Joyce Hanz stories, Page 63
Alta Via reopens in Fox Chapel Plaza
Alta Via, part of the Big Burrito Restaurant Group, reopened Oct. 6 Located in Fox Chapel Plaza in O’Hara Township, the upscale Italian-influenced eatery closed in June as pandemic restrictions tightened, along with Big Burrito’s five other specialty restaurants: Casbah, Eleven, Kaya, Soba and Umi. Those five have all reopened...
Leechburg’s river rescue team get new inflatable boat thanks to public’s donations — despite pandemic
The Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company river rescue team has a new boat. The company took delivery of a new Rescue One inflatable rescue boat last week. It replaces a damaged 10-year-old Zodiak inflatable. Paid for with fundraising dollars, the new boat seats up to four people. It joins a larger...
A free lunch: Leechburg Methodist church starts local Feeding Our NeighborsVideo
Leechburg Area School District faculty and staff were treated to a free lunch Wednesday, thanks to a local church. Volunteers from Leechburg First United Methodist Church prepared and delivered 120 lunches to the school faculty lounge. It’s part of a new outreach program, “Feeding Our Neighbors.” Program coordinator Lori Klingensmith...
The Shadows attraction in Fawn isn’t scaring anyone this Halloween
The screams are silent this season at a popular Halloween destination in Fawn. The Shadows, Alle-Kiski’s only outdoor haunted attraction, announced late last month on Facebook that it would not open for the season. Co-owner Chuck Lynn said the decision not to open was made because of covid-19. “It was...
Be my guest: Charming Leechburg bed-and-breakfast (and former church next door) can be yours
The only B&B in Leechburg is for sale. John Truett, a former Disney World executive, owns both the Old Parsonage Bed and Breakfast and the Enchanted Abbey (formerly Holy Innocents Episcopal Church) at 156 Siberian Ave. The two buildings are listed at $185,000 and are on the same lot. Truett,...
Growing up in Leechburg shaped monsignor’s faith, devotion to churchVideo
Growing up in Leechburg, Monsignor Larry Kulick was no stranger to church. “I often say one of the main reasons I’m a priest today is because of my experience in my home parish,” Kulick said. “I can remember being really interested in altar serving.” Kulick, 54, serves as diocesan administrator...
Retired Gilpin couple’s hobby keeps them busy as beesVideo
Life is sweet for Jim and Sylvia Walters of Gilpin. The retired couple took up beekeeping as a hobby about five years ago. “We heard of the honeybees being in decline and wanted to do something. It wasn’t about the honey in the beginning. It was about helping the bees...
Steelers’ Jarron Jones accused of strangling, assaulting woman at Airbnb
A Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad player was arraigned and charged by Pittsburgh police in connection with an alleged incident involving a woman Saturday. Offensive lineman Jarron Jones, 26, of Rochester, N.Y., is charged with one count each of aggravated assault and strangulation — both felonies — and simple assault, a...
Renshaw Farms PumpkinFest offers fall-themed activities, attractions for all agesVideo
What began as a roadside stand is a sprawling, pumpkin-themed destination in South Buffalo Township. The 12th annual Renshaw Farms PumpkinFest continues Fridays through Sundays during October, offering fall-themed activities and attractions for all ages. Established in 1834, Renshaw Farms is owned and operated by sixth-generation Renshaws. “We have thousands...
Dry weather yielded smaller pumpkins, but Myers Pickle Farm in Gilpin has plenty
The roadside blaze of orange along Route 66 in Gilpin means one thing this time of year. Pumpkinpalooza. Every September, Alle-Kiski Valley residents in search of the perfect pumpkin can find their fix at Myers Pickle Farm, a popular produce stand in continuous operation since 1925. Family owned and operated...
Leechburg Methodist church benefits from federal stimulus money, congregation’s generosity
A Leechburg church has some financial breathing room thanks to money it received as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, both from the federal government and members of the congregation. “Not only have we been able to meet our responsibilities this autumn, but for the first time in a while,...
Keystone Safari zoo near Grove City adds hour-long drive-thru tourVideo
The wildlife scene has increased at Keystone Safari near Grove City. Just up the road from Keystone Safari’s walk-thru park is their latest expansion: a self-guided drive-thru safari tour, offering interaction with more than 100 animals and 25 species. Keystone Safari opened in 2019 and is family-owned by Adam and...
Supermarket to bring Germany’s Oktoberfest to Saxonburg
A little bit of Bavarian Germany is coming to Saxonburg. Sprankle’s Markets will host their second annual “Octoberfest”-themed beer and food festival on Saturday in its parking lot at 270 W. Water St. in Saxonburg. The location is has moved from last year’s celebration held at Lingrow Farm in Gilpin....
Leechburg Area students to return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5
Leechburg Area School District students will return to face-to-face instruction Oct. 5. “I’m thrilled that the students are coming back,” Superintendent Tiffany Nix said. Students have been learning online exclusively since school started Sept 2. The original back-to-school plan approved in June offered students a choice of returning to school...
Fire outside Vandergrift house causes little damage but clogs afternoon traffic
Something smoldering against the outside a cellar door at a recently vacant house shut down busy Custer Avenue in Vandergrift for more than an hour Wednesday afternoon. Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Company Chief Randy Dunmire said Vandergrift police, who were first on the scene, had to force the door open to...
Gilpin farm to host fundraiser in place of Leechburg’s canceled Pink Day event
A Pink Day event has been held annually in Leechburg since 2011, raising more than $100,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, but the covid-19 pandemic forced organizer Sherry Price to cancel this year’s event. Leechburg-area businesswoman Linda Alworth stepped in to help when she found out about the cancellation....
Caribbean-themed brewpub Mastic Trail opens in ShalerVideo
Reach the beach without leaving the Pittsburgh area at Mastic Trail Brewing. The newly opened Caribbean-themed brewpub and restaurant, at 1044 Saxonburg Blvd. in Shaler, is the creation of island aficionado and Robinson Township native Ben Williams. “My favorite island is Grand Cayman and the Mastic Trail is a three-hour...
Large, costly hole appears on Leechburg street
Leechburg Council has a unexpected road repair on its hands, and all they know right now is that it’ll probably be expensive to fix. A gaping hole on Second Street and Center Avenue is the result of what Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos called a “storm sewer issue.” “The brick manhole...
Meet Hazelnut, a ‘spunky’ calf bought for $13 by Gilpin familyVideo
Hazelnut is a pet with a purpose. The weeks-old baby Brown Swiss calf recently was purchased for $13 at auction by the Karpinski family of Gilpin, with the sole purpose of raising her as a pet dairy cow. “Hazelnut will be here for the long haul,” Kira Karpinski said. The...
Leechburg food truck festival looks to raise money for ailing fire company
A new food truck festival is coming to Leechburg. The “Food Truck Rally on the River,” sponsored by the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday on the fire company grounds on Canal Street. The outdoor foodie fundraiser is needed more than ever, said Brian...
‘Weenie Wagon’ reopens in Leechburg
Weenie season is back in Leechburg. People who operate the popular Weenie Wagon, parked on a lot on the borough’s Market Street, usually start selling hot dogs from the wagon on Memorial Day and continue on Saturdays through October. Covid-19 restrictions and unusually hot summer temperatures presented problems this year,...
Leechburg Area School District to continue free summer lunch program through DecemberVideo
Free to-go meals are being offered to area youths by the Leechburg Area School District. The meal program is funded by the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and has been extended because of the covid-19 pandemic. The program is scheduled to continue through Dec. 31 unless federal guidelines change,...
Leechburg Area amends policy to allow spectators at some sporting events
Leechburg Area School Board amended the district’s athletic safety plan and spectator policy Wednesday to allow spectators at some sporting events. Previously, the district’s policy did not allow any spectators because of state covid-19 guidelines. Now, up to 250 people will be allowed at outdoor events and up to 25...
Gilpin teen achieves goal of becoming Eagle ScoutVideo
Tucker Spiering of Gilpin set his eye from a young age on the ultimate prize in Scouting. He earned his Eagle Scout rank on Sept. 1, 2020. “I always believed he would eventually earn his Eagle rank,” said mom Jaime Spiering. “He set this goal pretty young and was very...
Renovations to Leechburg’s Riverfront Park create ‘jewel’ along Kiski River, mayor says
A riverfront venue in Leechburg is newly spruced up and available for the public to rent. The white gazebo in Riverfront Park was constructed in 2004 but had fallen into a state of deterioration, Mayor Wayne Dobos said. “The park is a community asset that had started to fall by...
