Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 107
Sewickley businesses partner with nonprofit to provide Valentine meals for families
With restaurants open with limited seating due to covid restrictions, it may be difficult for couples to find a table on Valentine’s Day. This year, a Sewickley nonprofit has found a way to make those romantic hot plates sizzle while supporting local businesses. Couples and families can order meals through...
Verona residents to save borough history in a time capsule for 150th anniversary
Verona was incorporated as a borough 150 years ago, and some of its residents want to encapsulate the milestone for generations to come. Verona Community Group plans to have a celebration to mark the occasion in May. It’s in the process of collecting items for a time capsule. “We would...
Medical marijuana dispensary proposed for old PNC Bank in Pleasant Hills
An old PNC Bank in Pleasant Hills may be transformed into a medical marijuana dispensary. Ethos Cannabis, a Philadelphia-based firm with two production centers and about a dozen retail locations in the country including six in Pennsylvania, wants to open its next shop at 560 Clairton Blvd. Council listened to...
Oakmont Commons flooding solutions dependent upon grant approval
Flood mitigation projects proposed for the Oakmont Commons housing plan are contingent upon grant funding, Oakmont officials said Tuesday. The borough applied for $500,000 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Flood mitigation Program last July. It’s a matching grant with the borough projected to shell out 15%, about $75,000, should it...
Oakmont officials approve plans for proposed housing development near country club
A proposed housing plan near the Oakmont Country Club has cleared a hurdle with borough council. Elected officials unanimously voted Tuesday night to approve the subdivision and land development plans for Oakmont Place, a 12-unit, one-floor patio home development off Hulton Road by Eleventh Street. “We’re very happy,” landscape architect...
Police: Man shot in arm in Pitcairn
A man was hospitalized after being shot in Pitcairn Monday night. Allegheny County police said the shooting took place shortly after 11 p.m. along the 400 block of Broadway Avenue. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his arm. No further information about the victim or possible suspects was released....
Pittsburgh police say missing teen found safe
Pittsburgh police have safely located a teen missing since Monday night. The 15-year-old was last seen at the New Outlook Academy around 8:30 p.m. Monday before leaving the site, Public Safety spokesperson Maurice Matthews reported. Police posted to social media just before 1 a.m. that the teen was found. Hailey...
Pleasant Hills council reorganizes with familiar faces
Pleasant Hills council reappointed a familiar face as its leader and newer one as its second in command. Cheryl Freedman and Andrew Codelka were named president and vice president, respectively. It was a unanimous vote Monday night with no other nominations to the positions. This will be Freedman’s second year...
Riverview High School teacher pens 5th book with help from educators around the globe
When Riverview High School teacher Rachelle Poth needed artwork for her books a few years ago, she got help from one of her young learners. Freshman Hann Morrissey worked on the covers of “In Other Words” and “Unconventional: Ways to Thrive in EDU.” So when it came to art for...
Police: 2 people struck by vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood
Two people were hospitalized in stable condition after being struck by a vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood Friday evening. Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said the pedestrians were walking along the 700 block of Brookline Boulevard around 5:45 p.m. when they were hit. They told medics the crash gave them...
Police: Penn Hills man shot outside his homeVideo
A Penn Hills man was shot outside his home early Friday morning. Police said the shooting occurred shortly before 12:20 a.m. along the 400 block of Hamil Road near New Life Community Ministries Church. Police Chief Howard Burton said the victim initially refused medical treatment, but was eventually taken to...
Rotary club project to recognize Verona, Oakmont families with American flags
The Rotary Club of Oakmont-Verona plans to give residents of the twin boroughs an opportunity to commend or remember others with a bevy of American flags. “It’s a way to honor the people of the community and brings recognition to the community,” said Rotary past president Don Stoner. “It helps...
Verona Council president Pat McCarthy has resigned, letters of interest accepted
Verona Council President Pat McCarthy has resigned. Council accepted his resignation at Tuesday night’s meeting. “It was a shock to everybody,” said Mayor Dave Ricupero, a one-time political opponent of McCarthy. “He stated it was for health problems and I just wish him the best. Family and health are most...
Brookline woman’s death ruled accidental in February 2020 fire
The death of a Bookline woman found dead inside a home last Feburary has been ruled an accident, according to an Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office report released Thursday. Officials said Melanie Hesser, 57, died of thermal and inhalation injuries sustained as a result of a fire along the 200...
Pittsburgh officials approve new 5-year deal with crossing guards
Pittsburgh officials announced Wednesday they have finalized a new deal with their crossing guards. The five-year contract was negotiated with the Service Employees International Union 192B. Mayor Bill Peduto said via news release that the deal is good for both parties. “We are excited to have reached this agreement with...
Plum approves advisory committee to help establish agriculture security areas
Plum officials have moved one step closer to establishing Agriculture Security Areas (ASAs) in the borough. Council unanimously voted Jan. 11 to form an advisory committee with Vice President Dave Vento as its chair. Vento will work with council President Dave Odom to fill the other committee seats, which must...
Penn Hills School District has a new plan to bring students back 4 days a week
Penn Hills School District officials have a new plan to bring students back into the district’s schools four days a week. Superintendent Nancy Hines said they hope to welcome first grade, middle-schoolers, juniors and seniors back Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays starting Feb. 16. All students would learn online Wednesdays...
Pleasant Hills property owners to pay more in real estate taxes due to garbage collection
Pleasant Hills property owners will pay more in real estate taxes this year. Council recently passed its 2021 spending plan with a one-mill tax hike. The new tax rate is 7.75 mills. The median home value in the borough is about $143,500, which means that property owner will pay about...
Sewickley has a new mayor, George Shannon
Sewickley has a new mayor. George Shannon was appointed by council Tuesday night to fill the seat vacated by Brian Jeffe, who resigned as mayor last month. His term is set to expire at the end of this year. Shannon would have to run in the upcoming municipal election if...
Rankin man’s death by train last year ruled accidental
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Tuesday that the death of a man hit by a train in Swissvale last year was accidental. Walter Gunter, 45, of Rankin died as a result of injuries sustained from the accident around 5 p.m. Jan. 6, 2020 near the corner of South...
Jefferson Hills Council votes to distribute fire tax funds, fails to recertify Gill Hall VFC
Gill Hall Volunteer Fire Co. in Jefferson Hills remains off dispatch as council once again declined to formally recognize the department. Motions to recertify Gill Hall and rescind a resolution naming Jefferson Hills Fire Rescue the sole borough company failed by a 2-5 vote Monday night. However, officials did agree...
Plum Council voting meetings to be livestreamed on YouTube later this year
Plum officials are considering livestreaming council voting meetings via the borough’s YouTube channel. Several officials are enthusiastic about the idea, but at least one councilman said council has not discussed it. Voting meetings are held at the borough building at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. The...
Verona group selects spot for community garden; survey out for public input
A community garden project might soon take root in Verona. Borough Parks and Recreation board members have selected a location and have applied to acquire it through the Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery program. The area in question is a 25-by-140-foot lot at 851 Second St. Board member Rhea Homa...
Police: Man arrives at Pittsburgh hospital shot in the elbow
Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting after a man showed up to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his elbow. Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said officers responded to a 911 call shortly before 8:45 p.m. Thursday reporting possible gunshots along the 3600 block of Perrysville Avenue. Cruz said...
Pittsburgh police: Help needed to find missing man with mental health issues
Pittsburgh police seek public help to find a missing man with mental health issues. Marco Anthony Zingrone, 25, was last seen along the 200 block of Ninth Street at 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, Public Safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz reported Thursday. He is described as a white man standing 5...
