Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 3
Attorney pushing for ‘justice’ in Highlands teacher Sean Dicer’s misconduct case
Attorney Sean Logue believes Highlands School District should be held accountable for the alleged actions of a former teacher who police have charged with sexual assault against three students. Logue, a Carnegie-based lawyer, does not represent any of the alleged victims of former teacher Sean Dicer, 53, of Brackenridge. He...
Lottery winners take home combined $3.5M in Harrison, Lower Burrell
Two people in the Alle-Kiski Valley are much richer after buying winning lottery tickets in Harrison and Lower Burrell. Someone won $3 million after buying a “3’s a Charm” scratch-off at the Welmart convenience store along Alter Road in Harrison’s Natrona Heights section, according to Pennsylvania Lottery officials. The ticket...
Harrison’s new fire tax will fund $1.3 million engine for Citizens Hose
A newly established fire tax in Harrison will help pay for a $1.3 million fire engine at Citizens Hose. In December, the township commissioners voted to create a 0.55-mill tax solely to help with fire apparatus and other specialized equipment. The money will be used to benefit each of the...
Ice jams cause flooding risks along Allegheny River
Emergency crews and weather experts are keeping an eye on ice jams on the Allegheny River in Emlenton, Venango County, to determine what might be heading toward Freeport, Harrison and points farther south over the next two days. “There’s some ice jams happening upstream and impacting structures by the water...
Fawn-Frazer storage tank slated for overhaul
The Burtner Road water storage tank in Fawn, parts of which are original to the 1970s, will be overhauled this year. Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority was awarded a $422,000 state grant for the work. The money comes from the state’s Small Water and Sewer Fund. The authority will pay $74,500...
Tarentum cuts hours at spray park to lessen strain on water system
Tarentum’s popular spray park will operate under shorter hours this summer while the borough maneuvers through a multimillion-dollar water system overhaul. The park along First Avenue will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – about three hours less than usual. “This adjustment is intended to ensure we maintain...
Art depicting life: Blawnox’s historic sculpture is symbol for small town
A wooden sculpture titled “The Steelworker and Family” has long been the symbol of Blawnox, but only recently has the artwork’s backstory come to light. Historian and author Tom Powers said the sculpture is enjoying renewed interest after he chose it to adorn the cover of the borough’s recent centennial...
Former Highlands teacher headed to court on 2nd set of charges
The defense attorney for a former Highlands elementary school teacher accused of indecent assault on two students attempted Tuesday during a preliminary hearing to paint the alleged interactions as merely friends hugging. Attorney Duke George, representing former Highlands School District teacher Sean Dicer during a preliminary hearing Wednesday at District...
No injuries reported in chemical reaction at ATI Vandergrift
ATI Vandergrift officials said there was no risk to the community after a chemical reaction that impacted air quality for workers. Emergency crews were called to the plant along Lincoln Avenue at about 12:45 p.m., according to Westmoreland County dispatchers. No one was injured, ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said. “A...
Sewer project coming to Oak Manor Drive in Harrison
A sanitary sewer realignment is on tap for Harrison. Commissioners have been eyeing the work along Oak Manor Drive as a “proactive investment in critical utility infrastructure,” Township Manager Amy Rockwell said. The work is expected to take up to 15 weeks. Harrison will get about $280,000 from the state...
Police mergers prove beneficial for Western Pa.’s smaller communities
Police mergers, which have long provided staffing and financial relief for smaller departments, are emerging as a solution for forces of all sizes across the Alle-Kiski Valley. As equipment costs climb and retaining part-timers becomes increasingly difficult, consolidation is more often being eyed for viability. “There are only so many...
Rivertown Changemakers program helps people shape life in Sharpsburg, Etna and Millvale
The Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization is kicking off a new season of its Rivertown Changemakers initiative — for people with big ideas on how to improve their hometown. The program is meant to empower residents to become ambassadors for change in Sharpsburg, Etna and Millvale. “We know that Sharpsburg, Etna and...
Quiet Lower Burrell neighborhood recovers from SWAT standoff, shooting
Randy Bargerstock Sr. said Saturday night’s police standoff on his typically quiet street in Lower Burrell was like something out of a movie. “It was pretty wild,” Bargerstock said of the incident during which resident Jordan Blaise Lindner, 29, was shot by police. “There were police everywhere, (Lindner) was shooting...
Morning Roundup: Stabbing in Market Square; fugitive on the run in Verona; fire in Wilkinsburg
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Sunday, Feb. 15: Stabbing in Market Square Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man was found stabbed late Saturday in Market Square in Downtown. Public Safety officials posted to X that the victim was transported in critical condition from...
Fiber fair dazzles in Delmont
When Dorothy Gallagher was a teacher in Poland, she took up knitting as a side hustle. “Making one sweater bought me a kilo of sausage,” she said. “Now I hand spin silk, cat fur, alpaca — all for the mental clarity and dexterity benefits.” Gallagher was among 20 or so...
Mysterious metal shards still a tire terror in Harrison, Tarentum and beyond
Shana Daly has been a victim of the social media-dubbed “Shardnado” twice. The Tarentum resident got a flat tire weeks ago while driving along Route 28 to Harmar and then again Feb. 6. Both times, a thin metal shard was the culprit. The mysterious fragments have been found on local...
Faces of the Valley: O’Hara runner makes Three Rivers Heritage Trail a better place
When Keith Arner committed to running the Pittsburgh Marathon in 2023, he hit the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Millvale regularly. Fast-forward three years, and the O’Hara resident is still running. But now he spends more time on the trail making sure it’s at its best for other walkers and...
Scott Blasey concert, organized by Highlands student, raises $4,000 for Highland HoseVideo
A fundraiser Saturday that featured The Clarks lead singer Scott Blasey brought in more than $4,000 for Highland Hose in Tarentum. Organized by Highlands Middle School eighth grader Kaley Bastine, the fundraiser was the most recent in a long line of events coordinated by the teen to help police and...
Single-lane restrictions coming to Route 28
Single-lane restrictions will be in effect along Route 28 this week. Overhead sign inspections will take place Wednesday and Thursday along northbound and southbound lanes from the Route 8 interchange near Etna to the Fox Chapel Road/Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road exit. Work will happen from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On...
Harrison eyes 6 roads for summer paving
The Harrison commissioners will tentatively target six roads in their summer paving program. The list includes Broadview Boulevard, between Idaho and California avenues, and between Idaho and Montana; State Street, from Fairmont to Princeton; Neely Street, Summit Drive, Maple Street; and 11th Avenue, from Argonne Drive to California. The township...
1970s water lines to be replaced on Bull Creek Road in Fawn
A $2.4 million water line project along Bull Creek Road in Fawn is expected to alleviate frequent line breaks that have become an issue for Fawn-Frazer Water Authority. The authority plans renovation and construction this year on an original line that stretches from its connection in Brackenridge and runs for...
Drainage work will restrict traffic in East Deer, Tarentum, Harrison and Brackenridge
A drainage project will cause single-lane restrictions in East Deer, Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison, beginning Monday. Traffic restrictions will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Bailies Run Road and Butler County while crews work on drainage, base repairs, pavement marking, guardrail improvements and other details. Weekend work...
Three Rivers Heritage Trail expanding into Swissvale
Steps continue to expand the Three Rivers Heritage Trail with a 1.2-mile section that leads to the historic Carrie Blast Furnaces in Swissvale. Friends of the Riverfront, the nonprofit that manages the 35-mile network along the Allegheny, Ohio and Monongahela riverbanks, said the extension provides a critical link to reconnect...
PennDOT plans another sweep for puzzling metal fragments in Harrison
PennDOT plans to return to Harrison once the snow melts to inspect for more of the metal shards found scattered across township roads this week. Spokesman Steve Cowan said sweeper trucks canvassed Freeport Road, Route 28 and Burtner Road on Wednesday and Thursday, picking up some of the small metal...
Man who led police on icy river pursuit held for court
The man who tried to evade Pittsburgh police by walking 5 miles along the frozen Allegheny River on Jan. 29 will remain in Allegheny County Jail. Gary Cawley, 47, of Pittsburgh was held for court during a preliminary hearing Thursday in Pittsburgh Municipal Court. Bond was set at $100,000. His...
