Kellen Stepler stories, Page 23
Violation notice issued to Lower Burrell steel plant for spill
The state Department of Environmental Protection plans to cite the operator of Braeburn Alloy Steel in Lower Burrell following a hydraulic oil spill at the site this month. DEP spokeswoman Lauren Camarda said the state agency has not determined yet whether any fines or other sanctions are warranted as its...
Bridgeville author’s thriller has an unlikely antagonist: a mutant raccoon
A Bridgeville author’s new book strives to have people step into the world of genetic experimentation, government conspiracies and an unusual antagonist. Mark Berton, 48, released “Aroughcoune” on Feb. 19. The story revolves around a giant, military-bred, genetically modified raccoon that escapes from a secret lab and wanders around Western...
Burrell school task forces work out schedule proposals for reconfiguration
Schedules at Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary and Charles A. Huston Middle schools are close to being finalized. This week, the Bon Air and Huston task forces — groups of about 20 parents and staff providing feedback on schedules and plans for reconfigurations at the schools next year — continued to...
Proposed state tax would prop up fire, ambulance and other emergency services
Lower Burrell No. 3 fire Chief Brennan Sites is appreciative of what his city officials do when it comes to supporting his volunteer fire company. But competing with rising costs for equipment and declines in volunteerism, the city is nearly tapped out when it comes to giving its two volunteer...
Random acts of kindness new focus for foundation honoring Springdale alum Jorden Puskar
A foundation honoring a former Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School student who was shot and killed in 2022 is retooling itself to promote random acts of kindness. The Flashlight Foundation — named in honor of Jorden Lee Puskar, a 2019 Springdale graduate — was established three years ago to help raise...
New Burrell High investigative sciences course touts real-world experience
A new class at Burrell High School takes students from crime scenes to the courtroom. The Investigative Sciences and Literature course, offered to juniors and seniors this year, stems from a growing interest from students looking into careers in law enforcement or forensics, said teacher Amanda Pagnotta. “It’s not what...
Pedestrian safety plan moves forward for Bridgeville’s Bower Hill Road
Bridgeville Council likes the plan that would improve the pedestrian crossing across Bower Hill Road at Commercial Street, and directed officials to seek grant funding to make it happen. Council on Feb. 10 accepted the design from Engineer John Heyl for the crossing that’s near the Dari Delite. “The plan...
Chartiers Valley dance troupe continues success at national level
Chartiers Valley High School’s dance troupe remains one of the top high school dance teams in the country. The team traveled to Orlando, Fla., from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 to compete in the Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championship, said Coach Riley Maghery. Ultimately, they placed fourth in...
Residents in Collier’s Rennerdale neighborhood petition for better electric service
Residents in several Collier neighborhoods say that when inclement weather is forecast, they can all but expect to lose power. “Our group of Collier Township neighborhoods — including, but not limited to, Walkers Mill, Rennerdale, Rennerdale Highlands, Barrington Manor, the homes along McMichael Road and other newer housing plans —...
Investigation launched into Chartiers Valley transportation department; security firm hired
Chartiers Valley administrators launched an internal investigation into allegations of improper use of the district’s bus garage and have since hired a security firm to protect the district’s assets, they say. Superintendent Daniel Castagna said, in response to recent threats and to ensure student safety, the district is reviewing security...
Construction project presentation for Burrell School District anticipated next week
The Burrell School Board and the public likely will get a chance to hear from the district’s architect on possible construction projects during a meeting next week. Pittsburgh-based HHSDR Inc., Burrell’s architect, is anticipated to present drafts on possible capital improvement projects at the district’s schools during a board meeting...
Instructional time a priority for Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary as reconfiguration on tap
The most important schedule features at a reconfigured Bon Air Elementary School next year appear to be equitable minutes for instruction and maintaining integrity of support time for students. That’s what the Bon Air task force prioritized the most when asked by Superintendent Shannon Wagner during a meeting Tuesday. The...
Date set on tear down of Springdale power plant boiler house, weather permitting
The end is near for the last remaining edifice at Springdale’s former power plant. Officials from Springdale Police, property owner CPERG and demolition contractor B&B Wrecking and Excavation held a public meeting Monday on the planned conventional demolition of the boiler house. Sam Miller, the plant manager, said crews plan...
Fire tax floated to Upper Burrell voters
Upper Burrell voters may be asked if they are willing to pony up additional tax dollars to support the township’s volunteer firefighters. Township supervisors received a letter from the fire company announcing its intent to petition for a referendum on a 2-mill fire tax to be voted on during this...
Community meeting set on Springdale boiler house demolition
Demolition of the former power plant in Springdale is nearing its end — and residents will have a chance to learn more about those plans during a public meeting Monday. Springdale Police, property owner Charah Solutions and demolition contractor B&B Wrecking will host a community meeting at 5 p.m. Monday...
Proposed schedule at Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary goes back to the drawing board
Burrell School District administrators intend to revisit a scheduling plan at Bon Air Elementary as the school prepares to house an additional grade next year. The Bon Air Task Force – composed of about 20 staff members and parents charged with reviewing the school’s building plans and schedules prior to...
Another construction project on Route 50 in Collier to take shape in 2027
PennDOT plans to widen Route 50, also known as Washington Pike, in Collier. The proposal, presented during a public meeting at Chartiers Valley Middle School, widens Washington Pike between Mayer Street to Thoms Run Road. Construction is anticipated to begin sometime in 2027. “We’re in the very early stages of...
DEP, environmental contractors continue cleanup after Braeburn hydraulic spill
Cleanup continued Tuesday at the site of a hydraulic fluid spill into the Allegheny River in Lower Burrell. The state Department of Environmental Protection is overseeing work at the Braeburn Alloy Steel facility, where the fluid leaked from a containment area at the plant and into the river Monday afternoon....
3rd time’s the charm for future Huston Middle School building plan
Just when Burrell School District officials thought they had a building plan at Huston Middle School to accommodate an additional grade level there next year, a dry run two weeks ago led them to reconsider. A maintenance issue at Stewart Elementary School on Jan. 23 had its fifth graders spend...
Academic achievement priority for new Chartiers Valley Superintendent Daniel Castagna
Chartiers Valley’s new superintendent has his sights set on bolstering the district’s academic repertoire. In fact, he thinks the district could be one of Allegheny County’s top academically performing districts in three years. “We have the foundation necessary to grow a much stronger academic program than we’ve ever built before,”...
Police: Human remains found in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes
Human skeletal remains “in an advanced state of decomposition” were found Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes, said Emily Bourne, a city public safety spokeswoman. Bourne said the remains were found in the 2400 block of Burham Street. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet identified the...
MLK service offers lesson in loving one another, living into faith
The message at Sunday’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service was a lesson of loving one another, and living into one’s faith and in the present. “We are called to help the poor in financial resources, as well as the poor in spirit,” said guest speaker The Rev....
Patrick Kopnicky, advocate of Harrison Hills Park and Penn State New Kensington, cherished every day
Mardelle Kopnicky remembers a time years ago that she and her husband, Patrick, were at Harrison Hills Park when a young boy asked them an interesting question. He asked if the couple — who, over the years, advocated for and spearheaded improvements at the 500-acre park in Harrison — if...
Scholarship, memorial to honor Domenico Schiano di Cola’s memory at St. Joseph High School
The Schiano di Cola family wants to give back to the school and community that’s meant so much to them. The family is establishing a scholarship in the late Domenico Schiano di Cola’s memory that will run in perpetuity at St. Joseph High School in Harrison. It’s his alma mater...
Less money, more coverage: Regional police forces becoming more attractive
The Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department’s budget increased by 5% this year — but it still costs its member communities less than what they were paying for their individual departments years ago. Cheswick, East Deer and Springdale Township each will pay about $272,000 toward the regional police force this year....
