Kellen Stepler stories, Page 2
Pitt, IUP launch initiatives to transform campus culture through dialogue
For the most part, students weren’t afraid to have difficult conversations on controversial topics when Gwen Torges started teaching at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1997. That’s no longer the case. “There has always been, and will always be, people who say ‘that’s not me,’ but there were always...
Chartiers Valley revamps high school courses
Updates to Chartiers Valley High School’s course catalog next year will expand student access to coursework, improve scheduling flexibility and better align classes with staffing realignments implemented last year, district officials say. The school board Jan. 13 approved the updates for next school year, said Board President Darren Mariano. “The...
New Kensington man charged with sexual assault of 13-year-old
Police have charged a New Kensington man in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager. Devanier Amier Morris, 21, is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age, photographing or filming a sex act involving a child, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent...
Burrell rebidding smaller-scope renovation project at Bon Air Elementary
Burrell School District officials hope the second time is the charm for a renovation project at Bon Air Elementary School. The district’s architect, HHSDR Inc. of Pittsburgh, provided officials with an estimate of slightly more than $10 million for an HVAC and kitchen renovation project at Bon Air, said Superintendent...
Upper Burrell data center nets 1st tenant at former Alcoa research site
The planned data center in Upper Burrell already has its first tenant. TECfusions officials announced that TensorWave, an artificial intelligence cloud platform, will be deployed at its Upper Burrell site located at the former Alcoa Research and Development campus. TECfusions spokeswoman Melissa Farney described TensorWave as a “neocloud.” A neocloud...
New Carnegie mayor is youngest in borough’s history
Carnegie’s newest mayor is also its youngest. Sam Bigham was 23 when he was sworn in by District Judge Jack Kobistek on Jan. 5 in council chambers. “I want to be able to inspire people and get more people involved,” he said. “I believe in Carnegie.” Despite his young age,...
New Kensington-Arnold reaches early-bird contract agreement with teachers
New Kensington-Arnold School District and its teachers union have agreed on a new contract that will increase teachers’ pay by an average of 3.5% and have them paying more gradually for healthcare. School directors voted 8-0 to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the New Kensington-Arnold Education...
Blawnox man sentenced for child sexual assault
A Blawnox man was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the sexual exploitation of a minor. James W. Muir, 60, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge...
Arnold inks contract with public works employees
Arnold’s new contract with its public works employees calls for small raises over the next three years. The deal, reached by council and the public works union last week, calls for a 75-cent hourly wage increase this year, an 80-cent increase next year and an 85-cent jump in 2028. With...
‘We want to be thoughtful’: New Kensington-Arnold to consider realigning grades
Primary school buildings in the New Kensington-Arnold School District could look different in two years. According to Superintendent Christopher Sefcheck, the school board’s Education Committee will meet next week to consider a plan that would place: • kindergarten and first grade at Martin Elementary; • second and third grades at...
New walking club in Lower Burrell aims to build community
Lower Burrell Councilwoman Carley Logan hopes a new program the city is starting is more than just a walk in the park. The city is launching a free “Nature Neighbors Walking Club” this spring. “I want it to be an opportunity for people to make connections in the community,” Logan...
Allegheny Township splits with manager
Allegheny Township has parted ways with its manager. Supervisors on Monday approved concluding the township’s contract with Daniel Miller, whose term as township manager expired at the end of last year. Miller started working as township manager in July 2024. His annual pay at the time was $102,000; current salary...
Chartiers Valley schedules special meeting for district improvements plan
Chartiers Valley school directors will hold a special meeting Jan. 20 to discuss and vote on a high school renovation and district facilities plan. “During this meeting, the district will present, discuss and vote on phase 1 of a two-phase facilities improvement project, beginning with the next phase of the...
New councilwoman to build on successful Lower Burrell programs she helped build
If you’ve been to any Lower Burrell community event over the past couple of years, Carley Logan has probably had a hand in coordinating it. The born-and-raised Lower Burrell resident took over as the city’s parks commission president in 2023. During her tenure, Logan oversaw exponential growth to the city’s...
Scott commissioners reelect Altman as board president
Scott’s board of commissioners reelected its leadership at a Monday, Jan. 5 meeting. Stacey Altman was selected to serve her third term as commissioners’ president, and Nick Seibel was named vice president. “We have had a good run together,” Altman said. “Our goal is always the same: try to keep...
Chartiers Valley Primary School students get history lesson while celebrating school’s 30th birthday
One by one, students in Shelley Territ’s class marched into Chartiers Valley Primary School’s large group instruction room and read snippets of their school’s history. With special shirts and plastic construction hats, each child read a page of the book they wrote this school year, “The Story of the Primary...
Lower Burrell manager gets contract renewed, 4% raise
Lower Burrell officials have approved a new contract agreement with city manager, Greg Primm. Council voted this week to retain Primm for the next two years. The contract calls for a 4% raise this year and next year. It provides an annual salary of $131,040 this year and $136,282 next...
Temporary light to be installed at intersection of Routes 56 and 356
A temporary fix at the Route 356 and 56 split in Allegheny Township will come early next week, officials say, but a permanent traffic light won’t be installed until this summer. The township plans to install a temporary, tethered light at the split on Monday, said Allegheny Township Supervisors Chairman...
Faces of the Valley: Lower Burrell teen making difference in local — and even global — politics
Sophia Walsh remembers being told that to become involved in politics, the local level is the best place to start. The Lower Burrell teen is already making her mark. Walsh, 17, was selected to be Lower Burrell’s junior council person, which is a nonvoting role but aims to provide a...
Charges held against man accused of shooting, killing his brother outside New Ken Elks Lodge
Criminal charges against the Arnold man accused of shooting his brother outside the New Kensington Elks Lodge in December were held for court following a preliminary hearing Thursday. District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. held charges to court against Steffon Ballard, 38, including criminal homicide, attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault...
Arnold triple shooting remains under investigation
A triple shooting Wednesday night in Arnold remains under investigation, police Chief Rob Haus said. “It is an ongoing investigation, and there are many moving parts,” Haus said Thursday. “It is believed to have stemmed from a domestic incident.” Police responded to the 2100 block of Leishman Avenue in Arnold...
Burrell: No concern following bomb threat, evacuation of high school
No immediate concern was found following a bomb threat and evacuation of Burrell High School on Thursday morning, according to district officials. A statement from Superintendent Shannon Wagner said there was a message posted on a high school bathroom wall that read, “I am going to bomb this school.” The...
Scott police to add social worker to department’s ranks
Scott Township’s police department will have a new member, a social worker, on its team by summer. The township is hiring a full-time social worker to provide expert crisis intervention support in cases involving mental health, addiction, homelessness and several other complex social situations. “It is important for residents to...
‘Galentine’s Day’ event aims to support downtown New Kensington businesses
Downtown New Kensington businesses hope to capitalize on an unofficial holiday next month to support and grow businesses in the city. The New Ken Downtown Partnership will host a Galentine’s Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 7 along Fifth Avenue. A play on Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day is an...
Carnegie-based Better Business Bureau names new president
The Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania, based in Carnegie, has a new leader. Kate Sullivan became the BBB’s president and chief executive officer Jan. 1, succeeding Warren King. King stepped down after 40 years with the BBB. The Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit that helps people find trustworthy...
