Joyce Hanz stories, Page 36
New Leechburg Area psychologist focuses on students and service
A Freeport native is the new psychologist at Leechburg Area School District. Cortney Chelecki, 32, resides in Harrison and graduated from Freeport Area High School in 2009. But high school life had its challenges for Chelecki, and, as the district psychologist, she is dedicated to helping students navigate school in...
Kings Family Restaurant in Plum closes to make way for new Sheetz
After 48 years in business, another Pittsburgh-area Kings Family Restaurant has closed. Kings district manager George Brown confirmed that the Kings in Presque Isle Plaza in Plum’s Holiday Park neighborhood closed its doors Monday. “The plaza has been sold, and the new owner had different plans,” Brown said. “We’re still...
Man fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s St. Clair neighborhood
A fatal shooting Tuesday night has left a man dead in Pittsburgh’s St. Clair neighborhood. The man, identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner as Marcus Watts, 26, of Pittsburgh, was discovered by Pittsburgh Police around 8:15 p.m. in the 500 block of Kohne Street after officers responded to reports...
Arson suspected after fire destroys 3 Pittsburgh police vehicles
A suspicious fire overnight Wednesday gutted three Pittsburgh Police cruisers at their Training Academy facility. Pittsburgh police said they are investigating the incident as an arson case. The three cars were parked in the academy parking lot. ATF investigators arrived on scene early Wednesday morning at the academy at 900...
Luke & Mike’s in Aspinwall gets new culinary team
There’s a new culinary team at Luke & Mike’s Frontporch in Aspinwall. The newest face customers will see there is Scott Baker, of Pittsburgh’s North Side. Baker, 31, will serve as executive kitchen supervisor. He was born in Charleston, S.C. After graduating high school, Baker began working as a cook....
Gathering on Grant gains momentum in Vandergrift
A new seasonal monthly event in Vandergrift has proved to be a crowd-pleaser. Gathering on Grant, a community-based food and vendor festival, debuted in May. Lead organizer Eric Mikula said the event has been a great success. “It’s been wonderful. The response from our neighbors has been great. We have...
Custom costume shop to open, by appointment only, in Vandergrift
A mother-daughter duo is combining their creativity to open a costume and mending shop in Vandergrift. Lauren Andrews, 28, grew up in Vandergrift and always had a keen interest in Halloween and dress-up. “I had four Halloween costumes every year. I was always winning the costume contests,” said Andrews, of...
Vehicles struck by gunfire in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood
Pittsburgh police are investigating several vehicles damaged by bullets in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood. Police responded to the area of 18th and Mary Street around 1 a.m. Monday morning, after receiving a ShotSpotter notification for 12 rounds for the 100 block of 18th Street, according to the Trib’s news partner...
2 juveniles shot in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden
A shooting in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood Sunday night resulted in two juveniles being sent to the hospital, police said. Pittsburgh police said officers were alerted to a 17-round Shotspotter alert in the 500 block of Sherwood Avenue around 8:45 p.m. Update: Two juveniles were located with non-fatal gunshot wounds. A...
New witch-themed Halloween festival slated for Vandergrift
Unleash the magic broomsticks! The inaugural Witching Hours Night Market is scheduled for the night of Oct. 15 in Vandergrift. Its organizers say more than 70 vendors are booked. The event will be held rain or shine, and Grant Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic. The market was organized...
Leechburg Area art students create custom birdhouses for local business
Some lucky birds are about to score colorful new digs, thanks to recent creative artwork by students at Leechburg Area High School. The Birdhouse Project is the latest project from high school art teacher Shayle Prorok. Six students designed and painted birdhouses last month. The houses will be donated to...
Annual program stresses safety at Kiski Area Upper ElementaryVideo
Kiski Area Upper Elementary sixth-grader Charlotte McKenzie had never seen the inside of an ambulance. A program Friday held at her school changed that. Safety was the theme for the day Friday at the school in Washington Township. The annual “KAUE Safety Day” was held for all sixth-graders under sunny...
‘il Messarggero’ tells the story of how a local Italian immigrant connected others to their homeland
A Sharpsburg native is paying tribute to his hometown with a documentary highlighting an Italian American immigrant who brought over more than just luggage with him from Italy. Pete Ferraro, an Emmy-award winning filmmaker, producer and writer, will premiere his documentary, “il Messarggero” — “The Messenger” — Oct. 1 on...
5 people left homeless when fire breaks out at Leechburg duplex
Five people were left homeless Thursday afternoon when fire heavily damaged a duplex on Main Street in Leechburg. Leechburg Fire Chief Tom Foster said the fire was reported around 5:48 p.m. at 135 Main St. Foster said two cats remained unaccounted for. The fire erupted from the second floor of...
Leechburg Area School District’s energy-saving renovations near completion
Leechburg Area School District is set for huge savings as it nears completion of renovations to ensure greater energy efficiency on campus. The district’s Energy Savings Project, implemented by Harrisburg-based McClure Co., began in June and is expected to wrap up in a few weeks. Eric Petrazio, McClure senior account...
Indecent graffiti in Kennedy Park in Vandergrift draws ire from parents
The last thing Vandergrift resident Sarah Cooper expected to find at her local park during an outing Sunday with her young son was X-rated graffiti. Cooper said her 10-year-old son noticed vulgar images of male genitals and obscene words spray-painted on two stone pillars at the entrance to Kennedy Park....
Christian-based fundraiser on tap Sunday in West Leechburg
West Leechburg resident, author and tax collector Kevin Smith is hosting a Christian-based charitable dinner to help raise funds for the West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department. Smith will discuss his book, “God Discovery: How Science and Logic Reveal the Existence of God,” during the God Discovery Banquet on Sunday, Sept....
Public survey seeks input on zoning issues in Gilpin
The Gilpin supervisors are seeking public input as they work to modernize what they consider an outdated zoning ordinance. Supervisor Charles Stull launched the first of two online public surveys Tuesday. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey, which is available through Oct. 7. It can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/GilpinZoning....
Leechburg’s Pink Day fundraiser/street party grows even larger, more popularVideo
Leechburg knows how to think pink. Pink Day, one of the largest annual fundraisers for breast cancer research in the Alle-Kiski Valley, celebrated its 11th anniversary Saturday under sunny skies and large crowds along Market Street in Leechburg. The event has grown every year and for founder and organizer Sherry...
Blooms, butterflies at Allegheny Township business honor late customer
An Allegheny Township salon is paying tribute to a former loyal customer with fondness and flowers. Employees at Fashions Ahead Salon & Grand Day Spa in Leechburg created a butterfly memorial garden this spring in honor of the late Leonard “Lenny” Rocco Calderone. Calderone died suddenly Jan. 16. He was...
New Oktoberfest Festival brewing in Vandergrift
Beers, bratwurst and German culture are set to collide with a new festival in Vandergrift. The area’s first Oktoberfest Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24. It is co-sponsored by Allusion Brewing Co. and the Vandergrift Business Association, and organizers are excited to close off Grant Avenue and roll out...
2nd medical marijuana dispensary opens in New Kensington
Obtaining medical marijuana just got more convenient in the Alle-Kiski Valley, with the opening of another dispensary in New Kensington. Zen Leaf medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday at 215 Tarentum Bridge Road, in the former Papa John’s Pizza location. “It’s been great. A strong start,” said Joseph Kuches, Zen Leaf...
Vandergrift shutterbug lands first public exhibit
A nature-loving shutterbug from Vandergrift has landed her first public photography exhibit. Karlee Holmes spends most of her time outdoors, photographing animals and scenery across the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond. Butler Area Public Library is exhibiting “Call of the Wild,” featuring some of Holmes’ images, through Sept. 30. The display,...
Fox Chapel Area High School grad earns highest rank in Girl Scouts
Mackenzie Borkovich of O’Hara channeled her experiences living with a life-threatening tree nut allergy into a school-wide education project. Borkovich, a 2022 Fox Chapel Area High School grad, has been named a Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. She received her official notification letter...
Kiski Area’s new curriculum director eager to help students ‘reach their full potential’
A new curriculum-related position with a federal focus has been added to the lineup of administrative jobs in Kiski Area School District. Emily Mather is the new director of curriculum and instruction and the director of federal programs. Her annual salary is $110,000. Mather began the new job July 1....
