Kellen Stepler stories, Page 3
Pittsburgh colleges expand their footprint to meet demand
Ted Black admits the former YWCA on Wood Street — right in the thick of Point Park University’s campus — is “quite frankly a bit of an eyesore.” But Black, Point Park’s senior vice president of institutional advancement and strategy, also notes the opportunity the property represents. The Downtown school...
State studying future of Duquesne City School District
The state’s Department of Education is studying the future of the Duquesne City School District, which could include a consolidation with a nearby district. Duquesne schools spokesman Jeremy Tepper said the district is “actively cooperating” in the study. “The district remains committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for its...
Western Pa. colleges get boost to combat students’ food insecurity
Food insecurity among college students is often overlooked by the general public, but it is a real issue. “College is expensive, and people don’t realize that students — especially at private schools — can struggle to afford basic necessities,” said Heather Starr Fiedler, managing director of Point Park University’s center...
New literacy program at Pittsburgh Weil targets economically disadvantaged students
Educators at Pittsburgh Weil PreK-5 say a new literacy initiative will improve academics at the Hill District school. Weil teachers have implemented the enhanced core reading instruction program for students in kindergarten through second grades. “It takes a curriculum and enhances it,” said Principal Kira Henderson. “It provides teachers with...
Woodland Hills places superintendent on unpaid leave
Woodland Hills Superintendent Joe Maluchnik was placed on unpaid leave Wednesday following an internal district investigation, the latest in ongoing controversy in the district. The decision comes as the district has faced allegations of misuse of funds and questions surrounding Maluchnik’s leave. School board members Karen Lyons, Melanie Timbers, Laura...
‘Brilliant, bold and unapologetically proud’: Senior at Pittsburgh Obama leads, gives back to community
Zaire Howze-Jetter had previously told people he’d study veterinary sciences upon his graduation this spring from Pittsburgh’s Obama Academy. “That was just something I told people, because I didn’t really know,” said Howze-Jetter, 17. But as he progressed at the East Liberty magnet school, excelling in academics, he began to...
Chartiers Valley teacher Jill Chan wins World Affairs Council award
Chartiers Valley High School teacher Jill Chan won the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s Oehmler Award, an honor that recognizes a teacher who exemplifies outstanding dedication to elevating youth voice and leadership. “I was very surprised when I heard that I received the award because I didn’t even know that...
Georgia man charged in connection to Carrick homicide
A Georgia man has been charged with homicide after police say he caused his brother-in-law’s death and hid the body under an 18-wheeler in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood. Steven Thomas, 52, of Statesboro, Ga., is charged with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse. At 8:29 p.m. Monday,...
Carlynton’s Julie Lewis earns Scouting America award
A longtime Carlynton School District educator has been recognized by the Laurel Highlands Council of Scouting America. Julie Lewis, a fourthgrade teacher at Carnegie Elementary, received this year’s Fretwell Outstanding Educator award. “I was truly surprised and honored to receive the Fretwell Outstanding Educator award — I didn’t even know...
South Side bar speaks out following images of rat under beer tap
A South Side bar says it has conducted a full investigation with the Allegheny County Health Department and brought in additional pest control services after a rat was found on its beer taps. In a statement, Urban Tap said there is a video circulating of a rat under beer taps...
Man found dead under trailer in Carrick
Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man’s body was located under a trailer in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood. The man’s body was found just after 8:30 p.m. Monday under a trailer at Amanda and Wynoka streets in Carrick, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. The man, who was not identified, was pronounced...
Sabin appointed as Collier police chief
Kris Sabin is Collier’s new chief of police. Sabin was sworn-in by District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet during a commissioners’ meeting Feb. 23. “I am honored and humbled to have been sworn in as Chief of Police for Collier Township,” Sabin said. “It has been my privilege to serve this community...
‘It’s a calling’: PennWest helps prepare sexual assault nursing examiners such as the one highlighted on ‘The Pitt’
One of Sierra Roman’s first cases as an emergency room nurse at ACMH Hospital — and one she’ll never forget — involved a victim of a sexual assault. Roman, who started at the hospital in August 2023, needed to perform a rape kit exam on her patient. “I’m nervous because...
Kennedy Aderogba to be Pitt marching band’s first Black woman drum major
Kennedy Aderogba had simple goals when she joined Pitt’s marching band two years ago: to have fun, learn more, and grow as a person and musician. She grew up playing instruments, but joined Pitt’s marching band with no prior marching band experience: her high school, The Ensworth School in Nashville,...
Temps to touch 70s this week, but rain awaits
It may be a soggy but warmer week ahead for Western Pennsylvania, according to local meteorologists. The Pittsburgh region could see anywhere between 1 to 4 inches of rain this week, with temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s on Friday and Saturday, WTAE meteorologist Ashley Dougherty said in...
Morning Roundup: Injuries reported in shootings in McKeesport and Wilkinsburg
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 2: 2 shot in McKeesport Two men were shot late Sunday evening in McKeesport, according to the Allegheny County Police Department. Dispatchers were notified of two men shot at 10:33 p.m. Sunday, police said. One man was...
Carnegie Mellon’s $100M Hazelwood Green robotics center will build the future, officials say
Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood community has always been a place for builders, says Sonya Tilghman. “For generations, families have worked in the mills and powered the region,” said Tilghman, executive director of the Hazelwood Institute. “We know what it means to build things that matter and take pride in skilled work. “So...
Slippery Rock to offer bachelor’s degree in nursing
For years, prospective students interested in attending Slippery Rock University would ask if the school offered a bachelor’s degree in nursing. For a long time, the answer was no, said Christine Karshin, dean of SRU’s College of Health Professions. Starting in the fall, that no longer will be the case,...
From shop class to 3D printing: transforming tech education at Valley High School
It was winter 2002 when Rick Shaner graduated from then-California University of Pennsylvania with a degree in technical education and was out job hunting. “I was thinking, nobody’s going to be hiring now,” Shaner said. “I stopped at Kiski, Burrell and Valley just to get substitute teaching packets.” When he...
New Kensington-Arnold implements security camera system that dispatchers can view in real time
Westmoreland County dispatchers will now have the ability to instantly view live campus security footage when a 911 call comes in from the New Kensington-Arnold School District. The district is implementing 911 camera sharing across district buildings in an effort to strengthen campus safety and speed emergency response. “We want...
New Kensington man accused of assaulting, fathering baby with teen waives criminal charges
A New Kensington man already in jail waived his preliminary hearing on charges stemming from an incident where, authorities say, he assaulted and fathered a child with a teenager. Burnell Johnson, 27, waived to court charges of statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault of a person younger...
Carlow, Promise Center launch literacy tutoring initiative in Homewood
Carlow University and the Promise Center of Homewood have launched a joint literacy tutoring initiative for children in Homewood. The after-school program was developed over several months by Carlow’s College of Education and Social Work in partnership with The Promise Center, Carlow officials said. It will focus on reading skills,...
Computer science majors and professors grapple with AI advancements
These are not your father’s computer science students. And for good reason. To find a job in the fast-growing, fast-moving field, college graduates are required to possess more than simple coding skills and the ability to troubleshoot. Artificial intelligence is driving a demand for a more advanced, polished graduate who...
Burrell student, teacher selected to study American Revolution with Philadelphia trip
A Burrell High School teacher and student have been selected to represent Pennsylvania in a history enrichment program in July, held in conjunction with America’s 250th birthday. Teacher Amanda Pagnotta and sophomore Bella Procopio are participating in the Young People’s Continental Congress, a joint program with the National History Day...
Burrell contract calls for 3.3% average raise for custodian, maintenance, food service workers
The Burrell School District reached an agreement on a new contract with its union of custodians, maintenance workers and food service employees that calls for a 70-cent per hour increase. The contract was ratified by the school board this month. It covers a contract period that began Feb. 1 and...
