Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 89
Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department purchases new $700,000 aerial truckVideo
To mark their 150th year in service, Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department bought itself a gift. A $700,000 Spartan Metro Star 75-foot aerial truck rolled into town this month, replacing the former ladder truck that was 21 years old. “This thing is beautiful,” Chief Lou Costanzo, a volunteer for 43 years,...
Sharpsburg VFD recalls Peggy Panza as heart and soul of Ladies Auxiliary
Members of the Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department are recalling the ‘heart and soul’ of the Ladies Auxiliary, Peggy Panza, who passed away April 24 at the age of 98. “We were her firefighters,” fire President Dennis Lane said. “She made sure we were taken care of.” Panza served as Auxiliary...
Municipalities looking for park rentals to return ‘to normal’
Parks and outdoor spaces drew loads of visitors during the covid-19 pandemic but pavilion rentals waned. With Gov. Tom Wolf lifting most mitigation mandates at midnight on Memorial Day, officials are gearing up for what they hope is a busy picnic season in area parks. “We expect our rentals to...
UPMC St. Margaret to host free program on dangers of vaping
E-cigarettes, the trendy smoking alternative which skyrocketed to popularity in recent years, remain a public health crisis, UPMC St. Margaret respiratory physicians warned. Hospital officials are coordinating with the St. Margaret Foundation to host a virtual program to explain the risks. The free session will be at 10 a.m. on...
Hampton’s Recycle Rama event set for May 15
Hampton’s wildly popular Recycle Rama is set for Saturday, with organizers expecting a slew of people to discard electronics, construction materials and glass. Just two years ago, more than 50,000 pounds of electronic waste was collected, according to JVS Environmental, which has also signed on as a vendor this year....
O’Hara considering referendum on vacant council appointments
Changes could be coming to the way O’Hara fills council vacancies. Residents got the chance to weigh in on two proposed changes to the township’s home rule charter during a May 11 council meeting. The discussion of whether to change how council vacancies are filled drew much attention, with several...
$1 million in paving on tap for Hampton streets
Hampton residents can look forward to more than $1 million in road improvements this summer. Council approved the township’s road program to include nearly two dozen streets. Cost is $1.07 million and was awarded to Shields Asphalt Paving. Work is expected to begin in June and could last through Aug....
Slight tax increase likely for Fox Chapel Area residents
Fox Chapel Area School District residents might pay slightly more in school taxes in 2021-2022 if a proposed $104 million budget is approved in June. The school board on Monday night voted to move ahead with the tentative budget which calls for a tax rate of 20.12 mills, a 1.3%...
EZPZ Gatherings keeps food simple, memorable
Ever wonder how to create those trendy charcuterie boards bursting with meats, cheese, fruits and veggies? Now you don’t have to. A new prep kitchen is scheduled to open May 16 in Aspinwall, where owner of EZPZ Gatherings, Sarah Tuthill, will create the elaborate spreads for you. “I’m not a...
Fox Chapel Area earns Blood Drive Hero award from Vitalant
As Fox Chapel Area High School Community Outreach Director, Rachel Machen’s mission is to show students how to put good into the world. Machen, longtime organizer of the school’s blood drives for Vitalant, didn’t let the covid-19 pandemic thwart her efforts. She arranged blood drives at a nearby Harmar location...
Student news: Cum Laude awards, technology honors, essay winners and more
Shady Side Academy Cum Laude Awards Twenty-three Shady Side Academy seniors were recognized for academic excellence by being inducted into the SSA Chapter of the Cum Laude Society on May 3. They are Ishika Arora, Gabriella Bernier, Luke Brennan, Joshua Castro, Caesar Curran-Blakely, Annabel Everett, Caroline Green, Tyler Hart, Gabriela...
The top stories from across the Lower Valley from the week of May 2, 2021Video
Here are the top stories from across the Lower Valley for the week of May 2, 2021: • Sharpsburg church closes after 134 years First English Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg hosted its last service on Easter Sunday. The church first opened its doors in 1887 but faced a dwindling congregation....
2 seeking open position to represent Fox Chapel Area School Board in Region 2
Editor’s note: The Herald is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election. Fox Chapel Area residents in Region 2 will see two nominees vying for one open position, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list. Region 2 covers Fox Chapel Borough Districts 2, 4, and...
5 nominees seeking 4 spots on the Republican ballot for Fox Chapel council; 2 Dems running unopposed in primary
Editor’s note: The Herald is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election. The race for Fox Chapel council is drawing a lot of attention this year, with seven nominees vying for four open positions. According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, there are two Democrats...
2 seeking Republican nomination for O’Hara council Ward 3
Editor’s note: The Herald is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election. According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, there are two Republican nominees seeking a place on the fall ballot for O’Hara council in Ward 3. Here are their responses provided to Tribune-Review questions....
First English Lutheran Church of Sharpsburg closes its doors after 134 yearsVideo
Easter Sunday was bittersweet for the Rev. Tricia Schneck, the interim pastor at First English Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg. Schneck presided over the final service at the borough institution, which first opened its doors in 1887. “It is very sad because this is a close congregation, and they have always...
O’Hara’s Ward 4 voters will see 2 names on ballot but only 1 nominee still in the race
Editor’s note: The Herald is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election. According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, there are two nominees on the ballot in O’Hara’s Ward 4 but one of them, Rebecca Brown, has withdrawn from the race. The decision came after...
Hampton approves resolution to discourage use of coal tar
Hampton council became the fourth municipality in the state to take a stand against coal tar use in the township, though the board stopped short of banning the toxic chemical. Coal tar is the black liquid commonly used to seal parking lots and playgrounds. It is a potent source of...
Permanent StoryWalk opens in Aspinwall
Strolling through Aspinwall Fireman’s Memorial Park just got a bit more picturesque. Cooper-Siegel Community Library opened its permanent StoryWalk, a display of colorful, oversized children’s book pages that line the path at the park in upper Aspinwall. It is the first permanent display in Allegheny County, Jill McConnell, library executive...
Shaler-Hampton EMS, police departments to present bike rodeo offering safety tips, helmet fittings for young cyclists
Just in time for cycling weather, Shaler-Hampton EMS is coordinating with local police to offer a bike rodeo for area youth. The event is free for anyone from teens to toddlers on training wheels. It will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 22 at Kiwanis Park along Meyer...
Aspinwall considering tax credit for emergency responders
Aspinwall emergency responders could soon be in line for a tax break. Council is considering a special tax credit for fire and EMS volunteers that would slash up to $300 from their Earned Income Tax (EIT) or cut 20% from property taxes. “This is a new initiative that the borough...
Covid vaccine appointments available today at Heinz Field
People seeking a covid-19 vaccination can get one Wednesday through a Giant Eagle-sponsored clinic at Heinz Field. Dick Roberts, spokesman for the O’Hara-based company, said appointments remain available at the event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Giant Eagle partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools for the clinic, with a specific...
Hampton School District gauging interest in on-site covid-19 vaccination clinic
Hampton School District students, staff and family who are interested in getting a covid-19 vaccination might be able to do so at an on-campus clinic in May. The district is gauging interest from the community before making a final decision on hosting a clinic. Pfizer vaccines will be doled out...
O’Hara teacher/attorney Dave Turner seeking Lower Valley judge seat
An O’Hara teacher seeking the Lower Valley magistrate office said his classroom experience positions him well to find practical solutions. Dave Turner, an attorney-turned-educator, said his teaching background might be even more useful than his experience in the courtroom. “Through education, I’ve gotten used to finding solutions for young men...
Best of Blawnox hosts seed swap, preps for community garden
A seed swap hosted by the Best of Blawnox group was aimed at growing community spirit, organizers said. More than 100 people turned out to share gardening tips and exchange vegetable and flower seeds in preparation of growing season. “We had a great day,” organizer Diane Casile said. “It was...
