Kellen Stepler stories, Page 48
Snow causes headaches, similar storm could return by week’s end
Western Pennsylvania is in for another round of snow by the end of the week, meteorologists warned. Tuesday morning’s snowfall dropped about 2 to 4 inches across the region. It caused about 200 school cancellations and more than a few headaches for commuters. Across Allegheny County, the average snowfall was...
East Deer commissioners mull water rate increase
While believing the township is being overcharged on water rates, the East Deer commissioners will consider a rate adjustment at their February meeting to brace for an increase from Tarentum Borough, its water supplier. During a Thursday meeting, commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani gave his colleagues information on what Tarentum currently...
The ins and outs of the new Bridgeville garbage contract
Trash collection will look a little different in Bridgeville this year. The borough renewed its five-year contract with County Hauling. During the bidding process, five trash haulers expressed interest in bringing their services to Bridgeville, but only two — County Hauling and Waste Management — submitted bids, said borough Manager...
Springdale planners recommend renewing demolition permit for power plant
Springdale planners on Wednesday recommended the borough follow through with renewing a demolition permit for the former power plant. The planning commission’s recommendation came after just more than an hour of public comment, which went back and forth on differing opinions on the permit, first issued in January of last...
‘They fit just right’: Kids of Steel at Acmetonia Elementary win running shoes
Some students at Acmetonia Elementary School will now be running in style. Representatives from Kids of Steel, a program that promotes healthy living for children and families, presented red, white and blue Brooks Trace running shoes for each of the 28 fifth- and sixth-grade students at Acmetonia’s running club Wednesday....
Bridgeville approves 2024 budget with no tax increase
Bridgeville will hold the line on taxes for another year. Bridgeville council approved the borough’s spending plan for 2024 on Dec. 11. It totals just more than $7.93 million. There is no increase in property taxes, as the millage rate remains at 10 mills on land, and 6.5 mills on...
Charah files notice to appeal injunction decision regarding boiler house in Springdale
The owner of the former power plant in Springdale has 21 days to show how an Allegheny County court erred in granting a preliminary pause to imploding the boiler house at the site. Allegheny County Judge John T. McVay Jr. ordered Tuesday that Charah Solutions has 21 days to file...
Ferri, Franchick, Sarasnick sworn in to Bridgeville council
Bridgeville Council welcomed three new members at its reorganization meeting last week. Mayor Betty Copeland gave the oath of office to Jason Ferri, Shane Franchick and Jason Sarasnick on Jan. 2. Council also selected Joe Verduci to serve as council president and Bruce Ghelarducci as vice president. In other business,...
Man accused of felony aggravated assault following West Deer bar fight
A West Deer man faces a felony aggravated assault charge after, police say, he hit a man with a pool cue. Michael Richard Skiles, 49, was arrested and charged Friday. A preliminary hearing before District Judge Tom Swan is scheduled for Jan. 24. West Deer police said they, along with...
Burrell student to serve as Lower Burrell junior councilman
A teenager will be joining the ranks of Lower Burrell Council. Jason Wagner, 17, will be the city’s junior councilman throughout the year, Mayor Chris Fabry said. Wagner, a junior at Burrell High School, said he is looking forward to being involved in local politics. “I want to show that...
Innovative Polish Hill company looks to future of robotics, technology
Need a robot that can crawl up a metal wall? How about one with suction cup legs that can go almost anywhere? It won’t be long until robots with those abilities and more become common. In fact, you can see them now in Pittsburgh’s Polish Hill neighborhood. HEBI Robotics is...
Friends remember late Lower Burrell bar owner ‘Mogie’ Magill as loving, passionate
Hundreds of people attended a celebration of life Saturday for David “Mogie” Magill, a popular Lower Burrell restaurant owner who was shot and killed a little over two weeks ago. And as family members and friends remembered of Magill, 64, it was clear to see what prompted the large turnout...
East Deer to discuss 5% amusement tax this week; decision could come as early as next month
An amusement tax in East Deer could be enacted as soon as February. The township commissioners Thursday discussed the idea of establishing an amusement tax, in light of scheduled events at the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. facility. Township officials plan to continue the discussion Thursday, said commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani. If...
New mayor outlines goals for Lower Burrell in 2024
Lower Burrell’s new mayor took the gavel Wednesday night and prioritized continued business growth and development, community engagement and transparency. “There’s no more of us reacting to stuff,” Mayor Chris Fabry said. “We’re really going to take a proactive approach moving forward in the city, because that’s what needs to...
In events like the Springdale high-rise evacuation, coordination is key, officials say
Evacuating a high-rise building full of senior citizens, many of whom are physically handicapped, during a cold January night could spell a recipe for chaos. But on Tuesday night in Springdale, it wasn’t. The Springdale Manor high-rise, which houses about 90 residents, was evacuated because of a natural gas leak....
Wage increases included for some Frazer part-timers in 2024
Frazer supervisors opened 2024 with reappointments to boards and commissions as well as pay increases to some part-time employees. Matthew Beacom was unanimously reappointed as the supervisors chairman, and William Creevey will remain vice chairman. Supervisor Lori Ziencik was reappointed as the township’s secretary and treasurer. Because Ziencik is an...
Lower Burrell ready to hit the ground running with new council
When Lower Burrell Council meets and reorganizes Wednesday evening, almost everyone behind the dais will have spent fewer than five years in their current roles. But that’s not a cause for concern, says incoming Mayor Chris Fabry. “Thanks to my relationship with (outgoing Mayor John Andrejcik), this administration is going...
East Deer floats idea of amusement tax
East Deer is looking to cash in on future events held at the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. facility. While details are preliminary, the township intends to establish an amusement tax. Generally, amusement taxes are imposed on admission fees to events. They can be either flat fees or percentage-based. Commissioners Chairman Tony...
Crowd control plans in place for Saturday’s celebration of life for David ‘Mogie’ Magill
Lots of traffic and extra police are anticipated Saturday afternoon in Lower Burrell. Hundreds of people are expected to attend a celebration of life for David “Mogie” Magill, a popular Alle-Kiski Valley restaurant owner who was shot and killed two weeks ago. City Councilman Chris Fabry said there won’t be...
Burrell, Carnegie Mellon team up to establish writing center for high school students
Burrell high schoolers soon will have free access to guidance from students at Carnegie Mellon University. CMU is establishing a writing center at Burrell High School, said Mimi Wertheimer, the director of student instructor development and K-12 community partnership at the university’s Gelfand Center. Details of the program are still...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum hypnotist puts mind over matter
Step into Jan Lee’s Tarentum office and you may eventually enter a different mental state. But her type of hypnosis isn’t the kind that you’d see at a comedy show. Lee, 62, of Harrison worked as a psychiatric nurse for more than 35 years, which she says was likely what...
East Deer property owners to pay less in township taxes in 2024
Township taxes for East Deer property owners will decrease in 2024. Commissioners set the 2024 millage rate to 4.65 mills, a 0.25-mill or 5% decrease from this year. It’s the township’s third tax cut since 2015, Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said. Property with a median assessed value of $49,700 would...
West Deer budget raises taxes for most property owners in 2024
Most West Deer property owners will see a tax increase in the upcoming year. Township supervisors adopted the $10.8 million budget at their meeting last week. While the general fund millage rate dropped to 2.9 mills — a 0.09 decrease from this year — the township is implementing a 0.5-mill...
‘We know there’s a need’: Sheldon Park residents, local churches fill 525 bags for homeless
Scanning the numerous boxes and bags of donated items Thursday morning at the Hayden Center in Harrison’s Sheldon Park neighborhood, resident Sydney Hayden was overwhelmed and grateful for the display of support to help the area’s homeless. “We know there’s a need in this community, and we want to reach...
Frazer police nab man for driving stolen vehicle, theft at Walmart
Frazer police say a North Versailles man drove to Walmart at Pittsburgh Mills on Wednesday in a stolen vehicle and, while at the store, took merchandise he didn’t pay for then tried to return the items for cash. Brandon Jamar Murray, 40, faces a felony charge of receiving stolen property...
