Trafford wants to take close look at storm sewer
By Chris ForemanAfter identifying two collapses in a storm sewer under First Street, Trafford officials want a contractor to use cameras to assess the line to determine if other repairs are necessary. Council on Tuesday voted to pay $5,000 to State Pipe …
Local company putting wind-energy technology on edge in Penn Township
By Chris ForemanSome of the new vertical-axis wind turbines manufactured in Pittsburgh will undergo test spins with the help of breezes gusting through Penn Township. The turbines, …
Owners of unsightly Penn Township property on notice
By Chris ForemanCut the grass — or else. Penn Township property owners who habitually fail to trim unsightly high grass and weeds could face civil penalties for violating the township’s property-maintenance code. Commissioners voted unanimously Monday night to advertise an amendment to …
Penn Township’s summer paving project to begin
By Chris ForemanThe summer paving program soon will begin in Penn Township now that commissioners have awarded an asphalt-milling contract to Donegal Construction. Commissioners last week approved a $125,491 contract for Greensburg-based Donegal, which was the lowest of four bidders. Township Engineer …
Penn-Trafford directors decide on renovations
By Renatta SignoriniPenn-Trafford school directors decided on a high school renovation plan to the tune of up to $32 million. Many directors said that while wish list items didn’t make the final cut, they were pleased with the proposed project’s parameters while …
Penn-Trafford attorney urges dismissal of whistleblower suit
By Chris ForemanA former Penn-Trafford High School Spanish teacher’s “whistleblower” lawsuit should be dismissed because it wasn’t filed soon enough to beat a statute of limitations, an attorney for the district said in court records last month. Christina Lane filed a motion …
Outsourcing idea in Penn-Trafford School District in comes under fire
By Chris ForemanSome parents of special-needs children are decrying what they say is a Penn-Trafford School District proposal to outsource paraprofessional staffing to a Johnstown-based education nonprofit to avoid paying health insurance. As the district heads into its next negotiating session with …
Organizers hope triathlon at Penn-Trafford draws more than 200
By Julie E. MartinThough it started as a children’s activity, the Penn-Trafford Area Recreation Commission’s annual triathlon has grown into a popular event that offers a challenge for …
Volunteers needed for Manor Rec Board
By Chris ForemanWithout an infusion of new volunteers, this weekend’s “Spring Fling” could be the last event that the Manor Recreation Board sponsors this year, borough officials said. A recent resignation means only two people are serving on the five-person board, and …
Harris to serve as Penn-Trafford’s interim superintendent
By Chris ForemanMatthew Harris is going to receive a six-month term as Penn-Trafford’s interim superintendent. The school board voted unanimously Monday night to designate Harris, the district’s assistant superintendent, to lead Penn-Trafford from Aug. 5 - the date Superintendent Thomas Butler’s resignation …
Parents, teachers plea for Penn-Trafford to keep paraprofessional jobs intact
By Renatta SignoriniSeveral parents, paraprofessionals and Penn-Trafford teachers shared impassioned pleas Monday in regard to a district proposal to outsource paraprofessional positions. Paraprofessional Cheryl McGartland said she has been working with district students for the last 12 years. “We are an integral …
P-T board approves budget with to tax hike
By Chris ForemanThe property tax rate in the Penn-Trafford School District won’t increase for the 2013-14 school year to help pay for the district’s $49.3-million budget. Though the district is embarking on a construction project at the high school, board members agreed …
Penn-Trafford puts cap on high school costs
By Chris ForemanThe Penn-Trafford School Board will cap a construction project at the high school to $32 million to avoid raising taxes. Before unanimously approving that limit on Monday, each board member took a few minutes to explain his or her reasoning …
PTARC members bristle at Daykon’s comments
By Chris ForemanBoard members of the Penn-Trafford Area Recreation Commission this week defended the rec group in response to a Trafford councilman’s recent comment that the borough might want to “rethink” being involved in PTARC. Without mentioning Trafford Councilman John Daykon by …
Penn-Trafford staff to speak out against outsourcing plan
By Chris ForemanPenn-Trafford’s paraprofessionals plan to speak out at tonight’s school board meeting about a district proposal to outsource their jobs, according to the union that represents the paraprofessionals. The district has almost 40 aides who work with the special-education students. Some …
Possible building projects at Penn-Trafford prompt talk of tax hike, referendum
By Chris ForemanA Penn-Trafford School Board member revived his annual request for the board to raise the property-tax rate to help fund building improvements, and the president of the teachers union is encouraging the board to consider a referendum so voters can …
Penn-Trafford School District might not have to look far for new superintendent
By Chris ForemanAs the Penn-Trafford School Board mulls a succession plan for the upcoming superintendent opening, two district residents told the board Monday they recommend elevating Assistant Superintendent Matt Harris to the top job. Though board members have yet to name an …
Outing honors former Penn-Trafford football coach
By Rachel FarkasJohn “Pat” Kelly’s influence on Penn-Trafford athletes will continue long after his life has ended, thanks to a scholarship fund created in his name. Kelly was a former athletic director, football coach and history teacher at Penn-Trafford High School. He …
Penn-Trafford not anticipating tax increase
By Renatta SignoriniPenn-Trafford directors are set to approve a 2013-14 budget next week that bears no tax increase. “It’s been online and it’s been in our office for people to look at for the last month,” said Superintendent Thomas Butler during the …
Superintendent leaving Penn-Trafford
By Chris ForemanPenn-Trafford Superintendent Thomas Butler is leaving after two years to become executive director of the Blair County-based Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8. Butler’s departure, likely in …
Photo gallery: Penn-Trafford graduation
By Tribune-ReviewSeniors at Penn-Trafford High School matriculated on Friday, May 24, in a commencement ceremony held at the football stadium. …
Saunders Station bridge will be installed June 10 in Level Green
By Chris ForemanInstallation of a new prefabricated bridge on Saunders Station Road in Penn Township is scheduled for Monday, with the bridge expected to open to traffic later in the week, township manager Bruce Light said. Warren County-based ADM Welding is scheduled …
Trafford Council seeks loan for comprehensive sewer work
By Chris ForemanTasked with upgrading sewage lines throughout the borough, Trafford Council will pursue state funding to replace all of the outdated or failing lines instead of making short-term, piecemeal repairs. Under pressure from a mandate by the state Department of Environmental …
Trafford officials grill architect over Westmoreland Park improvements
By Chris ForemanAfter a contentious discussion about proposed improvements to Westmoreland Park, Trafford Council assigned its new manager — not the director of the Penn-Trafford Area Recreation Commission — to work on an application for a state grant. Council’s split from PTARC …
Dog park opens at Penn Township's Municipal Park
By Chris ForemanThere’s a new place in Penn Township where people can let the dogs out. A new dog park — one of the highlights of a park $531,000 expansion — opened last week at Penn Township Municipal Park for residents and …
Trafford Council awards bid for half of summer paving work
By Chris ForemanTrafford Council chose an Allegheny County company to pave two parking lots for the Manchester Room and sections of five streets. The $24,731 contract that council awarded last week to A. Folino Construction of Oakmont for labor and equipment represents …
Board allows Manor couple to keep pet goats in their yard
By Chris ForemanIt’s the entertainment value of having pygmy goats that inspired Penny Layne and Shawn Murtha to begin keeping them as pets on their Manor property. After going through what they called “goat court” last week, the couple now has the …
Outdoor graduation still on track for Penn-Trafford
By Chris ForemanThough the temperature has dropped from the highs in the 80s that the region had earlier this week, Penn-Trafford officials still are planning to hold the graduation ceremony outside this evening. As of 10:15 a.m., school officials confirmed that graduation …
Eagle Scout project transforms Penn-Trafford courtyard into picnic area
By Chris ForemanA Penn-Trafford sophomore’s Eagle Scout project is enabling his fellow students to get some fresh air during the school day. A new seating area that …
Penn-Trafford commencement set for Friday
By Tribune-ReviewThe Penn-Trafford School District will celebrate the class of 2013 during a graduation ceremony Friday evening. Commencement is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the high school stadium. If it’s raining, the event will be moved into the high school auditorium …
Redevelopment authority set to approve demolition of old Trafford fire station
By Chris ForemanDemolition of Trafford’s former fire station and municipal building could start in mid-June after the Westmoreland County redevelopment authority approves a contract for the apparent low bidder. At $19,900, A.W. McNabb LLC of Burgettstown in Washington County submitted the lowest …
Trafford zoning officials OK plan for nine baseball fields
By Bob PajichPlay ball! Trafford’s zoning hearing board gave permission to the All-American Baseball center to build nine baseball fields on a former Westinghouse industrial property during a special hearing on Monday night. Construction of the first of the grouping of fields …
Garner retiring after 37 years as Penn-Trafford teacher, administrator
By Chris ForemanFor the past six years, Principal Karen Garner has had one of two destinations when she steps out of the main office at Trafford schools. …
Pipeline request for right-of-way on Penn property on hold
By Chris ForemanA one-time $1,550 payment wasn’t enough to entice Penn Township commissioners to grant an easement on township property to a gas company that is planning a 50-mile pipeline in the region. Commissioners last week balked at Sunoco Pipeline’s offer for …
Voters support incumbent Penn-Trafford board members
By Chris ForemanAll four incumbent Penn-Trafford School Board members appear to have won nominations on both the Democratic and Republican ballots, according to unofficial results from county election bureaus. The results from the May 21 primary election put Marty Stovar, P. Jay …
Penn-Trafford officials seek input on remodeling
By Chris ForemanPenn-Trafford School Board members are asking residents to share their thoughts over the next three weeks about what should be included in the remodeling of the high school. After reviewing estimated costs for everything from replacing the plumbing to building …
Baseball center hopes to develop nine fields at former Westinghouse site in Trafford
By Chris ForemanThe manager of an indoor baseball training center hopes to hit a home run with a plan to develop nine outdoor fields on a former Westinghouse industrial plant site in Trafford. The All-American Baseball Center has plans to construct a …
Trafford candidates outline their visions for borough
By Chris ForemanContenders for Trafford Council focused more on their own attributes than any specific shortfalls of their opponents during a candidate forum last week at Trafford Middle School. Policing, code enforcement and recreation were among the topics the candidates tackled in …
Alcosan sues Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority over trailer-court consumption
By Chris ForemanTwo regional sewage authorities are about $95,000 apart on how much money is owed for treatment of sewage from a North Huntingdon mobile-home court over a five-year period. The dispute, which now is in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court, pits …
