Kellen Stepler stories, Page 40
Local parks could see projects completed through Pennsylvania Parks Fund
A new grant program from the Pennsylvania Parks Fund could provide some TLC to local spaces. The program provides participating parks with a grant up to $50,000, said PPF Project Director Justin Spencer. Participating parks submitted a grant proposal which can be found online at PennsylvaniaParks.org. Spencer said PPF created...
CV middle school teachers get free car washes for teacher appreciation week
Teachers at Chartiers Valley Middle School left work Wednesday, May 8 with clean cars thanks to students in the National Junior Honor Society. “When students were asked about doing a service project for Teacher Appreciation Week, they thought of washing the teachers’ cars during their free periods,” said Dina Roberts,...
Burrell gets $582K to upgrade security at Bon Air Elementary, boost kids’ mental health
The state is giving Burrell School District more than half a million dollars to replace the “antiquated” security systems at Bon Air Elementary School and boost the mental health and physical safety of students. Of Westmoreland County’s school districts, Burrell received the most funding. Superintendent Shannon Wagner said state police’s...
Police: Uniontown man charged after attacking paramedic
A Uniontown man faces criminal charges after state police say he attacked a paramedic while first responders were attempting to render aid to him. Eric Parker, 24, had passed out at a Dollar General in North Union, Fayette County. Parker faces a felony charge of aggravated assault, misdemeanor charges of...
Names revealed of latest offspring of Punxsutawney Phil and Phyllis
A special announcement came out of Punxsutawney on Sunday — and it had nothing to do with the weather. Reading from scroll, Dan McGinley, vice president of The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, announced via Facebook video that Punxsutawney Phil’s children have been named — a girl, Sunny; and a boy, Shadow....
New Kensington man arrested in connection with Arnold stabbing
A weekend stabbing in Arnold left one person injured and another behind bars. Sheron Brown, 45, of New Kensington is charged with aggravated assault and simple assault following the incident Saturday night. Brown was denied bond and was being held at the Westmoreland County jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled...
3rd suspect arrested in connection with fatal West End stabbing
The third suspect in connection to a fatal stabbing in Pittsburgh was taken into custody in Greensburg on Saturday afternoon. Pittsburgh police announced Saturday that Logan Smetanka, 20, was taken into custody by Greensburg police in connection to a March 22 stabbing that killed Marc Kovach, 37, at an abandoned...
Pirates fans optimistic about Paul Skenes’ career; he leaves to standing ovation
Tyler Harrison of Fairmont, W.Va., has been a fan of pitcher Paul Skenes since Skenes’ days of playing for Air Force. An LSU fan, Harrison followed Skenes’ career when he transferred to play for the Tigers in the Bayou State. So when it came time for Skenes to start his...
Collier to bring back Community Day; officials say it’ll be better than ever
Collier Township, years ago, held a community day event that featured a few vendors at Webb Park. That event faded away about a decade ago, but township officials are looking to bring it back on a grander scale. “We’re bringing it back to give back to the community, but we’re...
Lower Burrell to participate in blight study
After passing on the opportunity a few months ago, Lower Burrell officials will participate in a blight inventory study. Council on Monday entered into an agreement with Westmoreland County to participate in the study on behalf of the Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council Cooperation Group. The cost for the program is $14,180,...
Drones give Harmar elementary students glimpse at future job skills
Rikki Haas and Elizabeth Pribanic were at school Tuesday but had their eyes in the skies. The duo — as calm and as focused as could be — were operating drones outside the gymnasium of Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar after school. The 11-year-olds were able to maneuver their drones...
Carnegie Boys and Girls Club gets visit from Charlie Brown characters, actors
Carnegie-area thespians gave some of the community’s youngest an opportunity to go behind the scenes with a recent production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Actors from Stage 62 visited the Boys and Girls Club in Carnegie to teach the children songs, dance moves and choreography. Stage 62 also...
Burrell High School senior prepares her 2nd 5K for mental health awareness
A Burrell High School senior is hoping to capitalize on the success of an event last fall that boosted not only people’s mental health, but their physical well-being as well. Grace Nesko, 18, will be hosting a 5K wellness run and walk June 1 at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial...
National Geographic author inspires Acmetonia students to explore nature in their own backyards
Science writer Jason Bittel knows that talking about exotic animals or adventure-seeking experiences to a group of fourth grade students can elicit amazement. But Bittel’s message to students at Acmetonia Elementary School on Monday was that taking in your own surroundings — even if just in the Alle-Kiski Valley —...
Pittsburgh man faces drug, fleeing charges after crash in Harmar turns up $15,000, 2,000 stamp bags
Harmar police are searching for a Pittsburgh man who, they say, had about 2,000 stamp bags of heroin or fentanyl and more than $15,000 in a vehicle he abandoned to flee from police. Romello Edward Jones, 25, is being charged with one felony count each of carrying a firearm without...
Bridgeville gears up for Day on the Avenue
A Bridgeville summer tradition returns this June. The borough’s “Day on the Avenue” will be held June 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Washington Avenue, between Hickman Street and Bower Hill Road. Velveeta, an ‘80s cover band, will provide live music from 3 to 5 p.m. The event...
Upper Burrell teen developing Holocaust education patch for Girl Scouts
Lily Sassani learned about the Holocaust through her studies in the Burrell School District. But the 17-year-old Girl Scout from Upper Burrell never knew about the role of Girl Guides in World War II until her mother, Rachel, gave her a book on the topic. Now, she is expanding on...
Pittsburgh to fall short of record-high temperature Monday but could be on track for wettest April
It’s hot outside but not as hot as it could be. The Pittsburgh region won’t break a 125-year-old record for high temperature Monday, but by the end of the day Tuesday, a 123-year-old record for wettest April could be in jeopardy. “This April has brought us a little bit of...
New playground unveiled at Bridgeville’s McLaughlin Run Park
Children will have a new place to play at a Bridgeville park. The borough recently installed a playground at McLaughlin Run Park, 1250 McLaughlin Run Road. The playground includes a new playset, rubber surface, benches, fencing, activity boards and a swing set. All activities are accessibility-friendly, said borough manager Joe...
CV Odyssey of the Mind team places 6th at states
Six Chartiers Valley area middle school students put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test during an out-of-school activity. The activity, titled Odyssey of the Mind, is a creative problem-solving program where students present their solution at a competition to a long-term problem that takes months to complete and...
Chartiers Valley musicians enjoy experience of playing with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Six Chartiers Valley High School musicians got to learn from the professionals during a side-by-side performance with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in April. The students — Maddie Cioccio, clarinet; Gwen Horzempa, viola; Milla Konakchieva, violin; Wesley Madge, percussion; Kamilla Ruslankyzy, violin; and Camryn Welsh, violin — were part of PSO’s...
Springdale police warn residents of fire department phone scam
Springdale police are warning the community that a phone call from someone soliciting money for the borough’s volunteer fire department is a scam. A Wednesday social media post from the police department said a group of people posing as fire department members are calling residents, saying they need donations because...
New West Deer amphitheater means more summer concerts on tap
Outdoor concert venues in West Deer and East Deer are ready to draw visitors — and their money — into the area, organizers say. No Offseason Sports along Little Deer Creek Valley Road in West Deer will open its summer concert series July 13 with country music star Justin Moore,...
Chartiers Valley celebrates an ‘International Day’ of food
Chartiers Valley students were exposed to different cultures and cuisines during an event Friday morning. English Language students from both the high school and middle school, and members of the club “Global Minds,” were invited to bring food from their cultures to share with others. The annual event is a...
Jerry’s Custard to open 2nd store in Indiana Township
Jerry’s Custard will be taking some of its sweet treats to the other side of the Allegheny River this summer. The Lower Burrell business, situated at 2705 Seventh Street Road, is opening a “mini version” of its store at 725 Dorseyville Road in Indiana Township, owner Tammy Connolly said. Connolly...
