Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 10
2 Pittsburgh bridges close Monday to make way for Picklesburgh
Picklesburgh, the briny three-day festival marking its 10th anniversary, returns to the city this week, commanding the closure of two Downtown bridges. The Roberto Clemente Bridge (Sixth Street) will shut down at 9 a.m. Monday through 4 p.m. July 14. The Andy Warhol Bridge (Seventh Street) will close at the...
Fireworks confrontation leads to Beaver Falls shooting, police say
A tossed firework led to a shooting Friday in Beaver Falls, authorities said. Police were called at 10:30 p.m. Friday to the 300 block of 12th Street where they found a 47-year-old man shot twice in the leg. He was taken to a local medical facility before being flown by...
Fireworks damage South Park Township garage
Emergency crews are blaming fireworks for damage to a garage in South Park Township early Saturday. The Broughton Volunteer Fire Department was called to a home on Frickwood Drive after fireworks discarded into a trash can caught fire and spread to a wall at the home’s garage. The department posted...
Fireworks cause multiple fires in Allegheny County
Fourth of July revelry caused at least four fires across Allegheny County, authorities said. Crews were called to the 100 block of Park Ridge Place in Forest Hills for a duplex fire Friday. Multiple units were damaged, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. A second fire, in the the 7500...
‘Best of the best’ shown off at Westmoreland Arts and Heritage fest, organizer says
Fawn artist Len Kaminski chipped away at a stump of wood inside his booth at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, unaware that a small crowd gathered to watch. “I just get in the zone,” said Kaminski, a sculptor who got his start as a Boy Scout decades ago. “Ideas...
Morning Roundup: Police investigate shootings in Swissvale, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar
Here’s a look at some of the news events for this morning: - Shooting sends one to hospital Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man riding an e-bike in the city’s Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar section was shot late Thursday. Emergency crews were called just before 9 p.m. to the 1300 block of...
Traffic tangles ahead: Upcoming Tarentum Bridge project to last 3 years
It’ll be a long three years for Tarentum Bridge motorists once the span’s $97.5 million rehab project gets underway late next year or in early 2027. A portion of the work will require a full closure, with much of the traffic likely rerouted through East Deer to New Kensington. “We...
Harrison police get less-lethal weapons to deal with increasing crises
Harrison police are responding to more mental health crises than ever before. Since 2012, the number of calls dealing with noncompliant people has increased more than 500%, Chief Brian Turack said. Officers responded to 16 such calls in 2012 and 98 in 2023. “It’s not all mental health; it’s anywhere...
Kittanning teen to be charged in connection with stealing $10,000 in goods from Harrison, Fawn
At least two homes in Harrison and another in Fawn appear to have been targeted for thefts after residents posted items for sale on social media. Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said charges are pending against a 17-year-old boy from Kittanning in connection with all three incidents, which occurred June...
Sharpsburg, Etna, Millvale residents can get stipends for ongoing education
It’s been 25 years since John Moore graduated from high school, and now the Sharpsburg resident is eager to complete his college degree. He is enrolled at Community College of Allegheny County to earn a paraprofessional certification. His expected commencement date is early 2027. Moore, 43, got some help with...
Cyber school’s flexibility and support help West Tarentum boy thrive
Brook Stitt is keeping a close eye on the state budget vote this year. The West Tarentum mother is concerned about a proposal to limit per-student payments to Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools. The bill, which also calls for changes to how cyber charters operate, narrowly passed the state House last...
Pickleball popularity presents sustainability problems with plastic balls
When pickleball exploded in recent years as America’s favorite sport, the pastime came with collateral damage — plastic neon-colored balls piling up in landfills. More than 500 million pickleballs are manufactured each year, seemingly with nowhere to go, said Jeff Pepper, an avid player from Verona. “The number is huge,”...
Highlands School District holds tax rate steady as budget is approved
Property owners in the Highlands School District won’t see a tax increase for next school year after the board approved its $54.5 million budget. The plan holds the property tax rate steady at 25.13 mills. The median household income for the district is about $60,000. The owner of a home...
Student-led garden at Fox Chapel Area High School to help feed community
An organic idea by two rising Fox Chapel Area seniors is expected to make a lasting impact on their larger school community. James Manges and Aavree Hill are creating a community garden at the high school, the crops from which will help feed those in need. Fruits and veggies will...
UPMC St. Margaret opens urology lab, streamlines prostate cancer testing, treatment
A new urology lab with advanced diagnostic testing is up and running at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital to deal with a slow but steady increase in the number of prostate cancer cases diagnosed each year. The second-leading cause of cancer death in men, prostate cancer impacts one in eight men,...
Highlands, St. Joe’s agree to co-op tennis, baseball and softball; now 7 combined teams
Highlands Athletic Director Katie Jo Stobert said an expanded sports co-op with St. Joseph High School is a no-brainer. The schools, both in Harrison, already field combined teams in cross country, swimming, bowling and track. This coming year, students will get even more athletic opportunities in tennis, baseball and softball....
Fencing considered for Tarentum Bridge after New Kensington man jumped to his death
PennDOT officials said Friday they will assess the potential of installing fencing on the downriver side of the Tarentum Bridge following the death of a New Kensington man who apparently jumped to his death from the span Tuesday. The victim was identified as Thomas Peter Link, 68, by the Allegheny...
From gardening to lifeguarding, Highlands Camp Creativity helps stop ‘summer slide’
When Lincoln Sims chomped into a handful of kale at the Greg Blythe Friendship Garden in Tarentum, the 6-year-old gave it a thumbs up. Classmate Teigen Capozzoli followed suit — and promptly spit the bitter greens to the ground. “I didn’t care for it,” she said. “I liked the strawberries...
New Kensington man identified as Tarentum Bridge jumper
A man who jumped to his death from the Tarentum Bridge on Tuesday has been identified. The victim was Thomas Peter Link, 68, of New Kensington, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Link jumped into the Allegheny River shortly before 11:30 a.m. and died before he could be...
Offers but no buyers on 3 Guardian Angels churches still on the market
Three former churches, once part of the Guardian Angels parish, remain for sale three years after the parish cut seven churches to two, keeping open Most Blessed Sacrament in Harrison and Our Lady of Victory in Springdale Township. “We have people looking all the time,” parish Business Manager Tom Babinsack...
Interest in skilled trades surges nearly 14%
At 15, Ryley Potlas already knows what she wants to do with her life. The Kiski Area School District freshman dreams of a career in welding, and she’s getting a jump on it by enrolling at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington. “There’s a big need for...
Allegheny Valley Hospital opens Healing Garden, public wellness space
Rosemary Musolino said she couldn’t think of a more fitting project for Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison than the new outdoor respite garden. “It’s a beautiful design because it’s so welcoming,” said Musolino, an Allegheny Township resident and vice president of the hospital auxiliary. “It’s not only connected to our...
Familiar face seeks return to Tarentum Council; unclear whether incumbent wants GOP nod
A familiar face could be returning to Tarentum Council. Two years after stepping down from local government, Carrie Fox has found herself in the political mix again. She secured the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Ward by write-in votes during the May primary election. “I do miss having a voice,”...
Free program on purple martins hosted at Harrison Hills, home to only colony in Allegheny County Parks
Harrison resident Ken Kostka has worked for years to revitalize the region’s colony of purple martins — the species of bird that vanished from Western Pennsylvania after Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. His efforts have taken flight. Harrison Hills, the 500-acre park off Freeport Road, is home to the only...
Fawn seeking resident to fill supervisor vacancy
Fawn residents interested in serving in local government can apply for a temporary supervisor’s term. A vacancy was created after board member Phillip Smozski resigned effective June 3. His departure was announced at Tuesday’s supervisor’s meeting. “It was a learning adventure,” Smozski said, when reached by phone on Wednesday. He...
