Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 32
Aspinwall forms commission to address potential human rights issues; parking study in works
Aspinwall has a new group to address potential human rights issues. The borough’s Human Relations Commission was formed April 10. Mayor Joe Noro swore in several members in attendance. Its formation was spearheaded by council Vice President Heth Turnquist. “This (commission) is similar to many formed by municipalities around the...
Emergency repairs authorized to fix Sewickley road slope
A slope of a Sewickley road has deteriorated so much that it is in need of an emergency repair. Borough engineer Mike Galet said there is no danger yet to properties along Dickson Road, but repairs can’t be put off any longer. Council voted 8-0 on April 9 to authorize...
Leet appoints police chief, promotes part-time officer to full time
Leet officials welcomed a familiar face as their new township police chief. Commissioners voted 4-0 on April 8 to appoint Brian Jameson as the top cop. Commissioner Rody Nash was absent. The Ambridge resident was hired on an interim basis Aug. 8, 2022. His starting interim chief wages were set...
Blawnox councilwoman resigns; letters of interest to fill vacancy being accepted
Blawnox officials are seeking to replace Councilwoman Meghan Kennedy, who has resigned. Her colleagues on council accepted her resignation 5-0 on April 10. Council President Deborah Laskey was absent. Kennedy was appointed to council in 2016 and has since served as the borough’s finance expert. She was chair of council’s...
Brownies learn about judicial system from Sharpsburg-area district judge to earn badge
Members of Girl Scout Brownies Troop 51378 recently visited with Sharpsburg-area District Judge Matthew Rudzki as part of efforts to earn their Democracy for Brownies badge. The troop is based out of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Etna. Its Scouts are second and third graders from O’Hara, Shaler and the surrounding...
Weekend closure planned for northbound Boulevard of the Allies starting Friday night
A full weekend closure of the northbound Boulevard of the Allies in Pittsburgh is planned for Friday night through Monday morning as part of a construction project, PennDOT officials announced. The northbound (inbound) lanes of the boulevard will close between Craft Avenue and Jumonville Street from 8 p.m. Friday through...
Sewickley welcomes familiar face as its newest full-time patrolman
Richard Stuart placed his right hand on a small Bible held by his father. It was maybe 4-inches long; the same book used in December 1978 when the patriarch, Brian Stuart, swore his oath to become an inspector for the national police force of South Africa. The son followed in...
Sewickley fire chief charged in connection with hit-and-run insurance fraud investigation
Cochran Hose Company Fire Chief Shayne Quinn and another person have been charged in connection with an Allegheny County Police insurance fraud investigation. Charges stem from an incident March 24 in front of the fire station. Police said security video from the station shows Monica Hinda, 27, of Coraopolis go...
Leetsdale community event results in 24 new trees planted in the borough
Leetsdale officials and Quaker Valley area community members partnered with an environmental nonprofit to plant 24 trees in the borough. Numerous residential sites and sites and Kohlmeyer Park are a little greener thanks to the efforts of more than 60 people on March 23. The event was in partnership with...
Sewickley Hills launches new borough website
Sewickley Hills officials recently launched a new website to boost communication with residents and businesses. The site, sewickleyhills.com, was created in partnership with municipal website builders Town Web. Borough secretary Diana Steele said council reviewed at least three service providers and worked on the project with Town Web for nine...
Man shot in head, shoulder and neck in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood
A man was hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood Monday. Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne said police were dispatched shortly after 5:15 p.m. to the intersection of Paulson Avenue and Dodge Way for a three-round ShotSpotter alert. Police found a man with gunshot wounds to...
Fox Chapel Area School District considers new policy to help children of active military parents
Fox Chapel Area School District officials want to make it easier for the children of military families to attend school there. Military families often face problems with school attendance because they can be forced to move on short notice, sometimes arriving in a new school district in mid-term. That can...
Sharpsburg approves new 3-year police contract, first one negotiated through Teamsters
Sharpsburg officials have inked a new three-year police contract. The vote was 6-0 in favor of the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 249. Both parties approved the deal March 28. Council Vice President Kayla Portis was absent. The contract is through Dec. 31, 2026. It impacts six full-time officers....
Vacancy pending on Leetsdale Council
Beth Carroll is stepping down from Leetsdale Council. The borough posted a notice about the pending vacancy on its website March 21. It states, in part: “Council anticipates that a vacancy may be created at the April 11 legislative meeting, for the position with term ending 2025.” Borough Solicitor Dan...
Leet Township officials expected to appoint a familiar face as police chief April 8
Acting Leet Township police Chief Brian Jameson is expected to formally become the top cop. The Ambridge resident was hired on an interim basis Aug. 8, 2022. The unanimous appointment was made shortly after Michael Molinaro was formally fired from the leadership post for lying to commissioners, unlawfully terminating a...
Blawnox’s annual Easter Egg Hunt draws nearly 150 children to community park
The third annual Best of Blawnox Easter Egg Hunt on March 24 had nearly 150 Fox Chapel-area children rummaging through Blawnox Community Park in search of more than 3,000 eggs. Nearly 150 Fox Chapel-area children descended on Blawnox Community Park for the third annual Best of Blawnox Easter Egg Hunt...
Settlement approved between Leet and former township police officer
Leet Township will pay about $12,000 to settle an employment dispute with one of its former police officers who was unjustly fired. The township commissioners unanimously accepted the resignation of part-time patrolman Nicklas Vigliotti on March 26. He had been with the department for several years and has taken a...
Environmental group touts success against proposed injection well in Plum
An environmental group is celebrating some recent legal challenges against a proposed injection well in Plum while encouraging others to join the effort. “We’re really excited and happy that we have good news to share with the community,” said Gillian Graber, executive director of Protect PT. “We’re making some really...
Police: Pedestrian in critical condition after being struck by vehicle in Findlay
A woman was hospitalized in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle in Findlay, Allegheny County Police reported. The incident took place around 3 p.m. Tuesday along the 1100 block of Clifford Ball Drive. Police said a 47-year-old man driving an SUV was pulling out of a parking space...
Fire at Squirrel Hill apartment building under investigation
The cause of a blaze that forced a Squirrel Hill apartment building to be evacuated Monday afternoon is under investigation, Pittsburgh fire officials said. Firefighters were dispatched at about 4:45 p.m. to a fire inside inside an apartment at the Murray Towers, 2825 Murray Ave. The fire was contained to...
Blawnox Council adds new member to quickly fill vacancy
An Aspinwall businessman and Fox Chapel Area graduate was named the newest member of Blawnox Council. Mark Lombardi recently was appointed as former Councilman John Simmons’ successor. Simmons resigned, effective Feb. 29, because he and his wife, Ellie, moved to his hometown of O’Hara. Simmons, 72, was appointed to council...
Quaker Valley School District promotes new finance director
Quaker Valley School District will soon have a new top financial administrator. The board recently approved the promotion of Brooke Baker to director of finance and operations. She has served as the assistant director of finance and operations since July 2022. Baker, a Baden resident, will take over for Scott...
Man identified who was found stabbed to death in Pittsburgh’s Elliott neighborhood
An investigation is underway after a Pittsburgh man was found dead outside a vacant home in the city Thursday. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said first responders were dispatched shortly before noon to the 100 block of Steuben Street in the city’s Elliott neighborhood for reports of a man found...
Police say missing New Kensington girl found safe
New Kensington and Pennsylvania State Police said that a New Kensington girl that had been reported missing late Thursday has been located. She was found safe at around 9:20 p.m. Thursday night after she had been missing for more than seven hours. New Kensington and state police were seeking public...
Leetsdale patrolman honored for apprehending fugitive
Leetsdale police Officer Shawn Schreckengost was recognized for his heroic efforts in apprehending a wanted fugitive. The incident took place Jan. 9 when Schreckengost attempted to make a traffic stop and the fugitive took off. He was able to make an arrest after the chase went through several neighborhoods. State...
