Fox Chapel Herald category, Page 85
Shady Side Academy coach Jonna Burke hits 500 career wins with victory over Apollo-Ridge
Not too often do opposing basketball coaches combine to own nearly 1,100 career victories. That was the case Tuesday as Shady Side Academy’s Jonna Burke and Apollo-Ridge’s Ray Bartha guided their teams into the Section 3-3A girls opener at Shady Side Academy’s Mellon Gym. Bartha has 568 victories in nearly...
North Hills Genealogists host Jan. 16 presentation about Civil War ancestors
North Hills Genealogists will host an online presentation on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. by Brian Rhinehart entitled, “I Have a Civil War Ancestor… Now What?” The event is free and open to the public. Civil War soldiers often left a rich genealogical paper trail. Many records are tucked away...
Public online auction slated for closed Waterworks Walmart
A public, online auction will be held next week for the remaining contents of the former Walmart in The Waterworks shopping plaza near Aspinwall. The store closed in November 2022, citing underperforming sales, according to Felicia McCranie, Walmart’s North and East communications director. The public can view and inspect hundreds...
Several hundred birders slough through rain to count thousands of birds, some rare
For the 123rd Christmas Bird Count, several hundred people scoured all types of habitats from Pittsburgh’s three rivers to the brushy fields of Hartwood Acres in Indiana Township to the Laurel Highlands for the annual census of birds. There are never enough boots on the ground for the longest-running community...
Fox Chapel Area School District raises big bucks for charityVideo
Students in the Fox Chapel Area School District raised more than $95,000 in December for a local charity. Students from all grades in the district’s six schools hosted fundraisers during a monthlong, districtwide campaign that culminated in the 33rd annual telethon fundraiser — dubbed Fox Fest — in the high...
St. Margaret Foundation funds free shuttle for senior citizens in Alle-Kiski Valley
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,...
Fox Chapel grad Pilarski catches on with Dodgers
Not only did Fox Chapel graduate Jake Pilarski agree to sign with an MLB team, he will join one of the sport’s premier franchises. Pilarski will sign a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and will report to the team’s minor-league training facility in February. Pilarski played for the Washington...
Letter to the Editor: Writer would welcome chicken-raising in O’Hara
Dear Editor, During the pandemic, there was time to consider ways to reshape some of the ways in which we live. From supply chain issues to inflation to a renewed understanding of our environmental impact in daily life, it seems an especially good time to allow people the comfort of...
Former Steeler Ryan Shazier brightens holidays of 4 people with spinal cord injuries
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier continues his mission to support those affected by spinal cord injuries. Shazier arrived Wednesday morning at the Giant Eagle Market District in The Waterworks shopping center near Aspinwall to welcome four people with spinal cord injuries who were invited to participate in a free...
Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel selects California educator as head of middle school
Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel has selected a California educator to head its Middle School, according to an announcement on Dec. 19 from SSA President Bart Griffith Jr. Michelle Merson will become the academy’s head of Middle Shool, effective July 1, 2023, to replace Amy Nixon who has announced...
Fox Chapel Area cheerleaders headed to prestigious national competition
For the first time in school history, a Fox Chapel Area High School varsity cheerleading squad has earned a bid to compete at the National High School Cheerleading Championship. The competition is Feb. 10-12, 2023 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. and is considered the most prestigious...
Fox Chapel council holds line on taxes in 2023 budget, new member sworn in
Fox Chapel officials have held the line on real estate taxes for the fifth consecutive year. Council voted 6-0 Monday night to adopt its 2023 budget and maintain the millage rate at 2.95 mills. Councilman Thomas Karet was absent. Borough manager Gary Koehler said the tax rate is the 17th...
Fox Chapel’s Cooper-Siegel Library features ‘Cow Tales’ exhibit
An O’Hara Township artist has an exhibit at the Cooper-Siegel Library in Fox Chapel through February 2023 showing her paintings, etchings and monotype prints inspired by the cattle of a neighboring farm. The Meinert Farm is only steps from the back yard of artist Paula Garrick Klein. She has focused...
Residents of O’Hara, Fox Chapel selected as new chair, vice chair of St. Margaret Foundation
The board of directors of the St. Margaret Foundation has elected a new chairperson and vice chair. Michelle Keane Domeisen will serve as chairperson and Seth Silverman as vice chair for two-year terms, according to a Dec. 15 announcement. Domeisen is senior vice president of investment services in the Colliers...
Fox Chapel area real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 18, 2022
Aspinwall Angelo Martini Jr. sold property at 130 Virginia Ave. to Maria Doty for $378,000. Fox Chapel Christopher Evans sold property at 106 Westchester Drive to Douglas Ryan Vogus and Margaret Joan Pittman for $561,000. John Waldman sold property at 104 Wynnwood Drive to Thomas and Gina Johnson for $1,125,000....
In brief: News from District Judge Matt Rudzki, PennDOT
District Judge Matt Rudzki will host a holiday open house at his court, 1205 Main St. in Sharpsburg. It is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 29. There will be an opportunity to meet staff, tour the court facility, learn about district courts and enjoy some cookies and...
Fox Chapel grad catches on with Dodgers
Not only has Fox Chapel graduate Jake Pilarski agreed to sign on with a Major League Baseball team, but he’ll also be joining one of the sport’s premier franchises. Pilarski will be inking a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and will report to the team’s minor league training facility...
Second-half surge shows mettle of resilient Shady Side Academy football team
After starting the season 1-4, the last thing many expected from the Shady Side Academy football team was an appearance in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals. But the Bulldogs turned the season around, winning six in a row before falling to Avonworth, a step away from the WPIAL title game....
Fox Chapel AAUW to present ‘Healthy Longevity’ on Jan. 10
The Fox Chapel Area Affiliate of the American Association of University Women will host “Healthy Longevity” at 10 a.m. Jan. 10. The program will be at Longwood at Oakmont, 500 Route 909, Plum, in The Commons Ballroom. Guest speaker is Laurie Lesoon, director of lifestyle engagement for independent living residents...
Shady Side boys basketball opens section play with win vs. Burrell
Shady Side Academy began formal defense of its WPIAL Class 3A crown Friday night with a 59-50 victory over Burrell at Mellon Gym. The Bulldogs (5-1, 1-0 Section 3-3A) led the entire way but couldn’t shake the Bucs (2-4, 0-1) until the final minutes of play. Eli Teslovich led Shady...
Aspinwall’s VFD hits on a winning combination — brunch and Santa
Ho-Ho — hot brunch and Santa. Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Brunch with Santa brought in about 100 people to the Aspinwall American Legion on Dec. 11. The event was a fundraiser for the department in conjunction with Aspinwall borough. Resident Sissy Powers and her team of volunteers brought in...
Aspinwall holds the line on real estate taxes next year; councilman resigns because he’s moving
An Aspinwall councilman resigned shortly after he and his colleagues approved the 2023 budget with no real estate tax increase. Next year’s spending plan was approved via 6-0 vote on Dec. 14. Councilwoman Mary Hancock was absent. Budget documents indicate the property tax rate will remain at 6.86 mills. Vice...
Blawnox real estate taxes to increase by about 10%; water and sewage bills also increase next year
Blawnox property owners will pay about 10% more in real estate taxes in 2023. They also will see an increase in water and sewage bills as the borough passed on to consumers cost increases from Fox Chapel Authority, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and Alcosan. Council voted 6-0 on...
O’Hara Councilman creates custom Santa sleigh for all
On Mike Hammill’s lawn, there rose quite a clatter. “When he drew up the plans, I thought he was crazy. He was out there sawing. I was very surprised,” his wife Tina Hammill said. “He kept going to Lowe’s and coming back with more stuff.” The stuff became a holiday-themed...
O’Hara fire called suspicious, remains under investigation
A fire at an O’Hara home that township emergency responders called suspicious remains under investigation. Police Superintendent Jay Davis said Tuesday that no injuries were reported in connection with the fire at 1325 Powers Run Road. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. “It was suspicious...
