Kellen Stepler stories, Page 2
Upgraded pedestrian crossing planned for Bower Hill Road in Bridgeville
Bridgeville will improve a pedestrian crossing along Bower Hill Road in an area where officials say there has been an increase in traffic accidents and more pedestrians usage. The borough will install a pedestrian crossing on Bower Hill Road at Commercial Street, in front of the Dari Delite, later this...
New Kensington teen making efforts to improve Valley High culture with project, volunteerism
Trent Hicinbothem is well aware of the stereotype some have when it comes to the culture at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School in New Kensington. “There’s other students trying to make a change, but in our area, people write us off: ‘Oh, they’re the Valley kids,’” said Hicinbothem, 17. “That’s the...
Pitt plans new 400-bed dormitory for 1st-year students amid growth
The University of Pittsburgh plans a 400-bed dormitory for first-year students on property it owns near Fifth and Ruskin avenues in Oakland. The university is in a design-build selection process for a first-year residence hall at a parking lot adjacent to the Music Building and annex, said spokesman Jared Stonesifer....
Data center meeting postponed in Upper Burrell
An informational meeting on the data center project in Upper Burrell has been postponed because of expected inclement winter weather. Township Secretary Melissa Cortileso said the meeting with data center developer TECfusions was postponed at their request because of the possibility of a significant snow event this weekend. The meeting...
Hearing for Valley teacher accused of provoking student fight waived to court
A Valley Jr.-Sr. High School teacher accused by New Kensington police of provoking students to fight in a geometry class in October waived his preliminary hearing. Court records indicated Bradley Reiher, 46, of East Deer waived the hearing Thursday morning before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. Reiher’s attorney, Brian...
Lower Burrell plans upgrade to Chartiers pump station
Lower Burrell officials will soon begin a massive, long-discussed sewage project officials say will further address concerns outlined by an environmental protection consent decree from the state. The city was awarded a $500,000 grant and a $15.8 million low-interest loan, both from the state, to be used toward aging sewage...
Community feedback sought for proposed New Kensington-Arnold building realignment
New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Christopher Sefcheck says a proposed realignment of the district’s buildings is “the most serious undertaking this district has taken in years” — and officials are seeking the public’s input for those plans. Sefcheck plans to send notifications to parents, staff and community members Thursday morning seeking volunteers...
Point Park to expand mental health initiatives, suicide prevention
Expansion of Point Park University’s initiative to improve mental health and suicide prevention on campus aims to be more proactive and meet a growing need. “We want to make mental health more visible, accessible and more a part of everyday campus life,” said Cassandra Moffat, director of the university’s counseling...
Plans advance for Chartiers Valley High School renovation project
A renovation project at Chartiers Valley High School is moving forward. The school board voted Tuesday, Jan. 20 to proceed with the first phase of the renovation project, which includes a complete upgrade of the school’s gymnasium and moves administrative, special education and business offices currently at the intermediate school...
‘Potential deals emerging’ at some closing Penn State campuses, trustee says
Penn State officials say the process to repurpose seven of its closing commonwealth campuses is making “steady progress.” “There are three or four potential deals emerging, arrangements emerging, a few others that we are still working to hammer out — who will be the anchor, who will be the tenant,...
Winter Field Day to put Upper Burrell ham radio club to the test in winter weather
If all else fails, amateur ham radio usually doesn’t. The Skyview Radio Society in Upper Burrell will participate in an annual event to make sure that remains the case, putting their communication skills to the test with other ham radio clubs across the continent. The radio society will take part...
PennWest says proposed cuts streamline education, meet workforce needs
Pennsylvania Western University officials say their proposal that slashes dozens of academic programs will ultimately improve students’ college experience, enhance their learning and respond to the region’s workforce needs. The university — which has campuses in Clarion, California and Edinboro — released an updated proposed academic array that includes: •...
Pitt, IUP launch initiatives to transform campus culture through dialogue
For the most part, students weren’t afraid to have difficult conversations on controversial topics when Gwen Torges started teaching at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1997. That’s no longer the case. “There has always been, and will always be, people who say ‘that’s not me,’ but there were always...
Chartiers Valley revamps high school courses
Updates to Chartiers Valley High School’s course catalog next year will expand student access to coursework, improve scheduling flexibility and better align classes with staffing realignments implemented last year, district officials say. The school board Jan. 13 approved the updates for next school year, said Board President Darren Mariano. “The...
New Kensington man charged with sexual assault of 13-year-old
Police have charged a New Kensington man in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager. Devanier Amier Morris, 21, is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age, photographing or filming a sex act involving a child, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent...
Burrell rebidding smaller-scope renovation project at Bon Air Elementary
Burrell School District officials hope the second time is the charm for a renovation project at Bon Air Elementary School. The district’s architect, HHSDR Inc. of Pittsburgh, provided officials with an estimate of slightly more than $10 million for an HVAC and kitchen renovation project at Bon Air, said Superintendent...
Upper Burrell data center nets 1st tenant at former Alcoa research site
The planned data center in Upper Burrell already has its first tenant. TECfusions officials announced that TensorWave, an artificial intelligence cloud platform, will be deployed at its Upper Burrell site located at the former Alcoa Research and Development campus. TECfusions spokeswoman Melissa Farney described TensorWave as a “neocloud.” A neocloud...
New Carnegie mayor is youngest in borough’s history
Carnegie’s newest mayor is also its youngest. Sam Bigham was 23 when he was sworn in by District Judge Jack Kobistek on Jan. 5 in council chambers. “I want to be able to inspire people and get more people involved,” he said. “I believe in Carnegie.” Despite his young age,...
New Kensington-Arnold reaches early-bird contract agreement with teachers
New Kensington-Arnold School District and its teachers union have agreed on a new contract that will increase teachers’ pay by an average of 3.5% and have them paying more gradually for healthcare. School directors voted 8-0 to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the New Kensington-Arnold Education...
Blawnox man sentenced for child sexual assault
A Blawnox man was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the sexual exploitation of a minor. James W. Muir, 60, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge...
Arnold inks contract with public works employees
Arnold’s new contract with its public works employees calls for small raises over the next three years. The deal, reached by council and the public works union last week, calls for a 75-cent hourly wage increase this year, an 80-cent increase next year and an 85-cent jump in 2028. With...
‘We want to be thoughtful’: New Kensington-Arnold to consider realigning grades
Primary school buildings in the New Kensington-Arnold School District could look different in two years. According to Superintendent Christopher Sefcheck, the school board’s Education Committee will meet next week to consider a plan that would place: • kindergarten and first grade at Martin Elementary; • second and third grades at...
New walking club in Lower Burrell aims to build community
Lower Burrell Councilwoman Carley Logan hopes a new program the city is starting is more than just a walk in the park. The city is launching a free “Nature Neighbors Walking Club” this spring. “I want it to be an opportunity for people to make connections in the community,” Logan...
Allegheny Township splits with manager
Allegheny Township has parted ways with its manager. Supervisors on Monday approved concluding the township’s contract with Daniel Miller, whose term as township manager expired at the end of last year. Miller started working as township manager in July 2024. His annual pay at the time was $102,000; current salary...
Chartiers Valley schedules special meeting for district improvements plan
Chartiers Valley school directors will hold a special meeting Jan. 20 to discuss and vote on a high school renovation and district facilities plan. “During this meeting, the district will present, discuss and vote on phase 1 of a two-phase facilities improvement project, beginning with the next phase of the...
