ashley Pujol, union president, did not provide an...
Highlands Elementary students ‘Bite into Books’
Librarian Susan Wilson held up a colorfully illustrated book about a fire-breathing dragon that eats tacos as she announced to the second grade class at Highlands Elementary School that it was time to “Bite into Books.” “Oh my gosh, I thought you really meant we had to eat that book!”...
Harrison zoning board to weigh Aldi proposal for Freeport Road
Harrison residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposal by grocery giant Aldi, whose company officials are eyeing a site along Freeport Road. J.R. Perry, Aldi’s Saxonburg Division vice president, confirmed last month that plans are in the works for a store in the Natrona Heights section...
Tarentum residents will face instant penalty for unsafe, eyesore properties
A new quality-of-life ordinance approved by Tarentum Council is expected to keep residents accountable for their properties, council members said during a meeting Tuesday night. Council enacted new guidelines aimed at keeping properties tidy and safe. The ordinance outlines health and safety requirements that target high grass, junk vehicles and...
Highland Park Bridge ramps to Aspinwall, Sharpsburg closed through May
Motorists who use the Highland Park Bridge ramps to connect to Sharpsburg and Aspinwall will need to allow extra time after the ramps were closed Tuesday for a long-term project. Northbound and southbound off-ramps from Route 28 to Freeport Road are scheduled to be closed through May, PennDOT announced. Crews...
Fox Chapel library earns federal humanities grant to preserve local family histories
A new program to record the family histories of patrons at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel is meant to build a sense of community and camaraderie. The library along Fox Chapel Road earned a $10,000 federal humanities grant to pay for the initiative, through which oral histories will be...
Ringer’s Dog Training faces one last hurdle for day care operations
The owner of a Harrison dog training business said she’ll try one last time to seek township approval to operate a pet day care and boarding service at her Freeport Road location. Kim Ringer, owner of Ringer’s Pet Dog Training, will present her case to the township’s planning commission Monday....
O’Hara, Fox Chapel residents can weigh in on name change for Squaw Run
O’Hara and Fox Chapel are set to launch the compilation of a joint comprehensive plan, part of which will include the renaming of Squaw Run. A tributary of the Allegheny River, the stream runs through O’Hara, Fox Chapel and Indiana Township. While local municipalities voted to rename parks and roads...
Sharpsburg Community Library exhibit honors Black family’s long history in borough
One of the first Black families to settle in Sharpsburg in the early 1920s is being honored with an exhibit at the Community Library along Main Street. “Breaking Barriers: 4 Generations of a Black Sharpsburg Family” is a collaborative effort of the borough’s historical commission, the library and Kayla Portis,...
Hometown Heroes banner program launches in Blawnox
After its inaugural program sold out, Blawnox has relaunched the sale of Hometown Hero banners to salute residents who served in the military. Anyone interested in honoring a loved one with an 18-by-38-inch banner can apply on the borough’s website. Cost is $110. “We have people asking for them all...
Pa. Turnpike closure will impact westbound motorists
Motorists who travel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike can expect to be detoured by a six-hour lane closure this weekend. The shutdown is required so crews can remove a disabled tractor trailer in the westbound lanes. Work will impact motorists between the Butler Valley and Cranberry exits. Lanes will be closed...
Alle-Kiski Valley fire companies awarded state grants for equipment, training
Summit Hose firefighters will be equipped with new portable radios thanks to a state grant awarded this month. Chief Josh Fox said his department is expected to receive $15,000 through the state fire commissioner’s office. “We’ll use it to cover several new radios to replace ones that are now old...
Sharpsburg Community Library exhibit features impactful borough family
One of the first Black families to settle in Sharpsburg in the early 1920’s is being honored with an exhibit at the Community Library along Main Street. “Breaking Barriers: 4 Generations of a Black Sharpsburg Family” is a collaborative effort of the borough’s historical commission, the library and Kayla Portis,...
Paws Across Pittsburgh eyeing new bus to keep up with pet rescues
Diane Raible’s newest foster is an 8-month-old pit bull mix who was shot through his thigh at close range. “His name is Axel, and he’s such a good boy,” said Raible, co-vice president of the Tarentum-based Paws Across Pittsburgh. Axel underwent three blood transfusions and an amputation, but is expected...
Part-time Harrison manager resigns; township seeking replacement
Harrison commissioners are seeking a new manager for the township after Rich Hill resigned Monday. Hill, part-time manager for about three years, submitted a letter to the board in which he cited the pursuit of new opportunities. Hill could not be reached for comment Tuesday. His resignation is effective March...
Building the Valley: Health and wellness on the menu at Sincerely Yoga and Massage in Tarentum
Slow flow meditation and gentle yoga are keys to holistic wellness offered by Amy Feldbusch at her Sincerely Yoga and Massage studio in Tarentum. “People need stress relief for their health,” said Feldbusch, a licensed therapist from Vandergrift who has operated from a cozy space along West Ninth Avenue for...
