Bethel Park Journal category, Page 25
Bethel Park celebrates Arbor Day with help from young friends
Today’s kindergartners represent tomorrow’s Class of 2035. On Arbor Day that year, plans call for certain Bethel Park students who by then will be high school seniors to have their photograph taken with a particular tree. For Arbor Day 2022, Abraham Lincoln Elementary School kindergartners participated in a planting and...
Seniors for Safe Driving holds courses in Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair
Seniors for Safe Driving, a Pennsylvania-based organization with more than 25 years of public service, is offering senior citizen driver improvement courses. Locally, courses are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center, 1551 Mayview Road, and from 9 a.m. to 1...
Police say Bethel Park officer struck by motorist, driver arrested for suspicion of DUI
A Bethel Park police officer was hospitalized after being struck by a motorist Tuesday night, according to police. Officers charged a man with driving under the influence and multiple traffic violations in connection with the incident around 8:40 p.m. along South Park road near Pennsylvania Avenue, police Chief Tim O’Connor...
1 dead after tree falls onto car in Upper St. Clair during storm; power remains out for thousands
A Bethel Park man died Tuesday when strong winds toppled a tree onto the man’s vehicle in Upper St. Clair. Officials with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette identified the man as longtime employee Stephen A. Stasenko Jr. “Steve was a well known presence at the (Pittsburgh) Press and the Post-Gazette for almost...
Former Bethel Park, Duquesne offensive lineman eager to join Steelers on free-agent contract
After graduating from Bethel Park, Jake Dixon matriculated to Lewis (Ill.) University to play volleyball. One semester later, he was back home, attending classes and playing football at Duquesne. The move paid off Saturday when the 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive tackle agreed to sign a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh...
Bethel Park teachers agree to 3-year contract
Bethel Park School Board and the Bethel Park Federation of Teachers have agreed to a new three-year contract that will run from July 1 through June 30, 2025. The federation includes approximately 330 certified personnel, consisting of teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, speech therapists, information technology specialists and librarians. “We are...
Happenings for April 25, 2022: Elks dinner, tree planting in Bethel Park
Elks dinner benefits shipping items to Ukraine The Pittsburgh South Hills Elks Lodge is hosting a fundraising dinner from noon to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and include a pasta dinner and dessert. Proceeds from the dinner will offset the cost of shipping donated items to Ukraine. Purchase tickets from...
Bethel Park girls lacrosse aims to defend section championship
More of the same. Bethel Park’s girls lacrosse team last year won its first section championship since 2012. And it was a junior-driven squad. The Black Hawks, with nine seniors on this year’s team, aim to make another strong push for a section title in 2022, followed by a deep...
Senior-heavy Bethel Park boys lacrosse ready to make postseason run
Bethel Park’s boys lacrosse team placed third in Section 1-3A at 6-2 last season, behind only Mt. Lebanon (8-0) and Upper St. Clair (7-1). The Black Hawks edged Fox Chapel, 5-4, in the WPIAL first round before losing a 14-7 decision to North Allegheny to finish 10-6 overall. “I think...
Smiley faces: Bethel Park teen cancer survivor brings cheer dressed as Easter Bunny
Underneath the Easter bunny costume, Sean Rovers was smiling. As he did last year, Sean dressed as the character and visited sick children. He brought them baskets filled with toys, candy, books and stuffed animals — “all made with love,” his mother, Maria Rovers, said. “I do it because I...
‘I want to leave a legacy’: Scott musician joined by plenty of friends on latest release
The name that Scott musician Dave Molter chose for his latest album drew questions of concern from at least one of his friends. “It’s a title,” he told her. “Don’t worry about it.” Actually, the idea for what to call the nine-song release came from Molter’s co-producer, Al Snyder, who...
Celebrate South Hills with SHIM in Bethel Park
South Hills Interfaith Movement has hosted the annual fundraising event Celebrate the South Hills with SHIM, for 10 years, honoring individuals who share SHIM’s values of neighbors helping neighbors. While the event traditionally consisted of a dinner program and silent auction, it became a virtual event for two years through...
Brentwood painter provides ‘Unbroken’ support for Ukraine
Finishing a piece of her artwork less than 24 hours after she started is something out of the ordinary for Linda Barnicott. “Normally, I’m the type of person who sketches it out, then I do a pen-and-ink. Then I’ll maybe do a watercolor wash, and then I’ll paint it with...
At 103, Bethel Park tole artist continues to work with fellow painters
After leading art lessons for more than half a century, Jean Benson still tends to downplay her role. “I don’t really teach,” the Bethel Park resident said. “Everybody comes in and paints their own things. I just help ’em out.” Whatever she wants to call it, she’s back in action...
Man accused in regional bail scam to stand trial on conspiracy charges for Hempfield case
After a Hempfield woman handed over $5,000 to a man she was led to believe was a bail bondsman, she wasn’t able to get in touch with a person who claimed to be her daughter’s attorney. Darlene Johnston, 60, testified Tuesday that she got a phone call on Feb. 28...
Judge names outstanding citizens for Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair
Moving to Bethel Park must have awakened John Oakes’ sense of community spirit. “Once we got here and he started volunteering, I thought, who are you? He was just involved in everything,” his wife, Amanda, said. “He has a heart of gold, and he just really loves to help everybody....
Bethel Park music teacher receives state citation of excellence
Bethel Park School District’s Jeff Knell has received the 2022 Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association District 1 Citation of Excellence in Teaching, an award that is offered biennially. He is a music teacher at Neil Armstrong Middle School, along with William Penn and Benjamin Franklin elementary schools. Colleague Rachel Skilone,who has...
‘We appreciate you guys’: Custodial staffers honor Bethel Park students
Some of the more conscientious students at Bethel Park’s William Penn Elementary School received some words of gratitude. “Thank you for the hard work you do,” they were told recently by George Reganick. “You might not think much of it, but I do.” Mr. George, as the youngsters know him,...
Bethel Park softball has reason for celebration, confidence
Bethel Park’s softball team reveled in a banner 2021 campaign, winning a WPIAL title and outright section crown for the first time in school history. Ohio State recruit Reagan Milliken led a talented eight-player senior class last spring. Milliken was named Class 6A Player of the Year by Trib HSSN...
Defending baseball champ Bethel Park looks formidable
Bethel Park won the big prize in Class 5A last season, defeating Red Land, 4-2, in the PIAA baseball championship game at Penn State’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. “Words still cannot express the pride I feel for this special group of young men,” coach Pat Zehnder said afterward. “They...
Like father, like daughter: Bethel Park substitute teaching makes for family connection
Two teachers arrive at school at 7 a.m. They check their schedules. Then compare to see if they have the same free period at lunch. If they do, you will find them dining together. It’s a father-daughter date. “Almost every other day we meet for lunch,” said Ava King. “It...
Member of Bethel Park troop among 1st female Eagle Scouts in region
Visitors to South Fayette’s Fairview Park can enjoy a game of chess or tic-tac-toe on one of four newly crafted, hand-painted picnic tables, thanks to the leadership efforts of a 16-year-old girl. On March 5, Vidhisha Chahande, a sophomore at South Fayette Township High School, became the first female from...
Shamrock Shuffle welcomes spring to Mt. Lebanon despite wintry weather
For a day of emerging from hibernation, it was a cold one. The first day of spring marked the second annual running of the Shamrock Shuffle to benefit Ave Maria Academy. And Leslie Krueger, principal at the school’s Mt. Lebanon campus, drew the comparison of the event to the practices...
No-Cook Tuesdays food truck event back in Bethel Park
Although it wasn’t all that late in the afternoon, a line of customers stretched across the Bethel Park Community Center playground parking lot, ready to order their dinners. “I had heard that when you bring Cousins Maine Lobster, you are going to have a crowd,” community center director Cathy Muscato...
Bethel Park High School presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’
Bethel Park High School students hope to perform this year’s musical to a capacity crowd. Seating restrictions have been modified for the upcoming presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” District officials have decided to make nearly 1,200 seats available in the auditorium. Attendees will still need to abide by the...
