Kellen Stepler stories, Page 48
In events like the Springdale high-rise evacuation, coordination is key, officials say
Evacuating a high-rise building full of senior citizens, many of whom are physically handicapped, during a cold January night could spell a recipe for chaos. But on Tuesday night in Springdale, it wasn’t. The Springdale Manor high-rise, which houses about 90 residents, was evacuated because of a natural gas leak....
Wage increases included for some Frazer part-timers in 2024
Frazer supervisors opened 2024 with reappointments to boards and commissions as well as pay increases to some part-time employees. Matthew Beacom was unanimously reappointed as the supervisors chairman, and William Creevey will remain vice chairman. Supervisor Lori Ziencik was reappointed as the township’s secretary and treasurer. Because Ziencik is an...
Lower Burrell ready to hit the ground running with new council
When Lower Burrell Council meets and reorganizes Wednesday evening, almost everyone behind the dais will have spent fewer than five years in their current roles. But that’s not a cause for concern, says incoming Mayor Chris Fabry. “Thanks to my relationship with (outgoing Mayor John Andrejcik), this administration is going...
East Deer floats idea of amusement tax
East Deer is looking to cash in on future events held at the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. facility. While details are preliminary, the township intends to establish an amusement tax. Generally, amusement taxes are imposed on admission fees to events. They can be either flat fees or percentage-based. Commissioners Chairman Tony...
Crowd control plans in place for Saturday’s celebration of life for David ‘Mogie’ Magill
Lots of traffic and extra police are anticipated Saturday afternoon in Lower Burrell. Hundreds of people are expected to attend a celebration of life for David “Mogie” Magill, a popular Alle-Kiski Valley restaurant owner who was shot and killed two weeks ago. City Councilman Chris Fabry said there won’t be...
Burrell, Carnegie Mellon team up to establish writing center for high school students
Burrell high schoolers soon will have free access to guidance from students at Carnegie Mellon University. CMU is establishing a writing center at Burrell High School, said Mimi Wertheimer, the director of student instructor development and K-12 community partnership at the university’s Gelfand Center. Details of the program are still...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum hypnotist puts mind over matter
Step into Jan Lee’s Tarentum office and you may eventually enter a different mental state. But her type of hypnosis isn’t the kind that you’d see at a comedy show. Lee, 62, of Harrison worked as a psychiatric nurse for more than 35 years, which she says was likely what...
East Deer property owners to pay less in township taxes in 2024
Township taxes for East Deer property owners will decrease in 2024. Commissioners set the 2024 millage rate to 4.65 mills, a 0.25-mill or 5% decrease from this year. It’s the township’s third tax cut since 2015, Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said. Property with a median assessed value of $49,700 would...
West Deer budget raises taxes for most property owners in 2024
Most West Deer property owners will see a tax increase in the upcoming year. Township supervisors adopted the $10.8 million budget at their meeting last week. While the general fund millage rate dropped to 2.9 mills — a 0.09 decrease from this year — the township is implementing a 0.5-mill...
‘We know there’s a need’: Sheldon Park residents, local churches fill 525 bags for homeless
Scanning the numerous boxes and bags of donated items Thursday morning at the Hayden Center in Harrison’s Sheldon Park neighborhood, resident Sydney Hayden was overwhelmed and grateful for the display of support to help the area’s homeless. “We know there’s a need in this community, and we want to reach...
Frazer police nab man for driving stolen vehicle, theft at Walmart
Frazer police say a North Versailles man drove to Walmart at Pittsburgh Mills on Wednesday in a stolen vehicle and, while at the store, took merchandise he didn’t pay for then tried to return the items for cash. Brandon Jamar Murray, 40, faces a felony charge of receiving stolen property...
Second deep well coming to West Deer; construction expected to start in June 2025
A second well pad will be coming to West Deer, near the Pittsburgh National Golf Club. Supervisors approved the plan for the Tyche deep well last week. The approval makes way for the development and operation of an unconventional natural gas well pad and associated pipeline on property owned by...
No injuries in Upper Burrell trailer home fire; 4 cats missing
No one was injured following a fire late Wednesday afternoon that destroyed a trailer home in Upper Burrell. Crews were dispatched at 4:32 p.m. to the 200 block of Manchester Hill Road for a report of a structure fire, said Upper Burrell Fire Chief Bryan Fitch. The trailer’s occupant was...
Kiski Township man charged in connection with Christmas Day hit-and-run and domestic dispute
A Kiski Township man charged in connection with a hit-and-run in the township on Christmas Day also was involved in a domestic dispute just down the road from the crash scene, according to police. Township police on Tuesday announced they charged Steven Brown, 32, with aggravated assault by motor vehicle...
Celebration of life set for David ‘Mogie’ Magill at VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell
David “Mogie” Magill went out of his way to help other people, said his son, Patrick Magill. “My dad tried to help everybody he possibly could. He loved the community and the business in the way he loved us,” said Magill, 29, of Las Vegas. Now, the community will have...
Pittsburgh woman was speeding while high with daughter in the back seat, police say
A Pittsburgh woman faces charges after police say she was speeding on Route 28 while high on marijuana and with her 3-year-old daughter in the back seat of the car. State police charged Mary Kate Slattery, 35, with felony counts of endangering the welfare of children and carrying a firearm...
Burrell works to provide students with real-world experience
The high school experience isn’t what it used to be, say two Burrell teachers leading the way in providing students with real-world experience and future readiness opportunities. This school year, Burrell High School teachers Darcy Holtzman and Ron Zanella have offered high school juniors and seniors job site tours, work...
West Deer 11-year-old collects gifts for Belair nursing home residents
A West Deer boy is giving back to the community in ways bigger than himself. On Friday, Colton Petrosky, 11, distributed gift bags to more than 70 residents of Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Lower Burrell. Colton, dressed as an elf, made the rounds with Santa Claus. “I just wanted...
Stewart Elementary students raise over $3,000 for Children’s Hospital with holiday market
Students at Stewart Elementary School on Thursday set up shop to sell candy, toys, crafts and other items to their peers as part of their annual holiday market. But the proceeds weren’t going to them. Instead, the money was being collected by Stewart administrators who then, at the end of...
Memorials to slain Lower Burrell pub owner a testament to his popularity; no new details emerge
The usually vibrant activity outside Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell was gone Friday, giving way to makeshift memorials dedicated to the bar’s owner. And as friends, family members and the community grieve the loss of David “Mogie” Magill, 64, the investigation into his death continues. Magill was shot to...
Tough luck? Harmar beer distributor sells another big lottery ticket as store preps to close in a few weeks
A Harmar beer distributor has recently become the jackpot for big-winning lottery tickets — but buy those tickets while you still can. Willy’s Beer and Beverage on Freeport Road sold a jackpot-winning Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket on Saturday, Dec. 16, lottery officials announced Monday. The drawing...
Tradition of Christmas caroling alive and well in Western Pennsylvania communities
When Jena Arcuri, Michael Sawhook and Kris Choltco were brainstorming fun family ideas for the holidays in their New Kensington neighborhood last year, they realized some of the neighborhood children likely have never participated in one specific time-honored holiday tradition. “We thought it would be cool to get them to...
Lower Burrell recognizes outgoing treasurer and controller
Lower Burrell said farewell to two elected officials who, collectively, have served more than 50 years in office. This month’s council meeting was the last for City Controller Tony Farina and Treasurer Brian Eshbaugh. Eshbaugh, 62, has been an elected official in Lower Burrell for 28 years — 12 years...
Deer Lakes sisters launch their own business
What started out as a fun thing to enjoy at the beach has evolved into a small business for two West Deer sisters. Juliet and Grace Moore, both Deer Lakes High School students, have started a hair tinsel business. They got the idea from getting it tied to their hair...
Springdale Township taps into reserves to hold taxes steady for 2024
Springdale Township’s commissioners Thursday approved a 2024 spending plan that includes no tax increase for property owners but taps into the township’s reserves for it to be balanced. The budget anticipates $2.3 million in expenses, but only $1.7 million in revenue. Township savings will cover the roughly $600,000 deficit, said...
