Lead Stories
An Exemplary Citizen
When it comes to community involvement, Joseph Olszewski of Washington Township is an exemplary model citizen. Joe, as he likes to be called, is a busy man. He is active in four community organizations and one church organization. You wonder where he gets the time to do all this when he is raising a family of five children and has worked full time at one company for 26 years.

AK Educators
From the 101st Airborne to Assistant Superintendent
Every baseball team needs a powerhouse homerun hitter, and a football team must possess that star receiver who makes extraordinary plays. The strength Craig Wilson and Hines Ward bring to their teams, Mr. George Staudenmaier delivers to the Burrell School District.

Gloria's Kitchen
Sweet & Spicy Flank Steak

Our Local Heritage
The Rugh Family and Haymaker’s Fountain of Fire
Their story began with a simple wedding that ended in blood. Their story ended 100 years later with the nation's first gas well in Murrysville—and it also ended in blood. But the effects of their story still send ripples into your life now, in the way you heat your homes here in the Alle-Kiski region…maybe even in how you make your car go...

AK Sports
RunDown: AK Track
AK Track In May: How It Works WPIAL track playoffs will be in May, and there will be two kinds.

AK Sports
I’d Coach 100 Years: Apollo-Ridge Track
Lizik is in his first year of that possible century of coaching Viking track, but he brings to the table several years of coaching in other responsibilities.

AK Sports
Lady Vikings: Couldn’t Ask For More
"We don't have the personnel to cover all the events. But numbers are up, and we couldn't ask for a better group of kids.”

AK Sports
Vikings: The Freshman-Senior Development
Lizik sees the development coming not just from the aforementioned senior leadership, but also from a place not exactly known for experience and maturity.

AK Sports
Could They Do It Again? Burrell Bucs Track
“The only place we took a hit was in the weights,” Burrell Track Coach Bob Kariotis mentions.

AK Sports
Couldn’t Ask For More: Burrell Lady Bucs Track
“This is a good group of girls,” he says. “They are really wanting to do well. You couldn't ask more of a team."

AK Sports
A Pleasant Surprise: Deer Lakes Track
“It was a pleasant surprise,” responded Deer Lakes Track Coach Lou Nellas. He wasn’t talking about the school’s new track.

AK Sports
Lady Lancers: Come So Far, So Good
“I had a feeling from the start they could make a run at it."

AK Sports
Chasing Post-Season Opportunity: Fox Chapel Track
They may not see post-season play as a team due to the limited amount of teams that advance into the team playoffs, but they should send several Fox athletes into the Individual Tournaments in May.

AK Sports
(P)otential + (D)evelopment = Results: Franklin Regional Track
He also, perhaps unconsciously, applies the same rigor of scientific method to his track teams.

AK Sports
Lady Panthers: Calculating Improvement
Coach Rick Bullock has found bright spots in the midst of a hard season, and thinks there may be some even brighter ones ahead, both down the road and in these next few weeks.

AK Sports
Finding A Way To Win: Freeport Track
The Freeport Yellow Jackets track teams, year to year, seem to always carry on their tradition of winning. This year’s team is no different.

AK Sports
They Are Fighters: Highlands Track
Sometimes you just have to give young men and women a lot of credit just for showing up, that they go out and give it their all anyway.

AK Sports
Ready To Go: Kiski Area Track
The Cavaliers of Kiski Area are on a roll as the season winds down.

AK Sports
Lady Cavaliers: Back On Track
“This will be the first time in pretty close to 10 years since the girls’ track team here has made it to the playoffs.”

AK Sports
A Season To Remember: Plum Lady Mustangs Track
“We’ve done very well this year. The girls have put forth a remarkable season.”

AK Sports
Mustangs Track: Hitting Their Stride
“They are a very, very, pleasant surprise,” Coach Joe Ionta says of the Plum boys’ track team.

AK Sports
Staunch Foundation: Springdale track
“One day Springdale’s team will get into a team playoff, and this team is the foundation,” says Dynamos Track Coach Wesley Hicks.

AK Sports
Lady Dynamos: Steadfast Determination
Sara Andressy, who as a freshman was hit by a car, displays the determination of the team.

AK Sports
Dynamos: Grit
“They come to you and look you in the eye,” Springdale Coach Wesley Hicks tells me.

AK Sports
Bearing The Weight: Valley Track
A low turnout in a sport puts pressure on others to bear the responsibility and do well.

AK Sports
Vikings: Solid Supports
Several cornerstones support the foundations of the Vikings boys’ team this year.

AK Sports
Lady Vikings: Veteran Reliability
Coach George Webb says he has the same situation with the Lady Vikings as with the boys: low turnout.

Veterans of Freedom
Veteran Served In WWII and Korea
One could say that Edward F. Walmsley of Lower Burrell had an explosive job while serving in the Marines during World War II and the Korean War. Trained as a Scout, Sniper and Demolition Specialist, he spent most of his time setting charges and blowing up enemy positions. In spite of the fact that he was part of at least four island invasions in the South Pacific, had to be in front of each assault, and crawl up to entrenched enemy positions to blow them up, he came home without getting wounded. He also came home with many medals, awards and citations.

Healthy Eating
Rotini Chili Casserole
Packed with protein is a great dish that even that hearty meat eater can fill up on. It has meat and the beans with a Mexican twist and boasts of lighter calories. Make sure you use the lighter ingredients. This is easy to prepare or even a dish for the freezer to get out for that unexpected guest, potluck or needy family.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Electrical Contracting For Your Home or Business
Each year many are injured in and around their homes. Unsafe conditions such as overloaded circuits and damaged insulation as well as the misuse of extension cords and electrical products create fire hazards and may result in electrocutions. A number of home fires may be attributed to electrical causes. That’s where Tom Laero Electrical Contractor of Allegheny Township comes in. He offers electrical contracting services that range from small repairs, outlets, and new fixtures to rewiring homes and putting new electrical entrances in.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Penn Hills-Plum Church Has Unique Ministry
Penn Hills Alliance Church is approaching its 40th anniversary and in the midst of many usual church activities a unique ministry is reaching a particular group of young adults. Called the Eye of the Hurricane these young adults, ranging in ages 18 to 30, meet every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. They are there to have a serious in depth bible study, but the uniqueness of the group is who they are and what they do.

A-K Dining
Creighton Hotel Popularity Continues To Grow
The first time I visited Creighton Hotel was when a friend took me over a year ago. He likes the food so much he visits when he can, meaning he drives about 20+ miles just to get there. That’s how much people love this restaurant. It isn’t only locals eating there, but those who come from a distance. And, many of them eat there more than once a week. I had a Reuben sandwich on that first visit. There is a certain way to make a Reuben sandwich that gives it the taste it had originally. Creighton Hotel makes a very good Reuben sandwich.