Joyce Hanz stories, Page 32

A mother-daughter duo is combining their creativity to open a costume and mending shop in Vandergrift. Lauren Andrews, 28, grew up in Vandergrift and always had a keen interest in Halloween and dress-up. “I had four Halloween costumes every year. I was always winning the costume contests,” said Andrews, of...

Pittsburgh police are investigating several vehicles damaged by bullets in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. Police responded to the area of 18th and Mary Street around 1 a.m. Monday morning, after receiving a ShotSpotter notification for 12 rounds for the 100 block of 18th Street, according to the Trib’s news partner...

A shooting in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood Sunday night resulted in two juveniles being sent to the hospital, police said. Pittsburgh police said officers were alerted to a 17-round Shotspotter alert in the 500 block of Sherwood Avenue around 8:45 p.m. Update: Two juveniles were located with non-fatal gunshot wounds. A...

Unleash the magic broomsticks! The inaugural Witching Hours Night Market is scheduled for the night of Oct. 15 in Vandergrift. Its organizers say more than 70 vendors are booked. The event will be held rain or shine, and Grant Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic. The market was organized...

Some lucky birds are about to score colorful new digs, thanks to recent creative artwork by students at Leechburg Area High School. The Birdhouse Project is the latest project from high school art teacher Shayle Prorok. Six students designed and painted birdhouses last month. The houses will be donated to...

A Sharpsburg native is paying tribute to his hometown with a documentary highlighting an Italian American immigrant who brought over more than just luggage with him from Italy. Pete Ferraro, an Emmy-award winning filmmaker, producer and writer, will premiere his documentary, “il Messarggero” — “The Messenger” — Oct. 1 on...

Five people were left homeless Thursday afternoon when fire heavily damaged a duplex on Main Street in Leechburg. Leechburg Fire Chief Tom Foster said the fire was reported around 5:48 p.m. at 135 Main St. Foster said two cats remained unaccounted for. The fire erupted from the second floor of...

Leechburg Area School District is set for huge savings as it nears completion of renovations to ensure greater energy efficiency on campus. The district’s Energy Savings Project, implemented by Harrisburg-based McClure Co., began in June and is expected to wrap up in a few weeks. Eric Petrazio, McClure senior account...

The last thing Vandergrift resident Sarah Cooper expected to find at her local park during an outing Sunday with her young son was X-rated graffiti. Cooper said her 10-year-old son noticed vulgar images of male genitals and obscene words spray-painted on two stone pillars at the entrance to Kennedy Park....

West Leechburg resident, author and tax collector Kevin Smith is hosting a Christian-based charitable dinner to help raise funds for the West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. Smith will discuss his book, “God Discovery: How Science and Logic Reveal the Existence of God,” during the God Discovery Banquet on Sunday, Sept....

The Gilpin supervisors are seeking public input as they work to modernize what they consider an outdated zoning ordinance. Supervisor Charles Stull launched the first of two online public surveys Tuesday. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey, which is available through Oct. 7. It can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/GilpinZoning....

An Allegheny Township salon is paying tribute to a former loyal customer with fondness and flowers. Employees at Fashions Ahead Salon & Grand Day Spa in Leechburg created a butterfly memorial garden this spring in honor of the late Leonard “Lenny” Rocco Calderone. Calderone died suddenly Jan. 16. He was...

Beers, bratwurst and German culture are set to collide with a new festival in Vandergrift. The area’s first Oktoberfest Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24. It is co-sponsored by Allusion Brewing Co. and the Vandergrift Business Association, and organizers are excited to close off Grant Avenue and roll out...

Obtaining medical marijuana just got more convenient in the Alle-Kiski Valley, with the opening of another dispensary in New Kensington. Zen Leaf medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday at 215 Tarentum Bridge Road, in the former Papa John’s Pizza location. “It’s been great. A strong start,” said Joseph Kuches, Zen Leaf...

A nature-loving shutterbug from Vandergrift has landed her first public photography exhibit. Karlee Holmes spends most of her time outdoors, photographing animals and scenery across the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond. Butler Area Public Library is exhibiting “Call of the Wild,” featuring some of Holmes’ images, through Sept. 30. The display,...

Mackenzie Borkovich of O’Hara channeled her experiences living with a life-threatening tree nut allergy into a school-wide education project. Borkovich, a 2022 Fox Chapel Area High School grad, has been named a Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. She received her official notification letter...

A new curriculum-related position with a federal focus has been added to the lineup of administrative jobs in Kiski Area School District. Emily Mather is the new director of curriculum and instruction and the director of federal programs. Her annual salary is $110,000. Mather began the new job July 1....

The Vandergrift Public Library has a new full-time director. Vandergrift resident Sarah Buzzard, 28, began her new role Tuesday. Buzzard holds a master’s degree in information and library sciences from Clarion University. She replaces Vanessa Groholski who served as director for a decade. Groholski’s last day as director was Aug....

The annual Leechburg Carnival returns this year with a new date and a big fundraising goal. Brian Scott, president of the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, said the department, with a roster of 32 volunteer firefighters and eight administrative volunteers, has been raising funds for a new pumper truck for a...

Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 hosted its second annual Craft and Vendor Show on Saturday. Company president Mike Ogurchock said the event raised about $17,000 last year and proceeds go to the company’s general fund. “During covid we had a lot of restrictions and we couldn’t hold our...

Tim Negley of Natrona rolled up his sleeves and collected trash for hours Saturday in an effort to clean up the banks of the Allegheny River and in his hometown. “We usually go out on the river and have a good time. I just wanted to volunteer and help,” said...