Arnold teen comes into own with starting, leading Valley pep band
The idea to start a pep band at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School had been on Samantha Potts’ mind for years. “I hated that once football season is over, I don’t get to do marching band,” said Potts, a junior at Valley. “I wanted to do more outside of school hours....
CMU to launch AI platform designed to assist students in introductory courses
Some area college students can boost their studies with a Carnegie Mellon University initiative that uses artificial intelligence to improve learning in introductory courses. The $55 million investment between CMU and the Gates Foundation will launch Learnvia, Inc., free AI-enabled courseware for students that combines lessons, homework and an AI...
Man trying to flee police walks several miles up the frozen Allegheny River, authorities say
A man is in stable condition and facing criminal charges after a three-hour police chase Wednesday over a frozen Allegheny River — from Highland Park to Harmar. Pittsburgh police say they were dispatched at 1 p.m. to the 7100 block of Highland Drive for a report of a person trespassing...
Slopes to shovels: Valley High ski club clears snow for safe bus stopsVideo
Na’Zere Johnson knew when he joined Valley Jr.-Sr. High School’s ski club earlier this year that he’d be expected to brave wintry weather. But this week, Johnson and his peers traded the slopes and skis for hills and shovels. A group of ski club members has spent afternoons this week...
Bridgeville to host ‘tree tender’ course
An upcoming course in Bridgeville will teach people hands-on skills in tree planting and care. Bridgeville is hosting a “tree tender course”
Feb. 28 at the borough building, 425 Bower Hill Road. The class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. It is for borough residents...
Freeport Area educator appointed to Burrell School Board
A Lower Burrell man who is a Freeport Area School District educator is the newest member of the Burrell School Board. Robert W. Harris was appointed by the board to fill a vacancy, Superintendent Shannon Wagner said. “I have committed my life to public education, as it is something that...
Lower Burrell’s new training proves crucial in snowstorm
Lower Burrell officials were more prepared for Sunday’s snowstorm than any other event in the past 12 years, according to Mayor Chris Fabry. The preparedness can be attributed to city officials’ participation in a community risk reduction course in late November, he said. The course saw city officials from public...
Snow storm transforms Winter Field Day from practice to real-life for ham radio operators
Most people would happily have skipped having the past weekend’s winter storm, but for amateur or “ham” radio operators, it was perfect timing. Saturday and Sunday already were scheduled as a nationwide Winter Field Day for the radio operators, which is an event aimed at practicing using their skills during...
New Kensington-Arnold considers adding in-house ESL service, phasing out French
New Kensington-Arnold School District officials are looking to create an in-house program for English as a second language while phasing out the high school French program. Jennifer Pallone, the district’s special education director, said the declining popularity of French and a rapid expansion of the number of students who speak...
Proposed PennWest program cuts spark union concerns
Campus union presidents at Pennsylvania Western University are concerned about the university’s future as the college weighs a proposed academic array that cuts dozens of programs. “We agree that thoughtful planning is necessary,” said Mario Majcen, faculty union president at PennWest California. “However, decisions about academic programs must be data-informed,...
The Weeknd, Point Park partner to grow creative talent in Pittsburgh
A new partnership between Point Park University and HXOUSE, an initiative by artist Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and his creative director, La Mar Taylor, aims to provide an innovative, creative education for aspiring artists at the Downtown Pittsburgh college. “Both HXOUSE and Point Park also understand that, now more than...
New assistant principal set to start at Bon Air Elementary
A Burrell School District special education teacher and lifelong community resident will be the new assistant principal at the district’s Bon Air Elementary School. Deanna Lott begins Monday and joins Bon Air Principal Jim Croushore, said Superintendent Shannon Wagner. Lott succeeds Amy Lenart, who resigned to become an administrator outside...
Updated Carlynton graduation requirements focus on real-world skills
Revised graduation requirements at Carlynton Jr.-Sr. High School are designed to better align student learning with state expectations, post-graduation readiness and workforce demands, officials say. The school board on Tuesday, Jan. 20 approved revised requirements that will take effect beginning with the Class of 2029. District officials say the changes...
Upgraded pedestrian crossing planned for Bower Hill Road in Bridgeville
Bridgeville will improve a pedestrian crossing along Bower Hill Road in an area where officials say there has been an increase in traffic accidents and more pedestrians usage. The borough will install a pedestrian crossing on Bower Hill Road at Commercial Street, in front of the Dari Delite, later this...
New Kensington teen making efforts to improve Valley High culture with project, volunteerism
Trent Hicinbothem is well aware of the stereotype some have when it comes to the culture at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School in New Kensington. “There’s other students trying to make a change, but in our area, people write us off: ‘Oh, they’re the Valley kids,’” said Hicinbothem, 17. “That’s the...
Pitt plans new 400-bed dormitory for 1st-year students amid growth
The University of Pittsburgh plans a 400-bed dormitory for first-year students on property it owns near Fifth and Ruskin avenues in Oakland. The university is in a design-build selection process for a first-year residence hall at a parking lot adjacent to the Music Building and annex, said spokesman Jared Stonesifer....
Data center meeting postponed in Upper Burrell
An informational meeting on the data center project in Upper Burrell has been postponed because of expected inclement winter weather. Township Secretary Melissa Cortileso said the meeting with data center developer TECfusions was postponed at their request because of the possibility of a significant snow event this weekend. The meeting...
Hearing for Valley teacher accused of provoking student fight waived to court
A Valley Jr.-Sr. High School teacher accused by New Kensington police of provoking students to fight in a geometry class in October waived his preliminary hearing. Court records indicated Bradley Reiher, 46, of East Deer waived the hearing Thursday morning before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. Reiher’s attorney, Brian...
Lower Burrell plans upgrade to Chartiers pump station
Lower Burrell officials will soon begin a massive, long-discussed sewage project officials say will further address concerns outlined by an environmental protection consent decree from the state. The city was awarded a $500,000 grant and a $15.8 million low-interest loan, both from the state, to be used toward aging sewage...
Community feedback sought for proposed New Kensington-Arnold building realignment
New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Christopher Sefcheck says a proposed realignment of the district’s buildings is “the most serious undertaking this district has taken in years” — and officials are seeking the public’s input for those plans. Sefcheck plans to send notifications to parents, staff and community members Thursday morning seeking volunteers...
Point Park to expand mental health initiatives, suicide prevention
Expansion of Point Park University’s initiative to improve mental health and suicide prevention on campus aims to be more proactive and meet a growing need. “We want to make mental health more visible, accessible and more a part of everyday campus life,” said Cassandra Moffat, director of the university’s counseling...
Plans advance for Chartiers Valley High School renovation project
A renovation project at Chartiers Valley High School is moving forward. The school board voted Tuesday, Jan. 20 to proceed with the first phase of the renovation project, which includes a complete upgrade of the school’s gymnasium and moves administrative, special education and business offices currently at the intermediate school...
‘Potential deals emerging’ at some closing Penn State campuses, trustee says
Penn State officials say the process to repurpose seven of its closing commonwealth campuses is making “steady progress.” “There are three or four potential deals emerging, arrangements emerging, a few others that we are still working to hammer out — who will be the anchor, who will be the tenant,...
Winter Field Day to put Upper Burrell ham radio club to the test in winter weather
If all else fails, amateur ham radio usually doesn’t. The Skyview Radio Society in Upper Burrell will participate in an annual event to make sure that remains the case, putting their communication skills to the test with other ham radio clubs across the continent. The radio society will take part...
PennWest says proposed cuts streamline education, meet workforce needs
Pennsylvania Western University officials say their proposal that slashes dozens of academic programs will ultimately improve students’ college experience, enhance their learning and respond to the region’s workforce needs. The university — which has campuses in Clarion, California and Edinboro — released an updated proposed academic array that includes: •...
