Senator Kim Ward, and Representative’s Eric Davanzo and Brian Rasel today announced that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has approved a $660,000 Local Share Account (LSA) grant for the Indian Lake Rehabilitation Project. This funding, combined with the $665,200 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant awarded earlier this year, fully funds the $1.3 million Indian Lake Park Rehabilitation Project. The Indian Lake Park Rehabilitation Project will

The annual Mt. Lebanon Police Classic Car Show rolled into the 600 and 700 blocks of Washington Road on Sept. 13, after the originally scheduled July show was postponed due to inclement weather. The free community event featured an impressive lineup of classic cars along with food, vendors and live music—drawing car enthusiasts and families for a day of fun in the Uptown business district. PHOTOS BY RALPH LOVUOLO

A fresh take on the township’s longtime Community Days celebration took place the evenings of July 9–11 at Cranberry Community Park. Presented as part of the Cranberry Foundation’s 50th anniversary, the event featured carnival rides, games and family entertainment alongside live music, art, local food and community activities. Artisans, restaurants, nonprofits, civic groups and local businesses helped transform the park into a lively gathering place for families, friends and

Peters Township High School alum Alisha Cohen turned a hobby into a creative production agency—and now her colorful photography is featured on planners and calendars in more than 1,000 Walmart stores nationwide. When Alisha Cohen was growing up in Peters Township, she didn’t necessarily see photography as a career. In fact, she thought the opposite. “I always thought that photography/art wasn’t a practical career choice, so it was something that I did on the side just for fun

First United Methodist Church celebrates 100 years in McKeesport. For 100 years, the Gothic-style building at the corner of Cornell Street and Versailles Avenue has stood as a familiar landmark in McKeesport. But the history of First United Methodist Church of McKeesport stretches back much farther than the building itself. The congregation was founded in 1841 as the Methodist Episcopal Church of McKeesport. After meeting in several temporary locations, the congregation const

The Montour Railroad once threaded our area, rumbling through the countryside, peaking in the 1930s and passing out of sight and into history in 1984. The Montour Railroad began in 1877, and was privately owned by the Imperial Coal Company, running from the mines to Coraopolis. It was a short-line railroad, which offered both freight and passenger service to 15 area stations (the passenger service ended in 1927). Most railroads of that time were short lines running just a few

The story of Hilary Borneo, noted steel drum musician, is an interesting one that has meandered from Trinidad & Tobago through most of the U.S., with some interesting coincidences where his past sometimes crossed paths with his future. When Hilary was a small boy in Trinidad & Tobago in the 1950s, steel drum playing was not respected. In fact, it was still regarded as a rebellious activity. “The plantation owners had banned drum playing because they were afraid that the Trin

At just 9 years old, Allison Park’s Callie Cochran is turning her love of softball into a growing apparel brand—and encouraging others to use their voices, too. Young athletes show off their Game On, Girls! spirit at Hampton Community Park. For 9-year-old Callie Cochran, it all started with a simple question. A softball player and fourth grader at Wyland Elementary, Callie was shopping for clothes when she noticed the boys in her grade had plenty of baseball-themed options to

Chartiers Valley High School is excited to expand opportunities for students in the 2026–2027 school year. As part of the school's ongoing commitment to preparing students for success after graduation, these class additions provide students with more ways to earn college credit while exploring rigorous and career-relevant coursework. Whether students are planning to attend a four-year university, pursue a specialized career pathway, or gain a competitive edge before graduatio

McCandless has earned Bird Town Pennsylvania’s 96th designation, recognizing the community’s ongoing commitment to conservation, sustainability and creating a healthier environment for people and wildlife. McCandless has earned a new distinction—and this one has wings. It has officially been named Pennsylvania’s 96th Bird Town—joining a growing network of communities working to create healthier, more sustainable environments for birds, wildlife and people. For McCandless, the

The future of education in the Canon-McMillan School District is taking shape as construction continues on the new Wylandville Elementary School. The project is part of the District's long-term facilities plan, which previously included the construction of Muse Elementary and the middle school. As enrollment has continued to grow, District leaders have identified the need for additional space and updated facilities to better serve students. The new, state-of-the-art school wi

Our area was once the home of an important Civil War general, James Adam Ekin. His exemplary service in the military, however, was forever overshadowed by his connection to President Abraham Lincoln after his death. The Ekin House in Elizabeth, PA, was originally owned by General James Ekin, grandson of Stephen Bayard, the town’s founder. Photo courtesy of Abandoned Old & Interesting Places - Western PA. Ekin was born in 1819, to a mother whose father, Colonel Stephen Bayard,

This farmers market started in 2022 as a way to bring the community together for a few afternoons over the summer on Ann Street in Homestead. It offers area residents fresh and local produce, baked goods, refreshments, specialty products and more, plus live entertainment. PHOTOS BY RALPH LOVUOLO

Pro fisherman and Harborcreek native Dave Lefebre and his wife, Anne, are opening a coffeehouse and café that they hope will become a community hub. Lefebre’s bass fishing skills are well-known as one of the winningest fishermen on the FLW Tour. His most recent victory was a big one in May: the Heavy Hitters Championship Round of Major League Fishing, held on Orange Lake in Ocala, Florida. The fishing will continue, but back in Harborcreek, the angler has cast his line in a

Churchill Borough’s annual Community Day brought residents together at the Pace School grounds on Aug. 8 for a day of family-friendly fun, games and community activities. Hosted by the Churchill Recreation Board, the event featured entertainment and activities for all ages. Local volunteers, including students, helped make the annual event another successful celebration. PHOTOS BY RALPH LOVUOLO

Upper St. Clair’s TeraBridges robotics team earned international recognition after redesigning a mobility device that gives young children with disabilities greater independence. TeraBridges students successfully tested their 3D printed motorized TMT design with Elias at Child’s Way. From L to R: Aaron Jiang, Rohan Inampudi, Ritu Gupta, Dr. Rama Bala. Photo Credit: Child’s Way staff For the students on Upper St. Clair’s TeraBridges team, robotics has never been just about win

Coloratura soprano Virginia (Ginnie) Schaap has helped students discover the wonderful world of music, while doing what she loves. Schaap was always blessed with singing ability, and much of her early experience was singing in church. But when she was 12 years old, people started to notice her voice. More than being able to warble a few notes, she had perfect pitch and was able to hit the high notes. Around this same age, she began taking voice lessons. She sang mostly tradit

The Sewickley Valley Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2026 Night Mart season on June 26, transforming Beaver Street and—for the first time—Walnut Street into a lively evening destination. The expanded footprint allowed for additional artisan vendors while welcoming more than 3,000 attendees to enjoy the community celebration. Guests browsed handcrafted goods, sampled offerings from food trucks, listened to live music, and explored Sewickley’s boutiques and restaurants durin

The season got off to a lively start in South Fayette as the annual Summer Kickoff Concert welcomed families to Fairview Park on June 17. The free community event featured a performance by No Bad JuJu—an eight-piece band entertaining the crowd with a mix of classic R&B, soul, rock, pop and Top 40 hits. Attendees also enjoyed food and beverages, local vendors, business booths and children’s activities. PHOTOS BY RALPH LOVUOLO

Families throughout the community gathered at Larry Mills Park June 18–20 for the 2026 Plum SummerFest—a three-day celebration that included carnival rides, food trucks, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Residents and friends enjoyed a variety of food and beverages, bingo hosted by the local Rotary Club and American Legion, and a beer garden benefiting the borough’s Angel Fund, which provides Christmas gifts for local families in need. The festival concluded