Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 132

Oakmont property owners should not expect to pay more in real estate taxes next year. Borough Manager Scot Fodi presented the proposed 2020 budget at a workshop meeting Monday night. It is expected to be adopted at council’s Dec. 16 voting session. “We are still watching very closely our inflows...

A Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty in federal court to dealing in drugs in connection with a local street gang, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh announced Monday. Cecil Howard, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady. Authorities said...

Two people were taken to a hospital after a two-car crash Monday in Springdale Township. Allegheny County emergency dispatchers said the crash happened around 5:10 p.m. in the 2800 block of Freeport Road near John & Gerry’s Fruit Market. Two people were cut from vehicles. It was not immediately known...

Having trouble finding things to do in Plum and Oakmont this week? Here are some suggestions: • Plum Creek Park along New Texas Road in Plum will be transformed into a winter wonderland Thursday for the fourth annual Christmas at Plum Creek. Activities will be at and across from the...

Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • John Arble, 31, of Blairsville on charges of possession of controlled substances...

District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Billy Taylor IV, 24, of Penn Hills on charges of receiving stolen property. Charges were filed Nov. 14. Waived preliminary hearing • Jessica Cafazzo, 30, of Oakmont on...

Rain could not dampen holiday spirits in Oakmont and Verona as about a thousand people stopped by the two boroughs for the annual Hometown Christmas and parade on Nov. 23. The event featured performances by Greater Harmony Chorus, a dance troupe from Kelsey’s Dance and Fitness Center, St. Irenaeus Preschool...

Oakmont resident Melanie Pallone has edged out fellow resident and political newcomer Brian Hawk by four votes for a four-year seat on Riverview’s school board. Pallone received 1,234 votes (12.25%) to Hawk’s 1,230 (12.21%), according to Allegheny County Elections Division reports. They were tied at 12.23% after the election on...

Before folks carved turkey or dipped into cranberry sauce, a group of Plum High School students showed how thankful they were to have friendships with their peers at a special event. Plum’s chapter of Best Buddies presented an inaugural Harvest Dance at the school the day before Thanksgiving. Best Buddies...

No injuries were reported in connection with a crash involving a garbage truck and a car. Westmoreland County dispatchers said the wreck occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at College Avenue and Oak Hill Drive in Penn Township. Traffic was rerouted around the scene....

Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Sylvester Ward, 44, of Indian Trail, NC on charges of forgery and...

Plum School District officials sold Regency Park Elementary and refinanced four bonds to bolster capital improvement plans. School board members voted unanimously on both measures Tuesday night. “We’re not taking on any additional debt (for capital projects),” board member Steve Schlauch said. “We actually have a plan in place to...

Power has been restored and all lights are on at the Squirrel Hill tunnels in Pittsburgh. Electrical issues caused the cameras, traffic signals and half the lights inside the tunnels to go out shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday. PennDOT officials announced the issues were fixed shortly before 11 p.m. The...

Penn Hills High School may soon have a boys rugby team. School directors voted 6-0 Monday night to approve a one-year pilot program at no cost to the district other than transportation to and from competitions. Rugby is a contact sport believed to have originated in England in the first...

A $1.24 million loan designed to fund various initiatives in the Penn Hills School District’s financial recovery process has been approved. The 10-year, no-interest transitional loan comes through the state Department of Education. School board members voted 6-0 to approve the loan agreement Monday . Board members Cathy Mowry, Evelyn...

Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. A love of fly fishing and a love of helping people thousands of miles away has bonded a pair of Oakmont brothers. Matt Geppert and his older brother, Sam, grew...

Pittsburgh police arrested multiple suspects and seized illegal narcotics and guns as part of a lengthy drug investigation in Hazelwood. SWAT offices and city detectives executed a search warrant around 6 a.m. Thursday at a home along the 200 block of Winston Street. Authorities said officers found three guns including...

Inner Groove Brewing in Verona has partnered with Oakmont Bakery to craft a special holiday beer. Ginger Bell Rock — a traditional brown ale brewed with gingerbread cookies — will debut Saturday at the Oaks Theater in Oakmont. Samples will be available as well as 16-ounce drinks for purchase from...

Riverview Junior/Senior High School students will run, jump, climb and crawl their way through obstacle courses and other feats of strength all to help bring in food for needy families. The third annual Turkey Trot is set for 12:45 p.m. Tuesday at the high school in Oakmont and in the...

Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office investigating a fire at a Sharpsburg building. County dispatchers said the fire at 324 Linden Ave. was reported at 6:18 p.m. Friday and under control around 6:35 p.m. No injuries were reported. Preliminary reports indicate the fire started in the basement. The incident remains under...

Plum High School cheerleaders are ready to show school spirit and raise money for a charitable student club. The annual Plum Proud Day at 900 Elicker Road is set for Dec. 18, the anniversary of the founding of the community. Plum was originally founded as a township in 1788 and...

Allegheny County Police have charged a Wilmerding man in connection with a shooting at his home that left another man injured Friday morning. Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Watkins Avenue shortly before 9 a.m. for a 28-year-old man shot on the front porch of a residence. Police...

Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Jvyonne Atkinson, 35, of Pittsburgh on two counts of theft by deception. Charges...

Amazing Yoga Oakmont will host special Thanksgiving morning classes to help a Fox Chapel family. Ada Mae Grashow, 11, lives with complex disabilities due to Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder caused by deletion or rearrangement of chromosome 22. Symptoms include seizures, intellectual disability, low muscle tone and developmental and...