Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 44
Cooper-Siegel Community Library summer readers celebrate in Aspinwall park
Summer reading participants at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel and its nearby branch, Sharpsburg Community Library, celebrated the programs’ end with a party at Aspinwall RiverTrail Park. There were stilt walkers, magicians, games, therapy pets, prizes, face painting, hands-on ceramic wheel demonstrations and more at the recreation site Aug....
Baseball, softball field at War Memorial Park in Sewickley to be moved
A Sewickley area youth baseball and softball program may be playing on a new field next year. Todd Hamer, borough councilman and coach of the 10 and younger Quaker Valley Softball & Baseball teams, said no games have been played on the War Memorial Park field along Blackburn Road since...
Allegheny County most wanted fugitive found in Ohio
A Duquesne man wanted on multiple warrants has been apprehended after being on the run for about two years, Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus said. Jordan Lattimer, 23, who was declared a fugitive in September 2021, was arrested without incident in Ohio by the Columbus police on Aug. 1. Kraus...
Loaded gun, magazines caught at Pittsburgh International Airport checkpoint
Transportation Security Administration officers recovered a loaded handgun from a passenger’s carry-on bag Monday at Pittsburgh International Airport. Officials said the 9 mm gun was detected via checkpoint X-ray machine that morning. It was found alongside two loaded gun magazines. The traveler, a Slippery Rock man, was fined. This is...
Park manager: 4-year-old Pittsburgh boy drowns at Moraine State Park
A 4-year-old Pittsburgh boy drowned Monday at Moraine State Park, according to park officials. A park visitor found the boy unresponsive in a roped section of the park’s Pleasant Valley Beach on the South Shore shortly before 2 p.m., park manager Dustin Drew reported. On Tuesday, officials identified the boy...
Battle in the Borough V set for Aug. 19 at Cribbs Field in Verona
Championships, bragging rights and basket raffles will be up for grabs as local pro wrestlers converge on a Verona park for a ring-rocking fundraiser. Keystone State Wrestling Alliance superstars return to Cribbs Field for Battle in the Borough V on Aug. 19. The tradition of songs and slams continues with...
New Kensington church celebrates 42nd annual Italian Fest
Gina Abdallah of New Kensington knows the secret to a delicious cannoli is not its filling, nor is it the shell or nuts, or other accoutrements. It is the love you put into making it. “It’s what makes them tasty, the love,” Abdallah said. “I love doing it. I love...
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium officials announced death of male lion
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium officials are mourning the loss of an African lion. The leader of the pack at the park, 6-year-old Kit died Friday. Officials said via Facebook that he was showing signs of illness that morning and was taken to the zoo’s veterinary hospital. A blockage in his...
Fire at Brackenridge duplex under investigation, candle may be the cause
A fire that gutted the second floor and attic of a Brackenridge duplex Friday night may have been started by a candle, according to Allegheny County officials. Chief Matt Brown, the county’s fire marshal and chief of emergency services, said via email Sunday that the fire remains under investigation. However,...
First responders mingle with the public, display their equipment at New Kensington’s National Night Out
Most police officers want youths to engage in friendly conversations and be in a good mood when they see them ride around town. At least, that’s the case for New Kensington Sgt. Nick Rutkoski. A veteran of the city police force, Rutkoski has been involved in many community events. This...
‘Retired’ host returns to Steel City Con in Monroeville
Monroeville Convention Center soon will be packed with artists, pop culture enthusiasts, costume creators and a familiar face that rivals many of the celebrity guests. Mike “Zombo” Devine of Shaler makes his return to Steel City Con Aug. 11-13 after a brief retirement from hosting such events. The usually silver-haired...
Fishing trip to Highland Park part of Verona church’s summer camp program
Youths from Twin Boro Health Ministry at Verona United Methodist Church’s summer camp made memories on a fishing trip to Highland Park. About 25 people, including the counselors, participated In the camp expedition to the park near the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium on Aug. 1. The trip was organized...
Appeal of former Leet police chief’s termination in the hands of Civil Service Commission
Former Leet Police Chief Michael Molinaro is fighting to get his job back. It may prove to be a Herculean effort as township officials have accused him of conduct unbecoming of an officer including incompetence, insubordination, attempting to steal money during a search warrant, disobedience of orders, submitting false information/documents...
Tour de Sharpsburg bike run rescheduled
A community bike run designed to showcase Sharpburg has been rescheduled. The inaugural Tour de Sharpsburg was moved from July 29 to Sept. 16. It’s organized by the Sharpsburg Community Library. The run starts at 11 a.m. at the library, 1212 Main St. The route will likely be set the...
Blawnox’s National Night Out celebration draws a crowd from neighboring towns
Blawnox families and folks from surrounding neighborhoods gathered in the borough’s community park to celebrate first responders. About 150 people participated in Blawnox’s fourth annual National Night Out celebration Aug. 1. It was presented by the nonprofit Best of Blawnox (BoB). Children learned about fire safety, explored police vehicles and...
Aspinwall’s Night Out will feature live music, activities for kids
A celebration in recognition of first responders and community spirit is set to take place in Aspinwall. The borough’s annual Big Night Out is planned for 6-9 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Aspinwall Recreation Site along Field Avenue. It is presented by Aspinwall Neighbors, a community organisation dedicated to promoting...
Coroner IDs Kittanning man as victim of Route 422 crash in Summit Township
A 32-year-old man died at the scene of a two vehicle crash Tuesday on Route 422 in Summit Township, Butler County, state police said. According to Butler County Deputy Chief Coroner John Hanovick, the victim was identified as Dominick Recupero of Kittanning, according to Tribune-Review news partner WTAE. The crash...
Night Out event set at Blawnox Community Park
A celebration of first responders is set to take place in Blawnox. The borough’s fourth annual National Night Out is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Blawnox Community Park. Police, fire and EMS personnel are expected to mingle with residents and others at the event presented by the...
Brackenridge Police Department to disband, officers join Tarentum force
The Brackenridge Police Department will be no more as of Tuesday, when Tarentum formally takes over police coverage of the neighboring borough. Both borough councils unanimously voted Friday evening to approve intergovernmental agreements for public safety. The three Brackenridge officers will join the Tarentum Police Department at their current salaries...
Sharpsburg VFW donates to borough police department for new traffic control devices
Sharpsburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 709 has partnered with the borough police department to make their town a safer place. Post Cmdr. Anthony Francioni and Quartermaster Howard Strain presented Chief Thomas Stelitano with a $6,200 check to buy two new remote radar speed signs. The solar powered devices will...
Leetsdale crafting tree database for future projects, grants
Leetsdale officials understand it takes more than having the streets paved, garbage picked up and grass cut to take care of a borough environment. Some of the tallest things in town also need to be addressed — the trees. The borough is in the process of crafting a shade tree...
Proposed Sewickley Valley YMCA expansion project to boost its healthy aging programs
Ed Papst has worked out at the Sewickley Valley YMCA for the past seven years in an effort to stave off Father Time and a progressive disorder. The Moon Township resident was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014. It’s a brain disorder that affects the nervous system and parts of...
O’Hara officials seek state funding for sidewalk project in RIDC Park once again
O’Hara officials are making another push for a pedestrian safety project in the RIDC Park. The township wants to install new sidewalks from Alpha to Gamma drives and the northern side of Gamma Drive Extension. Council voted July 11 to apply for a $1.02 million grant from the Multimodal Transportation...
Blessing of the Pets takes place in Aspinwall
Praise the Lord and pass the puppies. The Rev. Scott Hill of Aspinwall Presbyterian Church gathered outside the church along Center Avenue with more than a dozen people and their animals July 22 for the annual Blessing of the Pets service. Various breeds of dogs — and even some compost...
Pittsburgh man admits to committing 4 armed robberies, shooting an Oakmont pizza shop owner last year
A Pittsburgh man has pleaded guilty to multiple armed robberies in several Allegheny County communities in March 2022, including one that wounded an Oakmont pizza shop owner. Eric Lee Jones, 34, of the city’s East Hills neighborhood admitted in federal court to robbery, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a...
