Bethel Park Journal category
In brief: Holiday concert, Rotary scholarship and more around Bethel Park
Holiday concert Community Band South, Bethel Park High School Top 21 and the Handbell Ringers of Southminster Presbyterian will perform from 2:30-4 p.m. Dec. 7 for the Dean Streator Holiday Concert. Attendees are asked to come early as parking is limited at the Bethel Park Community Center. This is a...
Bethel Park student achievements for the week of Dec. 9, 2025
When Bethel Park High School graduate Elsie Eason transferred into Slippery Rock University, she knew that she wanted to teach. A nursing major at her previous school, Eason had a close friend at SRU who pushed for her to come to The Rock to study education. “I wanted to become...
Ruthfred Acres Woman’s Club crafters make blankets for foster children
Members of the Ruthfred Acres Woman’s Club have once again demonstrated the power of community and compassion. This year, the club’s dedicated crafters joined forces to create 60 cozy blankets, each lovingly made for children in foster care. The project came together when club members, under the direction of member...
Bethel Park real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 7, 2025
Donna Lynn Accetta sold property at 605 Arkwood Drive to James and Karen Ann Melnik for $188,000. Jens Hebestreit sold property at 2311 Casswell Drive to Matthew King and Corrine Hebestreit for $350,000. Jodi Beurbrouck sold property at 1343 Centerman Ave. to James William Yauger and Stephanie Hook for $362,000....
Bethel Park constructing band shell in Millennium Park
Music enthusiasts are in for a treat at Bethel Park’s Millennium Park, where a band shell is set to be constructed. State officials notified the municipality of a $153,000 grant award toward the construction of a band shell, with the money coming from the Allegheny Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund....
Identification of WWII airman Sidney Burke’s remains was ‘82 years in the making,’ nephew says
For almost all of Paul Hankin’s life, the circumstances surrounding the death of his uncle, Sidney Burke, who was killed while serving in World War II, were a mystery. “We thought we would never find out what had happened,” said Hankin, 83, of Bethel Park. “I had his picture hanging...
In brief: Tree lighting, holiday concert and more in Bethel Park
Tree lighting and holiday market Join us for Bethel Park’s annual Tree Lighting celebration, featuring visits with Santa, a whimsical gingerbread neighborhood, holiday activities and our final indoor market of the season for all your seasonal shopping needs! It’s all happening from 3-7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Bethel Park...
Bethel Park real estate transactions for the week of Nov. 23, 2025
Yu Min Liu sold property at 4484 First St. to BCH Property Group LLC for $270,000. William Ruhl sold property at 2678 Bethel Crest Drive to Michael Matiyasic for $212,000. William Klein sold property at 1227 Clifton Road to EW Investment Group LLC for $45,000. Estate of Norman Mahfood sold...
Bethel Park residents help collect 3,000 pounds of food for nonprofits
With what turned out to be a record-setting shutdown of the federal government delaying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for millions of Americans, Bethel Park resident Tyann Neal decided to practice what she preaches. “I was looking at social media one day, and people were posting so many negative things....
Bethel Park residents to see small tax increase in 2026
Municipal taxes are rising in Bethel Park. Accompanying the 2026 budget, as adopted by council on Nov. 10, is a .6-mill increase in the real estate tax rate, from 3.19 to 3.79 mills. Including the .34 mills dedicated to fire protection, the total for next year is 4.13 mills. The...
Bethel Park’s William Penn ranks 9th among Pa. elementary schools
Bethel Park’s William Penn Elementary School is going out in style. A U.S. News World Report ranking of the best public elementary schools in Pennsylvania has Penn coming in at No. 9. Researchers with the media company compiled data from the U.S. Department of Education focusing on state assessments of...
3 incumbents retain Bethel Park School Board seats
Three incumbents won reelection to Bethel Park School Board, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results. Retaining their seats on Nov. 4 were Democrats Sharon Janosik (7,439 votes) and Buffie Faes (6,904), along with Christina Headley (7,538), who ran as a Republican and Democrat after winning both parties’ nominations in...
Bethel Park mayor reelected, 3 new members voted onto council
Bethel Park’s longtime mayor won reelection Nov. 4, according to unofficial Allegheny County results. Republican Jack Allen garnered 6,926 votes, representing just under 52% of the total cast, in defeating Democrat challenger Jon Lloyd (6,383 votes). Allen was first elected mayor in 2013 after serving on Bethel Park Council since...
Bethel Park pulls away from North Hills in Class 5A 1st round, sets up Peters Township rematch
Bethel Park combined a stout defense with timely offense Friday night, defeating North Hills, 38-7, in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. It was a slow start for the Black Hawks, who found themselves tied 7-7 in the final minutes of the second quarter. That’s when, despite...
Franklin Regional perseveres, beats Bethel Park to earn return trip to WPIAL title game
Fabrizzio Costa’s late-game goal set up by Michael Hillenbrand sent No. 3 Franklin Regional back to Highmark Stadium, defeating No. 2 Bethel Park, 1-0, in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals Tuesday night. “If you give yourself enough opportunities, something good can happen,” Franklin Regional coach Nick White said. “On that...
Bethel Park student achievements for the week of Oct. 28, 2025
Bethel Park High School sophomores Andrea Solorzano and Leena Miloua are creating a new program to help students explore careers and connect with business, healthcare, marketing and law professionals. The initiative, BP Career Connect, grew out of an idea the students discussed on a bus ride home from last year’s...
Bethel Park real estate transactions for the week of Oct. 26, 2025
Samuel Garloff sold property at 5543 Clarene Drive to Megan Crighton trustee for $138,000. Weston Dwayne Homa sold property at 5579 Clarene Drive to Jake and Audrey Babyak for $230,000. Eileen Reiner sold property at 1064 Glen Oak Drive to Michaelis Wilson and Victoria Rutherford for $304,500. Paul Pica sold...
Unsung hero Jack Johnson packs punch for Bethel Park defense
An often-overlooked contributor on the Bethel Park football squad in 2025 was Jack Johnson, a junior linebacker. All Johnson did through nine games was lead the Black Hawks in tackles with 40 total stops, including 29 solo hits. “I think our team has done very well thus far,” Johnson said,...
Workhorse David Dennison fuels high-octane Bethel Park offense
Bethel Park senior standout David Dennison was a gem of an athlete among WPIAL football players in 2025, particularly running backs. And behind Dennison & Co., the Black Hawks enjoyed an outstanding season in 2025, posting a 6-3 record with one game to go thanks to in large part a...
Bethel Park savors 3rd straight section title, wants more
Bethel Park’s boys soccer team won its third consecutive section title with a near-perfect 12-0-2 record. The Black Hawks outlasted Thomas Jefferson (11-2-1) and Trinity (10-3-1) at the top of the section standings and took a 12-2-3 overall record and No. 2 seed into the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. “I...
Bark or Treat at Hartwood Acres Park
What’s cuter than a dog? A dog in a Halloween costume, of course! Dog owners jumped at the chance to show off their costumed canines during the annual Bark or Treat event Oct. 18 at Hartwood Acres Dog Park. The pups participated in a “trick-or-treat” experience, searching the park for...
7 candidates vie for 4 Bethel Park School Board seats
Seven candidates are vying for four seats on the Bethel Park School Board in the general election. One of them, incumbent Christina Headley, won both the Democratic and Republication nominations in the primary. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Karleen Bileck Republican Age: 43 Education: BA Hons in elementary education...
Bethel Park honors residents over age 90
The mulitpurpose area at Bethel Park Community Center was reassuringly crowded, given the nature of the event. Oct. 3 marked the 21st annual gathering of the 90-Plus Club, with a room full of nonagenarian Bethel Park residents gathered for lunch and celebration. Many were new members, attending for the first...
Ave Maria Academy balloon rosary connects students through prayer
The sound of children’s voices could be heard in unison praying as they sat outside of Ave Maria Academy in Bethel Park on Oct. 6 while a rosary made of balloons floated in the air. “This is a great opportunity for the students to pray together,” said Mark Grgurich, co-principal...
Bethel Park council race has 4 contested wards
Races are contested in four wards for municipal council. Residents of Ward 7 and Ward 9 will have new representation on council, while incumbents are running in Ward 1 and Ward 5. Republican John Oakes, council president, is unopposed in Ward 3. Candidates in each of the wards for council...
