Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 5

Fox Chapel officials approved a one-year extension of their public works contract, solidifying terms with its nine full-time laborers through the end of 2026. The original deal was from Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2025. The vote to extend the contract was 6-0 on Jan. 20. Council vice president...

Quaker Valley School District officials have pledged to keep any possible real estate take hike in the 2025-26 school year budget to 4% or less. School board members unanimously voted on Jan. 22 to pass a resolution to hold the line on taxes to the Act 1 index — a...

A young child is being helped by social services after a Clairton man was arrested on drug crimes and firearms violations following a raid at his home earlier this month, law enforcement officials announced Tuesday. Ismail A. Hamlin, 28, was denied bail and remains lodged in the Allegheny County Jail,...

Leetsdale teen Cambria Roser has a unique opportunity to make a difference in her hometown. The Quaker Valley High School junior was sworn in by Mayor Sandra Ford as the borough’s newest junior council member on Jan. 9. It’s a one-year term that provides students a seat at the table...

A woman died at the scene of a house fire in Braddock on Friday afternoon. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that the victim was Natalie Stecki, 77. The fire occurred around 2:30 p.m. along the 400 block of Mills Avenue. State police and a fire marshal are investigating....

A former church in Aspinwall may be converted to residential living spaces. Fox Chapel businessman Tony Pompeo Jr. recently acquired the closed Community Methodist Church at 400 Center Ave. The site is nearly 0.29 acres and includes a sanctuary and school building. The church property was listed by Coldwell Banker...

Fox Chapel Area School District families have an opportunity to weigh in on a proposed school calendar for the next school year. Administrators presented a draft of next school year’s schedule on Jan. 13. It is available for review on the district’s website and scheduled for formal approval on Feb....

A restaurant staple in Sewickley is under new ownership, has a new name and a variety of new menu items. China Palace along Broad Street in the borough’s business district was recently acquired by Moon Township couple Karen and Melvin Liu. Yamayoshi, which means to express joy and happiness in...

Leetsdale officials hope to restore the borough’s boat launch in time for mariners and fishers this fall. The public boat launch into the Ohio River in the Leetsdale Industrial Park has been closed since the original concrete slab broke off in the 1990s, causing a safety hazard. Restoration efforts have...

Fox Chapel Area School District officials and their custodial and maintenance workers have approved a new five-year contract. The current contract, which was also a five-year deal, expires June 30. The new collective bargaining agreement runs July 1 through June 30, 2030. It impacts 50 workers who are represented by...

Aspinwall’s EV stations have turned a small profit since they were activated in September, according to a report by the borough manager. Melissa Lang O’Malley said charging station revenue was about $578 and electricity costs were $427, which equated to $151 in profit as of Jan. 7. Three charging stations,...

Fox Chapel Area School District officials have pledged to keep any potential real estate tax hike for the 2025-26 school year to 4% or less. The board voted 8-0 on Jan. 13 to pass a resolution to hold the line on taxes to the Act 1 index — a state...

O’Hara officials have teamed up with the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Brother’s Brother Foundation to collect supplies for California wildfire victims. The township launched its collection for hygiene kits Jan. 22. The deadline to donate at the municipal building is Feb. 6. Items requested include toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, flushable wipes and...

Bethel Park property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes this year to fund the municipal budget. Council recently passed its 2025 budget with no tax increase. The millage rate remains 3.53 mills, with 0.34 mills allocated for the fire department fund. The earned income tax...

Quaker Valley School District will be closed Wednesday because of inclement weather, district officials announced Tuesday. After school activities are also canceled except for middle school/high school wrestling, which will be at Keystone Oaks. The school board voting meeting Wednesday will go on at 7 p.m. at Edgeworth Elementary. A...

Sharpsburg officials have made it a little easier for environmentally friendly residents to not have to pay more green for having a green thumb. Council recently passed an ordinance amending its nuisance vegetation code to permit pollinator gardens. Pollinators are “the engine that run healthy habitats,” according to the U.S....

A Murrysville ambulance driver transporting a patient from Plum was injured Friday evening in a crash involving another vehicle. An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said the crash occurred around 6:45 p.m. along Route 286 and Old Frankstown Road on the Plum side of the Plum/Monroeville border. Plum Police Sgt. Scott...

Allegheny County Police reported that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin’s Stanley Cup Championship rings, previously thought to have been stolen in a burglary this month, have been located inside his Sewickley Heights residence. Police responded to the burglary report along Blackburn Road about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Earlier that night, the...

Allegheny County Police reported that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin’s Stanley Cup Championship rings, previously thought to have been stolen in a burglary this month, have been located inside his Sewickley Heights residence. Police responded to the burglary report along Blackburn Road about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Earlier that night, the...

A study designed to find ways to help elevate Aspinwall residents’ and visitors’ parking woes will soon be released. The 140-page report crafted by Walker Consultants was submitted to the borough late last year and is currently under review by borough council. Councilman Mark Chimel, chairman of the planning and...

New benches and a pathway at the greenspace off Weber Road are the extent of Aleppo’s planned improvements this year that are included in a no-frills 2025 budget of $1.47 million. The spending plan keeps taxes the same. It forgoes road maintenance projects to save $150,000 that will go toward...

The O’Hara Police Department unveiled the new look of its patrol vehicles as the township force begins its first month serving Blawnox. Borough officers became township employees at the start of this year via an intergovernmental agreement to boost manpower and coverage. The department’s five marked vehicles were modified by...

Brian Berry was working out at the Sewickley Valley YMCA when he was given the task to supervise a rowdy group of teens playing basketball. “I heard a bunch of kids in this one gym and I took a peak in,” Berry said. “The youth and teen director at the...

Cookies, concoctions and candies like Dubble Bubble could be in double trouble after the Food and Drug Administration announced a ban of Red. No. 3 food dye . The dye gives some foods, beverages and medications its cherry-red color. Its use is banned for more than three decades after the...

The Steel City will be well represented on the gridiron in February despite the Pittsburgh Steelers being out of the NFL playoffs. Centaur, a mixed breed from Animal Friends was one of the pups drafted from rescue groups nationwide to play in Puppy Bowl XXI. The original and longest running...