Kellen Stepler stories, Page 37
Police shot man who left guns, ‘concerning’ notes in car at Cranberry golf course
Police fatally shot an Ellwood City man near a Cranberry Township golf course Tuesday after guns and “concerning” notes were found in a vehicle he abandoned, prompting an hourslong search and shelter-in-place order issued in the township. In a news release Wednesday, state troopers identified the man killed as Logan...
Last ride remembers Leechburg man’s adventurous life
Scottie Joe Hawkins got one last ride on his truck Tuesday. Family and friends hoisted his casket onto the flatbed of the tractor-trailer Hawkins used to make his living, repurposing it as a hearse to take him to his final resting place. A special platform was built onto the flatbed...
Lower Burrell considers ordinance on fireworks
Lower Burrell is looking to establish rules for fireworks in time for future holiday festivities. “The city wanted to enact a fireworks ordinance to make it clear to residents what they can and cannot do,” Mayor Chris Fabry said. “Since the state legalized so much a few years back, there...
Morning Roundup: Man accused of shooting at Downtown groups; 1 injured in I-79 crash
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, July 2: Police man fired shots at groups in Downtown Pittsburgh Pittsburgh police are investigating after they say a man fired at least two shots toward a group of people standing outside a store Monday evening in the...
Chartiers Valley School District’s budget holds the line on taxes
Property owners in the Chartiers Valley School District will pay the same in school taxes for the upcoming year. The $78.4 million budget, approved by the school board June 25, keeps the millage rate at 20.1909 mills, signaling no tax increase. Owners of a home in the district valued at...
Collier Community Day ‘a nice night out’
Collier Township’s Community Day sounded like a good time to township residents Gordon and Beverly Gathany. The couple, who moved to Collier from upstate New York seven years ago, frequent the township’s community center and park and looked forward to the Community Day event. “It’s a nice night out,” Beverly...
Morning Roundup: Woman injured after being hit by vehicle in Squirrel Hill
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, July 1: Woman injured after being hit by vehicle in Squirrel Hill A woman is in critical condition after she was hit by a car in Squirrel Hill on Sunday night, according to Pittsburgh police. Police spokeswoman Cara...
As interest in WNBA grows, so does stylist career of Burrell standout Sydney Bordonaro
Lower Burrell native Sydney Bordonaro now can add fashion to the list of her basketball successes. As a Burrell High School student, Bordonaro led the Bucs to their greatest seasons in basketball history from 2011 to 2015, setting numerous school records and making the all-state first team her junior and...
Weather forecast not stopping inaugural Buffett tribute concert at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. officials are hoping Saturday’s stormy weather outlook will be “Nothin’ But a Breeze” as plans march on for the inaugural Jimmy Buffett tribute concert at the East Deer site. “We are moving forward with having the concert and festivities,” brewery spokeswoman Rachel Semelbauer said Friday. “We are...
Permitting process nearing completion for demolition of Colfax school in Springdale
The process aimed at demolishing Colfax Upper Elementary School in Springdale is continuing with permit applications to the state, architect Antone Canzian reported to the Allegheny Valley School Board. Canzian said about 80% of the contract documents needed for the project have been completed. He intends to have the project...
Family-oriented movers Weleski Transfer marks 115 years in Tarentum
Mary Anne Oshnock decided to work part time at Weleski Transfer Inc. in 1974, when she was in high school, for job experience before college. A student at Highlands at the time, Oshnock was interested in getting into the business field. She ended up staying a Weleski employee for 50...
Sheldon Park event aims to build positive relationship between residents, police
Something as simple as letting children check out a police car and blare the vehicle’s sirens can make a lasting impact, according to Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Chief Mike Vogel. As a flurry of children at Harrison’s Sheldon Park interacted with township and housing authority officers Thursday, Vogel said...
2.65% tax hike OK’d for Allegheny Valley School District property owners
Property owners in the Allegheny Valley School District will be paying 2.65% more in real estate taxes for the coming school year. The school board approved a $25.8 million budget Tuesday increases the millage rate by 0.552 mills, from 20.8377 to 21.3899. “We’ve been as conscientious as any district,” board...
Brother: Gillian Tones, Montana park drowning victim, ‘had a natural gravitation toward helping people’
Dillon Tones once asked his younger sister, Gillian, why she wanted to get into nursing. He was curious why people chose the field because nurses often see people at their worst. “She said, ‘You’re right, but I also get to be there to do as much as I can,’ ”...
Stewart School closing hearing prompts wide range of reactions
An array of viewpoints were shared by a dozen Burrell residents Tuesday during a public hearing on possibly closing Stewart Elementary School. Some requested Stewart remain open in some capacity, and others advocated for its closure. Some requested fifth-grade classes move to Huston Middle School, and others suggested they be...
North Apollo woman who drowned at national park in Montana remembered as sweet and compassionate
A North Apollo woman who slipped and fell from rocks and drowned Sunday at a national park in Montana is being remembered for her kind heart. The National Park Service said in a statement that Gillian Tones, 26, slipped on slick rocks at Glacier National Park about 5:20 p.m. and...
Late Secretary Lorraine Zebrine ‘dedicated to Cheswick’
Lorraine Zebrine was dedicated to her job as Cheswick’s borough secretary. She was always willing to step up to a challenge or take on additional responsibilities. Just ask those who knew her well. “During her time — I’ve been on council 42 years — there are few people who have...
‘Not a fun experience’ for boards considering school closure
As a public hearing looms for the proposed closure of Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell, experts say boards should consider numerous factors before closing a building. While school closures can be difficult, district leaders shouldn’t delay or avoid the issue, said Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at...
3 Springdale firefighters recognized for emergency, QRS response
The lifesaving acts of three Springdale volunteer firefighters during a call in April resulted in recognition from the Allegheny County Volunteer Firefighters Association. During a recent Springdale Council meeting, fire Chief Kevin Wilhelm presented Capt. Daniel Copeland, Lt. Zachary Wilhelm and firefighter Ethan Sanders with the association’s Heroism Award. “It’s...
Parrot Heads will have a place to dock at Iron City Brewing in time for Buffett tribute concert
Final preparations are underway at East Deer’s Pittsburgh Brewing Co. as a summer concert series kicks off next week. Crews will have installed a temporary boat dock behind the brewery before a Jimmy Buffett tribute band takes the stage June 29, said Todd Zwicker, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. president. “I work...
Interim principal appointed at Burrell’s Stewart; middle school principals promoted
A Burrell School District administrator will stand in as Stewart Elementary’s principal in what could be the final year of the school. Autumn Turk, Burrell’s director of curriculum and development, was appointed interim principal at Stewart for the 2024-25 school year, school directors voted Tuesday. “She’ll do both jobs for...
Burrell School District budget raises taxes 5.8%
Burrell School District officials say the district is suffering from stagnant property value growth, and taxpayers will foot the bill for it. The district’s final 2024-25 budget of $36.6 million includes a 5.8% property tax hike. The 6.5-mill increase will bring the district’s millage rate to 117.5, the highest of...
New rate designs recommended for Springdale water customers
Springdale officials are considering two options for changing the way it bills for water service, one of which could raise rates for residential customers. The borough in May decided to undergo the rate study, saying that since the $7 million water plant was completed in 2020, officials have not done...
Chartiers Valley selects Joseph Dimperio as interim superintendent
A man with more than half a century of experience in public education has been tapped to lead the Chartiers Valley School District, at least in the interim. School directors in June hired Joseph Dimperio as interim superintendent, at a rate of $725 per day without benefits or pension withholding....
Food-themed art show to display work of neurodiverse artists
The idea for a food-focused art show at Carnegie’s Studio Forget-Me-Not! all started with painted ceramic slices of pizza. “Food is one of those things people come together for,” said Laura Stuart, director at Studio Forget-Me-Not!, a venue that provides art services for adults with intellectual disabilities. After some discussion,...
