Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 31
Marathon gas station in Harmar robbed at knifepoint
Harmar police are investigating after the Marathon gas station along Freeport Road was robbed late Tuesday. Officers were called about 10:30 p.m. after a suspect approached the clerk, brandished a knife and demanded money from the register. No one was injured, police said. The suspect is described as a white...
Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania appears to have a chance
Sunday hunting could finally happen in Pennsylvania — more than just three days a year. Members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, an association of the state’s farmers and powerful state lobbying group that has opposed Sunday hunting for years, said they would step aside as long as several key pieces...
East Deer expects to implement amusement tax in time for Pittsburgh Brewing’s summer concert series
East Deer stands to generate substantial revenue from a proposed amusement tax that is expected to be approved in March. Commissioners voted last week to advertise the ordinance, which calls for a 5% tax on admission fees to large events hosted in the township. The board is scheduled to vote...
Allegheny Valley Hospital art exhibit showcases tales behind the scrubs
In her nearly 40 years of nursing at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison, Becky Podobnik says her scrubs have seen it all. “I’ve watched people recover, and I’ve watched people die,” she said. “I’ve comforted families, and I’ve sat with that person who is scared in the middle of the...
Highlands purse policy has parents angry over lack of privacy
Brackenridge resident Liz Myers says being a “girl mom” sometimes means having to stand up for certain rights. A Highlands School District policy that bans middle school students from carrying purses, belt bags and fanny packs around the school has Myers fighting for her daughter’s privacy, she said. As outlined...
Potholes at Pittsburgh Mills are mall owners’ responsibility, not Frazer’s
Grant Becker had just left work at the Pittsburgh Mills shopping complex in Frazer when he heard a giant crunch. Becker’s car hit a pothole on Pittsburgh Mills Boulevard that he said was more like the size of a crater. “It was humongous,” said Becker of Springdale Township. “It had...
Highlands varsity band boosters fear online scammer stealing craft show fees
Members of Highlands varsity band boosters fear that someone is running an online scam to collect craft show registration fees and defraud the group from its profits. “I’ve had a couple people call to let me know they’ve received emails to pay with PayPal,” said Desirae Dunmire, the boosters’ vice...
Aspinwall teen’s passion for conservation earns him spot on Junior Achievement’s 18 Under Eighteen list
Fox Chapel Area sophomore Theo Tedesco is a self-described steward of the Earth, passionate about bringing science and exploration to underserved children. He has spent three summers volunteering at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, helping youngsters discover the 134-acre sanctuary that is Audubon Society’s headquarters in Fox Chapel. The 16-year-old also...
Par Mar convenience store in Fawn eyeing liquor license
People who travel through Fawn soon might be able to stop at a Route 908 convenience store and pick up beer, wine and more. Par Mar at 7208 Route 908 is in line for a liquor license, if approved by township supervisors and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The township...
Man shot on the South Side while taking out trash
Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man was shot late Saturday after taking out a bag of trash on the South Side. Emergency crews were called just before 10:30 p.m. to a convenience store in the 2100 block of E. Carson Street. Officers found the victim inside the store, where...
MLK Jr. memorial service in New Kensington highlights mission to love mercifully
The guest speaker Sunday at the 56th annual Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service delivered a straightforward message to the crowd of about 40 people. “We must recapture our humanity,” said the Rev. Terrance Davis Sr., pastor at Three Rivers Metropolitan Church in Pittsburgh. “We have to stop living in...
Dive teams search river for guns stolen from RC Firearms in New Kensington
Dive teams returned to the Allegheny River on Sunday to search the murky water for guns stolen Jan. 22 from RC Firearms in New Kensington. More than 30 people set up a command scene on the Braeburn riverfront in Lower Burrell to help police and agents from the U.S. Bureau...
Indiana Township’s United Presbyterian Church marks 100 years
Easter sunrise service at United Presbyterian Church in Indiana Township was a big deal in Sue Haley’s house. “My grandma used to get dressed the night before and sleep in her clothes so she could get up and go,” said Haley, a member of the church along Route 910 for...
Gatto’s Cycle Shop celebrates 60 years in Tarentum, opens Marine Center
George Gatto is riding the wave of change. As his family-owned Gatto Cycle Shop marks its 60th year in Tarentum, it’s shifting focus to the growing popularity of boating in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Gatto’s opened a Marine Center on Saturday in its former Harley-Davidson storefront along East Sixth Avenue. “The...
Tarentum to choose among 4 for council vacancy
Tarentum will have a new council representative next week. Four people have applied to fill a vacancy created when council President Scott Dadowski won two seats in the November election and ultimately chose to keep his position representing the 2nd Ward. He relinquished the at-large council seat, meaning people from...
Graze Craze in O’Hara offers twist on charcuterie trend
Nutrition and art have converged at a new eatery in O’Hara. Graze Craze, at 1153 Old Freeport Road, offers creatively arranged finger foods in a twist on the popular charcuterie trend. “We can cater to your needs, from vegan to keto to a healthy mix of proteins and veggies,” said...
Harrison EMT struck by car is on the mend, determined to return to job
Citizens Hose EMT Kelly Jackson calls herself a walking miracle. The Tarentum woman was critically injured Jan. 6 while working traffic control on Harrison’s Burtner Road during a snowstorm. A vehicle lost control and struck Jackson, throwing her about 30 yards. Jackson suffered a brain bleed, torn aorta, broken bones...
Food pantries count on Fox Chapel church’s Fill-the-Truck event to replenish shelves
In his 20 years managing a food pantry in Indiana Township, Gil Cutruzzula said he can count on donations dipping just after the Christmas holiday — at the same time that need goes up. “It’s like clockwork,” said Cutruzzula, pantry manager at the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center...
Allegheny River voted Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year
The Allegheny River has been chosen by public vote as the top waterway in the state. The 325-mile stretch was named 2024 River of the Year, earning 8,307 votes to edge the Youghiogheny, which received 7,212 votes, and the Lackawaxen River, which received 4,740. “I cannot wait to celebrate this...
Maryland woman faces felony assault charges for allegedly attacking state trooper
A Maryland woman is facing charges of aggravated assault after allegedly attacking a state trooper who stopped her for driving the wrong way on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Margot Bass, 53, of Takoma Park was arrested just before 1 a.m. Thursday. She faces a preliminary hearing before Judge Tom Swan in...
Harrison eyes 13 roads for summer paving
The Harrison commissioners are proposing a hefty list of work for this year’s paving. More than a dozen roads have been tentatively approved, including portions of busy Broadview Boulevard and Dallas Avenue. Township Manager Amy Rockwell said the 2024 budget for paving is about $400,000. “Roads are reviewed annually by...
Building the Valley: Fashion for all at Blushing Moon Boutique & Studio in Tarentum
Before she knew what she’d do with a vacant storefront on East Fourth Avenue in Tarentum, Melanie Malone found herself signing the rental contract. “I was browsing Facebook and thought, ‘What a neat space,’ ” she said. “I really needed to have that space, but I didn’t know what to...
Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Highlands Family Center and police partner to help children experiencing trauma
Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said his officers routinely leave a call feeling like they could do more to help children after a traumatic incident. A program instituted by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit has helped to fill the gap, better connecting police with school officials. “Whether grandpa fell or the...
ATI retirees balk at pension changes
Some ATI retirees fear they’ve lost a pension guarantee after recent changes by the specialty metals company. ATI purchased group annuity contracts from New York-based Athene Annuity and Life Co. and Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Co., transferring about 85% of its U.S.-qualified defined-benefit pension plan obligations, ATI spokeswoman Natalie...
St. Ladislaus church’s Stations of the Cross moves to Most Blessed Sacrament
A piece of history from the now-demolished 120-year-old St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church in the Natrona section of Harrison has found a new home not far away. Fourteen Stations of the Cross, plucked from the walls of the old Polish church, were installed Tuesday at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, also...
