Natalie Beneviat stories, Page 8
Early fascination with pipe organ leads to successful career for Franklin Park native
It was an organ performance at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland that made up the mind of Daniel Ficarri, then just an eighth grader in the North Allegheny School District. He was entranced by the sounds and sights of an instrument that beautifully echoed throughout the grand space of the...
Renovation work at Northland Public Library not expected to impede upcoming gala
The Northland Public Library’s annual garden gala, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” drops in on April 26, and guests can be assured the event will have all of the bells and whistles as usual, despite the renovation work still happening there. “After our 2024 ‘Gatsby in the Garden’ literary theme, we...
Year in review reveals McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority answered 9,412 calls in 2024
National accreditation, hundreds of hours in training, and 146,000 miles on the road were some of the highlights of the 2024 year-in-review presentation by the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority on Feb. 17. Local council and municipality officials, community members, MFPAA staff and state Rep. Arvind Venkat attended the event held...
North Allegheny looking to fill vacant positions
Bus drivers, special education assistants and paraprofessionals are some of the positions that need to be filled at the North Allegheny School District, according to a mid-year human resources report to the school board Feb. 12. The report is given twice annually, taking data from the third day of a...
McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority establishes 5-year agreements with 3 communities
The communities of Pine, Marshall and Bradford Woods have secured service/funding agreements with the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority for the next five years, from 2026 to 2030, according to MFPAA Chief Chris Dell. This allows for better financial planning for the nonprofit. These communities already have been providing financial contributions...
9 North Allegheny alumni feted at awards gala
A bit of glitz, glamour and lots of grins made the scene at the 2025 North Allegheny Foundation Alumni Awards gala Jan. 23 at the Holy Trinity Event Center in McCandless. The annual event featured nine North Allegheny alumni, each recognized for significant contributions to society or outstanding professional accomplishments....
Chocolate Walk benefiting North Hills Community Outreach returns to McCandless Crossing
Eating lots of chocolate can have its benefits. And such is the case for the McCandless Crossing Chocolate Walk on March 1, a fundraiser for North Hills Community Outreach. The sweet sequel to 2024’s inaugural chocolate walk is the result of last year’s great response, said Jeff Geissler, spokesperson for...
Firefighters remind residents about staying safe during winter months
The wildfires in California may be a sobering reminder of the importance of fire safety locally, especially in the dry winter months. Generally speaking, there does seem to be more fire-related incidents during the winter, said Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company Chief Greg Quatchak. “We also see an increase in the...
Free Unlimited Sound concert to celebrate music by artists who overcame disabilities
Classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven and singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder are among those being celebrated for their talents and overcoming their disabilities at Unlimited Sound, a free concert set for Feb. 2 at Temple Ohav Shalom in Allison Park. The event from 2 to 3 p.m. is part of the Azure...
North Allegheny hosts presentation to train responders on how to help people with autism
Local law enforcement attended a presentation at Carson Middle School on Jan. 20 on how to best interact with those who may be on the autism spectrum or have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event was presented by Scott Bailey, an officer for the Fox Chapel Area School District and...
McCandless police chief graduates from FBI Academy
A yellow brick means a lot to McCandless police Chief Ryan Hawk, as it signifies his successful completion of training at the FBI National Academy. Hawk is part of the 292nd graduating class of the academy, located in Quantico, Va., where he trained for 10 weeks. Only he and one...
PennDOT seeks public input on aesthetics of Wexford Interchange
PennDOT is inviting motorists to chime in on the aesthetics of the Interstate 79/Route 910 Wexford Interchange Project in Marshall through Jan. 31. An online survey asks for color and concrete texture preferences, which will help determine the project’s look. There are two color options: • Nautilus Blue, a lighter...
Kansas City Chiefs president among those to be honored at North Allegheny Foundation Alumni Gala
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 NA Distinguished Alumni Gala to be held Jan. 23 at the Holy Trinity Center, 985 Providence Blvd., in McCandless. “As usual, there is an amazing group of honorees, including the Soergel family, who is receiving the Spirit of NA award for their...
North Allegheny Foundation awards more than $60,000 in grants
Donations raised by community members helped fund $60,459 in grants from the North Allegheny Foundation, benefitting students throughout the school district. The North Allegheny Foundation awards grant applications submitted by school district staff in both the spring and fall. Any district staff member can submit a grant application with the...
2 Hosack Elementary staffers recognized for saving student
Two staff members at North Allegheny’s Hosack Elementary School recently received the Chief’s Challenge Coin for saving a student from choking last fall. Just a day before Halloween, April Wismer, a teacher, and Jenna Danka, a paraprofessional, noticed a student experiencing a medical emergency while eating, and eventually started choking....
Marshall holding zoning, SALDO ordinances open house
The draft of the zoning and SALDO ordinances for Marshall Township will be reviewed at an open house on Jan. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Marshall Township Municipal Building’s lower level. The municipal building is located at 525 Pleasant Hill Road. The meeting is part of the...
Salvation Army looks to boost kettle donations
Local Red Kettle donations to benefit The Salvation Army are halfway to the goal. But there’s still time to volunteer and donate. “The Pittsburgh North Boroughs location alone has a local fundraising goal of $115,000 and they are close to 50% of reaching that goal, which is positive to see,”...
Popular Wexford McDonald’s owner retires
Some may recall the old McDonald’s jingle, “You deserve a break today …” Longtime owner and operator Priscilla Foster of the fast-food chain’s Wexford restaurant is finally heeding that call. Foster has fond memories of her employees and customers during more than three decades of owning the McDonald’s on Perry...
North Allegheny students help brighten holidays for orphans in Ukraine
A group of orphans in Ukraine won’t be forgotten this Christmas season, thanks partly to the help of students at North Allegheny. The North Allegheny Interact Club, a high school branch Rotary International District 7305, participated in a gift-giving project for orphans in the city of Lviv in western Ukraine....
Winterfest warms the spirit in McCandless
Despite a seasonably chilly December evening, friends and families bundled up for the return of Winterfest in the Town of McCandless on Dec. 7. They included McCandless resident Katie Panighetti, who was there with her husband, Tom, and daughter, Marigold, 19 months old. “This is a nice safe space for...
Franklin Park adopts budget with tax increase
A real estate rate tax increase of 0.3 mills, raising it to 1.59 mills, was approved at a special Franklin Park Council meeting on Dec. 4 as part of the 2025 budget. This will help fund the expenses that were projected to exceed revenues, listed at $15,266,800 and $14,059,400, respectively,...
North Allegheny School Board president, vice president reelected
Elizabeth Warner will continue to serve as North Allegheny School Board president for another year, after being unanimously approved by her colleagues at the Dec. 4 reorganization meeting. Paige Hardy will continue as vice president, after a 5 to 3 vote. School board director Michael Weniger was also nominated for...
North Allegheny Class of 1977 members play 50th Turkey Bowl
Chilly temperatures in the 20s couldn’t deter these devoted 1977 North Allegheny grads from playing their 50th Turkey Bowl over Thanksgiving weekend. About 10 friends who graduated nearly five decades ago gathered at the North Allegheny Intermediate High School football field on Nov. 30 to reminisce and reconnect. “This is...
McCandless fire companies seek a few good people
Greg Quatchak, chief at Ingomar Volunteer Company, is running out of ideas. The McCandless resident has been part of Ingomar VFC 187 for 50 years, and chief for 24. It was a family thing, following his father’s footsteps. Living on Harmony Road, across the street from the main station, he...
McCandless tax rate to stay same
The Town of McCandless’ $27.3 million budget will be voted on during the council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Town Hall on Grubbs Road. Remaining at 1.236 mills, there is no real estate tax rate change for the 20th consecutive year. Two public budget workshops were held in...
