Technology position open in school district

Penn Hills School District is looking to fill the position of assistant to the superintendent for technology, innovation, safety and security.

Brian Brown, who served in that capacity since February, recently was hired as an assistant superintendent for the Shaler Area School District.

Brown became Penn Hills’ director of technology and innovation in July 2023 and an associate principal from August 2014 through June 2019. He was instrumental in developing the district’s cyber academy, which was designed to provide an alternative for Penn Hills-area families at charter and online schools.

Preferred qualifications for applicants include three or more years in network administration, three or more years of experience in a management or supervisory position, three or more years of administration experience at the school or district level and experience in directing mainframe and basic PC and LAN operations.

Interested parties can apply through the district’s website under the employment tab.

Cookout to help tackle hunger

Penn Hills-based nonprofit Jamar Place of Peace is hosting a pig roast from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at St. James Episcopal Church, 11524 Frankstown Road.

The event will feature food, drinks, live music, raffles, pony rides and a bike giveaway.

Organizers have recommended a donation of $15, or however much attendees can spare, toward feeding local families in need.

Council cancels meeting

Penn Hills Council called off its July 15 voting meeting, and municipal officials cited a light agenda as a reason for the cancellation. Agenda items will roll over to the Aug. 19 meeting.

Mayor Pauline Calabrese noted that council has historically taken a month off from meeting as a summer recess.

Council has canceled four meetings since April, including two voting meetings, one nonvoting and a special meeting to consider the appointment of Gibson-Thomas Engineering for Community Development Block Grant-related services.

Job openings available in water department

Penn Hills has listed several full-time positions in its Water Pollution Control Department.

The municipality is seeking an operation and maintenance supervisor as well as multiple wastewater treatment operators and laborers.

Applicants for the supervisor and operator positions must possess Class B, E Subclass 1 Wastewater Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Laborers have the option to obtain this certification once hired through paid training.

To apply, mail an application and resume to the municipality’s human resources department at 102 Duff Road or email hr@pennhills.org. Applications are available at pennhillspa.gov/employment.

Library activities cater to animal lovers

Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, is marking the dog days of summer with several programs for animal lovers:

• Make No-Bake Dog Treats: For adults. Two sessions are available — 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 23 and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 27. Registration is required.

• Sublimate a Pet Bandanna: For adults. Two sessions are available — 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m., both on July 24. Registration is required.

• Visit With Prada the Therapy Dog: Children of all ages are invited to meet Prada, an American Staffordshire terrier who loves snuggles and listening to stories, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 3 in the children’s activity room. Prada is an American Kennel Club-licensed therapy dog. No registration is required.

To register for any of the above programs, visit pennhillslibrary.org or call 412-775-4700. To sign up for text reminders for all teen programs happening at the library, text TEENSPH to 412-240-6540.

Single-lane restriction set on Route 2048 through July

According to PennDOT, a single-lane restriction will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through late July, weather permitting, on Route 2048 (Old William Penn Highway) between Lougeay and Jefferson Heights roads.

Crews are conducting concrete repairs and epoxy crack sealing. Oversized trucks will be accommodated.

The work, which began June 26, is part of the $70.1 million I-376 Parkway East Betterment Project. Work will include a superstructure replacement over Old William Penn Highway, two bridge rehabilitations over Old William Penn Highway/Lougeay Road/Sunset Drive and Thompson Run Road/Thompson Run/Union Railroad, and six bridge preservations along Interstate 376.

During the project, motorists can expect long-term single-lane restrictions, several weekends with traffic down to a single lane and a long-term crossover in 2025.

The improvements on the 4.5 miles of the Parkway East between the Churchill/Route 130 (Exit 79B) and Monroeville/Route 48 (Exit 84A) exit are anticipated to conclude in the fall of 2026.

Swank Construction Co. is the prime contractor.

Volunteers sought for townwide cleanup

The Penn Hills Rotary Club and Penn Hills Community Development Corporation are sponsoring a cleanup day and picnic starting at 8:30 a.m. July 27.

Volunteers are invited to tackle litter from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on roads and in neighborhoods of their choosing or can join an existing group.

The Rotary and PHCDC will provide everyone with the necessary cleanup supplies, including trash bags, gloves and safety vests. All of the bags and large debris collected by volunteers will be picked up by the appropriate agency.

After the cleanup, participants are invited to a free picnic at 11 a.m. at Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department’s Memorial Park, 5806 Verona Road. Food and drinks will be provided by the Rotary and PHCDC.

Registration is required. To register, visit pennhillsrotary.org/register.

Rotary seeks groups for National Night Out

The Rotary Club of Penn Hills is looking for community groups and businesses that would like to set up a table during its annual National Night Out event from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at Penn Hills Elementary School, 1079 Jefferson Road.

The Rotary provides free food, drinks and Italian ice during the event.

Please note this community event is free for everyone, so groups may not sell items at their tables. The event aims to build relationships between the community, youths and first responders in Penn Hills. There will be equipment on display, a touch-a-truck and demonstrations.

To participate, reach out to the Rotary Club of Penn Hills via Facebook.

Sponsored by Turner Dairy Farms, Miss Pennsylvania Page Mackenzie Weinstein is scheduled to attend the event and will be available for photos.

Driving course open to 55 and older

Seniors for Safe Driving, a PennDOT-approved organization dedicated to highway safety, is conducting a Senior Citizen Driver Improvement Course from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 23 at the Penn Hills Senior Center, 147 Jefferson Road.

The course, which costs $17, is designed to refresh the driving skills and rules of the road for motorists 55 and older. Those who successfully complete the course can receive a three-year discount of no less than 5% on their auto insurance.

There will be no testing or behind-the-wheel driving. To register, call 800-559-4880 or 724-283-0245 or seniorsforsafedriving.com.

Stadium closed to public during upgrades

The Penn Hills School District recently announced Yuhas-McGinley Stadium is closed to team and public use, including the track, while new lights and turf are being installed. Construction is expected to last through July 31.

Spaghetti dinner to benefit firefighters

The Verona Volunteer Fire Company is planning its annual spaghetti dinner and open house from 4 to 7 p.m. July 27 at its station, 465 Parker St.

Meals cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids, with a $2 discount for those who bring a toy for Toys for Tots.

Verona Farmers Market sets up Thursdays

Verona’s seasonal farmers market has kicked off into full swing. Hosted every Thursday until Nov. 21, each market features a list of local vendors.

For special announcements about the market, visit the Verona Farmers Market Facebook page.

Association of University People seeks members

The Association of University People (AUP) invites singles 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people.

Activities include monthly dinners, social gatherings, concerts, meeting up at local wineries and day trips. Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.

For details or to become an AUP member, call 412-353-9088 or email aupsingles@gmail.com.

Group offers support for weight loss

All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.

With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.

You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.

There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Household chemical collection scheduled

The Pennsylvania Resource Council will hold a household chemical collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at Boyce Park in Plum.

Individuals can drop off automotive fluids, household cleaners, pesticides, paints and other household chemicals. A $20 fee covers disposal of up to 10 gallons or 50 pounds of material per vehicle. Loads exceeding 10 gallons and 50 pounds will be subject to additional fees.

Participants must register at prc.org/collectionevents or by calling 412-488-7490.

Air conditioners available to low-income residents

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program offers summer cooling assistance to people in need.

The program offers eligible families two Energy Star-rated room air-conditioning units, or one unit and a fan, or repair or replacement of an existing but broken central air-conditioning system or heat pump.

Homeowners or renters who qualified for or received emergency LIHEAP heating grants or weatherization assistance may be eligible.

Applicants can contact Action Housing and request an application through its Weatherization Assitance Program, which helps people in the city of Pittsburgh and residents of Allegheny, Greene and Washington counties. To learn more about the program, visit actionhousing.org.

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