Joyce Hanz stories, Page 45
STEM event and online registration offered for incoming Kiski Area kindergartners
Kiski Area School District is offering an interactive STEM-based event for incoming kindergartners Feb. 23 at Kiski Area North Primary School. “Family Science Night” serves as the kickoff for multiple kindergarten-themed readiness events hosted by the district before the start of classes next fall. Participating students will convene in the...
House fire in Parks Township sends woman to hospital
Three occupants escaped from an early-morning house fire Monday on Lincoln Street in the North Vandergrift section of Parks. Joel Brown, chief of the Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department, confirmed there were no life-threatening injuries in the blaze that was reported at 7:51 a.m. Brown said one woman was flown...
Truck strikes pole in Pittsburgh’s Elliott, knocking out power to hundreds
Hundreds of Duquesne Light customers were left without power Monday morning after a truck struck a pole at Corliss Street and Chartiers Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Elliott neighborhood, according to Tribune-Review’s news partner WPXI. There was no word available on the condition of the driver. Crews were dispatched to the scene...
Police say man robbed at knifepoint by 2 suspects in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington
Pittsburgh police said a man was robbed at knifepoint early Monday in the city’s Mt. Washington neighborhood. The incident happened around 12:15 a.m. at Bailey Avenue and Cushman Street, police said. Police said a man told officers that he was followed after visiting an ATM at Shiloh Street and Virginia...
1 person injured in rollover crash in Baldwin Borough
A driver was injured in single vehicle rollover crash early Monday morning along River Road in Baldwin Borough. Allegheny County dispatch said the accident was reported at 12:57 a.m. The road was closed in both directions and has since reopened. The unidentified person was taken to the hospital. Their condition...
Pittsburgh region’s balmy temperatures, sunshine won’t last
The official start of spring is just less than a month away, but in the Pittsburgh region it will feel as though it’s come early. Until Wednesday, that is. A high of 57 degrees and clear skies are expected Monday, and temperatures are expected to reach 60 degrees on Tuesday....
Award-winning former Kiski Area principal fills new district technology role
An award-winning former Kiski Area principal has a new position in the district. Dan Smith has been named director of Technology and Information, responsible for all grade levels on six campuses. Most recently, Smith served as assistant principal at Kiski Area Upper Elementary, where he was named Pennsylvania’s 2021 Outstanding...
Fox Chapel Area High School to present whimsical musical ‘Seussical’
The Cat in the Hat is one of the many Dr. Seuss characters set to unleash entertainment in Fox Chapel Area High School’s spring musical production of “Seussical.” A cast of more than 100 students will present “Seussical” March 3-6 in the high school auditorium. The family-friendly, whimsical show is...
For Sara Voyten of Parks Township, turning 100 is ‘no big deal — I feel good’
Sara Smith Voyten, a lifelong resident of Armstrong County, is about to add another chapter to the story of her life: turning 100. Voyten, an avid reader, spends the majority of her time with her nose in a book in her private room at Pine View Personal Care Facility in...
With a pandemic pivot to tech, Christ Church Fox Chapel builds flock
A former British barrister turned minister in Fox Chapel has turned to technology to boost membership during the pandemic. The Rev. Alex Shuttleworth, 43, a native of Liverpool, has been at Christ Church Fox Chapel since 2014. Since then, membership has grown by 50%, with 44 new members added during...
Dalton Bacco fund aids foster children
Kerri and Frank Bacco of West View are channeling their grief by honoring their late son with a fund created to assist foster children in Western Pennsylvania. The couple, both 44 and teachers, created The Dalton Bacco “Living the Dream” Fund in June 2017 after the tragic death of their...
Kiski Area School District offering additional staff, counseling to help young kids deal with pandemic
In response to students’ growing needs for emotional support, Kiski Area School District has increased its counseling staff. Behavior specialist Autumn Patterson was hired in December to assist students in grades K-6. She joins fellow specialists T.J. Neal and Chelsey Perriello, both hired in August. In the wake of the...
Vandergrift’s Sweetlane hosts ‘Big Bucker’ food challenge to highlight expanded menu
Brett Zambotti recently traveled from his home in Kittanning to downtown Vandergrift with a gastric goal — take The Big Bucker food challenge at Sweetlane Chocolate Shop. The old-fashioned confectionery broadened its range last month, offering breakfast and lunch. To promote the expanded menu, Sweetlane created a breakfast sandwich that’s...
Division of Cook Medical in Parks Township to be acquired by CooperCompanies; no jobs lost
Cook Medical, with three global locations including a facility in Parks Township, announced last week plans to sell their reproductive health devices division to CooperCompanies, headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. William Cook Australia and Cook Spencer are the other two facilities currently manufacturing reproductive health devices. Cook Medical has locations...
Faces of the Valley: For Melissa Aller of Leechburg, volunteering is a way of life
Melissa Aller of Leechburg knows her way around a fundraiser. Aller, 39, grew up in Natrona and began volunteering at a young age, tagging along with her late mother, Bonnie, a frequent volunteer in the community. “My mother always told me it was better to give than to receive,” said...
O’Hara student designs inspirational painting for nursing home memory unit
A Dorseyville middle schooler is giving back to a local senior center in memory of her great-grandmother. Ella Golomb, 12, of O’Hara created a positive painting project as her required charitable project for her upcoming Bat Mitzvah. Golomb is a congregant at Adat Shalom synagogue in Cheswick and social action...
Dorito Burrito keeps customers coming back at Niki’s Quick Six in Parks Township
A burrito with a snack food flair is creating a buzz in Parks Township. The Dorito Burrito is a specialty offering and best-seller at Niki’s Quick Six, a popular restaurant/bar/takeout place in the township’s North Vandergrift neighborhood. Owner Niki Hosack said she created the quirky sandwich so her customers wouldn’t...
Daisha Clayton proud to be 1st Black person in decades to serve on Vandergrift Council
As Daisha Clayton settles into her third month on Vandergrift Council, she’s keenly aware of the significance of being chosen to fill that role. When Clayton was appointed to Vandergrift Council in December, she was only the second Black person to serve as a councilperson. The late Lorelei Whaley, who...
Harrison native keeping up perfect Super Bowl attendance record with No. 56 on Sunday
Harrison native Tom Henschel has perfect attendance in one of the world’s most exclusive clubs. Henschel, 80, is a member of the Never Miss a Super Bowl Club. Henschel joins Gregory Eaton and Don Crisman as the only football fans on Earth to have attended all of the previous 55...
Kiski Area Elementary Art Show to display over 1,000 works
Art and fellowship will soon fill the hallways at three Kiski Area elementary schools. The annual Kiski Area School District Elementary Art Show returns Tuesday, Feb. 8 after being held virtually last year because of the pandemic. Kiski Area East, North and South Primary Schools will simultaneously host the event...
‘Pippin’ comes to Shady Side Academy stage
Shady Side Academy drama students are bringing live theater back. Last year’s spring musical was presented in late May in a virtual format via video because of the pandemic. Senior School students will perform their winter musical, “Pippin,” Feb. 11-13. First-time Shady Side musical director Dek Ingraham said the cast...
Kiski Area seeks volunteers, supporters for district nonprofit
Kiski Area officials are seeking supporters and donations from the community to help bolster the coffers of the Kiski Area Education Foundation. Foundation president Ron Ferrara said the pandemic affected fundraising the past two years, resulting in a loss of about $25,000. The foundation has only 16 volunteers, all serving...
Leechburg elementary school students celebrate 100th day of classes in fun way
Students from David Leech Elementary School in Leechburg dressed up as 100-year-old ladies and gentlemen Friday, Jan. 28 to celebrate their 100th day of school. The event is an annual tradition that the students look forward to. Students have a choice of dressing up as an elderly person or wearing...
‘Beloved’ former Kiski Area school slated for demolition
A former school building that served elementary, middle and high school students in Washington Township is slated for demolition. The former Washington Elementary School at 4728 Route 66 was part of the Kiski Area School District. The school opened in 1927 and closed in 2013. Township supervisors granted a demolition...
Threat of building collapse forces partial closure of Longfellow Street in Vandergrift
Portions of Longfellow Street in Vandergrift were closed for a time Wednesday afternoon after demolition crews evacuated a condemned building. Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 Chief Albert Wells confirmed there were no injuries. Borough officials roped off the building at 326 Longfellow St. and said it’s unsafe for the...
