Colleen Hammond stories

For Pleasant Hills mother-daughter duo Nicole Leckenby and Mary Dunn, there is something new to be thankful for this holiday season. As of Nov. 1, Leckenby has been celebrating the Thanksgiving season with the release of her and Dunn’s newest book, “It’s Turkey Lurkey Time.” Here, Leckenby has continued to...

With sleepy eyes and his blue puffer coat, 5-year-old Greyson Coleman held his father, Brandon’s hand as they strode into the gym of Thomas Jefferson High School early the morning of Nov. 13. After months of uncertainty and anticipation, the big day had finally arrived: Greyson was about to receive...

Chartiers Valley School Board has five total open seats — four, four-year terms and one, two-year term. Running for the four-year seats are Mitchell Montani Jr., Megan Sexton, Julie Steele, Lisa Trainor and Herb Ohliger. Ohliger is also running uncontested for the two-year seat, according to the Allegheny County Office...

Bridgeville Mayor Betty Copeland is running unopposed for reelection this November. However, when it comes to the council race, voters in Bridgeville will choose from seven candidates for four, four-year seats on borough council. Incumbents Virginia Bott Schneider, Bruce Ghelarducci, William Henderson and Joseph Verduci will face newcomers Michael Chiodo,...

Even as the seasons start to change, one constant remains in Bridgeville — the problem with rain and subsequent flooding. To kick off the Oct. 11 council meeting, Bob Fryer, former head of Bridgeville’s planning commission and current South Fayette resident, spoke extensively about his ideas for solutions to Bridgeville’s...

The Bridgeville Borough Building was abuzz Tuesday evening as residents and guests gathered in pride and excitement as Mayor Betty Copeland was formally awarded the 2021 Mayor of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania State Mayors’ Association. While Copeland was announced as this year’s winner at the 50th annual Mayors...

A late summer bloom is arriving in Carnegie Park as work on the new Pitcher Park Rain Garden reaches its final stages. Thanks to a $2,500 Community Impact Grant from Duquesne Light, the Carnegie Borough Shade Tree Commission is able to move forward with the long-awaited rain garden, creating a...

It’s time to rev those engines and set course for the winding, open road as the 13th annual Cafe Racer Magazine Reader’s Ride-In Bike Show rolls into Sewickley War Memorial Park. On Aug. 15, motorcycle enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Canada will have the opportunity to show off their...

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...

On July 12, the Bethel Park school board passed the first rendition of its back to school health and safety plan. The district anticipates a full return to five days per week, in-person learning this fall. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, BPSD has followed the guidelines of the...

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop of it in the Whitehall Borough Pool. This summer, the Whitehall Borough Pool will remain closed due to concerns over its structural integrity, and plans for its replacement on the same site are well underway, according to borough manager James Leventry. “This pool...

For West Jefferson Hills School District superintendent Michael Ghilani, the approaching start of the school year signifies one thing — the end to what he calls “smile deprivation.” After a year of virtual learning and fully masked instruction for the students of the district, Ghilani said he is thrilled to...

As the start of school quickly approaches, Carlynton School District continues to refine its plans for reopening. At the most recent school board meeting, the board amended the proposed safety plan based on new information and guidelines put forth by the CDC. This will likely be a common occurrence, according...

Earlier this month, Brentwood Borough School Board of Directors passed the first version of its health and safety plan for the 2021-22 school year. Superintendent Amy Burch said the current plan is based entirely on CDC guidelines, but it will be tailored and amended according to parent and community feedback....

As the world opens back up, students at Saint Vincent College’s Challenge Program are blasting off into the worlds of space and in-person socialization. The Challenge Program, a weeklong science- and math-based summer camp, has been in existence for 40 years. After a year off because of the pandemic, program...

“Holy cow!” exclaimed Dominic Dean, his eyes wide as saucers, as he stared in awe and excitement at the towering sandwich placed in front of him. The 16-year-old Milwaukee native is an up-and-coming food critic with a special twist — a focus on positivity and kindness. Dominic, who is on...

In the sweltering summer sun, the firehouse bell rang out 21 times Wednesday as firefighters from across the greater Greensburg and Pittsburgh areas lined the driveways outside their departments to honor the death of one of their own. Richard A. Fry was a member of Greensburg Hose Company No. 7...

Kathe Gross sat on a bench outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse surrounded by friends and family, as passing cars honked in support. Despite the outpouring of support from her closest relatives, she couldn’t help but be painfully reminded of the one family member who was missing — her only daughter,...

Volunteer firefighters are busy reigniting their fundraising efforts. According to the Chestnut Ridge Community Volunteer Fire Company, firefighters spend nearly 60% of their time fundraising. Typical fundraisers include raffles, bingo nights, food sales, cash bashes and, of course, carnivals. Stations were forced to curtail these events when the coronavirus pandemic...

Monarch butterflies are not the only ones spreading their wings at Keystone State Park this summer. On Saturday, Delmont’s Albany Slentz unveiled her Eagle Scout project, a butterfly viewing habitat at Kell Visitor Center in the Derry Township park. Slentz, 14, is the youngest female Eagle Scout from the Westmoreland-Fayette...

As the summer growing season gets underway, the agricultural industry continues its perennial mission of looking for a new crop of young people to enter the workforce. “Pennsylvania has long faced a looming agricultural workforce shortage, at one point estimating a deficit of 75,000 workers as farmers retire and new,...