Joyce Hanz stories, Page 33
Light the Season holiday event returns in Allegheny Township
The annual Light the Season holiday kickoff event is returning to Allegheny Township. Light the Season begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Allegheny Township Municipal Complex. The community gathering has been on hiatus since 2019 because of ongoing covid conditions and construction on the township building. Township...
Santa Claus pays a visit to Leechburg’s Small Business Saturday
Leechburg was among the towns across the Alle-Kiski Valley that had a Small Business Saturday event. The event was started by American Express about a decade ago to promote shopping at small businesses the day after Black Friday, which has been dominated by big box retailers. One of the visitors...
Small Business Saturday gaining momentum across region
On the Saturday after Black Friday across America, shopping small can lead to big gains for businesses and customers alike. Small Business Saturday is an annual post-holiday shopping day celebrated nationwide that encourages shoppers to buy from small, local community businesses. Created by American Express in 2010 during a nationwide...
New business brewing in Blawnox
A new java spot is coming to Blawnox. Black Canary Coffeehouse, located in Springdale, is expanding with a second location at 276 Freeport Road. The flagship coffee and ice cream shop opened in 2021 in Springdale and is located at 636 Pittsburgh St. Co-owners Julie Kahlbaugh and Rodney Burrell said...
Alle-Kiski churches offer free turkey meals on Thanksgiving
Free turkey meals were flying out the door Thanksgiving morning at St. Mary’s Church in Freeport. Four years ago, the parish began cooking, packaging and giving away Thanksgiving Day turkey meals with all the trimmings. It’s a no-strings-attached outreach — just a free hot meal on America’s day of giving...
Annual turkey trot in Washington Township breaks attendance records
More than 900 participants gobbled up the chance to run or walk during the annual Thanksgiving Day Kiski Valley Turkey Trot in Washington Township. The in-person race that draws runners from neighboring states kicked off at 9 a.m. under blue skies and below-freezing temperatures. Organizers set up multiple fire barrels...
Casino Theatre’s Hometown Christmas returns, celebrates 25 years
After two seasons without, the holiday spirit returns to the stage at the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift. The annual Hometown Christmas show was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the covid-19 pandemic. This season, the production celebrates its 25th anniversary with “Our 25th Magical Lyrical Annual Miracle, Going Home.”...
Teen fight shatters hair salon window in Downtown Pittsburgh
A window of a hair salon in Downtown Pittsburgh was shattered Wednesday during a fight between teenagers, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI. “It’s awful,” Joe Cardamone, owner of Cardamone’s Hair Salon on Forbes Avenue, told WPXI. “The kids were arguing out front here. We were in here working with...
$1.65M Pennsylvania Lottery prize still unclaimed by winner in Kiski Township
Time is running out for a person to cash in a $1.65 million-winning Pennsylvania lottery ticket sold last year in Kiski Township. The unclaimed Cash 5 winning ticket was purchased Dec. 16, 2021, at the BP Fueland on River Road. The ticket is on the verge of expiring if unclaimed by...
Student-curated WWII exhibit on display at new LIGHT Center at Dorseyville Middle School
A group of eighth-graders at Dorseyville Middle School are volunteering their time to take others back in time to the 1940s. The school’s new LIGHT Center is hosting its first exhibit, a World War II display featuring a collection of artifacts on loan from faculty members. “The students were trained...
New community foundation plans first event in East Vandergrift
A new nonprofit in East Vandergrift is striving to support and increase activities in the borough. The East Vandergrift Community Foundation, established over the summer by a handful of residents, is hosting a holiday home-decorating contest. Borough residents are encouraged to participate, and homes will be judged by foundation members...
Leechburg Area employee named paraprofessional of the year
When Angela Vigna goes to work each day, she isn’t expecting accolades. In fact, she was surprised recently to learn she had been named the 2022 Pennsylvania State Education Association Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year. “I’m very honored. I love my job. Working with students has changed...
Hundreds brave cold to be part of Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration
Hundreds of parade-goers braved freezing temperatures Saturday evening to kick off the holiday season with street fair in Oakmont. Oakmont’s Hometown Christmas Celebration offered an evening chock full of holiday entertainment, including an elf named Zippy. Sven Drop, 14, likes to dress up as holiday favorites like the...
Bonfire Shortcut to close for the day Monday in Allegheny Township
The well-traveled Bonfire Shortcut detour along White Cloud Road in Allegheny Township will close most of the day Monday. The road is scheduled to be closed from 7 a.m. up until 5 p.m. The Bonfire Shortcut, which is township-owned, has become a detour route during major construction of Route 356....
Tarentum-Brackenridge parade kicks off holiday season with festive funVideo
Samantha Thomas of Springdale donned three layers of clothing Saturday in an effort to keep warm during the annual Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas Parade. Temperatures hovered in the mid-20s under sunny skies as hundreds of parade-goers lined the streets for the 1 p.m. start. The parade was filled with plenty...
Leechburg native returns home to open bookstore/gift shop
Lindsey Smith has a way with words. The Leechburg native embraced writing and English from a young age, and now she’s using her decades of experience in the publishing industry with her latest venture: a bookstore and gift shop opening soon in downtown Leechburg. One Idea Books & Gifts will...
‘A Christmas Story’ home for sale in Cleveland
One of the most recognizable homes in holiday cinematic history is for sale. The iconic house from “A Christmas Story,” watched by millions every yuletide, was listed Monday. Vandergrift resident Lisa Dormire took a day trip last December to tour the home with a group of senior citizens from Redstone...
Part of Route 356 reopens in Allegheny Township
Portions of Route 356 reopened to motorists Tuesday evening in Allegheny Township. Allegheny Township Supervisor Jamie Morabito confirmed the reopening about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The road is open in both directions. He said the road will remain open until PennDOT resumes construction in the spring. It’s estimated the road will...
Leechburg appoints Doreen Smeal as new councilwoman after resignation of Ruth Bender
A Leechburg native is the newest face serving on Leechburg Council. Doreen Smeal was unanimously appointed to council Oct. 18 after the resignation of former Councilwoman Ruth Bender. Bender of Leechburg served almost three years and cited a hectic schedule for the reason for her departure from council. “Personally and...
Building the Valley: Vandergrift native’s jewelry business success set in stone
Vandergrift native Bobbie Morda opened her dream jewelry store 34 years ago with a handful of necklaces and six engagement rings. Her store, Bobbie’s Jewelers, occupies a former barbershop at 173 Columbia Ave. in Vandergrift’s historic business district. “This comes from blood, sweat and tears. This was not turnkey,” Morda...
Delayed $16 million senior housing project resumes in East Vandergrift
After a nine-month setback, development plans for a new senior citizen residential complex have resumed in East Vandergrift, Westmoreland County. The Morning Sun Senior Lofts project was awarded a $1.2 million grant this month from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and $1.3 million in low-income tax credits. The low-income...
Missing 70-year-old Springdale Township man found
A Springdale Township man who has been missing since Sunday was found Monday night, police said. Gerald Zilka, 70, was found near the Fox Chapel exit of Route 28, according to Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department chief Mike Naviglia. Zilka’s wife and daughter reported him missing after Zilka told his...
Gilpin officials urge residents to provide input on zoning ordinance
Gilpin officials are seeking additional public participation at an upcoming zoning ordinance update meeting. An in-person zoning meeting is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Gilpin Township Volunteer Fire Department, 113 Fire Hall Road. Gilpin Supervisor Charles Stull said the informal meeting is open-house style, and...
Leechburg’s Twisted Thistle has new ownership, new name
A well-known restaurant in Leechburg is under new ownership and has a new name. Twisted Thistle was sold this month by Linda Alworth of Gilpin to three new owners: friends Bobby Elliott, Sean Watson and Corey Pistininzi. They’ve renamed it National Public House. Alworth, 68, recently sold Lingrow Farm, a...
Kiski Area bus drivers recognized by students at Kiski Area Upper Elementary
Kiski Area bus drivers were recognized by students Wednesday at Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Washington Township. It’s the second year the school has rolled out the KAUE Bus Driver Thank You event for its 21 bus drivers. Hosted by KAUE Student Council, the surprise event began at 3 p.m....
