Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 75
Building the Valley: Bargain-priced clothes, housewares help people at Agape Thrift Store in Harrison
Since at least the mid-1980s, the Agape Thrift Store in Harrison has been helping people boost their wardrobes and their self-esteem. The secondhand store nestled in the basement of the Grace United Methodist Church, at 1333 Freeport Road, opens its doors from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. In just three...
Women’s Board of Pittsburgh benefits children across Alle-Kiski Valley with annual fundraiser
What began 30 years ago with a few friends hoping to improve the lives of local children has blossomed into an annual fundraiser that pulls in sometimes more than $100,000 to make tangible change. The Women’s Board of Pittsburgh now comprises 70 members who work year-round to help children from...
Tarentum saves $30,000 by rebuilding street light fixtures
A project to replace Tarentum’s street lights will save taxpayers more than $30,000, officials said. The savings won’t come through lower energy consumption, Manager Michael Nestico said, rather the lower cost of the light mechanism. “The street lights were already LED,” Nestico said. Borough leaders chose to rebuild the fittings...
Veterans recall Pearl Harbor through video memoirs at Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum
When the late Mike Sopko enlisted in the Navy in 1943, he forged his dad’s signature. The 17-year-old’s draft letter arrived in the mail at his Arnold home and his parents made him a deal — get your diploma and you can enlist. “I (got early release) and left school...
Drive-thru bingo set for under the bridge in Tarentum
It’s not your grandmother’s bingo. Tarentum’s recreation board is hosting an open-air, drive-thru event at the borough’s marina for a festive hour of bingo, raffles and socializing. It’s calling the event Scratch Off Bingo and it’s set for 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9. The rain date is the following...
Park upgrades and safer sidewalks coming to Aspinwall, Etna thanks to state grant
Safe sidewalks and park amenities in Aspinwall and Etna will be supported by a state grant, officials announced recently. The boroughs will share a nearly $515,000 grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Friends of the Riverfront also will receive money to improve accessibility along the Three Rivers Water Trail. “The...
Santa stopping for Sunday breakfast in Fawn
The pancakes at Fawn No. 1 volunteer fire department must be pretty tasty. Santa is scheduled to travel there on Sunday for breakfast. Local children are invited to join him from 10 a.m. to noon for pancakes, sausage and scrambled eggs. The event is a joint project between Fawn No....
Leader of Community Library of Allegheny Valley retiring after 3 decades
Kathy Firestone has worked as a librarian for three decades and yet rarely has time to pick up a book. That might change soon. Firestone, of Allegheny Township, is retiring Saturday from her post as executive director at Community Library of Allegheny Valley in Harrison. “I have no plans,” she...
Male victim in McCandless double shooting identified
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner has identified the male victim in Wednesday’s double shooting in McCandless. A husband and wife died after the shooting in a parking lot of an apartment complex, according to Allegheny County Police. Liam Donavon Mascarenas, 23, of Lakewood died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities...
Police: Missing Wilkinsburg man texted mom he was kidnapped
Wilkinsburg police are seeking help to find a man last seen Thursday leaving his home, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV. Marvase Spell, 25, left home at about 10:45 a.m. and sent a text to his mother shortly after that said he had been kidnapped. The text indicated that Spell...
Al’s Bike Drive in Hampton donates 200 bikes, $30,000 to Marines’ Toys for Tots
Santa visited Hampton a little early this year — in the form of a resident named Al Todd. Todd has organized Al’s Bike Drive for several years. On Thursday, Todd conducted a caravan of 200 bikes down Route 8 from Wal Mart to the Wildwood Country Club. The bikes will...
Police investigating carjacking on Pittsburgh’s North Side
Pittsburgh police are investigating a carjacking and robbery that happened late Thursday on the city’s North Side, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. No one was reported to be hurt in the incident, which happened just after 11:30 p.m. near East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue. Four people were taken...
Plans delayed to raze administration building at Allegheny Valley Hospital
Demolition of the administration building at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison is still on tap but work is delayed while officials determine what’s best to take its place. The 93-year-old building that abuts the hospital along Carlisle Street was scheduled to be torn down just before the covid-19 pandemic hit....
1 injured in crash in Pittsburgh’s Carrick
A person was injured early Thursday in a one-vehicle crash in Pittsburgh’s Carrick section, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV. Emergency crews responded at about 3:30 a.m. to the intersection of Route 51 and Maytide Street. The car crashed into a pole and left the car with significant damage to...
Citing revenue loss, state senator seeks to bring back Pa. Turnpike toll workers
A senator from northeastern Pennsylvania is spearheading efforts to bring back turnpike toll workers. Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Scranton, said his plan stems from the amount of tolls — $104 million – that went uncollected on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the past year. “Not coincidentally, that’s also when the PA Turnpike...
Medical examiner identifies woman who died in McCandless shooting
A husband and wife died Monday morning after a shooting in the parking lot of a McCandless apartment complex, according to Allegheny County Police. Police said they responded to the 700 block of Duncan Avenue around 8:15 a.m. and found a 23-year-old man behind a dumpster, dead from a gunshot...
Woman who posed as FedEx worker to steal packages from Pittsburgh home being held without bail
A woman who dressed as a FedEx worker and stole packages from a home in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 8. Laura Woester, 50, was arrested Monday by Pittsburgh police and faces charges of theft by unlawful taking. She was denied bail...
Thieves swipe vehicle inspection stickers at 2 Ross auto shops
Ross police are investigating after thieves broke into at least two auto shops and stole vehicle inspection stickers, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV. The thefts happened sometime over the weekend at Midas and Jiffy Lube, both on McKnight Road. The suspects pried open lock boxes to swipe the stickers,...
West Mifflin High School switches to remote learning after threat
Students at West Mifflin Area High School learned remotely on Wednesday after the district was targeted by an online threat. Superintendent Jeffrey Soles said the threat did not appear to be credible, but the district opted to keep students at home out of caution. West Mifflin police are investigating the...
Jungle-themed mural at Cooper-Siegel dedicated to late volunteer
Patrons of the children’s story room at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel will be greeted by new friends. A brightly colored jungle-themed mural has transformed the walls with paintings of an elephant spraying water onto an umbrella-wielding monkey, sleepy lions resting on cupboards and ostriches batting long eyelashes...
North Hills School District targeted by social media threat
A threat to North Hills School District Tuesday has been deemed not credible, according to district officials. Buildings remain open and classes are scheduled as usual. The district was targeted by a threat on Snapchat. It was investigated by Ross police, among other agencies. Similarly, two Pittsburgh Public Schools were...
Pittsburgh Public Schools targeted by threat
Two Pittsburgh Public Schools were targeted by a threat Tuesday, according to a district spokesperson. “We don’t believe the threat was credible, however we take all threats seriously,” said Ebony Pugh, PPS media relations supervisor. The threat was aimed at South Hills Middle School and Brashear High School, which sit...
Social media threats prompt switch to remote learning at Propel Schools in Pittsburgh
The 13 Propel Schools throughout Pittsburgh will switch to remote learning Tuesday after threats were posted on social media, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. School leaders alerted families that the move was made from “an abundance of caution.” Administrators said initially that Propel Hazelwood and Propel Montour would go...
2 people stabbed in Pittsburgh’s Arlington Heights
Two people were stabbed Monday in Pittsburgh’s Arlington Heights neighborhood, police said. Officers responded to the 3100 block of Cordell Place shortly after 5 p.m. Police found two people with stab wounds, potentially the result of a fight, public safety Spokesperson Amanda Mueller said. Both people were taken to a...
Man robbed at ATM in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood
A man faces charges of robbery after threatening another man and taking his money at an ATM in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section early Monday, according to police. Christopher Henderson, 28, of Pittsburgh is charged with robbery and terroristic threats stemming from the incident just after 2:30 a.m. Henderson is in the...
