Kellen Stepler stories, Page 26
2 injured in malfunction at PPG plant in Springdale, loud boom shakes neighborhood
Two people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries after a machine malfunctioned at the PPG facility in Springdale on Thursday afternoon, sending a booming sound through the nearby neighborhood strong enough to shake homes. “There was a piece of equipment that malfunctioned at approximately 12:35,” said Paul Holcomb,...
Chartiers Center launches new program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
A Bridgeville nonprofit has launched a program that aims to support people with behavioral health issues, co-occurring disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Chartiers Center has started The Forward Together Project to provide people true community integration with small group activities, such as volunteering, cooking a meal, learning to...
East Deer backs efforts of Allegheny River lock funding group
An Armstrong County nonprofit that lobbies for recreational boating along the Allegheny River officially has the support from a community that already has gleaned some of those benefits. The East Deer commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution of support for the Allegheny River Development Corp., a grassroots organization that works...
Girls golf coming to Chartiers Valley
Chartiers Valley plans to establish a girls golf club team next fall. Athletic Director Zack Hayward said the team will start as a club team for two years, and then after those two years, will be moved over as a WPIAL member team. Hayward said there have been girls on...
East Deer residents to pay 35% more for garbage collection
East Deer residents will pay about 35% more for their garbage pickup in 2025. Commissioners on Tuesday approved the township’s 2025 budget, which maintains the property tax rate at 4.65 mills but includes a hike for garbage pickup. “There’s no increase,” Commissioners President Tony Taliani said of taxes. “It’s been...
1 injured in Route 28 crash in Tarentum
A man was detained and a woman was taken to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash on Route 28 in Tarentum. Summit Hose Chief Josh Fox said his crews were dispatched at 3:11 p.m. Tuesday for the crash, which was just past Exit 14, the Tarentum exit on northbound Route...
Indiana Township restaurant issued 15 health code violations
An Italian restaurant in Indiana Township was issued multiple health code violations by the Allegheny County Health Department. Roma Italian Restaurant, located along Indianola Road, was issued 15 violations during an inspection Dec. 18, according to a report from the Health Department. The restaurant could not be reached Tuesday morning....
Freeport eyes food truck regulations
Looking forward to festival season, Freeport wants to update its rules for food trucks operating in the borough. Council will consider the proposed food truck regulations during a meeting Jan. 14. Borough Manager Zachary Filous said Freeport previously had a broad special events ordinance that oversaw many functions of community...
Springdale looks to establish shade tree commission
In an effort to spruce up the borough, Springdale could grow a shade tree commission. Addressing borough council earlier this month, resident Deborah Sigmund said a nonprofit, TreeVitalize Pittsburgh, offers an application-based program that provides trees to municipalities. “It makes the business district look nice,” she said. “The trees that...
Global company with Lower Burrell hub aims to give everyone the ability to communicate
A global company boasting its U.S. presence in Lower Burrell hopes to build a world where no one is left without a voice. The founders of Smartbox developed software that enables people who can’t speak to communicate with others, said Michele Rimmel, senior vice president of operations for the company....
Leechburg man remembered as a pure soul who brought joy to family, friends, neighbors
Nancy Wickham nicknamed her son, Cameron, “the happy child.” “I would often refer to him as the happy child,” said Wickham of Leechburg. “It was like the only state of emotion he was ever in. It was amazing. He loved people.” About 10 years ago, the family moved from Ohio...
Springdale’s Colfax Elementary is coming downVideo
Bricks were beginning to come down Monday at the former Colfax Upper Elementary School building in Springdale. After more than 90 years of serving students, and about six years sitting vacant, crews from Kane Specialty Group began tearing down the school’s west wing. “Other than being in the heart of...
Chartiers Valley students enjoy showing off their culture
A new event at Chartiers Valley High School provided students the opportunity to learn more about their peers’ cultures. The high school celebrated Dress Your Culture day Dec. 16. It featured a live cultural museum. Students and teachers were encouraged to sign up and prepare a table to share items...
Police: Verona man robbed Uber driver; firing gun inside GetGo
A Verona man robbed his Uber driver at gunpoint on the way to the Allegheny River Boulevard GetGo, and then fired a gunshot inside the store’s bathroom, according to police. According to a criminal complaint, Price Anthony Riley, 37, was traveling in an Uber at around 6 p.m. on Friday...
Discipline referrals at Huston Middle School down 35%; students treated to fun day
Charles A. Huston Middle School students taped their assistant principal to a wall last week, but no one got in trouble. In fact, it was quite the opposite — students were treated to a fun day Friday because disciplinary referrals at the school have decreased 35% from last school year,...
No evidence of gunshots at Monroeville Mall; scene was ‘chaotic,’ shoppers sayVideo
A regional police response and chaotic scene among shoppers at Monroeville Mall on the final Sunday before Christmas was triggered after a call to emergency dispatchers about a dispute between two people. The initial call included the report of a person with a gun, police said. There is no evidence...
NLRB seeks injunction for striking Post-Gazette newsroom workers
The National Labor Relations Board on Friday requested an injunction in federal court on behalf of striking newsroom workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. If the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals fully grants the request, the Post-Gazette would be required to restore the terms of the expired contract with the...
‘It’s all kid-driven’: Stewart Elementary craft market showcases students’ talents while donating thousands to charity
It was a children’s paradise Friday at Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell. You name it, the roughly 260 fourth and fifth grade students had it — from fidget toys, stickers and drawings to bracelets and keychains. As in the past five years, students created or brought in items to...
Soil testing underway at Springdale soccer field; borough still eyes funding for Vets Field improvements
With surveying and soil testing underway at Springdale High School’s soccer field, Springdale Borough officials continue to look for money to improve Veterans Memorial Field. The school board in November hired FieldTurf USA, a Georgia-based firm, to complete surveying, infiltration and soils testing at the soccer field at a cost...
Wingstop headed to New Kensington
New Kensington soon will have a new place for wings. Mayor Tom Guzzo confirmed that a Wingstop will be coming to the city’s Riverview Plaza, 100 Tarentum Bridge Road. Signs for the business went up Wednesday. Wingstop officials did not respond to TribLive requests for comment. “We’re excited that Wingstop...
‘We’re ready to go’: Springdale’s Colfax School ready for demolition
A nearly 100-year-old institution in Springdale is coming down. Crews with Kane Specialty Group of Pine will begin demolishing the former Colfax Upper Elementary School either Friday or Monday , said Jim Kane, company president. “We’re ready to go,” Kane said Thursday at the site. Crews began preparing the site...
Christmas story tradition continues at Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar
Allegheny Valley School District Superintendent Patrick Graczyk read a classic story, “The Night Before Christmas,” to kindergarten students at Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar on Thursday. Students wore their pajamas as part of the tradition that’s been happening for about a decade. Graczyk and the students shared what they were...
Fawn-Frazer Water Authority raises rates
Customers in the Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority will see a slight increase to their bills next year. “We are looking at a $2 increase,” said Ed Adams, authority chairman. The rate, effective Jan. 1, will increase from $31 to $33 monthly, Adams said. It was approved by the water authority...
Upper Burrell data center to be company’s ‘U.S. flagship,’ founder says
A new data center in Upper Burrell could hold 3 gigawatts of power — about three times more than the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant can generate — and employ hundreds if plans come to fruition at the vacant portion of the Alcoa Technical Center. TECfusions, a Florida-based data...
Blawnox cookie tour highlights community, business district
Amanda Shirk’s favorite part of the fourth annual Best of Blawnox cookie tour was visiting new borough businesses she didn’t otherwise know about. Complemented by cookies and camaraderie, it wasn’t too shabby of a Saturday afternoon. “I’ve enjoyed finding new business,” said Shirk of Cheswick, while visiting the newly opened...
