James Engel stories, Page 11
‘Pittsburgh’s hidden gem’: Allegheny Islands provide escape in the river
For Jack Lachendro, you don’t have to go far from Downtown Pittsburgh to feel like you’re “truly in nature.” In fact, you need to head only 14 miles up the Allegheny River, said Lachendro, the environmental education specialist at Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). There, visitors will...
Television crew to scout South Buffalo site for new Apple TV+ series
A film crew for the Apple TV+ series “Parallax” is set to scout an area of South Buffalo along the Allegheny River on Monday for the new crime thriller. Some residents in the small Clinton neighborhood of South Buffalo received flyers from the crew informing them a technical scouting group...
Plum, Oakmont to use $100K USGA investment for outdoor projects
Three weeks after the U.S. Open, Plum and Oakmont officials say they’re preparing to invest donations from the USGA into borough green spaces. As part of a million-dollar investment in the region, the two boroughs each received $100,000 to “support green spaces and promote outdoor recreation,” according to USGA Director...
New Kensington constable accused of impersonating a police officer, hiding guns
New Kensington-based constable Herman Staple II is charged with several misdemeanors after being accused of impersonating a police officer and later concealing guns from police in violation of a protection from abuse order. Officers in New Kensington pulled over Staple in mid-May for driving what appeared to be a police...
Fades for Freeport: 2nd Willy T’s Cuts barbershop set to open in borough’s downtown
After a decade spent building a loyal customer base in Tarentum, William Tavarez said he’s planning to open a second location of his Willy T’s Cuts barbershop in downtown Freeport. The shop, at 512 High St., will cater to some of Tavarez’s existing customers, many of whom come from the...
Freeport begins search for new borough manager
Down a manager, Freeport has begun the search for a new head administrator for the borough. According to Councilwoman Kimberly Barr, Freeport already has received several applications to fill the role, but the borough has not finalized a hiring timeline. The post was left vacant on June 20, when Zachary...
Campbells Run Road in Robinson will remain closed after flooding
Campbells Run Road in Robinson will remain closed until a freshly paved portion that was damaged by Thursday’s heavy storms can be replaced. The afternoon storms were so heavy that some motorists were stranded in the roadway, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The road was forced to close between...
2 teens killed in Pitcairn shootings
Two 16-year-old boys were killed Thursday in shootings in Pitcairn. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Isiah McCarthy of Pitcairn and Tyrant Sutton of Clairton both died at AHN Forbes Hospital on Thursday afternoon following the shootings. The shootings took place at about 3 p.m. on Shaw Alley near...
Hearing for Plum’s O’Block addition sees little comment; district still accepting suggestions
A public hearing to discuss improvements to Plum’s O’Block Elementary School drew only one resident to the podium as the multimillion-dollar project inches forward. The building, which a study commissioned by the district claimed to have “extensive deficiencies,” is set to receive a 15,000-square-foot addition and extensive interior renovations. According...
Freeport sports card shop headed to Buffalo Township
After three years in Freeport, G&T Sports Cards Plus will soon have a new home a few miles north. Specializing in sports trading cards and collectibles, the shop is set to relocate to 309 South Pike Road (Route 356) in Buffalo Township, according to owner Tyler Huth. The reason for...
Buffalo Supervisors mull limits to public comment at meetings
At an early morning special meeting on Wednesday, Buffalo Township Supervisors tabled a resolution that would place limits on public comment at meetings amid recent community objections to proposed solar farms. A public hearing for the farms earlier this month took several hours as around 35 residents voiced opposition to...
Despite rain and heat, Springdale turf field set to be complete by fall
The path toward high school football games being played at Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School continues to move forward. Crews are stripping layers of topsoil at the site, near the school, that’s set to become the new home of Dynamos football this fall. That soil is being cleared to make way...
Springdale’s Veterans Field to host Lower Valley Little League
After sitting vacant since 2023, Springdale’s Veterans Memorial Field will have a new occupant next spring. Springdale Council approved use of the field by Lower Valley Little League’s 120 youth athletes for its games and practices starting next season. The organization currently plays at neighboring Lampus Field but recently experienced...
Allegheny Valley approves $1.2M bids for lobby amid price concerns
Allegheny Valley School Board members unanimously awarded $1.2 million in higher-than-expected bids for lobby renovations at Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School. Between the four bids, the price was about $180,000 more than the board had initially anticipated, board President Nino Pollino said. Terry Thompson, vice president of Foreman Architects Engineers, said...
Allegheny Valley approves budget with small tax increase
Opting for a slight tax bump, Allegheny Valley School Board members passed the district’s 2025-26 budget Tuesday. Revenue generated from the 1.48% increase will go toward a projected $3.2 million budget deficit, though the majority of that deficit will be made up using the district’s fund balance. The new budget...
Plum officials happy with injection well decision, preparing for appeals
After Plum’s Zoning Hearing Board rejected the application for a second injection well in the borough last week, officials say they’re happy with the decision but preparing for the legal “long haul.” For years, Delmont-based gas company Penneco sought a zoning variance to convert a natural gas well into an...
Man dies after jumping from Tarentum Bridge
A man who jumped from the Tarentum Bridge into the Allegheny River on Tuesday morning died before he could be taken to a hospital, according to paramedics at the scene. River rescue units were launched after the man apparently jumped from the bridge shortly after 11:30 a.m. Motorists had reported...
From bruises to cardiac arrest, U.S. Open medical personnel care for fans
When a fan collapsed and entered cardiac arrest at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, Director of Operations for Plum EMS Brian Maloney said medical personnel at the tournament were prepared. A nearby police officer began chest compressions within seconds, and a physician arrived soon after. By the time medics loaded...
Despite mud and rain, U.S. Open fans say tournament ‘a dream come true’
Luca Fussaro, 14, came out of the U.S. Open with something to show for it. The Philadelphia native earned a new Apple Watch after sinking a 100-foot putt on his first try as part of a contest at Oakmont’s fan area. With his binoculars-clad father, Luca said, he had spent...
Cheswick man charged with sexual abuse of a minor extradited from Ohio
About two weeks after filing their initial criminal complaint, Allegheny County Police have custody of Jeremiah Segan, 42, who is charged with statutory sexual assault and numerous other sex crimes in connection with the alleged yearslong sexual abuse of a minor. According to police spokesman Jim Madalinsky, the longtime resident...
Allegheny Valley to spend $500k for high school facade repairs
The Allegheny Valley School Board will pay a masonry firm more than $500,000 to repair a problem with the facade at the rear of Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School. In a unanimous vote, the school board awarded a $513,000 contract to Mt. Pleasant-based Arch Masonry on Tuesday for repairs to the...
2 longtime teachers enjoy retirement celebration at Plum’s Holy Family Catholic School
Between Donna Macioce and Marti Wiehagen, thousands of young students have been educated over the course of 90 combined years. But on the last day of class at Holy Family Catholic School in Plum on June 5, the two celebrated their retirement among dozens of students, colleagues and loved ones....
Agan Park reopens after 40-day closure; dog park remains closed
After crews removed several overhanging trees in the area, Agan Park reopened this week following a more than 40-day closure caused by severe April storms. The park is an extensive green space along Riddle Run Road in Springdale Township but is jointly managed by Springdale and Cheswick boroughs. Cheswick Council...
Plum Zoning Board rejects fracking injection well after lengthy battle; company plans to appeal
After a yearslong legal battle, the Plum Zoning Hearing Board rejected the application for a second injection well in the borough, which is an about-face from its initial decision. Board member Mike Monfredi, who made the motion to reject the application, was joined by Andrew Novick and Linda Wilkins in...
USGA prioritizes player, family experiences at Oakmont championship
As USGA’s director of player relations, Rosalyn Barnett deals with tasks as large as flying golfers’ families across the world to ones as small as helping locate their lost keys. It’s a busy but fun job, she said, where she deals with “anything and everything.” And it’s one she has...
