Carnegie Signal Item category, Page 52
Carnegie Carnegie Corner: Remembering veterans of long ago
For Union Civil War veterans, April 1865 started a time of healing and renewal. We often forget that there were no social safety nets for these men who so nobly served the call to arms to defend the Union. Not until 1930 was there a Veterans Administration as we know...
Former councilman and former Carlynton board member sworn in on Carnegie Council
Two familiar faces in the community have joined Carnegie Council for the next four years. Former Carnegie Councilman Rick D’Loss and former Carlynton School Board member Tom DiPietro were sworn in Monday, along with incumbent Sue Demko, who was sworn in to serve another term. “I’ve always been interested in...
John Oyler: New Year musings
Although it is still 2019 as I write this, we will be well into the new year by the time it is published. Rather than focus on my New Year’s resolutions, this column will discuss our wish list for the new year and for the new decade. A good place...
No tax increase in Carnegie budget
Real estate taxes will remain the same for Carnegie residents in 2020. Borough council members unanimously approved the municipality’s spending plan at a special meeting on Dec. 30 that included holding the tax rate at 6.75 mills. The budget includes a $6.8 million general fund, $3 million sewer fund and...
Carnegie’s 125th anniversary, Carlynton’s superintendent hire among year’s top stories
Carnegie Borough celebrated its quasquicentennial birthday in 2019 with a look back at the last 125 years that made the municipality great. Carlynton School District ended a long search at the cap off the year with the hiring of a new superintendent and Chartiers Valley School District opened the doors...
John Oyler: notable Bridgeville residents
In today’s world, Wikipedia has replaced the Britannica as a basic reference for significant, as well as trivial, information. Wikipedia follows a simple format for similar subjects. For small communities, they include a topic entitled “Notable People.” The Bridgeville entry in this category includes seven people — five athletes and...
Carlynton students ‘mix it up’
Kelci Bertosh was a little scared, but also excited to sit at a lunch table with a group of peers she rarely talks to at Carlynton Junior Senior High School. While the conversation started off slow — with basic questions like “Do you play any sports?” or “What’s your favorite...
Carnegie Carnegie corner: ‘On stage’ with Melanie Paglia
From the beginning of existence, humans have been dreaming, creating and telling tales that entertain, explain the inexplicable and push our potential beyond imagination. A Jan. 25 music hall performance captures this magic. In the late 19th century, the invention of the film camera opened a new world of possibilities...
John Oyler: a Christmas letter
Writing a weekly column is an interesting experience, primarily because of the absence of immediate feedback. My family and close friends do comment frequently, but the majority of my audience is remote and unknown to me. Occasionally, someone I know will remark on something I’ve written or some complete stranger...
Carlynton student displays model trains at Carnegie historical society
Jacob Kaltz smiles as a small train chugs through the heart of Carnegie. The train display, set up in the center of Miniature Main Street — a small replica created to look like the town in the 1940s and ’50s — brings added charm to the Historical Society of Carnegie...
Literacy Pittsburgh helps immigrants learn English, integrateVideo
Oksana Slota knew only a few English words when she moved to the United States from Ukraine six years ago. But she wanted to learn more. She wanted to be able to communicate with people in her new country. She wanted friends and to be able to help her children...
Chartiers Valley students shop with Collier, Bridgeville and Scott copsVideo
Bridgeville police Chief Chad King filled a shopping cart full of plastic cups and Brillo pads with the help of his new friend, Brady. The two talked about their shared love of World War II history and Bethel Bakery as they made their way through the Scott Township Walmart on...
Plans for new South Fayette municipal building, community center move forward
South Fayette commissioners hosted a public meeting Tuesday as the first step in drafting a strategic plan for the township. Commissioners listed facilities, economic development, public safety, infrastructure, finances, operations and parks and recreation as the issues to address. They also agreed to prioritize facilities and began discussing a new...
John Oyler: The Allegheny City Ragtime Orchestra
About a year ago, I heard the Allegheny City Ragtime Orchestra in concert at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie. I enjoyed that concert immensely and have been looking for a chance to hear them again. Recently, thanks to the website of their leader, Tom Roberts,...
Carnegie, Collier and Scott happenings
LifeSpan’s Chartiers Resource Center for Older Adults will host a trip to Wildwood, N.J., from May 31-June 5. The cost is $575 per person for a double and includes transportation, hotel, breakfasts, dinners, cruise and tourist attractions. Call 412-464-1300 for more information. Carnegie happenings • Escorted by the Carnegie Volunteer Fire...
Bridgeville gets grant to help alleviate flooding
Bridgeville leaders are hoping $525,000 in grants will help to alleviate flooding in the community. In November, the Commonwealth Financing Authority announced that the municipality received funds for two projects through the Allegheny County Gaming and Economic Development fund that will address flooding in the borough. “There is a need...
Taxes to remain the same for 2020 South Fayette budget
South Fayette Township commissioners gave final approval to a $13.1 million 2020 budget that, according to township manager John Barrett, only deviates slightly from the one presented last month. Commissioners also approved a 4.73 millage rate, which means no property tax increase for the coming year. Barrett highlighted a couple...
Bridgeville increases spending, keeps current tax rates
While the 2020 Bridgeville budget calls for a spending increase of almost $337,000, residents will not see their taxes go up. Borough council unanimously approved the $3.2 million general fund budget Dec. 9. Commissioners also approved maintaining current rates of 6.5 mills on buildings and 10 mills on land. With multiple delayed...
Carnegie library launches new column
More than three years ago, a Trib Total Media rep gave the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall (ACFL&MH) the opportunity to advertise, for free, in the Signal Item’s “Big Flyer” insert. As the library doesn’t have an advertising budget, it was a great way for us to be...
John Oyler: Abood, Calabro and Shady
The November program meeting for the Bridgeville Area Historical Society was an outstanding presentation by Georgeanne Abood Henson about three very special members of the Greatest Generation — her grandfather, George Abood; his cousin, George Shady; and their boyhood friend and neighbor, Peter Calabro. These three young men grew up...
Heightened security at Carnegie Elementary after email threat received
Maximum security measures will be taken at Carnegie Elementary School during the next few days in the wake of a threat. Principal Lauren Baughman notified parents Wednesday that she received an emailed threat Wednesday morning indicating something would take place Friday. The school was placed on lockdown and police departments...
Sale of Crafton property would benefit borough, Carlynton
A 5.24-acre property in Crafton is worth $3.5 million to a developer that recently reached a deal with Carlynton School District. The sales agreement with Armstrong Development, which is affiliated with Giant Eagle, more specifically GetGo, is contingent upon the school district acquiring nearly 1.25 acres owned by the borough....
Carlynton taps North Allegheny principal as new superintendent
North Allegheny Senior High School principal John Kreider is the new superintendent for the Carlynton School District. School directors unanimously approved Kreider to be the district’s next leader at the board meeting Tuesday. Kreider will begin his duties on or before Feb. 7. He will remain at North Allegheny to...
John Oyler: Autumn in the woods
For me, autumn began this year when the harvest moon made its appearance in mid-October as I was returning home from a visit with my daughter, Elizabeth, and her family. I had just crossed the Ohio River on the I-79 Shipbuilders’ Bridge when suddenly I was confronted by a gorgeous...
Carlynton presents ‘Our Town’
Emotions run high as the cast of Carlynton High School’s fall play, “Our Town,” rehearse for the show. As a tight-knit group — with 11 seniors out of the 27 cast members — performing in a show about life and moving on hits close to home. As the production’s stage...
