Shaler Journal category, Page 2
Frick Environmental Center exhibit evokes iconic Vanka murals for a new era
The murals of Croatian immigrant artist Maksimilijan “Maxo” Vanka have loomed over Millvale’s St. Nicholas Church for more than 80 years, heavily integrating the immigrant experience in the United States. Now, a new generation of creators is picking up that conversation. On Thursday, the Frick Environmental Center in Frick Park...
Long-time coach provides ‘GPS’ for youths in book detailing challenges from childhood
A McCandless resident, known to many in the North Hills as Coach Dave Gray, is celebrating the release of his debut book, “Next Point Wins: A Playbook for Future Champions.” The book details what it was like growing up as a foster child, finally being adopted, his challenges as a...
Sharpsburg, Etna, Millvale ramp up efforts to connect residents with food resources
Leaders in Sharpsburg, Etna and Millvale are ramping up efforts to help people struggling after a government pause of SNAP benefits and an overall increase in grocery costs. A list of food resources was developed to help people in need across the tri-borough area. “We’ve had so many more people...
A.W. Beattie students turn Thanksgiving parade into schoolwide event benefiting North Hills Community Outreach
Giving thanks and giving back to those in need were the themes of a student-led Thanksgiving parade at A.W. Beattie Career Center in McCandless. It also was a special treat for the preschoolers of Beattie’s Kiddie Tech program, who got to march in the parade around the school. While the...
Veterans and active-duty military members find a career fit with Postal Service
Two words: mail call. That may be one of the most welcoming phrases for deployed men and women in the U.S. military, said Ross resident Mark Wahl, a strategic communications specialist for the U.S. Postal Service. So, it’s rather fitting that the Postal Service also has been a rewarding career...
Etna mourning death of councilman, seeks resident to fill Second Ward seat
Candidates are being sought to replace Etna Councilman Edward V. Burke, 65, who died on Monday, Nov. 10. “We are extremely saddened by this loss, as Ed was kind and a hardworking volunteer on everything Etna, who always had a kind word for everyone,” the borough said Nov. 19. A...
2026 Etna budget holds line on property taxes, but garbage cost increasing
No property tax increase is included with Etna’s proposed 2026 budget, but residents will be paying more for garbage collection. The borough’s tax rate would remain at 9.5 mills. The owner of a property at Etna’s median value of $58,450 would continue to pay about $555 per year. “Council worked...
Shaler Area School Board approves plan to move grades, starting process to close elementary school
The Shaler Area School Board voted Wednesday, Nov. 19, to begin a process that will lead to the closing of the district’s elementary school. The board voted 8-0 to submit a reconfiguration plan to the state Department of Education to create four elementary schools to house kindergarten through fifth grade,...
Shaler Hampton EMS gets grant to help replace problematic ambulance
A state grant will help Shaler Hampton EMS replace a problematic ambulance that had broken down six times in less than two weeks, its chief said. The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded a $213,041 grant to the ambulance authority that serves Shaler, Hampton and Etna. The grant comes from the Gaming...
Shaler parks study recommends $17 million community center in Kiwanis Park
A study of Shaler’s parks has recommended construction of a smaller community center in Kiwanis Park that would cost about $17 million. The plan, prepared by OHM Advisors, is expected to guide future parks and recreation investment and operations in the township for the next decade. In addition to studying...
Survivor of 1999 Columbine shooting discusses life-altering trauma, coping: ‘It gets better. I wouldn’t say it gets easier’
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Heather Martin is a 1999 graduate of Columbine High School in Colorado. She was a 17-year-old senior on April 20, 1999, during...
Millvale’s Small Business Saturday event offers chance to discover ‘eclectic’ businesses
Since American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010, Black Friday has typically been associated with hitting the malls and big-box retailers for after-Thanksgiving deals, while that Saturday is the day to support local businesses. But for Alec Munson, owner of B-Sides Vintage in Millvale since 2020, Black Friday had...
Pittsburgh native Michael Misko keeps whimsy alive with comedy-laden magic act
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Most people start their career sitting behind a screen in an office cubicle, but Pittsburgh-raised magician Michael Misko’s career started in the...
No property tax increase included in Shaler’s proposed $17.4 million budget for 2026
Shaler property owners have not seen a township tax increase since 2020, and that trend is expected to continue for 2026. No property tax increase is included with Shaler’s proposed $17.4 million 2026 spending plan. The tax rate would remain at 3.49 mills. The last increase, from 2.49 mills to...
At the library: Here are some upcoming events at the Glenshaw, Millvale and Shaler North Hills facilities
GLENSHAW PUBLIC LIBRARY The Glenshaw Public Library, 1504 Butler Plank Road, Shaler, was established in 1895 and is known as the oldest free library west of the Alleghenies. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays for a quilters meet-up, 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m....
Veterans touched by ceremony, parade at Holy Cross Academy in Ross
A time of reflection, reverence and recognition was part of the annual Veterans Day celebration and parade Nov. 7 at Holy Cross Academy in Ross. “It’s very emotional,” said Dave W. Graver of McCandless, who was visibly moved after coming out of the church service honoring the veterans. Graver served...
Shaler Area program offers educational experience for preschoolers, older students
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. The preschool program at Shaler Area High School is a unique experience. High school students act as the instructors alongside child development...
In brief: Happenings across the Shaler Journal area
Shaler plans Lite Up Night Shaler’s annual Lite Up Night will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Shaler North Hills Library and Shaler Area Middle School on Mt. Royal Boulevard. There will be a parade on Mt. Royal followed by the tree lighting at 4:45 p.m....
Shaler notebook: 1st playoff victory in almost 40 years inspires girls soccer team
Gabby Alcalde stepped to the line first for the Shaler girls soccer team during its penalty kick shootout with Franklin Regional in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. Alcalde’s attempt was saved and she agonized over the next few minutes. But the Titans pulled through during what...
Playoff win gives Shaler football something to build on
The Shaler football program laid the foundation for more success in 2026. With a potential seismic change to how the WPIAL schedules football on the horizon, it will be an interesting time for all programs. The Titans closed this season with a 42-10 loss to Pine-Richland in the Class 5A...
Faces of the Valley: Paramedic eager to return to Eureka Fire-Rescue after Middle East deployment
Savanna Scholl’s first stop after returning from deployment in the Middle East was Sheetz. “It was 3 in the morning, and I really missed the food in the U.S.,” she said, laughing. “I got mac-and-cheese bites and a milkshake. It was great.” Scholl, a paramedic at Eureka Fire-Rescue in Tarentum,...
La Vigneta Winery reopens in Winfield — this time as a restaurant
What started in 2011 as a small-scale winemaking operation in the basement of Francesca Howden’s home is now a 175-seat upscale restaurant in Winfield. La Vigneta Winery reopened in late October at the former site of the Cooper Station Restaurant on North Pike Road (Route 356). The winemaker previously operated...
$6M proposed Reserve budget for 2026 carries no property tax increase despite rising costs
No property tax increase is included in Reserve’s proposed $6 million budget for 2026. As proposed, the township’s tax rate would remain 6.47 mills, following a 1-mill increase for 2025. For a property at the township’s $95,000 median value, the annual township property tax bill would remain at about $615....
Cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center thank veterans with free haircuts
As a thank-you for veterans, cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center’s training salon provided free haircuts for all members of the military, past and present, on Veterans Day. The training salon, located at the school along Babcock Boulevard, is a full-service salon for students in the cosmetology program. This...
Shaler Area High School’s assistant principal encourages students to pursue their passions
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Shaler Area High School has seen many new things since the start of the school year. One of the most notable changes...
