In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of March 18, 2024
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Guard punched inmate in Allegheny County Jail cell, police say
An Allegheny County Jail guard has lost his job and been charged after he punched an inmate multiple times, authorities said.
Robert Veith, 49, of Plum, was conducting window cell checks Jan. 3 when the incident occurred, Allegheny County Police spokesman Jim Madalinsky said March 11.
Surveillance video showed Veith talking with an incarcerated man, who police did not name. During their conversation, Veith reached out and struck the man with his fist multiple times, Madalinsky said.
A responding supervisor deployed a Taser on the inmate, and Veith continued to strike him after the man had fallen to the ground, Madalinsky said.
After consulting with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, police charged Veith through a summons with harassment, official oppression and simple assault, Madalinsky said. His charges were not immediately reflected in court records.
Veith is no longer an employee of the Allegheny County Jail, Madalinsky said.
Help for property tax, rent rebate forms
Seniors can get help filling out forms for the state’s property tax or rent rebates from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 4 at the Plum Senior Center, 499 Center New Texas Road.
Staff with state Rep. Joe McAndrew’s office will prepare and file the applications. Participants are asked to bring proof of income for 2023, an identification card or driver’s license and a completed rent certificate or paid property tax receipts for 2023.
State lawmakers expanded the program in 2024. The maximum standard rebate increased from $650 to $1,000. Income limits have also been increased, from $35,000 to $45,000 for homeowners and from $15,000 to $45,000 for renters. Moving forward, income caps will rise with the cost of living.
The program is for state residents age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
The application deadline is June 30. Rebates begin being paid July 1.
For information, call 412-793-2448.
Assistant high school principal named
Scott Lazzaro began Monday as the new assistant principal of Plum Senior High School, the district announced March 13.
The school board is expected to vote on retroactively approving his appointment at its March 26 meeting, district spokeswoman Jennifer Macro said.
A district employee since 2012, Lazzaro has been assistant principal at Plum Middle School for the past year and a half. He was previously an interim assistant high school principal, science department leader and biology teacher.
Lazzaro’s salary will increase from $93,000 to $102,000, Macro said.
Speaker announced for Plum Republicans meeting
Seth Blakenship, a grassroots trainer for Americans for Prosperity, will be the featured guest speaker at a meeting of the Plum Borough Republican Committee at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at the Plum Senior Community Center, 499 Center- New Texas Road.
The meeting will be open to all registered Republicans.
For more information, call 724-787-8673 or email sdschlauch@gmail.com.
Easter Egg hunt at new location
Plum’s Easter Egg Hunt will be at a new location, Larry Mills Park, on Fontana Drive this year.
The hunt will start at 11 a.m. on March 30. Age groups are 2 and younger, 3-4, 5-7 and 8-10. Families should bring their own baskets.
The hunt is a free event for borough residents. A registration form is available on the borough’s website, plumboro.com, under BoroHaps.
Household chemical collection scheduled
The Pennsylvania Resource Council will hold a household chemical collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at Boyce Park in Plum.
Individuals can drop off automotive fluids, household cleaners, pesticides, paints and other household chemicals. A $20 fee covers disposal of up to 10 gallons or 50 pounds of material per vehicle. Loads exceeding 10 gallons and 50 pounds will be subject to additional fees.
Participants must register in advance at prc.org/collectionevents or by calling 412-488-7490.
Lane closures on Lindsey Lane to last into October
Periodic lane closures on Lindsey Lane in Plum will occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays from March 20 into October.
Crews from Oakmont-based A. Folino Construction will be doing work including chip sealing, base repairs and drainage improvements.
Short stoppages at work zones should be expected, and flaggers will control traffic.
Volunteers sought for Plum cleanup day
Plum will hold its seventh annual spring cleanup day on April 20.
Individuals, families, church groups, scout groups, athletic teams, homeowners associations, clubs and businesses are being encouraged to participate.
Groups and individuals can register on the borough’s website, plumboro.com. Registrations are due by noon on Friday, April 5.
Stamp/postcard show on tap
The Wilkinsburg Stamp Club will hold its 74th annual stamp and postcard show at the Holiday Park Fire Hall in Plum.
The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 12 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 13.
Dealers will be providing a wide variety of items and will be available to appraise collections.
Admission and parking are free.
For information, visit wilkinsburgstampbluc.com.
Greek church to host fleatique
Reservations are being accepted by the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church for a fleatique set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 13 in the church social hall, 12 Washington Ave. in Oakmont.
The cost is $30, and the reservation deadline is March 29. To reserve a spot, call Maria at 412-828-7549 or Jean at 412-243-1262.
Admission will be free.
Crafters interested in participating should contact Wayne Ehlinger at 412-916-5835 or by email at mrdarts@verizon.net.
Car show benefit scheduled for April
The Steel City Chapter of the Heavy Hitters Car Club will host an April 21 car show.
It will be from noon to 5 p.m. at the CCAC Boyce Campus, 595 Beatty Road in Monroeville, with special guest host and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Louis Lipps.
The entry fee is $10 and the event will include food, music, a 50-50 and basket raffles along with awards in seven categories.
Proceeds will benefit Tiny Cause, a nonprofit dog rescue shelter in Vandergrift. For details, visit SCheavyhitters.com.
Vintage clothing on display
The Kerr Memorial Museum, 402 Delaware Ave. in Oakmont, is displaying elegant fashions of the late 1800s to the Roaring ’20s through the end of August.
Items on display were donated to the museum by the W.H. Brown Family of Pittsburgh. Hours are by appointment. To schedule a tour, call 412-826-9295.
Oakmont library offers chess club
A free chess club for kids ages 8 to 19 is available at the Oakmont Carnegie Library.
The class meets from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays. No experience is necessary, and no registration is required. Sessions will include introducing chess pieces and how they move, opening moves and setups, controlling the center and mid-game scenarios, checkmating and endgame, and chess etiquette.
The library is at 700 Allegheny River Blvd. in Oakmont.
For more information, call 412-828-9532.
Group offers support for weight loss
The Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) chapter, a support group to help those struggling with weight loss, meets Tuesday evenings at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Meetings begin with a private weigh-in between 5:45 and 6:10 p.m.
Anyone interested in joining can attend a meeting and decide if TOPS is right for them. For details, call 412-828-3854 or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.
Trinity Tower UMC plans Holy Week services
Pastor Greg Spencer of Trinity Tower United Methodist Church, 6729 Saltsburg Road in Penn Hills, announces Holy Week worship services. The services also will be livestreamed on YouTube and can be accessed from the church’s website at trinitytowerchurch.com. For details, call the church at 412-793-9000.
March 24: Palm Sunday — 9 a.m., contemporary worship; 10:30 a.m., traditional worship
March 28: Maundy Thursday — 7 p.m.
March 29: Good Friday — 7:30 p.m.
March 30: Easter Egg Hunt — 10 a.m. to noon
March 31: Easter Sunday — 9 a.m., contemporary worship; 10:30 a.m., traditional worship