Fox Chapel Herald category
AI prompts increased human interaction at this cyber security company
In an age of artificial intelligence, Dennis Underwood is working it “old school.” He is prioritizing face time. Underwood is CEO of Cyber Crucible, a cybersecurity software company in Fox Chapel that focuses on preventing data theft, identity theft and ransomware. He said the introduction of mainstream AI in the...
Longtime volunteer retires from board of Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization
A lifelong Sharpsburg resident, antique aficionado and volunteer board member for the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization recently was recognized for eight years of service. Charles “Chas” Smith Jr. retired from SNO in December. He was recognized with the distinguished Board Service Award for outstanding volunteerism by board chair Lauren Bucaro. Smith,...
Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization continues mission of creating a ‘community of opportunity’
Jodi Klebick is relishing her role as executive director of the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization, a nonprofit working to improve the quality of life for Sharpsburg residents. Klebick, who was hired in 2024, resides in Highland Park, but most days she can be found at SNO’s headquarters at 511 S. Main...
Sharpsburg library officials to revisit courtyard project after bids come in over budget
A courtyard renovation project at Sharpsburg Community Library is being sent back to the drawing board after contract bids for the work came in over budget. Council unanimously voted Dec. 18 to reject the bids. The vote was needed because the borough owns the building. However, the project is being...
Allegheny River’s only floating Airbnb of its kind is in Blawnox
Full-time Pittsburgh River Rescue diver Greg Tersine spends much of his time in and around water, so building a floating house on the Allegheny River felt natural for the water-loving Blawnox resident. “I grew up on the rivers,” said Tersine, a homeowner in Blawnox and Squirrel Hill. “I was looking...
Officers bring gifts, holiday cheer during 14th annual Presents From PoliceVideo
When Aspinwall police Deputy Chief Michael Vith enters a room, it isn’t typically accompanied by whooping and applause. Then again, he’s not typically carrying a sack full of presents with Santa and Mrs. Claus trailing close behind. “It’s a little different from when we walked into the hospital, huh? Everyone’s...
Fox Chapel area student achievements for the week of Dec. 23, 2025
Eight Fox Chapel Area High School students had pieces accepted to the 2025 FUSION Youth Metal Arts Showcase. The students are seniors Adele Grady, Raina Guzman, Riley Hemingray, Emma Kuhns and Mary Lynch; junior Olivia Arca; sophomore Troy White and freshman Elijah Turner. Additionally, Arca won the top award, the...
Blawnox Apartments resident accused of pulling gun on employees performing welfare check
A man living in the Blawnox Apartments is behind bars after being accused of pulling a gun on two Allegheny County Housing Authority employees who were performing a welfare check. Mark Wayne McDaniel, 64, faces two aggravated assault charges stemming from the incident that brought a large police presence from...
Fourth-generation Aspinwall resident wears numerous job ‘hats’ in the borough
Ryan Santelli can walk to his job and that’s just one of the things he loves about living in Aspinwall. As a fourth-generation Aspinwall resident, Santelli is employed as the borough’s building and zoning officer, building inspector and emergency management coordinator. “It’s the shortest work commute I’ve ever had,” Santelli...
Aspinwall, Sharpsburg and neighboring fire departments team up to rebuild volunteer force
A coalition of fire departments serving Aspinwall, Sharpsburg and other Lower Valley communities will launch an intensive recruitment process to address the region’s volunteer shortage. The number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has plummeted about 90% since 1970, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. It is estimated...
Fox Chapel area real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 21, 2025
Etna 100 AWOA LLC sold property at 47 Sycamore St. to Jeffrey Woyick for $130,000. Fox Chapel Fox Chapel Executive Lots LLC sold property at Old Indian Trail Ct to Joshua and Tia Wheless for $320,000. Jeffrey Senn sold property at 230 Woodland Farms Ct to Christopher and Meghan Cerveny...
Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy students decorate UPMC St. Margaret
St. Margaret Foundation welcomed students from the third and fourth grade classes of Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy on Dec. 3 to help spread holiday cheer. The students decorated the Christmas tree in the hospital’s lobby with handmade ornaments. “The sad truth is that there will be many patients...
Annual Christmas Bird Count channels ‘addictive’ activity for scientific good
As Annie Lindsay drove her black Honda CR-V Saturday morning on a road splitting a Cook Township meadow, she had a premonition, earned by roughly two decades of studying birds. “There should be hawks in here,” she said. A few seconds later, the car was in park. Lindsay, 44, of...
Aspinwall officials hold line on real estate taxes in 2026 budget
Aspinwall property owners will not have to pay more in borough real estate taxes next year. Council unanimously voted Dec. 10 to pass its 2026 spending plan and maintain the millage rate at 8.36 mills, including 0.5-mill for public safety. There were no changes to the budget from its proposed...
Blawnox has new messaging system for alerts, announcements to residents
Blawnox officials have signed on to a new messaging system to send emergency alerts and other announcements to residents. The borough recently switched from Rave Mobile Safety to CivicPlus for mass communications. Administrators said they were looking for a new system that was more user-friendly and allowed for more targeted...
Sidewalk upgrades coming to RIDC Park in O’Hara
O’Hara is one step closer to its goal of improving pedestrian safety in RIDC Park. The township on Thursday was awarded $200,000 to install sidewalks along Alpha and Gamma drives. The phased project is expected to improve opportunities for people who work in the park and neighbors who live nearby...
Multiple crews battle Fox Chapel house fire
Multiple rescue crews were called early Thursday to battle a fire at a $1.25 million Fox Chapel home that was recently sold to new owners. Emergency crews responded just before 5 a.m. to the 600 block of West Waldheim Road, which sits off Delafield Road above Aspinwall. No injuries were...
Aspinwall lights up for the holiday season
Aspinwall’s annual Light Up the Wall celebration took place Dec. 6. Commercial and Brilliant avenues were packed with people and activities. There were ice sculptures, face painting, cookie decorating, carolers, food trucks, balloon artists, a magic show, flame eaters from Sirkus Days and more. Santa and his helpers were inside...
Fox Chapel councilman stepping down to become next mayor; vacancy pending
Fox Chapel Council soon will have a vacancy as one of its members is stepping down to become the borough’s next mayor. In the spirit of passing the torch, Mayor Alex Scott III passed a green hat with a fox on it to Councilman Jonathan Colton on Nov. 17. Colton,...
Pa. GOP names new national committeewoman
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has appointed Lori Hardiman to serve as a Republican National Committeewoman. Hardiman, of Fox Chapel, replaces Indiana County’s Christine Toretti on the national committee. Toretti, who became a national GOP committeewoman in 1997, stepped down after being confirmed as ambassador to Sweden in September. Hardiman...
Fox Chapel officials hold the line on borough real estate taxes for 2026
Fox Chapel property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes in order to maintain borough services. Council voted 6-0 Dec. 15 to pass its 2026 budget and maintain the tax rate at 2.95 mills. Council President Andrew Bennett was absent. There are no cuts to borough...
In brief: Blawnox getting dog catcher, Christmas bird count and more
Blawnox dog catcher Blawnox council recently approved a new two-year contract starting in January with dog catcher Hoffman Kennels. The contract maintains the current costs of $125 per month and $120 per emergency call out. The business has served Blawnox for at least 10 years. ‘A Christmas Carol’ reading Sharpsburg...
Free shuttles across Alle-Kiski Valley among St. Margaret Foundation programs for the underserved
A free service will continue to shuttle people to doctor’s appointments across the Alle-Kiski Valley as an initiative of the St. Margaret Foundation. The nonprofit announced a $957,000 grant Friday that will pay for a dozen programs, including free shuttles, flu shots, adaptive food utensils and health screenings. The money...
Fox Chapel Area School Board reorganizes
Fox Chapel Area School Board retained its president and vice president as well as welcomed incumbents to their new terms at a reorganization meeting on Dec. 2. Marybeth Dadd was re-elected president. Ronald P. Frank was re-elected vice president. Vanessa K. Lynch was re-elected assistant secretary. Both Dadd and Frank...
Police department social worker dedicated to helping residents in need in Sharpsburg
Mary Bauer isn’t a police officer, but you’ll find her office inside the Sharpsburg Police Department. The McCandless resident is a full-time police social worker at the ready to assist Sharpsburg police officers with any social-related needs for police interactions. “I grew up in a family of helpers and my...
