Joyce Hanz stories, Page 20
Construction on new Starbucks, other businesses nears completion in Buffalo Township
It’s out with the old and in with the new in Buffalo Township. A former Kings Family Restaurant in Buffalo Plaza along Route 356 has undergone sweeping renovations since January to make way for a new Starbucks and two additional businesses, all under one roof. “It’s better than an empty...
Route 356 reopening now expected Friday, related to weather delays
After waiting three years, Alle- Kiski Valley motorists have something to toot their horns about. But they’ll have to wait until Friday. Mark Kmetz, PennDOT’s assistant construction engineer for the area, said Route 356 through Allegheny Township now is scheduled to reopen completely late Friday. PennDOT officials originally were eyeing...
Eagles’ ‘Long Goodbye’ concert delivers nostalgia, classic hits for fans
Legendary American rockers the Eagles needed no introduction Sunday night as they presented “The Long Goodbye,” their final tour, at PPG Paints Arena. “Thanks for coming out on a Sunday night. It’s a beautiful time of the year in Western Pennsylvania,” said original Eagles band member Don Henley to more...
Aspinwall merchants host monthlong shopping event to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh and Morgantown
Aspinwall merchants are hosting a shopping-themed fundraiser to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities in Morgantown, W.Va., and Pittsburgh. “Bags on Brilliant” is monthlong shopping event where customers can purchase a $25 tote bag stuffed with more than $250 worth of coupons that can be redeemed at various Aspinwall merchants from...
Fox Chapel Area High School student earns worldwide recognition for perfect AP score
Who says there’s no such thing as perfection? Anna Delale-O’Connor, a junior at Fox Chapel Area High School, recently earned a perfect score on the Advanced Placement (AP) World History: Modern Exam. Her score landed her in the company of only five other students globally. “I didn’t believe it at...
Allegheny Township appoints new officer in charge, hires full-time officer
There’s new leadership in the Allegheny Township Police Department. Supervisors appointed Sgt. Dan Uncapher on Monday as officer in charge, replacing Chief Duane Fisher, who ends his employment with the township Oct. 20. Fisher submitted his resignation in mid-September and recently was named police chief in Manheim Township, a Lancaster...
Ollie’s plans grand opening in Allegheny Township — 1st in A-K Valley
Matt Cevario of Hyde Park was ready for some bargain shopping Monday, but he’ll have to wait a few weeks. Cevario stood near the entrance to the new Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, checking out the employees bustling about, in anticipation of the store’s grand opening scheduled for Oct. 25. “It’s exciting...
Witch-themed festival returns after successful inaugural run in Vandergrift
Witchy ways are returning with a nighttime Halloween-themed street fair in Vandergrift. The Witching Hours Night Market will take over Grant Avenue on Saturday in the business district. “This is an event you won’t forget,” said organizer and business owner Shannon Gourley of Vandergrift. Grant Street will be closed to...
$16 million senior housing complex underway in East Vandergrift
The walls of a former school are tumbling down to make way for new, affordable senior citizen housing in East Vandergrift. The Morning Sun Senior Lofts project is a $16 million residential complex that will offer 41 units for seniors 55 and older in the former East Vandergrift Elementary School...
Switching career fields is more common than you think
Americans are pulling a career 180 — moving from one industry to a completely different one — more often than ever before. A 2021 poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce showed 41% of Americans were looking to switch industries for their next job. The reasons for changing career...
Tenants unknown as new ‘tech flex’ building breaks ground at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park
Armstrong County officials are mum on identifying possible tenants for a new 30,000-square-foot tech development project at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park in South Buffalo Township. The news of construction commencing on a “tech flex” building was announced Wednesday in a news release issued by Darin Alviano, the executive director of...
Armed burglar arrested in downtown Freeport
Police are reassuring residents that a section of downtown Freeport remains safe after an armed burglar was arrested Thursday night at a residence in the 200 block of Second Street. “My officers acted quickly, and there was never any danger to public safety,” said Southern Armstrong Regional police Chief Christopher...
Kiski gators at rescue center, headed for permanent southern homes
Nathan Lysaght has some alligators to bathe. Nine of the them, actually, all from Thursday night’s roundup of the animals in Kiski Township. “The goal is to safely relocate the nine alligators to rescues in either South Carolina, Texas or Florida,” said Lysaght, director of Nate’s Reptile Rescue in South...
Fox Chapel Area voters will choose among two candidates for District 3 school board seat
Two candidates are vying for a single seat on Nov. 7 to represent District 3 on the Fox Chapel Area School Board. In Districts 1 and 2, there are two candidates seeking two open seats in each district. The Fox Chapel Herald is featuring races only in contested districts. Here...
Another board member resigns from Leechburg Area School District
Leechburg Area School District has a second opening for a school board member. Karen Freilino resigned on Sept. 20, according to board president Anthony Shea. Freilino’s resignation comes on the heels of former board member Matthew Jagodrinski’s resignation in July. The vacancies remain unfilled. Board president Anthony Shea said Sunday...
Faces of the Valley: Vandergrift pastor shows faith doesn’t require eyesight
A Vandergrift minister isn’t letting a disability deter him from faithfully serving his congregation. Pastor Brian Ralston, 53, is legally blind. In January, he relocated from Modesto, Calif., to Vandergrift to serve as pastor of Vandergrift Presbyterian Church on Washington Avenue in the borough’s historic district. For Ralston, returning to...
Kiski Area School Board president steps down early, district seeks short-term replacement
Kiski Area School Board President Michelle Schmidt has resigned from her seat on the board about two months before her term was set to expire, Superintendent Misty Slavic confirmed Wednesday. The board vacancy was announced Sept. 21 on the district’s Facebook page and website, and eligible residents were encouraged to...
Washington Township Fire Company to host recruiting open house in hopes of attracting volunteers
Volunteer first responders of all capacities are needed in Washington Township. The Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company is hosting an open house Saturday on the company grounds in an effort to bolster its volunteer roster. In Pennsylvania, the number of volunteer firefighters has plummeted since the 1970s, when there were...
Vandergrift library director resigns unexpectedly; board seeks replacement
The Vandergrift Public Library is hiring for its top position. Sarah Buzzard of Vandergrift is stepping down from her role as library director, and the board is accepting applications for a replacement. Buzzard submitted a resignation letter during the Sept. 18 board meeting. “Sarah will be missed at the library,”...
New pickleball courts debut in Freeport; grand opening celebration set
Pickleball enthusiasts in the Freeport area no longer have to travel very far when they want to hit the courts for a few volleys. Six pickleball courts opened in Freeport Community Park in late August, and a grand opening celebration is scheduled for Oct. 7. The courts were established by...
Water woes continue in Leechburg; 5 breaks fixed so far
Aging waterlines are thought to be the cause of ongoing water woes for some residents in Leechburg. More than five water main breaks have occurred in the past two weeks, according to Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company Chief John Foster. Foster said Friday the majority of waterlines in the borough are...
Gilpin seeks applicants to fill supervisor seat
An opportunity is knocking for Gilpin residents interested in public service. Supervisor Linda Alworth submitted a letter of resignation Tuesday, leaving a vacancy on the five-member board. Alworth left the post because she moved out of the township. “We haven’t received any submissions yet, but we’re hoping to see a...
Leechburg’s David Leech Elementary among state’s 13 National Blue Ribbon Schools
A Leechburg Area elementary school is celebrating earning a prestigious national distinction. David Leech Elementary School has been named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The district announced the news Tuesday on its official Facebook page. The school is one of 13 recognized in...
Popular cafe to relocate from Blawnox to O’Hara
A busy Blawnox cafe is relocating to O’Hara. Curbside Coffeehouse, originally at 405 Freeport Road, is moving to 1101 Powers Run Road. The eatery is more than a traditional java joint, offering a fresh foods concept eatery with menu items changing daily — sometimes hourly. “It’s an amazing neck of...
Gilpin officials host tour of Schenley Industrial Park with eyes on redevelopment
An industrial park dating to 1888 is rolling out a commerce welcome mat in Armstrong County. That’s the message from Gilpin Supervisors Chairman Charles Stull as he spearheads efforts to attract businesses to the location that once housed the largest distillery in the U.S., The Schenley Distilling Co. Gilpin officials...
