Fox Chapel Herald category, Page 11
Blawnox food pantry to remain under current leadership after borough manager retires
As Blawnox officials continue to search for a new borough manager, its current one has secured her “retirement” plans. Kathy Ulanowicz plans to step down as top administrator at the end of this year. She announced her retirement in July. She asked council earlier this month if she could continue...
Bark in the Park aims to raise adoption awareness about pups on euthanasia lists
Bark in the Park on Sept. 13 in North Park is more than just a fun event for pups and people. It’s a real chance to help save animals’ lives. The event, set for noon to 5 p.m. at the McCandless and Pine Ridge shelters, has a mission of getting...
Shady Side Academy’s Cassie Sauer shakes off injury, makes college choice
The simple explanation for why Shady Side Academy senior Cassie Sauer’s basketball season ended last year was that she fractured her hip. A more complicated explanation of a “freak accident” paints a more complex picture. “The injury itself was terrible,” said Sauer, who is 6-foot-2. “It was a misstep that...
Shady Side Academy girls soccer leaning on strong senior captains, promising young talent
The Shady Side Academy girls soccer team is managing a roster that isn’t the deepest in program history. The Bulldogs have 17 players, and coach Mary Lynch will be faced with the task of make sure everyone can get some rest. The roster limitations haven’t hampered what the Bulldogs believe...
Fox Chapel Herald notebook: Shady Side Academy football coach wins dramatic debut
Andrew Geisler wanted to restore the reputation of the Shady Side Academy football program to be one that made a name off its grit. During Geisler’s first game as the varsity coach, the Bulldogs made their mark against Greensburg Central Catholic. After the Bulldogs fell behind by two scores, Shady...
Fox Chapel’s Dorseyville fire station to be expanded to fit larger fire trucks, address other issues
Fox Chapel Fire Department’s Dorseyville fire station may be expanded next year to improve fleet usage. The borough is reviewing plans to increase the facility along Dorseyville Road across from Beechwood Farms from 1,400 square feet to 1,900 square feet and adjust the pitch of the roof to allow for...
Fox Chapel police, borough contract talks moving forward
Fox Chapel council and law enforcement officials said they are closer to finalizing a new contract. The current four-year police contract is set to expire at the end of this year. Both parties have met four times since forming their respective negotiating teams in March. The next negotiation session was...
Fox Chapel author details ‘The Rebirth and Rise of Duquesne University Football’
It was 1969 when a group of college-aged boys gathered in St. Martin’s Hall at Duquesne University to ignite a grassroots effort to return football to the Bluff. Fox Chapel resident Sam Costanzo helped draw up the game plan – and said it was sheer industriousness and passion that led...
New committee focused on human rights ‘valuable resource’ in Aspinwall
A group of dedicated volunteers is aiming to spread the word about a new resource addressing potential human rights issues in Aspinwall. The Aspinwall Human Relations Commission was established on April 10 of last year in an effort to safeguard and protect all persons from all forms of discrimination within...
Fox Chapel Area School District students return to the classroom
Fox Chapel Area School District policeman Scott Bailey stood at the entrance of Kerr Elementary School holding an Oscar the Grouch — a character from “Sesame Street” — coffee mug as he welcomed students into the building for the first day of school. Bailey greeted the students, walking to a...
In brief: Preschool enrollment underway, Cub Scout kick off and more in Fox Chapel area
New lights Fox Chapel is replacing the traffic lights at the intersection of Fox Chapel and Field Club roads this month. Public works director Larry Kurpakus said it will be an updated system with LED signals, decorative mast arms and new controllers. Preschool enrolling The Fox Chapel Area High School...
Aspinwall resident promotes chess club in the borough
A public chess club based in Aspinwall is expanding its offering to provide more opportunities for anyone interested in playing one of the world’s oldest board games. Chess enthusiast Donald Mazreku lives in Aspinwall and created the Aspinwall Chess Club Facebook group in 2022. Mazreku works full-time as director of...
Fox Chapel girls soccer standout Emily McKee makes verbal commitment to Pitt
Several Division I women’s soccer programs connected with Emily McKee throughout her recruiting journey. It gave the Fox Chapel junior and team captain a lot to think about. But in the end, McKee, an all-section, All-WPIAL, and all-state selection who powered the Foxes program to much success in her first...
Wealth management firm breathes life into prominent Aspinwall building
Fox Chapel financial adviser Mike Dukovich is breathing life into a longtime Aspinwall office building, opening a branch of YTS Wealth Management in the former Bradford building that sits prominently at the town’s entrance. A leading independent wealth management firm, YTS opened at 133 Freeport Road. “The partnership bought the...
Principal’s faith-filled journey leads to Blessed Trinity Academy
A principal is following a calling to lead Blessed Trinity Academy in Indiana Township, not long after her former Catholic school closed its doors after 99 years. Margaret “Peggy” Ruefle was a principal at Providence Heights Alpha School in McCandless for 13 years until the school held its final day...
Round-the-clock book locker program debuts in Blawnox and Sharpsburg
Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg Community Libraries have expanded their services with an around-the-clock pickup option in two municipalities. Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg Community Libraries hosted two ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Aug. 13, debuting two pickup book lockers, one located outside the Sharpsburg Library at 1212 Main St. and the other outside at 171...
Fox Chapel girls soccer faces new challenges, sets same championship goals
Fox Chapel girls soccer coach Carlo Prati spent the preseason searching for the right combination of players. With the environment the program has created, Prati believes the solutions will eventually work themselves out on the field. Fox Chapel reached the WPIAL Class 3A final last season but fell 4-0 to...
Shady Side Academy girls cross country team ready to put in hard work
Shady Side Academy girls cross country coach Jeff Perlis always wants to see his athletes excel in the psychology of races. During a cross country race, Perlis believes it is possible to prepare for nearly all of the scenarios the athletes will run into. “This is the mentality I try...
Fox Chapel Herald notebook: Shady Side Academy grad Skyy Moore dealt to 49ers
Shady Side Academy graduate Skyy Moore was traded to the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 20. The former Bulldog spent his first three seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning Super Bowl championships in 2022 and 2023. Moore’s best production as a professional came during his rookie...
Fox Chapel cross country teams boast deep, talented lineups
The Fox Chapel girls cross country team isn’t going to be at a loss for depth this season. The Foxes will have a strong duo at the top — Cecilia Ressler and Ella Shevchuk are returning state qualifiers — that will be backed up by a group of athletes hoping...
Jim Bonner to retire as head of Audubon Society of Western Pa.
When Jim Bonner retires next month as executive director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, he plans to steal away to the massive woodshop in the basement of his 1885 Victorian home in Tarentum. “That’s probably where you’ll find me,” said Bonner, who is stepping down after 21 years....
Aspinwall welcomes new part-time patrolman
Aspinwall officials recently welcomed a fresh face to the borough police force. Hunter Thompson, 22, of Hampton, was sworn in by Mayor Joe Noro as the newest part-time patrolman on July 9. Thompson said he is familiar with the borough and is excited to serve the residents. “I always drive...
New ambulance, e-bikes acquired by Foxwall EMS
Foxwall EMS recently obtained a new ambulance and e-bikes designed to better serve patients and reduce EMT and paramedic fatigue. EMS Chief Ben Shopland said the ambulance, identified as Medic 142, was licensed as an Advanced Life Support ambulance on July 15 and is fully equipped for 911 responses. However,...
In brief: Golf outing, preschool openings and more in Fox Chapel area
Golf outing The Wayne Fusaro Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund’s 24th annual golf outing is set for Sept. 20 at River Forest Country Club. Cost is $150 per golfer or $35 for dinner only. Check-in is at noon. For more information, call Jill Fusaro at 412-848-7799 or email jillfusaro@verizon.net. Preschool openings...
Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac receives leadership award
Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac recently received a national leadership award. She was presented the first-ever Reflective Leadership Award from Leading Now, a nationwide organization that supports superintendents in navigating political complexity and strengthening public trust. The award is given to a school leader who leads...
