Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 135
Gas prices continue slow fall amid trade tensions, production increase
The national average price of gasoline has continued a slow retreat in most states in the last week, according to GasBuddy. “With a trade deal with China seemingly more and more unlikely, we may continue to see weakness in oil and gasoline prices,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis...
Highlands rallying community to save Tarentum family center
The Allegheny Intermediate Unit would be forced to close most of its centers serving vulnerable Allegheny County families because of a more than $1 million reduction in state funding. The Highlands School District has put out a “call to action” for support for the center in Tarentum, and the county’s...
Highlands Elementary students briefly evacuated because of natural gas odor
Students were evacuated from Highlands Elementary School for about a half-hour Friday morning. School officials sent students to the playground across the street after a strong smell of natural gas was detected around 10:15 a.m. Firefighters and gas company crews responded but found no problems at the school, officials said....
Dozens of vacant Tarentum buildings targeted for demolition
Nearly three dozen vacant Tarentum buildings have been marked for demolition. The borough would like to tear down at least a dozen this year. Those buildings either have partially collapsed or are close to a neighboring building, code enforcement officer Anthony Bruni said. How many get taken down this year...
Tarentum child care center launching new pre-school program
A Tarentum child care center is launching a new pre-school program. The new program has been in the works for three years, said Heather Wells, of West Deer, owner and director of The Growing Garden Child Care Center on Lock Street. The summer session starts June 10 and runs until...
Highlands preK students visit Highland Hose fire hall in TarentumVideo
The tires on the trucks were bigger than them. Students in Highlands School District’s prekindergarten program got out of school on a warm and sunny Thursday to visit the Highland Hose fire hall in Tarentum. Chief Terry Chambon greeted visiting classes in the morning and afternoon. About 34 kids between...
Highlands releases bus proposals from Roenigk, ABC Transit
Highlands School District has released the proposals it received from two companies to bus its students over the next five years. The proposals from W.L. Roenigk, the district’s current and long-time provider, and ABC Transit are available on the district’s website at www.goldenrams.com. Links to the documents can be found...
ABC Transit begins preparing to bus Highlands students
ABC Transit is preparing to buy property in Highlands School District now that the company has been awarded the district’s transportation contract for the next five years. ABC is “currently looking at a number of properties in the district,” company Vice President Todd O’Shell said Wednesday. The school board voted...
2 flea markets planned in Tarentum area
It’s going to be a good day for flea market lovers and collectible and antique hunters in the Tarentum area Sunday. Two events are planned — the first “Fleatique” of the year at the Tour-Ed Mine grounds in Fawn, and the first “Trash to Treasure” outside of J.G.’s Tarentum Station...
St. Joseph history teacher nominated for national award
A history teacher at St. Joseph High School in Harrison is one of two nominees in Pennsylvania for a national teaching award. Rosanne Pucciarelli is nominated for the Hannah E. (Liz) MacGregor Teacher of the Year History Teacher Award. The award is sponsored by James F. Harris, past president of...
Sorry, Sheetz: Wawa has best bathrooms in Pennsylvania
Apparently, it’s better in Ohio and West Virginia — or, at least, Sheetz bathrooms are. Sheetz tops the list for the cleanest bathrooms in those neighboring states, according to gas price tracker GasBuddy. But Wawa takes the top spot in Pennsylvania. But Wawa and Sheetz apparently pale in comparison to...
Summer work day planned at Tarentum community garden
On the good side, mixed greens, arugula, spinach and radishes are among the crops ready to pick at Tarentum’s Greg Blythe Friendship Garden. “They’re doing very well,” said the Rev. Phil Beck of First United Presbyterian Church, an organizer of the group that oversees the garden. On the not-so-good, there’s...
Highlands budget proposal raises property tax to state limit
A property tax increase up to the state limit is possible in Highlands School District for the upcoming school year. But even with a 3.3% increase, the district would still need to spend about $1.7 million from its reserves to cover all of its spending, according to a presentation Monday...
Highlands hires new bus company; longtime provider threatens to sue
W.L. Roenigk didn’t take kindly to Highlands School District’s decision Monday to hire a new transit company as its school bus contractor. “We’re not done,” company President Sue Roenigk said after the board voted 7-1 Monday to award a five-year contract to ABC Transit. Pat Roenigk, an attorney and shareholder...
2 Harrison commissioners face challengers in Democratic primary
Two of three Harrison commissioners whose terms expire this year are seeking re-election, and both face challengers in the Democratic primary. In the township’s 1st Ward, the May 21 primary features a rematch between incumbent Commissioner Charles Dizard and former commissioner William Mitchell Sr. In the 3rd Ward, Eric Bengel...
China trade deal could reverse relief at gas pump
Gas prices have come down a bit in Pittsburgh in the past week, although they’re still higher than they were both a month and a year ago. Prices in the Pittsburgh region are down 2.1 cents per gallon to an average of $3.12, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 731 stations....
Brackenridge church to bless firefighters
A Brackenridge church will be blessing firefighters on Saturday. Fire departments are the focus of this year’s “Blessing of the First Responders” at Generations House of Worship, 1160 Parkside Drive. The event will begin at 2 p.m. with a blessing over vehicles and equipment. The event is scheduled to run...
Highlands looking at about $100K for Tarentum clock tower project
Repairs to the clock tower at Highlands Elementary School in Tarentum could cost the district nearly $100,000, based on bids opened Thursday. Highlands received two bids for the project, from Wilson Restoration of Plum and Pullman SST of Kennedy. A third company, Marsa of Castle Shannon, attempted to submit a...
Limited space remains for annual St. Joseph High School golf fundraiser
St. Joseph High School’s biggest annual fundraiser is coming up in June. Limited space remains for the 27th annual “Spartan Scramble,” being held June 10 at Lenape Heights Golf Resort in Manor, Armstrong County. The event includes golf, dinner, auctions and a “super raffle.” More than 100 golfers participate each...
Tarentum forced to buy tons of road salt by start of summer
At this time of year, salt is more likely to be used for french fries or margaritas than for melting snow and ice. But Tarentum will buy nearly 300 tons of road salt by the end of June — because a contract says it has to. And, worse, there’s no...
Tarentum forgives $83K in delinquent property taxes
With a vote Thursday, Tarentum Council wiped its books clean of property taxes that had not been paid for more than 14 years and likely never would be paid. Others who owe but have not gotten on payment plans will find their names posted to the borough’s website Friday, borough...
Tarentum girl, 2, helps honor first responders who saved her life
In March, Tarentum police and Eureka paramedics responded to a true life-or-death call. Life won. Isabella Nulph, 2, nearly drowned in a pool in the backyard of her family’s Fifth Avenue home March 14. The first responders who helped save her life — two Tarentum police officers and five crew...
Billboard firm appealing Tarentum’s denial of digital signs near bridge
An advertising company is challenging a Tarentum official’s decision to quash the firm’s plans to put up a digital billboard at the end of the Tarentum Bridge. The borough’s zoning hearing board is scheduled to hear Oliver Outdoor’s appeal this month. The Butler-based company is appealing zoning officer Anthony Bruni’s...
Highlands changes expectations for savings with new bus company
Highlands School District says it will save only about half the money it expected to save by bringing on a new bus company. And its current transportation provider, W.L. Roenigk, insists the district would actually save more than $1 million over five years by sticking with them. The school board...
Brackenridge’s Platinum Ridge to celebrate $1.5M faceliftVideo
Matt Tack wants to celebrate, and apologize, on Saturday. Tack is the new administrator at Platinum Ridge Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Brackenridge. The 97-bed licensed skilled nursing facility had been under renovation for about three years. “It’s been a long time,” Tack said, saying that the center was...
