Tanisha Thomas stories, Page 14
Antioch Baptist Church in Sewickley celebrates 131 years
Albert Frank is grateful to have a place where he has been able to spread God’s word for many years. The only deacon at the Antioch Baptist Church, Frank says it feels good to have spent 60 years of his life at the church that is celebrating 131 years of...
Community Supermarket chain celebrates 94 years of business
Celebrating 94 years of business is a blessing for Howard “Howie” Rosenberg, who strives to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather when it comes to running the Community Supermarket chain. “When my grandfather was here, he stressed about taking care of customers, so we try to follow what he...
Sewickley Academy issues letter to parents addressing reasons for changes, including ‘toxic culture’
The Interim Head of School at Sewickley Academy, Ashley Birtwell, sent out a letter Aug. 4 to parents addressing the recent turmoil of events that have occurred at Sewickley Academy over the past six weeks. The letter, which the school also sent to the Sewickley Herald, comes after Academy representatives...
#PHiLLTERspace looks to save Penn Hills Cinemas by transforming it into a live entertainment hub
A local talent and Penn Hills resident hopes to save and transform the space at Penn Hills Cinemas into a live entertainment hub. The project dubbed “#PHiLLTERspace” will use the theater as a community live arts experience center while it is not showing movies by combining grassroots and independent live...
Penn Hills Parks & Recreation holds mini Summerfest after canceling last yearVideo
Debbie Mizerski effortlessly blew up balloons to create hats for young children eager to have a unique fashion statement to parade around with on their heads at Friendship Park on Aug. 7. “Be careful not to pop it,” she advised one child as she gently placed the twisted balloon hat...
Monroeville woman surprised with party for 100th birthday
Turning 100 feels no different for Monroeville resident Mary Jane Murphy, who reached the milestone Aug 1. Born in Scottdale in 1921, she attended schools in the area through eighth grade before moving to Charleroi and graduating from Charleroi High School in 1939. Murphy married in 1943 and had four...
Neighbor Spotlight: Monroeville girl, 10, creates her own newspaper to bring together neighborhood
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: Penn Hills resident makes impact in community through Shade Tree Commission leadership
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...
Schultheis Bros. celebrates 75 years with roof giveaway
A Plum heating, cooling and roofing company with Penn Hills roots is celebrating an anniversary milestone by giving back to the community. Schultheis Bros., 1001 Millers Lane, will be holding a “Great Roof Giveaway” to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Founded in 1946 by brothers Bill and Richard Schultheis, the pair...
Neighbor Spotlight: St. Matthew A.M.E Zion Church trustee is go-to person
Being the go-to person for everything while keeping a church afloat can be overwhelming for 85-year-old Helene Zacharias, but it shows that people put a lot of trust in her. “It feels good if people are always seeking you out,” she said. Zacharias is a trustee and chairperson of renovation...
Sewickley Community Center receives donation from Tapas Talks to help fund pool renovations
The Sewickley Community Center received a $600 donation Wednesday afternoon to help fund its pool renovations. Tapas Talks, a speaker series in Sewickley that highlights the talent and achievements of individuals in the Sewickley area, provided the donation to the center. The organization has previously donated to the Sewickley YMCA...
Rosedale Civic Association works to continue improving life in Rosedale community
Rosedale residents can expect some new and exciting projects as a community group aims to enhance life in the neighborhood. The Rosedale Civic Association — formed in March 2020 — is made up of longtime Rosedale community members. “Ultimately the idea is having a community where we are working together...
Monroeville police: National Night Out event proves successful after missing out last yearVideo
Alana Grant marveled at the big white-and-yellow STAT MedEvac helicopter parked on one of the grass fields in Monroeville Community Park West. “Please come sit with me,” the 5-year-old North Versailles resident begged her 10-year-old brother Quincy Palmer, who was occupied with his popcorn. Grant beamed happily as Flight Nurse...
Rotary Club of Monroeville brings community together to hold dedication of a Peace Pole
The Rotary Club of Monroeville held a dedication ceremony July 31 for its recently installed Peace Pole in Monroeville Community Park West. An estimated crowd of 150 people sat in lawn chairs wrapped around the area of where the pole stands in the park. The 12-foot-tall stainless steel pole features...
The Municipality of Penn Hills hosts job fair to attract employees, promote businesses
Penn Hills residents looking for an opportunity to get their foot in the job market door were able to do so at a job fair July 31 at the Penn Hills Government Center. The outdoor event showcased a variety of employers and services from around Penn Hills and the Pittsburgh...
Sewickley Academy parents meet with administrations to discuss diversity, inclusion plan
A group of concerned parents met with Sewickley Academy representatives Friday to discuss the school’s direction with its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice plan. The parents met with two faculty members; three school board members, including the president; and interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell. The meeting follows a...
Sewickley Academy interim head of school says low enrollment influenced leadership changes
Interim head of school at Sewickley Academy Ashley Birtwell is pushing back on the idea the Sewickley Parents Organization is influencing the school’s decisions. Five administrators and a fifth-grade teacher were let go on July 21. One of the administrators who was terminated, former director of admissions and financial aid...
Barberry Farm in Sewickley Heights is home to Texas Longhorn cattleVideo
Jeremy Kronz ducks and dodges as he sprinkles nugget treats around the grassland for Texas Longhorn cattle to gobble up. The Barberry Farm manager has grown accustomed to the timing when the cattle swing their protruding horns around to shake off the flies they attract during the hot summer days....
Scouts from Pack 184 create project aimed to increase bird population in Heritage Park in Monroeville
Scouts from Pack 184 added a fresh touch of nature to Heritage Park in Monroeville to help increase the bird population in the area. A group of 16 scouts from kindergarten through third grade came together in May to build birdhouses and bird feeders, and plant blueberry and raspberry bushes...
Quaker Valley school board approves 2021-22 health and safety plan
The Quaker Valley school board voted unanimously 8-0 with one board member absent to approve the school district’s 2021-22 health and safety plan on July 27. The plan will take effect at the start of the school year on Aug. 25 for students in grades K-9 and Aug. 26 for...
Group of Sewickley Academy parents to meet with administrators to discuss concerns about leadership changes
A group of Sewickley Academy parents plans to meet with the school’s administration Friday to discuss their concerns about the academy’s recent changes. Kaitlin Busch, the academy’s communications and publications specialist, said the meeting is not open to the public, but the academy is committed to having ongoing conversations with...
Construction project at Monroeville Public Library looks to fix water issues, improve accessibility
The Monroeville Public Library will undergo some changes to help make the building and its surroundings more accessible for patrons. Alice Rathjen, Public Relations Contractor for the library, said construction will begin Aug. 2 with a completion date to be determined. Improvements include a new front driveway and walkway, four...
Richard King Mellon Foundation grants $250,000 to jump-start program for Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
The Richard King Mellon Foundation granted $250,000 to help jump-start a digital career readiness pilot program for Pittsburgh-area Elementary students. The grant was awarded to MicroSociety Inc., a Philadelphia-based education nonprofit, to collaborate with the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (PHCSE) and Duquesne University on the project. “We are...
Penn Hills High School hosts sports event aimed to bring together the community, first respondersVideo
Penn Hills School District officials hosted a family-fun event showcasing community building Sunday afternoon. The high school gymnasium stands, filled with community members, were buzzing with noise to watch high school students from the basketball and volleyball teams be put to the test as they played against first responders and...
Sewickley Academy experiences leadership changes, pressure from parent group to eliminate equity initiative
Sewickley Academy is experiencing additional leadership changes following the departure of its former head of school, Kolia O’Connor, on July 1. Interim Head of School Ashley Birtwell announced the departure of five administrators and a fifth-grade teacher July 21. The positions included Head of Lower School Ryan Baxter, Director of...
