Tom Yerace stories
Allegheny Valley School Board opts to leave cellphone policy as is
The Allegheny Valley School Board won’t disconnect students from their cellphones, but state legislators still could. The board voted — after the first reading of a proposed electronic device policy — not to change its current policy, according to board President Paula Jean Moretti. The proposed policy would have further...
Lower Burrell plans $16M replacement of sewage pump station
Lower Burrell officials are planning to borrow $15.8 million to stop untreated sewage from spilling into a creek and onto properties during heavy rains. The project will replace the sewage pump station at the foot of Edgecliff Road and the 50-year-old line through which it pumps sewage to the treatment...
Buffalo Township police to get upgraded Tasers and new body and vehicle cameras
Buffalo Township supervisors have approved a program to upgrade equipment for the police department. The board voted unanimously to approve a five-year contract with Axon, an Arizona-based public safety equipment manufacturer. Police Chief Timothy Derringer said Axon will be updating the department’s Tasers, the nonlethal weapons that emit an electric...
Washington Township hires new police officer, gets his police dog as part of the deal
For the first time, Washington Township will have a police dog as part of its police department. On Thursday, District Justice Jason Buczak swore in new Patrolman Dylan Keffer and his police dog, a German shepherd named Dirk, during the township supervisors’ meeting. Supervisors Chairman Rich Gardner confirmed Dirk is...
Tarentum buys more power for its distribution grid
Tarentum Council has approved agreements with two power generators in an effort to mitigate the skyrocketing costs of obtaining electricity. The agreements will help ensure capacity for the borough-owned power grid while trying to steady the cost to consumers, Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said. He said that capacity is defined...
Washington Township approves fees on skill game machines
The Washington Township Supervisors are levying a fee on owners of electric skill game machines that offer monetary payouts. By a 2-0 vote with chairman Rich Gardner absent, the supervisors approved an ordinance that levies annual fees on the machines. Mechanical skill games look similar to slot machines and are...
Freeport Area School District eyeing options as budget deficit looms
Freeport Area School District officials are looking at a possible $180,000 deficit as the June 30 budget deadline approaches. That is the message Brad Walker, district business manager, recently delivered to the school board. “That is based on no new local revenue to our funds,” Walker said. The district has...
Successful grant applications leave Springdale Township with problem of scheduling projects
Springdale Township officials have a problem most other communities would envy — how to complete a half-dozen public works projects they might actually have the money to get done. The list of projects ranges from water line replacements to road reconstruction. “I don’t think we can finish all these this...
East Deer plans for repairs and other construction this summer
East Deer is set to be a hub of improvement work this spring and summer according to township officials. “We have five major projects that are going to be constructed this year,” Commissioners chairman Tony Taliani said. “We’ve been approved for grants for all of them.” The projects include: •...
Arnold park improvements on hold after higher-than-expected cost estimates
Upgrades to Arnold’s Roosevelt Park may have to wait after estimates for work there came in significantly higher than expected. City officials planned to use Community Development Block Grant money to pay for upgrades, but the costs are far exceeding the money available. The city will have to redo its...
Arnold Council hires financial clerk as new city manager
Mario Bellavia has stepped down as Arnold’s city manager, and council wasted no time naming a successor. Jennifer Schwartz, 43, of Lower Burrell was hired unanimously as the new city manager. Schwartz has served as a financial clerk at city hall for the past six months. Her new job begins...
Harrison officials seek $3.2 million in grant money for sewer projects
Harrison Township officials are pursuing more than $3.2 million in grant money for proposed sewer projects. The commissioners voted to approve grant applications for six different projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority last week. “They are all state LSA (Local Share Account) grants,” Township Manager Amy Rockwell said. “There is...
Highlands comes to tentative ‘early bird’ contract with its teachers
The Highlands School Board is moving to ensure labor peace with the district’s teachers union for the rest of the decade. The board has unanimously approved a tentative “early bird” contract with the Highlands Education Association, the district’s teachers union. “We are thrilled that this early bird has an agreement,”...
Springdale Township commissioners want to review further proposed on-street parking rules
The Springdale Township commissioners have delayed action on a proposed ordinance to regulate on-street parking. The commissioners discussed the ordinance Thursday but agreed to hold off further action to give them more to study it. “The whole issue is to limit street parking, not to be onerous, but to allow...
AT&T to erect 93-foot antenna at Highlands football field to improve cellphone service in Harrison
AT&T will erect a new light standard with a cellular antenna attached on property owned by Highlands School District. The Harrison Township commissioners voted 4-0 at its October meeting to approve a conditional use for the project following a public hearing. Commissioner Eric Bengel voted “present.” No one from the...
State budget impasse has Springdale Township considering loans for infrastructure projects
Springdale Township officials might have to borrow money to finance projects in the next two years. “We are looking at borrowing money in a big way for major projects that we were hoping to get grants for,” said Commissioner Tim Basilone, accounts and finance director. “It looks like most of...
Arnold councilman calls for spending freeze as city faces $200k shortfall
Concerns about Arnold’s finances prompted one councilman to call for a halt to spending. Councilman Phil McKinley, the city’s director of accounts and finance, made that pitch at a recent council meeting. It came amid a projection by City Manager Mario Bellavia that Arnold is facing a $200,000 deficit as...
Arnold approves settlements with former police chiefs Josh Stanga, Eric Doutt
Arnold Council voted this week to approve financial settlements with two former police chiefs — Josh Stanga and his predecessor, Eric Doutt. Council agreed to a financial settlement that pays $12,000 to Stanga, whose resignation was accepted on Sept. 9. He was suspended in August 2024 after being arrested by...
Harrison goes with new garbage hauler to keep the same service, but residents will pay more
The Harrison Commissioners voted to stay the course on its garbage collection system, even though it will cost more. The commissioners voted 3-2 to award a three-year, $4.9 million garbage hauling contract to Noble Environmental, which also does business as County Hauling. The new contract will boost residents’ monthly rate...
Lower Burrell Family Dollar property to have its real estate tax slashed by 40%
Real estate taxes on the Family Dollar Store in Lower Burrell apparently will be slashed for this year and next. The Burrell School Board approved a real estate assessment appeal settlement with Greensburg Road LLC, et. al., the owner of the property. The settlement would reduce its school taxes by...
East Deer to decide which ambulance service to use in the future
East Deer Commissioners face an important decision on what emergency medical service will care for its residents. Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said Lower Valley Ambulance Service notified the township it will make a proposal to include East Deer in its coverage area. He said the other option is the EMS...
Freeport Area eyes state budget impasse; finances OK for now
Although the state budget impasse could soon threaten Pennsylvania school districts’ operations, Freeport Area officials are not reaching for the panic button — yet. The state’s budget allocates millions of dollars in education subsidies every year, which are critical for financing district operations. Freeport Area was projected to receive almost...
Freeport Area superintendent thinks national recognition serves as confirmation of district’s decisions
As Freeport Area High School’s recent ranking by a national publication boosts community pride, Superintendent Ian Magness says it could be a reality check for some. In late August, U.S. News & World Report released its assessment of 24,000 high schools throughout the United States with 18,000 judged on six...
Rob Haus officially becomes Arnold police chief, ending tumultuous 12 months
Arnold Mayor Shannon Santucci has appointed Rob Haus as the city’s new police chief. Santucci announced the appointment at Tuesday’s council meeting, ending a year of uncertainty as to who would lead the department on a permanent basis. Haus has been leading the department on an interim basis as former...
Harrison commissioners try to address trucks using Rambler Drive as a shortcut
Keeping truck traffic off Rambler Drive poses a problem for the Harrison commissioners. Residents have complained about big trucks using the residential street between Saxonburg Road and Freeport Road. Commissioner Eric Bengel brought up the complaints at the commissioners’ meeting Monday. He suggested solving the problem by putting up signs...
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