Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 39
Toys for Tots requests up more than 40% over last year
Toys for Tots groups in some areas are seeing a more than 40% increase is requests over last year, a situation they say stems from a number of economic factors. “There’s a higher need for gifts for families in need,” said Jennifer Neilen, Allegheny Valley chapter Toys for Tots coordinator....
Plum Middle School students return to school after odor investigated
Students and staff returned to Plum Middle School about an hour after an odor caused school and district officials to divert its students to another building this morning, district Superintendent Rick Walsh said. What initially was described as a faint natural gas odor in a classroom was detected about 7:50...
‘It is a huge increase’ Plum resident tells council as nearly 40% tax hike discussed
A nearly 40% property tax increase sought in Plum is too much for residents to afford at once, one resident told borough council Monday. But leaders in Plum said the hike is intended to fund the borough for the next five years or more. Brenda Demello called the proposed increase...
Plum Council reluctantly gives approvals for 3rd Dollar General development
Members of Plum Council said they had no choice but to approve construction of a new Dollar General in the borough. Council voted in favor of a conditional use application and a subdivision for store at Saltsburg and Clements roads. Land development will be the last part of the approval...
New Kensington launches holiday season with tree lighting, mayor’s dinner; many more events to come
New Kensington is kicking off the holiday season. Residents gathered Friday evening at Ninth Street and Fourth Avenue for carols and the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. That was followed by Mayor Tom Guzzo’s annual holiday dinner at the city’s nearby No. 1 fire hall on Fourth Avenue. The...
Plum residents gather for Christmas at Plum Creek
Plum residents gathered for the annual Christmas at Plum Creek on Thursday evening. This marks the second year the event was held at the borough’s new municipal center on Old Mine Road. A recently completed outdoor amphitheater was used for the first time, with the Plum High School Jazz Band...
Plum property owners face nearly 40% tax hike in proposed budget
Plum property owners could see their property taxes increase by almost 40% under the borough’s proposed $25.1 million spending plan for 2024. Council is considering setting the borough’s total real estate tax rate at 6.63 mills, interim borough Manager David Soboslay said. That would be a 38.7% increase over the...
Plum School Board hires new transportation director, manager
The Plum School District has new leaders in its transportation department. The school board Tuesday approved hiring Taye Coles as the district’s director of transportation and Mark Delahunty as transportation manager. Coles’ annual salary was set at $85,000, while Delahunty will be paid $57,000. Both hires are retroactive to Nov....
Plum preparing to fill council vacancy created by president’s election as district judge
When Plum’s new council is seated in January, one of its first duties will be to fill a vacancy among its ranks. One of council’s seven seats will be vacant after Mike Doyle, the council’s current, longtime president, won election as district judge in this year’s election. Doyle, a Republican,...
Former Kiski treasurer, supervisor claims discrimination in civil suit
A former Kiski Township secretary and treasurer who briefly served as a supervisor is seeking more than $50,000 from the township in a civil suit alleging she was discriminated against because of her gender. In her complaint in Armstrong County Court, Sherry Lynn Tamski claims she was paid less while...
New Kensington council reluctantly approves garbage contract with 73% increase in bills
New Kensington council members conceded Monday that they had little choice but to approve a garbage contract that increases bills by 73%. They heard from residents upset that their garbage bills will spike next year but ultimately voted, 4-1, to award a five-year, $15.3 million contract for solid waste, household...
Gas prices drop for 10th straight week, but could rise if OPEC cuts oil production, analyst says
With the national average price of gasoline declining for the 10th straight week, motorists are enjoying the longest downward trend at the pump since the summer of 2022, an industry analyst said. “The timing couldn’t be better as Americans head into the holidays, leaving them with more in their wallets...
Building the Valley: Father-son veterans provide self-defense options at RC Firearms in New Kensington
Roy Berg recently helped a couple in their 70s buy their first gun. Worried by current events, they came to Berg’s New Kensington store wanting a weapon for protection. After discussing their desire for home defense and their age, he helped them find something uncomplicated that would be best for...
New Kensington residents facing 73% increase in garbage bills for 2024
New Kensington residents could see their garbage bills jump by more than 70% next year. City Council is set to consider a five-year garbage collection contract and set the annual fee during a special meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall. According to the meeting agenda, council will...
New Kensington resale shop, June Bug Babies, to help life skills students learn retail work
Burrell senior Violet Gamble’s favorite part of the school day is just after lunch when she departs for a new part-time job. “I get so excited,” said Gamble, 17. She is among life skills students from several Alle-Kiski Valley schools who got a part-time gig at new resale shop June...
Flooding concerns contribute to rejection of plans to expand Plum mobile home park
Concerns over floods that have damaged or destroyed homes in a Plum mobile home park factored heavily into borough officials rejecting a proposal to expand the park. The borough’s zoning hearing board denied a request from Plum Creek MHC to add 21 manufactured home sites, for a total of 61...
New Kensington basketball greats Flenory, Pipkins to be honored through names of new courts
Two New Kensington sports legends will be honored through the naming of basketball courts at the city’s new downtown park. The two courts at the park on Barnes Street will be named Court 23, in honor of Tom Pipkins, and Court 15, honoring Baron “B.B.” Flenory, Councilman Dante Cicconi said....
Plum couple’s food truck, PGH EATZ, finds a home
A Plum couple’s food truck is now doubling as a sign for their new storefront. Paul and Jennifer Marckisotto launched their food truck, PGH EATZ, in 2020. They opened their storefront Friday at Boyce Park Center off Saltsburg Road in Plum. Their truck, parked beside their storefront at one end...
Person airlifted to hospital after crash between car, e-bike in Vandergrift
A person was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital after a collision between a car and an electric bicycle in Vandergrift on Friday afternoon, borough police Officer Joe Gray said. The incident happened shortly before 3:30 p.m. in the area of Sherman Avenue and the Vandergrift Bridge, Gray said. The person...
New Kensington zoning change aims for increased commercial development
More commercial development is the goal of a rezoning planned for property near New Kensington’s downtown. Council voted Monday to begin a process to rezone an area at Constitution Boulevard and Seventh Street from light industrial to general commercial. Initially, council focused on the parcel at 700 Constitution, across Freeport...
New Kensington-Arnold approves 3.5% pay increase for superintendent
The outgoing New Kensington-Arnold School Board approved a raise for the district’s superintendent over the objection of one of three new members set to join the board in December. The board voted unanimously in favor of a 3.5% pay increase for Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. It is retroactive to July 1,...
Republican Mike Doyle edges to victory for Plum, Oakmont district judge office
A nail-biting night for Mike Doyle ended in his favor Nov. 7. Doyle, the Republican president of Plum Council, won the race for the vacant district judge office serving Plum and Oakmont over Democrat Melanie Pallone by 95 votes, according to complete but unofficial Allegheny County election results. Doyle received...
Democrats take 3 of 5 Plum school board seats
While Republicans in Plum secured a sweep of borough council seats and the district judge’s office serving the borough and Oakmont, results were more mixed for the Plum School Board. With full slates of candidates vying for five seats, Democrats won three of them while Republicans took home two, according...
Republicans sweep race for 3 Plum Council seats
Republicans will have full control of Plum Council after securing a sweep in Tuesday’s election. Republicans Steve Schlauch, Dave Majernik and Jerry Purcell won the three council seats that were up for election, according to complete but unofficial Allegheny County election results. Schlauch, chairman of the Plum Republican Committee, was...
Republican Mike Doyle edges to victory for Plum, Oakmont district judge office
A nail-biting night for Mike Doyle ended in his favor Tuesday. Doyle, the Republican president of Plum Council, won the race for the vacant district judge office serving Plum and Oakmont over Democrat Melanie Pallone by less than 100 votes, according to complete but unofficial Allegheny County election results. Doyle...
