Mary Ann Thomas stories, Page 6
$3.5M purchase of bridge, rail line, opens path to Armstrong trail expansion
An old railroad bridge spanning the Kiski River that kids double-dog dared each other to cross is now a critical link to hundreds of miles of hiking and cycling trails — and potential economic development. Armstrong County purchased the bridge, erected in 1899 over the Kiski River, and 14 miles...
Weather focus of exhibit by New Kensington Camera Club at Pittsburgh Mills
The timeless visual elements of rain, storms, snow and sunsets are presented by local photographers at the Focus on the Arts Gallery at the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer. The New Kensington Camera Club is presenting “Weather: Many Expressions of Mother Nature’s Personality” for free until Sept. 3. The 32 entries...
National Aviary researchers submit drone footage to make case for ivory-billed woodpecker’s existence
Researchers from the National Aviary in Pittsburgh’s North Side are among a group of experts presenting new evidence to prevent the federal government from declaring the ivory-billed woodpecker as extinct. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is evaluating whether it will list the large, charismatic woodpecker that inhabits swampy bottomlands...
That’s no fish! It’s an American eel — in the Kiski River
“What the hell is that?” three anglers asked as an official with the Roaring Run Watershed Association reeled in a creature swirling around in the Kiski River. It turned out to be an American eel. It’s a rare find in the river, said Gary Smith, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat...
New Lower Burrell police dog paid for with grant from Officer Brian Shaw Foundation
The main attraction at Lower Burrell council’s Monday night meeting was the city’s new police dog, “Buc.” The 17-month-old German shepherd from Slovakia was accompanied by his handler, K-9 Officer Aaron Rodgers. The dog was paid for with a grant from the Officer Brian Shaw Foundation, which helps local police...
Faces of the Valley: Pair of Burrell Girl Scouts teach public about gun safety
A pair of soon-to-be freshmen at Burrell High School, decided to get serious about gun safety for a public presentation July 16 at the Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Department. The freshmen’s Girl Scout project sought to increase public awareness of gun safety to prevent accidental shootings by children. The event...
Civil War reenactment comes to Roaring Run Trail
The Roaring Run Watershed Association will host what they believe is the area’s first Civil War reenactment Aug. 13 and 14 at the Roaring Run Trail in Kiski Township. The program, “A Walk Through History,” will feature Civil War reenactment stations along the first half-mile of the trail from the...
Woman’s collection of postcards from writers around the world on display at Freeport Area Library
Kim Aluise always liked paper and old letters. She writes to strangers around the world via postcards, and they write her back. Aluise, 49, of Harrison has amassed 350 postcards from people who live in 45 countries and counting. About 40 of those cards are on display until Aug. 14...
Household hazardous chemical collection set for Aug. 20 at Boyce Park
Any state resident can take their household chemicals to Boyce Park’s ski lodge parking lot for disposal from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 20. Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) and Allegheny County Health Department are hosting collection events where residents can dispose of cleaners, paints, stains, varnishes, batteries, motor oil...
Brian Shaw scholarship recipients say assistance from motorcycle ride transcends monetary valueVideo
When Steve Edwards graduated from the Allegheny County Police Academy in 2020, he had to buy his own gun and a bulletproof vest, among other accessories. “You don’t want to buy the cheapest vest,” Edwards said. Other unexpected expenses for Edwards included a tourniquet, chest seals and other medical supplies...
Ospreys raising young atop crane along Monongahela River near Charleroi
Tarentum resident Jim Bonner, executive director of the local Audubon Society, has heard many bird stories. Over the years, he has fielded countless inquiries from the public to the Audubon Society of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s headquarters at Beechwood Farms in Fox Chapel. But there was something different about a recent call....
United Steelworkers fight to have union recognized at Braeburn Steel
The United Steelworkers union has filed three allegations with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) related to the refusal of the new owner of Braeburn Alloy Steel in Lower Burrell to recognize the union. “If they were looking for a fight, they picked the wrong union,” said Bernie Hall, director...
Former Kiski Township police say supervisors harassed them with false reprimand over dinner party
Three of the four Kiski Township police officers who quit this month said one of the reasons for their departure was an unfounded reprimand from supervisors about attending a graduation dinner party where alcohol was served. Four township police officers and the police secretary resigned on July 7 and 8....
Kiski Township part-time police officer takes another job; chief interviewing more officers
One of two new part-time Kiski Township police officers is leaving as the township tries to rebuild the department after an exodus of employees earlier in the month. Four police officers and a police secretary resigned July 7 and 8. Most of the employees said they quit because of harassment...
Child falls out of 2nd-story window in McKees Rocks
A child was taken to an area hospital hospital Sunday afternoon shortly after 2:30 p.m. after falling out of a second-story window in McKees Rocks, according to Allegheny County emergency dispatchers. The condition of the child was not available. McKees Rock police and EMS responded to the incident at a...
Officer Brian Shaw Foundation concert: Where brotherhood and gift baskets meet
A restaurant and bar in Lower Burrell has become the hub for planning and raising tens of thousands of dollars in honor of Officer Brian Shaw to help police, high school students and communities. Shaw, of Lower Burrell, was a New Kensington police officer who was shot and killed after...
Baby goats, classic cars show up for Leechburg fire department’s ‘Fun’ event
It was all about the kids, classic cars, motorcycles and more for Fun on Wheels Day on Saturday that was sponsored by Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company. Many volunteer fire departments canceled events during the covid-19 pandemic. To make up for lost time, Leechburg firefighters presented an event that wasn’t a...
Kiski Township supervisor/former treasurer files discrimination complaint against township
A Kiski Township supervisor, who is the former township treasurer, has filed a complaint accusing the township of gender discrimination. Sherry Tamski filed the gender discrimination complaint against the township with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Tamski was fired from her treasurer job earlier...
Kinloch Meals on Wheels to close; elderly clients to lose a meal a week
A lack of volunteers, mainly the kitchen manager, is causing the closure of the Kinloch Meals on Wheels. The program will shut down July 29. Kinloch delivers meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to 27 clients, mostly elderly or disabled residents, in the Kinloch section of Lower Burrell and parts...
4th annual Officer Brian Shaw Foundation Concert Series to rock Lower Burrell
The fourth annual Officer Brian Shaw Foundation Concert Series will feature six live bands and more than 140 auction baskets Saturday at Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell. Admission is $10 for the event, which runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Shaw, of Lower Burrell, was a New Kensington...
Hyde Park company donates gate for access to Kiski River during emergencies
A Hyde Park company donated an iron gate that allows river rescue teams to access the Kiski River at the Roaring Run Trail in Kiski Township. Previously, poles blocked all vehicles from backing down the ramp to launch motorboats at the Roaring Run trail launch, said Ken Kaminski, board president...
Building the Valley: Business booms for Laurel Awning Co. at former Lee’s Lanes in Parks Township
At almost 110 years old, the Laurel Awning Co. in Parks Township continues to expand. The family-owned business, last located in Oklahoma Borough, bought the old Lee’s Lanes in 2018 when it went up for sheriff’s sale for $275,000. The awning company consolidated operations from three buildings to the Parks...
1 person injured in single-vehicle crash in Kiski Township
A car struck a telephone pole and rolled over early Monday in the 1300 block of Route 56 in Kiski Township. Armstrong County 911 confirmed the accident and said one person was transported to an area hospital. The condition of the accident victim was not available Monday morning. State police...
Lower Burrell Farmers Market presents Christmas in July festivities and gifts July 23
The children of Lower Burrell won’t have to wait for Santa in December with the city’s Christmas in July farmers market July 23. Adults won’t have to wait either to buy holiday gifts from local artisans who will be on-hand showcasing jewelry, clothing, beef jerky, wood products and more. The...
Shaler teacher bikes 334 miles to raise awareness of veteran suicides
The national average rate of veteran suicides was 17.2 a day in 2019, according to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report on preventing suicides among veterans. Shaler Area physical education teacher Adam Rosenwald and Sam Johnson recently pedaled 334 miles on the GAP trail to raise awareness of Pittsburgh...
