Mary Ann Thomas stories, Page 20
Lower Burrell man helps save friend who went into anaphylactic shock on canoe trip
A two-day canoe trip along the Clarion River in Elk County was supposed to be the last hurrah of the summer for Lower Burrell’s Austin Aikins and his friend, Chris Duca of Oakdale. But it almost turned deadly when Duca, 21, went into an anaphylactic shock in a remote area...
Freeport Theatre Festival’s ‘Bertha and Bailey’s Circus’ opens Friday
In addition to showcasing a bevy of local talent, Freeport Theatre Festival’s production of “Bertha & Bailey’s Circus” is more fun than a trip to Kennywood, promises the festival’s artistic directors. The comedy opens Friday and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until Aug. 29 at the festival’s theater in Allegheny...
Kiski Township police say they found $3,750 worth of illegal drugs hidden in car
Kiski Township police say they found 50 packets of heroin and an ounce of methamphetamine hidden in a car that they pulled over for a traffic violation. Police on Wednesday charged James D. Higgins, 41, of Apollo and Autumn Rogers, 21, of Leechburg with possession with intent to deliver controlled...
Kiski Township police twice have a run-in with a dancing man high on narcotics over weekend
Kiski Township police said they fielded calls regarding the same Apollo man twice over the weekend for public intoxication, possession of suspected illegal drugs and other charges. Douglas E. Laedlein of Apollo is facing charges of criminal trespass, loitering and prowling at night, possession of controlled substances and public drunkenness....
Job fair slated for Thursday in New Kensington
The PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski will hold a job fair Thursday, Aug. 12 in New Kensington featuring 10 employers looking for workers. With employee shortages reported throughout the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor in May stated it will help build a strong candidate pool for employers. The department’s Bureau of...
DEP stops Kiski Township from burning residents’ yard brush
The state stopped Kiski Township from collecting residents’ yard brush to burn on township-owned property. The Department of Environmental Protection received an anonymous complaint about the township burning residents’ yard brush, a free service the township has provided for years, said township Secretary Patrick Bono. Residents would drop off their...
Apollo officials considering food truck regulations
Given the rising popularity of food trucks, Apollo Council plans to adopt an ordinance regulating food trucks during its Aug. 26 meeting. Council voted in favor of the ordinance last month and will cast its final vote later this month. “Food trucks have been booming and with the covid-19 pandemic,...
National championship boat racing at Riverbration in Kittanning Aug. 20-22
Speedboats will hit 90 mph or more as they slice through the Allegheny River for national championship boat races during Riverbration, Aug. 20-22 at Kittanning Riverfront Park. Sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post 896, the free public riverside event is expected to draw boat racers from across the...
Litigation prevented earlier demolition of Arnold’s former Ida’s Place building, family says
The former owner of the old Ida’s Place building in Arnold has been harassed since it collapsed late last month, according to her daughter. Ida Peluso turned out authentic Italian food along Fifth Avenue for about 36 years until a kitchen fire severely damaged her restaurant and a neighboring building...
DEP: Fungicide caused fish kill on Chartiers Creek; fish are returning
The state Department of Environmental Protection found that the thousands of dead fish found on July 14 in Chartiers Creek tested positive for fungicide. Some fungicides, used on food crops and golf courses, are lethal to freshwater organisms, according to studies by the University of South Florida and other researchers....
Washington Township woman missing
Washington Township police are asking for the public’s help to find a township woman who has been missing since Monday. Amber Rowan, 40, was last seen at her home along Greensburg Road. Rowan may be with David Payton, a 41-year-old white man, police said. The two could be traveling in...
Nonprofits working to help mental health urged to apply for $35,000 Champions in Action grant
Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares are asking small local nonprofits dedicated to mental health to apply for the Champions in Action grant for $35,000. The Champions in Action award program is part of Citizens Helping Citizens, the bank’s initiative designed to help local communities prosper. The bank...
Lower Burrell police looking for city man accused of not returning a quad runner
Lower Burrell police are asking for the public’s help in finding a city man wanted for theft. Eric Shank, 35, is wanted for theft and receiving property, said police Chief John Marhefka. Police obtained an arrest warrant after Shank didn’t show up for his preliminary hearing before District Judge Cheryl...
Citizens Bank to close downtown branch in New Kensington
And then there was one. The Citizens Bank branch at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street in New Kensington is closing in mid-November, leaving First National Bank along Eighth Street as the only bank branch remaining downtown. “We continue to evaluate, evolve and adjust our branch strategy across...
Community Health Clinic’s new medical van delivers health care to Westmoreland County residents
Community Health Clinic’s new medical van is bringing health care to people in Westmoreland County, offering covid-19 vaccinations and tests along with primary care. Headquartered in New Kensington with additional locations in Vandergrift and Greensburg, the Community Health Clinic provides low-cost health care, offering a sliding payment scale for residents...
U.S. House passes legislation to support continued development of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation for the federal government to support the development of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, a proposed 1,300-mile recreational trail linking the three 9/11 crash sites. The legislation, passed unanimously by the House on Friday, serves as an official trail designation by the...
Longtime assistant to Apollo-Ridge superintendent retires, but work with education foundation continues
Whether it was increasing donations for the Apollo-Ridge Education Foundation to $250,000 or hooking up the school’s jazz-rock club with the top Led Zeppelin cover band, Cris Kostiuk was there. After 20 years with the Apollo-Ridge School District, Kostiuk, 62, of Kiski Township retired this week as the administrative assistant...
Remote work is here to stay for some Pittsburgh-area companies
Tim Koziarski settled into his Upper Burrell home office a lot more since working partially remote during the pandemic. He had an advantage. Koziarski, 58, is co-owner of Kozi Media Design, a Pittsburgh-based company specializing in smart technologies for the home and office. Business has been brisk installing technology for...
Crossroads Foundation named Champion in Action, awarded $35,000
The Pittsburgh-based Crossroads Foundation has been named a 2021 Champion in Action and awarded $35,000 for unrestricted use as well as promotional and volunteer support. The award was announced jointly by Citizens Bank, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares. The Champion in Action award program is part of Citizens Helping...
Pennsylvania to remove peregrine falcon from threatened species list
After reintroducing and protecting the peregrine falcon for more than 40 years, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is in the process of removing the world’s fastest animal from threatened status. Pesticides decimated the entire population of peregrines in the Eastern United States by the mid-1960s. Previously, the charismatic raptor that can...
Demolition continues at Ida’s restaurant in Arnold; city looking for money to pay for work
As a contractor continues to remove debris from the remains of a fire-ravaged former restaurant on Fifth Avenue, Arnold officials are trying to finalize how to pay for the work. The building at 1605 Fifth Ave. that once housed Ida’s Place collapsed Sunday — a day before its demolition was...
Former Ida’s restaurant in Arnold collapses a day before scheduled demolition
Crews on Monday were to begin demolishing the Arnold building that formerly housed Ida’s Place Italian restaurant. On Sunday, the building at 1605 Fifth Ave. collapsed on its own. No one was injured. “I’m glad that the eyesore is down,” Mayor Joseph Bia said. “Once it’s gone and cleaned up,...
Owner of Lower Burrell auto repair shop vows to reopen after fire
Sharpe Automotive owner Arthur “Artie” Grazier vowed Monday that he would reopen his Lower Burrell shop after repairing damage from a Sunday night blaze. “Half of my customers showed up wishing me luck. Someone even brought me a pizza,” Grazier said late Monday morning. “This is a great community.” The...
Presentation on Apollo beloved teacher Miss Amy Snyder set for Aug. 1
Residents can learn about the character of one of the most popular teachers in Apollo’s history, the late Miss Amy Snyder, in a special presentation by the Apollo Area Historical Society on Aug. 1. The event is free to the public. Snyder, who began teaching at the Apollo Elementary School...
Gateway Clipper fall leaf tour is back on the Allegheny River in Armstrong County
After a five-year hiatus, the Gateway Clipper will return to the Armstrong County portion of the Allegheny River for two boat tours and a dinner cruise on Oct. 9. Tickets have gone on sale and are expected to sell out. While the Armstrong County portion of the Allegheny River is...
