Kellen Stepler stories, Page 44
Building the Valley: Arnold woman fulfills dream by opening Lower Burrell bridal shop
Through all the ups and downs, fashion has always been a big part in Precious “GiGi” Jones’ life. And now, the time is right for her to open a bridal boutique in Lower Burrell. “This is my dream — to not only make people feel beautiful but to make them...
Springdale planners hear idea for possible Dollar General redevelopment
The Dollar General store in Springdale could be redeveloped in the future. Robert McCollim, an engineer with PennTex Ventures, spoke to Springdale’s planning commission Wednesday about an idea to redevelop the Dollar General site at 494 Pittsburgh St. The store is in a small strip shopping center, near the Springdale...
Stewart Elementary students get a look at the sky through portable planetarium experience
Students at Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell got a closer look at Stonehenge and Pittsburgh’s night sky — all from the “comfort” of the school’s gymnasium floor. On Thursday and Friday, members of the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh visited the school...
Public hearing for proposed Bridgeville comprehensive plan scheduled April 8
Bridgeville Council will hold a public hearing April 8 at 6:30 p.m. to hear comments on the borough’s proposed comprehensive plan. Comprehensive plans define a future vision for a municipality and are required under the state’s Municipalities Planning Code. Bridgeville’s Planning Commission recommended council schedule the public hearing so the...
Scott commissioners’ town hall attempts to answer residents’ concerns
A Scott commissioners’ town hall meeting earlier this month saw questions ranging from an update on the township’s pool and splash pad project to money management and transparency. Residents could submit questions online prior to the March 4 meeting and also ask questions during it. The meeting came on the...
Springdale looks for new football field, coach for upcoming season
The Allegheny Valley School Board is hoping to answer two key unknowns about the district’s football program at its meeting Tuesday — where the team will play and who will be its coach. The school directors will consider authorizing the administration to secure an off-site football field for the fall....
Chartiers Valley to offer early retirement incentive for teachers
The Chartiers Valley School District is offering teachers with 15 or more years of experience an early retirement package. The early retirement incentive, presented to the Chartiers Valley Federation of Teachers, was approved by the school board at its meeting Feb. 27, according to district spokeswoman Angela Conigliaro. Sixty-six percent...
Glen’s Frozen Custard production facility to open soon in Lower Burrell; stands reopen Thursday
A new Glen’s Frozen Custard production facility in Lower Burrell soon will be churning out products. The facility at the location of the former Clementine’s Family Restaurant at 2604 Leechburg Road is set to be operational in a few weeks, said Eli Wilson, Glen’s president and fourth-generation owner. The building...
Women of Pittsburgh event at Chartiers Valley highlights multiple career paths
Chartiers Valley High School junior Caelyn Murray figured some of her peers might be interested in learning more about future careers from accomplished, local women. But when 146 girls signed up to participate in the school’s Women of Pittsburgh event, she was a little bit surprised. “I like the fact...
Lower Burrell considers taking council meetings on the road to highlight fire departments
Two proposed Lower Burrell Council meetings aim to show, and not tell, the needs and operations of the city’s volunteer fire departments. Mayor Chris Fabry proposed the idea of taking two council meetings “on the road” this summer to the Lower Burrell No. 3 and Kinloch fire departments. “This would...
Lower Burrell to save 15% with new delinquent tax collector
Lower Burrell officials say the city will save 15% more in collections by switching to a new tax collector for delinquent local services and business privilege taxes. City council on Monday moved Lower Burrell’s collection of delinquent LST and business privilege taxes over to Berkheimer Tax Administrator. Mayor Chris Fabry...
Demolition progress continues at Springdale site — but not at the boiler house
As structures at the former power plant in Springdale continue to be demolished, except the boiler house, some people might have noticed another structure being erected: a fence around the property on Porter Street. “That fence that’s on Porter is a security fence when, eventually, the administration building and wall...
Upper Burrell to fix Michael Drive, Menk and Laing roads this summer
The Upper Burrell supervisors have paved the way for improvements on three roads this summer. Supervisors awarded contracts on Wednesday to seal coat Michael Drive and Laing Road and do overlay work on Menk Road, said township engineer Mike Moore of Bankson Engineers. Work is to be completed by Sept....
East Deer, Lower Burrell gear up for big St. Patrick’s Day events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Two large St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are being held in the Alle-Kiski Valley on Saturday, March 16. St. Patrick’s Day weekend will see the largest event to date at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s East Deer headquarters. Irish City Celebration, an almost-all-day event, is expected to draw nearly 2,000 — more than...
Ethiopian-American new pastor in Lower Burrell says church is about community
The Rev. Owar Ojha Ojulu’s path to Grace Community Presbyterian Church in Lower Burrell is nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Ojulu, 46, recently was named minister of the church at 2751 Grant St. “Church is about the community. Church is about healing people. There’s no church...
Collier artist’s work to be featured in upcoming children’s museum exhibit
Kathleen Zimbicki’s upcoming showcase at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is proof that art is for all ages. A legend in the Pittsburgh art scene, Zimbicki’s most recent work features her watercolor pieces with drawings done by her great-grandchildren and neighbor children on top of the paint. A display of...
Collier Scout recognized by commissioners for Webb Field project
Chartiers Valley sophomore Justin Bonkoski, 15, of Collier, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout — the highest rank in Scouting, following his project at Webb Field in Collier. Justin said his Eagle Scout project stemmed from the efforts of his brother, Michael, to clean up and repaint the dugouts...
Saxonburg’s borough manager headed to court, accused of shooting dog
Saxonburg’s borough manager is headed to Butler County Common Pleas Court on charges accusing him of shooting his neighbor’s dog. Charges against Steven May were held for court Tuesday after a hearing before District Judge Jack D. Ripper in which eight people testified. May, 43, is charged with a felony...
Springdale woman named Miss Smiling Irish Eyes for Pittsburgh
A Springdale High School graduate is Pittsburgh’s Miss Smiling Irish Eyes for 2024. Madalyn Byrnes, 21, of Springdale will be featured in the March 16 St. Patrick’s Day parade, which starts at 10 a.m. “I was overjoyed,” Byrnes said. “This has been something I have been working toward for a...
Chartiers Valley elementary students learn CPR
Students at Chartiers Valley’s elementary schools are learning a life-saving skill. Chartiers Valley’s Primary and Intermediate schools participated in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser earlier this year. Students learned hands-only CPR during physical education classes. “We were very impressed with how it went,” said Suanne Estatico, physical...
East Deer, Oliver Outdoor state their case in billboard court battle
The fate of electronic billboards in East Deer is in the hands of an Allegheny County judge. The township and America First Enterprises, which does business as Oliver Outdoor, stated their cases in court filings regarding the status of three billboards that had been approved by the East Deer Zoning...
Indiana Township woman to star in feature film ‘The Haunting of Prince Dom Pedro’
A moral of “The Haunting of Prince Dom Pedro” is to learn from history. Those behind the feature film, produced in Western Pennsylvania, are hoping the production makes some history as well. “It encompasses multiple genres, but it’s like a history, supernatural, comedic Scooby Doo, in a way,” actor Madeline...
Shaler woman writes sequel to book about abduction as an Allegheny Township child
Laura Mason Lockard says she had “what some people would call a near-death experience” when she was a girl in Allegheny Township. In 1981, when she was 11, she was abducted and assaulted by a man police thought could have been a serial killer. Lockard, now 54 and living in...
Springdale injunction attorneys again spar over exhibits, filings
Another battle of documents is being waged in the Springdale boiler house implosion litigation. Allegheny County Judge John T. McVay Jr. on Thursday granted a motion from Charah Solutions, owner of the former power plant in Springdale, that seeks all of the exhibits residents submitted on the last day of...
Springdale Township and Harmar ink 20-year water contract
Springdale Township and the Harmar Water Authority signed off on a 20-year deal that eventually will cap increases at 3% each year for the township’s rate for bulk water. The agreement “keeps the rate the same through 2024 and 2025, to $2.95 per 1,000 gallons that we’re paying now,” Commissioner...
