Penn Hills Progress category, Page 7
In brief: Roundup of events in the Penn Hills area for the week of June 23, 2025, and beyond
Fire departments collecting cases of water The Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department is in need of cases of bottled water and electrolyte drinks to benefit the firefighters of the municipality’s six stations. During the summer months, fire departments can quickly deplete their supply of bottled water. Everyone is welcome to...
2 mail carriers in Verona earn Million Mile awards for safe driving
The National Safety Council and the U.S. Postal Service recently recognized two mail carriers from the Verona Post Office for their safe driving records. The NSC Million Mile Award is given to drivers who complete either 1 million miles of driving or 30 years of driving without a preventable accident....
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of June 15, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Joshua Holizna sold property at 2523 Collins Road to Hunter Shreffler and Olivia Bitting for $265,000. Thomas Antonacci sold property at 2513 Creekedge Drive to April Simpson for $242,500. Ashleigh Renee Bartges sold property at 1507 Williamsburg Place to Diana Payne for $199,900. Jan Swensen sold property...
Penn Hills School Board member censured, faces possible removal
A Penn Hills School Board member has been censured for a social media post and is facing possible removal from the board. The May voting meeting’s agenda featured a motion to censure board member Devon Goetze. Board member Robert Marra presented the censure and attributed it to a Facebook post...
51st Oakmont Greek Food Festival to feature traditional food, music
Some extra food is being made in preparation for the 51st Oakmont Greek Food Festival presented by the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church at 12 Washington Ave. later this month. Event co-chair Andy Gavrilos said last year’s festival ended in disappointment for some attendees when a few of...
Father of man killed in Penn Hills hookah lounge shooting files wrongful death lawsuit
The father of a man shot and killed last year at the Ballers Hookah Lounge and Cigar Bar in Penn Hills is suing the business and its operators. The plaintiffs — Nathaniel Smiley Sr., whose son, Nathaniel Smiley Jr., was killed, and Earon Chambers, who was wounded — filed the...
Penn Hills School Board results: 7 candidates earn party nods for November general election
Newcomers and incumbents for the Penn Hills School Board will be making an appearance on the November ballot. According to unofficial election results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, out of nine candidates, Democratic newcomers Monica Colbert, 51, Dawn Golden, 54, and Reginald Hickman, 51, and incumbent Nicole Richardson,...
Plum author details RIDC’s efforts to revitalize Pittsburgh region over 7 decades
The Regional Industrial Development Corporation is marking its 70th year of helping guide southwest Pennsylvania’s turbulent economic journey spurred by the steel industry collapse. Plum native Jeff Fraser tells the company’s tale in a newly released book, “Rebuilding Pittsburgh: RIDC and the Transformation of the Steel City.” It details RIDC’s...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of June 8, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Chalfant Estate of Anna Reabe sold property at 125 Wilkins Ave. to AAE Engineering LLC for $63,000. Churchill Timothy Mullins sold property at 12 Lewin Ln to Bryce Cooper for $390,000. Cedar Brook Properties Funding 1 LLC sold property at 140 Thornberry Drive to Robert and Jeannette Fisher...
Verona man arrested in connection with December robbery and shooting
Verona police made an arrest Friday morning in connection with a December robbery and shooting in the borough. According to Verona Officer Thomas Dessell, Price Riley, 37, was wanted for allegedly robbing his Uber driver and later firing a gunshot inside a gas station bathroom in December. “With the assistance...
Penn Hills couple displaced after large tree crashes into their home
The American Red Cross is assisting a Penn Hills couple after a large tree fell into their home Thursday evening. Penn Hills Fire Chief Joe McMeekin said crews were called to the 700 block of Southern Avenue around 8:40 p.m. They found a huge tree that fell from the rear...
Penn Hills man charged following alleged assault outside family court
A Penn Hills man faces a dozen criminal charges after he allegedly assaulted the mother of his two children, and the children, outside of the Family Court Center in Downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Charges against Marlon McMillan, 36, include aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of...
Ross Exceptional Citizens Expo brings out the kid in everyone
Elise Terry’s three children were thrilled to see the big trucks, but she saw another benefit to bringing them to the Exceptional Citizens Expo in Ross on Saturday, May 31. “It’s important for them to know the people that keep us safe and the safety rules,” said Terry of Ross,...
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of June 1, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Chalfant Anise Petite sold property at 134 Parkway Ave. to Frank Smart Family Realty LLC for $25,000. Churchill Jack Williams sold property at 2283 Elmhill Road to Samuel Isac and Carla McNulty Teasdale for $476,850. Forest Hills Estate of Carlena Yvonne Harris sold property at 1987 Centurion Drive...
Penn Hills-based community center enters phase 2 of renovation project
A Penn Hills-based organization is breaking ground to build up the community. The Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens (YBMKQ) De’Avry A. Thomas Community Center received a $1 million check May 29 from state Rep. Joe McAndrew and state Sen. Jay Costa to begin phase 2 of its renovation project....
Questions remain unanswered on 12th anniversary of Trib employee’s disappearance
Dan Niehaus preferred actions over words. Despite being prone to silence with the occasional “hello” and “thank you,” Niehaus of Penn Hills was known as a reliable man and a hard worker. “Dan was a nice guy, but he didn’t talk at all,” said Todd Besh, Trib Total Media production...
Allegheny County Parks create economic spillover in nearby municipalities
Dave Brooke spends at least three days a week at Harrison Hills Park, checking for nesting success in the wooden bluebird boxes that dot the lawns in the Allegheny County-owned space. Birding and conservation are among a number of activities that draw people to the 500-acre park off Freeport Road...
Starring role: Costume design another piece of storytelling for Penn Hills’ musicals
When it comes to school musicals, one of the most important supporting roles is the costumes. Diane Tirio, a costume designer at Penn Hills High School, has been making the costumes there for the past 22 years. “We don’t always make all the costumes, but we always create them,” she...
Penn Hills long jumper takes it ‘to another level’ with unexpected WPIAL gold
Ron Porter III wasn’t following a timeline that suggested he could go from promising prospect to WPIAL Class 3A long jump champion. Following the end of the football season, the Penn Hills senior didn’t have the easiest ramp-up to the spring season. Porter pulled his hamstring during the indoor track...
Penn Hills celebrates grant from NFL, Steelers that paid for new turf
Penn Hills athletic director Steph Strauss always wants to keep an eye out for whatever can help the district’s athletic programs. When she became aware of the NFL’s grant program to help schools with money for new turf, Strauss wanted to make sure Yuhas McGinley Stadium would see some benefits....
Eastern Pittsburgh suburban real estate transactions for the week of May 25, 2025
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Estate of Justine West sold property at 2630 McCrady Road to Mark Thomas and Cheryl Marie Bedmarz Chang for $235,000. Forest Hills Eric Small sold property at 227 Elmore Road to Steven Avers and Hanann Marawi for $230,000. Monroeville Kristine Chusko sold property at 114 Elmwood St....
Last Relay for Life of Riverview planned for May 31 in Oakmont
The end of May will be the end of an era in fundraising for cancer research and awareness in Oakmont. The final laps of Relay for Life of Riverview are planned for May 31 at Riverside Park. The event supporting the American Cancer Society was brought to the borough 25...
Refosco, Cartwright secure Democratic spots on ballot for Penn Hills Council
Two members have been selected from three Democrat candidates to run for Penn Hills Council in November. According to unofficial election results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, newcomers Kimberly “Kim” Refosco, 45, and Ian Cartwright, 47, will be in the competition for two four-year term seats. Uncontested in...
Penn Hills School District’s Innovation Institute to implement community ideas
Penn Hills School District officials have named the 2025-26 cohort for the newest program offered by the district. The district’s Innovation Institute announced the launch of its fellowship cohort and ambassador program May 13. The initiative aims to elevate learning experiences by evaluating and implementing ideas for improvement submitted from...
Penn Hills School District’s proposed budget includes no tax increase
Residents in the Penn Hills School District won’t be seeing a change in their real estate taxes for the upcoming school year. The school directors approved a proposed 2025-26 budget with no tax hike and no cuts to programs or staffing in a unanimous vote May 14. John Zahorchak, the...
