Rep. Lindsay Powell hosts 2nd ‘Ought to Be a Law’ competition at Shaler Area High School
Shaler Area High School honors civics students received a visit from state Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Lawrenceville, on Feb. 5 as part of the “Ought to Be a Law” competition. The competition aimed to encourage civic participation and critical thinking about current events by having high school students submit proposals for...
Amid financial challenges, Millvale hires consultant to find new borough manager
Millvale hopes to have a new borough manager hired by summer, council President James Machajewski said. At its Feb. 10 meeting, council voted 6-0 to engage Public Partners, a program of the Allegheny League of Municipalities, to conduct a search for a manager. Councilman Al Atkinson was absent. The borough...
Reserve renews garbage contract for 2 more years
Reserve residents will see another 8% increase in their quarterly garbage bills while keeping the same hauler. Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 4 to extend the township’s contract with Noble Environmental for two more years. The township’s garbage contract runs from July 1 to June 30 of each year. The township...
Question of sidewalks on Shaler’s Mt. Royal Boulevard sparks discussion of what township is, could become
A recent discussion about sidewalks on Mt. Royal Boulevard among Shaler residents and township officials brought up a range of issues such as weighing the public good against imposing on property owners, and questions over what Shaler was, is and could be. Nearly a dozen residents who spoke Jan. 27...
8 Shaler Area employees recognized with Baysek-Young Extra Mile Award
Eight Shaler Area School District employees have been recognized for going above and beyond for students and contributing to the success of the school district. The employees — administrators, teachers and paraprofessionals — are recipients of the Kim Baysek-Young Extra Mile Award. The award was named for Baysek-Young, a third...
Franklin Regional girls score in closing seconds to grab playoff spot over Shaler
Bernie Pucka said he had a feeling his team was going to win. The vibe, the energy, the lack of nervousness from his girls, it all seemed to put him at ease. But the Franklin Regional girls basketball coach didn’t quite envision a finish like this. Junior guard Chloe Pucka...
Judge approves Millvale’s emergency request to borrow $1.9M
A judge on Feb. 3 approved Millvale’s emergency request to borrow $1.9 million so the borough can pay off its overdue debts as it works to right its financial ship. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. said he would draft his order granting Millvale’s petition after hearing...
Etna officials rally volunteers to help neighbors dig out from record-setting snow
Etna officials led a volunteer effort Jan. 31 to help residents in need dig out from a record-setting snowfall. Pittsburgh set a new record Jan. 25, when the National Weather Service measured a one-day snowfall of 11.2 inches at its office in Moon, shattering the previous record of 5.2 inches...
Hearing on Millvale’s emergency request to borrow $2 million delayed
A hearing for additional testimony in Millvale’s emergency request to borrow $2 million to prevent a potential budget crisis has been postponed. The hearing before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. had been scheduled for Tuesday morning. A new time and date were not immediately known. Following...
Shaler Area communities digging out from major snowfall
Shaler Area residents and municipalities were digging out and coping with the lingering effects of Sunday’s snowfall in the Pittsburgh area. The National Weather Service in Moon measured 11.2 inches at its office, where records are recorded, shattering the record of 5.2 inches for Jan. 25 that had stood since...
Florida man admits setting parked car on fire in Etna, police say
A Florida man faces arson and other charges after Etna police say he set a parked car on fire. Tyqei Eric Howze, 23, of Groveland, Fla. is charged with three felony counts of arson and felony counts of causing or risking a catastrophe and criminal mischief. According to a criminal...
9th annual Hygge New Year event brings self-care to Millvale
The rainy weather didn’t stop people from indulging in self-care during Millvale’s ninth annual Hygge New Year. Hygge, a Danish word referring to the practice of taking time to relax and unwind, has been embraced by Millvale businesses over the years. Hygge New Year events were scattered throughout the borough,...
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. To reach the library, call 412-487-2121, email glenshawlibrary@gmail.com or visit online at glenshawpubliclibrary.org. Hours are 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays for a...
Shaler’s Ruckus Cafe expands to 2nd location in Pittsburgh
A Shaler couple who filled a need for a coffee shop in the township hopes to fill a similar, if somewhat different, need in Downtown Pittsburgh. Christine Rauktis and Daryl Kuczynski, who opened Ruckus Cafe on Babcock Boulevard in Shaler in July 2021, opened a second location at 625 Liberty...
In brief: Happenings from across the Shaler Journal area
Feb. 2 community meal canceled Because of the frigid temperatures and limited parking spaces due to snow, the Community Meal scheduled for Feb. 2 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Shaler has been canceled. Everyone is welcome to attend the next meal, which will be held 5 to 7 p.m. March...
Former player, assistant Ben Yeckel steps in to lead Shaler baseball program
Ben Yeckel knows the high standard set by the Shaler baseball program. Yeckel, who is 43 and a 2000 Shaler graduate, knew the feeling as a player. While serving as an assistant for 10 years under Brian Junker, he knew it as a coach too. Continuing that tradition is something...
Key win builds confidence for young Shaler girls lineup after significant injury
Shaler girls basketball coach Tony Grenek isn’t expecting to receive any sympathy cards in the mail for having to adjust his lineup due to injuries. The Titans aren’t planning on waving any white towels either. Shaler took a major hit to its lineup when it lost Reese Smetanka to an...
Judge delays ruling on Millvale’s $2M emergency loan request
A judge Friday delayed his ruling on Millvale’s emergency request to take out a $2 million loan to fend off a potential budget crisis. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay, Jr. said he needs the consultant guiding debt restructuring for the municipality of 3,300 residents to testify before...
Judge signals support for emergency $2M loan for Millvale
A judge Thursday morning said he was “leaning toward” green-lighting an emergency request by Millvale to take out a $2 million loan to avert a looming budget crisis. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. did not rule from the bench on the borough’s request but said he’d...
Millvale man accused of firing shotgun, threatening to kill woman with school bus nearby
An incident in Millvale where a man pointed a shotgun at a woman and fired a round into the air in the middle of a weekday afternoon could have turned out much worse if not for a rapid police response, borough police Chief Tim Komoroski said. Komoroski said the accused...
Shaler-area municipalities reorganize following November election
Municipalities in the Shaler Journal’s coverage area reorganized in January following November’s general election. That included reelected and newly elected officials taking their offices, the selection of leadership and setting regular meeting dates for the year. Etna Seven officials, six elected and one appointed, have taken office on Etna Council....
‘Irritated’ Etna resident Dave Becki celebrated as dedicated public servant after 36 years as councilman
Mary Ellen Ramage knew Dave Becki as an Etna resident who was “quite irritated” when he was first elected to the borough’s council in 1989. And Becki was indeed irritated after the home he moved to in 1984 was flooded in 1986 and almost flooded a second time a year...
Bread of Life Food Pantry in Etna strives to provide more than just food
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. Every year, Shaler Area High School conducts a food drive to help support Bread of Life, a food pantry in Etna. This...
Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church launches 12th annual Fill the Truck to help local food pantries
The 12th annual Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Fill the Truck event is underway and accepting nonperishable food donations. Deacons Katie Walker and co-moderator Kim Power are hopeful that donations will pile up because food banks are in need. “We work as a team, and this year, more than ever, food...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 9-11
If you struggled through the first full work week of 2026, you’re not alone. Many have been looking forward to Friday since 9 a.m. on Monday. Now that the weekend’s finally on the horizon, what will you do with your free time? Here’s a few ideas around town. RV show...
