Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 31
Sewickley Civic Garden Council’s May Mart set to bloom May 11
Sewickley Civic Garden Council officials are nearly ready to harvest the fruits of their labor in setting up their annual celebration. May Mart is planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Broad Street, from Beaver to Thorn, will be closed for the rain or shine event. Admission...
New location for 9th annual Spin Your Wheels fundraiser nets more participants, opportunities
Fox Chapel resident Gina Johnson knew when she walked through the doors of the Lauri Ann West Community Center the last Saturday in April that it was going to be for more than a routine workout. The fitness enthusiast took part in a circuit class and wellness activities that day...
Arrests made at pro-Palestinian protest on University of Pittsburgh campus
After nearly a week of relative calm, pro-Palestinian protesters in Pittsburgh’s university district sparked minor conflict with police on Sunday night, resulting in two arrests. The arrests came after a group of about 200 protesters reneged on a verbal agreement to stay off university property. Protesters who last week had...
Pittsburgh police seek help finding missing teen
Pittsburgh police seek the public’s help in locating a missing teen. Vaughn Malone Jr., 15, was reported missing by his mother after he failed to return home April 25, Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne reported. He is described as standing 5 feet, 7 inches, weighing 130 pounds with with brown...
Longtime New Ken-Arnold School District public servant honored for ‘lifetime of service’ to the community
The Rev. Kent Commodore of Second Baptist Church in Ford City had to remind his older brother Hank several times it’s OK to be appreciated. That everything is as it should be when more than 100 people pack the dining hall of MJ’s Bar & Grille in Arnold on a...
Shady Side Academy Middle School robotics team teaches skills to youngsters at Fox Chapel library
Shady Side Academy Middle School Blue robotics team members helped Fox Chapel Area youths learn more about robots through a new program at Cooper-Siegel Community Library. The Lego League competitors taught the young builders and coders the benefits of teamwork and problem solving via three classes this year with the...
Quaker Valley School District officials welcome new assistant finance director, commend outgoing administrator
Quaker Valley School District official have tapped a Penn State alum as their next assistant finance director. School directors voted 8-0 on April 24 to hire Jim Giovannitti of the South Hills to serve under recently promoted Brooke Baker. Baker was named district director of finance and operations Scott Antoline’s...
Leetsdale requiring knox boxes at businesses, multi-family facilities
Leetsdale has a new ordinance mandating that businesses and multi-family facilities provide quick emergency access for firefighters to their facilities. Council unanimously voted April 11 to pass what was colloquially called a “knox box” ordinance. A knox box is a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys that fire departments...
Leetsdale to add ADA spaces at Henle Park, borough building
Leetsdale officials plan to make the borough building and one of their major parks more accessible. Two Americans with Disabilities Act parking spaces are being added around Henle Park, and the one in front of the borough building along Beaver Street is being replaced. Borough engineer Dan Slagle said all...
Allegheny County Police: Man in critical condition after being shot in Mt. Oliver
A man was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday afternoon after being shot in Mt. Oliver. Allegheny County Police said they were notified of a shooting around 1:35 p.m. along the 400 block of William Street. First responders found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Police said he was transported...
O’Hara, Blawnox police merger talks continue
Negotiations continue between O’Hara and Blawnox officials to merge police departments. Managers from both municipalities confirmed that pensions were examined and weekly talks now are planned. The plan is to have Blawnox officers become township police and serve under Superintendent Jay Davis. “The first step in the process was to...
Penn Hills health care facility owner indicted on federal charges
The owner of a Penn Hills facility that services people with intellectual disabilities faces a federal indictment on charges of health care fraud and other crimes. Kelley Oliver-Hollis, 59, of Pittsburgh faces 33 counts, including making false statements to health care matters and money laundering, federal officials announced. Oliver-Hollis is...
Sewickley Bridge set to close for 10 days
PennDOT officials remind drivers that the Sewickley Bridge, which connects Moon Township and Sewickley across the Ohio River, will close for 10 days starting Friday night. The closure is slated to begin at 7 p.m. and continue through 6 a.m. April 29, weather permitting. Officials said the closing is necessary...
O’Hara officials warn residents and others about potential scam calls and emails
O’Hara officials want to remind residents to be extra cautious of calls or emails seeking personal information in order to avoid possible scams. Police Superintendent Jay Davis said his department fields at a few calls a week from residents concerned about people claiming to be from credit card companies, banks...
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announces its new superintendent of schools
Seton LaSalle Catholic High School Principal Lauren Martin will have a new job next school year. Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Bishop David Zubik has appointed her superintendent of Catholic Schools effective July 1. The superintendent search began in January after Michelle Peduto announced her retirement after five years as superintendent...
Quaker Valley School District projects 2.9% tax hike in next school year’s budget
Quaker Valley School District property owners should expect to pay 2.9% more in real estate taxes next school year. School directors unanimously voted April 15 to adopt its 2024-25 proposed budget with a tax increase and no cuts to programs or services. The millage rate would go from 20.6277 mills...
Interior possibilities of proposed Quaker Valley High School project revealed
Quaker Valley School District architects have revealed potential interior color schemes and materials for the proposed high school project. Officials said they focused on sustainability and related issues when it came to selecting samples and had multiple discussions over the past few months about aesthetics and functionality. It culminated in...
Public input needed about Leetsdale park
Leetsdale officials want to hear from residents about what can be done to improve Kohlmeyer Park. The recreation site is located at 1301 Brickworks Drive. It has a small pavilion, a basketball court, a playground and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking. “It’s a small park tucked into a highly developed...
Annual Spin Your Wheels fundraiser moves to new location with same charitable goal
Jennifer Evashavik hopes more people answer the call of the late Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Queen front man Freddie Mercury: “Get on your bikes and ride.” The ninth annual Spin Your Wheels fundraiser is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at the Lauri Ann...
Artists needed for 240-square-foot community mural project in Sharpsburg
Artists are being sought for a major mural project in Sharpsburg. Artspiraton, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Sharpsburg, Etna and Millvale through the arts, has put out a request for qualifications for a 240-square-foot art piece on the side of Conicella Family Dentistry, 701 Main St. The project is through...
Small fire reported at Kennywood
A fire at Kennywood was quickly put out Wednesday evening. Allegheny County dispatchers said the call for the fire at the West Mifflin area amusement park came in around 9:20 p.m. Emergency responders began clearing the scene around 9:45 p.m. Lynsey Winters, a spokesperson for Kennywood, told news partners WTAE...
Fox Chapel officials to turn curvy intersection into 3-way stop for safety reasons
Bill Bates has lived near the intersection of Guyasuta Road and Fieldvue Lane in Fox Chapel for about four decades. He has seen his share of near misses from cars attempting to turn onto Guyasuta and motorists going up and down the winding road. “It can be (dangerous) because the...
Leetsdale appoints new member to fill vacancy
Leetsdale has a new councilman. James DeGori, 42, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by councilwoman Beth Carroll, who stepped down for personal reasons effective March 15. Council accepted her resignation and shortly thereafter voted 4-1 to appoint DeGori on April 11. Councilwoman Patricia Lee was absent. Councilman Benjimen...
Armwell Township man dies in motorcycle crash
An Amwell Township man died in a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon along Amity Ridge Road in Amwell Township, according to the Washington County Coroner’s Office. Noah Nicholas Polites, 20, was not wearing a helmet, the coroner’s office said. Polites was pronounced dead at about 4 p.m....
Sewickley Bridge to close for 10 days
Sewickley area emergency responders are coordinating to ensure minimal disruptions during an upcoming Sewickley Bridge closure. PennDOT officials said the bridge connecting Sewickley to Moon Township across the Ohio River is expected to close from 7 p.m. April 19 through 6 a.m. April 29 so crews can make permanent repairs...
