Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 90

Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pitt Panthers football and major concerts is soon to be home to the Penn Hills High School prom. School district officials announced the senior celebration would make its return June 17 after being canceled last year due to the pandemic. “They deserve it,”...

Hard work, bond refinancing and covid pandemic-related savings have helped Penn Hills School District cut an estimated $18 million deficit to nearly zero in five years, according to a newly released audit report. Auditor Mark Turnley said he is “guardedly optimistic” about the district’s financial future. “When you look at...

There were rain clouds high above the participants of the inaugural Allegheny Freedom Works Easter egg hunt March 28. Officials said it did not dampen the spirits of participants, as more than 1,000 eggs with various treats were scattered for young scavengers to find. Hundreds of families from Plum and...

A man was taken to a hospital in stable condition after being shot in the leg in Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood. Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz said officers responded to reports of a man shot around 8:30 p.m. Monday along the 200 block of Larimer Avenue. Police located the victim inside...

Caelan Austin of Whitehall hopes to follow in his grandfather’s firefighter footsteps. The 16-year-old has a solid head start as the borough’s first junior firefighter. “I’ve always had an interest in it, and always wanted to help out the community and serve the community,” Caelan said. “I’m excited, happy, a...

Officials at Unity Volunteer Fire Department in Plum need borough funding to replace an aging rescue truck. The current vehicle is 21 years old with a rusting frame and is expected to be put out of service within the year. “It is not structurally acceptable to give to somebody else...

It is no secret that small businesses, such as family restaurants and corner stores, have been hit hard during the covid pandemic. With vaccinations on the rise and safety protocols loosening up, Oakmont Chamber of Commerce members believe now is a great time to encourage more people to come out...

A man shot Wednesday night in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood has died, police said Thursday morning. The shooting happened about 9:30 p.m. on Brightridge Street. Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert and found a man shot in the head with a possible puncture wound to his chest, said Public Safety...

A new monument designed to promote peace and togetherness may soon be installed in a Monroeville park. Rotary Club of Monroeville members want to install a peace pole in the the botanical garden section of Monroeville Community Park West. “We want to draw the diverse community together,” outgoing Rotary president...

A Plum pet grooming business recently raised nearly $400 for the Monroeville Animal Shelter. The Barker Shop along Saltsburg Road hosted a dog washing event March 21. Monroeville animal control officer and shelter coordinator Corye Ramsey and his family assisted volunteer Lisa Wisiloaky with bringing the 21 dogs in and...

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help a Springdale family recover from a house fire. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to the two-alarm blaze around 2:30 p.m. Friday in the 300 block of Orchard Street. Robert Collier and his son, Kendall, lost a lot to the flames including...

Plum officials have taken another step toward protecting farmland and developing “agricultural security areas.” An agricultural security area helps participating farmers in various ways including prohibiting municipalities from enacting laws or ordinances that would unreasonably restrict farm structures or farm practices within the ASA. It also discourages condemnation of agricultural...

A man on a motorcycle was severely injured Tuesday afternoon after colliding with a Jeep near Penn Hills Elementary School. Police Chief Howard Burton said the crash occurred along the 1000 block of Jefferson Road around 4:15 p.m. The motorcycle rider was taken to an unnamed hospital. An Allegheny County...

A husband and wife domestic dispute may have been the spark that caused a Penn Hills fire Sunday afternoon. “It’s a possibility,” police Chief Howard Burton said Monday night. “We don’t believe it was an accident. We believe it was definitely set. It was arson.” Firefighters were initially called to...

Oakmont and Verona officials are working to restore the twin boroughs’ Memorial Day parade. The annual event to honor the men and women who fought and died for this country was canceled last year because of the pandemic. Both borough councils recently gave approval to their respective committees to begin...

Kendall Collier was at work when he received an emergency call from his father Friday afternoon. “ ’Our house is on fire. Come home quick’ were his exact words,” Collier said, standing outside their three-story Springdale home. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to the two-alarm blaze around 2:30 p.m. along...

A Harrison man who already was a registered sex offender has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for child porn possession. U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Hornan imposed the sentence Thursday against Jack Ulrich Jr. Ulrich, 43, had pleaded guilty last June to one count of possession of...

While some covid restrictions for businesses throughout the state may soon be lifted, some Sewickley restaurant owners say the changes will not have a significant impact on their operations. Gov. Tom Wolf on March 15 announced he would roll back a slew of mitigation measures effective April 4, including the...

Verona parks and recreation board members want to do something different for Easter this year due the covid pandemic. A special drive-in movie night in Railroad Park has been planned in lieu of the traditional egg hunt. “We’d love to see it full,” said Trish Hredzak-Showalter, councilwoman and recreation board...

Verona’s 150th anniversary is such a huge deal it will be celebrated with at least four separate events throughout the year, organizers announced. “I think people are excited about it,” said Jessica Varone, founder and chair of Verona Community Group (VCG). “It’s been hard for us to make plans due...

Families from Plum, Monroeville and other communities took advantage of the sun and mild weather by heading outdoors for a little fun. Some showed up at the O’Block Playground on Monroeville Trestle Road in Plum for swinging on swings and climbing on playground equipment on Tuesday afternoon....

All Riverview School District students will have the option of full-time, in-person or virtual instruction starting next month. It is part of the district’s plan to eliminate its hybrid model where students are split into two groups with each having a couple of days of in-class instruction and virtual learning...

Oakmont and Verona officials are working to restore the twin boroughs’ Memorial Day parade. The annual event to honor the men and women who fought and died for this country was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Both borough councils recently gave approval to their respective committees to begin...