Joyce Hanz stories, Page 23
Taylor Swift gives $55M in big bonuses to Eras tour staffVideo
Pop star Taylor Swift recently shelled out more than $55 million in bonuses to her crew members on the heels of her sold-out Eras Tour, according to People magazine. From caterers to dancers, sound technicians to production staff, Swift gifted her tour employees hefty checks — including $100,000 “end of...
Morning Roundup: ‘Pink Shuttle’ set to sail for concert
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Aug. 2: ‘Pink Shuttle’ set to sail for concert The Gateway Clipper Fleet announced its “Pink Shuttle” schedule available for fans attending the upcoming Pink performance on Saturday. Shuttle service will escort attendees beginning at 3 p.m. to...
Alligator eludes capture in Kiski River, officials seek public’s help
A rogue reptile seen in and around the Kiski River is still on the loose in the Apollo area. Volunteers and Kiski Township officials are continuing their efforts to safely locate, trap and relocate an alligator spotted multiple times over the weekend along the Kiski River. A group of kayakers...
Fitness festival returns to New Kensington, pumping up fun and fellowship
Fitness can be fun. That’s the message from a New Kensington business owner promoting a fitness festival for all ages in downtown New Kensington. Cullen Maag, owner of BodyWork412 on Fifth Avenue, is the organizer of the annual NK5K Fitfest. This year, the physically themed event returns from 9 a.m....
Gilpin/Leechburg Park to remain county property
Armstrong County officials apparently intend to retain ownership of Gilpin/Leechburg Park. In January, Armstrong County commissioners sent letters to Gilpin and Leechburg officials to gauge interest in both municipalities taking ownership of the park property. Gilpin officials voted to accept ownership, but the matter never made it to a vote...
Morning Roundup: Police continue crime crackdown in the South Side
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Aug. 1: Police continue South Side patrols Pittsburgh police have released the numbers from a recent four-day weekend (July 27-30) patrol of East Carson Street. Increased officer presence and patrols resulted in two arrests, 15 traffic stops and...
Morning Roundup: Man shot in foot in Beltzhoover
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, July 31: Man shot in foot in Beltzhoover Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting Sunday night in the city Beltzhoover’s neighborhood. Officers responded around 11:15 p.m. to reports of 24 rounds fired in the 200 block of Industry...
Teen killed in Mt. Oliver shooting
Pittsburgh police are investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy Sunday night in Mt. Oliver. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Andrew Lavaughn Smith of Pittsburgh. Police responded to a report of shots being fired in the 400 block of Brownsville Road around 9:15 p.m. Pittsburgh...
Thousands turn out for iconic-themed Vandergrift Artfest
Tommy Scanga got serious with his spuds Sunday in anticipation of feeding hundreds of hungry festivalgoers in Vandergift. Scanga, owner of Del Vecchio’s Sausage & Fries, had 1,000 pounds of potatoes at the ready in his food truck to make his specialty fresh-cut fries for the 16th annual Vandergrift Artfest,...
Leechburg man uncovers rare find in attic
Chasing a pesky bat inside a residence Thursday led a Leechburg homeowner to discover a piece of American history. “I was in ‘dad mode,’ trying to get a bat out of the house — up in the attic,” said Shawn McGonagle, a father of four. “I realized there was an...
Free student meals coming this fall to 3 schools in the Kiski Area School District
Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? More than 1,000 students in three of the six schools in the Kiski Area School District will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2023-24 school year. The meals are being provided to all students at Kiski Area Intermediate School...
Church expands ministry with a free public community concert in South Buffalo
A community concert wowed hundreds Saturday evening in South Buffalo. In an effort to provide new and more contemporary entertaining fellowship options, St. Mary Mother of God Church hosted its inaugural Community Day and Music Festival inside a filled fellowship hall. “I was a little nervous but excited to perform,”...
Mt. Pleasant, Leechburg Area high schools honored for excellence in civic engagement
Two Pittsburgh-area high schools have been recognized by Gov. Josh Shapiro for excellence in civics education. Presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Governor’s Civic Engagement Award celebrates the efforts of high school students to engage, educate and inform their fellow students about involvement in the voting process. Leechburg...
Follow the yellow brick road … to Artfest in Vandergrift
Karen Shoop of Springdale has fond childhood memories of visiting Vandergrift with her grandfather. “We went there all the time to visit my aunt and uncle,” said Shoop, a Realtor and amateur painter. Shoop is prepping to follow the yellow brick road back to Vandergrift to attend the upcoming “Wizard...
‘Blessing bouquets’ outreach blooms in Vandergrift
A Vandergrift woman is using her green thumb and the power of flowers to brighten the lives of strangers. Last year, Katie Vance, 33, transformed her front lawn, once a rocky, barely there lawn with two small trees, into a floral oasis, complete with native perennials and annual flowers. Each...
New library director hits the ground running, continues popular free food pantry program in Apollo
The Apollo Memorial Library has started a new chapter in its leadership. After the sudden departure of former library director Jennifer Ramsey on May 9, members of the library’s board of trustees began their search for a replacement. They found it in Spring Church resident Beth Moore. Moore, 56, said...
STEM-themed camp captivates kiddos in Aspinwall
A STEM-themed summer day camp offered more than robotics at Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall. From racing crickets to chemical reactions, digital design to egg-drop parachutes, students enrolled in grades 1-5 from various schools spent more than five hours daily from July 10-14 exploring the world of...
2 national chain stores set to open in Allegheny Township
Bargain shoppers will have two new shopping options in the coming months in Allegheny Township. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Dollar Tree are the newest tenants confirmed by Pittsburgh-area developer Jeff Paul to open in Hyde Park Plaza, the former home to a Big Kmart. Paul is the man behind the...
Parks Township police chief exits for new post as lieutenant with regional department
A familiar face in law enforcement has returned to his roots in Gilpin. After 28 years in uniform, former Parks Township Chief John Arce reported for his first shift with the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department on July 3. Arce resigned in June, after 17 years as a full-time officer...
Building the Valley: Pup-friendly ice cream joint has tongues and tails waggin’ in Vandergrift
A beloved pet is the inspiration behind a new business venture in Vandergrift. Vandergrift native and business owner Stephanie Crooks, 40, designed the logo for her ice cream shop, Scoops on Jackson, using the likeness of her late pup, Brody, who loved to eat ice cream. “I made the logo...
Thieves unsuccessful in removing 1,800 pounds of stolen copper from shuttered ATI plant in Gilpin
Police are investigating two separate incidents of theft and trespassing at the shuttered ATI plant in Gilpin. Southern Armstrong Regional Police Lt. John Arce said Thursday that police were notified by ATI security around 9:45 p.m. Sunday of three people entering the locked Bagdad plant. According to police, the three...
Previously uncertified parking meters operational, now being enforced in sections of Vandergrift
It’s time to feed the Vandergrift parking meters again. At least some of them. After several months with unenforceable meters, borough officials are making progress in their efforts to repair and certify 330 meters in Vandergrift to make them operational again. Police began enforcement of the parking meters Monday along...
Fox Chapel Area High School student and Class of ’22 grad take the stage in CLO’s ‘The Sound of Music’
Two young actresses with Fox Chapel Area High School connections have landed plum roles in an iconic musical based on a true story. FCAHS Class of ‘22 graduate Maddie Dick and Fox Chapel Area senior Emily Harajda are portraying sisters Leisl von Trapp and Louisa von Trapp, respectively, in Pittsburgh’s...
Oklahoma Borough tax collector honored for 45 years of service
A somewhat reluctant recipient was honored Monday for her tireless dedication and service to her community. Joyce Spillers of Oklahoma Borough was recognized at the monthly council meeting with a few surprises to honor her 45 years serving as the borough’s tax collector. “I didn’t know this was going to...
Leechburg resident continues fundraising blitz, topping $215K for breast cancer research
A Leechburg resident is using music to bring folks together and help raise funds for breast cancer research. Sherry Price, a breast cancer survivor and organizer of Pink Day, one of the largest festivals in Western Pennsylvania dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, is organizing Notes for Hope...
