Kellen Stepler stories, Page 54
Springdale residents say they’re nervous for upcoming boiler house implosion
Myrtle Lamonna spent some of her Monday afternoon shutting and tightening the windows of her Porter Street home. That, she said, was in preparation for the upcoming implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale, which is set for 8 a.m. Friday. “I figured, with...
East Deer appeals zoning board decision recommending 3 electronic billboards in township
East Deer is suing its zoning hearing board over a decision that recommended three of four electronic billboards be built. The township, which filed the appeal last week, claims the zoning hearing board’s decision to recommend allowing three electronic billboards in the township was “arbitrary.” It alleges the board erred...
What you need to know for the former Cheswick Generating Station implosion Friday
Springdale and Allegheny County officials plan to evacuate dozens of homes and other structures for Friday’s implosion of the boiler house at the former Springdale power plant. In a message on X, formerly Twitter, county officials said all structures in the evacuation zone around the implosion site should be evacuated...
Wife, daughter of Plum explosion victim Kevin Sebunia speak out about losing an ‘amazing man’ and the investigation
The wife and daughter of Kevin Sebunia, one of the victims in the fatal Aug. 12 home explosion in Plum, are sharing their story just over a month since the man they say had a “heart of gold” passed away. Kelly Sebunia, Kevin’s wife, and their daughter, Emily Brizee, sat...
Proposed Springdale zoning overlay needs some revisions, planners say
The Springdale Planning Commission is advising the borough to take a closer look at its proposed mobility overlay. Members of the three-member commission, which serves in an advisory role to borough council, said Wednesday that some sections of the proposed ordinance, which would provide various zoning amendments and changes within...
Official: Boil water advisory for Leechburg area could extend past Saturday
Depending on test results, the earliest a boil water advisory would be lifted for people in the Leechburg area would be Saturday, according to authorities. The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County issued a precautionary boil water advisory Monday for its customers in Leechburg, West Leechburg, Hyde Park and part of...
Allegheny Valley School District setting up clothes closets to fill a need for students
Danielle Britton was working as an intern in the Penn Hills School District when she decided to start a project to establish a supply closet, where students could pick up clothes and hygiene materials. When she graduated and got a job with the Highlands School District, she was able to...
Street closures set for upcoming implosion at former Cheswick Generating Station
Preparations are underway for next week’s implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generation Station in Springdale. On Sept. 22 at 8 a.m. or soon thereafter, the former Cheswick Power Station’s boiler house will be felled through a controlled use of explosives. Handling the implosion are the Cheswick...
Section of Crawford Run Road in East Deer to close
Part of Crawford Run Road in East Deer will close later this month, the Allegheny County Department of Public Works announced Tuesday. Crawford Run Road and its sidewalk will close at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 near Meadow Avenue for crews to repair Clarks Run Bridge No. 1. During the closure,...
Pirate Parrot and friends visit H.D. Berkey students in Arnold to kick off wellness campaign
The purpose of Monday’s assembly at H.D. Berkey Elementary School in Arnold was to kick off a week’s worth of mental health and wellness lessons in the new Chill Mobile RV that’s parked behind the school. But, when the Pirate Parrot made his grand entrance into the cafeteria, sliding between...
Upper Burrell renews contract with Hoffman Kennels
Upper Burrell retained Hoffman Kennels for animal control services for the next two years. Supervisors approved the two-year contract renewal last week for Hoffman Kennels for animal services, which was set to expire at the end of this year, Supervisors Chairman Ross Walker III said. The contract states the township...
Lower Burrell leaders remember 9/11 attacks, remain inspired by unity
As state Rep. Abby Major, R-Leechburg, thought about what she wanted to say during Lower Burrell’s Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony, she thought of the profound sense of unity among Americans on Sept. 12, 2001. “Do you remember the way we all came together?” she said Monday morning outside Lower Burrell’s...
West Deer free store seeks treasures, not trash, as need increases
When people go to the Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer, they deserve to shop with dignity, says owner Sonya Dembowski. Neither she nor her volunteers ask questions of shoppers, and they will help them find whatever clothes, toys or housewares they need. That’s what makes people dropping off...
Deer Lakes provides alternative gym class to emphasize mental well-being
Lauren Hedderman believes that to do well, people must feel well, and that’s exactly what her “Mental Toughness” class at Deer Lakes High School aims to accomplish. “Students seem to love it. I think it’s a break within their day to focus on themselves,” Hedderman said. The course started at...
Investigators say cause of fatal Plum explosion came from inside the home
The point of origin for a deadly home explosion in Plum on Aug. 12 came from inside the house at 141 Rustic Ridge, the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office said Friday. Officials continue to investigate the explosion that occurred just less than a month ago in Plum’s Rustic Ridge subdivision,...
Slide repair work to close part of Saxonburg Boulevard in West Deer starting Monday
A portion of Saxonburg Boulevard in West Deer will be closed starting Monday as crews begin to fix road slides. The work requires the road, between Trump Road and Saxony Road, to close completely. The road will be closed to traffic starting at 7 a.m. Monday, and will reopen Friday,...
Liquor Control Board to rule on East Deer noise exemption
Whether East Deer can enforce its noise ordinance regarding amplified music is now in the hands of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The LCB held a hearing Wednesday on a township request that, if granted, would allow East Deer to enforce its own noise regulations instead of the state’s. East...
Extended lane closures on Route 28 in Harmar begin Friday
Extended, weekendlong lane closures on Route 28 in Harmar will begin Friday, according to PennDOT. The single-lane restrictions will occur in both directions on Route 28 on two bridges, as crews work on expansion dam replacement and approach road reconstruction. Work on the northbound lanes is set to begin at...
PUC rules public utility equipment not at fault in 2022 Plum home explosion
A Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ruling that an April 2022 home explosion in Plum was not caused by public utility equipment does not eliminate the possibility that natural gas caused the explosion. In a statement released Tuesday, the PUC’s safety division found no evidence that public utility natural gas equipment...
Same Lower Burrell utility pole, power lines down twice in 3 days
The power lines and a utility pole near the Dunkin’ in Lower Burrell can’t seem to catch a break. Crews responded to the intersection of Wildlife Lodge and Leechburg roads, where people can turn into the Burrell Plaza parking lot from Wildlife Lodge, for downed power lines Tuesday morning —...
Lower Burrell Farmers Market seeks plastic bags to win a free bench
Lower Burrell’s farmers market aims to turn trash to treasure — or bags to benches — through a recycling campaign. The market entered the Trex Bags to Benches recycling program July 22. It has a bin on site to collect plastic bags, which market organizers periodically weigh to see their...
Riverview School District renews superintendent Neil English’s contract
Riverview School Board has renewed Superintendent Neil English’s contract through 2028. The five-year contract began Aug. 21 and expires June 30, 2028. English will be paid $145,000 for the current school year and, depending on performance, is eligible for raises of up to 3% in each of the following years....
Liquor Control Board sets hearing for noise exemption in East Deer
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will hold a hearing next week on a proposal that, if approved, would allow East Deer to enforce its own noise regulations, and not the state’s. The Wednesday hearing before the LCB will give the public a chance to comment on a proposal from East...
Former Springdale power plant to be demolished Sept. 22
A Sept. 22 implosion date has been set for the boiler house building at the former Cheswick Generating Station plant in Springdale. Scott Reschly, vice president of operations for Charah Solutions, an environmental remediation firm and the property’s owner, said Friday the demolition of the boiler house building is planned...
New Kensington Bridge reopens to traffic
The New Kensington Bridge reopened to traffic, a couple days earlier than planned. PennDOT announced Friday that the bridge, which spans the Allegheny River between East Deer and New Kensington, reopened after it was closed for about six weeks. The 10th Street underpass on the New Kensington side of the...
