In brief: Happenings in the North Hills area

1 arrested, 13 cited in task force’s DUI detail

The North Hills DUI Task Force recently conducted a stationary DUI detail May 9 in conjunction with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Checkpoint Strike Force.

The sobriety checkpoint was held May 9 in McCandless.

A total of 837 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and a field sobriety test was administered to two people, one of whom was arrested. Thirteen citations and three warnings were issued for various vehicle code violations.

This is the 29th year for the North Hills DUI Task Force. To date, 264 checkpoints and roving patrols have been conducted. There have been 2,272 individuals tested for DUI; of those tested, 1,072 were arrested.

The task force is comprised of officers from Aspinwall, Blawnox, Etna, Hampton, Indiana Township, McCandless, Millvale, Northern Regional, O’Hara, Reserve, Ross, Shaler, West Deer and West View.

Free expo to showcase first responders, new programs

The Ross Township Police Department is hosting a free Exceptional Citizens Expo from noon to 3 p.m. May 31 at the township’s Department of Public Works, 225 Cemetery Lane.

The community is invited to meet police, fire and EMS personnel, as well as service coordinators. The expo will feature access to new programs, public safety demonstrations, a question-and-answer opportunities and more.

There will be indoor and outdoor activities, a DJ, crafts and touch-a-trucks.

To register, visit ross.pa.us.

For details, call 412-931-9070.

Summer movies planned for Ross parks

Parks and Recreation officials in Ross released their summer lineup of Movies in the Park.

All movies start at sunset.

• June 6: “Elemental” at Bruno Sammartino Park

• July 19: “Goonies” at Scharymn Park

• Aug. 16: “Snow White” at Denny Park

Citizens invited to learn about police

The Ross Township Police Department is gearing up for its second annual Citizen’s Police Academy.

The academy, which is free for 18 and older, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Sept. 3 until Oct. 22.

Participants do not have to be a resident of Ross. It also is open to juniors and seniors at North Hills High School.

The academy will feature scenario-based hands-on training, CPR certification and basic self-defense. Participants will learn about patrol operations, criminal and civil law, court process and procedure, use of force, crime scenes, forensic investigation, drug familiarization, traffic stops, DUIs and accident reconstruction.

The first meeting will be held at the Ross Municipal Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, with details to follow.

To learn more about the program and to sign up for an email when additional details become available, visit https://ross.pa.us/FormCenter/Police-4/2025-Citizens-Police-Academy-73.

For questions, contact Officer Donald Sypolt at 412-931-9070, ext. 155, or email him at dsypolt@rosspolice.com.

Annual fishing tourney set for July 12-13

Ross police officers are teaming up with the Parks and Recreation Department for their annual free Fishing Tournament in Evergreen Community Park, 3430 Evergreen Road.

This year’s event will be held July 12 for children ages 5 to 17 and July 13 for adults, seniors and those with special needs.

Check-in on both days will be at 8 a.m., and fishing will start at 8:30.

There will be refreshments, bait, prizes and trophies.

Each contestant is allowed to bring one fishing pole and their tackle. Bring a chair if you think you’ll need one. Family members are welcome to attend, and anglers 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Space is limited, and registration is required. Registration will open May 30 and will close at 5 p.m. July 5. To register, visit the Online Registration link under Programs at ross.pa.us.

For details, call Parks and Recreation at 412-931-7041.

Arts center seeks instructors

The North Hills Art Center, 3432 Babcock Blvd. in Ross, is looking for instructors for its adult and children programming.

Instructors can set their own schedules and write their own curriculums.

If you have knowledge in the arts to share, click on the application link at northhillsartcenter.org and complete the form. You will need to upload a resume and cover letter, as well as examples of your artwork.

The deadline to apply is May 30.

For questions, contact the center at 412-364-2622 or email info@northhillsartcenter.org.

Discounted tickets available for area amusement parks

Discounted amusement tickets for several area parks are available at the Ross Township Community Center’s reception desk during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Call 412-931-7055 to confirm the ticket availability for Idlewild & SoakZone ($40, 3 and older), Kennywood ($43, 4 and older) Sandcastle ($35, 4 and older) and Waldameer & Water World in Erie ($42, combo pass, all ages and heights). Discounted tickets to these parks are available by clicking on the Discount Tickets link at ross.pa.us/223/Discounted-Amusement-Tickets.

The Ross Township Parks and Recreation Department is a member of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society. Through this partnership, residents can purchase discounted tickets additional parks, including Dorney Park, Hersheypark, Cedar Point, Diggerland, Legoland and Disney World. See the above website for details.

Ross schedules parade, fireworks for June 29

Ross will hold its Independence Day Parade from 2 to 3 p.m. June 29 on Perry Highway.

The parade will start at St. John Church and end at Brandt’s Funeral Home.

The festivities will continue from 5 to 10 p.m. on the municipal building grounds, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive. There will be food trucks, a petting zoo, live music. The evening will end with a fireworks display.

For additional details, visit ross.pa.us or call 412-931-7041.

Community invited to free car cruise

Hampton Presbyterian Church is hosting its 10th car cruise from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 at the church, 2942 E. Hardies Road, Hampton.

The event is free and will feature family-friendly fun, vintage vehicles, a concession stand and music by DJ Denny Dutko.

All makes and models of vehicles are welcome.

There will be a section roped off for children’s crafts and games, including a coloring table, can bean bag toss, a water table pool and painting with cars.

Grilled hot dogs and burgers, as well as cold soda and water, will be available.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own tables, chairs and pop-up canopies.

For details or questions, email hamptonpresoutreach@gmail.com or call the church office at 724-443-3201.

Additional information is available on the church’s website at hamptonpresbyterian.net.

Engines already revving for car show at Hartwood Acres

Allegheny County Parks is hosting a free Father’s Day Car Cruise from 2 to 7 p.m. June 8 in the amphitheater parking lot at Hartwood Acres Park.

Bring dad out to get an early jump on celebrating his special day.

Besides unique and antique vehicles of all kinds, there will be music, local food trucks and Mike Frazer from 3WS Radio.

Dashboard plaques will be given to the first 100 cruise cars.

In case of inclement weather, check for updates on the Facebook page of Allegheny County Parks.

Special evening set for dogs at Hartwood Acres Park

Bring your four-legged friend for a free evening of fun and games from 6 to 8 p.m. June 17 during the Dog Days of Summer at Hartwood Acres Park.

The event will be held, weather permitting, at the off-leash dog area located off Red Loop Drive.

Giveaway bags will be available with goodies for the pet owners and their furry companions.

In case of inclement weather, check for updates on the Facebook page of Allegheny County Parks.

For rules and more information about the county’s off-leash dog areas, visit alleghenycounty.us/Parks-and-Events/Activities/Dog-Parks.

Cleaning products sought to help people in need

North Hills Community Outreach currently is collecting cleaning products through June 8 to stock its pantries.

Donations can be dropped off at any of its three offices from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to noon April 5 at its main office, 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton.

Other locations are NHCO Millvale on the second floor of the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave., and at NHCO North Boroughs at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Avalon.

Items needed include laundry detergent (under 100 ounces), disinfecting wipes, all-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, dish detergent, packs of sponges, rolls of paper towels and canvas shopping bags.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits cannot be used for cleaning products. Such items are a necessity and often pose an expense that many low-income families are unable to afford.

Each family in need receives a bag containing the above products.

Donations also can be ordered from NHCO’s Amazon wishlist or Walmart wishlist and sent directly to its office.

Park rangers welcome help with trail cleanup, habitat restoration

The community is invited to celebrate National Trails Day by joining the park rangers at Hartwood Acres from 9 a.m. to noon June 7 to help improve the trails.

There will be a variety of work options available.

Everyone should meet at the Middle Road parking lot.

On June 28, there will be another opportunity to help the park rangers. Assistance is needed with habitat restoration in an important ecological area of the park.

Helpers should meet at the mansion parking lot. From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers will use hand tools to remove invasive species. There also might be plantings of native species. Expect to engage in physical activity.

All tools, gloves and eye protection will be provided for both events, and all ages are welcome. No experience is required, but space is limited. Participants should bring water and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Both events are free, but participants should register on the Allegheny County Parks website at tinyurl.com/ycx5enpy.

YASU expands Distribution Days to cancer center

Starting in May and continuing on a monthly basis, Young Adult Survivors United is bringing its Distribution Days to UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center in collaboration with social workers at the Shadyside facility.

The care packages — containing toiletries and household items — provide essential and community support for an often underserved population.

Any young adult (18 to 45) in the United States who has been diagnosed with cancer can register for free membership to access YASU’s virtual services. Survivors in Southwestern Pennsylvania have access to virtual and in-person support groups and social activities, financial literacy workshops in conjunction with financial assistance, free “Rae of Hope” respite trips and an annual Women’s Wellness Retreat.

The main Distribution Days take place at YASU’s office in Wexford. The Distribution Days program is made possible through a partnership with the Christian Cochran Legacy Fund, which honors the memory of Christian Cochran, who died from cholangiocarcinoma in 2021 at the age of 23.

Community members can contribute to YASU’s Distribution Days in several ways:

• Join the Be Their Hero campaign by signing up once, and your gift will keep on giving.

• Purchase items on YASU’s Amazon Wish List, and they will be delivered directly to the organization’s office.

• Drop off items at YASU’s office at 1000 Brooktree Road, Suite 105, Pine, PA 15090; call 724-719-2273 to coordinate a drop-off time.

• Host a drive at your work, school or church.

For details, visit yasurvivors.org or call 724-719-2273.