The Week North Hills: Return to in-person classes, pandemic chefs, Rachel Carson trail geocaching and more in the North Hills

Here are some recent Tribune-Review news stories and features from the North Hills.

For more details on these and other stories, follow the links below or find more news at TribLIVE.com.

Covid cases continue at schools in North Hills as changes to instructional models approach

School districts in northern Allegheny County continue to report new active covid-19 cases among students and as they prepare to transition from all-remote learning in the coming weeks.

The North Hills School District reported 15 new cases between Dec. 16 and Jan. 3. Between Dec. 3 and Jan. 3, North Allegheny reported five additional cases, which brought the district total to 162 since the start of the pandemic.

On Jan. 1, the Pine-Richland school district reported that there were 54 active cases in December — 42 students and 12 members of the staff.

As of Jan. 6, the total number of cases in the Hampton Township School District had increased to 72, which includes 10 active cases at the high school and one at Central Elementary.

Independent chefs say pandemic has aided business

During covid times, the question of “what’s for dinner?” has became challenging for many as restrictions, lockdowns and mandated restaurant closures occurred more than once.

Meet three Pittsburgh-area chefs — not affiliated with restaurants — providing home-cooked meals delivered to your door.

Allianna Schneider, 26, of Pine Township is among three local chefs profiled by the Tribune-Review who are working to fill the gap in dining choices because of the pandemic.

Schneider is a high-end personal chef focusing on “nutrient dense,” flavorful foods.

A former volunteer firefighter, paramedic and nanny, Schneider embraced a paleo-based nutritional protocol after experiencing autoimmune symptoms from a young age.

New geocaching game on Rachel Carson Trail encourages family hikes

A Pine Township family’s hiking experience has inspired a new game to get other families out on the Rachel Carson Trail.

Brian Vernon needed to get out of the house after working from home for months on end and helping his daughter, Lorelei, and son, Riley, learn during the covid pandemic.

Vernon saw a Facebook post about the Rachel Carson Trail and decided to give it a try in October.

Named after the late marine biologist, author and conservationist from Springdale, the trail is about 45 miles long and connects North Park to Harrison Hills Park in Harrison.

Cinemark theaters set to reopen, showing new and classic films

Cinemark reopened its Pennsylvania theaters — including the one in the McCandless Crossing Shopping Center — on Friday.

The theaters are showing new and classic films. New titles will include “Wonder Woman 1984,” “News of the World,” “Promising Young Woman,” “Monster Hunter” and others.

The other Cinemark theaters in Southwestern Pennsylvania are:

• Cinemark Monroeville Mall and XD, 600 Mall Circle Drive

• Cinemark Robinson Township and XD, 2100 Settlers Ridge Center Drive

• Cinemark Center Township Marketplace, 99 Wagner Road, Monaca, Beaver County.

Ross man gets 10 years in federal prison for soliciting sex from agent posing as a minor

A Ross man accused in 2019 of soliciting sex from an undercover agent posing as a teenager has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

Thomas Perry Stultz, 38, also was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release for his conviction on a charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. The sentence was imposed by Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.