Kellen Stepler stories, Page 43
Police: Predator Catchers PA sting leads to Lower Burrell man’s arrest
A Lower Burrell man is facing child pornography charges after, police say, he was confronted by a civilian group dedicated to catching child predators. David J. Holmes, 54, was charged Tuesday by Lower Burrell police with 26 felony counts of child pornography, and one count each of felony unlawful contact...
New traffic signal coming to tricky Harrison intersection
A Harrison intersection eyed for improvements by township officials for years soon will get a much-needed upgrade. State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, and Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-West View, announced Tuesday that more than $550,000 in funding was awarded to Harrison to upgrade the traffic signal at Freeport and Springhill...
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. unveils new summer beer
With summer just around the corner, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is inviting customers “Poolside.” The brewery, located in East Deer’s Creighton neighborhood, launched its newest product by Block House Brewing on Wednesday, a shandy beer. Block House is one of Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s brands, said spokeswoman Katie Henningsen. Poolside beer replaces...
In brief: Bridgeville, Carnegie area news and events, week of March 25, 2024 and beyond
Bridgeville Area Historical Society events scheduled Coordinated by the Bridgeville Area Historical Society, Gary Euler will present “The Life and Times of Roberto Clemente” on April 30. On Tuesday, May 28, Layla Asbury will present “An insight into the relationships of Presidents and their Wives.” Both events start at 7:30...
Chartiers Valley appoints interim superintendent, hires firm to help with search for replacement
Chartiers Valley has a plan in place as it searches for its next superintendent. The school board on March 12 appointed Julie Franczyk as interim superintendent. Franczyk came to Chartiers Valley in 2018 as the Intermediate School Principal. She was named assistant superintendent in 2022. Franczyk replaces Johannah Vanatta, who...
Morning Roundup: Police say fight at North Oakland gas station was bananas
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, March 27: Police say fight at North Oakland gas station was bananas A fight involving bananas and PVC pipe at a North Oakland Sunoco station on Tuesday night has a store employee facing criminal charges. Yubaraj Budhathoki, 26,...
Police: Former Pitt player charged in connection with Clairton shooting, South Hills pursuit
A former University of Pittsburgh football player turned himself in to authorities Wednesday morning after police accused him of being involved in a shooting in Clairton and pursuit throughout the South Hills earlier this month. Paris Ford, 25, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count each...
Curtisville principal recognized by Pittsburgh Penguins
Jennifer Cavalancia, principal at Curtisville Primary Center in the Deer Lakes School District, often says she is lucky to do the work of the school’s top administrator every day. And recognition from the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t hurt either. Cavalancia, 44, of Elizabeth Township was recognized as a 2024 Pittsburgh Penguins...
New initiatives at Carnegie Elementary aim to promote community
One thing realized from the covid-19 pandemic is the necessity of human connection and interaction in education, according to Carnegie Elementary principal Jenna Mozzocio. “We have the unique ability to be that connection,” Mozzocio said. “Everybody has something to gain when having a close connection with school.” In Mozzocio’s first...
20 animals seized from Butler County home
Pennsylvania State Police in Butler seized 10 dogs, one cat, four ducks and five chickens from a home in Muddy Creek Township, Butler County, on Monday. Troopers were called to the 300 block of Pfeifer Road for reports of 10 dogs living in “deplorable conditions.” The house was declared “uninhabitable,”...
Local Jewish history focus of project by Burrell students, Tri-City Historical Society and Heinz History Center
Tri-City Historical Society President James Sabulsky knew there’d be interest from students when he pitched an idea to start a history club at Burrell High School this school year. But he didn’t quite expect the high school club and his organization to work with the Heinz History Center on a...
Morning Roundup: Man shot in McKeesport; homes, vehicles shot at in Arnold
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 25: Man in critical condition after shooting in McKeesport One person was taken to the hospital early Monday after a shooting in McKeesport, according to Allegheny County Police. At 3 a.m., McKeesport police were dispatched to the...
Allegheny Valley looks to boost mental health support for students
The Allegheny Valley School District soon will be able to provide behavioral and mental health support to students in a quicker way. The district is adding a part-time school psychologist and a behavioral specialist to its support team, said Melissa Holler, director of pupil services. “They would be working together...
Springdale officer promoted to detective after thorough work solving burglaries
A Springdale police officer was recognized — and promoted — thanks to his work solving burglaries in the borough. Officer Jon Koprivnikar was recognized by council during its meeting Tuesday, March 19. Council also promoted Koprivnikar to detective. “We had a rash of business burglaries within town,” police Chief Derek...
Jury convicts Ohio felon in connection to armed robberies at pharmacies including Bridgeville, Pittsburgh
A federal jury has convicted an Ohio man accused of armed robbery at one pharmacy in the Buckeye State and five in Western Pennsylvania, including in Pittsburgh and Bridgeville. Abdulrahman Abdelaziz Jamea, 26 and formerly of Columbus, Ohio, was found guilty on three counts of conspiracy to commit armed pharmacy...
Springdale could start cracking down on ‘disorderly houses’
It could be three strikes and you’re out for Springdale residents whose behavior brings police or other first responders to their homes. The borough is considering revising its “disorderly house” ordinance to set the number of complaint calls to three per year before residents or landlords face charges. Common complaints...
Indiana County man accused of sexual assault in Allegheny Township
An Indiana County man is charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Allegheny Township police charged Daniel Travis Kinney, 30, of Washington Township, Indiana County, with four felony counts of aggravated indecent assault against a person under 16, five felony counts of corruption of minors and a misdemeanor count of...
2 appointed to Cheswick Council
Cheswick Council has two new faces. Adis Halimic and Frank Stanish were appointed to council seats vacated by Kathy Gillard and William Kuzmirek. The terms expire at the end of next year. Council made the appointments Tuesday. Halimic, 43, has lived in Cheswick for 16 years. He was born in...
Springdale looks for another football venue for this fall, but hopes to return to Vets Field in future
Springdale High School’s football team hopes to return to the borough’s Veterans Memorial Field in 2025, but it will be forced to play elsewhere for at least the upcoming season. Allegheny Valley School District’s lease to use the field expires at the end of the school year. District officials have...
Missing Springdale Township county tax bills could prompt extension of discount period
Some Springdale Township residents have not received their 2024 Allegheny County property tax bills. Township Manager William McElligott is advising residents to call the Allegheny County Treasurer’s Office at 412-350-4100 if they have not received their property tax bill. The deadline to pay a discounted rate is March 31. The...
Chartiers Valley Primary School Principal named Penguins’ MVP
Deidra Stepko wasn’t too sure of being an administrator when she became the interim principal of Marion Elementary School in the Belle Vernon Area School District in 2018. She had taught first and third grades at the school, and she was uncertain if she’d like being in the principal’s office...
South Park game preserve welcomes 2 baby bison; 3rd could be on the way
The bison herd at Allegheny County’s South Park has grown by two. County officials announced that two baby bison were born in South Park’s game preserve since Friday. The preserve is along Sesqui Drive, between Corrigan Drive and McConkey Road, in South Park. “We’re really glad to have them come...
Burrell middle school students learn how to be safe online through Google’s ‘Be Internet Awesome’
Charles A. Huston Middle School student Lily Liotta knew the basics of staying safe on the internet. But a visit from Google representatives to her school in Lower Burrell expanded her knowledge. “It’s really important stuff that’s useful for teens and tweens to know,” Lily said after the roughly half-hour...
East Deer amusement tax set to take effect April 13
A portion of admission fees for large, ticketed events in East Deer will soon go to the municipality. Commissioners on Thursday adopted a 5% tax on admission fees to large events hosted in the township. The tax becomes effective April 13. Event coordinators would be responsible for collecting the fees...
East Deer increases water rates
East Deer residents soon will feel the brunt of three previous water rate increases from the township’s bulk water provider. Township commissioners increased water rates by $1.80 per 1,000 gallons. East Deer previously charged its residents $15.50 for the first 1,500 gallons used. “Our wholesale provider, Tarentum Borough, increased us...
