Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 30

Without donations from the public, Bread of Life food pantry in Etna would struggle to serve its 140-plus families each month with fresh eggs, milk and produce. “The help is invaluable,” Director Alexis Weber said. “It is our mission to provide and we would never turn anyone away. I don’t...

Friends are recalling former longtime Blawnox Mayor Tom Smith as the ultimate figurehead for the small Allegheny River town. He founded the Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home in 1966 and later delved into local politics as a way to spur community revitalization. “My family knew him all our life, and...

Tarentum Mayor Bob Lang and Council President Scott Dadowski are challenging people to maintain the lofty neighborhood spirit that spiked in the wake of the Jan. 2 death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. The pair posted a three-minute video to the borough’s Facebook page Sunday to thank everyone who...

The man behind a Butler County billboard displaying what some consider disturbing messages said his intent is to rally “Americans to take back the country.” John Placek of Worthington rented an electronic billboard at the intersection of Route 422 and Bonniebrook Road in Summit Township to lobby against issues he...

Members of the Fox Chapel-based Women’s Board of Pittsburgh collected a hearty amount of food with the mission of feeding needy children at the holidays. “No child should ever go hungry,” member Lisa Bowden said. She said the group delivered 25 boxes of food to each of two local organizations...

It’s hard not to notice the blue police signs sprouting up through Brackenridge, Tarentum and Harrison. More than 1,000 in all, the signs are popping up in yards, parks and along streets in the week since the fatal shooting of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. “What impresses me is that...

E.L. Swiklinski has lived 10 years along Cleveland Avenue in Brackenridge, a quiet street tucked on a hillside overlooking the Allegheny River. On Jan. 2, the maintenance worker had the day off from Trinity United Methodist Church and spent the afternoon pouring seed into his multiple bird feeders and offering...

Fire pit Fridays are coming to Aspinwall, and everyone is invited to cozy up. Allegheny RiverTrail Park will host Cabin Fever, featuring fire pits, indoor movies and snacks, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays through February. The 10-acre park is off Freeport Road in Aspinwall. Another 6 acres recently was...

An online fundraiser for slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire has topped its $100,000 goal in just four days since it was first posted. People and businesses across the Alle-Kiski Valley have stepped up in a major way to help McIntire’s widow, Ashley, and his four children. Donations were nearing...

George Uhler boarded a yellow school bus at Valley High School mid-Monday, headed to pay his respects to fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. “It’s hard to understand life,” said Uhler of New Kensington. “But you have to honor someone that gave his life for us.” McIntire was gunned down...

The police manhunt in Brackenridge on Monday unfolded over hours into a frantic scene that drew dozens of police from across the region, but residents were largely kept in the dark about what was happening. Later that afternoon, Chief Justin McIntire was ambushed by suspect Aaron Lamont Swan Jr. between...

A Tarentum man who credits Justin McIntire with saving his life plans to honor the late Brackenridge chief with a proper farewell. Bill Pacek of Tarentum will be among thousands who are expected to “Flood Freeport Road” during a funeral procession Wednesday , Jan. 11 for the fallen chief. “It’s...

As a crowd gathered blocks from the Brackenridge municipal office Thursday to honor slain police Chief Justin McIntire, council met briefly to name an officer-in-charge of the small department. Members appointed Sgt. Mike Duffy to head the three-member force. Duffy did not attend the meeting. It was not clear when...

Police officers from across Western Pennsylvania are keeping watch over Brackenridge, as the borough’s own officers stand guard over their fallen chief. At least one officer from Brackenridge has remained alongside Chief Justin McIntire’s body since he was killed in the line of duty Monday. “There has been at least...

Tarentum police Officer Jordan Schrecengost got to eat breakfast in his own home Wednesday after being shot in the leg during a frenzied and fatal manhunt in Brackenridge earlier this week. “He’s doing well,” Tarentum Mayor Bob Lang said. “He’s in some pain, but he’s out of the hospital.” Lang...

The late Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire will be honored with a community vigil Thursday at the same community park where he played as a child. People are invited to attend the candlelight event at 7 p.m. in Brackenridge Memorial Park along First Avenue. “It’s really just a time for...

Fox Chapel resident Mandy Steele took the first step in her legislative journey on Jan. 3, being sworn in as state representative for the 33rd District during a ceremony at the state Capitol. “I come from a background of bringing people together from all walks of life and ideologies to...

Highlands School District will return to in-person classes Wednesday after a day of remote learning that followed the killing of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. McIntire was shot Monday afternoon during a manhunt that spanned Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge, all Highlands communities. Tarentum police Officer Jordan Schrecengost also suffered a...

Friends of Justin McIntire say that if there’s a heaven, the slain Brackenridge police chief is up there either hunting or playing euchre. “I knew him since he was a little kid, playing in his grandfather’s yard,” said Butch Magnetta, a family friend. “He loved this community, and he always...

Administrators of Tour-Ed Mine & Museum in Fawn already tout the site as “one of the coal-est” attractions in the region. Director Bob Black wants to add to the lure of the 170-year-old facility by building a natural energy center. “We give good tours here,” said Black of Plum, who...

A Harrison street that has eroded because of a lack of storm sewers is expected to be reconstructed in 2023. The township commissioners have applied for a nearly $500,000 state grant to rebuild Harbison Street, which is marked with craters because of water runoff. “This is to remedy a long-standing...

Tarentum could be in store for more than $2 million in infrastructure upgrades if the borough is awarded several grants that it applied for this week. Much of the money would be used to replace aging equipment at the borough’s water plant, which dates to the 1930s. More than $1...

Senior citizens from Tarentum to Etna can get free rides to medical appointments thanks to support from the St. Margaret Foundation. The agency last week announced it again will fund an Alle-Kiski Valley shuttle with a $90,500 grant, as well as three other shuttles that transport people between grocery stores,...

Residents of West 10th Avenue in Tarentum can look forward to the cleanup of a habitual eyesore and potential hazard. A buyer plans to pour $40,000 into renovations at 208 W. 10th Ave., Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni said. “This is a house that’s been vacant going on three years,”...

The Fawn supervisors hit a milestone with the approval of their 2023 budget: The township has not seen a property tax increase in 25 years. “Everything is staying the same,” Township Secretary Pam Ponsart said. Supervisors approved the $1.8 million budget, holding the tax rate steady at 3.04 mills. The...