Oakmont category, Page 44
Plum School District’s Center Elementary interim principal formally appointed to position
Plum School District officials recently appointed Monroeville resident Maria Fajt as Center Elementary’s new principal. Fajt started this school year as interim principal at the K-4 school. District officials said former principal Jason Knisely had stepped down to go back in the classroom. He is also listed as the district’s...
Oakmont’s Olive Branch Studios moving to Manos Gallery in Tarentum
The Olive Branch Art Studio on Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont will be moving to the Manos Gallery in Tarentum at the end of March. Owner Sara J. Kirsch will be named resident artist at the new location, where she will not only continue to display her own work but...
Oakmont replacing gas street lamps with modern LED lights
The Oakmont Boulevard Project is working with the borough to fund a project to replace all of the old gas lamp posts in town and update them with new LED lights. As a result, the Hometown Heroes Banner Program, which was coordinated by the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce, will be...
A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Melaina DeZort, Riverview’s Micah Black
Melaina DeZort Class: Junior School: Freeport Sport: Basketball Report card: DeZort scored 18 points and aided Freeport in a 49-42 comeback victory over Derry in an important Section 1-4A game Monday. The Yellowjackets evened their section record at 4-4 and moved into third place by a half game with the...
State Rep. Carrie DelRosso announces run for lieutenant governor
Another Pittsburgh-area politician is entering the crowded race for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor as state Rep. Carrie DelRosso, R-Oakmont, announced Wednesday that she is seeking the Republican nomination. A Scranton native who settled in the Pittsburgh region after attending the University of Pittsburgh, DelRosso won an upset victory in 2020 when...
Peter Papadakos, chanter and volunteer for many Greek churches in the Pittsburgh area, has died
Peter Papadakos was passionate about his Greek heritage, serving the church and helping anyone who needed it. Those ideals, and practicing law, were among the first things that came to mind when friends reflected on the life of the McKeesport native. A treasurer and longtime member of the Grecian Odyssey...
Plum, Riverview fall sports teams look forward to new, current rivalries
Whether they’re joined in the same conference or separated in the same or a different classification, the Plum and Franklin Regional football teams usually find themselves on the same field each season. This fall, the Mustangs and Panthers will be together again in one of three Class 5A conferences as...
Oakmont Embroidery fills unique niche
There’s a new addition to Oakmont’s creative community with the recent opening of Oakmont Embroidery, which is owned and operated by Oakmont resident and long-time artistic professional Courtney Hall-Powell. Oakmont Embroidery, which is headquartered in town, got its start in 2021 and is offering a full slate of both embroidery...
Riverview’s Fichte finds success with new bowling program
Gwyn Fichte has had quite the year so far in terms of sports success. In October, the Riverview sophomore placed 16th overall in the Class A girls race at the WPIAL cross country championships at Cal (Pa.). The finish also earned Fichte a berth to the state meet in Hershey....
Betty White’s memory to be honored at ‘Golden Girls’ parody show at Oakmont’s Oaks Theater
Part of Andrew Gold’s song “Thank You For Being A Friend” became the theme for the show “The Golden Girls.” The sitcom created by Susan Harris featured four previously married women who live together in Miami, Fla. They experienced many issues still relevant today. The show debuted in 1985 on...
Oakmont has new mayor, council president, vice president and some new council members
Oakmont has a new mayor, council president, vice president and some new council members. Sophia Facaros was sworn in as mayor by notary Jill Springer at a meeting Monday night. Facaros then swore in incumbent Councilman John Arnold and newcomers Tracey Holst, Jamie Leonardi and Amanda Pagnotta. Lindsay Osterhout was...
3 popular Oakmont restaurants have new owner; The Chelsea Grille to go Mexican
The end of 2021 also became an end of an era as three beloved Oakmont restaurants have been sold. Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco, The Chelsea Grille and Oakmont Tavern were purchased by Oakmont resident and entrepreneur John Keefe. Keefe owns three other eateries in Oakmont — The Lot at Edgewater, Pub...
Plum School District’s Make-A-Wish telethon exceeds $1M lifetime goal
With Plum School District’s Make-A-Wish telethon closing in on a lifetime collection of $1 million, high school teacher Rick Berrott was being cautious. It would be OK if they came up short, Berrott said, because whatever money they raised would go to a good cause. His caution proved to be...
Citrano, Plum wrestling team motivated to reach goals
Vinnie Citrano has great expectations for his final varsity wrestling season. The Plum senior is eyeing section gold after a third and two runner-up finishes and is hoping to place at WPIALs and make a run at states. He also is hoping to join the exclusive 100-win club at Plum....
With new coach, experienced backcourt, Riverview boys look to climb section ladder
When Phil McGivney took the reins of the Riverview boys basketball program over the summer, he saw strong potential in a group of players hungry for a turnaround. The Raiders were 3-12 overall in a truncated 2020-21 season and finished 1-9 in Section 1-2A. “I came in with a clean...
Nothing but positive vibes emanate from Riverview girls basketball teams
Maddie Deem is on an island, so to speak. She is the lone senior on the Riverview girls basketball team. But rather than wallow in the fact she isn’t able to share her final high school season with any classmates, Deem is energized by the youth and talent that dot...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 26-28
Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to get out and do something after you are done shopping on Black Friday. Here are some choices. Light ‘em up The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s Zoo Lights Drive-Thru in Highland Park opens Friday. Guests stay in their cars as they make...
Verona police investigate 2-vehicle crash on Allegheny River Boulevard
Verona police are investigating a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night. An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said the crash between a pickup truck and a two-door sedan occurred around 6:50 p.m. in the 800 block of Allegheny River Boulevard near Verona Auto Sales and GetGo. It wasn’t immediately clear unclear if there...
Oakmont Hometown Christmas returns to ring in holiday spirit
After a one-year hiatus due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Oakmont Hometown Christmas celebration was back in action this year, and it picked up right where it left off with an entire evening of family-friendly holiday fun Nov. 20. A massive crowd packed Allegheny River Boulevard for the 5 p.m....
After 3rd-place finish at PIAA meet, Riverview bids farewell to decorated senior runners
The Riverview boys cross country team was situated high in the PIAA Class A state rankings through the entirety of the fall season. The Raiders were ready to prove themselves in that capacity at the state championships in Hershey on Nov. 6. Riverview and Winchester Thurston battled again, and they...
First National Bank moving branch office from Verona to Oakmont
The First National Bank branch office currently located in the River Town Shopping Center in Verona will be moving to brand new building Oakmont. Ground was recently broken at 300 College Ave. on the corner of Allegheny River Boulevard across from The Lot restaurant in the Edgewater development section of...
Injuries allow young players to gain experience for Riverview
The Riverview football team took its lumps on the scoreboard throughout the 2021 season, but coach Trevor George said the mix of veterans and young talent never wavered in their attitude and dedication to pushing past any adversities they faced. “Whatever happened on game day, win or lose, they approached...
4 elected to Riverview School Board
Riverview school board candidates Stefani Nycole Garibay, Wendy Wilton, Brian Hawk and Jeanine Hurt-Robinson were leading in a race for four four-year seats, according to returns from the Allegheny County Office of Elections. Garibay had 1,577 votes. Wilton had 1,553 votes. Hawk had 1,536 and Hurt-Robinson had 1,527. Democrat Laura...
3 newcomers elected to Oakmont council
Eight candidates were on the ballot for four, four-year terms on Oakmont council. The top vote-getters were Democrats Amanda Pagnotta, Tracey Holst, Jamie Leonardi and Republican John Arnold. Arnold was the only current council member to seek reelection – he was appointed in January to fill the seat vacated by...
Oakmont police investigating thefts from unlocked vehicles
Oakmont police are investigating a rash of vehicle break-ins. Chief Michael Ford said a group of young men reportedly entered at least eight unlocked vehicles on multiple blocks between Fifth and Thirteenth streets sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Victims reported cash and other items being stolen. No forcible...
