Kellen Stepler stories, Page 51
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...
Jimmy Buffett tribute band to kick off Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s summer concert series
A Jimmy Buffett tribute band will kick off next summer’s concert series at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s new amphitheater in East Deer. The band “Changes in Latitude” will take the stage Saturday, June 29 at the new facility, along with two opening acts yet to be announced, the brewery said in...
Springdale Cemetery going digital with preservation efforts
As Springdale Cemetery approaches its 200th year, its leaders have tapped some professionals to help maintain the site’s history. The Springdale Cemetery Association sought the help of Amanda Peters, an archivist at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and Lazarus Cemetery Mapping in its effort to preserve old genealogical documents, map...
No tax increase for Frazer property owners
Frazer property owners won’t see a township real estate tax increase in 2024. The township supervisors on Tuesday approved a $1.13 million budget for next year, said Township Secretary Lori Ziencik. The millage rate will remain at 3.5 mills. A Frazer property owner with the median property tax assessment of...
Springdale power plant implosion plan now in the hands of a judge
Whether the former Springdale power plant boiler house will be demolished using explosives is now up to a judge. Both sides in the injunction case filed their final proposed findings of fact and conclusions and, now, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. must rule on whether to...
Harmony Township woman accused of strangling, suffocating her 2 children
A Beaver County woman faces criminal charges after police say she strangled her 4-month-old son and suffocated her 2-year-old son. Quanesha Lindsey, 27, of Harmony Township faces homicide, strangulation and abuse of a corpse in connection to the deaths of her two young children, according to TribLive news partner WTAE....
Lower Burrell police to get training to better assess incidents, ‘prioritize deescalation’
Lower Burrell police officers soon will undergo training to better assist them in deescalating situations. The police department will participate in ICAT training — which stands for Integrating, Communications, Assessment and Tactics — the next two Fridays, Dec. 8 and 15. “This training for our police personnel is equipped with...
Astronaut Warren ‘Woody’ Hoburg, a Pittsburgh-area native, to lead Terrible Towel twirl at Steelers game
Most know that Steelers fans and their Terrible Towels are a force to be reckoned with come game day. But a certain Terrible Towel to be waved at Sunday’s Steelers-Cardinals game, and the man behind it, are quite actually out-of-this-world. Astronaut Warren “Woody” Hoburg, 38, of Houston, Texas, but who...
Joy abounds for New Kensington’s Christmas parade
Joy and excitement — and even some fake snow — were in the air in New Kensington on Saturday morning, as crowds lined Fifth and Fourth avenues to make way for the city’s Christmas parade. “It’s nice to see everyone come out for the holidays,” said Justin Adamson, 23, of...
Springdale Township to tap into reserves to balance 2024 budget
Springdale Township will tap into its reserves to balance its budget for 2024 and prevent taxpayers from seeing an increase in their bills. The township estimates it will have $2.3 million in expenditures in 2024 but anticipates only $1.7 million in revenue, said Tim Basilone, vice president of the township...
$350 million contract to cleanup Parks Township nuclear waste site isn’t enough, feds say
The $350 million earmarked for cleanup of the Parks Township nuclear waste dump isn’t enough to finish the job, so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is looking for new contractors interested in continuing the cleanup when that money runs out. The Corps on Friday announced it will issue a...
