Mary Ann Thomas stories, Page 36

It has been at least 40 years that Gregory Utz of Lawrenceville has been shopping for groceries at 4401 Liberty Ave. He remembers back decades ago when it was a Kroger’s and other grocers, but most recently it was a Shursave IGA. Shursave closed last month after the Liberty Avenue...

Looking for a Chromebook? You might wait a while. Nationally, there is a backlog of Chromebook orders because of high demand for them during the coronavirus pandemic. At least two local school districts and the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit are still waiting on ones they ordered, and they’re not sure if...

In a township that protects its rural character and quietness, some Upper Burrell residents are railing against a proposal for the development of a Dollar General store along Route 780 near Dewey Drive. A discussion of the proposal came up during a township supervisors meeting earlier this month. “We live...

Horses are encouraged — people, not so much — to attend the North Allegheny Horsemen’s Association Horse Show at North Park this Sunday. It’s one of the rare public events that Allegheny County Parks has approved during covid-19 pandemic regulations. The Allegheny County Health Department’s limit of 50 people to...

After Allegheny Valley School District parents and school board members questioned a proposal for a phased reopening last week, the board approved a revised plan Thursday night for an all-virtual first month of school. Allegheny Valley School District students are scheduled to start Aug. 24 via virtual learning for a...

The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t hampered interest in a fundraiser that preserves the legacy of a New Kensington police officer who was killed in the line of duty. The third Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Ride and Event, set for Aug. 16, is sold out, with ride slots still open for...

Upper Burrell Supervisors are no longer considering allowing all-terrain vehicles on township roads. Supervisors floated the idea recently after seeing the interest in Gilpin Township, which recently opened some township roads to ATVs. Both Gilpin and Upper Burrell are rural municipalities where many residents own ATVs. Westmoreland County as a...

Earlier this week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh received calls about a runaway barge hung up on the Allegheny River’s Lock and Dam No. 4 in Harrison. Sure enough, a 195-foot-long barge was on the dam, but it was strategically placed there for an important mission: to...

Upper Burrell Supervisors on Wednesday shelved a proposal to impose a fire tax to support the township’s volunteer department in response to concerns from residents. “The time for a tax increase is not now,” said resident Dan Myers. Others attending Wednesday’s meeting echoed Myers, saying many residents and businesses are...

As Burrell School District parents decide whether their children will learn at home online or attend classes in person, the school board is hoping not too many will choose a cyber school outside of the district. That could potentially cost the district several hundred thousand dollars. During a special meeting...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Pittsburgh District plans to spend $12.9 million to install two new dam lift gates and a new control system at the Montgomery Locks and Dam along the Ohio River in Beaver County. The Montgomery facility is third-busiest navigation facility in the region with 17...

Friday was the deadline for parents of students in the Steel Valley School District to decide if they will attend school in-person for two days a week or go the remote learning route. “Parents have been receptive to the plan we’ve have created for students to go back to school,”...

District officials are investigating the “Zoom-bombing” of a recent Allegheny Valley School Board meeting via the Zoom internet platform. During the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom have gained popularity with everyone — including hackers. Known as Zoom-bombing, people with fake identities enter virtual public meetings to disrupt...

Allegheny Valley School Board on Tuesday approved its Health Safety Plan for the upcoming school year, but is still debating how students will return to school. The district is considering whether to open school buildings to its more than 900 students at the same time or to have a portion...

The Upper Burrell Township supervisors plan to discuss a 3-mill tax increase for a new safety tax primarily benefiting the township’s sole fire department during their meeting on Wednesday. If the 3-mill tax is approved, the average homeowner with a home assessed at about $21,000 would pay $63 a year...

The Burrell School Board plans to vote Tuesday to reopen all schools when classes resume next month while providing an option for students to attend classes online from home. “It’s the closest thing to being there,” board President Tricia Shank said of the virtual option. Students can switch up between...

As Brandon D. “B-Dog” Hawkins lived life full throttle, expect nothing less for his funeral home viewing and services. Hawkins’ family is celebrating the memory of the underwater welder and laborer who died July 20 on the job in Johnstown. Hawkins, of Bell Township, was 26. He was a 2012...

Upper Burrell Supervisors are considering allowing all-terrain vehicles to use locally owned roads. The Gilpin Township Supervisors approved a measure earlier this month to designate certain township roads as “joint use” for motor vehicles and ATVs, and that appeared to inspire Upper Burrell to explore enacting a similar measure. Both...

Springdale Township will hold a free event Sunday in which people can dispose of large household items in a dumpster at the township building on Plate Drive. The special disposal event, scheduled from noon to 3 p.m., is sponsored by the Bear’s Inn on Hite Road. “It’s easier for residents...

Allegheny Valley School Board will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the district’s health and safety plan for reopening schools. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar. Residents can attend the meeting in person, listen in on their phone or watch...