Joyce Hanz stories, Page 47
Newest elected supervisor eager to get to work in Allegheny Township
Allegheny Township residents can expect to see a lot of newly elected Supervisor James Morabito. “I plan on being here at the township building weekly,” said Morabito, 58, a small business owner for 35 years. “I’m going to be hands-on, going over details of daily and weekly activities.” Morabito, who...
New Italian market preparing to open next fall at site of former Fazio’s store in Vandergrift
A new Italian market is coming to Vandergrift. Fasano’s Italian Store and Deli is set to open next fall in the former Fazio’s Italian Store, at 301 Longfellow St. Fazio’s shut its doors in 2015 after co-owners Joseph and Teresa Spina made the decision to close for health-related reasons. Fasano’s...
Kiski Area students raise more than $12K for charities with annual Cav-A-Thon
Students from the Kiski Area School District have been having fun, fundraising. The district’s annual Cav-A-Thon wrapped up this week, raising more than $12,500. The event raises money for Alle-Kiski Valley charities. “It will be shared with the Alle-Kiski HOPE Center, Kiski Valley Food Bank and the Stuff-A-Bus organization,” said...
Alcoa-inspired flagpole with metal Christmas tree shines on near Route 66 in Gilpin
A flagpole in Gilpin has a unique holiday addition, compliments of a former Alcoa employee. “It’s Dad’s Alcoa flagpole tree,” joked Joseph Kovalchik of his late father’s handmade aluminum creation. John Kovalchik worked for 34 years as a maintenance electrician at Alcoa’s research lab in New Kensington. He died in...
1,000 candles set to glow in Washington Township
A neighborhood in Washington Township is set to glow with more than 1,000 candles on Christmas Eve. Washington Acres will host a luminary evening beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. Light Up Washington Acres is sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 211, based in Delmont. The event serves as a fundraiser for...
Parking meters in Vandergrift to get stylish enhancements
Some parking meters in Vandergrift are set to receive a fancy, metal makeover. The Vandergrift Improvement Project (VIP) is moving forward with plans for the Streetscape project, with 10 custom-made V-shaped metal baskets to be installed over parking meters along Grant and Columbia Avenues in the historic shopping district. “The...
3 newcomers will join reelected incumbents on Vandergrift Council next month
Vandergrift Council will welcome three new faces when it first meets in 2022 on Jan. 3. Daisha Clayton was appointed Dec. 6 to fill a seat left vacant by the resignation of Karen McClarnon last month. Recently elected to four-year terms on council, Democrat Marilee Kessler and Republican Jody Sarno...
Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue appeals to animal lovers to continue mission
In the early months of the pandemic, as pets were in high demand for adoption, Amber Phillips decided to go out on her own. The trained veterinarian tech had worked for years at Golden Mile Animal Clinic in Plum and Kiski Valley Animal Clinic in Allegheny Township. Opening Champion’s Crusaiders...
New York Subs in O’Hara sells quality and quantity
The motto at New York Super Subs in O’Hara doesn’t mince words. “It’s two feet and a pound of meat,” said owner Clint Vinson. Tucked away in a small strip mall along Freeport Road, the Italian-influenced deli serves up specialty subs, homemade sauces, salads, meatballs and more. “We sell quality...
Fresh-cut Christmas trees in short supply this season
Where are the fresh-cut Christmas trees? That’s what some Alle-Kiski Valley businesses are asking as fresh-cut trees are in short supply — or completely sold out. A large vacant lot has been empty for weeks at Kiski Garden Center in Allegheny Township. In previous years, it still would be offering...
From Hollywood to home, Allegheny Township chaps maker roped an interesting life
At 94, Tom Phillips’ hands have served him well. The Leechburg native and Allegheny Township resident wakes up early each day and gets to work making custom leather chaps. He’s been at it for 60 years. “It’s my hobby,” he said. “I start at 6 o’clock in the morning and...
Fox Chapel Area teens create their own jobs using tech skills
Technology is changing the way some teens work. Meet three Fox Chapel Area High School sophomores using their entrepreneurial skills online to turn a profit with unique part-time jobs. Stephen Schrim, James Kneiser and Justin Ling are 15-year-old friends and help one another with their businesses. Kneiser, of O’Hara, owns...
Selling repurposed furniture and work from local artists, Full Circle opens in Vandergrift
Lisa Bonello Brunermer began channeling her inner artist when she was 11 years old — and hasn’t stopped. The Leechburg native and artist was given complete creative control by her parents to paint and design her childhood bedroom. “I got to work,” Brunermer said. “Two walls were blue with clouds,...
Kiski Area makes safety a top priority with new position
Kiski Area School District has created a new position with a focus on student safety. John Tedorski is the new director of Student Information, Transportation, Safety and Security Services. Raised in Arnold and still a resident there, Tedorski has been employed by the district for 29 years. In his early...
2 dozen Arnold Manor residents displaced by fire expected to return to high-rise Tuesday
Residents displaced by a fire Thursday at Arnold Manor public housing in Arnold are expected to return to their apartments next week. The 76-unit high-rise complex, built in the 1970s, was evacuated about 2 p.m. Thursday when a fire erupted in apartment No. 411. The American Red Cross and a...
2nd injection well project in Plum faces opposition from residents, borough officials
Plum officials, environmental groups and some area residents are organizing to prevent a second wastewater injection well project in Plum. Borough Council President Dave Odom led a two-hour public information session Wednesday evening at the Plum Community Center. The Sedat 3A wastewater injection well, at 1815 Old Leechburg Road, began...
Washington County man gets a leg (lamp) up on Christmas decorations
Matthew Pagac, 32, of Centerville, Washington County, has a leg up on Christmas decorating. Pagac built a custom illuminated “leg lamp” for his front lawn, installing it Saturday. He said he was inspired to “go big” with his holiday decorating because it’s his daughter’s first Christmas and he was inspired...
Crossing-guard shortage in Vandergrift forces police officers into duty
A shortage of school crossing guards in Vandergrift has forced more borough police officers to step off their beats to cover the shifts. The schedule became tighter last month with the resignation of full-time crossing guard JoAnn Hazlett. The borough now has four full-time and one part-time crossing guards. Previously,...
Fox Chapel Newcomers Club celebrates the holiday
The Fox Chapel Newcomers Club held its holiday luncheon on Dec. 3 at the Fox Chapel Field Club with about 65 people attending. For more than 40 years, the club has welcomed new residents to the Fox Chapel Area. Hope Beukema and Dawn Gibel met in 2011 at a Fox...
Vandergrift Council appoints new member to fill vacancy
Vandergrift Council on Monday appointed Daisha Clayton to the seat left vacant by the resignation of Karen McClarnon last month. Clayton said she wanted to join council because she has a vested interest in the borough. “I reside here. I work here. My children go to school here. I love...
No injuries in Fox Chapel fire
There were no injuries when fire tore through a Fox Chapel home Monday afternoon. Fox Chapel police Chief Michael Stevens confirmed everyone escaped the home safely. Fire crews from several surrounding communities responded to the fire shortly after 1 p.m. along Hunt Road, with more than a dozen emergency vehicles...
Vandergrift Council passes 2022 budget with no property tax increase
Vandergrift residents will not see a property tax increase next year. Council passed a final $2.4 million budget Monday. The real estate tax rate will remain at 28 mills. The borough’s budget projects revenue of about $2.2 million and expenses totaling $2.4 million. The difference will be made up from...
Kiski Area welding students show their skills at Weld Off competition
Two Kiski Area High School seniors were among the competitors in the 40th annual Weld Off on Friday, sponsored by the American Welding Society. Phillip Miller and Nathaniel Potanko, fourth-year students in the welding program at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington, welded for several hours at...
Jingle Bell Rock to ring out at Casino Theatre in Vandergrift
A rockin’ Christmas concert is coming to Vandergrift. The annual Jingle Bell Rock holiday fundraiser concert returns to the Casino Theatre on Saturday after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Keeping closer to family-friendly event than epic rock show, the music...
A dip into the past: Melwood pool holds memories but no water
Motorists passing an expansive concrete area along Melwood Road in Allegheny Township may ask themselves, “What’s That?” Once a popular community pool and entertainment destination, Melwood Park Pool is empty, overgrown, dilapidated and faces an uncertain future. The pool opened in 1926, measures 100 by 300 feet, and was owned...
