Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 94
New Kensington residents gather for community cleanup, mural dedicationVideo
Much like the unfinished mural that was dedicated Sunday, many see New Kensington as a work in progress worth celebrating. “This is the beginning of the new New Kensington,” said Kim Louis, a city resident and director of Sonward Youth Programs. “We want to honor the people who live here...
5 questions with incoming New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck
Not long after New Kensington-Arnold School District students celebrate the end of this school year, Chris Sefcheck will become the district’s superintendent. Sefcheck, 52, of South Park is expected to start as the district’s new leader July 1. The school board approved hiring him to a five-year contract at its...
Volunteers gather to clean up, plant at Tarentum’s community gardenVideo
For the first time since the covid pandemic broke out over a year ago, volunteers gathered to clean up Tarentum’s community garden and begin planting for the season. While individuals came out throughout 2020 to keep the Greg Blythe Friendship Community Garden going last year, group events like Saturday’s spring...
Woman hurt jumping from window to escape Hill District fire
A woman was hurt when she jumped from a window to escape a fire in the Hill District Saturday, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. The fire in the 900 block of Memory Lane was reported around 3 p.m. According to police, firefighters fought the blaze mainly in one row house,...
Witnesses say truck driver had little time to react to oncoming train in Springdale
Two men who witnessed a train colliding with a tractor-trailer at a crossing in Springdale on Friday said the truck driver had little time to react to the oncoming train. Chad Cochran of Springdale and Ken Trim of West Deer said they were leaving work at R.I. Lampus shortly after...
ATI calls on Steelworkers union to let employees vote on contract offer
As a strike by the United Steelworkers union nears two weeks, Allegheny Technologies Inc. is calling on the union to allow employees to vote on the company’s contract offer. ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said details of the company’s proposal have not changed since March 29, the day before about 1,300...
New Kensington mural to be dedicated Sunday
A new mural brightening a gateway to New Kensington will be dedicated Sunday — providing the weather cooperates. An unspooling roll of aluminum is a prominent feature of the mural, reflecting New Kensington’s history with Alcoa and it becoming known as the “Aluminum City.” The roll transitions into waterways that...
Tarentum police arrest man after responding to shots fired call
A Tarentum man who is not legally allowed to possess a gun was arrested early Wednesday after police said he fired shots in the air. Tarentum police charged Thomas William Curt Mueller, 38, with two felony firearms charges and lesser charges. In a criminal complaint against Mueller, borough police said...
Harrison seeking bids for 2021 road program
Harrison is seeking bids from contractors interested in milling and resurfacing 15 roads in the township. The township estimates that its 2021 road program will cost about $430,000. Sealed bids are due by 4 p.m. April 22. The most expensive work is expected to be on Federal Street, at about...
New Kensington-Arnold’s new superintendent eager to get started
After a second interview, Chris Sefcheck said he wanted the job of superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District so much he didn’t care if it meant a longer commute. He’ll start making that drive on July 1, after the school board hired him on Tuesday. “I really already feel...
Neighbors object to use of New Kensington building for mental health, substance abuse services
New Kensington Council postponed voting on a nonprofit’s proposed use of an office building for its outpatient mental health and substance abuse services Monday after a few neighbors raised concerns. Southwest Behavioral Care, an affiliate of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, wants to move from its existing location at 408 8th...
Shopping, food & fun in store as Tarentum Night Markets resume
Tarentum business owners are hoping people are ready to boogie back into the borough for the nightlife. The monthly Tarentum Night Market, launched in September, is set to resume in April. Events are scheduled for the third Thursday of each month — beginning April 15 — and continuing through October...
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb visits striking ATI steelworkers, calls for federal health insurance helpVideo
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb visited Friday morning with striking steelworkers from Allegheny Technologies at their union hall in Brackenridge and on the picket lines in Harrison, then later lobbied to get striking workers health care benefits. The Democrat from Mt. Lebanon said he came to the Alle-Kiski Valley to support...
Arnold police said man exceeded 90 mph with 2 infants, drugs in his car
Arnold police said a city man was seen driving at speeds of more than 90 mph with two children under 10 months old unrestrained in the back of his car, where police said they found marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Police charged Christian Barr Hawkins, 26, with several felony counts of...
For Easter, it’s solid bunnies only at Harvest Moon in TarentumVideo
At Harvest Moon Coffee & Chocolates in Tarentum, all the chocolate Easter bunnies are solid. Hollow bunnies are “a waste,” owner Desiree Singleton said. “It’s deceiving. You’re not getting a solid piece of chocolate,” she said. “It was always so sad when you get something you think is whole and...
Arnold’s Smithfield Foods donates 7,000 pounds of sausage to those in need
Families who went to a food distribution Thursday in Harmar were the first to benefit from a donation of more than 7,000 pounds of sausage from Arnold’s Smithfield Foods. Smithfield donated the first 3,200 pounds of breakfast links to the Compassion Network. A truck from 412 Food Rescue took 80...
Money saved on repaving Fifth Avenue to help Arnold pay for fixing Richmond Street
Money left over from resurfacing one road is going to help fix another in Arnold. Arnold spent about $50,000 less than expected when it resurfaced Fifth Avenue from 16th Street to the city line last year, community development Director Rick Rayburg said. That money will be combined with nearly $150,000...
Brackenridge couple without insurance lose home, pets to fire
Regina Strobel stood outside what was left of her Brackenridge home in a misty rain Wednesday, a day after it was destroyed by fire. She had been inside looking for anything she could salvage. She found a few pieces of much-needed clothing and a couple mementos. She wasn’t able to...
Ellwood City man dies in 2-vehicle crash in West Deer
An Ellwood City man died in a two-vehicle crash in West Deer on Monday morning. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man on Tuesday as Mark Tedrow, 35. The crash happened shortly after 10 a.m. in the 300 block of Deer Creek Valley Road. According to West Deer...
Greensburg bishop announces restoration of New Kensington church damaged by tornadoVideo
Restoration of a New Kensington church hit by a tornado nearly a year ago is about to begin, the Diocese of Greensburg announced Tuesday. St. Mary of Czestochowa sustained about $2.6 million in damage when an EF-1 tornado with winds of up to 100 mph traveled about 4 miles, from...
United Steelworkers set strike date at ATI facilities
The United Steelworkers union announced Friday it will start a strike at Allegheny Technologies Inc. next week. The union said it informed ATI it will strike over what it calls unfair labor practices beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday. “We have provided the notice to ATI to ensure an orderly and...
Ashley’s Kitchen bringing stuffed breads to New KensingtonVideo
Ashley Bodycombe’s hashtag is “Gather, Eat, Laugh.” That’s what she’s hoping people from New Kensington and beyond will do at her new eatery, Ashley’s Kitchen, opening in late April in downtown New Kensington. The new business was born at home, in her kitchen. “I like cooking. It’s my passion,” said...
Southwest Behavioral Care seeks New Kensington’s OK for move to new office building
A nonprofit that provides outpatient mental health and substance abuse services to children and adults is looking to move to larger quarters in New Kensington. Southwest Behavioral Care, an affiliate of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services (SPHS), is at capacity at its offices at 408 Eighth St., said Cheryld Emala, chief...
Police: Drugs found in Harrison home within reach of children
Harrison police said they found drugs within reach of children Thursday while serving a search warrant at a home near the municipal building and police department. Police charged Garrick Marshman, 26, of Donora, with drug offenses including possession and possession with intent to deliver, child endangerment, firearms violations and conspiracy....
United Steelworkers announces strike date at ATI facilities
The United Steelworkers union announced Friday it will start a strike at Allegheny Technologies Inc. next week. The union said it informed ATI it will strike over what it calls unfair labor practices beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday. “We have provided the notice to ATI to ensure an orderly and...
