Mary Ann Thomas stories, Page 5
Injured steel mill bald eagle ‘imped’ with grafted feathers
U.S. Steel Irvin Works Manager Don German had never heard of “imping,” let alone the concept of grafting flight feathers from another bird to an injured bald eagle. German and a Pennsylvania Game Commission warden found and rescued a juvenile bald eagle in June that couldn’t fly after it was...
Aging volunteers, lack of replacements put Meals on Wheels programs in peril
For about a half-century, Ruth Donnell, 92, and Betty Smith, 89, have packed sandwich lunches and repurposed bread heels to dazzle Freeport Area Meals on Wheels clients with a culinary rarity — homemade bread pudding. “The reason I do it is to help people who haven’t been able to help...
Armstrong Trails lands $710,000 grant for design of Kiski River railroad bridge
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded $710,000 to Armstrong Trails to design the renovation of the old railroad bridge over the Kiski River in the village of Schenley in Gilpin. Earlier this year, Armstrong County landed a $3.5 million state grant to buy the Kiski Junction Railroad...
Public invited to honor loved ones for Monarch Hospice memorial walk on Saturday in Lower Burrell
Monarch Hospice is sponsoring its third annual Memorial Walk and Celebration of Life on Saturday. The public is invited to Kotecki Park in Lower Burrell to honor their lost ones. For years, the annual memorial service was held in a church to honor seriously ill patients and other loved ones...
Former State Rep. Jeff Pyle dies; legacy lives on with community college branch in Ford City
Former State Rep. Jeff Pyle, 57, died on Wednesday in Ford City after a long battle with cancer. A Ford City resident, Pyle was a former nine-term Republican state representative, Ford City mayor, and Ford City teacher. He is survived by his wife, Michele Pyle, and two daughters. Pyle battled...
Cloggers, runners, kayaks and more Freeport September by the River festival
Live music, craft and food vendors, and activities galore will highlight Freeport’s September by the River celebration Saturday and Sunday. “We hope to cater to loyal attendees over the years and bring in some new folks,” said Cheyenne Filous, secretary of the Freeport Renaissance Association, which is sponsoring the event....
Lower Burrell to crack down on sewage bill scofflaws
While most Lower Burrell residents pay their sewage and recycling bills, owners of homes with wells and vacant homes in the city have delinquent bills totaling almost $172,500. City council intends to do something about that. It is preparing to pass an ordinance that will allow the city to put...
Local kids get free bikes from Kiski Township police
Kiski Township police bestowed a rainbow selection of bikes for kids living in the Pine Valley Estates along Sugar Hollow Road. Small Huffy bikes with silver streamers on the handlebars, along with red and green boys’ bikes, and pink models emblazoned with butterflies with white wheels for girls, arrived Tuesday...
Labor Relations Board issues complaint of Starbucks intimidating workers who unionized
The National Labor Relations Board has issued an unfair labor practices complaint against Starbucks and its treatment of workers who unionized at four Pittsburgh stores. The stores are located in Market Square, Oakland, East Liberty and Bloomfield. The baristas are represented by Workers United, an affiliate of the SEIU. In...
State police: Former Freeport EMS treasurer used service’s credit card for unauthorized expenses
Theft charges that the state police have filed against a former Freeport EMS treasurer will not impact the ambulance service, according to a trustee. State police charged Justin G. DeAngelis, a former Freeport ambulance service treasurer, Tuesday with the misappropriation of nearly $98,000 over four years. He also is a...
Former Kiski Township sergeant sues supervisors, claiming threats and intimidation
The battle between Kiski Township officials and former police officers there could be moving to court. Former Kiski Township police Sgt. Tom Dessell filed a civil lawsuit Thursday in Armstrong County, accusing township supervisors of threats and intimidation over what he believes were illegal and corrupt acts. Dessell and four...
Learn about fly fishing and spineless creatures at Buffalo Creek Watershed Festival
The public can learn about fly fishing, stream bank restoration, macro-environments and more at the Buffalo Creek Watershed Festival on Saturday. The free nature festival will feature loads of information and hands-on demonstrations at the Audubon Society’s Buffalo Creek Nature Park in Buffalo Township. “The reason for the celebration is...
Upper Drennen Road and Schafer Drive in Upper Burrell to close Monday for repairs
PennDOT projects will close Upper Drennen Road and Schafer Drive in Upper Burrell starting Monday. Both projects cover secondary residential roads, which shouldn’t cause major disruptions, said Supervisors Chairman Ross Walker. The closures are several miles apart. “It’s a temporary inconvenience for a permanent improvement,” Walker said. A section of...
Building the Valley: New Redemption Church to offer services in Buffalo Township
Pastor Fred Neal of Lower Burrell seems to have a penchant for breathing new life into old churches. Early last year, Neal found a home for his fledgling Redemption Church at the former and abandoned Hillcrest Alliance Church in Lower Burrell. Now, he and two other pastors are expanding their...
Freeport still can’t find a mayor after 3 months; residents encouraged to apply
Longtime Freeport Mayor James Swartz Jr. resigned in early June, and borough council still hasn’t been able to find someone to fill his shoes. No one qualified enough has stepped up, said Council President Clint Warnick, who is serving as acting mayor. “We’re still working through, trying applicants,” he said....
Shaler unveils new graduation gown with same colors for all graduates
Shaler Area School District unveiled a new graduation gown with colors and features that are the same for all students. The gown is a navy robe with white and red fabric on the cuffs, which is paired with a navy mortarboard, all of which incorporate the school’s colors. “The goal...
ACMH Hospital nurses and techs get 15%-23% wage increases in new labor pact
About 317 nurses and techs at ACMH Hospital in East Franklin will receive wage increases between 15% and 23% over the next two years, according to a new three-year contract. The contract was announced Friday by two unions involved. It was ratified Thursday. A representative from ACMH Hospital did not...
Rosston boat launch at Allegheny River/Crooked Creek to close before Labor Day for improvements
The state Fish and Boat Commission is closing the Rosston boat launch in Manor Township at Crooked Creek and the Allegheny River for repairs beginning Monday, Aug. 29, through Sept. 23. The commission is building a new launch ramp and improving the parking lot, said Mike Parker, commission press secretary....
Hampton location makes 11th Starbucks in Pittsburgh area to unionize
Starbucks baristas in Hampton voted 15-0 Thursday to join Workers United Pennsylvania Joint Board, an affiliate of Services Employees International Unit, for representation in collective bargaining. The store is located in the Hampton Shoppes strip mall at 4655 Route 8 in Hampton. The union will cover about 31 full-time and...
Wildflower jelly, foraging, birding on tap for Flying Solo Farm Fair in Buffalo Township
What began as a fun, artistic pursuit at a small farm in West Deer is a full-fledged, nature-themed fair Saturday at the Audubon Society’s Buffalo Creek Nature Park in Buffalo Township. The second annual Flying Solo Farm Fair will feature more than 20 vendors selling a variety of nature-based and...
Burrell’s girls state bowling champ wins athletic, academic scholarships to Trine University
When Lydia Flanagan won the state’s girls singles bowling championship in March, there was more than fanfare and sports on her mind. With a bowling average of 214 during her senior year, thoughts of chemical engineering were never too far for the 18-year-old. The newly minted Burrell graduate landed academic...
Kiski Township proposes zoning change to allow for business district along Route 56
The Kiski Township Planning Commission and the township supervisors will hold hearings in the next two weeks to amend zoning ordinances to create a business district along Route 56. The township is proposing to change the zoning classification of about 175 properties lining Route 56. Most are zoned agricultural or...
Gateway Clipper cruises on Allegheny River in Freeport slated for Oct. 1
After a sold-out Gateway Clipper cruise in Armstrong County last year, the county’s tourism agency is offering three Allegheny River cruises on Oct. 1. Tickets for cruises lasting several hours aboard the clipper fleet’s Princess are selling fast, said Experience Armstrong, Inc. Director Cheyenne Filous. As of Tuesday, the sightseeing...
Experts to discuss spotted lanternfly invasion at North Park
Penn State Extension is hosting a meeting about the invasive and destructive spotted lanternfly in the region at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 22 at the lodge in North Park. Populations of the spotted lanternfly, the invasive plant hopper from Asia, have skyrocketed in Allegheny County: From Jan. 1 to July 11,...
First Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games set for Lower Burrell’s Kotecki Park
A Lower Burrell mom is working with the city to present the first Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games for kids who can’t play traditional sports. Courtney Kobelenske, a Lower Burrell mom and co-owner of Cora Lee Cupcakes in New Kensington, said she wanted to provide a fun, athletic event for her daughter,...
