Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 88
Freeport’s September by the River returns this weekend after last year’s cancellation
A celebration of togetherness, local talent and support for nonprofits and small businesses returns to Freeport after a year hiatus due to the pandemic. September by the River is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Riverside Park along the Allegheny River. “We’re super excited to be able to do it,”...
Leechburg’s Pink Day returns after year hiatus because of pandemic
A Leechburg fundraiser designed to support breast cancer research is about to reach a milestone. The 10th annual Pink Day is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 along Market Street between First and Third streets. It benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Mayor Wayne Dobos said he...
Police: Man in critical condition after being shot in Mt. Washington Monday evening
A man was hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood Monday night. Public Safety spokesperson Maurice Matthews said officers responded to a 911 call for the shooting around 8:30 p.m. along the 200 block of Jasper Street. Police encountered a 20-year-old man suffering from a...
LEGO event helps families build memories at Monroeville Convention CenterVideo
Interactive activities, special guests and displays as big as an elephant helped thousands of families create lasting memories at the Monroeville Convention Center. Brick Fest Live, the nation’s largest fan-created LEGO show took place earlier this month. “I like playing with them,” said Arianna Collins, 8, of Baldwin. The young...
Freeport High School students can learn firefighter skills through new program
Freeport Area School District officials have partnered with the Allegheny County Fire Academy to offer a new program for students. School board members unanimously voted Thursday night to offer a dual enrollment program for entry level fire training. “I think it’s a great thing,” board president Dan Lucovich said. “The...
Freeport Area superintendent says he never really meant CYS may be called to help enforce the state’s mask mandate
Freeport Area School District Superintendent Ian Magness has apologized for what multiple parents said was a threat to call the Office of Children, Youth and Families if a student repeatedly refuses to wear a mask and a parent also does not comply with the recent state mandate. “A statement I...
Aspinwall walking trail to be replaced this year with the help of federal grant
A deteriorated walking trail in Aspinwall’s Fireman’s Memorial Park will be renovated and widened as part of a recreation project partially paid for by a federal grant. Borough officials awarded the estimated $50,300 project to Donora-based El Grande Industries on Sept. 8. The North Hills Council of Governments still needs...
Brick Fest Live brings its LEGO extravaganza to Monroeville Convention Center this weekend
Brick Fest Live, the nation’s largest touring fan-created LEGO show, comes to the Monroeville Convention Center this weekend. More than 1 million LEGO bricks will be on display throughout the 70,000-square-foot venue. The show is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 209 Mall Plaza Blvd....
Cheswick man pulled from burning home died later
A Cheswick man who was pulled from his burning home Friday night has died. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim Saturday as Darryl Joseph Hamley, 54. Fire Chief Rick Franks said firefighters from Oakmont and Springdale quickly responded to the duplex at 1419 Pittsburgh St. “He was...
Police: Man in critical condition after being shot multiple times in Monroeville hotel
A man was found shot multiple times inside a Monroeville hotel Friday morning. Police responded to calls for the shooting around 4:40 a.m. at Rodeway Inn & Suites along the 2700 block of Mosside Boulevard. A man who police did not identify was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He...
Plum’s new JROTC instructor was in Pentagon when hijacked plane crashed into it on 9/11
Paul Nosek watched news coverage of planes crashing into the World Trade Center towers on 9/11 from a conference room inside the Pentagon. ‘Somebody said, ‘Hey, I’m not going to eat in the center courtyard because if they can hit (the World Trade Center towers), then they can hit us,’...
Aspinwall Councilman David Brown draws fire from council colleagues for claims made on his election website
Aspinwall Councilman David Brown has lost the trust of his elected colleagues and might be taken off various committees in response to content he posted on a website for his mayoral campaign. “There’s an enormous breach of trust,” council President Tim McLaughlin said at council’s Sept. 8 meeting. “If we...
Athletes from local communities go against national challengers at Frazer Strongman contestVideo
Monroeville resident Jamie Whitman wants to show the nation how strong she has become. The breast cancer survivor recently got a clean bill of health and will be one of nine women competing in a United States Strongman competition at the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer. “I’m actually feeling really...
Police: Chase from Gilpin to Bethel Township results in arrest, officer injured
A Kittanning man is in the Armstrong County Jail and a Gilpin police officer is on medical leave following a pursuit that started in Gilpin and ended in a fight in Bethel Township. Kristopher Kirkwood, 36, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault, two counts each of simple assault...
Body found in Allegheny River in Plum ID’d as Washington Township man
The man who was pulled from the Allegheny River in Plum on Sept. 1 has been identified. Shawn Ferraccio, 46, of Washington Township, was found dead in the river shortly before 10:30 a.m. along the 100 block of Coxcomb Hill Road. Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Ferraccio on Tuesday....
Parent: Son denied lunch due to not wearing mask
An Armstrong Central High School parent said her son was denied lunch for refusing to wear a mask on the first day in which they were required. Mandi Stewart said the district withheld food as punishment for her son, 10th grader Colton Stewart, for not complying with the state mandate...
Leechburg Volunteer Fire Co. to have parade, memorial service on 20th anniversary of 9/11
Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company officials are organizing a parade and memorial service on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “I think it’s important for the community to keep the first responders and the military in mind and continue to honor and respect their sacrifice,” said Brian Scott,...
Police: Man in critical condition after ATV crash in Pittsburgh
A man was hospitalized in critical condition after his off-road vehicle crashed in an alley in Pittsburgh. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said the crash occurred around 8:15 p.m. Friday along the 1200 block of Faust Street. Emergency responders found the man on the ground several yards behind his overturned...
Interstate 70 crash victim identified
A Butler man died after he lost control of his vehicle and struck a guiderail along Interstate 70 Friday. The crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near the Jefferson Avenue exit (mile marker 15) in Washington, Pa. The Washington County Coroner’s Office said Kenneth Sentgeorge, 51,...
Freeport Area to comply with mask mandate; 18 covid cases and 88 quarantined kids since start of schoolVideo
Freeport Area School District officials will enforce the state’s mask mandate despite outcry from some parents imploring the school board and superintendent to ignore state Department of Health’s orders. “Let it be up to us,” parent Megan Sproat told board members at a committee meeting Thursday night. “Let us have...
Some Verona residents upset over presence of armed ‘militia’ at Hula Bar
Several Verona residents and business owners expressed concern for their safety and the well-being of the borough after they saw suspected militia members at the Hula Bar, a popular bar and restaurant. “Verona is a small, family-oriented community,” said Jeanine Hurt-Robinson, a resident and vice president of the Riverview School...
Neighbor Spotlight: Bethel Park council and historical society president Moury lives to serve hometown
For Tim Moury, there is no better place in the world than Bethel Park. The lifelong resident has served as head of its elected leadership for 25 years come November, and coordinated with other volunteers to preserve its history since 2015. “Not many people have an opportunity to grow up...
Plum School District’s Air Force JROTC has new instructor
Paul Nosek served this nation for more than 27 years in various capacities in the Air Force. The retired colonel from Northern Virginia has a new place to use his leadership skills and military experience: the Plum School District. Nosek, 50, was recently named the district’s Air Force Junior ROTC...
Plum’s Oblock Junior High has nearly 100 students quarantined due to exposure to covid-19
Plum School District has nearly 100 Oblock Junior High School students quarantined due to covid exposure less than two weeks into the new school year. The district’s covid-19 count was included on the school district website, which was updated Tuesday. First day of classes was Aug. 19. The district reports...
Verona’s new borough secretary formally introduced at council workshop
Verona officials have tapped a former physics teacher and solutions analyst as their new borough secretary. Christine DeRunk of Shaler was formally introduced as the administrative head at Tuesday night’s council meeting. She was selected out of 12 candidates earlier this year to replace former borough manager and finance director...

