Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 10
Sewickley Police Department makes history with officer promotion
Celina Kelly has made history once again. The soft-spoken New Brighton resident and law enforcement veteran has become Sewickley Police Department’s first full-time female officer. “It’s a nice community,” Kelly said shortly after being sworn in to her new role by Mayor George Shannon on June 10. “I’m still getting...
Sewickley Academy celebrates the Class of 2025
Watching a son or daughter accept their high school diploma is often a proud moment for a parent. It can be extra special for the family to be on stage together. Six Sewickley Academy grads had that opportunity at this year’s commencement on June 6. All of the parents involved...
Fox Chapel Area School District celebrates the class of 2025
Fox Chapel Area High School senior Anna Mohn believes asking odd questions is among the best ways to get to know someone. As editor of the school’s weekly student newspaper, she has sought knowledge such as someone’s hype song, what they are most thankful for and their favorite word. Mohn...
New Fox Chapel borough manager’s salary information obtained
The new Fox Chapel borough manager’s salary will be $185,000, according to borough records obtained by TribLive. Council unanimously voted May 19 to hire Julie Bastianini as its next top administrator upon the retirement of current manager Gary J. Koehler. Her salary was not listed in the May meeting minutes...
Shady Side Academy reportedly rethinking proposed west entrance to Fox Chapel campus
Shady Side Academy officials are expected to change their plans for an entrance on the west side of the Upper School campus. Fox Chapel Mayor Alex Scott, borough manager Gary Koehler, several council members and others met with academy leaders behind closed doors to discuss the project on May 21....
Fox Chapel Borough Manager Gary Koehler set to retire after 40 years of government service
Gary Koehler remembers being fascinated by project designs when he was growing up in Shaler. He would watch as his father, Jack, a township volunteer planning commissioner, reviewed various documents and architectural drawings. “As a little boy, 12 years old, he would bring home plans and put them on the...
Fox Chapel Area School Board approves 2025-26 budget with 2.3% tax increase
Fox Chapel Area School District officials have approved next school year’s budget with a 2.3% tax hike and no cuts to programs or services. The board voted unanimously on its 2025-26 spending plan on June 9. The millage rate jumps from 21.51 mills to 22 mills, about a 0.5-mill increase....
West Jefferson Hills School District officials bid farewell to class of 2025
Gavin Hart did not waste time by patting himself on the back for making it through the rigorous academia that is Thomas Jefferson High School. Instead, the senior class president spent the better part of his commencement address highlighting the accomplishments of his classmates and student clubs the past few...
Legacy Wall being developed at Sewickley Community Center
Jaryd Boyer believes the legacy of the Sewickley Community Center is something to be celebrated. As a borough resident and the center’s first employee in more than 30 years, the recently hired program director is working with board members and local business owners to develop a Legacy Wall. The wall...
Nippon Steel investment in U.S. Steel to move forward with Trump’s blessing, security agreement
A pair of Mon Valley-area mayors are celebrating a major moment for Western Pennsylvania industry as the Trump administration announced on Friday another hurdle to Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of U.S. Steel has been cleared. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that says the deal can go through so...
Aspinwall conference room dedicated to longtime councilman, firefighter
Memories flooded back to former Aspinwall councilman and volunteer firefighter John “Jack” Lovey as he stood in a recently renovated borough building conference room. Lovey was on Aspinwall council for 28 years and president for 15. “It brings back a lot of memories sitting there looking at my people,” he...
Sewickley Heights public works crews cleanup landslide onto Little Sewickley Creek Road
Cleanup is underway on a state road impacted by landslides in Sewickley Heights. Landslides in mid-April 2024 caused significant damage to Backbone Road between Little Sewickley Creek Road and Grouse Lane in Bell Acres. It had further deteriorated since then and PennDOT crews have been out at least twice since...
Quaker Valley High School celebrates the class of 2025
Texas Music Hall of Famers Timbuk3 sang “the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.” Many Quaker Valley School District officials took that advice as they led 135 seniors along the track of Chuck Knox Stadium, and watched as their newest alumni gathered on the field for commencement June 2....
Pittsburgh Police seek help finding missing boy with special needs
Pittsburgh Police are asking for help in locating a missing 12-year-old boy with special needs. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said Kiemoni Thompson was reportedly last seen Sunday on a green bicycle with black lettering. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with black sweatpants. Kiemoni was described as standing 5...
Quaker Valley Pedal with Police connects students, local police and community
A new Quaker Valley initiative geared toward connecting students, district police and local first responders resulted in a caravan of kids cruising through Sewickley on May 17 for the inaugural Pedal with Police event. More than 120 kids rode their bicycles from Osborne Elementary along Beaver Street to Edgeworth Elementary,...
Fox Chapel Area High School students take on real Supreme Court cases
A popular elective social studies course at Fox Chapel Area High School allows students an opportunity to serve as attorneys and Supreme Court justices. Seniors in AP U.S. Government & Politics can select two out of 20 undecided real cases and play a fictional part in the nation’s judicial system....
Penn Hills couple displaced after large tree crashes into their home
The American Red Cross is assisting a Penn Hills couple after a large tree fell into their home Thursday evening. Penn Hills Fire Chief Joe McMeekin said crews were called to the 700 block of Southern Avenue around 8:40 p.m. They found a huge tree that fell from the rear...
Fox Chapel Day at McCahill Park set for June 14
Fox Chapel police are gearing up for what may be the largest community event in department history. The fifth annual Fox Chapel Day is set for June 14 at McCahill Park. Organized by Sgt. Craig Sorg and a handful of volunteers, the department expects to draw about 1,000 people from...
Pittsburgh firm gives preliminary look at Quaker Valley School District facilities assessment
Security vestibule adjustments, roof repairs, paving, improved cafeteria acoustics and HVAC and electrical upgrades are among the various projects recommended in a preliminary Quaker Valley School District facilities assessment. Administrators and other officials watched as Cassi Renninger, principal architect at DRAW Collective Architecture, presented the company’s initial look at potential...
Sewickley Heights road, closed more than a year, in need of nearly $1 million in repairs
A Sewickley Heights road that has been closed for more than a year is not going to get fixed any time soon. Landslides in mid-April 2024 caused significant damage to Backbone Road between Little Sewickley Creek Road and Grouse Lane in Bell Acres. It has deteriorated further since, with portions...
Fox Chapel Area School District announces preliminary graduation plans
Fox Chapel Area School District officials have announced preliminary graduation plans. Approximately 345 high school seniors will graduate on June 8. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, 4141 Fifth Street in Oakland. This is a ticketed event and all attendees must have a ticket....
Sewickley Academy graduation set for June 6
Sewickley Academy officials are preparing to send the class of 2025 off to its next chapter. Graduation at the private school is set for 4 p.m. June 6 in the Rea Auditorium on the academy’s campus, 315 Academy Ave. Officials said there are 45 students in this year’s graduating class....
Shady Side Academy officials announce graduation plans
Shady Side Academy officials had announced their plans for this year’s graduation ceremony on June 7. It is planned for 9-11 a.m. on McKelvy Field at Michael J. Farrell Stadium, 423 Fox Chapel Road. There are 122 seniors in the graduating class of 2025. Academy officials said there is no...
Annual Mammoth Fest in Mt. Pleasant draws thousands of families to Westmoreland County park
Michelle Liprando of Harrison City watched as her daughter, Sienna, spun around and around and around on a motorcycle merry-go-round at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township Sunday. It became a familiar sight — the young girl went on the C&L Shows’ ride quite often during Westmoreland County’s annual Mammoth...
Northern lights to be visible through Sunday night
What scientists call “a geomagnetic storm watch” is in effect for Sunday night. In plain language, that means: Look for vibrant northern lights across the nation — visible anywhere in Pennsylvania. Authorities from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center said “a coronal mass ejection” will likely...
