Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 24
Shady Side Academy celebrates lifting of final beam for $26 million Rockwell Middle School
The geometric steel shell nestled among the wooded campus of Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel looks peculiarly out of place. But as construction moves along on the 49,300-square-foot Rockwell Middle School, leaders said the building will fit seamlessly into the school’s transformation of its campus at 423 Fox Chapel...
Republican Gary Lotz takes on Democrat Mandy Steele for 33rd House seat
Republican newcomer Gary Lotz will take on Democrat incumbent Mandy Steele for the state House seat representing the 33rd District, which runs from Aspinwall to Harrison. Both candidates have long made their homes in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Lotz, the vice president of Dick Building Co., lives in Harmar. Steele grew...
Roundup: 3 stabbed in Mellon Park; Car crashes into New Kensington Denny’s
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 22: 3 people stabbed in Mellon Park Two men are in critical condition after being stabbed in the chest near Pittsburgh’s Mellon Park playground, authorities said. Police were called at about 12:45 a.m. to the park along...
Police investigating death of 2-year-old in Fayette County
The death of a two-year-old girl in Fayette County has been labeled suspicious by Coroner Bob Baker, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The victim was identified as Margaret Nunn. Police were called at about noon Monday to the Village of Searights apartments in Menallen Township for a medical emergency....
Ikon, police dog declined by Tarentum, finds new home
Ikon the police dog has found a home. The 18-month-old German shepherd, gifted to — and declined by — Tarentum police from country singer Brian Kelley, will join the Coraopolis police department. “Our officer picked him up on Thursday so they can start their bonding process,” Coraopolis Chief Jason Stewart...
Former Steelers throw support behind Harris, Trump
Several big-name former Pittsburgh Steelers are making a final play to ramp up support for presidential nominees Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. On Sunday, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, “Mean” Joe Greene and the family of the late Franco Harris joined together to endorse Vice President Harris. “It’s time for us...
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s task force says Trump assassination attempt was preventable
Firsthand accounts from law enforcement officials at the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler County detail a critical lack of communication, according to a report released by a congressional task force. The shooting by gunman Thomas Crooks grazed Trump’s ear, injured two men and killed...
Woman killed in Donegal Township crash
A 23-year-old woman was killed late Sunday in a crash in Donegal Township, Washington County. The victim was identified as Alyssa Hutchison of Washington, Pa., by Coroner Tim Warco’s office. The crash happened just before 8 p.m. on Route 40 when the motorcycle Hutchison was riding was hit by a...
Morning Roundup: CMU officer injured during Trump motorcade; Code Orange Air Quality Day issued
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Oct. 22: CMU officer injured in Trump motorcade A Carnegie Mellon University police officer was injured in a crash while en route with Donald Trump’s motorcade to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. The motorcycle officer hit a curb on...
Namdar Realty profits from Pittsburgh Mills, ‘dying’ malls
The owner of Pittsburgh Mills mall has built a real estate empire by buying dying malls and letting them deteriorate before selling off property and walking away, leaving helpless communities in its wake, according to officials where Namdar Realty Group owns assets. New York-based Namdar boasts a portfolio of nearly...
How Namdar Realty profits from Pittsburgh Mills and other ‘dying’ malls
The owner of Pittsburgh Mills mall has built a real estate empire by buying dying malls and letting them deteriorate before selling off property and walking away, leaving helpless communities in its wake, according to officials where Namdar Realty Group owns assets. New York-based Namdar boasts a portfolio of nearly...
Poll workers perform civic duty despite ramped up rhetoric
Tonia Clark doesn’t tolerate bad behavior. The Allegheny Township resident pays particular attention to the motto during twice-a-year stints as a municipal election worker. “If anyone comes in and is nasty to us or name-calling, I won’t put up with it,” said Clark, who serves as judge of elections at...
Then & Now: A look back at The Herald footprint
Here’s a spot that thousands of people pass by each day at the corner of Fox Chapel and Freeport roads in O’Hara. It might surprise some to learn the property has a lively history, dating back to the 1800s when it housed The Meadows estate of U.S. Sen. James Ross....
Fox Chapel Area Newcomers Club marks 50 years building connections
When Rita Ruscetti moved to O’Hara in the mid-1980s, she connected with new friends in no time. It was easy, she said, as a member of the Fox Chapel Area Newcomer’s Club, which hosted a slew of dinner parties, scavenger hunts and card games for people adjusting to life in...
Sharpsburg Community Library to offer remote item pickup, similar to Amazon lockers
By the end of the year, patrons at Sharpsburg Community Library will be able to order a book for remote pickup, much like they order clothes or other items for delivery to Amazon lockers. Leaders said the initiative will address barriers to library services, including limited transportation. Many people in...
Retired teacher keeps feeding Deer Lakes students
Retired Deer Lakes teacher Carol McCaskey was tired of seeing students come to school with a stomachache. “Us teachers knew the truth. We knew it was because they didn’t have food at home,” said McCaskey, who spent nearly three decades at East Union Intermediate Center and, before that, several years...
Haunted Guyasuta oozing with frights, fall-themed fun
Thrills and chills will lurk around each corner at Haunted Guyasuta but only for the bravest souls. The annual fall-themed fest features age-appropriate scares for the entire family — from the fright of your life to good old-fashioned fun. “This is one of my favorite times of the year,” Ranger...
Tarentum declines police dog gifted by singer Brian Kelley
Tarentum will have to wait for a police dog. Borough officials declined a surprise gift from country music star Brian Kelley of a police dog during an August benefit concert. Kelley donated an 18-month-old German shepherd, Ikon, during an Aug. 9 concert in West Deer that doubled as a fundraiser...
2nd runaway sheep found safe, reunited with previously rescued animal on the lam
Storm and Baby are reunited. The runaway sheep from Plum spent three weeks on the lam, creating social media buzz with sightings from Lower Burrell to Tarentum. “It’s been a nightmare,” owner Rick Borowski said. Storm, a 180-pound black-and-white male sheep, was captured Monday in Brackenridge Memorial Park with help...
No charges yet in crash that killed 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni in Natrona
Seven weeks after 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni was struck and killed by a vehicle near her North Canal Street home in Harrison, there is no word on whether the driver of that vehicle will face charges. Allegheny County Police, who led the investigation into the incident, said their report and evidence...
Stewart Elementary aide Mary Esler resurrects A-K Valley’s past for Brackenridge ghost tour
Lower Burrell resident Mary Esler loves striking up a flashy costume this time of year, whether it’s a queen’s gown for the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival or a holiday character for the students at Stewart Elementary School. “I just have a blast,” the 62-year-old Burrell School District aide said. Next week,...
Pastor Susan Moudry a ‘fantastic fit’ for Fox Chapel’s Faith United Methodist Church
The Rev. Susan Moudry believes her diverse background helped her land the job as new lead pastor at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel. “I have a background of working with a variety of people that meant this might be a good place for me,” said Moudry, 41. “The...
Highlands senior hopes people ‘cut footloose’ as local need for warm clothing surges
The Salvation Army in New Kensington never declines donations, especially not at this time of year when temperatures begin to dip and need increases. “We have already accounted for our funding resources to buy children’s coats, and we have a wait list twice as long,” business manager Laurie Suprano said....
Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum offers classical concerts to ‘build community’
Leaders at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum believe a new musical acquisition will hit a high note in creating community connections. A Yamaha baby grand piano will make its debut during Sunday’s kickoff of the 10th annual Academy Concert Series, which is free to the public. The concert will begin...
Harrison Realtor Cameron Yockey spearheading Helene relief mission
Cameron Yockey watched the devastation from Hurricane Helene unfold on TV and social media until he could no longer stomach it. He posted to Facebook on Wednesday that a one-day collection would happen at his Harrison real estate office before he and other volunteers hit the road to Black Mountain,...

