Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 140
Happenings in Plum and Oakmont this week – Nov. 18, 2019
Need something to do in Oakmont or Plum this week? Check out these activities: • Let’s Groove Tonight, the premier Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band, returns to the Oaks Theater in Oakmont at 310 Allegheny River Blvd. Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show set for 7:30...
Assault, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Nov. 18, 2019
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 • Jerquay Atkins, 21, of Pittsburgh on charges of providing false identification to...
Artist Cyril Assad has left his mark with fanciful murals at Oakmont Carnegie LibraryVideo
Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things they do. It’s been a while since Oakmont artist Cyril Assad had to pick up a paint brush or do design work, but his creations live on at the Oakmont Carnegie Library...
Fire at Penn Township commercial building
Firefighters from several departments responded to a large fire at a commercial building in Penn Township. Butler County dispatchers said the blaze at 103 Hicks Road began shortly before 9 p.m. Friday. Emergency crews remained on scene late that evening and no injuries were reported as of 10:50 p.m....
Oblock Junior High Reach Out Club’s food drive continues
Oblock Junior High School Reach Out Club’s third annual Thanksgiving Food Drive continues through Wednesday. Donations will be collected at the Plum school, 440 Presque Isle Drive. The club is asking for canned goods such as vegetables, pie crusts and fillings, apple juice and boxed goods like stuffing, desserts and...
Plum’s proposed 2020 budget includes vehicle purchases, no tax hike
Plum officials plan to hold the line on property taxes and lease several police and public works vehicles as part of next year’s budget. Council voted 5-0 at this month’s meeting to advertise its 2020 spending plan. Councilmen John Anderson and Mike Pastor were absent. Taxes were raised in 2016...
Plum School District officials dedicate new high school vestibule, show other security upgradesVideo
Plum School District officials believe their new security vestibule will become the safety standard at other schools. “Sometimes they say the leading edge is the bleeding edge, but not in this case,” Superintendent Brendan Hyland said. “We’re leading, and I think you’re going to be very proud of the amount...
Plum Town Center construction manager approved, borough plans moving forward
More pieces are falling into place for a proposed Plum municipal center. Council voted 5-0 Wednesday night to appoint Massaro Construction of O’Hara as the Plum Town Center’s construction manager at an estimated cost of $425,000. Councilmen John Anderson and Mike Pastor were absent. The project’s estimated cost is $12...
Comedian Joe Bartnick returns home to Pittsburgh for birthday celebration
Legendary funnyman Joe Bartnick returns home to Pittsburgh on Friday for an event five decades in the making. The best-selling author will take the stage at Club Cafe for a birthday bash. Doors open at 10 p.m. with the show starting at 10:30 at 56 S. 12th St. in the...
Whitaker family assisted by American Red Cross after fire
Fire crews were still on the scene of a house fire in Whitaker after 11 p.m. Tuesday. The blaze at 1222 River Road was reported shortly before 9 p.m., according to Allegheny County dispatchers, who said there were no injuries reported. A family was being assisted by the American Red...
West Deer family displaced by fire
Members of a West Deer family discovered their house was on fire Tuesday night when the lights snapped off and they went to investigate, according to a township fire chief. “It probably was the fire burning some of the circuits,” said West Deer No. 3 Fire Chief Josh Wiegand. The...
Route 28 crash snarls traffic, no injuries reported
A one-vehicle crash along Route 28 southbound between the Tarentum and Harmar exits snarled traffic Tuesday. State police said no one was hurt when a white van went off the road and into a guardrail shortly before 3 p.m. Southbound traffic was reduced to one lane in the area, and...
Union: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette lays off over 30 Teamsters
More than 30 Teamsters were laid off from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sunday, officials from the Teamsters Local Union No. 211 said Tuesday in a news release. Union officials said the layoffs included three pressmen who were offered six weeks of severance pay. The union responded by filing a complaint...
Oakmont officials’ 2020 spending plan includes more paving and no tax hike
Oakmont officials are confident they will hold the line on taxes with next year’s budget. It’s been about four years since council raised taxes to the current 3.73-mill rate. The proposed 2020 spending plan will not be advertised until next month, with council’s Dec. 16 voting session as its projected...
Things happening in Oakmont and Plum this week
Need help finding something to do in Oakmont or Plum this week? Here are some options: • Oakmont Carnegie Library hosts Gentle Yoga with instructor Cora Fetchko 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at 700 Allegheny River Blvd. The program is suitable for all levels and no registration is necessary. • Meditation with...
Oakmont Water Authority crews fix main break along Allegheny AvenueVideo
Oakmont Water Authority crews worked to fix a water main break along Allegheny Avenue Monday afternoon. Crews were excavating near California and Allegheny avenues around 2:30 p.m. Officials said it was a small break on a 12-inch line and did not disrupt service. Temporary traffic lights were installed along Allegheny...
DUI, firearms cases among cases those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Nov. 8, 2019
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Sean Talley, 20, of East Pittsburgh on charges of flight to avoid apprehension, failure to keep right possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence, failure to stop...
New ladder truck sought by Oakmont volunteer firefighters
Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department officials want to replace two aging pieces of equipment with a new ladder truck. Fire Chief Dave Carroll said his current vehicles have proven cumbersome when responding to calls at four-story structures and other larger buildings. “Right now, we’re kind of outgunned in the borough with...
Democrats sweep Republican challengers for 4 Oakmont Council seats
Democrats swept Republican challengers for four Oakmont Council seats. Three of the seats are four-year terms; the other is a two-year term. Former councilwoman Nancy Ride was the top vote-getter at 20.5% followed by newcomer Lindsay Osterhout at 19.4% and former councilwoman Sophia Facaros at 18%, according to unofficial returns...
Christmas comes early with fourth annual holiday festival at Plum Creek Park
More vendors, a different Christmas tree location and new Santa’s Shop are among the latest attractions planned for the fourth annual Christmas at Plum Creek. The Grinch and other holiday characters are also expected to be in the borough for the tree lighting festival on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 4575...
Plans to recreate Chateau Beach in Oakmont moving forwardVideo
Chateau Beach, a popular recreation spot along the Allegheny River in Oakmont during the 1920s and ’30s, might be restored with a more modern look next year. Borough officials recently acquired a $200,000 grant through the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development Greenways Trails and Recreation program for the...
Pittsburgh police: Woman critical after being hit by vehicle in Lawrenceville
A 71-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition Thursday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle in Lawrenceville. Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said police responded to a pedestrian accident around 1:50 p.m. Thursday at 51st and Butler streets. The woman was found unconscious on the street and taken to UPMC...
Storm water repairs to take place in Verona this month
Emergency repairs to a sinkhole and stormwater pipe in Verona are set to begin this month. A hole about 20-feet wide and 10-feet deep opened up at Second Avenue and Church Street – causing a manhole to open – and stormwater washed away a portion of the roadway. Borough Engineer...
Suspect wanted in 2 Dormont business robberies
A gas station and movie theater in Dormont were robbed within 24 hours. Police posted a photo of the suspect wanted in connection with the Tuesday and Wednesday robberies via the department’s Facebook page. He is a black man wearing a green coat and yellow tassel cap. Anyone with information...
Riverview School District’s PR consultant resigns
Oakmont Councilwoman Carrie DelRosso has resigned as Riverview School District’s public relations consultant. She submitted her letter of resignation earlier this month. School board members may vote to accept it Nov. 11 . DelRosso was hired by the district in 2016. Her last official day is Dec. 31. She’s offered...
