Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 11
West Nile virus found in mosquito samples from multiple Allegheny County neighborhoods
Allegheny County Health Department officials announced mosquitoes collected in certain parts of the county this month tested positive for West Nile virus. Samples found to have the virus were taken July 8 from Wilkinsburg, Schenley Park, Mt. Washington, Beltzhoover, Mt. Oliver and Hazelwood. West Nile virus is the leading cause...
Quaker Valley officials say stadium turf/track replacement could be done by early August
It’s literally a rebuilding year for Quaker Valley High School athletics as a turf and track replacement project nears its halfway point. Keystone Sports Construction crews have been working to gut the playing surface at Chuck Knox Stadium since June 4. Charlie Gauthier, district director of facilities and administrative services,...
Quaker Valley grad named new Allegheny County Bar Association president
Amy (Barrick) Coco never forgot a saying learned from her late Advanced Placement English teacher Shirley Stevens at Quaker Valley High School. “She taught me, ‘specific is terrific,’” said Coco, 57, a 1985 graduate. She recalled several teachers and looked back fondly on her early education during her first day...
Rite Aid in Sewickley among the locations closing
Many Rite Aid locations across Western Pennsylvania are closing and the Sewickley store is no exception. The last day to buy things at 517 Beaver St. is July 20. Everything must go, according to a sign in the window — including the shelves and fixtures that are up for sale....
Sharpsburg Market Garden is a growing opportunity for volunteers
People don’t need to have a green thumb to help out at the Sharpsburg Market Garden. Tucked away near the intersection of Middle and 13th streets is where free fresh vegetables can be found. A handful of volunteers on Friday evenings tend to 25 beds each about 3 feet wide...
New Fox Chapel pickleball courts come with new rules
Pickleball players on the recently opened public courts at Fox Chapel’s McCahill Park have some fair-play rules to follow. Regulations include no reservations and no saving courts, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. If other players are waiting, games should end at 11 points (waiving the customary rule of...
Sewickley Tavern still on the market
Sewickley Tavern remains for sale more than six months after it went on the market. Howard Hanna Real Estate agent Michael Levenson said the property at 409 Beaver St. was put on the market between mid-November and early December. The listed price for the “turn-key restaurant” is $2.3 million, according...
Aspinwall Zoning Hearing Board to receive plans for proposed townhouses at former church site
Plans for five high-end townhouses at a former Methodist Church site in Aspinwall are moving forward. Planning commissioners voted 7-0 June 15 to push the proposed development by Amena Properties founder Tony Pompeo Jr. on to the zoning hearing board. Vice Chairman Robert Scott was absent. The earliest that the...
Fox Chapel area Eagle Scout hopefuls turn to nature for top scout honor
A pair of Fox Chapel area Eagle Scout hopefuls are seeking the highest honor in scouts through nature projects. Josh Lowe, who recently graduated from Fox Chapel Area High School, is in the process of digging an estimated 310-foot connector trail down a hillside by Shady Side Academy’s Country Day...
Construction continues at future retail space, condominiums and engineering HQ in Sewickley
Construction continues at the future Orbital Engineering headquarters in Sewickley. Crews have been working for months to create a multi-use facility at the former R.D. Cole Funeral Home on Beaver Street. The funeral home was demolished earlier this year. It had ceased services in September and reopened late that month...
Sewickley welcomes borough’s 1st therapy dog
The Sewickley Police Department recently welcomed a new furry friend to the force. Harley, an 18-month-old English black Labrador, has become the borough’s first certified therapy dog. Owned by police Chief Dave Mazza, the canine citizen, as she is called by trainers at Franklin Park-based Misty Pines, received her certification...
Leetsdale Fourth of July celebration a destination for many in nearby communities
Leetsdale resident Tom Belcastro recalled marching in the borough’s Fourth of July parade about 70 years ago as an Ohio Valley Little League player. He and his teammates would be in uniform, making their way down the main streets to the delight of their family and friends who were also...
Opa! Oakmont Greek Food Festival continues through weekend
Bob Zazac and his daughter Mia braved the elements in order to keep their father-daughter tradition of attending the Oakmont Greek Food Festival alive. The huge fundraising weekend at Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church kicked off Friday. The hot and humid afternoon gave way to thunderstorms shortly before...
Bethel Park School District officials say farewell to the class of 2025
Bethel Park High School grad Ella Milliken believes there is much more to life than material things. That shared experiences are what matter most, not what someone is wearing at the time. “Think about the last time you had a conversation with a friend,” Milliken told her fellow classmates at...
Season’s final Funnel Cake Friday set in Sharpsburg
A Sharpsburg summer tradition that mixes funnel cake batter with a powdered sugary sprinkle of community spirit will soon come to a close. This season’s final Funnel Cake Fridays is set for June 27 from 5-8 p.m. at Kennedy Park. It is expected to be packed with musical performances by...
Suffering together bonds those daring to brave Rachel Carson Trail Challenge
Trekking 37 miles with temperatures approaching 90 degrees Saturday sounds like it would be a grueling challenge for anyone. But Morgan Kiebler and Wade Endress said it was premarital bliss to take part in this year’s Rachel Carson Trail Challenge. The couple plan to wed July 16 in Maine. “It’s...
Blawnox considering tax credit for volunteer firefighters
Blawnox firefighters may soon get a tax break. Borough officials are drafting an ordinance that could slash hundreds of dollars from their earned income tax. There are many details that still need to be worked out with the fire department, borough manager Kathy Ulanowicz said on June 11, including criteria...
Sewickley Police Department makes history with officer promotion
Celina Kelly has made history once again. The soft-spoken New Brighton resident and law enforcement veteran has become Sewickley Police Department’s first full-time female officer. “It’s a nice community,” Kelly said shortly after being sworn in to her new role by Mayor George Shannon on June 10. “I’m still getting...
Sewickley Academy celebrates the Class of 2025
Watching a son or daughter accept their high school diploma is often a proud moment for a parent. It can be extra special for the family to be on stage together. Six Sewickley Academy grads had that opportunity at this year’s commencement on June 6. All of the parents involved...
Fox Chapel Area School District celebrates the class of 2025
Fox Chapel Area High School senior Anna Mohn believes asking odd questions is among the best ways to get to know someone. As editor of the school’s weekly student newspaper, she has sought knowledge such as someone’s hype song, what they are most thankful for and their favorite word. Mohn...
New Fox Chapel borough manager’s salary information obtained
The new Fox Chapel borough manager’s salary will be $185,000, according to borough records obtained by TribLive. Council unanimously voted May 19 to hire Julie Bastianini as its next top administrator upon the retirement of current manager Gary J. Koehler. Her salary was not listed in the May meeting minutes...
Shady Side Academy reportedly rethinking proposed west entrance to Fox Chapel campus
Shady Side Academy officials are expected to change their plans for an entrance on the west side of the Upper School campus. Fox Chapel Mayor Alex Scott, borough manager Gary Koehler, several council members and others met with academy leaders behind closed doors to discuss the project on May 21....
Fox Chapel Borough Manager Gary Koehler set to retire after 40 years of government service
Gary Koehler remembers being fascinated by project designs when he was growing up in Shaler. He would watch as his father, Jack, a township volunteer planning commissioner, reviewed various documents and architectural drawings. “As a little boy, 12 years old, he would bring home plans and put them on the...
Fox Chapel Area School Board approves 2025-26 budget with 2.3% tax increase
Fox Chapel Area School District officials have approved next school year’s budget with a 2.3% tax hike and no cuts to programs or services. The board voted unanimously on its 2025-26 spending plan on June 9. The millage rate jumps from 21.51 mills to 22 mills, about a 0.5-mill increase....
West Jefferson Hills School District officials bid farewell to class of 2025
Gavin Hart did not waste time by patting himself on the back for making it through the rigorous academia that is Thomas Jefferson High School. Instead, the senior class president spent the better part of his commencement address highlighting the accomplishments of his classmates and student clubs the past few...
