Joyce Hanz stories, Page 25
Efforts underway to help free deer in Fox Chapel area from plastic bucket stuck around its neck
A young buck in the Fox Chapel area got itself in a jam a few weeks ago when it somehow got its neck stuck in a plastic animal feeder. It has been spotted by area residents with the container still around its neck. O’Hara resident Melissa Marlo said she has...
Vandergrift Pool remains closed for repairs; reopening expected in July
Poolgoers hoping to cool off at a popular summer swimming destination in Allegheny Township will have to be patient. The Vandergrift Pool, officially named the Joseph A. Petrarca Memorial Pool, remains empty and closed. The pool at 1639 La Belle Vue Road has not opened for the season because of...
With primary win, councilwoman poised to become Leechburg’s 2nd female mayor
New female leadership appears to be on the horizon in Leechburg. Councilwoman Doreen Smeal, 69, scored a victory on the Democratic and Republican primary elections in the race for mayor, all but securing a victory in November. The only thing that could stop her from winning is somebody mounting a...
Mingle on Market hopes to again highlight Leechburg’s character, spirit
A seasonal socializing and shopping event is returning to Leechburg. Mingle on Market, sponsored by the Leechburg Area Community Association, had a successful inaugural year last summer, and organizers are hopeful the event will continue to bring people together to shine a spotlight on the borough. The community association is...
Daycation: Go sky high with skydiving in Mercer
A high-flying adventure awaits those brave enough to jump out of an airplane in rural Mercer. Skydive Pennsylvania is the only full-service skydiving facility in Western Pennsylvania, located at the Grove City Airport. Owner Cecil Smith, 66, has logged more than 5,912 jumps in his 49 years of skydiving. Smith...
Retiring from retirement: Whether for financial reasons or boredom, a growing number of older adults are rejoining the workforce
Michael Trenga was retired two days before he jumped back into the workforce. The decision was financially motivated. “I retired on a Friday and went back to work on a Monday,” said Trenga, 71, of Leechburg. “Without my job, I would have to cut back on a lot — not...
Incumbent supervisor ousted by newcomer in Allegheny Township
After a narrow win via write-in votes, Republican newcomer Jeff Pollick has defeated longtime incumbent Supervisor John Rennick “Ren” Steele in Allegheny Township. Pollick edged Democratic write-in Allegheny Township supervisor candidate Joseph Ferguson by 11 votes, clinching a win on both ballots in the primary, according to official results from...
Freeport Area drama students pull in 6 Mancini awards
The cast, crew and staff of Freeport Area Senior High School’s 2023 spring musical production of “No, No, Nanette” reached a milestone Sunday. Freeport won six awards at the Henry Mancini Awards, an annual event honoring and celebrating excellence in high school musical theater in Butler, Lawrence, Beaver and Mercer...
Vandergrift community garden kicks off planting season, seeks volunteers
A gardening group in Vandergrift is looking to recruit a few green thumbs. Members of the Vandergrift Parent Project gathered Sunday to prep, weed, dig, plant and water new plants in the 2023 Vandergrift Community Garden. Located in Franklin Park at 284 Franklin Ave., the garden is in its fourth...
Leechburg Area Pool won’t receive 2nd half of pledged covid-relief money from Gilpin
An effort to raise money for a new water slide at Leechburg Area Pool is causing a splash in Gilpin. In a post Wednesday to the pool’s Facebook page, pool secretary Steve Senjan, a former Gilpin supervisor, criticized Gilpin officials for not following through on their $25,000 pledge to the...
New juice-themed cafe slated to open in Aspinwall
A juice-themed, fresh-foods cafe is moving into a prime corner location in Aspinwall. Vibrant Sunshine Juicery Cafe is set to open in late summer. “It’s a dream location for our business because of neighborhood access, proximity to St. Margaret hospital, easy access from Route 28 and Freeport Road, has onsite...
2 dogs killed in Leechburg house fire
No injuries were reported after a fire broke out Monday morning in a two-story Leechburg home but two dogs inside the home were killed. A female occupant who lived alone at the residence was at work when a fire broke out in the kitchen, said Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company safety...
Councilwoman scores primary victory over Democratic incumbent for Leechburg mayor
Leechburg incumbent Mayor Tony Roppolo lost to Councilwoman Doreen Smeal by fewer than 40 votes in the Democratic primary election, according to unofficial returns from the Armstrong County Election Bureau. Smeal garnered 77 votes to Roppolo’s 40. There are 94 Republican write-in votes, so Smeal could face a challenger in...
Newly hired Apollo Memorial Library director steps down; officials seek replacement
The recent departure of the director of Apollo Memorial Library has left a job opening at the Armstrong County nonprofit. Former director Jennifer Ramsey announced May 9 in a Facebook post that she was leaving her role as director. “I have stepped down from my position as director at Apollo...
Work crew installs temporary all-way stop at problematic intersection in Allegheny Township
Update: The temporary stop signs that were expected to be erected next week were put up Friday evening, according to Allegheny Township Police Chief Duane Fisher. PennDOT is addressing traffic concerns raised by the Allegheny Township supervisors about a rural road heavily used as a detour. The intersection at Bonfire...
Allegheny Township resident’s request leads to launch of free Minutes Matter emergency cards
Rose Haberchak of Allegheny Township recently witnessed a medical emergency where minutes could have mattered. During a weekend quilting event, Haberchak and others were able to assist a woman who had fallen ill. They sought medical assistance but had no information to offer first responders about the woman’s medical history...
Leechburg Area High School celebrates 100th anniversary; public open house tonight
It isn’t every day a public school building turns 100. So, when Leechburg Area High School reached that milestone on Thursday, a celebration was in order. “This is such a contribution to the town for investing resources into our school district for 100 years, which we very much appreciate. To...
Sky-high steeple restoration continues in New Kensington
A Catholic church critically damaged by Mother Nature three years ago is undergoing restoration and repairs in New Kensington. St. Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church sustained more than $3 million in damage on April 8, 2020, when an EF-1 tornado with wind gusts of up to 100 mph traveled...
Borough officials work to certify over 300 parking meters in Vandergrift
A Vandergrift resident advocating for legally operating parking meters throughout the borough appears to be making headway on her mission. Rae Ann Bruner has been spearheading efforts to fix broken, inaccurate and jammed parking meters since mid-March. “They have begun the process of gutting and repairing the meters,” Bruner said....
Parks Township animal rescue nonprofit to donate digital animal scanners to area police
A Parks Township woman is turning to technology to help local law enforcement identify lost animals in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Amber Phillips, owner and director of the nonprofit Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue, hopes to donate at least 28 digital animal microchip scanners to the Parks Township, Apollo, Leechburg, Southern Armstrong Regional,...
Building the Valley: Hyde Park counselor opens new therapy practice in Leechburg
Amy Halter of Hyde Park is on a mission to break down stereotypes about mental health and to provide accessibility to those living rurally who may face challenges seeking professional treatment. Halter, 50, opened Balance and Grow Counseling Center in February at 152 Market St. in Leechburg. She said that...
Fulfilling a dream: Allegheny Township man, 94, relishes 4-month world cruiseVideo
Merle Sober of Allegheny Township knows how to “seas” the day. Actually, 111 of them. Sober, 94, recently completed an unaccompanied cruise around the world that took him to every continent except Antarctica. “I had to go all the way — go big,” Sober said during an interview at the...
Fundraiser for Aspinwall’s Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy draws record attendance
A fashion-themed fundraiser proved to be a perfect fit for Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall. The school hosted the 2023 Sip & Style Fashion Fundraiser May 7 at the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel. The event drew more than 200 people and raised more...
Roaring Run Watershed Association trying to raise money for trail-related projects
A new project organized by trail stewards and volunteers of the Roaring Run Watershed Association is tackling ongoing parking issues at the Rock Furnace Trailhead in Kiski Township. The Rock Furnace parking lot expansion and relocation project is underway at the trail on Brownstown Road to offer additional parking spaces...
Roundabout construction requires summerlong road closure in Allegheny Township
An ongoing construction project in Allegheny Township soon will have motorists driving in circles, but for all the right reasons. Township officials long have sought a solution for a problematic traffic area at the intersection of Route 356 and La Belle Vue Road. Enter the roundabout. “That intersection has traditionally...
