Kellen Stepler stories, Page 14

The bison herd at Allegheny County’s South Park has grown by two. County officials announced that two baby bison were born in South Park’s game preserve since Friday. The preserve is along Sesqui Drive, between Corrigan Drive and McConkey Road, in South Park. “We’re really glad to have them come...

Charles A. Huston Middle School student Lily Liotta knew the basics of staying safe on the internet. But a visit from Google representatives to her school in Lower Burrell expanded her knowledge. “It’s really important stuff that’s useful for teens and tweens to know,” Lily said after the roughly half-hour...

A portion of admission fees for large, ticketed events in East Deer will soon go to the municipality. Commissioners on Thursday adopted a 5% tax on admission fees to large events hosted in the township. The tax becomes effective April 13. Event coordinators would be responsible for collecting the fees...

East Deer residents soon will feel the brunt of three previous water rate increases from the township’s bulk water provider. Township commissioners increased water rates by $1.80 per 1,000 gallons. East Deer previously charged its residents $15.50 for the first 1,500 gallons used. “Our wholesale provider, Tarentum Borough, increased us...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...