Kellen Stepler stories, Page 49
Second deep well coming to West Deer; construction expected to start in June 2025
A second well pad will be coming to West Deer, near the Pittsburgh National Golf Club. Supervisors approved the plan for the Tyche deep well last week. The approval makes way for the development and operation of an unconventional natural gas well pad and associated pipeline on property owned by...
No injuries in Upper Burrell trailer home fire; 4 cats missing
No one was injured following a fire late Wednesday afternoon that destroyed a trailer home in Upper Burrell. Crews were dispatched at 4:32 p.m. to the 200 block of Manchester Hill Road for a report of a structure fire, said Upper Burrell Fire Chief Bryan Fitch. The trailer’s occupant was...
Kiski Township man charged in connection with Christmas Day hit-and-run and domestic dispute
A Kiski Township man charged in connection with a hit-and-run in the township on Christmas Day also was involved in a domestic dispute just down the road from the crash scene, according to police. Township police on Tuesday announced they charged Steven Brown, 32, with aggravated assault by motor vehicle...
Celebration of life set for David ‘Mogie’ Magill at VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell
David “Mogie” Magill went out of his way to help other people, said his son, Patrick Magill. “My dad tried to help everybody he possibly could. He loved the community and the business in the way he loved us,” said Magill, 29, of Las Vegas. Now, the community will have...
Pittsburgh woman was speeding while high with daughter in the back seat, police say
A Pittsburgh woman faces charges after police say she was speeding on Route 28 while high on marijuana and with her 3-year-old daughter in the back seat of the car. State police charged Mary Kate Slattery, 35, with felony counts of endangering the welfare of children and carrying a firearm...
Burrell works to provide students with real-world experience
The high school experience isn’t what it used to be, say two Burrell teachers leading the way in providing students with real-world experience and future readiness opportunities. This school year, Burrell High School teachers Darcy Holtzman and Ron Zanella have offered high school juniors and seniors job site tours, work...
West Deer 11-year-old collects gifts for Belair nursing home residents
A West Deer boy is giving back to the community in ways bigger than himself. On Friday, Colton Petrosky, 11, distributed gift bags to more than 70 residents of Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Lower Burrell. Colton, dressed as an elf, made the rounds with Santa Claus. “I just wanted...
Stewart Elementary students raise over $3,000 for Children’s Hospital with holiday market
Students at Stewart Elementary School on Thursday set up shop to sell candy, toys, crafts and other items to their peers as part of their annual holiday market. But the proceeds weren’t going to them. Instead, the money was being collected by Stewart administrators who then, at the end of...
Memorials to slain Lower Burrell pub owner a testament to his popularity; no new details emerge
The usually vibrant activity outside Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell was gone Friday, giving way to makeshift memorials dedicated to the bar’s owner. And as friends, family members and the community grieve the loss of David “Mogie” Magill, 64, the investigation into his death continues. Magill was shot to...
Tough luck? Harmar beer distributor sells another big lottery ticket as store preps to close in a few weeks
A Harmar beer distributor has recently become the jackpot for big-winning lottery tickets — but buy those tickets while you still can. Willy’s Beer and Beverage on Freeport Road sold a jackpot-winning Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket on Saturday, Dec. 16, lottery officials announced Monday. The drawing...
Tradition of Christmas caroling alive and well in Western Pennsylvania communities
When Jena Arcuri, Michael Sawhook and Kris Choltco were brainstorming fun family ideas for the holidays in their New Kensington neighborhood last year, they realized some of the neighborhood children likely have never participated in one specific time-honored holiday tradition. “We thought it would be cool to get them to...
Lower Burrell recognizes outgoing treasurer and controller
Lower Burrell said farewell to two elected officials who, collectively, have served more than 50 years in office. This month’s council meeting was the last for City Controller Tony Farina and Treasurer Brian Eshbaugh. Eshbaugh, 62, has been an elected official in Lower Burrell for 28 years — 12 years...
Deer Lakes sisters launch their own business
What started out as a fun thing to enjoy at the beach has evolved into a small business for two West Deer sisters. Juliet and Grace Moore, both Deer Lakes High School students, have started a hair tinsel business. They got the idea from getting it tied to their hair...
Springdale Township taps into reserves to hold taxes steady for 2024
Springdale Township’s commissioners Thursday approved a 2024 spending plan that includes no tax increase for property owners but taps into the township’s reserves for it to be balanced. The budget anticipates $2.3 million in expenses, but only $1.7 million in revenue. Township savings will cover the roughly $600,000 deficit, said...
Cheswick’s sewage, garbage rates will increase in 2024
Cheswick property owners will see an increase in their garbage and sewer rates next year. Cheswick Council approved the borough’s 2024 budget, which holds the line on taxes but increases sewage and refuse rates. The budget totals nearly $2.77 million. About $1.55 million is allotted for the borough’s general fund,...
East Deer OKs new billboard regulations
East Deer has formalized rules that regulate billboards in the township. Township commissioners have amended the zoning ordinance that regulates billboards. The township began the process of reviewing its billboard rules after a June hearing for Butler-based outdoor advertising agency America First Enterprises, which does business as Oliver Outdoor. The...
2 northbound lanes open on Route 28 near Highland Park Bridge
Northbound Route 28 will now be open to two lanes at the Highland Park Bridge interchange, PennDOT announced Friday. The new northbound lane opened about 5 p.m. Friday, PennDOT said. The lane, which aims to address congestion and the existing bottleneck, will allow for two lanes of free-flowing traffic from...
No real estate tax increase, more money for firefighters in Lower Burrell’s 2024 budget
Lower Burrell Council has approved a 2024 budget that includes no tax increase for property owners and a larger donation to the city’s volunteer fire departments. City council approved the budget this week. It totals slightly less than $11.2 million and maintains a millage rate of 24.75 mills. At that...
Springdale planners hold off on renewing demolition permit for power plant site
Springdale planners on Wednesday pressed pause before making a recommendation on renewing a demolition permit at the borough’s former Cheswick Generating Station. Cheswick Plant Environmental Redevelopment Group, a subsidiary of property owner Charah Solutions, and Grant Mackay Co. requested renewal of the demolition permit, which expires Jan. 17. “The next...
Lower Burrell makes rules for medical marijuana dispensaries, growers
Lower Burrell has new rules about where medical marijuana dispensaries, growers and processors can operate in the city. Council this week approved the regulations, which allow medical marijuana growers and processors to be located in light manufacturing- and manufacturing-zoned districts as a special exception use. The dispensaries cannot be within...
Springdale residents’ attorneys pleased with court decision that orders more community involvement with power plant demolition
Attorneys representing the residents seeking to block an implosion of the boiler house say they’re “thrilled” with a recent court decision that sets procedure before the demolition can be considered. “The court determined that the plaintiffs were all harmed by the June 2 implosion, suffering harm to their homes, damage...
East Deer to take comments on proposed billboard ordinance this week
East Deer taxpayers will get the opportunity to comment on the township’s proposed billboard rules during a township commissioners’ meeting this week. Commissioners will hold a public hearing Thursday on a proposed billboard ordinance, which, if adopted, amends the township’s zoning ordinance for the regulation of billboards within East Deer....
Public meeting, safety plan, state oversight required before implosion of Springdale power plant
The former power plant in Springdale could still be imploded, but a judge has ordered more government oversight and a public meeting before that happens. In an order filed Sunday, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. requires the two sides — Springdale residents who want to block...
Upper Burrell approves 2024 budget with no tax increase
Upper Burrell supervisors Wednesday gave the green light to the township’s 2024 budget, which includes no tax increase for residents. The budget totals $1.25 million. The tax rate will remain at 12 mills. “Everything balanced out. Everything looks good,” said Ross Walker, supervisors chairman. A homeowner with a property assessed...
Lower Burrell police training designed to de-escalate
Lower Burrell Mayor John Andrejcik wants more local police departments to undergo the training that officers from his city got Friday. “I wish this permeates throughout the (Alle-Kiski) Valley,” Andrejcik said. “If this saves one life — it’s all worth it.” Lower Burrell police were trained in a proactive approach...
