James Engel stories, Page 4

A final vote on Pine-Richland’s controversial library policy is in sight after another contentious meeting Feb. 24 set the stage for a third and final read of the proposed rule changes. The three-hour meeting was the latest in a series of often embittered discussions during which community members have lashed...

During two afternoon talks on Saturday, Alabama-based author Randi Pink spoke to large and inquisitive crowds at Northern Tier Library in Richland. Her visit was arranged after the Pine-Richland School Board last month voted not to include her novel, “Angel of Greenwood,” in its ninth grade language arts classes. The...

Etna Mayor Robert Tuñón swore in the newest member of borough council Feb. 18 after a monthlong vacancy in the First Ward. Brice Lynn, who has resided in Etna since 2019, was appointed to fill the seat left by Megan Tuñón after she resigned because of her “increasing duties” as...

Some new ink will soon be available on Perry Highway in McCandless. The Wexford Tattoo Company plans to open its doors March 15 at 10431 Perry Highway in the Phoenix Centre office building near North Allegheny Senior High School. The shop may be new, but it is not the first...

Students at Pine-Richland High School will offer “big number” performances and plenty of tap routines during five showings of “42nd Street” next month. The 1980 musical, based on a 1930s novel and film adaptation, is a meta-musical romance that follows an often troubled Broadway production during the Great Depression. The...

During the winter months, it is easy to spot where the work of Shaler’s public works crew begins and ends. That has produced hundreds of compliments on social media during January’s winter weather, with many of those messages citing the crew’s consistency and the difference in road quality compared to...

Hampton High School’s indoor percussion ensemble will head to Indianapolis later this month to compete in a regional percussion competition. The competition, hosted by World Guard International, will take place between Feb. 28 and March 2. Hampton will be the sole group from Pennsylvania to compete. Charlie Houck, director of...

Amid ongoing disputes about the closed park, Ross Commissioner Dan DeMarco announced Feb. 18 that the township would engage a consultant and release a survey for community members about reopening Short Line Hollow park. The park, which consists of miles of hiking trails in a steep valley, was created in...

Ross commissioners tabled a motion to approve a former Steeler’s medical marijuana dispensary after concerns were raised about its proximity to a popular laser tag facility during their Feb. 18 meeting. The proposed dispensary would be at 7725 McKnight Road, where G&G Fitness Equipment currently sits. That would place it...

After more than a year of work, Burghers Brewing Co. is poised to open next week what co-owner Neil Glausier calls a “stainless steel cathedral” as its flagship location in Millvale. The brewery, located at 400 Grant Ave., will take over as the primary brewing location for the local beer...

The Block Northway soon will host the second location of 9 Yards Golf. The indoor golf experience and cocktail bar, which will feature South Korean Golfzon simulators, will sit on the second floor of the mall next to Dave & Buster’s. Four public bays and two rooms reserved for private...

The McCandless Police Department recently added a youthful member to its ranks — and he’s not quite 2 years old. Leroy, a Pennsylvania-born Belgian Malinois, is the newest K-9 member of the township’s police. He turns 2 in May. According to his partner, Officer Shawn Davis, the dog soon will...

Groups are monitoring the region’s waterways and wildlife after a tanker accident on Route 28 spilled 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel. While authorities are working to mitigate the impact of Tuesday’s accident, which sent large amounts of fuel into Pine Creek and later the Allegheny River, sheens of diesel can...

At the first meeting of the Shaler Area School Board following an incident on Jan. 30 where a student brought a handgun on a school bus, tempers were mild as parents and administration discussed safety measures. The meeting took place in the Shaler Area Middle School library, a bigger venue...

One of the cars stolen in Shaler on the night of Feb. 8 or morning of Feb. 9 was used in the attempted burglary of a gun shop in Stoneboro, Mercer County, according to Shaler police Chief Sean Frank. On Feb. 9, Shaler police reported that two cars were stolen...

The Block Northway, a large shopping plaza in Ross, is hosting a student art exposition featuring work from several local schools. Through March 2, viewers will find artwork from seven North Hills institutions on the upper level of the mall between Lands’ End and DSW shoes. The display is free...

Pine-Richland School Board took the next step in eventually implementing its controversial library policy at its meeting Feb. 10 in the latest of a series of contentious and sometimes rowdy meetings. Board members offered numerous amendments to the proposed policy and even some supposed attempts at “compromise,” which were met...

A Pine-Richland High School custodian was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling nicotine, THC vape cartridges and alcohol to students on school grounds. Keon Ency Barrett, who the district identified as an evening custodial employee, is charged with delivery of scheduled substances, criminal use of a communication facility and two counts...

Fallen concrete from a railroad overpass has temporarily closed one lane of Bridge Street in Millvale, which many use to access Millvale Riverfront Park. In a statement Feb. 10, the borough said the overpass is owned and maintained by Allegheny Valley Railroad, which it said is “currently assessing the situation.”...

Residents are pushing Ross commissioners to reopen the Short Line Hollow Nature Area amid concerns about Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulations. The park, which consists of miles of hiking trails in a steep valley, was created in 2017 after years of work from volunteers and then-Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer. Short...

After years of work, Rainbow Raccoon Park in Millvale is set to open this spring. The park, located between Meade Street and Evergreen Avenue next to Strange Roots Experimental Ales, will open April 26 and continue to see additions after that. According to Millvale Community Development Corporation Board President Brian...

A Shaler Area parent created an online petition for additional safety measures on Feb. 3 after the district suspended a high school student for bringing a pistol on a school bus the previous week. The 16-year-old suspect was later arrested by Millvale police and turned over to Allegheny County authorities....

North Allegheny senior Abby Schappert is headed to the state championships for an advertising design competition after claiming victory in the recent district championships. The competition is conducted by SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization that offers local and national competitions for a variety of vocations. The state competition...

Three schools in the North Hills celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a series of scholastic and community events. The events Jan. 26 through Feb. 1 were part of annual festivities among Catholic schools throughout the nation. This year’s theme was “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” Blessed Francis Seelos...

Roy Marburger, of the clan known for Marburger Farm Dairy, died Jan. 10 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. He was 94. Marburger lived in McCandless with his wife, Janet Lindsey Marburger, for nearly 70 years. Born to Victor Wahl Marburger and Hazel McCandless Marburger in 1930, he grew up on...