Nationality Days Brings Three Days of Cultural Entertainment

The three-day cultural festival begins at 11 a.m. today.

Jenifer Watkins is getting a crash course with the 48th annual Ambridge Nationality Days.  "Talk about trial by fire," she said with a laugh.  As the new executive director of the Ambridge Chamber of Commerce, this is Watkins' first year coordinating the three-day heritage festival that begins today. Watkins credits the volunteers, whom she said have largely helped to pull off the big event.  "We have this great group of volunteers that come together as a team and are realy working well together. I think almost everybody is a volunteer so that's phenomenal. We couldn't do it without the support of the community." This year is a first for the Art Mart, a display of artists in the 400 block of Merchant Street, and for Beaver County's Got …

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Rothfus to Host 'Coffee with Keith' Events

Constituents are encouraged to suggest locations for future coffee klatches via Facebook and Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, is inviting constituents to meet up with him for coffee and conversation at locations in Ambridge, Ellwood City, and Johnstown. The first “Coffee with Keith” event will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 at the Maple Restaurant, 463 Maplewood Ave. in Ambridge. Constituents are encouraged to stop by and share their thoughts on legislation, get help with federal agencies, or to simply chat. Other "Coffee with Keith" events are planned from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 at Red Hot Restaurant, 219 6th St. in Ellwood City, and from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Corner Coffee Shoppe, 810 Scalp Ave. in Johnstown. Constituents can also suggest locations for future coffees on Facebook at www.…

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Paczki Day 2013: Time to Indulge in Sugary Treats

An estimated 250 volunteers pitch in this week to help with the traditional undertaking at Good Samaritan Parish.

Jan Pisarski and Tom Baldwin drove four hours from Detroit to volunteer with the annual paczki production at Good Samaritan Parish in Ambridge. The two Ford Motor Co. co-workers were among the 250 volunteers who pitched in over the course of the week to prepare paczki for Fat Tuesday, also known as Paczki Day. Paczki, pronounced punch-key, are Polish doughnuts that were traditionally made as a way for observant Catholics to clear the butter, sugar, eggs and liquor from their cupboards before Ash Wednesday to prepare for the Lenten fast. Brother Ambrose, who organized the project, said Monday's efforts started at 7:30 a.m. and would last until about midnight. The goal was to make 1,000 dozen for today’s sale. Last year, the church sold out …

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Sewickley Police Respond to Ambridge Home Invasion, Shooting

A Sewickley patrolman assists Ambridge officers in the search for suspects who shot and wounded a man on Christmas Eve.

A Sewickley patrolman assisted at the scene of a Christmas Eve shooting in Ambridge in which a man was shot in the abdomen. Patrolman Thomas Cross was among those who responded to a call at 7:48 p.m. Monday as police investigated a home invasion and shooting at 115 Park Road. Ambridge police requested that all available officers in the area set up a perimeter to be on the lookout for three men armed with semi-automatic handguns. The officers assisted but did not locate those men, according to a Sewickley police report. According to KDKA-TV, police found and confiscated drugs and weapons inside the house. Three people face charges, including Chad Lee Gray, 29, the man who was shot. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, …

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Hanukkah 2012 in the Sewickley Valley

Celebrate the Festival of Lights near Sewickley with fun events and delicious recipes.

This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 8, and ends a week later on Sunday, Dec. 16. According to Chabad.org, Hanukkah starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev and lasts for eight days. For those of us who aren't attuned to the Jewish calendar, that translates to sundown on Saturday, Dec. 8.  Here's a look at some of the events happening near Sewickley: Check the event calendar for details on services and other activities. For additional events happening around the Pittsburgh area, check out the community calendar on jfedpgh.org Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the story of the Maccabean Revolt against Syrian rulers in present day Israel 2,300 years ago. The Maccabees wanted to …

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Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge Reopens Today After Eight Months

The Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge will reopen Thursday afternoon after being closed since early March because of structural repairs.

Charles Men's Store Catches Fire in Ambridge

Several fire departments battle the blaze at 541 Merchant St. in downtown Ambridge.

A fire at Charles Men’s Store in Ambridge drew crowds Friday morning as fire crews worked to battle the stubborn flames. Firefighters were called about 5:40 a.m. to the longtime fixture at 541 Merchant St, in the heart of the Ambridge business district. “This one’s finished,” said Tom Patrician, president of the Ambridge Chamber of Commerce, as he watched flames shoot from the roof. “That’s just going to be a hole when this is over,” he said. Six people evacuated safely from upstairs apartments at the three-story structure. One person was taken to Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and two firefighters who were in a stairwell inside the building when the stairs collapsed, declined to be evaluated for …

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Busy Week Ahead For PennDOT

Here are three local projects which may impact your travel plans.

Motorists should expect traffic pattern changes Tuesday, Aug. 7 on Route 65 in Emsworth as crews work on concrete patching, milling and paving, improving drainage and adjusting manholes in the passing lanes. Single-lane traffic in each direction will be shifted from the passing left lanes to the right travel lanes between Camp Horne Road and Terrace Drive. One lane of traffic in each direction using the travel lanes will continue around-the-clock through late August.   The work is part  of an overall $5.1 million, 4.5-mile project on Route 65 that includes milling and resurfacing, drainage, guide rail, curbing, signs, signals, structure repairs and other improvements in Emsworth, Sewickley, Edgeworth, Leetsdale and Ambridge. The prime …

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News Nearby: Grand Jury Indicts Ambridge Bank Robbery Suspect

Keith Fisher faces a maximum total sentence up to 25 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both

A suspect charged with robbing an Ambridge bank in June has been indicted by a federal grand jury, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Pittsburgh. Keith Fisher, 46, of Baden was named in the two-count indictment, which states that on June 14, he committed armed robbery at the Huntington Bank at 700 Merchant St. in Ambridge and made off with $5,548, according to a news release.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ambridge Police Department conducted the investigation. Fisher faces a maximum total sentence up to 25 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. 

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