Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 90
Week in review: The Herald’s top stories for the week of March 1, 2021Video
Here’s a look at The Herald’s top stories for the week of March 1: • George McBriar steps down at Blawnox VFC Blawnox fire Chief George McBriar retired after 32 years on the job, saying it was time to relax. He has been a staple of Lower Valley emergency services...
New director at Etna Community Organization demonstrates commitment to the borough
Armed with a passion for her small river town and a desire for its revitalization, Megan Tunon has taken the lead at the Etna Community Organization. A seven-year resident of the borough who also serves on council, Tunon hopes to advance projects of the Etna EcoDistrict and expand on the...
Blawnox launches Adopt-A-Block program to keep borough clean
Blawnox is launching a new beautification program in the weeks leading up to Earth Day. Adopt-A-Block is a volunteer initiative designed to rid the streets of litter and other debris. Spearheaded by residents Casey Cunningham and Leah Krenn, it is a simple way to show community pride, the duo said....
Aspinwall resident, former Allegheny County assistant district attorney, seeking District Judge position
A former Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney is calling for increased diversity in the court system and will seek to fill the vacant magistrate office in Sharpsburg. Jen Evashavik, an Aspinwall resident for more than 20 years, said she has worked tirelessly through both her professional and personal life to...
Neighbor Spotlight: Blawnox fire chief, coordinator of Allegheny County Swiftwater Rescue Team, retires after 32 years
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Neighbor Spotlight: Etna pastor, a North Hills native, works to build communityVideo
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
3 UPMC St. Margaret nurses honored with Pitt’s Cameos of Caring award
For their bedside manner and for giving priority to patient care, three UPMC St. Margaret nurses were honored with the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing’s Cameos of Caring award. Meghan Jones of Edgewood, Amber Cole of Verona and Karen Coyne of Burgettstown were chosen for the top honors. “Cameos...
Glenshaw church hosting Fill-A-Truck food fundraiser to benefit Etna food bank
Members of Glenshaw Presbyterian Church are campaigning for an even larger than usual turnout for their Fill-A-Truck event to help feed the hungry. The increased need for food pantry services during covid-19 has caused a 33% spike in the number of patrons at Bread of Life food pantry in Etna,...
Spring programs at Lauri Ann West Community Center include STEAM classes
Spring programs that include STEAM classes and art lessons begin this week at Lauri Ann West Community Center in O’Hara. Jamie Rhoades, director of development, said the staff wanted to utilize the Maker Studio for creative, hands-on science- and engineering-related activities, in addition to the usual sports and ballet sessions....
Allison Berger not seeking reelection for O’Hara council
O’Hara councilwoman Allison Berger won’t seek reelection when her term expires in December, leaving wide open the race for the Fourth Ward. Berger said she’ll miss the conversation and debate that goes hand in hand with municipal government but that it’s time to step down. “The decision is for time...
Fox Chapel Area students could be returning full-time to the classroom
Fox Chapel Area middle school and high school students could return to the classroom full-time by mid-March, Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac announced Monday. “After carefully weighing the appropriate time to bring students back, I’m recommending a shift to 5-day per week, full-time in-person instruction for pre-kindergarten, Dorseyville Middle School and...
Pittsburgh Field Club welcomes new PGA golf pro Christian Sheehan
A Rhode Island native is the new PGA Head Golf Professional at the historic Pittsburgh Field Club off Squaw Run Road in Fox Chapel. Christian Sheehan will manage golf operations, including tournaments and outings, membership programming and golf shop merchandising. “My most memorable golf experiences are simply watching the club...
Pittsburgh police seek help finding missing Carrick teen
Pittsburgh police are seeking help to find a teen last seen more than a week ago. Niya Peterson, 16, of Carrick was seen at about 3:30 p.m. Feb. 18 wearing a black coat and Ugg boots. Police said Peterson, who is 5 foot 1 inch tall and has long yellow...
Original Works Theater Festival at Shady Side Academy goes virtual
Her passion for theater and duty as an arts educator wouldn’t allow Shady Side Academy Theater Director Dana Hardy-Bingham to cancel a 10-year tradition that is the school’s “Original Works Theater Festival.” Covid-19, however, has forced it to be an online production. “Producing theater in the midst of a global...
Cash 5 winning ticket worth $825,298 sold in Bridgeville
Someone who bought a Pennsylvania Lottery ticket in Bridgeville is going home richer. A winning Cash 5 ticket worth $825,298 was sold Feb. 20 at CoGo’s along Station Street, according to Lottery officials. The ticket matched all five numbers — 8-24-34-39-43. Store owners will get a $5,000 bonus for selling...
Sinkhole partially swallows Shaler street sweeper
A sinkhole partially swallowed a street sweeper in Shaler Plaza early Thursday, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. Roads have since reopened in the area where a waterline break happened about 2 a.m. and caused water to gush along Butler Street and Saxonburg Boulevard. The street sweeper was in a...
Etna appoints Alice Gabriel to fill council vacancy
Etna council has a new representative, one who said the borough’s revitalization inspired her to consider serving in local government. Alice Gabriel, who moved to the borough two years ago, was appointed by council during its Feb. 16 meeting. She will fill the unexpired term of the late Rudy Milcic,...
Pittsburgh Public Schools plan phased return to in-person classes in April
Pittsburgh Public Schools are planning a phased return of students to the classroom beginning April 6, with the first spots reserved for the youngest learners and those who are struggling with online learning. The district late Monday announced student-support categories ahead of in-person instruction. The categories are based on students’...
O’Hara seeking $770,000 from Allegheny County for stormwater upgrades
O’Hara council is seeking more than $770,000 in Allegheny County grants for stormwater projects across the township. Council green-lighted three applications to the county’s Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund. They include: • $250,000 for the Greenwood Cemetery stormwater project. • $250,000 for the Epsilon Drive work. • $220,000 for a...
Countdown is on: 3 days until Chick-fil-A opens in O’Hara
Major buzz is surrounding the opening of Chick-fil-A in O’Hara this week, with hordes of hungry customers clamoring for waffle fries while others are voicing concern about traffic tangles from the fast food hot spot along Freeport Road. The nation’s top-rated food chain is set to open Thursday in a...
A look back at some of the top stories from The Herald area for the week of Feb. 15, 2021Video
Here are some of the top stories for the week of Feb. 15: • Local churches deliver Lenten messages Ash Wednesday, with or without the black ashes, kicked off the Lenten season with many parishes across the Lower Valley opting for services or online programs in lieu of the traditional...
Residents escape without injury in Bethel Park house fire
No one was injured in an early-morning fire in Bethel Park on Monday, according to fire authorities. Emergency crews were called shortly after 3:30 a.m. to a home in the 700 block of McMurray Road. Crews found smoke billowing from the two-story home but were able to knock the fire...
Shaler eyeing $1.5 million in road paving
Shaler commissioners are eyeing a hearty road paving program this year, with nearly two dozen streets on the list for improvements. Manager Tim Rogers said the board allotted $1.5 million for road work as part of this year’s $14.5 million budget. The list includes: • Locust Ridge, Chapleau, Mica, Peters,...
Shaler Area School Board greenlights 4-day, in-person schedule
Shaler Area students can return to the classroom four days a week, beginning in March, through a phased transition approved Feb. 17 by the school board. Under the plan, the district’s youngest learners would have the option to return first. As proposed, students in kindergarten through third grade can be...
Lenten message delivered across Lower Valley, with or without ashes
Christians who were unable to get ashes swabbed across their forehead to celebrate the start of Lent shouldn’t despair. Ash Wednesday, with or without the black ashes, kicks off a season inner reflection and repentance, according to the Rev. Jim Gretz, the pastor of St. Matthew Parish. “I have always...
