Michael DiVittorio stories, Page 143
Bond financing authorized for proposed Plum Town Center
Bond financing is being explored to fund a proposed municipal center in Plum. Council recently authorized administration to issue bonds to pay for the new facility along Old Mine Road near the public works and EMS facility. Officials could borrow about $20 million with building construction costs projected around $12...
Plum’s Holiday Park Elementary students explore entrepreneurship through school business
Chloe Lewis has big plans to launch her own business and be successful enough to contribute to local charities. The Holiday Park Elementary sixth-grader has a head start to her goals through the school’s student-based business. “I did it last year because I thought it would be fun,” said Chloe,...
Fire at commercial building in Dormont under investigation
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a blaze at a commercial building in Dormont. County dispatchers said the fire occurred at 3029 West Liberty Ave. shortly before 9:40 p.m. Thursday. Authorities said it was under control around 10:50 p.m. and no injuries were reported....
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Sep. 26, 2019
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Waived preliminary hearings • Arnell Clark, 24, of Richmond on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, careless driving and exceeding maximum speed limits. State police...
New security protocol at Penn Hills School District prohibits visiting except for school business
People without a purpose – such as picking up or dropping off students, or have a scheduled visit – should stay off of Penn Hills School District property during school hours, according to a recent security change. Superintendent Nancy Hines said similar security measures were implemented at the Bill Fralic...
Assault, drug cases among recent Monroeville police investigations – Sep. 25, 2019
Monroeville police filed the following charges Sept. 23 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Thomas Moeller, 60, of Pittsburgh with retail theft. Charges were filed Sept. 23 in connection with an incident along the 3600 block of William Penn Highway. • Anthony Gilmore, 20, of Penn Hills with...
Theft, firearms cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville
Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Brandon Murphy, 24, of McKeesport on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and...
2nd annual Fall Fest in Plum continues new autumn tradition
Plum’s second annual Fall Fest aims to keep the borough’s new family-friendly autumn tradition going. The event is scheduled for noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at Plum Creek Park along New Texas Road, across from the borough building. “There will be plenty of activities for all ages,” event organizer Mona...
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Sep. 24, 2019
Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Shawn Allen, 48, of Penn Hills on charges of possession of drug...
Weiss withdraws as Penn Hills’ special counsel for recovery
Attorney Ira Weiss has withdrawn as special counsel for Penn Hills School District’s chief recovery officer one day after school board members publicly questioned the legality of Weiss’ appointment. The Pittsburgh-based firm Weiss Burkardt Kramer LLC submitted a letter to district officials informing them of the decision Tuesday. Weiss said...
Penn Hills School District officials to hire Oakmont councilwoman as PR consultant
Carrie DelRosso, Oakmont councilwoman and Riverview School District public relations consultant, could add Penn Hills School District as her next client. Penn Hills officials met at a finance committee meeting Sept. 23 and discussed hiring her company to launch a public relations campaign. Superintendent Nancy Hines said the district received...
Social media comment by Deer Lakes student not a threat against district, officials say
A threat made by a Deer Lakes High School student on social media was determined to be not credible, officials said Monday. West Deer police are investigating after they said a student said via Snapchat, “Who should I shoot first?” West Deer Sgt. Mike Shurina said Monday a resident told...
Penn Hills School District to save millions through bond refinancing
Penn Hills School District officials hope to save millions through bond refinancing. Five firms submitted about a dozen options for school directors to consider. Daniel Matsook, the district’s state-appointed financial recovery officer, said more than $100 million in bonds could be restructured to save Penn Hills between $15 million and...
Penn Hills school officials say misunderstanding led to ‘no confidence’ letter
Miscommunication and misunderstandings led Penn Hills School District officials to try and oust their state-appointed recovery officer Daniel Matsook, according to both parties involved. “Had I been here when they wrote the letter, we probably would have worked it all out and there wouldn’t have been a letter,” Matsook said....
New Kensington doubled up on vendors, patrons at second annual wine and beer festival
Double the vendors, double the entertainment and double the attendance meant double the fun at the second annual Alle Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce Wine and Beer Fest in New Kensington. “We have more community involvement this year,” Chamber Executive Director Lynda Pozzuto said. “I think the people of New...
Feds: McKeesport sex offender busted with more child porn
A McKeesport man on probation for conviction of child sex crimes recently admitted in federal court to possessing more child pornography and coercing minors into sexual activity, authorities said. Scott Joseph Payne, 32, plead guilty to three counts of production of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor and...
Former New Castle police officer accused of violating man’s rights
A former New Castle police officer has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of deprivation of civil rights. Ronald Williams, 40, of New Castle is accused of depriving an individual of his right to be free from unreasonable seizure in connection with an incident in April 2018....
Feds: Elizabeth man admits to child porn possession
An Elizabeth man has admitted to possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh. Ernest Gill, 65, pleaded guilty to the crime in federal court before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon, according to a news release. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9. Authorities said law enforcement...
Plum School District seeks state grant for dyslexia and early literacy intervention
Plum School District officials hope to improve their early literacy initiatives through using state funds. Administrators applied for a $80,000 Dyslexia and Early Literacy Intervention grant through the state Department of Education. Assistant Superintendent Rick Walsh said early intervention is critical. Research shows students who get lots of high-quality reading...
Plum High performs in Alle-Kiski Valley Marching Band Festival at Highlands
Plum High School was one of nearly a dozen school districts that participated in this year’s Alle-Kiski Valley Marching Band Festival. The 73rd annual event took place Sept. 18 at Highlands School District’s Golden Rams Stadium. Plum’s performance included hits from the iconic rock band Queen such as “Bicycle Race,”...
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled by Judge Zucco in Plum – Sep. 19, 2019
District Judge Linda Zucco recently handled the following cases. Charges were filed by Plum police unless otherwise noted. Held for court • Frank Machi, 67, of Pittsburgh on charges of theft of services. Oakmont police filed the charges July 10. Waived preliminary hearings • James Jones Jr., 36, of Pittsburgh...
Assault, drug cases among recent Monroeville police investigations – Sep. 19, 2019
Monroeville police filed the following charges Sept. 6-16 in District Judge Jeffrey L. Herbst’s office: • Eugene Jones, 20, of Pittsburgh with possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver, burglary and criminal trespass. Charges were filed Sept. 15 in connection with an incident along...
Stabbing incident in Pittsburgh injures 2 women
Pittsburgh police are investigating a stabbing incident that resulted in injuries to two women. Authorities said the incident occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday along the 2300 block of East Hills Drive. Police found two injured women, including one with multiple lacerations to her face. They were transported to a local...
Plum School District has a new 9-12 assistant superintendent, Yamnitzky to retire
A changing of the guard is taking place in Plum School District. Resident and Assistant Superintendent Gail Yamnitzky is retiring Oct. 1 after serving more than 25 years as an educator, with 15 of those in the borough. Her positions included principal at Pivik Elementary, K-6 director of curriculum, assistant...
DUI, drug cases recently handled by Judge Herbst in Monroeville – Sep. 19, 2019
Monroeville District Court Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Waived preliminary hearings • Harold Walker, 51, of Trafford on charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly...
