Bethel Park Journal category, Page 36
Shoot 360 basketball facility opens at Cool Springs Sports Complex
Student-athletes from Bethel Park and beyond wanting to up their basketball game have a new opportunity to do so at the Cool Springs Sports Complex. The recently opened Shoot 360 facility uses artificial intelligence and interactive technology as training tools. According to a news release, it is the first location...
Neighbor Spotlight: Bethel Park detective retires to take deputy chief job in Crescent Township
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Bethel Park School Board race has 7 candidates seeking nods for 4 ballot spots
Bethel Park School District’s political landscape will change this year as no incumbents sought reelection. Those on the board calling it a career, for now, include board president Pamela Dobos, Russ Spicuzza, Connie Ruhl and Ken Nagel. Seven people have cross-filed seeking Democratic and Republican nominations in the May 18...
Bethel Park School District employee charged with having guns on district property
A Bethel Park School District security guard was arrested Monday morning and charged with having firearms on school grounds, according to Bethel Park police Chief Timothy O’Connor. Bernard Switala, 43, of Bethel Park was taken into custody at the high school on a separate Allegheny County police warrant when officers...
In brief: community blood drive, Tai Chi sessions and more in Bethel Park
Treehaven Garden Club will hold its annual Mother’s Day Weekend Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 8 at the South Park Shops. The sale will be held on the sidewalk in front of Rite Aid and Pet Supplies Plus. Hanging baskets from Lenik Nursery, herbs, gift baskets and...
Bethel Park real estate transactions for the week of May 2, 2021
Bethel Park Joseph Cuzzupe III sold property at 2513 Bethel Church Road to Matthew Millar and Courtney Morrison for $264,700. Robbi Silvis sold property at 5916 Dalmation Drive to Joseph Spataro and Tammy Reppert for $285,000. Michael Manke sold property at 5961 Kings School Road to Bryan Daniels and Emily...
Bethel Park girls lacrosse trending in championship direction
The Bethel Park girls lacrosse team has all the makings of a powerhouse unit. Through 10 games, the Black Hawks were 10-0, 7-0 in league play, with 195-38 overall scoring advantage — a differential of a 157 goals. “So far, we have done everything I knew we were capable of,”...
Bethel Park’s Psotka sets sights on WPIAL javelin title
Under normal conditions, Bethel Park’s Alexa Psotka would be striving this year for her fourth consecutive appearance at the WPIAL Class AAA track and field finals. “Alexa qualified for the WPIAL championship as a freshman and sophomore, even making the final flight her sophomore year,” coach Mark Jacobs said. “She...
Bethel Park council candidates seek their parties’ nominations
Editor’s note: Bethel Park Journal is only spotlighting contested races in the primary election. In Bethel Park, representatives in the odd-numbered wards are up for election this year. Ward 1 According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections unofficial candidate list, Democrat incumbent Joseph Consolmagno is running unopposed in the...
Bethel Park leaders seeking to amend home rule charter
Bethel Park officials hope to hire a municipal planner with the best qualifications for the job – even if that means soliciting from outside the borough. Leaders are asking voters to support a referendum in the May 18 primary that would amend the municipal planner residency requirement in the home...
Bethel Park Library offering in-person outdoor programs
Bethel Park Public Library, located at 5100 W. Library Ave., is open to the public. Masks are required, high-touch areas including countertops and tables are disinfected daily and hand sanitizer is available throughout the library. Public computers are limited to one hour of use per day. All materials are quarantined...
Bethel Park School District officials honor staffer, other partners in the fight against covid
Having community partners can be a big boost for school districts fighting the covid-19 pandemic. Bethel Park officials understand that and recognized some of them at April’s school board meeting. School board president Pamela Dobos presented certificates to elementary school nurse Eileen Wallace, Spartan Pharmacy owner Adam Rice, and South...
Bethel Park to remain at 4 days in-person learning the rest of the school year
Bethel Park School District students will remain on a four-day in-person schedule through the rest of this school year. School directors adopted a resolution solidifying that plan Tuesday night. It also authorizes the administration to start planning for five-day in-person learning at the start of next school year. Board President...
Lizzy Groetsch, Aislin Malcolm among 20 WPIAL girls basketball players named all-state
North Allegheny’s Lizzy Groetsch and Chartiers Valley’s Aislin Malcolm each added another statewide honor to their resumes. Groetsch, a senior, and Malcolm, a junior, each earned Pennsylvania Player of the Year honors in their classifications when girls basketball all-state teams were announced Monday. Groetsch was named the state’s top player...
In brief: Shred it event, candidates forum and more in Bethel Park
Shred It event Guardian Storage of Bethel Park is having a Shred It Day on May 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Up to five file boxes can have free shredding. A monetary donation or free school supplies would be appreciated in exchange for shredding. For more information, visit the Bethel...
Bethel Park’s Westphal looks forward to future at Duquesne
Olivia Westphal is recognized as one of the best Bethel Park basketball players in school history. “My four years at Bethel Park went extremely fast,” she said, “and I was fortunate to have very talented teammates throughout my four years.” A highly talented 5-foot-10 guard known for her deft shooting...
Bethel Park real estate transactions for the week of April 25, 2021
Estate of Robert Graeser sold property at 5940 Barnes Ave. to Daniel Halaszynski for $160,000. Estate of John Kraves sold property at 2662 Broad St. to Laura Devine for $260,000. Michael Constantin sold property at 7132 Dumbarton Pl to Birkha Thapa for $265,000. Max William Caldwell sold property at 2516...
Bethel Park Spring Makeover Challenge underway
Bethel Park is coordinating the Bethel Park Spring Makeover Challenge through June 20. According to a news release, the program is a joint effort of the Buy Bethel Initiative and the Bethel Park Kindness Project. “We felt that this would be an enjoyable spring event that would also support our...
Bethel Park chasing another section baseball title and more
Bethel Park baseball is striving for a banner season in 2021. And with ample reasons. The Black Hawks, section champions and WPIAL semifinalists in 2019, were among the favorites to win the Class 6A title a year ago. “My expectations were pretty high going into this season,” coach Pat Zehnder...
Led by lineup loaded with Division I recruits, Bethel Park off to strong start in Class 6A
The Bethel Park softball team is one of the favorites this year to reach the WPIAL Class 6A championship game. The Black Hawks were ranked No. 2 in their division in the Trib HSSN preseason rankings and have since moved up to No. 1. And through five games, the Black...
Bethel Park School District developing comprehensive plan for future decisions
James Walsh has been Bethel Park School District’s superintendent for less than a semester and is already working with district and community leaders on plans for the next half-decade and beyond. He, as well as a steering committee of about 30 to 40 people including teachers, parents, students, school board...
Passionate beer makers bring Drowning Fish Brewing Company to Bethel Park
A friendship that began decades ago over a mutual affinity for homebrewed beer has culminated in the opening of a new brewpub in Bethel Park. Don Tomino of Pleasant Hills and Mike Ameel of Bethel Park plan to open the doors to the Drowning Fish Brewing Company along Library Road...
Bethel Park police announce Merit Award recipients
Three Bethel Park police officers were recently honored for their outstanding work in 2020. Since 1969, staff and sworn law enforcement have voted annually for the department’s Merit Award recipients, those who have displayed outstanding devotion of duty and service to the community. Top vote-getters were K-9 officer Andrew Jacobs,...
Trib Total Media launches Bethel Park Journal, MeSearch website
The first issue of the new weekly Bethel Park Journal hit mailboxes today. The covid-19 pandemic has upended our way of life. It also has highlighted the importance of local news, not only as a reprieve from the weight of national news, but because it’s more vital than ever for...
New Bethel Park superintendent James Walsh planning for the future
James Walsh believes his more than 30-year journey in education has well-prepared him for the challenge of being Bethel Park School District superintendent. “I see Bethel Park as one of the academic and educational leaders in Western Pennsylvania,” he said. “It would be the capstone of my career to be...
