Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 32
Upgrades for Leetsdale’s Kohlmeyer Park proposed at community meeting
Leetsdale residents recently weighed in on what they want to see at Kohlmeyer Park. About 25 folks attended a community meeting at the borough building on April 28. “We discussed the current use of the park, desired updates, and the residents’ current concerns,” council president Maria Napolitano said. “Attendees examined...
Missing Mount Oliver area teen found safe
Pittsburgh police announced a teen boy missing from the Mount Oliver area Tuesday was found safe overnight....
Pro-Palestine protest in Pittsburgh focuses on Rafah, Israeli actionsVideo
Chants of “free, free Palestine,” “Come November, we’ll remember” and “Hands off the Middle East” rang out through Downtown Pittsburgh streets as about 200 pro-Palestinian protesters marched from Market Square to the City-County Building and back Tuesday evening. Billed as a “Hands off Rafah” emergency rally by the same group...
Blawnox War Memorial upgraded with new bricks to honor veterans
New military veteran bricks have been added to the War Memorial in Blawnox in time for the borough’s Memorial Day parade and service. The bricks have the name of a soldier, military branch, service years and, if space allowed, commendations such as a Purple Heart and other medals. About 30...
Greensburg woman stopped with loaded firearm at Pittsburgh International Airport checkpoint
A Greensburg woman is accused of attempting to make it through a security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport with a loaded gun, Transportation Security Administration officers said. The 9mm handgun was loaded six bullets and had one bullet in the chamber when it was discovered Friday. Officials said it was...
New principal selected for Central Catholic High School
Central Catholic High School students will be greeted next school year by a new principal. John Wallace will be the first lay person to be the top administrator at the school in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood in its nearly 100-year existence. Wallace’s appointment by Bishop David Zubik is effective July 1....
Man shot in chest in Wilkinsburg in critical condition
A man was hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in the chest in Wilkinsburg, according to Allegheny County Police. Officers were notified of the shooting around 8 p.m. Friday along the 1500 block of Park Avenue. Police said first responders located a man suffering from a gunshot wound to...
Fox Chapel Area School Board has an accomplished new member
A former Los Angeles educator turned Fox Chapel resident was appointed the school district’s newest board member. Fox Chapel Area’s school directors unanimously voted at a special meeting April 29 to appoint Jessica Haselkorn to a seat left vacant by the departure of Kimberly Andrews. Andrews resigned from her Region...
Armed robbery investigation continues in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood
Pittsburgh police continue to investigate an armed robbery at an Allentown business. Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne said officers were dispatched shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday for reports of an armed robbery at a beer distributor along the 800 block of East Warrington Avenue. An employee told police they were...
Maryland man faces federal charges for alleged sexual exploitation of minors in the Kiski Township area
A Maryland man faces federal charges after he allegedly attempted to sexually exploit minors in the North Apollo and Kiski Township areas. George Luton, 49, of Annapolis was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh. Authorities said Luton persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the...
Sharpsburg Indie Girl Scout recognized as outstanding ‘super seller’
Sharpsburg resident Diana Oliver was filled with pride and joy when her daughter, Pamelah, was recognized by the state for setting a high bar in cookie sales. The Indie Girl Scout, meaning not affiliated with a particular troop, sold 2,200 boxes this year. State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, presented...
Quaker Valley School District officials approve more soil testing at proposed high school site
Quaker Valley School District officials said more soil samples will be taken from the proposed high school site as part of Allegheny County’s permitting process. School board members unanimously voted April 24 for a $195,750 amendment to a civil engineering contract with Phillips & Associates for the test borings along...
SWAT team, multiple police departments respond to shooting in Swissvale; man hospitalized
A man was hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after being shot in Swissvale, Allegheny County Police reported. An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said police were sent to the 7500 block of Roslyn Street shortly after 3 p.m. First responders located a man suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was transported to an...
Fox Chapel Area School District’s community safety event set for May 11 in Aspinwall
Fox Chapel Area School District resource officers and local first responders are gearing up for the annual Community Safety, Health & Wellness Event in Aspinwall. The celebration features a bike rodeo with police, car seat checks, wellness screenings, numerous vendors, a touch-a-truck area, free bike helmets for children and other...
Huge turnout for Aspinwall run raises $11,000 for Foxwall, Southern Allegheny emergency responders
This year’s Run for the Hill of It fundraiser in Aspinwall attracted 354 participants and raised about $11,000 to be shared with the area’s ambulance service and volunteer fire department. The race, although only 1 mile, treks up Center Avenue — one of the 10 steepest hills in Allegheny County....
Lawsuit filed by former Leet police chief against the township dismissed
A lawsuit, filed by former Leet police Chief Michael Molinaro against the township seeking more than $404,000 for what he called a breach of contract, has been dismissed. Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Mary McGinley dismissed the suit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought back to court, on...
Pittsburgh police searching for missing 12-year-old boy
Pittsburgh police are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing 12-year-old boy. Frederic Rectenwald was last seen at his grandmother’s home along the 700 block of Excelsior St. at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne reported. He stands 5 feet 3 inches and weighs 100 pounds. He...
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...
