In brief: Happenings in the North Hills area

Ross rejects bids for police locker room renovation

Ross commissioners rejected all bids for a renovation of its police locker rooms, after prices came in more than double what township officials were expecting.

The project was primarily an expansion of the women’s locker room, making use of an extra jail cell, and updates to the men’s locker room, assistant Manager Jessica Crawshaw said.

The township budgeted $100,000 for the project. The lowest bid was $260,000, she said.

There were 11 different bidders for one or more of the project’s four components of general construction, electrical, plumbing and HVAC/fire.

Crawshaw said the township plans to see if more money can be budgeted for the work in 2026.

Residents raise concerns about townhouse development

Some West View residents are opposed to a proposed townhouse development off of Rochester Road, concerned about the loss of the now-wooded area, erosion and stormwater and impact on wildlife, borough Manager Bruce Fromlak said.

The borough’s planning commission took no action on the proposed Lexington development at its July 17 meeting. A borough consultant said the developer needed to provide more information including a maintenance plan for stormwater control facilities, details on existing and proposed storm sewers and waterways, and the permits and approvals needed for stormwater management, Fromlak said.

The proposed development is on about 10 acres adjacent to Cross Creek Court. It includes a dozen duplex buildings, 24 units in total, and one single-family home on Cross Creek Court between two existing houses.

The project will go back to the planning commission for review. Fromlak said a meeting could be scheduled for the week of Aug. 18 or 25. The commission will make a recommendation that will then go to borough council in September or October.

School supply collection benefits North Hills students

A Stuff the Bus school supply collection benefiting North Hills School District students will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at The Block Northway, between DSW and Land’s End.

Supplies needed include pens and pencils, pencil boxes, sharpeners, highlighters, markers, binders, pocket folders, graphing calculators, loose leaf paper, notebooks, 24-pack crayons, erasers, glue sticks, new backpacks, rulers, scissors and colored pencils.

Those unable to participate in the collection but wanting to contribute to the North Hills School District can make a financial donation to the North Hills Foundation at nhsd.net/community/foundation.

Ballet school plans open house with free classes

The Three Rivers School of Classical Ballet invites families in the Greater Pittsburgh area to an open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 30 at its new studio at 420 Perry Highway, West View.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet instructors, register for fall classes and have photos taken with a ballerina.

Several free classes will be offered during the event: Creative Movement at 9 a.m. for ages 2 to 5; Placement Class I at 10 a.m. for ages 5 to 7; and Placement Class II at 11 a.m. for those 8 and older.

Three Rivers School of Classical Ballet, the official school of the Conservatory of Dance Arts, offers classes in four divisions: Children’s Division (ages 2 to 7), Student Division (Levels I to IV), Conservatory Program (pre-professional students) and the Open Division (adults and recreational students 12 and older).

The school is under the guidance of artistic director/ballet master Christopher Fellows and provides professionally taught classes, live performances, educational outreach and artistic excellence through the medium of dance.

Taco Tuesday fundraiser to benefit Blessing Board

The Blessing Board is hosting a Taco Tuesday fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Shaler Plaza, 880 Butler St.

The cost is $50 per person and $35 per person for groups of eight or more.

Admission includes a meal from the Los Gallitos food truck, tickets for two margaritas or beers from Dancing Gnome, soft drinks and water, and dessert from Oakmont Bakery.

All proceeds benefit the Blessing Board, a nonprofit celebrating its 15th anniversay of providing free furniture, household items and home medical equipment to people in need.

Participants must be 21 or older.

Registration is required by Sept. 18. To register, visit tinyurl.com/bdzn77wp.

For questions, call 412-423-6074 or email finance@theblessingboard.org.

Citizens can learn about police

The Ross Township Police Department is still seeking participants for its second annual Citizen’s Police Academy.

The academy, which is free for 18 and older, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Sept. 3 until Oct. 22.

Participants do not have to be a resident of Ross. It also is open to juniors and seniors at North Hills High School.

The academy will feature scenario-based hands-on training, CPR certification and basic self-defense. Participants will learn about patrol operations, criminal and civil law, court process and procedure, use of force, crime scenes, forensic investigation, drug familiarization, traffic stops, DUIs and accident reconstruction.

The first meeting will be held at the Ross Municipal Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, with details to follow.

To learn more about the program and to sign up for an email when additional details become available, visit https://ross.pa.us/FormCenter/Police-4/2025-Citizens-Police-Academy-73.

For questions, contact Officer Donald Sypolt at 412-931-9070, ext. 155, or email him at dsypolt@rosspolice.com.

Public invited to learn about area’s Native Americans

The Richland History Group invites the public to a free program, “Homelands: Native Americans of Allegheny,” at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown (FPCB), 5825 Heckert Road, Richland.

Michael I. Burke, curator and assistant director of the Fort Pitt Museum, will discuss the history of Western Pennsylvania’s Native Americans, specifically those who inhabitied Pittsburgh’s North Hills area along Route 8.

Serving the Heinz History Center since 2012, Burke has designed numerous award-winning exhibits, specializes in colonial Western Pennsylvania history and is an expert on the region’s original habitants.

Following the presentation, Nelson Crooks, an elder and historian with the 1867 FPCB, will provide a brief church history and tour of its sanctuary.

The church has easy access off Route 8, a large parking lot and is wheelchair accessible.

There will be a display and free copies of 21 of the Richland History Group’s published articles about area history.

Advanced registration is not required, but the Richland History Group would appreciate it for planning purposes.

To register, call 724-443-1112 and provide your name and the number attending.

Farmers Market runs through September

The annual Farmers Market at The Block Northway runs through Sept. 25.

The market, produced in partnership with the I Made It! Market, offers a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and homemade treats, handcrafted goods and rotating food trucks from 3 to 7 p.m. every Thursday throughout the season.

Vendors include Jodikinos Farms, Binko’s Pepper Sauce, Couldn’t BEE Better Honey, Nedalgyro, Sweet Florence Candy Co., Glencoe Gourmet, A Sweet Morsel Co., Boyd and Blair and many more.

The next special themed events will be:

• Sept. 18: Pep Rally

• Sept. 25: Coffee With a Cop

The market is sponsored by Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi, SSB Bank, Key Bank, Highmark and AHN.

Sellers are added throughout the season. Interested vendors are welcome to apply at https://bit.ly/4i3rsZb.

To have your news or event listed, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.