Joyce Hanz stories, Page 16
Man missing from South Side Slopes found safely
A missing 65-year-old man from the South Side Slopes neighborhood in the South Side was found, Pittsburgh police said. Richard Vavrek went missing sometime between 2:45 and 7:15 p.m. Saturday, wandering away from his home on Holt Street, according to police....
Iconic Three Rivers Stadium implosion anniversary falls on Super Bowl SundayVideo
It was a beautiful day for the end of a sporting era on this day 23 years ago in Pittsburgh. Three Rivers Stadium was imploded under cold temps and sunny blue skies on Feb. 11, 2001 to make way for two newer sporting venues — PNC Park and Heinz Field...
Mon Incline back in business after undergoing weeks of repairs
The Monongahela Incline is again open for business. The 154-year-old incline that connects Pittsburgh’s Station Square to the Mount Washington neighborhood reopened at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The incline had been closed since Jan. 2 due to failing electrical and mechanical systems. The Monongahela Incline will...
Woman identified in fatal Baldwin shooting
Allegheny County police continue to investigate the death of a woman found shot Friday in her residence in Baldwin Borough. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman as Ramiah Griffin, 20, of Pittsburgh. The shooting happened in the 5400 block of Youngridge Drive and was reported after 4:30...
Soup was the star at annual American Legion ladies auxiliary fundraiser benefiting veterans in Brackenridge
Just call him ham man. Jodie Deiseroth of Harrison has a special cooking technique with ham, so he decided to try his luck at the annual Soup Cook-Off sponsored Saturday by Brackenridge American Legion Auxiliary. “It’s ginger ale,” Deiseroth whispered when asked which secret ingredient makes his soup so special....
Free lunch outreach gains momentum in Arnold
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming at a free monthly luncheon in Arnold. Hosted by Real Life Church, Pastor Bill Richardson and a group of volunteers started organizing a monthly lunch and clothing and toiletries outreach for the public about a year ago. The effort is called SOUP — Serving...
Missing gator defies winter odds, found near Roaring Run Trail near Apollo
Two friends on a evening biking excursion Friday had an unexpected encounter in Kiski Township: an alligator. Robert Perri and Dan Murray, both of Burrell Township, were cycling on the Roaring Run Trail near dusk when they both noticed an alligator ahead on the trail. “I thought it was fake....
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh gearing up for annual Evening of Hope fundraiser
A familiar face in volunteer circles is the new executive director of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh. Ali Brush of Fox Chapel is serving to advance the local affiliate of the international organization that strives to graduate educated young people in the U.S. and Latin America. Brush and her...
Barcelona Wine Bar opens in the Cultural District
Pittsburgh, meet Barcelona Wine Bar. And you’re invited to the party. That’s the message from Barcelona general manager Autumn Williams. “Our goal is to have a party every night in the restaurant,” Williams said. “And to have a party, you need people at the party.” On that note, reservations are...
Elementary principal named acting superintendent at Leechburg Area
Leechburg Area School Board members Monday appointed David Leech Elementary School Principal David Keibler as the district’s acting superintendent. The move was made after former acting superintendent Peter Emery D’Arcangelo abruptly resigned last week, citing “an erosion of trust” among himself and school board members. D’Arcangelo was set to start...
Daycation Destination: Visit where the bison roam in Allegheny County
Joyce Stewart of Bethel Park has visited her favorite furry mammal for more than 70 years in South Park. Meet the gang of nine bison that provide a unique attraction in the South Park Game Preserve — Big Head, Daisy, Rosie, Violet, Lily, Alice, Crimson, Clover and Baby Diane. Technically,...
High school financial literacy requirement long overdue, experts say
Rina Foley would like to see some of her peers boost their personal finance prowess. “I honestly don’t think this generation has a good knowledge of how to handle their finances,” said Foley, 21, of Leechburg, who is a senior at Seton Hill University. That’s bad for young adults and...
Citing trust issues, Leechburg Area interim superintendent resigns before starting post
Peter Emery D’Arcangelo resigned as Leechburg Area’s interim superintendent before his first day on the job, leaving it unknown who will lead the school district after next Friday. Hired in January, D’Arcangelo was supposed to start on Monday. Instead, the school board will meet Monday evening to decide what to...
Redeemer Lutheran High School students enjoy benefits of new location in Penn Hills
A Christian high school has plenty of space for more students in Penn Hills. Redeemer Lutheran High School relocated from the nearby Redeemer Elementary campus to a new school building exclusively for grades 9-12. Freshman Quincy Davis of Penn Hills is happy to have a school solely catering to teenagers,...
Pharmacies in Lower Burrell, Leechburg abruptly close
Customers of certain pharmacies in Lower Burrell and Leechburg have to find somewhere else to fill their prescriptions. Burrell Health Mart Pharmacy located in Stewart Plaza, Lower Burrell, and Leechburg Health Mart Pharmacy located on Market Street in downtown Leechburg closed Wednesday, without prior notice. The news, however, quickly spread...
Leechburg minister to co-pastor churches from different denominations
A Leechburg pastor is prepping for double ministerial duty at Protestant churches that cross denominational lines. With The Rev. Sue Washburn preparing to leave her post as interim pastor of Leechburg’s Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in mid-February, church leaders on Sunday approved naming the Rev. James Arter as part-time...
Mixed emotions as Allegheny Township catering business Dobi goes up for sale
It’s not usually a good thing when someone cries at work. But happy tears were at the ready recently for Nikki Miller, banquet coordinator at Dobi Catering and Take Out in Allegheny Township. Miller was working last week when an elderly couple showed up to order the signature Dobi chicken,...
Plans advance on proposed public dog park in Oakmont
Linda Merle of Arnold visits Oakmont often for medical appointments with her dogs, Mopsy and Nixon, in tow. Within the borough, dogs must be leashed and are not permitted to run at large. A proposed outdoor dog recreation site called Chateau Beach Dog Park would provide an unleashed area for...
Leechburg Area board appoints new interim superintendent, who also will find a permanent replacement
After eight years, Leechburg Area School District is getting new leadership, albeit in a temporary role. The school board voted 6-3 Wednesday to hire Peter Emery D’Arcangelo as acting superintendent. He will temporarily replace Superintendent Tiffany Nix, who will be leaving for Penn-Trafford early next month. D’Arcangelo served as superintendent...
Leechburg forges ahead with regional police plans; state study supports move
Leechburg officials are moving forward with efforts to regionalize their police force with West Leechburg and Parks Township. A regional police study was completed in December, and it recommended consolidating the departments. Officials met Jan. 11 to review the study results. “The biggest thing is the coverage and the assistance...
Harrison native has never missed a Super Bowl. He’s set to attend for 58th time
Harrison native and mega-Steelers fan Tom Henschel isn’t letting recent physical ailments deter him from continuing his streak of attending every Super Bowl. “It’s my 58th year going to a Super Bowl,” Henschel said Tuesday. “He’s determined to go and on a mission,” added Regina, his wife of 47 years....
Annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest festival moving to permanent, rural location
A German-themed festival is moving to new permanent digs in southeastern Butler County. The annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest, in its sixth year, has grown from a fledgling festival to a full-scale three-day event filled with beer, fellowship, food, music, family fun and entertainment. “We’ve been looking for land, and the Sprankle...
New Fox Chapel Area club ‘bakes’ a difference for those in need
A classic round green cake, decorated with a simple phrase, “Congratulations,” delivered a big message of support to a cancer patient who completed chemotherapy. The cake, a gift delivered to a person who recently completed chemotherapy, is one of numerous desserts donated by a group of student bakers from Fox...
Leechburg church to host new, free, after-school youth club
A church is ready to spread some good news to children in Leechburg. Kiski Valley Community Church is extending an invitation to Alle-Kiski Valley youngsters enrolled in grades K-6 to join the “Good News Club,” a free weekly Bible-themed after-school program. The program kicks off Monday from 6 to 7:30...
Leechburg Cub Scouts’ Pinewood Derby brings out more than 100 spectators
More than 100 spectators showed up Saturday at the Leechburg Elks club to watch one of the most celebrated events in Scouting — Pinewood Derby Day. More than 30 scouts from Leechburg Cub Scout Pack 553 revved up their engines — gravity — as they competed in six divisions. The...
