Kellen Stepler stories, Page 28
Ruling on Springdale boiler house doesn’t mean structure is coming down soon, attorney says
A state Superior Court ruling seemingly clearing the way for the implosion of the former power plant in Springdale doesn’t necessarily mean the structure is coming down anytime soon. John Kane, an attorney representing the 16 borough residents seeking to block the implosion at the former Cheswick Generating Station boiler...
Springdale assessment appeals prompt 19% tax hike
Reassessments on industrial properties in Springdale have led to a loss of $11 million in expected revenues, and borough property owners will likely foot the bill. The borough is considering hiking real estate taxes by 19% next year to cover the assessment losses in addition to a spike in the...
Chartiers Valley kindergarten students thank, honor veterans with annual tea
Chartiers Valley kindergarteners gave a patriotic thank-you to area veterans during the Primary School’s annual a few days after Veteran’s Day. “This Veterans Day event is such a special event for our kindergarten students and the veterans,” said Suzanne Schweikert, Kindergarten teacher and coordinator of the Veterans Day Tea. “…The...
Woman hit by car in East Deer
A woman was struck by a car Tuesday evening while walking across Freeport Road, near its intersection with Murrayhill Road, in East Deer. Responders were dispatched at 5:18 p.m. to the intersection, where the woman was hit by a car turning left from Murrayhill onto Freeport Road, said Jack Bailie,...
Superior Court: Boiler house at former Springdale power plant can be imploded
The boiler house at the former power plant in Springdale can be imploded via explosives, the state’s Superior Court ruled Tuesday, reversing a decision from an Allegheny County judge pausing the demolition. In a 24-page ruling, the Superior Court determined that Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr....
Springdale’s new garbage hauler to answer residents’ questions at council meeting
Springdale residents can learn more about a new garbage collection contract during a meeting Tuesday. Representatives from the borough’s new garbage collection provider, Belle Vernon-based County Hauling, will give a presentation and oversee a question-and-answer session during Tuesday’s council meeting, said Ro Rozier, a spokeswoman for the company. “This is...
Springdale’s girls soccer team electrifies community; group heads to state championship
Lincoln Haas just couldn’t help himself. The first grader was one of roughly 450 Acmetonia Elementary School students who lined the school’s halls Friday morning, patiently waiting for the parade of the state championship-bound high school girls soccer team to walk by their classroom. As the teachers and students waved...
Allegheny Valley School District considers 1st step to improve athletic field
The clock is ticking when it comes to planned improvements at Springdale High School’s soccer field, according to Allegheny Valley School District administrators. They’re recommending the school board get started with geological and infiltration testing and a site survey for potential installation of artificial turf at the field. “Time is...
Abatement on former Colfax school in Springdale underway; demolition nears
Asbestos abatement at the former Colfax Upper Elementary School in Springdale started this week, said Jan Zastawniak, Allegheny Valley School District spokeswoman. Permits have been secured, and a plan is in place to complete the demolition after abatement, Zastawniak said. Architect Toni Canzian said the project is going according to...
Fire tears through Riley’s Pour House in Carnegie
A fire destroyed Riley’s Pour House in Carnegie on Thursday afternoon. The popular Irish pub at 215 E. Main St. caught fire at around 1:15 p.m., according to Allegheny County 911. No injuries were reported, and all employees and restaurant patrons evacuated the restaurant safely. Abbey Fickley of West Mifflin...
Boiler projects at Bon Air, Burrell High School first on list for district’s construction projects
With the fate of Stewart Elementary sealed, Burrell School District is directing its attention to improvements at Bon Air Elementary and Burrell High School. The school board on Tuesday will consider advertising for a boiler replacement at the high school and a boiler rebuild at Bon Air. “These are two...
Lower Burrell officials ‘making an effort’ in the Kinloch area
Kinloch residents in June gave Lower Burrell officials a directive: let’s get some progress in their often-overlooked portion of the city. Now, they’ve seen what city officials have been up to during a meeting at the Kinloch Volunteer Fire Company. “I was optimistic, and I’m even more optimistic,” said resident Tom...
Schools battle national shortages, pay disparity to keep nurses on the job
Aliza Zelina arrives for her school nursing job at Highlands Middle School in Harrison just after 7 a.m. each day knowing she won’t have much prep time before her patients begin to roll in. “We see kids bright and early,” she said. “It’s steady, seeing about 50 to 60 visits...
Demolition of Springdale trestle bridge set to begin; detours in place
Overnight closures on Pittsburgh Street in Springdale begin Wednesday. The road, between Duquesne Court and Washington Street, will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night through Monday or Tuesday as demolition crews remove the overhead trestle bridge. Crews estimate the work will take about five days. The...
Proposed 2025 Bridgeville budget holds the line on taxes
Property owners in Bridgeville won’t see a tax increase next year if the borough’s proposed budget for 2025 is passed. The budget would maintain a tax rate of 6.5 mills on buildings, and 10 mills on land, said Manager Joe Kauer. The proposal totals just more than $8.1 million, he...
Sewage, garbage rate increases expected for Cheswick residents in 2025
Cheswick residents won’t pay more for property taxes or water next year, but they can expect to pay more in garbage and sewer rates. That’s according to the borough’s proposed budget for 2025, which totals about $2.6 million. Councilman Frank Meledandri said borough council will consider advertising the proposed budget...
Plans advance for Bridgeville butterfly-pollinator garden
A vacant lot along Baldwin Street in Bridgeville soon will be repurposed into a butterfly-pollinator garden. Council on Nov. 11 authorized repurposing the lot, which is behind the Beer Warehouse, next spring. The borough’s planning commission recommended the lot be used for a butterfly pollinator garden, according to Manager Joe...
Chartiers Valley theater gets crack at Harry Potter play
Chartiers Valley thespians are bringing a Broadway show to Collier. The high school’s theater department is presenting “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” making it the first school in Western Pennsylvania to perform the show, said Director Kim Giffin. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 13-16, at...
Carnegie bookstore promotes love of reading, nature
Books have always been a part of Michael Ploetz’s life. Growing up in Buffalo, he found himself gravitating to books. His mother, Deborah, was a reading specialist, instilling a love for literacy. In college, Ploetz worked at Kards Unlimited, a bookstore in Shadyside, getting involved in book buying. He moved...
Chartiers Valley teen accused of threat in custody
The student who authorities believe was behind a threat against Chartiers Valley schools is in custody, police and school district officials said. The threat closed schools in the district Monday, along with classes at the Parkway West Career and Technology Center. The district will be operating on a normal schedule...
State funding provides boost for projects in Carnegie, Collier, Scott
A slew of statewide grant funding will benefit communities in the Chartiers Valley area. The funding, announced in late October, comes from the Statewide Local Share Account and the Public School Facility Improvement Grant programs, which are administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. In Carnegie, $250,000 will help upgrade the...
Burrell family, school organization share opportunity to spread Christmas joy
Bringing Christmas joy to children internationally has attracted a third generation of a Lower Burrell family, as well as their friends and peers. Burrell High School seniors Miley Kariotis and Will Doutt, as well as their peers in the Reading Railroad club, assembled and packaged 25 shoeboxes Friday for Operation...
Chartiers Valley schools to be remote Monday after threat made
All Chartiers Valley School District schools will be on a remote learning schedule Monday after a “credible threat” was made against one of its schools, district officials said. District officials and local law enforcement discovered the threat and, “out of an abundance of caution,” made the decision to close all...
Residents able to escape house fire in Shaler
Firefighers responded to a house fire in the 100 block of Wise Lane in Shaler on Sunday night. Emergency dispatch indicated at least two people in the home were able to escape. The call came in about 7:20 p.m. Firefighters from more than 12 companies in the North Hills responded....
Upper Burrell looking into 3rd full-time police officer position
Upper Burrell is putting out “feelers” for a third full-time officer in its police department, Chief Ken Pate said. Township officials have said they are refocusing efforts to bolster their own force. Upper Burrell currently has two full-time officers, including the chief. To add a third full-timer, Supervisors Chairman Ross...
