Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 108
Plum woman rescued from her burning home by police and neighbor
A 77-year-old Plum woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation Thursday afternoon after being rescued from her burning home by her neighbor and borough police. Resident Butch Bankert said he was going back and forth between his house and shed along the 200 block of Frontenac Road when he...
Plum School District recognized by Google for its strides in educational technology
Plum School District was recently recognized for its use of technology to benefit its students’ education. It was named a Google for Education Reference District, which is a distinction held by schools that demonstrate excellence and leadership through use of Google products, such as G Suite for Education and Chromebooks,...
Oakmont resident Carrie Lewis DelRosso sworn in to 33rd District state House seat
Former Oakmont Councilwoman Carrie Lewis DelRosso was recently sworn in to her state House seat. The Republican challenger defeated the Democratic incumbent, House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, in the November election. DelRosso, R-Allegheny/Westmoreland, represents the 33rd District. “The seriousness of the work I have been given to accomplish for residents...
Verona’s farmer’s market seeks more vendors for the upcoming season
It is a new year and new opportunities for new vendors interested in the Verona farmer’s market. Coordinator Stefani Garibay said plans are underway for the upcoming season with the goal of adding more participants. “With the year evolving the way it has been, and the plans for vaccinations to...
PennDOT postpones Route 28 project until next week due to weather
PennDOT officials said cold weather will delay a Route 28 project designed to add lanes and improve safety near the Highland Park Bridge. Preparatory work such as painting lines and sign installation along the main thoroughfare was expected to begin Wednesday. Officials said those efforts, and subsequent single-lane restrictions, have...
Man took puppy while owner was walking the dog in Frick Park, police say
A four-month-old dog was taken from its owner while they were walking Tuesday night in Frick Park, Pittsburgh police said. Daphne, a 4-month-old mixed breed with black and white fur, was reported stolen shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday along the 2000 block of Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill, according to...
New 12-unit housing development proposed in Oakmont with some homes over $1 million
A new housing plan has been proposed in Oakmont with some properties expected to cost more than $1 million. Oakmont Place, a 12-unit one-floor patio home development off Hulton Road by Eleventh Street, was introduced to council at Tuesday night’s workshop meeting. Landscape architect Steven Victor of Victor-Wetzel Associates and...
Plum Community Library has a new director, online programs
Plum Community Library enters the new year with a new director and more virtual programming. Pam Calfo of Pittsburgh’s North Side has taken over for Marilyn Klingensmith, who retired as director little more than a month ago. Calfo was welcomed to the library in November and formally took the reins...
New geocaching game on Rachel Carson Trail encourages family hikes
A Pine Township family’s hiking experience has inspired a new game to get other families out on the Rachel Carson Trail. Brian Vernon needed to get out of the house after working from home for months on end and helping his daughter, Lorelei, and son, Riley, learn during the covid...
Body found under the Birmingham Bridge
Pittsburgh police are investigating the discovery of a body under the Birmingham Bridge. Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz said officers responded to a call for a deceased man on some rocks between Forbes and Second avenues shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday. Major Crimes and the Crime Scene Unit processed the...
Verona’s yellow brick road to be paved
Bricks that have lined First Street in Verona for decades will become a thing of the past as borough officials plan to have the deteriorating roadway paved this year. “It’s one of the major roadways of Verona that traverses across the hills and not up and down,” borough Engineer Matt...
Plum property owners seek to create agriculture security areas in the borough
More than a dozen Plum property owners want to establish agriculture security areas (ASAs) in the borough. Resident Dori Tompa, one of the applicants in support of the ASAs, came before council at its Jan. 4 work session to ask for the borough’s help. She is in the process of...
Police: Penn Hills man shot multiple times
A Penn Hills man was hospitalized in critical condition after being shot multiple times Monday night. Police Chief Howard Burton said the shooting took place at about 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of Woods Road and Marion Way. The victim is a 47-year-old resident. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian...
Police arrest 3 people for alleged involvement in Green Tree shooting
Allegheny County Police have arrested three people in connection with a Monday night shooting in Green Tree. Scottie Harris, 21, Jamere Blackwell, 20, and Sequawon Harris, 22, have all been charged with criminal attempt homicide and related charges for allegedly attempting to rob a man around 8:15 p.m. along the...
Penn Hills JROTC students to continue program at Plum High School
Plum Air Force JROTC students from Penn Hills will be able to continue their journey this school year after a new agreement was approved by officials from both districts. Penn Hills’ Navy Junior ROTC program was eliminated in 2019 due to a lack of cadets and money. Both districts had...
Pittsburgh residents encouraged to put garbage, recycling out for collection Wednesday
Pittsburgh officials are encouraging residents whose garbage and recycling has not yet been collected to leave their materials at the curb for collection Wednesday. Mayor Bill Peduto vented his frustration on the collection service delay Tuesday. “I am beyond disappointed that homes still have not had their garbage and recycling...
Verona officials pass 2021 budget with no tax increase, discuss manager position
Verona property owners will not be paying more in real estate taxes as a result of the borough’s 2021 budget. Council unanimously approved next year’s spending plan and tax ordinance Tuesday night. “I feel confident in this budget,” Borough Manager Jerry Kenna said. “Everything that was requested by the department...
Baldwin-Whitehall school board reappoints its president, vice presidents
Baldwin-Whitehall school board kept its three top leaders in their positions heading into next year. Anthony DiCesaro, Peter Giglione and Robert Achtzehn were reappointed as board president, first vice president and second vice president, respectively, at the December reorganization meeting. DiCesaro won a second four-year term in last year’s election....
Man hospitalized after being shot in Green Tree
A man was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries Monday after being shot in Green Tree. Allegheny County police said the shooting occurred around 8:15 p.m. along the 1100 block of Greentree Road. First responders found the man and transported him to an area hospital. No further information about the victim...
Verona manager plans to step down next month, replacement search in infancy
Verona officials are seeking another borough manager. Jerry Kenna announced his resignation as top administrator earlier this month. It is effective Jan. 30, or possibly later, depending on how his replacement search goes. “I think it was time,” Kenna said Monday about stepping down. “Council’s been getting a lot of...
New pavilion and other upgrades planned for Cribbs Field in Verona
Verona officials plan to install new amenities at Cribbs Field with the help of state funds. The borough received a $200,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the recreational upgrades. It is a matching grant with a $30,000 borough contribution. The park is off Second...
Plum School District accepts corporate donations for facility upgrades
Plum Borough School District recently received more than $60,000 in two corporate donations for facility improvements. Spitzer Toyota gifted $30,000 and artificial grass manufacturer Act Global gave $32,000 to the district. Superintendent Brendan Hyland and officials from both companies talked about the contributions at Tuesday night’s workshop meeting. The board...
Plum School District students to return to hybrid class schedule Jan. 11
Plum School District officials plan to welcome students back to school in a hybrid class schedule in a few weeks. Administrators had previously slated the first Monday in January as a return date for students and staff after being moved to all virtual learning due to rising covid cases both...
Oakmont council holds line on real estate taxes, borough fees in 2021 budget
Oakmont officials held the line on real estate taxes and borough fees in their 2021 budget. Next year’s spending plan was approved via a 6-0 vote Monday night. Councilwoman Sophia Facaros was absent. Several council members participated virtually to help with social distancing and covid safety protocols. It’s been about...
Police: Hill District shooting suspect captured
A Mt. Oliver man wanted on attempted homicide and other charges in connection with a shooting in Pittsburgh’s Hill District has been captured. Renato Shealey, 40, was apprehended Monday evening and taken to the Allegheny County Jail. Pittsburgh police charged him with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and firearms violations...
