Madasyn Lee stories, Page 7
Municipalities leaving 1 school district for another a rarity in Pennsylvania
If West Leechburg residents continue efforts to transfer the borough to another school district, it would become the fifth Pennsylvania municipality in recent years to seek such a move. And if the other four cases are any indication, the process wouldn’t be an easy one for West Leechburg. The state...
Parks man charged with stealing man’s truck, threatening to kill him
A Parks Township man accused of stealing and wrecking another man’s truck while driving under the influence threatened to kill the man if he reported the incident to police, according to a criminal complaint. Michael Joseph Crocker, 21, faces charges of theft, receiving stolen property, victim intimidation and terroristic threats,...
West Deer one step closer to enforcing stiffer penalties for false alarms
West Deer supervisors are one step closer to imposing harsher fines on people whose alarms accidentally go off three or more times per year. Supervisors on Wednesday approved advertising an update to the township’s false alarm ordinance, which could potentially be voted on and approved at the supervisors’ Oct. 21...
‘It’s kind of unprecedented’: Tailgaters, restaurants make best of Steelers home openerVideo
It was a very different scene Sunday on the North Shore before the Steelers home opener. As in, there was hardly a scene at all. The parking lots around Heinz Field, normally bursting with excited Steelers fans, were bare. Coronavirus-related restrictions had barred the usual tailgaters from their usual spots....
West Deer inches closer to tax deferral program for low-income residents, seniors
West Deer leaders are considering an ordinance that could prevent residents who make less than $35,000 a year from having to pay increased real estate taxes. Supervisors on Wednesday approved formally advertising an ordinance that would establish a township real estate tax deferral program. The program would add any township...
Deer Lakes approves dual enrollment program with Grove City College
A Deer Lakes senior who wanted to take college courses at Grove City College has opened up that opportunity for other students at her school. The school board on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding for a Dual Enrollment Program between the school district and the college, which gives juniors...
East Deer to use $100K state grant to tear down 10 blighted buildingsVideo
East Deer is using state grant money to tear down 10 blighted buildings. Residents of Marion Street, which has three of the targeted properties, were happy to hear the news. “Hopefully soon they come down,” said Stephanie Headley, who has lived on the street for 15 years and calls the...
2 garbage haulers vying for East Deer contract
East Deer could potentially choose a new garbage hauler after working with the same company for roughly a decade. Vogel Disposal Service of Adams, Butler County, and Bankosh Sanitation of Loyalhanna Township submitted bids to handle the township’s garbage collection from 2021 to 2024. Vogel has been the township’s garbage...
East Deer commissioner OK with water rate increase imposed by Tarentum
Tarentum last week approved increasing water rates for East Deer by 15% while decreasing the base rate for its own residents by 8%. As of Monday, East Deer had not yet received official word from the borough regarding the increase, Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said. “We have gotten no official...
Deer Lakes School District to offer free meals through end of year
Free in-school and to-go meals are being offered by the Deer Lakes School District through the end of the year. The district offered free meals during the spring and summer as part of the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option. That program was extended through Dec. 31 because of...
West Deer Parks and Rec Board looking for new member, volunteers
West Deer is looking for someone to join its parks and recreation board. The township is accepting letters of interest for a new board member through Thursday, Oct. 15. The parks and recreation board is made up of seven people. It is seeking one new board member to replace Tracy...
East Deer, Tarentum to seek grant to improve Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Two Alle-Kiski Valley municipalities are hoping to snag a grant that could help them make improvements to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. If approved, the joint $50,000 Active Allegheny Grant would be used to determine how to best take the 24‑mile urban riverfront trail through East Deer into Tarentum. “I’d...
East Deer adds 2 part-time police officers, including Officer Brian Shaw Scholarship recipient
East Deer now has enough police officers to cover all shifts with the addition of two part-timers, including a recipient of an Officer Brian Shaw Scholarship. Township Commissioners on Wednesday hired Steven Edwards, 24, of Lower Burrell and Olivier Jean-Gilles, 25, of Scott Township as part-time officers. They will make...
BYOB art studio in West Deer provides entertainment, camaraderieVideo
Michelle Guerrieri comes from a family of small-business owners. So, naturally, she decided to start her own. Last October, Guerrieri opened The Creation Station in West Deer’s Russellton neighborhood. The studio holds instructor-led, DIY workshops that teach people how to make decorative wooden signs for their homes. And if you’re...
‘Hike for Hope’ to raise awareness for suicide prevention, erase stigma to take place at Deer Lakes Park
A West Deer mother who lost her daughter to suicide is continuing to raise awareness for suicide prevention and fight the stigma that suicide shouldn’t be talked about. Molly Rupprecht and her friends are organizing a “Hike for Hope” suicide awareness event at Deer Lakes Park on Saturday, Sept. 12....
Former Freeport man, Mustang aficionado, to be remembered at Frazer car cruise
Dwight L. Hutton was the life of the party. He loved Jimmy Buffett, grilling and classic cars. So it’s fitting that a car cruise would be held in his honor. “Dwight was from Freeport, and he grew up there. He was very proud of being from the Alle-Kiski Valley,” said...
Social media followers, police, lead to discovery of stolen PGH Halal Truck
A food truck specializing in halal foods was stolen from a West Mifflin parking lot overnight. But it was found relatively quickly thanks to its social media followers and local police, according to its Facebook page. PGH Halal Truck, which offers gyros, pitas, salads, rice dishes, hummus and baklava, alerted...
Fire chief: New Kensington house destroyed by fire went up in flames twice before
A New Kensington house that was destroyed by a fire early Saturday morning has caught on fire twice before in recent years, fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said. “It was about three years ago … we had a small fire in the bedroom in the third floor,” Saliba said. “Then...
How Western Pa. schools are making the best of remote learning
It’s too early to say what long-term impact remote learning might have on children in the age of the coronavirus. But experts say whether a child learns at home or at school, parents should be working with them to determine how to best meet their needs. “When you talk about...
‘Mutt Strut’ to benefit Springdale-based animal rescueVideo
A foster-based animal rescue headquartered in Springdale said it needs help finding homes and providing medical attention for cats and dogs. Paws Across Pittsburgh will hold its second annual “Strut With Your Mutt Walk” at West Deer’s Bairdford Park on Saturday, Sept. 12. Founder and President Jackie Armour understands the...
West Deer increases property tax rebate for seniors
West Deer Supervisors have increased the amount of money that senior citizens can have reduced from their property taxes each year. The board voted unanimously to amend West Deer’s Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief Program, which provided a $10 reduction from the township’s property tax bill for eligible seniors. The...
Charges withdrawn against West Deer man accused of inappropriately touching young girl
Criminal charges have been withdrawn against a West Deer man who police accused of inappropriately touching a girl several years ago. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office withdrew five charges, including aggravated incident assault of a child, that were filed against Scott Goedicke, 46, in May, according to online court...
Frazer hires Officer Brian Shaw Scholarship recipient as part-time officer
Frazer’s newest police officer has a heartfelt connection to former New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw. Steve Edwards of Lower Burrell was a recipient of an Officer Brian Shaw Scholarship, which reimburses graduates from the Allegheny County Police Training Academy. Brian Shaw graduated from the academy in 2014, and worked...
West Deer forms Community Development Corporation to help business owners
West Deer leaders have created a Community Development Corporation to help the township’s existing businesses and look for ways to attract new ones. A CDC steering committee made up of supervisors, Deer Lakes School Board members and business owners was formed in July, according to Supervisors Chairman Arlind Karpuzi. The...
Pa. implements OmniBallot tool for blind voters in November election
Blind voters in Pennsylvania will be able to use a federally approved, cloud-based electronic platform to vote remotely in the November, and subsequent, elections. The Pennsylvania Department of State will implement Democracy Live’s OmniBallot tool in response to a state court’s ruling that the previous paper ballot system used in...
