Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 48

Ardent volunteer Ann Casile is being recalled by friends as a true champion of her Blawnox community. Casile died Feb. 17 at age 87. A founding member of Aspinwall Meals on Wheels, which operates from St. Edward Church in Blawnox, Casile left her mark as a woman who was born...

It’s official: Aldi is coming to Natrona Heights. Company officials confirmed the announcement Monday, saying construction of the discount supermarket is expected to begin later this year. No other details were released, including the exact location of the store. “We are excited to confirm we are planning to open a...

When the curtains rise next week on Freeport Area High School’s production of “High School Musical,” Troy Bolton and Sharpay Evans will be watching from the audience — sort of. Actors from Highlands High School — set to perform the show’s sequel, “High School Musical, 2: On Stage!” — will...

An old T-ball field along Burtner Road in Harrison will transform into a community garden this spring, complete with veggies, herbs and a tool-lending library. Highlands Partnership Network and Citizens Hose Fire-EMS-Rescue, with help from state Sen. Lindsey Williams, are working to provide fresh food and fellowship for Harrison residents....

Tom Pendergast knew better than to procrastinate ordering his fish dinner from Bethel A.M.E. Church on Saturday. “It’s always good,” said Pendergast, a Brackenridge resident who has patronized the sale for years. “And it always sells out.” More than 100 people flocked to the church along West Seventh Avenue in...

A long-term closure of Main Street in Sharpsburg is expected to begin Tuesday. Road construction will begin at 6 a.m., with crews working to install sanitary and stormwater sewer lines, PennDOT announced. Specifically, traffic will be detoured between Sixth and Eighth streets. Work is part of a $3.8 million improvement...

Highlands School District teachers, who have been without a contract for more than seven months, have a five-year deal that runs through June 2026. The district and the Highlands Education Association announced the contract agreement Wednesday after the two sides ratified a plan that includes average annual pay increases of...

Highlands Elementary second grader Stella Thiry slowly studied a box of markers before selecting her favorite colors. Classmate Isabella Malinsky chose ones that reflected bright rainbow hues. In a project aimed at fostering creativity and self-expression, the students collaborated on a colorful “quilt” to be displayed at the Community Library...

Fox Chapel officials are gearing up for a busy spring, eyeing an expected $1.2 million in road paving and nearly $600,000 in improvements for the public works department, police and municipal office. Council is targeting nine roads throughout the borough in this year’s improvement program. They include St. James Place...

Highlands students were the target of a possible threat Wednesday, district officials said. Families were alerted by a robocall that the district was investigating a threat against certain students at the middle school and high school. It was not clear which students were the subject of any threats. High School...

New Tarentum business owner Ashly Kish is bringing a mix of boho and beauty to the borough. Her lash boutique, The Boho Ve’, opened Jan. 31 in the Murphy Building along Corbet Street. “I like getting pampered, and I think there’s opportunity in a growing field,” said Kish, 36, a...

Blawnox is seeking a part-time code enforcement officer to help with the borough’s efforts to maintain safe properties. The job entails making sure homeowners keep up with cutting grass, keeping properties free of junk cars and shoveling snow in a timely manner. The position is for six hours a week....

Aspinwall Meals on Wheels clients received more with their deliveries recently than the typical meatloaf or lunchmeat sandwich. Each of the 48 participants living in the Fox Chapel Area School District was gifted a vintage tea cup with a dainty succulent wedged inside. “They truly appreciate it,” said longtime cook...

Keen-eyed readers will notice local landmarks and other A-K Valley name-drops in the debut novel by Tamara Girardi, a Lower Burrell resident. “Gridiron Girl” is the first in a six-book set aimed at young adults. It launches March 3, published by Wise Wolf Books. “Locals will see a lot of...

Two short bridges in Fawn are among those to be replaced by Allegheny County for poor conditions revealed in recent inspections. Both are part of Thompson Road and cross Bull Creek. Designated as Bull Creek bridges No. 7 and No. 8, they carry a combined 550 vehicles a day. Neither...

Highlands teachers will be pampered Friday with yoga sessions, gourmet coffee and some love from four-legged friends. A Health and Wellness program spearheaded by Superintendent Monique Mawhinney is meant to uplift spirits and refresh well-being. The program is built into a professional development day. There are no classes for students...

The Highlands School Board is expected to move forward with a project to replace a dilapidated stormwater line behind the high school. The board will vote to advertise for contract bids at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the high school library. The meeting also is available on Zoom. Highlands...

A partnership with Peoples Natural Gas has landed Prospect Cemetery with money to help buy a new mowing tractor to maintain the 13-acre site. “This was a great help to us,” said Cindy Homburg, president of the historic Brackenridge cemetery. “We work very hard to keep Prospect looking good and...

Local high school alumni will be getting their groove on for a good cause later this week. Erik Frantz, Olivia Ahr and Jennifer Gustafson, each from the Highlands School District Class of 2018, along with 2020 Norwin grad Abby Bartos, are some of the local alumni who will participate in...

Two Harrison groups are taking aim at the depleted ranks of local EMTs by providing $20,000 in free training. The Alle-Kiski Health Foundation and Citizen’s Hose EMS will host a 16-week course open to everyone, even those with no experience. “You can come in on day one, know nothing, and,...

A long sought-after upgrade to the Brackenridge public works facilities could become reality within the next year or so, as the borough looks to build a new maintenance building. Council is expected to apply for a $400,000 state grant made available through gambling revenues. A new building is expected to...

Brackenridge officials hope ongoing storm sewer overflows along Roup Avenue can be addressed if the borough receives a state grant. Council is seeking up to $300,000 through the state’s Local Share Account. The $120 million fund was created with gambling revenues across the state. Borough engineer Gordon Taylor said heavy...

Tarentum leaders want residents to clean up. Council is scheduled in March to vote on a Quality of Life ordinance that would outline health and safety requirements that include cutting high grass, removing junk vehicles and keeping homes in proper condition. “Over the last few years, there has been a...

Late Fox Chapel Area English teacher Conroy Guyer traveled so frequently after retirement that he earned enough airline miles to fly on the supersonic Concorde from Paris to New York for free. Guyer, who passed away in 2021, wanted to ensure that his passion for exploring lived on. He bequeathed...

A plan to fight blight in Brackenridge is underway. Council Vice President John Stanzione Jr. said borough officials are considering a program that would award tax breaks to developers seeking to revitalize abandoned or tax-delinquent properties. The program would be conducted in collaboration with the Highlands School District and Allegheny...