Joyce Hanz stories, Page 24
Police continue to investigate fatal cat shooting in Gilpin
Amber Fouse of Gilpin is still reeling from the news that her beloved cat was killed by gunfire. Linus, a 5-year-old tuxedo (black-and-white) cat, was shot and killed June 21, according to the results of a recent necropsy report. Fouse, 27, said she went to the Southern Armstrong Regional Police...
Road closure planned for stretch of River Road in Parks Township
PennDOT announced upcoming pipe repair work will shut down a portion of Route 66 (River Road) in Parks Township beginning July 24. River Road will be closed, weather permitting, between Industrial Park Road and Montgomery Lane. The closure is expected to remain in effect until July 28 as maintenance crews...
New art-focused nonprofit in Armstrong County seeks recruits
A new nonprofit aims to boost the arts scene in Armstrong County. The Armstrong County Arts Council formed in May and held its first meeting in June. The organization is dedicated to advancing the arts in Armstrong County, and its leaders are hoping to recruit more artists from the county...
Vandergrift Pool remains closed for repairs
Poolside recreation is still out of reach for patrons of the Vandergrift Pool in Allegheny Township. The Vandergrift Pool, officially named the Joseph A. Petrarca Memorial Pool, remains closed because of repairs required around its perimeter. Borough Secretary Steve DelleDonne said Friday the pool committee is hopeful the repairs will...
Leechburg officials concerned about ongoing rat sightings in borough near Kiski River
An uptick in rat sightings in a concentrated section of Leechburg has caught the attention of some residents — and borough officials. Leechburg Mayor Anthony “Tony” Roppolo addressed recent resident reports and complaints of rats at June’s council meeting. Referencing two blighted and abandoned buildings and one occupied home as...
Freeport Theatre Festival kicks off 34th season with patriotic play
“The Red Coats are coming!” That’s the cry heard loud and clear in a historical drama set to hit the stage Friday as Freeport Theatre Festival presents “Spirit of the Revolution” on July 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23. The performance kicks off the theater’s 34th summer season and revolves around the...
Vandergrift’s Allusion Brewing Co. honored with 3 global booze-related awards
The only in-house brewery in Vandergrift is brewing up global accolades. Allusion Brewing Co. recently won Best Tap Handle, Best Charitable Partnership and Best RTD (ready-to-drink) Cocktail at the Craft Beer Marketing Awards. Co-owner and head brewmaster John Bieranoski attended the weeklong Craft Beer Conference in Nashville in May. “We...
Parking options expand in Leechburg’s business district
Leechburg officials have taken steps to resolve an ongoing parking predicament in the borough’s downtown business district. After fielding complaints from a business owner about limited parking options on Second Street, council unanimously voted to approve the installation of two, 10-minute free parking spaces along the street. The new spots...
Daycation: Charming riverside retreat Foxburg enchants
A tiny riverside borough big on tourism is rolling out the welcome mat for visitors from near and far along the Allegheny River in Clarion County. Foxburg, located less than 15 minutes off exit 45 on I-80 and about 85 miles from Pittsburgh, offers natural beauty, a nationally recognized public...
More than 800 Springdale Junior-Senior High School alumni gather for an all-class reunion
Hundreds of Dynamos appeared to have a dynamite time Saturday at an all-class high school reunion in Harmar. More than 800 Springdale Junior-Senior High School alumni didn’t let rain damper their robust reunion that included food trucks, cash bar and music. The event was held outside, under the picnic pavilion...
Allegheny Township manager resigns, set to become Lower Burrell’s manager
Allegheny Township supervisors will be searching for a new township manager with the pending departure of Gregory Primm. But it appears Lower Burrell has found its new city clerk — Primm — as its council is set to vote on his hiring. Primm submitted his letter of resignation via email...
Gilpin family celebrates million-dollar lottery win in Allegheny Township
A Leechburg Area High School senior is having a summer to remember. Summer St. John, 17, celebrated the news Tuesday of her mother’s million-dollar lottery win with a commemorative check presentation at the Giant Eagle in Allegheny Township. Summer and her parents, Paul and Tricia St. John, shared hugs, smiles...
Vandergrift’s 1st female mayor remembered for her dedication, kindness and work ethic
A former Vandergrift mayor and longtime Leechburg Area School District educator is being remembered as a dedicated servant in two neighboring communities. Barbara Jo (Sendry) Turiak died on June 20, 2023 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. She was 70. Turiak lived in Vandergrift for more than 19 years, often...
Summer festival returns after 17-year hiatus in Allegheny Township
After a 17-year absence, Allegheny Township Community Day returned Saturday on the grounds of Kiski Area High School. Held as a partnership between the township and Kiski Area School District, the day featured, food, live bands, games and visits by police, fire and other emergency vehicles for kids to explore....
Colorful turnout for Vandergrift PRIDE festival
Saturday’s mix of rain and sun was a perfect recipe for a rainbow and visitors to Vandergrift’s first PRIDE in the Park festival made sure there were many to see. Supporters of the LGBTQ+ community wore rainbow-themed clothes and even had PRIDE-themed desserts to enjoy at Kennedy Park. Shannon Gourley,...
String of stolen and vandalized signs deemed ‘serious’ safety issue in Allegheny Township
A spate of stolen and vandalized traffic signs along two rural roads in Allegheny Township have officials seeking the public’s help in apprehending the thieves. “We’ve been here seven times since January,” said Allegheny Township Public Works Director Roger Schwarz, while standing next to a recently replaced stop sign Thursday...
Swifties gather on Pittsburgh’s North Shore for pre-concert ‘Tay-gating’ parties
The day has finally arrived. The day that Swifties have been waiting months for — Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” comes to Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Fans began arriving early, even thought the parking lots weren’t scheduled to open until 1:30 p.m. And most gates opened at 4:30...
Kiski Area addresses student safety concerns at intermediate school, plans to hire additional resource officer
The Kiski Area School District is collaborating with Allegheny Township officials in an effort to help curb ongoing safety issues at Kiski Area Intermediate School. “Since the return to normal in-person education (after the pandemic), we’ve seen a dramatic increase in fighting as well as other less-than-positive interactions,” said Allegheny...
Leechburg Area School District’s proposed budget holds line on taxes
Leechburg property owners can expect no tax increase in their school property taxes for the coming school year. The Leechburg Area School Board unanimously passed its $15.6 million preliminary budget for 2023-24. “Folks have been hit hard with inflation and need a break,” board President Anthony Shea said. “Also, the...
$1 million scratch-off ticket sold in Allegheny Township
A million-dollar scratch-off ticket was sold at a grocery store in Allegheny Township. Pennsylvania Lottery officials announced Wednesday a winning ticket for Hasbro’s “The Game of Life” was sold at the Giant Eagle, 41 Towne Center Drive. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket. Scratch-off tickets...
New owners plan renovations to Leechburg B&B, eye former church as rental venue
A Chicago couple have traded in their big-city lifestyle for small-town living. “I wanted to buy an old church or house — and I got both,” said co-owner Jason Fitzpatrick, who originally was from Butler County. Fitzpatrick, 48, and husband Thomas Murphy, 32, who married seven years, began their search...
Faces of the Valley: Ken Kaminski has volunteered his time in the Alle-Kiski Valley for nearly 50 years
Ken Kaminski has blazed a trail volunteering in nature, emergencies and fires across the Alle-Kiski Valley since he was 14. Giving back to his community is a mainstay for the 63-year-old Allegheny Township resident. Kaminski’s nature-loving mission involves volunteering as president of the Roaring Run Watershed Association in Kiski Township....
Former ATI property on the market in Leechburg
Leechburg officials are hopeful a newly available riverfront property will entice a buyer or developer looking to invest in a scenic location. A 2.83-acre property along the Kiski River, previously used by ATI’s idled plants in Bagdad and West Leechburg, went on the market May 8 for $1.39 million by...
Kiski Area alum killed in crash remembered for kindness, work ethic
Family and friends are mourning the sudden death of a standout student hockey player from Washington Township. Alex Presley Orange, a 2020 Kiski Area High School graduate and PennWest University California student, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a car crash. He was 21. His parents, Todd Orange and Leesa...
Wildlife officers free deer of plastic feeder stuck around neck in O’Hara
A whitetail deer, seen for weeks by Fox Chapel area residents sporting a large, white, plastic feeder around its neck, was freed Thursday morning, thanks to the persistent efforts of Pennsylvania Game Commission officials. Commission officials spotted the deer early Thursday in the Orchard Hill/Driftwood area of O’Hara and were...
