Kellen Stepler stories

Slippery Rock University is expanding its “Rock Life” program, a four-year, non-degree program for students with intellectual disabilities. The federal government awarded Slippery Rock $300,000 over the next five years for the program. The money will be used to hire more staff and grow vocational and other campus school and...

Property taxes will not change under New Kensington’s $12.4 million budget for next year. Council this week approved the city’s budget in a 4-0 vote, with Todd Mentecki absent, said City Clerk John Zavadak. The property tax remains at 32.02 mills. A property assessed at the city’s median value of...

Thirteen union employees at Pennsylvania Western University’s California and Clarion campuses were furloughed last week, a university spokeswoman confirmed. “Thirteen AFSCME employees were furloughed,” said Wendy Mackall, a spokeswoman for PennWest. “PennWest is proud to support 1,571 employees across our campuses and to serve as a significant economic driver for...

A reconfiguration plan that called to shutter nine Pittsburgh Public School buildings was defeated by a 6-3 vote Tuesday night. The “Future-Ready” plan called for the closure of the Student Achievement Center (Baxter School); Friendship; Schiller, Manchester; Fulton; McKelvy (Miller PreK-5); Woolslair; Spring Hill and Morrow. Grade structures would have...

Amy Lenart, a principal at Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary School, will be leaving the school in January for another leadership role outside the district. School directors this month accepted Lenart’s resignation, effective Jan. 15. Lenart has worked for Burrell for 23 years in both teaching and administrative roles, said Superintendent...

Pennsylvania Western University has reshaped its programming for students who enter college without a major — commonly known as “undeclared” or “undecided” students. The university’s new “exploratory studies” program is tailored to give those student intentional, individual attention. “As career coaches, it’s sad to have a conversation with a junior...

A little more than $300,000 in state funding will advance plans to replace a culvert over Commercial Street in Bridgeville, supporting flood mitigation efforts in the borough, officials say. Bridgeville was awarded $305,000 from the state’s Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund for the project, ensuring that the culvert replacement is...

A renovation project at Carlynton’s Carnegie Elementary School is moving forward. School directors approved construction contracts that total a little less than $15.2 million for a renovation project at Carnegie Elementary, 301 Franklin Ave. The contracts cover general construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work school officials say is necessary to...

Former Arnold police Chief Eric Doutt on Monday was ordered to stand trial on theft, receiving stolen property, obstruction and drug-related charges after a search of his home allegedly turned up cocaine and items reported missing from the city’s police department. Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak held for court...

An annual food drive by Chartiers Valley High School’s Interact Club benefited the Bridgeville Community Food Bank. Nearly 600 nonperishable items were collected. The food was distributed to about 100 families in the community....

There will be numerous opportunities to celebrate and remember the holiday season this winter in the Bridgeville area. Dec. 5 • Bridgeville Borough will host its annual Winter Blast from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Triangle Park, 431 Station St. At the event, Santa and Mrs. Claus will light the...

Downtown New Kensington business leaders are hoping they can get a boost Saturday when people begin their holiday shopping. The fifth annual Shop Small Crawl will take place in Downtown New Kensington from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Residents want a downtown they can visit,” said Michelle Thom, event organizer...

A Homewood man was shot and killed in Duquesne on Friday afternoon, according to the Allegheny County Police. At 2:22 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2600 block of Duquesne Place for reports of a shooting, police said. The Allegheny County Examiner’s Office identified him as Eugene Jackson, 61. Police...

Tony Paletta remembers thinking negatively of New Kensington when he was growing up in the city. He remembers moving away to live on the West Coast for a number of years and returning to New Kensington five years ago. That’s when his perspective changed. “Coming back in 2020, so much...

A fire in a wall Friday afternoon at the Community Supermarket in Lower Burrell caused an evacuation of the store for about a half-hour. Crews responded to the grocery store, at 3220 Leechburg Road, just before 4 p.m. for a smell of something burning, said Brennan Sites, chief of Lower...

The state budget passed last week signals flat appropriations to the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State, but officials at those colleges are encouraged by an approved plan that establishes and outlines the state’s first performance-based funding formula. General support funding for Penn State holds at $242.1 million — the...

Oftentimes, first responders are in reaction mode when they respond to incidents. They typically arrive at a scene and assess what needs to be done. But a couple of classes are bringing together Lower Burrell leaders and officials in an effort to think more proactively when it comes to reducing...

As Santa’s special helper, Joe Lebert anticipates old Saint Nick will receive more than 1,000 letters from children in the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond this holiday season. Lebert plans to kick off that effort with an event Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Roy A. Hunt Elementary School gymnasium, 1701 Alcoa...

Chartiers Valley Primary School was recognized for its awareness and fundraising campaign for the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge. Primary School students, families and staff raised $26,068 for the challenge last school year, according to the district. On Nov. 10, representatives from the American Heart Association visited the Primary...

The next president of Duquesne University credits the grit of his upbringing, the privilege of his education and the global perspective of his professional life for his readiness to fill the position come July 1. Provost David Dausey was named the school’s 14th president, succeeding Ken Gormley, school officials announced...

In a few years, the former YWCA building along Wood Street in Downtown Pittsburgh will be a hub of activity for both the Point Park University and Downtown communities, university officials say. Point Park announced Tuesday it is moving forward with plans to acquire the vacant YWCA property, 305 Wood...

Allegheny County Council on Tuesday moved forward with an air quality permit fee schedule that, officials say, will promote public health and relieve financial pressure on the county health department’s air quality program. The fee changes include raising a range of permit and maintenance costs for industrial facilities starting Jan....

Property owners for the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer were ordered to pay more than $17 million in response to poor road, sidewalk and door conditions at the mall complex, an Allegheny County judge ruled Tuesday. In sum, Judge Thomas Flaherty handed down $17,634,080 worth of fines against the four...

When students at Roy A. Hunt Elementary School go home for holiday breaks, their teachers worry. Almost 87% of the school’s students are economically disadvantaged, according to data from the state department of education’s Future Ready Index. So, with the recent federal government shutdown concurrent with a state budget impasse...

A New Kensington woman faces child endangerment charges after her 1-year-old overdosed in her care, according to authorities. Kylie Marie Ritchie, 32, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of children and one count of drug possession in connection to the incident. On Nov. 14, New Kensington Police...