Kellen Stepler stories, Page 2
Western Pennsylvania faces mix of snow, rain and dropping temperatures
Western Pennsylvania could see heavy wet snowfall and rain throughout the day Wednesday, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. Early Wednesday morning, the region could see wet snowflakes off and on, according to WTAE. From about 7 to 10 a.m., wet snow mixed with rain is expected, before changing over...
Penn State faculty file for union representation
Faculty at Pennsylvania State University soon could be part of a union. Members of the Penn State Faculty Alliance on Tuesday said they turned in thousands of union authorization cards to the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board’s offices in Harrisburg. The alliance petitioned to represent all faculty, including at University Park,...
2 new police officers hired in Bridgeville
Two new officers have joined the Bridgeville Police Department. Borough council on Tuesday, Dec. 9 hired officers Brayden Fedorek and Matthew McDanel. “Both can, and I believe will, be assets to this department and the community for the foreseeable future,” said Chief Gary James. “We are excited to bring them...
Planned $68M health sciences building at Duquesne University to open in fall 2028
Duquesne University officials say a new, $68 million health sciences facility will locate clinical services, consolidate programs and strengthen the college’s role in regional health care. Duquesne announced Tuesday that it plans to build a new, 80,000-square-foot health sciences facility at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Magee Street that...
New administrator sees growth potential at PennWest University
The new vice president for strategic enrollment management at Pennsylvania Western University believes strong admissions recruitment and providing a solid student experience can turn the tide of declining enrollment there. Darren Wagner was named to the post at PennWest — which includes campuses at Clarion, California and Edinboro — Dec....
Morning Roundup: Water main repairs close section of Route 28
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Dec. 9: Water main repairs close section of Route 28 A section of inbound Route 28 has been closed as crews repair a water main break. The issue was reported Monday afternoon on a hillside across from the...
Victim identified in fatal shooting outside New Kensington Elks Lodge
Police continue to investigate a homicide that took place early Saturday morning outside the New Kensington Elks Lodge, 932 Third Ave. Jeffrey Ballard, 46, was shot and killed outside the bar at around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, said Melanie Jones, a spokeswoman for the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office. Ballard is...
Steelers vs. Ravens: What they’re saying in Baltimore after loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled out a wild road win Sunday at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, defeating their rival Ravens, 27-22, and taking the lead in the AFC North. The Steelers squeaked away with the win after a potential, go-ahead Ravens touchdown was taken off the board with less than three...
Morning Roundup: Water main breaks on Route 51; man arrested outside Pittsburgh FBI office
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Dec. 8: Water main breaks along Route 51 in Brentwood Repairs are underway early Monday morning following a water main break along Route 51 in Brentwood. The break happened Sunday night between Greenlee Road and Marylea Avenue, according...
Man killed in Upper Burrell vehicle crash
An Allegheny Township man died Friday morning in a two-vehicle crash in Upper Burrell. Brian Edward McCormick, 60, was driving a Nissan Sedan at 6:56 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Manchester Hill Road and Route 780 when he collided with another vehicle, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office....
Pitt committee advances BioForge biomanufacturing hub project with tax credit program
The University of Pittsburgh will borrow funds through a federal tax credit program to partially fund construction of BioForge, a $250 million cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility in Hazelwood Green. Pitt’s Finance and Budget Committee on Friday unanimously approved entering into the New Markets Tax Credit program for BioForge....
Robert Morris University to pay $948K to settle pandemic-learning lawsuit
Robert Morris University will pay just under $1 million as part of a proposed settlement of a lawsuit filed by a student who alleged the Moon Township college breached its contract when it transitioned to online instruction during the covid-19 pandemic. Allegheny County Judge Alan Hertzberg this fall preliminarily approved...
Upper Burrell teen’s project to fill ‘significant gap’ in Holocaust education
An Upper Burrell teenager’s efforts to educate the younger generation about girls’ roles during the Holocaust is coming to fruition. Lily Sassani, 18, will launch her Holocaust Education Patch from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Chatham University’s Mellon Board Room, 5799 Chapel Hill Road, Pittsburgh. The two-year initiative was...
2 AI skill-building programs to be offered at Point Park University
Artificial intelligence will not replace teachers, according to Point Park University School of Education Dean Virginia Chambers. But, it is imperative for future educators to know how to use AI in the classroom, and Point Park is launching two new programs to advance that plan. Point Park will offer students...
Ex-NBA player shares story of drug addiction, recovery to Westmoreland County high school students
As a McDonald’s All-American basketball player, Chris Herren remembers blowing off assemblies in high school about drug and alcohol abuse, thinking that negative impact would never happen to him. But years down the line, Herren’s professional basketball career — which included stints with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics —...
Upper Burrell to offer notification system for residents
A text notification app of Upper Burrell happenings and events will launch in the township sometime next year. Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III said Upper Burrell plans to use the Savvy Citizen program, a mobile app designed to allow governments to communicate with residents. The app can be downloaded...
Slippery Rock, Community College of Beaver County program will have students earn wings and a degree
Graduates of a new collaborative effort between Slippery Rock University and the Community College of Beaver County will not only have earned their wings, but also have a bachelor’s degree in hand. In the co-enrollment partnership, launched next semester, students simultaneously enroll at Slippery Rock and CCBC and complete flight...
Retired Scott Chief John ‘Ace’ Kowalo recognized for decades of service
John “Ace” Kowalo, who served in Scott’s police department for decades, was recognized by township commissioners Nov. 25. Kowalo joined the Scott police department as a patrolman in 1959, elevated to lieutenant in 1969, named chief in 1984 and retired in 1993. Commissioners and the public commented that Kowalo consistently...
Proposed Carnegie budget would raise taxes 6%
Carnegie property owners would see a 6% increase to their property taxes next year under the borough’s proposed budget. The borough’s millage rate under the budget would increase from 8 to 8.5 mills, according to a budget draft written by Carnegie Manager Steve Beuter. A property at Carnegie’s median assessed...
New Kensington enters brownfield revitalization partnership
New Kensington officials hope a collaborative program with Westmoreland County will assist in the remediation and revitalization of its brownfield former industrial sites. The city entered into a Brownfield Revitalization Partnership with the county’s redevelopment authority, Monessen, Jeannette and Trafford, said City Clerk John Zavadak. “(This) will allow each of...
Identification of WWII airman Sidney Burke’s remains was ‘82 years in the making,’ nephew says
For almost all of Paul Hankin’s life, the circumstances surrounding the death of his uncle, Sidney Burke, who was killed while serving in World War II, were a mystery. “We thought we would never find out what had happened,” said Hankin, 83, of Bethel Park. “I had his picture hanging...
Point Park unveils new performing arts program to enhance students’ versatility
A new program at Point Park University aims to better prepare its performing arts students with transferable skills while also making its conservatory more elite. The Downtown Pittsburgh university will launch an accelerated bachelor of fine arts degree in performance and creative industries next fall, said Keisha Lalama, interim dean...
Rotary donates solar-powered picnic table to South Fayette
South Fayette Township’s Morgan Park is the latest beneficiary of the Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary Club. The club donated a $6,900 picnic table with a solar-powered charging station at Morgan Park, Sherman Street. The table was funded by the club and the Rotary International Foundation. It has benches, a space for...
4% pay hikes included in contract for Chartiers Valley educational support staff
Chartiers Valley school officials inked a 3-year contract with the district’s non-teaching staff. The new agreement calls for a 4% wage increase for its members, which include secretaries, cafeteria workers, technology technicians, instructional aides, playground monitors, paraprofessionals and office staff. The current agreement expires in June. “By meeting early, both...
Slippery Rock to grow program that gives college, work experience to students with intellectual disabilities
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...
