Tanisha Thomas stories, Page 11
Christmas tree project returns in West Deer with 4 trees to benefit local organizations
A West Deer preschool teacher is continuing her tradition of bringing a Hallmark-like holiday setting to town with her Christmas tree program. Caylin Zaremski leads the “Our Trees of Light” project that aims to give back to the community by setting up township Christmas trees. The idea was birthed from...
Penn Hills School District food collection contest builds community, goodwill
The Penn Hills School District wanted to help make a difference for families in need during the holiday season. The contest, “Use Your Noodle to End Hunger,” encouraged classrooms to donate food pantry items to local food banks. The class that brought in the most items would receive a prize....
Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena in Harmar offers multisport fun, events, pub and meeting space
While former Steelers player John Banaszak was enjoying retirement, the three-time Super Bowl champion and longtime college football coach was ready to make a return to sports in his own way. He recently became president of Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena in Harmar. He knew the owners, Karyn and Bob Brooks,...
Harmar officials propose backflow preventers if sewage backup not resolved
Harmar Township officials assured residents they will find an answer to their sewage backup issues as they continue their investigation. During the supervisors’ Nov. 18 meeting, residents were updated on what is next on the township’s agenda to finding the main cause of the sanitary sewage overflows. It’s an issue...
Hampton police get scruffy in No Shave November for Mrs. Claus Club
Some Hampton Police officers are getting a little furry overe for the next couple months to raise awareness and money for a charitable cause. Half of the department is participating in No Shave November, a month-long journey to help support cancer prevention, research and education. Hampton police officers will be...
Harmar’s proposed 2022 budget could help homeowners but would face high deficit
Some Harmar property owners might pay less in taxes under the proposed $2.7 million budget for 2022, but it will come at a cost. The proposed $2.7 million spending plan would increase the Homestead Exemption by $5,000, from $30,000 to $35,000. That move, though, could cost the township more than...
M@C Discount signs lease with Pittsburgh Mills mall to expand its locations
One of the largest empty spaces in the Pittsburgh Mills mall has a new tenant. M@C Discount announced it will open a location Dec. 1 in the space formerly used by Sears Grand. The online bidding store signed a five-year lease with the mall. Spirit Halloween occupied the space during...
Frazer homeowners won’t see a property tax increase next year
The real estate tax rate will remain the same for Frazer property owners in 2022. The township supervisors voted 2-0 to approve a $1.1 million budget preliminary budget on Nov. 2. Supervisor William Creevey was absent for the vote. Property taxes would remain the same, at 2.5 mills. The township...
West Deer residents split on whether proposed well pads will benefit township
West Deer residents have differing opinions on whether the township should approve proposed natural gas well pads at two locations in the township. Residents and taxpayers spoke Tuesday during the ninth and final public hearing regarding the proposal presented by Olympus Energy LLC. The hearing took place at West Deer...
Monroeville native’s debut book tops Amazon charts
When Monroeville native Kelley McNeil was driving along a rural road with her daughter in the car, she had an idea pop into her head. “I thought what if we got into an accident and when we woke up, (my daughter) had disappeared,” she said. McNeil would explore that idea...
Penn Hills alumni give back to district by donating school supplies
Alumni from the Penn Hills class of 2001 wanted to find a way to give back to the school district that left an impact on them after graduating. The class showed its gratitude by collecting school supplies to donate to Penn Hills Elementary School earlier this month . The tote...
Plum student earns Eagle Scout rank for mental health project
A Plum Senior High School senior achieved the rank of Eagle Scout for his project highlighting mental health. Ryan Kmonk wanted to find a way to address mental health among teens to raise awareness. The 18-year-old decided to create a 42-minute documentary, “The Quiet Crisis,” to touch on mental health...
Springdale High School drama club to perform in front of live audience for 1st time since 2019
Springdale High School drama club students are eager to perform a production in front of a live audience for the first time since 2019. The school will perform “The Wildman” by J. Omar Hansen. The one-act play is a comedic hillbilly retelling of the ancient folk tale “The Heartless Giant.”...
West Deer Police to hold 25th annual toy drive for families in need
West Deer Township is ringing in the holiday cheer with its 25th annual toy drive. Former West Deer Police Chief Jon Lape started the drive to help families experiencing hardship during the holiday season. This year will be first time Lape is not leading it after his retirement in June....
Springdale couple starts ‘2 Wives Clean Lives’ cleaning business
After being out of work for two years from a car accident, Bobbi Cupka was ready to begin a steady stream of work with her wife, Maggie Destein. The two met at a franchise cleaning company, before Cupka’s accident. Cupka had long been making plans to start her own cleaning...
Building the Valley: Springdale coffee shop Black Canary has it all from music to video games
The name “Black Canary” might sound familiar to DC Comic readers who are fans of the fictional superhero, but that’s not who is making an appearance in Springdale. It’s the Black Canary coffee shop on Pittsburgh Street at Murtland. The shop sits between two superhero-themed neighbors: Marvel Motors, a used...
Suzie’s Barbershop serving men’s haircut needs in SpringdaleVideo
Opening a male barbershop was scary for Suzie Hloznik. She questioned if seeing a female barber-owner would be comfortable for men accustomed to the guy’s world of a typical barbershop. But she was determined to make her dream a reality. As she opened Suzie’s Barbershop in Springdale in June, all...
No tax increase in East Deer 2022 budget, but commissioners approve rise in water rates
East Deer Township residents would not see a tax increase from the proposed $1.3 million budget for 2022. Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the preliminary budget during their Thursday evening meeting. The board will vote to approve the final budget Dec. 31. The property tax rate would remain at 4.9...
Newcomers oust incumbents for pair of Springdale Township commissioners’ seats
Two new faces will replace two incumbents on the Springdale Township board of commissioners after winning Tuesday’s election. Republicans Tim Basilone and Bradley Stanzione won the two open seats, replacing incumbents Tim Sweet and Shirley Redman, both Democrats. Basilone led in votes and received 31.9%, according to unofficial results. Stanzione...
Incumbent, newcomer secure 2 Harmar supervisors’ seats
An incumbent and newcomer will be taking seats as Harmar Township supervisors. Newcomer Sam Boak, a Democrat, came out on top with 29.18% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Board of Elections. He was followed by incumbent Harry Lenhart, also a Democrat, with 27.57%. First-time...
Longtime Penn Hills musical coordinator to be inducted into Hall of PHAME
Barbara Spiri can only say she is grateful as she enters the Penn Hills Arts and Music Education’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 13. The induction will be happening during PHAME’s gala event,”Keepin’ the Music Alive,” at 7 p.m. at the Penn Hills High School auditorium. The event will be...
Lower Valley Community Food Bank expecting higher demand for food distribution
The director of the Lower Valley Community Food Bank expects an uptick in those in need as the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas ramps up. The food bank serves Cheswick, Harmar, Indiana Township, Springdale Borough and Springdale Township. Pre-registration by recipients is not required. Director Kathy Otterbeck said numbers...
Lower Valley Community Food Bank expecting higher demand for food distribution
The Lower Valley Community Food Bank will hold a food distribution from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday near the rear entrance of the Springdale Borough Building on School Street. The food bank serves Cheswick, Harmar, Indiana Township, Springdale and Springdale Township. Advance registration is not required. Director Kathy Otterbeck expects...
2 incumbents, 2 newcomers face off for pair of Springdale Township commissioners’ seats
The ballot in the Springdale Township commissioners race offers voters two familiar names and two political newcomers. The four candidates are vying for two commissioner’s seats. Commissioners Tim Sweet and Shirley Redman, both Democrats elected in 2017, are seeking second terms. Tim Basilone and Bradley Stanzione, both Republicans, are seeking...
Penn Hills High School theater students return to stage in fall play
Penn Hills theater students are focusing on bringing normalcy back to the department after their fall play was canceled last year due to covid. The first step in that direction is performing their annual fall play after a successful return with their spring musical “Mary Poppins” in February. Director Ben...
