Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 34
Allegheny County Council resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas voted downVideo
Allegheny County Councilman Nicholas Futules summed up about five hours of public comment Tuesday night about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. “This world sucks,” he said. The comment was made shortly before the 14 county council representatives in attendance voted 3-9-2 not to pass a resolution...
Voting is Power Pittsburgh coalition launches in the city’s Hill DistrictVideo
Representatives from about 20 organizations, churches and community groups gathered in Pittsburgh’s Hill District Monday to encourage people to vote in the upcoming primary and general elections. The occasion was the launch of the Voting Is Power Pittsburgh Regional Coalition. About a dozen or so people spoke at the event....
Deer Lakes community welcomes boys basketball team at high school as WPIAL Class 3A champsVideo
The Deer Lakes High School boys basketball team received a champion’s welcome Friday night from parents, students and some school district staffers. That’s because they returned to the high school as the WPIAL Class 3A champs after defeating their rival Burrell that evening at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center, 55-49. Fire...
Peoples gas line project in Sharpsburg set to begin March 4
A Peoples natural gas project in Sharpsburg is expected to begin Monday borough officials announced. Crews will be installing a new gas main and service line. Borough officials said work will begin near First Street on South Main Street and move toward Main Street before turning east on Main Street....
Quaker Valley High School presents ‘The Addams Family’
Austin Wolford had a vision of what Quaker Valley high schoolers could perform in his sixth year as musical director. It was creepy and kooky. Mysterious and spooky. Some say all together ooky. He picked “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy.” Wolford said he and his team made the...
Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society in Sewickley to formally install new officers
A historical society dedicated to preserving African-American history in the Sewickley area has been re-formed. The Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society at the St. Matthews AME Zion Episcopal Church had its first meeting on Jan. 16 after being dormant for around seven years. Officials plan to formally install the new...
Sewickley Public Library to host ‘Giant Games’ tournament
The Sewickley Public Library plans to host a youth contest of epic proportions. The inaugural Tournament of Giant Games is set for Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. at the library, 500 Thorn St. Teams of students in grades 6-12 will participate in various competitions. They earn points to eventually...
Quaker Valley School District 2024-25 school year calendar set
Quaker Valley School District officials have approved next school year’s calendar. It has been posted on the district’s website, qvsd.org. The first day of school for K-9 students will be Aug. 21. Sophomores through seniors start classes Aug. 22. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled Nov. 25-26 followed by fall recess Nov....
Sewickley Academy to present ‘Singin’ in the Rain’Video
Sewickley Academy theater students and staff want to give audiences a glorious feeling with this year’s musical. Theater director Rachel Smith chose “Singin’ in the Rain” for her second-year production at the private school. Her inaugural effort last school year was “Big Fish.” Smith said she chose the Gene Kelly...
Leetsdale to reconstruct Ohio River boat launch in borough industrial park
An old Leetsdale boat launch into the Ohio River that deteriorated and has been out of service for about three decades is expected to be repaired later this year. Council vice president Osman Awad said the borough has been working with engineers and the Quaker Valley Council of Governments to...
Quaker Valley Middle School administrators address use of racial language by students
Quaker Valley Middle School administrators are addressing what they call an increase of inappropriate racial language among students both inside and outside of the school. A letter was sent to families signed by principal Anthony Mooney and assistant principal Katy Chapman on Feb. 22, stating that student access to social...
Sharpsburg library’s chili cook-off draws crowd, honors former winner
A food-tasting fundraiser brought folks from Sharpsburg and surrounding towns to the borough building in memory of a community legend. At least 60 people participated in Sharpsburg Community Library’s Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off on Feb. 25. They including 10 competitors and 25 registered taste testers. “This is the best...
Fish fry tradition continues with new management at Our Lady of Joy in Plum
The Lenten fish fry at Our Lady of Joy is under new management. Chris Allman of the Knights of Columbus Council 4242 is the new coordinator of the fundraiser at the Holy Family Parish church in Plum. The parishioner took over for the late Joe Dello Stritto Sr., who passed...
Indiana Township hires new full-time officer
A Springdale High School alum has become the newest Indiana Township police officer. Supervisors unanimously voted Feb. 14 to hire Damian Brand. The 2005 Dynamo grad shook hands with township leaders that evening before taking photos with family members and police Chief Steven Colucci. Brand worked as a West Deer...
Sharpsburg Community Library chili cook-off rescheduled
Sharpsburg Community Library’s Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off has been rescheduled. It is now set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, at the borough building, 1611 Main St. Organizers rescheduled it from its original Friday date because of Lent. People still can register as taste testers via the library website...
Fish fry Fridays in full swing at Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley
Food and fellowship can be found in abundance on Fridays at Divine Redeemer Parish in Sewickley, as its Lenten fish fry is in full swing at St. James Church on Walnut Street. Last year was a return to indoor dining after the pandemic. The Rev. Brian Noel anticipates more people...
Leetsdale Volunteer Fire Relief Association among those involved in state Auditor General Office’s pilot program
A pilot program through the state Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor’s office has proved to cut audit time by half for the Leetsdale Volunteer Fire Relief Association. DeFoor recently visited the borough fire department to tout the success of the Limited Procedure Engagement (LPE) pilot program after it saved two...
Man apprehended after SWAT response to home in Pittsburgh’s Spring Garden
A man with warrants against him was apprehended in Pittsburgh’s Spring Garden neighborhood Tuesday after he barricaded himself inside a home, according to Public Safety spokeswoman. Officers went to the 1200 block of Seidle Street to serve a protection from abuse order for Joseph Paulik, 46, of Pittsburgh around 6:30...
Audubon Society announces 1st egg of the year in nest in Pittsburgh’s Hays neighborhood
The first bald eagle egg of the year has been laid in the nest in the Hays neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania officials confirmed Tuesday. Audubon communications director Rachel Handel said when the adult eagle stands up, it can be seen rolling the egg to keep it...
Sewer lining repairs set for Fox Chapel; council researching garbage collectors ahead of next bid
Fox Chapel officials have contracted with a Harmony-based construction company for a sewer lining rehabilitation project. Council awarded the near $312,000 deal to Insight Pipe Contracting. The project involves spreading materials through manholes along Buckingham, Hemlock Hollow and Old Mill roads, as well as along The Oaks, a small street...
Sewickley Water Authority charter renewed for 50 years
Sewickley Water Authority has a new lease on life. Council adopted a resolution Feb. 13 to extend its existence for 50 years. The resolution also formally changed the name from the Borough of Sewickley Water Authority to Sewickley Water Authority. “When you’re an authority, that’s like being a little corporation,”...
Indiana Township supervisors vote against livestreaming meetings
Indiana Township remains the only community in the Fox Chapel Area School District to not livestream its meetings after an effort to allow virtual attendance was denied via slim margin. Supervisors on Feb. 14 voted 3-2 not to broadcast their sessions. Mayor Albert Kaan (District 2), Deputy Mayor Darrin Krally...
Indiana Township hires new full-time officer
A Springdale High School alum has become the newest Indiana Township police officer. Supervisors unanimously voted Feb. 14 to hire Damian Brand. The 2017 Dynamo grad shook hands with township leaders that evening before taking photos with family members and police Chief Steven Colucci. Brand worked as a West Deer...
Quaker Valley School District to add new middle school STEM course
Quaker Valley School District officials plan to expand their middle school curriculum with a new project-based engineering eighth-grade course. Next school year is expected to be the third straight year for class additions through Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit that develops STEM curriculum — science, technology, engineering and mathematics....
Leetsdale to require knox boxes at businesses, multi-family facilities
Leetsdale officials want to codify a safety measure that would require businesses and multi-family facilities to provide easy emergency access for firefighters to their facilities. A knox box is a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys that fire departments could use to gain access so they wouldn’t have to...
