Graduation looms

• Penn Hills High School: The district’s 2024 commencement ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. May 31 at Yuhas-McGinley Stadium.

More than 200 students are graduating this year.

The ceremony will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. A link is available on the district’s website at phsd.org.

• Riverview High School: The district’s 2024 commencement ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. June 6 in Riverside Park.

The district has about 50 students graduating this year. Outstanding Senior winners and scholarship recipients were recognized May 22 during the district’s annual Senior Honors and Athletic Awards Night at The Oaks Theater.

In case of inclement weather, the district will host the ceremony at the same time in Tenth Street Elementary School auditorium.

Plan passed for HUD funds

Penn Hills Council voted May 20 to spend a $700,000 federal grant on local nonprofits, street reconstruction, accessibility improvements at public buildings and more.

That is about $26,000 more than last year’s Community Development Block Grant allotment.

Each year, the municipality receives funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for projects that help low- and moderate-income residents or meet urgent community development needs.

Penn Hills also garnered $130,000 in federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds and $35,000 through homeowners repaying loans from the municipality’s CDBG-funded housing rehabilitation program. These figures are unchanged from last year.

Volunteer firefighters purchase equipment to lessen cancer risk

Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department No. 7 has purchased $50,000 worth of equipment to remove cancer-causing contaminants from its gear.

Cancer is the leading cause of death for firefighters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies show firefighters may have a greater risk of some types of cancer than the general population.

In the station’s 75-year history, six firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer, according to a news release from Penn Hills No. 7. Two of them died as a result.

The department will sanitize its equipment using a new ultrasonic cleaner and fire hose scrubber as well as a specialized washer and dryer. The new safety measures are funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development with support from state Sen. Jay Costa.

Free 8-week GED test prep starts June 4

The Community College of Allegheny County, in partnership with Literacy Pittsburgh, will hold the first of several free General Educational Development (GED) sessions from June 4 through July 25.

All classes will be held at the CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center, 701 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208.

The eight-week in-person program will help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to earn their high school equivalency diploma.

Literacy Pittsburgh teachers will instruct students in all test subject areas: math, language arts, social studies and science. A pre-test will be given to all students to determine their readiness for the GED. Test-taking tips and strategies will be part of the instruction as well as the GED practice test.

Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to take either the GED exam or the HiSET exam. Both of these tests enable Pennsylvania students to earn the Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma. Participating students who meet eligibility requirements will receive a voucher to waive the cost of the final examination.

Registration is required.

To enroll, call 412-371-1600 or email CCAC-HBC@ccac.edu.

Allegheny River Boulevard association holding open house

Community members are invited to a public engagement session on maintaining and restoring Allegheny River Boulevard’s scenic features.

The Allegheny River Boulevard Preservation Association is holding the meeting in conjunction with consultant Landmarks SGA from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 13 at Steel City Rowing Club, 101 Arch St., Verona.

Input from residents, business owners and other stakeholders will help guide the Preservation and Management Plan for the 6-mile road, which stretches from Hulton Road in Oakmont to Washington Boulevard in Pittsburgh.

A second meeting will take place later this year, according to Rick Duncan, president of the Allegheny River Boulevard Preservation Association, with a focus on presenting tentative plans to the public.

Milkweed giveaway set at Penn Hills Community Garden

The Penn Hills Monarch and Milkweed Project plant giveaway will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. June 8 at the Penn Hills Community Garden, 1162 Jefferson Road.

In an effort to help reverse the decline of the monarch butterfly population in North America, seedlings of common, butterfly and swamp milkweed will be given to Penn Hills residents.

For details, email Barb Meckel at phmmproject@yahoo.com.

Community yard sale planned June 8

The Crescent Hills neighborhood in Penn Hills is planning a yard sale from 9 a.m. to noon June 8.

Homeowners on as many as 12 streets are participating. The neighborhood is located off Frankstown Road near Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Verona Farmers Market starts June 6; more vendors sought

The Verona Farmers Market in Railroad Park, 737 E. Railroad Ave., officially kicks off from 2 to 7 p.m. June 6 and runs every Thursday at the time through Nov. 21.

On June 6, there will be a free meet and greet from 4 to 6 p.m. with Ariel hosted by Enchanted Experiences. She will be available for photos and autographs.

For details, visit Verona Farmers Market on Facebook.

Organizers are looking to expand the farmers market. Local crafters and small-business owners are encouraged to participate. The cost is $25 per month or $75 for the entire season.

Vendors are not required to be there every week. For details about joining, visit veronapafarmersmarket.com/join-our-market.

Reading program kicks off June 15

The Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, will kick off its summer reading program from noon to 2 p.m. June 15. The registration event is for book lovers of all ages — children, teens and adults.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to stop by for a summer reading swag bag. There will be free food and lots of activities.

For details, call Addie 412-775-4700 or email her at phlibrary@pennhillslibrary.org.

Driving course open to 55 and older

Seniors for Safe Driving, a PennDOT-approved organization dedicated to highway safety, is conducting a Senior Citizen Driver Improvement Course from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 23 at the Penn Hills Senior Center, 147 Jefferson Road.

The course, which costs $17, is designed to refresh the driving skills and rules of the road for motorists 55 and older. Those who successfully complete the course can receive a three-year discount of no less than 5% on their auto insurance.

There will be no testing or behind-the-wheel driving. To register, call 800-559-4880 or 724-283-0245 or seniorsforsafedriving.com.

Members sought for boards, commissions

Some of Penn Hills’ boards, committees and commissions are in need of new members.

Opportunities may or soon could be available on the Planning Commission, Shade Tree Commission, Traffic Safety Committee, Zoning Hearing Board, Recreation Advisory Board, Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority, Personnel Board and Library Board.

Residents interested in joining any of the above entities should send a letter of interest with a brief bio to the municipal office, 102 Duff Road, or email Mayor Pauline Calabrese at pcalabrese@pennhills.org.

The Library Board also is soliciting candidates through an online form for its four vacancies. Board members are expected to stay up to date on library trends, provide fiscal stewardship and craft policies, among other duties listed in the job description.

Applications for the Library Board are due May 31.

Ministry has seasonal clothing in stock

The Clothesline Ministry in Penn Hills is stocked with clothing for the warmer months. The free ministry is open from 10 a.m. to noon every Thursday at Mt. Hope Community Presbyterian Church, 12106 Frankstown Road.

Weight-loss group meets Tuesdays

The local chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a support group to help those struggling with weight loss, meets Tuesday evenings at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., in Oakmont.

Meetings begin with a private weigh-in between 5:45 and 6:10 p.m. Anyone interested in joining can attend a meeting and decide if TOPS is right for them.

For details, call 412-828-3854 or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Class of 1974 to gather

The Penn Hills High School Class of 1974 will have its 50th reunion at 6 p.m. June 8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The cost is $65. The gathering will include appetizers, food stations, dessert, nonalcoholic beverages, a photo booth and a DJ. There will be a cash bar.

To make a reservation, visit Penn Hills Class of 1974 on Facebook, email PHHS74Reunion@gmail.com or contact Deborah (Tedesco) Gathagan at dgathagan@verizon.net.

Household chemical collection scheduled

The Pennsylvania Resource Council will hold a household chemical collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at Boyce Park in Plum.

Individuals can drop off automotive fluids, household cleaners, pesticides, paints and other household chemicals. A $20 fee covers disposal of up to 10 gallons or 50 pounds of material per vehicle. Loads exceeding 10 gallons and 50 pounds will be subject to additional fees.

Participants must register at prc.org/collectionevents or by calling 412-488-7490.

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