Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 35
Holiday Park Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Company in Plum kicked off fish fry season on Ash Wednesday
Fish fry season, and Lent, have officially begun. Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Company in Plum continues its food fundraiser tradition with the same menu as last year. Between 20 and 25 volunteers on Ash Wednesday and every Friday through Good Friday at the fire station at 415 Old Abers Creek...
Plum school renovation projects may be altered after study forecasts declining enrollment
A proposed $1.5 million renovation project at Plum School District’s Pivik Elementary might be off the table after a demographics study projected declining enrollment for the next decade. It is part of an estimated $68.5 million in contemplated renovations and new construction at the K-4 schools, Pivik and O’Block elementary,...
Fox Chapel Area superintendent gets new 5-year contract, starting at $237,000
Fox Chapel Area School District Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac is expected to continue leading the district for the next five years. School board members unanimously approved a new contract with the top administrator Feb. 12. Reljac was hired by Fox Chapel Area in the summer of 2020 after she served...
‘All the bells and whistles’: New Blawnox public works truck in service
Blawnox officials understand having the right equipment can make a huge difference for municipal public works crews. Roads need to be plowed, streets and sewers need to be repaired and crews need to safely transport themselves and their gear daily. “That’s what it’s all about,” council Vice President Randall Stoddard...
Boy hospitalized in stable condition after being hit by vehicle in Arnold
A boy is recovering in a local hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Arnold. Arnold interim police Chief Rob Haus said the incident took place around 3 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Freeport Road and Rankin Street. Haus said the child was flown via medical helicopter for...
Sewickley Confectionery becoming a new Scoops ice cream shop
A new ice cream shop in Sewickley will soon open at a familiar location. The Sewickley Confectionery along Beaver Street is being remodeled into Scoops. It is the sixth location for Scoops Pittsburgh founder Mike Collins. He said Confectionery owner Chris Bichsel recently purchased the building and reached out to...
Bell Acres approves new 3-year deal with full-time police officers
Bell Acres officials have recently inked a new three-year deal with their full-time police officers. Council unanimously voted to approve the contract on Dec. 11. The police department has five full-time officers, including Chief Kristoffer Korol, and several part-time officers. They serve and protect a town of about 5.5 square...
New fields, amenities proposed for Bell Acres park
Quaker Valley Recreation Association officials want to turn James P. Bouchard Family Park in Bell Acres into an outdoor sports complex with new fields and amenities to benefit generations of young athletes. The association has youth soccer, lacrosse, softball and baseball programs with about 1,700 total participants ages 2-19 each...
Sewickley Valley YMCA Wellness Center renovation project complete
Vince DeBona has made coming to the Sewickley Valley YMCA part of his routine several days a week for more than three decades. The 70-year-old Ambridge man believes staying active is key to healthy living. DeBone loves the amenities and the people at the Sewickley Y. He said the equipment...
Verona Garden Club has a new board; popular fundraiser canceled
A new Verona Garden Club has formed following a mass exodus of board members a few months ago. The nonprofit beautification group installs and maintains hanging baskets throughout the borough as well as planting at the war memorial and other projects. Recently appointed club president Daniel Showalter said its former...
O’Hara, Blawnox officials in early talks about merging police departments
Preliminary discussions between O’Hara and Blawnox officials about merging police departments have begun. The plan so far is to have Blawnox officers become township police and serve under Superintendent Jay Davis, O’Hara Manager Julie Jakubec announced at a workshop meeting Feb. 6. She repeatedly stressed talks are in the very...
Sharpsburg library’s chili cook-off returns in new location, same spirit
A spicy way to honor a Sharpsburg man and support his hometown will take place later this month. The Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off is planned for Friday, Feb. 23, at the borough building, 1611 Main St. The event takes place the day after National Chili Day and is designed...
Indiana Township officials consider livestreaming meetings
People who attend Indiana Township supervisor meetings, particularly ones involving proposed development, know seating can be a problem. There soon might be a way to watch the local government in action without having to travel to the town hall. Supervisors are expected to decide whether to livestream their meetings. Their...
Sharpsburg enacts ordinance protecting tenants seeking safe housing conditions from landlord retaliation
Sharpsburg officials want renters to feel safe and confident while living in the borough. One way they plan to accomplish that goal is through a recently enacted ordinance. The law is designed to protect tenants from retaliation for engaging in individual or collective action to secure healthy and safe housing...
Country music icon Jason Aldean to open restaurant on Pittsburgh’s North Shore
A country music megastar plans to open a new bar/restaurant in Pittsburgh this year. Jason Aldean’s Kitchen+Bar is opening at the old Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 location. The new business, at 393 North Shore Drive, is in partnership with TC Restaurant Group, owner of Tequila Cowboy. The nearly 10,000-square-foot venue...
Murrysville man killed in motorcycle crash in Pittsburgh’s Bluff neighborhood
A 21-year-old man was pronounced dead Thursday evening in connection in a motorcycle crash along Second Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Bluff neighborhood. Travis Kranick of Murrysville was found unresponsive on the roadway with his motorcycle several feet away. He was traveling outbound at the time of the crash, police said. Pittsburgh...
Pittsburgh police: 4-year-old boy recovering after being struck by a hit-and-run driver
A 4-year-old boy was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle on Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh. Public Safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne said police and EMS were dispatched shortly before 4 p.m. along the 2600 block of Webster Avenue along the Bedford Dwellings and Middle Hill border for a reported hit-and-run...
Osborne Elementary students and staff raise money for families in need via school dance
Quaker Valley area families danced the night away as part of an Osborne Elementary fundraiser. The K-5 school in Glen Osborne hosted its annual Polar Ball on Jan. 26. More than 500 people showed up to support the event benefiting Osborne’s Roomful of Heart program, which helps needy families during...
Possible demolition of historic Herbst House in Sewickley remains on hold as talks with borough, diocesan officials continue
An old convent and private residence in Sewickley that also once was used as a Catholic school will remain standing as borough and Divine Redeemer Parish officials negotiate its future. Council in April rejected a demolition request by the parish to knock down what is colloquially called the Herbst House...
O’Hara encourages community to make Valentine’s Day cards for local senior citizens
O’Hara officials want to make sure their senior citizens know they are loved this Valentine’s Day. People are invited to make cards and write something special for residents at Lighthouse Pointe Village at Chapel Harbor. Supplies are available at the township building, 325 Fox Chapel Road. The office is open...
Edgeworth officials moving forward with Beaver Road wall replacement
A failing stone wall that supports Beaver Road between Church and Edgeworth lanes in Edgeworth is expected to be repaired later this year. Council plans to send the estimated $1.6 million project out for bid in February. Borough manager John Schwend said the road is not at risk of collapsing...
1 hurt in crash along Route 28 north near Tarentum
One person was taken to hospital after a two-vehicle crash Tuesday evening on Route 28 north near Tarentum, an Allegheny County 911 official said. State police are investigating the crash, which happened shortly after 6 p.m. between the Russellton and Tarentum exits of the highway....
SoCal in New Kensington closes indefinitely; owner seeks new restaurant partner
SoCal Mexicali Grill in New Kensington has closed, but the owner said he’s looking for a new business partner in hopes of reopening. “The volume didn’t come through,” said owner Sean Watson. “We had a great products and people loved it, but traffic wasn’t there to keep it going.” SoCal...
Penn Hills fugitive taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies
A Penn Hills man wanted since August on accusations of failure to appear before a judge has been apprehended. Trevon Boddy, 24, was taken into custody while at his mother’s house along Pennwood Drive, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday. According to the report, Boddy pleaded guilty in August 2021...
Collectors from across the country come to New Kensington for the 62nd annual West Penn Coin Club show
A few small pieces of metal can send a family on a lifelong journey of adventure and accomplishment. Such is the case for Ryan Bodick, a 2015 Burrell High School grad and Springdale resident. Bodick grew up with his father, Joe Bodick, in Lower Burrell. When he was about 6...
