Kellen Stepler stories, Page 34
Everything you need to know before the Stewart Elementary vote
The time is finally near for the Burrell School Board to make a decision on Stewart Elementary School’s fate. The board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to consider closing the building, which serves fourth and fifth graders, effective next school year. Superintendent Shannon Wagner recommends the board close Stewart...
Man used toddler as ‘human shield’ during SWAT situation, police say
A man used his toddler as a shield from police during a standoff Tuesday, according to authorities. Manuel Antonio Turcios-Perez, 23, faces charges of endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, unlawful restraint and disarming a police officer in connection to the five-hour standoff that occurred in his...
Death penalty dropped against Allegheny Township man in Blawnox workplace slaying
An Allegheny Township man won’t be facing a possible death penalty when he goes to trial on charges of killing his ex-girlfriend at their Blawnox workplace in March. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office rescinded its intention to seek the death penalty against Sean Black, 43, because of opposition from...
Morning Roundup: Ambridge hostage situation ends with man in custody
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning: Wednesday, Oct. 9: Ambridge standoff involving 2-year-old ends peacefully A roughly five-hour standoff in Ambridge on Tuesday afternoon ended peacefully, according to authorities. A large police presence was seen in the area of 6th Street in Ambridge at around...
Roundup: Man arrested outside Kennywood after fight with police; $1M lottery ticket in Findlay
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 8: Man arrested outside Kennywood amid fight with police A 25-year-old man was arrested by Allegheny County Police in connection to a fight over the weekend outside of Kennywood Park. Jabari Ata Wilson Jr., who in court...
‘She’s like Supergirl’: Abandoned dog cared for by West Deer shelter overcomes odds
Defying all expectations, a dog left abandoned in a McCandless park in April may now find a new home. Josie, a 10-year-old flat-coated retriever mix, underwent three major surgeries within six weeks over the summer, said Barb Pasquale, volunteer kennel manager at the West Deer Township Dog Shelter. “We just...
Innovative ‘learner profiles’ give Burrell students a jump on success
Burrell High School profiles students — but not in the way you might think. All students take a survey at the beginning of the year that asks what motivates them, how they learn best, their strengths, what supports could help improve their learning and possible future career pathways. That’s coupled...
Steelers vs. Cowboys: What they’re saying in Dallas after win
What’s heartbreak in Pittsburgh is a thriller in Dallas after Sunday night’s Steelers game against the Cowboys. After allowing a fourth-down touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the game early Monday morning, the Black and Gold lost to the Cowboys, 20-17, at Acrisure Stadium. The loss came on a...
Morning Roundup: Storms leave minimal damage; 1 injured in turnpike crash in Marshall
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Oct. 7: Thunderstorms leave minimal damage in Western Pa. The severe thunderstorms that rolled through Western Pennsylvania on Sunday night led to just a few road closures and damages Monday morning. Just after midnight, Shaler Police reported Babcock...
Upper Burrell pursues broadband program
Upper Burrell Supervisor Ross G. Walker III estimates about 15% of his township does not have broadband internet service. But, when broadband providers are ready to come to the township, they’ll be ready. The supervisors will move to obtain designation from the PA Broadband Development Authority as a Broadband Ready...
Colt Cart gives real-world experience to Life Skills students at Chartiers Valley Middle School
Staff at Chartiers Valley Middle School can purchase a sweet treat once a week — courtesy of students in the Life Skills program. Every Friday, students in special education teacher Amanda White’s class traverse the school with a cart full of goodies, including chips, snacks, candy, pop, dog treats and...
Bridgeville Public Library, Carnegie VFW plan facility improvements with state funding
The Bridgeville Public Library is planning some facility improvements. The library at 505 McMillen St. was awarded $200,000 from the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development for solar panels, bathroom renovations and HVAC work. Director Erin Weaver said the library is excited to be a recipient of the funding....
Trump rally in Butler: Tight security, big crowd anticipated
Butler County has hosted many large-scale events in its history, but county Commissioners Chairwoman Leslie Osche can’t recall one as big as the one planned for Saturday for former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Trump will return to the Butler Farm Show grounds, nearly three months after an assassination...
Student representatives join Chartiers Valley School Board
Two Chartiers Valley High School students joined the school board to provide updates on student affairs. The board on Sept. 24 welcomed Layla Asbury and Brady Baranowski. Asbury, 16, of Bridgeville, is a junior. She is involved in school theater and is the social chair of Student Council. “Due to...
‘This is a lot worse’: Red Cross volunteers bring experience to help Helene victims
Dennis Bayne and Paul Stillitano have no idea what they’ll be getting into for the next two weeks. The American Red Cross volunteers deployed Thursday morning in an emergency response vehicle from Pittsburgh, headed to North Carolina to help the victims of Hurricane Helene. They won’t know their specific assignments...
Experts say focus on mental, behavioral health paramount in combating school threats
Eli Majocha knows firsthand the strain a school threat can have on students’ mental health. The 2023 Highlands High School graduate remembers how news of threats against his school or a nearby school made him feel. “It’s unpredictable in nature,” he said. “When (it happens), you sit back and put...
Cleanup of Springdale’s Pittsburgh Street requires 2nd day; more help sought
Cleaning up Pittsburgh Street in Springdale appears to be a bigger task than anticipated. In response to concerns raised over the upkeep and maintenance of the borough’s main drag, a group of roughly 25 Springdale residents, borough officials and high school football and Key Club members took to the street...
County moves polling place out of Chartiers Valley Intermediate School after district’s plea
Chartiers Valley Intermediate School won’t be used as a polling place, after all. The school board had requested that the Allegheny County Elections Division relocate the polling place out of the Intermediate School in a letter dated Sept. 12. About 1,050 voters in two precincts in Scott Township used the...
Cheswick residents cite fishing, amenities as renovation ideas at Rachel Carson Park
Jacob and Devin Abramson of Springdale think there’s potential to make Rachel Carson Park in Cheswick special. “This area is beautiful,” Devin said. “I never realized how close it is to the river.” “It has good bones,” Jacob said. “If they do some fishing stuff, that would be great, too.”...
Mail-in ballots mean many will have voted long before election day
After a flurry of visits to Western Pennsylvania, presidential candidates are running out of time to sway many voters. Pennsylvania election offices already are taking applications and preparing to send out mail-in ballots. Abigail Gardner, Allegheny County spokeswoman, said the county already has processed 160,000 mail-in applications. She said the...
Charges pending against Burrell student over threat that forced lockdown
A second juvenile from the Alle-Kiski Valley is expected to be charged in connection with an unfounded threat against a local school district. Lower Burrell police said they plan to file charges against a Burrell School District student who they say made a threat on social media that prompted officials...
Alcoa seeks temporary parking spaces at Upper Burrell site
Alcoa is asking Upper Burrell’s zoning board to make way for temporary parking spaces off White Cloud Road. The zoning hearing board meets next week to consider the proposal. “They need extra parking,” said Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III. According to Alcoa’s application, the company currently leases parking spaces...
‘Dangerous’ playground equipment removed from Lower Burrell park
Dangerous playground equipment at Lower Burrell’s Braeview Park has been removed. The equipment, deemed dangerous by a certified playground inspector, was taken away by public works crews three weeks ago, said Greg Primm, city manager. “As soon as someone tells us there’s a liability, we need to do something about...
Authentic, transparent and timely school communication crucial during threats, expert says
Years ago, when there was an emergency at a school, the incident was addressed sequentially. The incident would occur, schools and law enforcement officials could investigate, handle the situation, and then communicate what happened to students’ families. Now, with the internet and social media, much of that has to happen...
Apollo 5K aims to raise awareness of human trafficking
It might come as a surprise to many just how prevalent human trafficking is in Westmoreland County. The county is ninth in the state for human trafficking incidents, said Kristen Malone-Bodair, education outreach program manager for the Blackburn Center. The Blackburn Center coordinates the Westmoreland Human Trafficking Task Force, whose...
