Kellen Stepler stories, Page 13

The premise is quite simple. An adult creates an online account, posing as a child on dating and social media apps. They make their “age” known throughout online conversations that often turn sexual, then meet their target at an agreed-upon location. When the meeting occurs, the person operating the account...

Lower Burrell officials knew there was an issue with a storm sewer on Dorothy Street during a routine maintenance inspection a while ago. The storm sewer, according to Mayor Chris Fabry, is an older, corrugated metal pipe that is beginning to have joint failures and invert corrosion. The pipe runs...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 28: No injuries in Duquesne house fire A house along Wool Street in Duquesne caught fire at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. There were no reported injuries. The fire’s cause is under...

A Lower Burrell man is facing child pornography charges after, police say, he was confronted by a civilian group dedicated to catching child predators. David J. Holmes, 54, was charged Tuesday by Lower Burrell police with 26 felony counts of child pornography, and one count each of felony unlawful contact...

A Harrison intersection eyed for improvements by township officials for years soon will get a much-needed upgrade. State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, and Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-West View, announced Tuesday that more than $550,000 in funding was awarded to Harrison to upgrade the traffic signal at Freeport and Springhill...

With summer just around the corner, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is inviting customers “Poolside.” The brewery, located in East Deer’s Creighton neighborhood, launched its newest product by Block House Brewing on Wednesday, a shandy beer. Block House is one of Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s brands, said spokeswoman Katie Henningsen. Poolside beer replaces...

Bridgeville Area Historical Society events scheduled Coordinated by the Bridgeville Area Historical Society, Gary Euler will present “The Life and Times of Roberto Clemente” on April 30. On Tuesday, May 28, Layla Asbury will present “An insight into the relationships of Presidents and their Wives.” Both events start at 7:30...

Chartiers Valley has a plan in place as it searches for its next superintendent. The school board on March 12 appointed Julie Franczyk as interim superintendent. Franczyk came to Chartiers Valley in 2018 as the Intermediate School Principal. She was named assistant superintendent in 2022. Franczyk replaces Johannah Vanatta, who...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, March 27: Police say fight at North Oakland gas station was bananas A fight involving bananas and PVC pipe at a North Oakland Sunoco station on Tuesday night has a store employee facing criminal charges. Yubaraj Budhathoki, 26,...

A former University of Pittsburgh football player turned himself in to authorities Wednesday morning after police accused him of being involved in a shooting in Clairton and pursuit throughout the South Hills earlier this month. Paris Ford, 25, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count each...

Jennifer Cavalancia, principal at Curtisville Primary Center in the Deer Lakes School District, often says she is lucky to do the work of the school’s top administrator every day. And recognition from the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t hurt either. Cavalancia, 44, of Elizabeth Township was recognized as a 2024 Pittsburgh Penguins...

One thing realized from the covid-19 pandemic is the necessity of human connection and interaction in education, according to Carnegie Elementary principal Jenna Mozzocio. “We have the unique ability to be that connection,” Mozzocio said. “Everybody has something to gain when having a close connection with school.” In Mozzocio’s first...

Pennsylvania State Police in Butler seized 10 dogs, one cat, four ducks and five chickens from a home in Muddy Creek Township, Butler County, on Monday. Troopers were called to the 300 block of Pfeifer Road for reports of 10 dogs living in “deplorable conditions.” The house was declared “uninhabitable,”...

Tri-City Historical Society President James Sabulsky knew there’d be interest from students when he pitched an idea to start a history club at Burrell High School this school year. But he didn’t quite expect the high school club and his organization to work with the Heinz History Center on a...

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, March 25: Man in critical condition after shooting in McKeesport One person was taken to the hospital early Monday after a shooting in McKeesport, according to Allegheny County Police. At 3 a.m., McKeesport police were dispatched to the...

The Allegheny Valley School District soon will be able to provide behavioral and mental health support to students in a quicker way. The district is adding a part-time school psychologist and a behavioral specialist to its support team, said Melissa Holler, director of pupil services. “They would be working together...

A Springdale police officer was recognized — and promoted — thanks to his work solving burglaries in the borough. Officer Jon Koprivnikar was recognized by council during its meeting Tuesday, March 19. Council also promoted Koprivnikar to detective. “We had a rash of business burglaries within town,” police Chief Derek...

A federal jury has convicted an Ohio man accused of armed robbery at one pharmacy in the Buckeye State and five in Western Pennsylvania, including in Pittsburgh and Bridgeville. Abdulrahman Abdelaziz Jamea, 26 and formerly of Columbus, Ohio, was found guilty on three counts of conspiracy to commit armed pharmacy...

It could be three strikes and you’re out for Springdale residents whose behavior brings police or other first responders to their homes. The borough is considering revising its “disorderly house” ordinance to set the number of complaint calls to three per year before residents or landlords face charges. Common complaints...

An Indiana County man is charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Allegheny Township police charged Daniel Travis Kinney, 30, of Washington Township, Indiana County, with four felony counts of aggravated indecent assault against a person under 16, five felony counts of corruption of minors and a misdemeanor count of...

Cheswick Council has two new faces. Adis Halimic and Frank Stanish were appointed to council seats vacated by Kathy Gillard and William Kuzmirek. The terms expire at the end of next year. Council made the appointments Tuesday. Halimic, 43, has lived in Cheswick for 16 years. He was born in...

Springdale High School’s football team hopes to return to the borough’s Veterans Memorial Field in 2025, but it will be forced to play elsewhere for at least the upcoming season. Allegheny Valley School District’s lease to use the field expires at the end of the school year. District officials have...

Some Springdale Township residents have not received their 2024 Allegheny County property tax bills. Township Manager William McElligott is advising residents to call the Allegheny County Treasurer’s Office at 412-350-4100 if they have not received their property tax bill. The deadline to pay a discounted rate is March 31. The...

Deidra Stepko wasn’t too sure of being an administrator when she became the interim principal of Marion Elementary School in the Belle Vernon Area School District in 2018. She had taught first and third grades at the school, and she was uncertain if she’d like being in the principal’s office...