To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.
School district seeks input on comprehensive plan
The Fox Chapel Area School District is conducting community focus groups to support its ongoing work on a new comprehensive plan.
The focus groups will provide additional thoughts and ideas to inform the process. The community focus groups will be about 90 minutes in length and will be held virtually and in person.
District residents and business owners interested in participating in a focus group should contact Kathleen Anuszek, executive assistant to the superintendent, at 412-967-2413 or kathleen_anuszek@fcasd.edu.
Community focus group sessions will be held:
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 (virtual)
• 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6 (in person)
• 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 (virtual)
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 (virtual)
Registration for a focus group will close 48 hours before the session is set to begin to allow adequate time for necessary arrangements to be made. Those who sign up will receive a link via email for the community focus group session that they indicated an interest in attending.
Fundraising under way for Polar Plunge, Pens raffle
Students from Fox Chapel Area High School and Dorseyville Middle School are fundraising for the annual Pittsburgh Cool Schools Polar Plunge, which will take place Feb. 27 at Acrisure Stadium.
The money raised will help fund the school district’s and other Special Olympics Unified Sports teams in the Three Rivers Region. Donations can be made to Fox Chapel Area’s team at give.specialolympicspa.org/team/790101.
Once again, a local family will match a portion of every donation given to Fox Chapel Area’s team, up to $50,000, which is the team’s goal this year.
Last year, the Fox Chapel Area School District team raised $44,807, and it was the third consecutive year that the Fox Chapel Area team raised the most money out of all the school teams in Pennsylvania. Over the past three years, the Fox Chapel Area Polar Plunge team has raised $122,007.
The public also can support the Fox Chapel Area team through a raffle to win a Pittsburgh Penguins experience that includes a luxury suite game night for four people. The cost of tickets is $25 each, and the drawing will take place Feb. 12. The raffle also benefits Fox Families Care, a nonprofit that works closely with the Fox Chapel Area School District to bridge the gap between the needs and resources of Fox Chapel Area youths and families. For details about the raffle, visit tinyurl.com/3w7ahbas.
Help available for people grieving loved ones
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is?
Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.
GriefShare is a 13-week, nondenominational Christian faith-based support group that meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, starting March 5 through May 28, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.
For details or questions, email Gail Harger at gailharger@verizon.net or visit griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.
Water authority to start digging to identify unknown water line materials
The Hampton Shaler Water Authority soon will begin exploratory digging, called potholing, to identify unknown water service line materials in Sharpsburg.
Home owners can help avoid digging on their property by identifying and submitting their water service line material, which could be lead, nonlead or galvanized requiring replacement.
The Water Service Line Self-Identification Survey only takes a few minutes and can be accessed at hswa-pa.org/service-line-inventory-survey.
Anyone who prefers assistance, can schedule a free inspection by Hampton Shaler Water Authority staff by calling 412-486-4867 or emailing info@hamptonshalerwater.gov.
Fox Hill Preschool open house to include puppet show
The Fox Hill Preschool will host an open house from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 21, followed by a puppet show from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
The preschool is located in Faith United Methodist Church, 261 W. Chapel Ridge Road, in Fox Chapel.
It offers programs for children ages 2 to 5 and is open to all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The curriculum promotes creativity as well as social and emotional growth, while emphasizing basic universal values, such as kindness, friendship, honesty, compassion and patience.
To learn more, visit foxhillpreschool.org.
Aspinwall Dog Park permits on sale through March 31
Permits for 2026 to use the Aspinwall Dog Park, located at the Aspinwall Recreational Area, are on sale through March 31.
The cost for residents is $15 and $10 for an additional dog. For nonresidents, the price is $30 and $15 for an additional dog.
To register for a permit, visit www.tocite.net/aspinwallpa/portal/permit.
Pre-K program applications now being accepted
The Fox Chapel Area School District is accepting applications for its 2026-27 pre-kindergarten program through April 10.
This will be the eighth year for the program, which is housed at Kerr Elementary School, 341 Kittanning Pike, in O’Hara. The program is open to students across the district who turn 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026.
The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and will consist of a 4-year-old classroom with 20 students.
All students must be toilet-trained and able to use the bathroom without adult assistance. Parents/guardians must be able to provide transportation to and from school. The program requires a five-day-a-week commitment; after 10 absences, a child may be withdrawn from the program.
Students are eligible for the program based on their family’s income, which must be below the 300% poverty level for the size of the family.
Enrollment forms, including the pre-kindergarten program application, income verification form and commitment form are available on the district’s pre-kindergarten website at prek.fcasd.edu. The completed forms and proof of income (a copy of most recent W-2 or three current pay stubs) should be mailed to Fox Chapel Area School District Pre-Kindergarten Program, c/o Dr. Ashley Constantine, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
If more than 20 applications are received by April 10, a random selection process will occur the week of April 20. Parents/guardians who have a child selected for the program will receive an acceptance letter with additional information to begin the registration process. All other eligible students will be placed on an ordered wait list.
For questions, contact Dr. Ashley Constantine, Fox Chapel Area School District’s executive director of elementary education and instruction, at ashley_constantine@fcasd.edu or 412-967-2455. Additional information also is available on the pre-kindergarten website.
Registration for kindergarten starting soon
Registration for children who will enter kindergarten in the fall is scheduled in the Fox Chapel Area School District for March. The district also offers various preregistration events, including parent/guardian orientations and 2026-27 kindergarten story times, that are held beginning in February.
Starting on Feb. 3, parents and guardians can visit register.fcasd.edu to begin the registration process. Once the online forms are complete, parents and guardians will attend the school’s registration day, at a specific time, with their supporting documents. Orientation meetings to acquaint parents/guardians with the kindergarten program and registration process are scheduled in February.
Children must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 to be admitted to kindergarten in the 2026-27 school year. A certificate of birth date, immunization records, two proofs of residency and a photo ID must be presented for registration. A child will not be officially registered in the school until all of these items are presented.
Here is the schedule for in-person parent orientation meetings and kindergarten registration. Parents and guardians will choose a specific registration time once they complete the online registration.
Fairview Elementary School — parent orientation: 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 4; registration: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 4. The school is located at 738 Dorseyville Road in Indiana Township. Phone: 412-963-9315.
Hartwood Elementary School — parent orientation: 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 5; registration: 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 4. The school is located at 3730 Saxonburg Blvd. in Indiana Township. Phone: 412-767-5396.
Kerr Elementary School — parent orientation: 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 3; registration: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3. The school is located at 341 Kittanning Pike in O’Hara Township. Phone: 412-781-4105.
O’Hara Elementary School — parent orientation: 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 5; registration: 9:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m. p.m. March 5. The school is located at 115 Cabin Lane in O’Hara Township. Phone: 412-963-0333.
Additionally, districtwide registration sessions for all elementary schools will be held in March for those unable to attend the individual school registration dates and times. Registration for all incoming kindergartners will be from 4 to 6 p.m. March 3 at Kerr Elementary School and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 5 at O’Hara Elementary School.
Incoming kindergarten families also are encouraged to sign up for the story times hosted by their elementary school. To sign up and to learn more about programs for incoming kindergartners, visit kdgfcasd.com.
Blawnox Food Pantry to be open Jan. 30
The Blawnox Food Pantry will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 30 at 376 Freeport Road.
Pantry operations have shifted this year to a ticket system similar to a supermarket deli to help eleviate wait times and people lining up around the block to get food.
Participants may arrive at 10:45 a.m. to start picking their tickets.
No proof of residency or income is required.
For details, call 412-828-4141.
Sharpsburg VFW hosts winter flea markets, benefit breakfasts
The Sharpsburg Winter Flea Market and Sharpsburg VFW Post 709 benefit breakfast take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on select Sundays — Feb. 8, Feb. 22, March 8 and March 22 — at the social club, 1017 Main St.
Vendor setup starts at 7 a.m., and free vendor tables are offered while available. due to limited space, call 412-781-7771to reserve a table.
A variety of breakfasts will be available, ranging in price from $5 to $14. Additional sides range from $1 to $2.50. All breakfasts include a choice of coffee, hot tea, soda or bottle of water. Follow VFW 709 on Facebook for the full menu and updates.
Breakfast is cash only. No bills over $20, please.
Follow VFW 709 on Facebook for updates.
Tot night, family bingo, board night for adults set at center
The Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, is hosting a few free community events in February:
• New! Tot Time Open Play: 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. Feb. 6. Guests ages 5 and under are invited to run around in our community room and burn off some energy. This is unstructured and unsupervised play time, so guardians must stay and supervise. Free and open to the public (membership is not required). Registration is required at lauriannwestcc.org/event/tot-time-open-play.
• Unity in the Community — Family Bingo: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. Join us for a fun afternoon of community and connection. Bring your family, friends and your lucky charm. Some lucky winners will take home Lauri Ann West Community Center merch. Food will be available for purchase through Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet. This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Sign up at lauriannwestcc.org/event/family-bingo. This program is sponsored by Realtor Jane Siddons Herrmann.
• Community Board Game Night for Adults: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 20. Bring your friends or make some new ones at the center while playing classics board games such as Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble. This is an 18-and-over event, and attendees are welcome to bring their favorite adult beverages and snacks. More than 20 board games will be available to choose from, or you can bring your favorite from home. Food also will be available for purchase through Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet. This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. to register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/community-board-game-night-for-adults.
Register for Session 2 programs, summer camps
Registration for Lauri Ann West Community Center’s Winter/Spring Session 2 programming opened Jan. 26.
Offerings include a mix of tried-and-true favorites, such as Pickleball 101 and Deep Relaxation for Adults, sports for Pre-K participants, and a wide range of sports and art classes for school-age students.
For elementary students who love chess, there is a Level 2 version of the Knight Chess School. As always, the programs are designed to enrich students’ after-school experience while also supporting families’ child care needs. To that end, busing is provided from Fox Chapel Area School District’s elementary schools for all classes that begin at 4:15 p.m. Scholarships are available.
For details and to view a list of classes, visit lauriannwestcc.org/programs. Questions can be directed to questions@lauriannwestcc.org.
Registration opens Feb. 1 for the center’s themed summer camps, which will run for nine weeks from June 15 through Aug. 14. The camps are for children ages 3 to 13.
Fan-favorite weeks such as Our Town, Carnival and Myths and Legends are back, along with new Friday surprises and a brand-new theme — Crafting the World Games — where art and sports come together for an action-packed week.
Scholarships are available. To learn more about the weekly themes, visit lauriannwestcc.org/summer-camps-2026.
Sign-ups underway in Sharpsburg for baseball, softball teams
Sign-ups are now open for the spring season of the Sharpsburg Baseball and Softball Association.
If you’re looking for a fun, positive way to get your children active this season, we’re here to help.
Available programs are:
• T-ball: Ages 4-6
• Instructional baseball: Ages 7–8
• Boys baseball: Up to age 12
• Girls softball: Up to age 13
Participants will learn the game, build confidence, make friends and have fun on the field.
For details or to sign up, call or text Denise Hoffman at 412-352-5158 or reach out by email at sbsa.playball@gmail.com.
Junior council member collecting nonperishable items for pantry
Anna Grace, a junior council member for Fox Chapel, is organizing a food drive through Jan. 31 to benefit the Sharpsburg Food Pantry.
The pantry, located in the basement of St. Mary Church at 210 Garnier St. in Sharpsburg, assists residents of the Sharpsburg, Harmar and Fox Chapel area.
The pantry is in need of nonperishable items, including soup, pasta, juice, boxed cereal, peanut butter, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash, dish soap and household cleaning liquid.
Items can be dropped off at Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road, and the Fox Chapel Borough Building, 401 Fox Chapel Road.
Ministry plans Super Bowl party
Addiction Recovery Ministry is hosting a Super Bowl party, starting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 8, at its John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St., Sharpsburg.
All are invited to attend. Soft drinks, coffee and snacks will be provided, but everyone is asked to bring an appetizer or dessert. The game room and library also will be open during the party.
To reserve a spot, contact Rosemarie Haas at 412-378-9290 or rhaasarm@gmail.com.
Commemorative bricks available to honor Blawnox veterans
Memorial bricks are still available for purchase to honor current or former Blawnox residents who have served our country.
Many bricks already have been installed at the Veterans Memorial, along with new lamps and new pavers, along Freeport Road.
The memorial aims to serve as both a remembrance and a living memorial.
To purchase a brick in honor of a veteran, visit BricksRUs.com/DonorSite/BlawnoxCentennial.
Each brick measures 4 inches by 8 inches and costs $100.
Select commemorative products also can be purchased as keepsakes, including a donor brick for $60, an exact duplicate of the brick purchased with the addition of felt backing; a souvenir brick for $25, a smaller option that fits in one’s hand bearing your custom inscription; and a donor certificate for $10, a laser-printed certificate on heavy ivory paper showing your inscription on a red-colored brick background.
Blawnox looking to start a Shade Tree Commission
Blawnox is seeking volunteers to form a Shade Tree Commission, as well serve as as Tree Tenderers.
A Shade Tree Commission consists of residents who plan, plant, maintain and protect the community’s public trees. They work to ensure healthy tree canopy, species diversity and proper stewardship.
A Tree Tenderer, a trained volunteer within the Shade Tree Commission, who is involved in the hands-on care\, such as watering, mulching and inspecting and reporting on the health of trees.
Anyone interested in serving should contact the borough at 412-828-4141 or stop in the office at 376 Freeport Road.
Community blood drive set for Feb. 11
Fox Chapel Area High School is hosting a community blood drive with Vitalant from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11.
The drive will be held in the large group instruction room at Fox Chapel Area High School, 611 Field Club Road, O’Hara.
Everyone 16 and older is encouraged to donate blood.
As a special incentive, anyone who donates blood will receive a $15 gift card.
Vitalant also continues to offer scholarships to area high school students. To qualify for these scholarships, Fox Chapel Area High School will host several blood drives throughout the 2025-26 school year. The scholarships will be awarded for the highest percent participation and the largest number of registered donations for the year. Additionally, anyone who donates blood at a local donor center can request for the donation to count toward the school’s total. Just specify for the donation to count toward Fox Chapel Area High School using code UHS010025.
To schedule an appointment, visit vitalant.org, call 1-877-25VITAL or use Vitalant’s mobile app and apply the above code.
Students who would like to donate can stop by gifted education facilitator Lisa Gibson to arrange to make a donation.
While donors are encouraged to make an appointment, walk-ins will be welcome. Walk-in donors should enter at the athletics entrance at the back of the school by the fox statue.
The blood drive is being coordinated by the community outreach committee of the Fox Chapel Area High School Fox Leadership Council.
Registration underway for summer camps at Camp Guyasuta
Camp Guyasuta is offering a weeklong co-ed STEM Adventure Day Camp throughout June and July for children ages 6 to 14.
The camp is held in a “drop-off” format, with early arrival and late pickup available. This arrangement allows youth of working parents the ability to attend an adventure of a lifetime while not disrupting work schedules.
Registration currently is underway and will close once 180 campers have signed up for each age group, 6-10 and 11-14, per week. The first week starts June 1 and the last week begins July 27.
The cost is $300 per camper for the 6-10 group and $350 for those 11-14.
Activities include archery, target and range sports, ropes courses, gaga ball, human foosball, creek hikes and swimming.
For details about the camp and to register, visit campguyasuta.org/day-camp.
For questions about participation or exclusion from an activity, call 412-782-2669.
To request to be with a friend, email Kim Daniher at kim.daniher@scouting.org as soon as both campers are registered. The camp tries to accommodate friend requests, but it is not guaranteed. Once groups are filled, however, friend requests will not be accepted.
Pavilion rentals open Feb. 2 for Indiana Township residents
Pavilion reservations for Indiana Township residents 21 and older will open at 9 a.m. Feb. 2. Reservations for nonresidents will start Feb. 16.
Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pavilions in three of the township’s five parks — and a gazebo — are available to rent:
• Rural Ridge pavilion (no electricity) at the Rural Ridge Parklet next to the Kevin M. Brozek Community Center, 400 Crawford Run Road;
• Old Mill Dam School, Dogwood and Laurel Oak pavilions, as well as the gazebo, in Emmerling Park along Cove Run Road;
• Pleasant View pavilion at Middle Road Community Park along Red Maple Lane.
Reservations are accepted in person at the administration office during office hours at Town Hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.
For rates, visit indianatownship.com or call the office at 412-767-5333, option 7.
Availability can be checked by emailing admin@indianatownship.com or by calling the office.
Bulk pickup days held once a month
Indiana Township’s next bulk pickup day by Waste Management is Feb. 4.
Waste Management provides one bulk pickup day each month in the township.
Residents can place one item per month curbside when bulk pickup is scheduled. Dates can be viewed on the township’s calendar at indianatownship.com/calendar.
Bulk items can include:
• Furniture such as chairs, tables, armoires, cabinets, chests, headboards, sofas, mattresses, dressers and interior doors;
• Gasoline-powered snow blowers, nonriding lawn mowers and hedge trimmers; the equipment must be drained of all fluids;
• Household appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, toilets, refrigerators (freon must be removed), microwaves and hot water tanks;
• Carpeting (must be cut into 4-foot bundles);
• Picnic tables or benches (unattached), basketball boards, pools (6 feet or less in height) and swing sets (disassembled).
Free webinar to provide training in suicide prevention
Penn State Extension offers a free webinar aimed at saving lives and reducing suicidal behaviors.
Participants can select one of the upcoming dates: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17, March 17 or April 21.
Penn State Extension educators will lead the webinar, “QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training,” developed by the QPR Institute. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. Participants will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide in friends, co-workers, family members or neighbors in need.
Designed for all people, regardless of profession, who are concerned about helping others, QPR is an emergency mental health intervention intended to interrupt a crisis and direct someone to proper care. Attendees will discuss potential scenarios and engage in active listening and persuasion techniques.
Penn State Extension offers the webinar free of charge, but participants must register by 11:59 p.m. the day before the event to receive the link to access it. The recording link will not be available after the webinar.
Continuing education credits are available. For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/2suk85t2 or call 1-877-345-0691.
Series to explore management of garden pests
Penn State Extension is offering a webinar series on integrated pest management for home gardeners, Master Gardeners, commercial growers and anyone interested in sustainable pest control.
The series, titled “IPM Essentials: Tools, Tactics and Techniques,” will run from noon to 1:15 p.m. March 10, 17, 24 and 31.
It will teach sustainable and practical strategies for managing pest control across diverse settings, including:
• The basic principles of integrated pest management;
• How to scout and monitor pest populations;
• How to recognize signs and symptoms of common pests and locate reliable identification resources;
• How to apply integrated pest management strategies in real-world settings;
Pesticide applicator recertification credits are available for participants pending approval.
Space is limited, and registration is required by March 9. The cost for the series is $20.
Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinars. A link to the recorded webinars will be emailed to registrants within 10 business days after the live events.
For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/ysddyd5x.
America250PA offering 25 $10,000 scholarships
To mark America’s 250th anniversary and to honor the legacy of Pennsylvania’s strong commitment to education, America250PA will award $250,000 in scholarships — 25 scholarships worth $10,000 each — to deserving Pennsylvania high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited Pennsylvania college or university in the 2026-27 school year.
The Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program will distribute the scholarships across America250PA’s six regions.
There will be up to 12 awards for community college students and up to 13 awards for students attending four-year institutions.
Applications are due Jan. 31.
To apply, visit america250pa.org/PPE:_Semiquin_Scholarships.
BluePearl seeks pet donors for blood banks
BluePearl Pet Hospital encourages pet owners in the Pittsburgh area to enroll their pets as blood donors to help ease the shortage of veterinary blood products.
Just as humans require blood transfusions for medical conditions or emergencies, the same is true for pets. BluePearl operates a community-based blood banking program at more than 20 locations across the United States.
In 2025, BluePearl performed 7,000 blood transfusions, with almost 50% of blood products used being sourced from the BluePearl Pet Blood Bank.
Throughout January, all donors will receive a free KONG dog or cat toy for enrolling in the BluePearl Blood Bank program.
Healthy cats and dogs between 1 and 8 years old who meet additional eligibility criteria can donate through a short and painless process. Donations are recommended at eight- to 12-week intervals, and each donation could save the lives of at least three other pets. Pets can be unenrolled at any time.
BluePearl provides a complimentary physical exam before each donation and annual lab work for enrolled pets.
BluePearl has two blood bank locations in the region: Pittsburgh North at 807 Camp Horne Road in Ohio Township and Pittsburgh South at 1535 Washington Road in Washington, Pa.
To learn more about the BluePearl Pet Blood Bank, visit bluepearlvet.com/blood-bank.