Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 37
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...
Motorcycle-car crash on Lincoln Highway in North Versailles injures 2
A man was hospitalized in critical condition and another in stable condition after their motorcycle crashed into a sedan in North Versailles. Allegheny County Police said the crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Lincoln Highway. The two men were traveling east when they collided...
Police seek car involved in fatal hit-and-run on the West End Bridge, victim thrown over the side
Pittsburgh police detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify a car they believe was involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident early Saturday on the West End Bridge. The car is described as a “blue or black small sedan with silver wheels; possibly a Hyundai or Honda.” Police say...
Jennifer Shroads hired as director of student services in Quaker Valley
Administration changes at Quaker Valley School District continue this school year, as the board recently hired its new director of student services. Jennifer Shroads of South Beaver Township was tapped to replace Mike Lewis, who moved from his job overseeing federal programming, special education and the district’s school psychologists to...
Quaker Valley School Board, teachers union approve new 4-year deal
Quaker Valley School District officials have inked a new four-year deal with the teachers’ union. The prior four-year deal with the 154-member Quaker Valley Education Association expired June 30. School board members unanimously voted Jan. 22 to approve a contract retroactive to July 1. It expires June 30, 2027. Union...
Sewickley cultural landscape survey still open, preliminary findings released
A cultural landscape inventory and public survey in Sewickley may result in the creation of three new historic districts, expansion of existing ones and the addition of more buildings and sites to the National Register of Historic Places. Officials with Big Pine Consultants, the company tapped for the project, as...
Sewickley planning for major sewage plant project
A multi-million dollar upgrade project is being planned for Sewickley’s wastewater treatment plant. The plant serves hSewickley, Glen Osborne, Haysville and Aleppo. It handles more than 146 million gallons of sewage annually. Mike Galet of Gateway Engineers said the plant needs to be brought up to current operating standards in...
Verona officials considering creating a regional police force, host information gathering session
Lack of manpower and financial concerns have Verona officials considering partnering with neighboring communities to start a regional police force. Council hosted a discussionJan. 23 to explore the idea with Gerald Simpson, a retired police chief who now serves as a consultant on such matters for the state Department of...
Verona Council appoints newest member to fill a 2-year seat
Verona Council has selected a borough property manager to be its newest member. John Gemellas was sworn in Jan. 23 by Mayor David Ricupero to fill a two-year seat. The vacancy was created when Nancy Carpenter, who ran unopposed for the two-year term, but earned enough votes to win a...
