Kellen Stepler stories, Page 14
Collier ham radio club tries to ‘solve the world’s problems’
It’s a hobby with a responsibility. That’s how the 80 members of the Steel City Amateur Radio Club in Collier view the skill, science and enjoyment of participating in ham radio. “It’s a fun place to hang out,” said member Robert Mente of Collier, who also is the emergency coordinator...
Upper Burrell goes back to the drawing board on rules for injection wells
Upper Burrell residents on Wednesday asked supervisors to consider more stringent rules for injection wells. Township supervisors were considering a proposal regulating and outlining rules for injection wells that would allow them as a conditional use in industrial-zoned areas of Upper Burrell only. During the hourlong hearing Wednesday, residents asked...
New Kensington man, fugitive since February, arrested in Pittsburgh, faces new gun charges
A New Kensington man wanted on multiple warrants now faces additional gun charges after being taken into custody Tuesday by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s deputies. William Rodgers, 28, has been a fugitive since February when he walked out of Renewal Center halfway house on Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown...
Erin Rodgers appointed to Chartiers Valley School Board
Erin Rodgers is the newest member of the Chartiers Valley School Board. School directors appointed Rodgers, of Scott Township, to fill a board seat vacated by Herb Ohliger. Rodgers received the majority of votes from the school board on June 24 after she and four other applicants — Mariann Fox,...
Upper Burrell man, Dennis Praniewicz, knew how to make the most of life
There was only one Dennis Praniewicz. Whether it was riding a jon boat or motorcycle, making tomato moonshine, or shenanigans from sleepwalking, Praniewicz lived a life as funny and wild as it was caring and passionate, his family said. “The stories we could tell,” said Trudy Praniewicz, Dennis’ wife of...
Canceled: Music festival on tap for Lower Burrell; summer music series continues
A Lower Burrell music festival planned this month has been called off. The city’s parks and recreation commission announced Wednesday that the Kick it at Kotecki music festival, planned for July 12 at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park, has been canceled. “This decision was not made lightly because we...
Which Pittsburgh Public Schools should close? Plan is about ‘investing in our students,’ superintendent says
The Pittsburgh Public Schools have set two public comment periods to gather feedback on its future-ready plan that, if approved, would ultimately close nine schools. The community conversations are scheduled for 6 p.m. July 9, at Sunnyside PreK-8 in Stanton Heights; and at 5:30 p.m. July 16 during the “Community...
Randi Shank appointed as New Kensington controller
New Kensington Council on Monday appointed Randi Shank as the city’s controller. The move is part of a chain reaction of sorts in the city’s government: Shank, 66, takes over the position from John Zavadak. Zavadak was New Kensington’s controller for nearly 24 years and, on June 2, was appointed...
Man found dead near Indiana Township rehab facility
The body of a man was found on a grassy hillside off Guys Run Road in Indiana Township early Monday afternoon. Indiana Township Police Chief Steve Colucci said his officers were dispatched at about 1:30 p.m. for reports of three shots fired near Encompass Health and Rehabilitation Hospital of Harmarville....
Chartiers Valley, transportation union joust over contract negotiations
Chartiers Valley School District administration last week issued a statement regarding its negotiations with its transportation employees after, they say, the Pennsylvania State Education Association spread misinformation about it. “The district does not wish to conduct negotiations in the public arena,” reads the statement from Superintendent Daniel Castagna. “Unfortunately, the...
Concordia of Bridgeville residents raise money for Alzheimer’s awareness on year’s longest day
The longest day of the year – June 21 – was well-spent by residents at Concordia of Bridgeville. The senior living community raised $413 for the Alzheimer’s Association during its “The Longest Day” car wash and bake sale event, held at the Concordia campus, 3570 Washington Pike. The event is...
Lower Burrell woman’s ‘achingly honest’ debut memoir tells story of love, loss
Laura Burkett’s sister, Danielle, ran away to Puerto Rico when she was 15 because she got a bad perm. That’s the opening, truthful anecdote to the 52-year-old Lower Burrell woman’s debut work, “This Is Not My Life: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Suspicion, and Starting Over.” It launched June 3. The...
No injuries in Blawnox train-truck crash
A 195-car train and a tractor trailer collided Friday morning in Blawnox. Crews were dispatched just before 8:30 a.m. to the Fairview Avenue rail crossing, near its intersection with Papercraft Avenue, according to first responders. Blawnox Deputy Fire Chief Matt Kauper said the tractor-trailer was leaving the American Beverage Company...
Pat McAfee, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg donate $50,000 to Pittsburgh Public Schools
Pittsburgh Public Schools got some love from three celebrities, one of whom is its own alumni. Sports commentator and former NFL player Pat McAfee, rapper Wiz Khalifa and entertainer Snoop Dogg collectively donated $50,000 to PPS, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The school board accepted the donation Wednesday. McAfee...
GetGo’s sale to Canadian company gets Federal Trade Commission approval
Giant Eagle’s sale of its GetGo gas stations and convenience stores looks like it’s a go. The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday gave the green light to Canadian-based Alimentation Couche-Tard to proceed with its acquisition of GetGo. The transaction is expected to close within the upcoming days, according to a...
Teenager shot in McKeesport
A teenage boy was taken to the hospital after being shot Thursday evening in McKeesport, according to Allegheny County Police. At 8:56 p.m., McKeesport Police were dispatched to the area of 1800 Eaton St. for reports of a shooting, according to county police. Shortly after, first responders learned of a...
Vinci Winery coming to downtown New Kensington in old-school Italian style
A new establishment in downtown New Kensington brings together three of Sam Iovino’s passions: wine, cigars and food. “I’m old-school Italian. I believe in entertaining,” said Iovino. “I love entertaining and getting people together.” Iovino, 56, of Monroeville plans to open Vinci Winery at 1021 Barnes St. on July 9....
Burrell property owners to pay 3.8% more in school taxes next school year
Burrell School Board this week approved a budget for next school year that increases property taxes for homeowners by 3.8%. The spending plan totals roughly $37.4 million. It begins to pay off a $10 million bond for proposed infrastructure projects at district buildings, adds an armed security guard at Charles...
Teen faces gun charges after police say he fled Crafton Heights shooting scene
A teenager is facing gun charges after police said they saw him running from a fatal shooting scene in Pittsburgh’s Crafton Heights neighborhood. Jamar Porch, 18, of Pittsburgh, was charged with carrying a loaded weapon, carrying a firearm without a license and receiving stolen property, police said. Porch has not...
Pittsburgh Public Schools takes 1st step of proposed school closure plan
Pittsburgh Public School directors on Wednesday moved forward with the process for potential school closures. The school board voted to open state-required public hearings for the potential closures of nine facilities: Student Achievement Center (Baxter School), Friendship (which houses Montessori PreK-5), Fulton, McKelvey (which houses Miller PreK-5), Morrow, Schiller, Spring...
18-year-old arrested following East Liberty park mass shooting
Pittsburgh police arrested an 18-year-old on gun charges after a shooting that injured 15 people near Garland Park in East Liberty. Kyree McCray of Pittsburgh faces charges that include carrying a firearm without a license and receiving stolen property. He is not charged with firing a weapon during the shooting....
1 dead following Duquesne house fire
One person died following a fire early Tuesday morning that destroyed one home and damaged several others in Duquesne. The fire started about 1:20 a.m. in the 130 block of North Third Street, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. At least one other person was taken to the hospital to...
Carnegie Farmers Market ready for another season
One of the bigger farmer’s markets in the southwestern Allegheny County area returns this summer. The Carnegie Farmer’s Market kicks off July 6 and runs every Sunday until Sept. 21, with the exception of Labor Day Weekend, said coordinator Sam Bigham. In July and August, hours will be from noon...
New Castle voice coach accused of sexual communication with teen
A New Castle voice coach has been accused of making online sexual advances and requesting nude photos from a 15-year-old student, according to Pennsylvania State Police. According to a criminal complaint, the student began taking voice lessons from Justin Bryan’s New Castle home in 2019. During the covid-19 pandemic, Bryan...
Man killed in White Oak dirt bike crash
A man was killed early Wednesday after crashing a dirt bike into a guard rail in White Oak, according to Allegheny County police. At 1:18 a.m., police were called to the 1200 block of Long Run Road, where officers found a man lying in the road, according to police. The...
