Natalie Beneviat stories, Page 10
Operating expenses prompt West View Water Authority rate increase
An upcoming 4.1% rate increase for West View Water Authority customers can be attributed to higher operating expenses. The rate, approved by the authority board of directors, is set to rise Jan. 1. The last rate increase was in September 2018. Shambaugh Utility Consulting LLC, the authority’s rate consultant, recently...
North Allegheny prepares for ‘Phantom of the Opera’
“The Phantom of the Opera” is such a renowned play that Bob Tozier, chair of the North Allegheny music department, knows audiences are likely to have high expectations. “It’s an iconic musical. There are things people expect to see and hear and experience, so we have to make sure they...
Franklin Park recognizes remarkable trees
Trees are a testament to time, some surviving since the American Revolution or when George Washington was just a boy. It’s quite remarkable. That being said, a new effort in Franklin Park is officially recognizing these arboreal ancestors as such. The Remarkable Tree Program was created by the borough’s Environmental...
Clinics round out seasonal pickleball play in McCandless
Pickleball at Devlin Park in McCandless is keeping the courts busy with upcoming clinics and a few more weeks left to play. All parks in McCandless are closed from Nov. 1 until April 1. Four pickleball courts at Devlin Park were opened in spring 2023 and they’re always hopping. ‘They...
Shining Star Gala to honor 12 in McCandless
A volunteer firefighter for more than four decades, Bob Jeke of McCandless is just doing what he was taught to do. “I don’t usually thrive on the praise. I just volunteer because I volunteer. I just started at 16, 44 years ago,” Jeke said. He is one of the 12...
Niche rankings place North Allegheny School District 2nd in state
North Allegheny once again secures its spot as the second-best school district in Pennsylvania out of 496 districts, following Radnor Township in Delaware County, according to the Niche ratings published Sept. 30. The ratings moved North Allegheny up three spots, to 24, from last year’s rank of No. 27 among...
Students feel safe at North Allegheny, per survey
Parents and students strongly agree that North Allegheny feels safe and secure, according to a school district survey conducted in May. All parents in the district and students in fifth, eighth, 10th and 12th grades were queried on school-related topics, and Superintendent Brendan Hyland provided the results to the school...
Fundraisers benefit therapeutic horseback riding program based in McCandless
Horses and witches may be an odd combo, but are the focus of two major fundraisers for Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania, a McCandless-based therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities. First is the Ride-a-Thon, a 12-mile horseback riding adventure around North Park, scheduled for Oct. 6....
Library embarks on ‘New Northland’ in McCandless
Construction on a more spacious, accessible and functional Northland Public Library is scheduled to begin Sept. 30, as announced at Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony. A “New Northland” will emerge from an extensive transformation and renovation over the year at the library, located on Cumberland Road in McCandless, with a completion date...
North Allegheny Foundation grants exceed $100k for 2023-24
When there are special programs or educational tools that teachers feel would benefit students, but are outside of normal district funding, they may try the North Allegheny Foundation. The nonprofit is a 23-member tax-exempt charitable community organization that supports the school district, teachers, staff and students. “The North Allegheny Foundation...
Halloween party for cancer survivors returns
Getting wigged out is highly encouraged at the Young Adult Survivors United Halloween party, scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Rivers Casino Event Center in Pittsburgh. The Wig Out party — hosted by YASU, a Pine-based support group for young adult survivors of cancer or those diagnosed at 18 to...
North Allegheny still hiring for 2024-25
Special education assistants, student service assistants, bus drivers and mechanics still are being hired in North Allegheny School District, according to a human resources report provided to the school board on Sept. 11. The human resources department provides a report on student enrollment and staffing counts every September, reflecting data...
‘Opened a new world’: Autistic North Allegheny student breaks through with help of innovation
Nick Canciello, a 16-year-old student at North Allegheny Intermediate High School, has aspirations to be a lawyer. He wants to learn archery and is a history buff. The Franklin Park resident even hopes to attend the University of Pittsburgh. More than a year ago, his parents wouldn’t believe any of...
North Allegheny teachers lead trips abroad for students
While they may still be too young to have one, students in North Allegheny have a chance to cross international travel off their bucket list. Several teachers from the district are providing unique travel opportunities through Education First Tours. The trips, which are not provided through or sponsored by North...
‘Toward a good cause’: Olive Branch in Pine helps world by selling fair-trade products
Feel good about spending money by shopping, or even volunteering, at the Olive Branch, a nonprofit store in Pine that sells fair-trade products to support underserved and developing communities. Everything sold supports someone or some group in need. “If you spend money here, it definitely goes toward a good cause,”...
Big draw for McCandless Community Day
An estimated 1,000 people attended the annual Town of McCandless Community Day, held Sept. 14 at the town hall grounds off Grubbs Road. The event featured rides, food trucks, vendors and entertainment, including a performance by the North Allegheny Marching Band. Festivities began with Hosack Elementary School chorus students singing...
Dragon boats coming to North Park for benefit race
A Chinese tradition dating more than 2,000 years old will be on display at the Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival on Sept. 28 at the lake in North Park, off Pearce Mill Road. Dragon boats are colorful 40-foot canoes featuring the head and tail of a dragon. Nearly two dozen teams...
Firefighter for a Day returns to Franklin Park
Firefighter for a Day, an event being held at the Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company station on Rochester Road on Sept. 21, is for those who are serious or even slightly curious about what it’s like to volunteer to fight fires. “This is a great way to test the waters....
Cooperative weather leads to increased Allegheny County pool usage
Heat and dry weather were likely factors in how well the Allegheny County pools did this past summer, with North Park alone seeing a big uptick in swimmers compared to last year. The 2024 swimming season welcomed 195,269 patrons across the county’s four pools: Boyce, North Park, Settlers Cabin and...
Syrian family cooking for North Hills community
Former Syrian refugee Sumaya Antar, who has recently resettled in the North Hills with her three children and husband, is inviting everyone to dinner. She is the featured host of THRIVE’s Supper Club, being held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at North Hills Community Baptist Church, on Thompson...
Day of Peace Celebration coming to North Park
A procession of 195 United Nations flags will be part of the festivities of the 20th North Hills International Day of Peace Celebration on Sept. 22 in North Park. The free event is from 2 to 4 p.m. at North Park Point Grove on Lake Shore Drive. The flag ceremony...
Northern Regional promotes 24-year department veteran to police chief
Bryan DeWick is the new chief of the Northern Regional Police Department, of which he has been a member for 24 years, following the retirement of Chief John Sicilia. The department serves Bradford Woods, Marshall, Pine, Richland and Seven Fields. Sicilia was given a special proclamation for his 28 years...
North Park welcomes pooches to pool
Both toes and tails took a dip into several Allegheny County pools on Sept. 2 for its annual Pooches in the Pool. The Labor Day event closed out the swimming season at Boyce, North and Settlers Cabin parks. The South Park pool was not included in the event this year...
McCandless hires new town manager
John Schwend has been hired as the new McCandless town manager, as approved unanimously by members of McCandless council at their Aug. 26 meeting. Schwend was borough manager in Edgeworth for almost 11 years. “I plan to be a consistent and stable leader that the staff and town can rely...
Marshall festivities make the grade
Inflatables, virtual reality, fiddles and food helped bring out the crowds to Marshall Township’s Community Day, held on Aug. 24 at Knob Hill Park. The sunny Saturday featured 45 vendors, as well as plenty of food, drink and dessert for sale at the annual event. The Marshall Township Volunteer Fire...
