Shaler Journal category, Page 68
Element Church in Millvale hosts annual Backpack Block Party
Element Church hosted its annual Backpack Block Party on Aug. 17. In addition to providing children with the opportunity to choose their own, free backpack full of school supplies to start the school year, there were hot dogs, snow cones, cookies, games, prizes and more on the church grounds as...
Shaler Giant Eagle sells $2 million lottery ticket
The Giant Eagle on Butler Plank Road in Shaler sold a $2 million winning ticket in the Pennsylvania’s Lottery Match 6 drawing on Aug. 16. The ticket matched all six numbers drawn. The Giant Eagle location will receive $10,000 for selling the ticket. The holder of the winning ticket is...
Shaler Area grad awarded 2019 Millvalean Scholarship
Kelsey Cordera is preparing to start her freshman year at Edinboro University with a $3,200 scholarship from three women who also grew up in Millvale. Cordera, 18, is the 2019 Millvalean Scholarship recipient. The scholarship’s name is derived from that of the Millvale High School yearbook. Millvale High School existed...
Shaler commissioners vote to accept McElheny Road settlement
The Shaler commissioners voted Aug. 13 to accept a settlement from Scioto Properties, which will allow up to six residents with traumatic brain injuries to occupy 444 McElheny Road. In return, the developer will dismiss a federal lawsuit claiming that, when the township failed to issue Scioto a property variance...
Shaler manager’s 27-year tenure was originally to be temporary position
Tim Rogers initially accepted an interim Shaler Township manager position, with goals of improving the township’s finances and employee relations while the board of commissioners sought a permanent manager. He has stayed with the township as manager and secretary for 27 years. “My intentions were that I was only going...
Sharpsburg and Etna National Night Out honored first responders
Sharpsburg and Etna celebrated their inaugural National Night Out on Aug. 6, drawing crowds to meet and greet with local first responders. Hosted at the Gateway Portal, along Bridge and North Main streets, the shared event was meant to boost relationships among neighbors and emergency personnel. “It was a fun...
ScareHouse to create Scream District in Strip District
Pittsburgh’s popular haunted attraction ScareHouse is transforming. The creators of ScareHouse, formerly housed on Locust Street in Etna, will present a new attraction called “The Scream District” in a new temporary home in the Strip District. An exact location has not been revealed. The new iteration of the ScareHouse will...
Wig-wearing man who robbed Shaler, Harmar banks gets 6½ years in prison
A former Florida man was sentenced Tuesday to 6½ years in a federal prison for two armed bank robberies during which prosecutors said he wore a wig and face mask, according to U.S. Attorney Scott Brady. Robert Stiver, 71, formerly of Pompano Beach, was ordered to pay $7,800 in restitution,...
Free art workshops offered at Millvale library
Adults can explore their creative sides through six free art workshops at the Millvale Community Library, thanks to two Millvale residents who have secured a $2,500 grant for the programming. Abi Beddall and Sheena Carroll have won the Neighborhood Allies Love My Neighbor! funding for the beginner-level workshops running through...
Etna manager shows hometown pride over 42 years of borough employment
The solar-powered Etna welcome sign on Route 28 features a blue heron symbolizing the borough’s environmental commitment in an area the steel industry left polluted. One of the wading birds moved to Etna more than 10 years ago, which Manager Mary Ellen Ramage said is evidence of the community’s improvements...
Police fired 10 shots at Donald Babbit in Shaler shooting
Three police officers fired a total of 10 shots when they killed a Shaler man who pointed a gun at them Tuesday afternoon, Allegheny County police Superintendent Coleman McDonough said. Donald Babbit, 49, was shot outside his home in the 800 block of Spencer Grove Lane. Two officers from Shaler...
Epworth United Methodist to hold Peach Social and other fellowship news
Epworth United Methodist Epworth United Methodist Church will host a Peach Social and Bake Sale from 4 to 7 p.m Aug. 22. In addition to baked goods, there will be beef barbecue, hot dogs, macaroni salad, baked beans, deviled eggs, peach cobbler, ice cream and drinks. The cost is $9...
Shaler roundup: Last Splash Pool Party, free movie, free yoga
Shaler Township’s Last Splash Pool Party for all Shaler Area School District friends and families will be held 6-9 p.m. Aug. 24 at Crawford Pool in Kiwanis. A donation of three school supply items per person is suggested to help fill the school bus. Class of ’69 preps reunion The...
Photo Gallery: All Saints Festival in Etna an annual tradition
All Saints Church conducted its annual Summer Festival on July 17 to 20. With rides, games, food, raffles, prizes, entertainment and more, the festival is the major fundraiser for the church each year. The event takes place on the church grounds. The church is at 19 Wilson St. in Etna....
Death of Penn Hills teacher shocks school district, Shaler neighbors
Nick Ionadi recalled greeting one of his favorite teachers at Penn Hills High School every morning by popping his head into the teacher’s classroom and yelling: “Hey, Babbit!” Ionadi’s greeting to math teacher Don Babbit was a running joke that used a popular line from a Warner Bros. animated cartoon...
Penn Hills teacher fatally shot by police in Shaler
A Shaler man was shot and killed by police at his home Tuesday during a domestic dispute call, authorities said. The deceased was identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office as Donald Babbit, 49. Penn Hills School District said Babbit was a high school math teacher in a statement...
Junior Miller leads strong returning core for Shaler girls golf
Emilee Miller needed to shore up the mental aspect of her golf game. The Shaler Area junior knew the perfect antagonist was within the same house. After a season when Miller qualified for the Class AAA WPIAL championships, she played a lot of rounds with her younger brother, Joey. “My...
Your weekend in Shaler: Aug. 2-4
Hello Shaler! If you’re looking for things to do this weekend, especially with the cancellation of The Regatta, we’ve got you covered. Tonight, local band Drauve is headlining the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls in Millvale. The Vics and The Sane are also playing. Tickets are still available. On Saturday, head...
Ed Pfeifer: Don’t take that cool breeze for granted
Sirius, that’s the satellite radio station right? Sure it is but, long before that, Sirius was known to ancient stargazers only as a divine star — the most prominent of all the shiny specks in the night sky. In the northern hemisphere Sirius, also known as the “Dog Star,” spends...
Butler Street ramp to Highland Park Bridge to close for sewer repair
Motorists who access the Highland Park Bridge from Butler Street near the Pittsburgh Zoo should allow themselves extra time this weekend. The ramp to the Highland Park Bridge will close Thursday at 8 p.m. and reopen around midnight on Sunday, PennDOT announced. Crews from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority...
Traveling history exhibit on struggle for LGBTQ rights coming to Ross Township
A traveling history exhibit chronicling the efforts in Pennsylvania to achieve full equality for LGBTQ people will be on display at the Ross Municipal Center next month. “The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality in Pennsylvania” utilizes case studies to tell the personal and political struggles faced during the more than...
Longtime Shaler Area employee quietly keeps district moving smoothly
Unlike students and teachers, Shaler Area School District Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds John Kaib has had no break this summer. Kaib, 53, of Reserve, said the district works hard to complete capital improvement projects that would otherwise be disruptive to the students’ school day. Kaib said workers are replacing...
Sign project along southbound Parkway North causing lane restriction for 12 days
Motorists who use the inbound Parkway North will encounter lane restrictions starting Monday night and lasting through Aug. 9, PennDOT announced. Single-lane restrictions will be in place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for sign improvement work between the North Route 65 Ohio River Boulevard (Exit 1C) off-ramp and the...
National Night Out celebrations aim to boost community connections
Thousands of local residents are expected to mark National Night Out on Aug. 6 with an annual celebration in Aspinwall and a first-ever event hosted by Sharpsburg and Etna. Revelers will gather to celebrate community connections, organizers said. Hailed as a night of appreciation for first responders, the event is...
La Roche site of hard-to-recycle items event
On Saturday, July 27, the Pennsylvania Resources Council hosted a collection at La Roche University for hard-to-recycle items. For more information about upcoming events, visit the PRC website at prc.org....
