Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 71
Teacher strike authorized, but not set, at New Ken-Arnold
Teachers in the New Kensington-Arnold School District authorized a strike if a new contract isn’t reached in the near future. The New Kensington-Arnold Education Association represents 151 teachers and professional staff who have been working without a contract for nearly eight months. Ashley Pujol, union president, did not provide an...
Highlands Elementary students ‘Bite into Books’
Librarian Susan Wilson held up a colorfully illustrated book about a fire-breathing dragon that eats tacos as she announced to the second grade class at Highlands Elementary School that it was time to “Bite into Books.” “Oh my gosh, I thought you really meant we had to eat that book!”...
Harrison zoning board to weigh Aldi proposal for Freeport Road
Harrison residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposal by grocery giant Aldi, whose company officials are eyeing a site along Freeport Road. J.R. Perry, Aldi’s Saxonburg Division vice president, confirmed last month that plans are in the works for a store in the Natrona Heights section...
Tarentum residents will face instant penalty for unsafe, eyesore properties
A new quality-of-life ordinance approved by Tarentum Council is expected to keep residents accountable for their properties, council members said during a meeting Tuesday night. Council enacted new guidelines aimed at keeping properties tidy and safe. The ordinance outlines health and safety requirements that target high grass, junk vehicles and...
Highland Park Bridge ramps to Aspinwall, Sharpsburg closed through May
Motorists who use the Highland Park Bridge ramps to connect to Sharpsburg and Aspinwall will need to allow extra time after the ramps were closed Tuesday for a long-term project. Northbound and southbound off-ramps from Route 28 to Freeport Road are scheduled to be closed through May, PennDOT announced. Crews...
Fox Chapel library earns federal humanities grant to preserve local family histories
A new program to record the family histories of patrons at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel is meant to build a sense of community and camaraderie. The library along Fox Chapel Road earned a $10,000 federal humanities grant to pay for the initiative, through which oral histories will be...
Ringer’s Dog Training faces one last hurdle for day care operations
The owner of a Harrison dog training business said she’ll try one last time to seek township approval to operate a pet day care and boarding service at her Freeport Road location. Kim Ringer, owner of Ringer’s Pet Dog Training, will present her case to the township’s planning commission Monday....
O’Hara, Fox Chapel residents can weigh in on name change for Squaw Run
O’Hara and Fox Chapel are set to launch the compilation of a joint comprehensive plan, part of which will include the renaming of Squaw Run. A tributary of the Allegheny River, the stream runs through O’Hara, Fox Chapel and Indiana Township. While local municipalities voted to rename parks and roads...
Sharpsburg Community Library exhibit honors Black family’s long history in borough
One of the first Black families to settle in Sharpsburg in the early 1920s is being honored with an exhibit at the Community Library along Main Street. “Breaking Barriers: 4 Generations of a Black Sharpsburg Family” is a collaborative effort of the borough’s historical commission, the library and Kayla Portis,...
Hometown Heroes banner program launches in Blawnox
After its inaugural program sold out, Blawnox has relaunched the sale of Hometown Hero banners to salute residents who served in the military. Anyone interested in honoring a loved one with an 18-by-38-inch banner can apply on the borough’s website. Cost is $110. “We have people asking for them all...
Pa. Turnpike closure will impact westbound motorists
Motorists who travel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike can expect to be detoured by a six-hour lane closure this weekend. The shutdown is required so crews can remove a disabled tractor trailer in the westbound lanes. Work will impact motorists between the Butler Valley and Cranberry exits. Lanes will be closed...
Alle-Kiski Valley fire companies awarded state grants for equipment, training
Summit Hose firefighters will be equipped with new portable radios thanks to a state grant awarded this month. Chief Josh Fox said his department is expected to receive $15,000 through the state fire commissioner’s office. “We’ll use it to cover several new radios to replace ones that are now old...
Sharpsburg Community Library exhibit features impactful borough family
One of the first Black families to settle in Sharpsburg in the early 1920’s is being honored with an exhibit at the Community Library along Main Street. “Breaking Barriers: 4 Generations of a Black Sharpsburg Family” is a collaborative effort of the borough’s historical commission, the library and Kayla Portis,...
Paws Across Pittsburgh eyeing new bus to keep up with pet rescues
Diane Raible’s newest foster is an 8-month-old pit bull mix who was shot through his thigh at close range. “His name is Axel, and he’s such a good boy,” said Raible, co-vice president of the Tarentum-based Paws Across Pittsburgh. Axel underwent three blood transfusions and an amputation, but is expected...
Part-time Harrison manager resigns; township seeking replacement
Harrison commissioners are seeking a new manager for the township after Rich Hill resigned Monday. Hill, part-time manager for about three years, submitted a letter to the board in which he cited the pursuit of new opportunities. Hill could not be reached for comment Tuesday. His resignation is effective March...
Building the Valley: Health and wellness on the menu at Sincerely Yoga and Massage in Tarentum
Slow flow meditation and gentle yoga are keys to holistic wellness offered by Amy Feldbusch at her Sincerely Yoga and Massage studio in Tarentum. “People need stress relief for their health,” said Feldbusch, a licensed therapist from Vandergrift who has operated from a cozy space along West Ninth Avenue for...
Cub Scouts, First United Presbyterian host pancake dinner for Shrove Tuesday
The Rev. Phil Beck is looking for a few hungry people to eat roughly a few hundred pancakes, all for free. His church, First United Presbyterian in Tarentum, is hosting a pancake dinner to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, the night before the start of Lent. It is co-hosted by Cub Scout...
Highlands hosts Early Childhood Fair to help youngest learners acclimate
Highlands families with children who will be enrolling in school this fall can get acquainted with the district’s Early Childhood Center during a two-day event this week. The Early Childhood Fair, an annual tradition to welcome the district’s youngest learners, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday....
Blawnox resident Ann Casile recalled for tremendous volunteer spirit
Ardent volunteer Ann Casile is being recalled by friends as a true champion of her Blawnox community. Casile died Feb. 17 at age 87. A founding member of Aspinwall Meals on Wheels, which operates from St. Edward Church in Blawnox, Casile left her mark as a woman who was born...
Aldi to open store in Natrona Heights
It’s official: Aldi is coming to Natrona Heights. Company officials confirmed the announcement Monday, saying construction of the discount supermarket is expected to begin later this year. No other details were released, including the exact location of the store. “We are excited to confirm we are planning to open a...
Freeport, Highlands are ‘All in This Together’
When the curtains rise next week on Freeport Area High School’s production of “High School Musical,” Troy Bolton and Sharpay Evans will be watching from the audience — sort of. Actors from Highlands High School — set to perform the show’s sequel, “High School Musical, 2: On Stage!” — will...
Community garden in Harrison aims to offer food, fellowship
An old T-ball field along Burtner Road in Harrison will transform into a community garden this spring, complete with veggies, herbs and a tool-lending library. Highlands Partnership Network and Citizens Hose Fire-EMS-Rescue, with help from state Sen. Lindsey Williams, are working to provide fresh food and fellowship for Harrison residents....
Bethel A.M.E. in Tarentum builds community connections through fish fry
Tom Pendergast knew better than to procrastinate ordering his fish dinner from Bethel A.M.E. Church on Saturday. “It’s always good,” said Pendergast, a Brackenridge resident who has patronized the sale for years. “And it always sells out.” More than 100 people flocked to the church along West Seventh Avenue in...
Portion of Sharpsburg’s Main Street to close through March
A long-term closure of Main Street in Sharpsburg is expected to begin Tuesday. Road construction will begin at 6 a.m., with crews working to install sanitary and stormwater sewer lines, PennDOT announced. Specifically, traffic will be detoured between Sixth and Eighth streets. Work is part of a $3.8 million improvement...
Highlands School District, teachers union agree to 5-year deal
Highlands School District teachers, who have been without a contract for more than seven months, have a five-year deal that runs through June 2026. The district and the Highlands Education Association announced the contract agreement Wednesday after the two sides ratified a plan that includes average annual pay increases of...
