Joyce Hanz stories, Page 36
Freeport Halloween Carnival offers fun, food and fright
A Halloween-themed carnival offers a twist on the traditional carnival scene this weekend in Freeport. The giant skeleton that greets visitors at the third annual Freeport Halloween Carnival sets a spooky but family-friendly tone. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes. The event continues from 11 a.m. to 5...
South Buffalo Township fire department’s tractor pull raises money for siblingsVideo
Tractor drivers were pulling for a purpose Saturday during the fourth annual South Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department’s benefit tractor and truck pull. The annual fundraiser raises thousands of dollars for a different Alle-Kiski Valley recipient each year. It continues until 6 p.m. This year, the fire department’s pull benefit...
Washington County DA shuts down Finleyville bar, citing ‘drug nuisance activity’
A longstanding neighborhood tavern in Washington County has been shut down by authorities after being labeled a “nuisance” bar. Police taped a sign to the front door of Bob’s Tavern on Friday, alerting customers of a temporary injunction filed on behalf of Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh, according to...
Free pumpkin giveaway planned in Vandergrift
Vandergrift’s youngest residents can get their hands on a free pumpkin during the fourth annual Vandergrift Great Pumpkin Patch. The free community event, sponsored by the Vandergrift Parent Project, is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Franklin Park in Vandergrift. “Our goal since starting the VPP is...
First regional police force on patrol in Armstrong County, covering Freeport and Gilpin
Residents of Gilpin and Freeport officially have a new regional police department. The Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department held a pinning and inaugural first shift ceremony Wednesday morning at the Gilpin Municipal Building. The new police force combines the Freeport and Gilpin police departments, providing 24-hour police coverage for both...
Shady Side Academy junior honored for his volunteer work supporting area refugees
A middle-school assignment evolved into a meaningful mission for Shady Side Academy junior Deven Nahata. While in seventh grade at SSA, his teacher assigned individual student projects with a social-based focus. “I did some Google searches for Pittsburgh nonprofits because I was really interested in the refugee crisis and found...
Kiski Area School District spearheads collaborative cyber programVideo
Four of the region’s school districts have collaborated to develop a new virtual instruction program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The Alle-Kiski Academy of Excellence offers students, from any district, the opportunity to learn in a synchronous manner from the comfort of their own homes. The four participating...
Faces of the Valley: Disabilities don’t deter Apollo man from volunteering
Terry Simmers likes to bring the fun to his volunteer job at St. Vincent de Paul in Apollo. Simmers, 48, began volunteering at the Catholic-based thrift store in 2016. “I enjoy doing what I do because helping others out gives me a great feeling, knowing that I’m important to the...
Kiski Area swim team to host clinic fundraiser
The Kiski Area High School varsity swim team is making a splash with a new fundraiser. Team organizers hope to boost swim safety awareness in the community and showcase the program during the Oct. 29 clinic. A Halloween swim theme will welcome registered participants during the one-hour swim session from...
$172,000 donation to fund overhaul of outdated fitness facility at Kiski Area High School
Kiski Area High School freshman wrestler Abrahm Taylor works out almost daily in the weight room on campus. But using outdated, old and broken equipment isn’t optimal, he said. “Everything is so old,” Taylor said Thursday during a lunchtime weightlifting session. A new weight and cardio facility renovation project is...
New specialty mobile coffee cafe opens in Gilpin
A one-woman barista is stirring up the coffee scene in Gilpin. Gilpin native Damia Lorenz, 29, opened The Caffeinated Co., a mobile coffee cafe, on Aug. 21. On most days, you’ll find the trailer parked and operating from a vacant lot next to Stu’s Truck & Auto at 352 Route...
Developer aims to revive Hyde Park Plaza in Allegheny Township
Big changes are coming to the former Big Kmart and the plaza it occupies in Allegheny Township. A new owner is redeveloping the once-busy plaza at 451 Hyde Park Road. Hyde Park Plaza was purchased for $3.8 million Sept. 16 by Pittsburgh-based developer Jeff Paul of Fox Chapel. The long-shuttered...
Volunteers beautify with blooms along the boulevard in Oakmont
A group of volunteers has major flower power in Oakmont. The Oakmont in Bloom committee from The Garden Club of Oakmont plants and maintains 27 flower beds, 12 hanging baskets, nine urns, three hay baskets and three planters along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont. The boulevard project bloomed a decade...
Preschool program in West Vandergrift sees sharp decline in enrollment amid teacher’s absence
Enrollment in Valley Points YMCA’s Explorers program at the West Vandergrift Early Learning Center in Vandergrift has dropped by about 33% since rumors about the fate of the program and its teacher began swirling on social media and in the community last week. Administrators of the preschool are dispelling rumors...
Formal Masquerade fundraiser aims to enchant in Leechburg
Fancy a formal fundraiser? The inaugural Leechburg Masquerade Ball is scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29 at The Marconi Club at 135 River Ave. in Leechburg. Proceeds from the ball benefit the Leechburg Area Community Association. Organizer and LACA volunteer Kira Karpinski of Gilpin said she pitched the...
New specialty convenience store in Leechburg offers late hours and homemade meals
There’s a new specialty market in Leechburg. Market on Second opened last week and sells made-from-scratch, grab-and-go meals, soup, sandwiches, sides and more. Everything is made fresh daily. “I opened this because I have a passion for cooking soups and pierogies,” said owner Jennifer Tony, who also owns the Beermuda...
Noted Fawn ceramics artist honored with 2022 Polonian Award
Ron Korczynski of Fawn is proud of his 100% Polish heritage. A noted ceramics artist for more than 20 years, Korczynski, 79, is the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Polonian Award by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation. An award luncheon in his honor is scheduled for Sunday at...
Hurricane Ian’s impact on Western Pa. forecast to be mild
How much rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ian can the Pittsburgh region expect to receive over the weekend? National Weather Service meteorologist Jenna Lake said most of the Pittsburgh area will remain on the edge of Ian’s system, resulting in about a half-inch of rain over the weekend. “But...
Daycation: Agritourism farm tours offer rural retreats in Waynesburg
Explore green acres in Greene County with a day trip focused on agritourism. Agritourism is described as a form of business enterprise linking agricultural businesses with tourism for education and entertainment purposes. Tourism in Greene County has created more than 480 jobs, and, in 2019, visitors spent more than $78...
Police investigate overnight shooting in Duquesne
Allegheny County police are investigating a shooting early Friday morning that left a man injured in Duquesne. Officers responded just after midnight to a report of shots fired in the 100 block of Peter Street. Responders discovered an adult man with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was transported...
Police investigate 2nd Shadyside area carjacking in 24 hours
For the second time in 24 hours, Pittsburgh police are investigating a reported carjacking near Shadyside. Pittsburgh Public Safety spokeswoman Amanda Mueller officers were called about 11:20 p.m. Thursday to the 700 block of College Street for the latest incident. Police said a driver told them three males approached, showed...
Vandergrift police seek public’s help in identifying man who they say illegally dumped a TV in Kennedy Park
Vandergrift police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man they said illegally dumped a big screen TV Wednesday in Kennedy Park. Chief Joe Caporali said surveillance footage obtained from Kennedy Park recorded a man getting out of what appears to be a dark Jeep Grand Cherokee with a...
New Leechburg Area psychologist focuses on students and service
A Freeport native is the new psychologist at Leechburg Area School District. Cortney Chelecki, 32, resides in Harrison and graduated from Freeport Area High School in 2009. But high school life had its challenges for Chelecki, and, as the district psychologist, she is dedicated to helping students navigate school in...
Kings Family Restaurant in Plum closes to make way for new Sheetz
After 48 years in business, another Pittsburgh-area Kings Family Restaurant has closed. Kings district manager George Brown confirmed that the Kings in Presque Isle Plaza in Plum’s Holiday Park neighborhood closed its doors Monday. “The plaza has been sold, and the new owner had different plans,” Brown said. “We’re still...
Man fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s St. Clair neighborhood
A fatal shooting Tuesday night has left a man dead in Pittsburgh’s St. Clair neighborhood. The man, identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner as Marcus Watts, 26, of Pittsburgh, was discovered by Pittsburgh Police around 8:15 p.m. in the 500 block of Kohne Street after officers responded to reports...
