Tawnya Panizzi stories, Page 64

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...

A passion for music — and his ability to bring joy to others through it — has earned Fox Chapel Area senior Xavier Perry the 2021 Jeffrey Dean Memorial Award from Fox Chapel-based women’s choir Belle Voci. “I am so honored,” Perry, 18, said. “It means a great deal to...

An ATM kiosk was approved for construction along Route 8. Hampton council approved the conditional use during a recent meeting for the vacant lot at 4640 Route 8, Manager Chris Lochner said. The property sits at the Talley Cavey intersection, just north of the BP station near Alpine Pools. Developers...

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the $2.4 million sculpture garden at Hartwood Acres showcased grand, decades-old art that will dot the landscape in new configurations at the 629-acre Allegheny County-owned park. Hosted by the county and the Allegheny County Parks Foundation, the June 1 event spotlighted 13 large-scale pieces of art...

Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg will offer a covid-19 vaccine clinic on June 12. The event from 9 a.m. to noon is open to the community and will offer the Pfizer vaccine to people ages 12 and older, leaders said. The clinic is being hosted in conjunction with UPMC. “We...

Sharing art and building community. That’s the mission of the newly unveiled Free Little Art Gallery in Sharpsburg. Situated at 713 Main St., the stand is similar to the Free Little Library and Pantry stands that have popped up in recent years. Caleb Adams, co-founder and Dorseyville Middle School student,...

Fox Chapel Area School District is marching forward with plans for in-person graduation ceremonies where participants and guests will be required to wear a mask — even those who are fully vaccinated against covid-19. Jill Leonard, district community engagement manager, said face coverings fall in line with requirements set by...

Monroeville author Anthony Todd Carlisle untangles long-hidden family secrets of racism and rage in his debut novel, “The Souls of Clayhatchee,” released in early May. The story follows one man’s pilgrimage to the South to fulfill his mother’s last wish of being buried in her small Alabama hometown. As the...

O’Hara’s roads will be dotted with new banners saluting Hometown Heroes as the military program renews. The township will accept reservations for banners to honor those who have served the U.S. Armed Forces. “Council loves the banner program, as it honors true heroes of our community,” township Manager Julie Jakubec...

A new basketball court is on tap for Blawnox, thanks to two recently awarded state grants. The project will see a full-size court installed near the Blawnox Hi-Rise where the old tennis courts sat. The cost is about $105,000. “That area has not been used in quite a few years...

Six candidates will seek three available positions on Hampton council this fall. The highly contested race saw the slimmest of margins among the field in the May 18 primary. According to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, Democratic nominee Bethany Blackburn earned 1,402 votes, followed by Julie...

At least four municipalities in the Lower Valley had no contested races in the May 18 primary for people seeking party nominations to run for office this fall. Aspinwall Voters saw three Democratic incumbents — Marcia Cooper, Jeff Harris and Lara Voytko — along with newcomer Mary Hancock on their...

A team of Fox Chapel Area High School students earned top honors in the eighth annual Governor’s STEM Competition for their occupancy tracking system that revolutionizes social distancing practices. “CITISYNC” was devised by junior Janise Kim and sophomores Arvind Seshan and Prajval Sreenivas. It tracks the number of people in...

Geography Olympiad accolades Fox Chapel Area High School sophomore Elijah Conklin will be part of Team USA in the International Geography Olympiad. Conklin earned the honor by placing third in the varsity division of the U.S. Geography Championships. The top four students in the country make up Team USA. The...

Fox Chapel Area School District will offer a covid-19 vaccination clinic May 24. The Pfizer vaccine will be available to people ages 12 and older, school leaders said. Sponsored by Rite-Aid, the clinic will be from 4 to 8:15 p.m. at O’Hara Elementary School, 115 Cabin Lane. A clinic for...

Kayaking enthusiasts might be disappointed to learn rentals will no longer be available at Aspinwall Riverfront Park. After five years at the site off Freeport Road, Kayak Pittsburgh will not return this summer, officials said. “It was a beautiful space but we weren’t getting enough traffic,” said Ebony Montgomery, director...

As temperatures begin to heat up, Hampton officials are prepping for pool season with an eye on a return to fun in the sun. “We are looking forward to opening to warm weather at 11 a.m. May 29,” Kevin Flannery, director of community services, said. Daily admission fees range from...

There will be at least one new face on Sharpsburg council next year after residents cast their votes in the May 18 primary. According to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, incumbent Kayla Portis was the top vote-getter on the Democratic ticket with 394, followed by newcomer...

Fox Chapel Area School District voters will decide between two candidates this fall to represent Region 2. Greg Dolan and Ariel Zych each secured a nomination on the fall ballot. Both were cross-filed in the May primary. According to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, Zych handily...

A Fox Chapel council incumbent appears to have been ousted in the May primary election. According to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, council member Fred Leech did not earn enough votes to secure a spot on the Republican ballot in November. There were seven nominees vying...

Hampton High School students are bringing live theater back after last year’s covid-related hiatus. Students will tell the tale of searching for happiness amid empty promises and lurid temptations in their presentation of “Pippin,” staged for in-person audiences and online. “It’s both a humorous allegory about growing up and a...

Pine-Richland School Board Region 2 will remain a four-way race in the November general election. According to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, the four nominees in the May 18 primary each garnered enough votes to appear on the fall ballot. On the Democratic ticket, newcomer Russell...

Shady Side Academy Senior School students will present the virtual spring musical “Now. Here. This.” on May 21. The video will be available at shadysideacademy.org/theater. Online viewing is free but donations to the drama program will be accepted. Written by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, “Now. Here. This.”...