Kellen Stepler stories, Page 32
Mail-in ballots mean many will have voted long before election day
After a flurry of visits to Western Pennsylvania, presidential candidates are running out of time to sway many voters. Pennsylvania election offices already are taking applications and preparing to send out mail-in ballots. Abigail Gardner, Allegheny County spokeswoman, said the county already has processed 160,000 mail-in applications. She said the...
Charges pending against Burrell student over threat that forced lockdown
A second juvenile from the Alle-Kiski Valley is expected to be charged in connection with an unfounded threat against a local school district. Lower Burrell police said they plan to file charges against a Burrell School District student who they say made a threat on social media that prompted officials...
Alcoa seeks temporary parking spaces at Upper Burrell site
Alcoa is asking Upper Burrell’s zoning board to make way for temporary parking spaces off White Cloud Road. The zoning hearing board meets next week to consider the proposal. “They need extra parking,” said Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III. According to Alcoa’s application, the company currently leases parking spaces...
‘Dangerous’ playground equipment removed from Lower Burrell park
Dangerous playground equipment at Lower Burrell’s Braeview Park has been removed. The equipment, deemed dangerous by a certified playground inspector, was taken away by public works crews three weeks ago, said Greg Primm, city manager. “As soon as someone tells us there’s a liability, we need to do something about...
Authentic, transparent and timely school communication crucial during threats, expert says
Years ago, when there was an emergency at a school, the incident was addressed sequentially. The incident would occur, schools and law enforcement officials could investigate, handle the situation, and then communicate what happened to students’ families. Now, with the internet and social media, much of that has to happen...
Apollo 5K aims to raise awareness of human trafficking
It might come as a surprise to many just how prevalent human trafficking is in Westmoreland County. The county is ninth in the state for human trafficking incidents, said Kristen Malone-Bodair, education outreach program manager for the Blackburn Center. The Blackburn Center coordinates the Westmoreland Human Trafficking Task Force, whose...
Route 28 closure caused by downed power line
A downed power line was to blame for traffic snarls late Wednesday morning along Route 28 and Freeport and Burtner roads in Harrison. The line was reported down across all lanes of the highway shortly after 11 a.m. State and local police had to close the highway between Burtner Road...
Cybersecurity system eyed for Springdale water treatment plant
In an effort to stave off cyberthreats to its water treatment plant, Springdale is considering the installation of a cybersecurity system. Dan Copeland presented fellow council members with two proposals from Gannett Fleming for a cybersecurity system at the water plant. One costs $11,500 and the other costs $19,000. “I...
Highlands threats lead to charges against juvenile, police say
A juvenile has been charged in connection with threats made against the Highlands School District on Tuesday, according to Harrison police. The threat, made on social media against the district, was investigated by Harrison police and deemed unfounded, according to the school district. Because the suspect is a juvenile, and...
With school threats increasing, school resource officers patrol the front lines
Rob Acquaviva has eyes all over Burrell School District. The five-year school resource officer serves the district’s four school buildings and works as a law enforcement officer, public safety educator and informal counselor/mentor to students. “The hope of the school resource officer is, if something were to happen, the kids...
Carlynton School Board votes to create school police officer position
A school police officer is slated to join the ranks of the Carlynton School District. The school board agreed to create the position during its meeting Sept. 17, said Superintendent John Kreider. “This is an important step in the district’s continued efforts to foster a safe, secure and positive learning...
Lower Burrell, Highlands, Fox Chapel deal with threats at schools
Lower Burrell police are serving search warrants following threats made Monday against Burrell High School on social media platforms, Chief John Marhefka said. “We are conducting a thorough investigation, which takes time,” he said. Superintendent Shannon Wagner said students received and reported the social media posts Monday, and all district...
Allegheny County considers moving polling place from Chartiers Valley school building
Allegheny County elections officials might move a polling place from Chartiers Valley Intermediate School to another location in Scott Township, a county spokeswoman said Tuesday. Chartiers Valley School Board on Sept. 12 sent a letter to the county requesting that the Intermediate School, located off Swallow Hill Road in Scott,...
Burrell and Fox Chapel Area schools implement 2-hour delay, virtual learning after social media threats
Safety concerns have prompted a “flexible instruction day” Tuesday for students in the Fox Chapel Area and Burrell school districts. A delayed start for students will be in effect at both districts. A “concerning social media post” reported Monday by students prompted the virtual instruction and a 2-hour delay at...
Remediated industrial property in Springdale Township could make way for new municipal complex, educational opportunities
Former industrial land in Springdale Township has the potential to reconnect and help revitalize the area, political leaders and Duquesne Light officials said last week. Duquesne Light unveiled a natural wetland on industrial property near the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale. John Bigi, the company’s environmental lead, said the...
Lower Valley first responders get boost for infrastructure, vehicles
A new patrol vehicle for the Springdale Police Department is one of three upgrades coming to first responders in the lower Allegheny Valley. State funding will assist the police department, Springdale Volunteer Fire Department and Lower Valley Ambulance Service in obtaining equipment for their agencies. The police department was awarded...
Frazer sues Pittsburgh Mills mall owner over potholes, lack of maintenance
Pothole-riddled roads near the Pittsburgh Mills mall are the result of negligence by the mall’s owner and would cost Frazer $4.5 million to fix if the mall owner doesn’t. That’s according to a lawsuit filed by the township against the Mills’ property owner — identified in court records as Pitt...
Burrell requests specifications on potential construction projects at 3 district schools
Burrell School District is moving ahead with preparations to handle renovations at three of its schools should it go through with closing Stewart Elementary. The school board this week revised its agreement with HHSDR Inc. for the Pittsburgh-based architect to map out proposed construction projects that include renovations at Burrell...
With no agreement on use of Veterans Memorial Field, Allegheny Valley eyes converting soccer field on school grounds
The Allegheny Valley School District and Springdale officials can’t seem to come to an agreement over Veterans Memorial Field, so school officials are reviewing the possibility of having a football field on the district’s grounds. Superintendent Pat Graczyk said Tuesday that despite the district’s work with the borough “demonstrating the...
Surprising $404K bid approved for demolition of Colfax Elementary School in Springdale
Colfax Elementary School in Springdale will be coming down at a cost well below what district officials had anticipated. The Allegheny Valley School Board on Tuesday approved a $404,000 base bid from Pine-based Kane Specialty Group LLC to perform asbestos abatement and demolish the 99-year-old building, which sits off Colfax...
Chartiers Valley history digitized and made available by Scott Township native
A new website created by a Chartiers Valley alumnus is a one-stop shop for all things relating to district history. Austin Pilz, 29, of Pittsburgh, took on the project of scanning and digitizing district yearbooks last winter. The idea arose when he wanted to view records from his grandfather’s time...
Carnegie Elementary receives $10K from car dealership for school supplies
Carnegie Elementary teachers got a nice surprise when they returned to school this fall. The school accepted a $10,000 donation from Subaru of South Hills, sponsored by the Subaru Loves Learning Adopt a Classroom program. The donation will be used to purchase classroom supplies for teachers, said Principal Jenna Mozzocio....
Collier teen recognized as National Merit Scholarship semifinalist
A Chartiers Valley High School senior has been recognized for her outstanding academic efforts. Charlotte Kinslow, 17, of Collier, is a national merit scholarship semifinalist, placing her among the top 1% of students nationwide. She was selected based on her performance on the PSAT. Kinslow now has the opportunity to...
AHN Chill Project launches at Curtisville Primary School
Success of a behavioral wellness program at Deer Lakes’ East Union Intermediate School has led to it now being offered at Curtisville Primary School. Curtisville students were greeted Monday morning by Allegheny Health Network and Pittsburgh Pirates staff, which included two racing Pierogi mascots, the Pirate Parrot and announcer Joe...
N.Y.-based company acquires Lower Burrell’s Hillcrest Shopping Center for over $3.78 million
Nassimi Realty, a New York City-based real estate development company, is the new owner of the Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell, and it’s an acquisition that excites local officials. Nassimi purchased the property, off Leechburg and Wildlife Lodge roads, after an auction this summer. Its starting bid was $1.14...
