Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 14
Energy company abandons plans to take water from Big Sewickley Creek for shale gas wells
An environmental group is celebrating after an energy company abandoned its plans to take water from Big Sewickley Creek to develop shale gas wells in Beaver County. In March, the state Department of Environmental Protection rescinded permits issued to PennEnergy Resources at the company’s request. It ended a four-year battle...
Weeknight closures of 62nd Street Bridge ramp to Etna scheduled through mid-June
Overnight closures of the 62nd Street Bridge ramp to South Main Street in Etna will begin Wednesday night, PennDOT announced. The ramp from the 62nd Street Bridge, or southbound Route 8, to South Main Street will be closed to traffic from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights through mid-June, PennDOT...
Following approval of 3rd dispensary, Ross considering setting minimum distance between medical marijuana facilities
Following approval of a third medical marijuana dispensary along McKnight Road, Ross commissioners are considering a regulation that would prohibit them from being adjacent to each other. As proposed in an ordinance introduced at the commissioners’ June 2 meeting, medical marijuana dispensaries would have to be at least 1,000 feet...
Ross Exceptional Citizens Expo brings out the kid in everyone
Elise Terry’s three children were thrilled to see the big trucks, but she saw another benefit to bringing them to the Exceptional Citizens Expo in Ross on Saturday, May 31. “It’s important for them to know the people that keep us safe and the safety rules,” said Terry of Ross,...
You Be You Music, a nonprofit children’s music school, finds home of its own in Millvale
Georgia English rejects the idea that making music is only for the precious, famous few and everyone else is a loser if they try. “We assign shame to anyone who tries to express themselves musically but fails,” she said. “We laugh at people who bomb their ‘American Idol’ auditions, and...
In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area
Open house meeting set on parks plan As a part of McCandless’ ongoing Comprehensive Parks Master Plan process, an open house/public meeting is planned from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Devlin Pavilion, which is behind Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and vision for...
5th annual PizzaFest celebrates pie artistry at Dough Daddy Brewery in West Deer
If there was only one food left in the world, Ross resident Janet Ramaeckers says it better be pizza. She and her husband, Martin, were among many who would agree with them at the fifth annual PizzaFest, held this year at Dough Daddy Brewery in West Deer. Ramaerckers said they...
New Verona kayak, canoe launch to improve access to river recreation for all, officials and residents say
Anyone who has tried to launch a kayak from a muddy river bank knows it can be difficult. For Lester Bennett of Munhall, who has lived with a spinal cord injury for more than 30 years, it would be impossible. But a new handicapped-accessible public launch on the Allegheny River...
‘We’ll really miss it’: Riverview Relay for Life ends after 25 years, raising $2M for cancer research
The Relay for Life of Riverview has come to an end after a 25-year run in Oakmont, but the battle against cancer continues. Oakmont breast cancer survivor Nancy “Moochie” Donatucci, a longtime organizer for the relay benefitting the American Cancer Society, says she’ll keep up the fight by selling hanging...
Ross crafts touch-a-truck event to be accessible, welcoming for all
A free public safety and community touch-a-truck style event with an emphasis on being more accessible to people with special needs is returning to Ross for its second year. Ross police hosted the first Exceptional Citizens Expo in 2024. The second annual expo will be from noon to 3 p.m....
Pine-Richland recognizes 15 retiring employees
Pine-Richland has recognized 15 retiring employees who together have more than 400 years of service to the school district. The group includes teachers, paraprofessionals, a librarian and a custodian who will retire at the end of the current school year. “The annual retiree recognition program always comes with mixed emotions,”...
Threat of rain prompts Plum School District to reschedule graduation
The threat of rain has prompted the Plum School District to reschedule its graduation ceremony. The district announced Tuesday that it has pushed the ceremony ahead a day, from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Plum High School stadium. “While the extended forecast is still subject to...
In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area
Open house meeting set on parks plan As a part of McCandless’ ongoing Comprehensive Parks Master Plan process, an open house/public meeting is planned from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Devlin Pavilion, which is behind Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and vision for...
In brief: Happenings in the Pine Creek Journal area
1 arrested, 13 cited in task force’s DUI detail The North Hills DUI Task Force recently conducted a stationary DUI detail May 9 in conjunction with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Checkpoint Strike Force. The sobriety checkpoint was held May 9 in McCandless. A total of 837 vehicles passed...
Arnold woman opens The Battle Life, a transitional living home for women in the fights of their lives
An Arnold woman is remembering a friend who lost her battle as she prepares to help other women who are still fighting their own. Amanda Wheeler on Sunday celebrated the soft opening of The Battle Life, her transitional living home, which she is dedicating to her friend, Jon’Trae “JT” Mathis....
Shaler Area board pivots from maximum property tax increase to none in proposed budget
After considering a 2025-26 budget with a maximum allowable property tax increase, a majority of the Shaler Area School Board on Wednesday, May 21, approved a proposed final budget with no tax increase. While that may have met with the approval of residents concerned about the prospect of their property...
Warden-Rodgers defeats Kettering for Ross commissioner Democratic nomination
After seeing a contested Democratic primary for only one Ross commissioner seat, township residents will have contested races for four commissioner seats in November’s general election, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results. In Ross’ Ward 6, newcomer Haley Warden-Rodgers defeated appointed incumbent Commissioner John W. Kettering for the Democratic...
Shaler Area School District to see contested races for 3 school board seats
Shaler Area School District voters will see contested November elections in two of the district’s three regions, with at least three new members likely to join the nine-member board, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results. Five of the board’s nine seats are up for election this year, with four...
5 candidates all advance for Hampton School Board
All five people running for the Hampton School Board will have a chance to win one of four seats in November, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results. Board members Denise Balason, Jill Hamlin, Gregory Stein and Larry Vasko were all seeking reelection in the May primary. Three of the...
Primary divides candidates by party for North Hills School Board
The primary election erased cross-filing among candidates for the North Hills School Board, producing full slates of Democrats and Republicans who will vie for four board seats in November’s general election, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results. Four incumbents are among the eight candidates. Three will be on the...
2 Pine-Richland School Board incumbents defeated in primary, 1 advances
Two Pine-Richland School Board members lost their bids for reelection in Tuesday’s primary, while one will advance to the general election in November, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results. Incumbents failing to advance are Amy Terchick in Region 2 and John Joseph Cassidy in Region 3. Board member Christina...
Etna authorities call for vigilance, ask for cooperation as thieves target unlocked vehicles
Despite the arrest of an Etna man on May 19, borough officials are urging residents to secure their vehicles and valuables as thefts from unlocked vehicles continue in Etna and its surrounding communities. Thefts were happening as recently as the night of May 19 in other areas, Etna Mayor Robert...
Pine-Richland students help bring clean water to 2nd African village through Walk for WaterVideo
A village of more than 400 people in the African nation of Ghana will have access to safe, clean drinking water thanks in part to the efforts of Pine-Richland High School students. The students, most members of their school’s Key Interact Club, participated in the second annual Walk for Water...
In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area
North Hills Arts Center seeking instructors The North Hills Art Center, 3432 Babcock Blvd. in Ross, is looking for instructors for its adult and children programming. Instructors can set their own schedules and write their own curriculums. If you have knowledge in the arts to share, click on the application...
In brief: Happenings in the Hampton area
1 arrested, 13 cited in task force’s DUI detail The North Hills DUI Task Force recently conducted a stationary DUI detail May 9 in conjunction with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Checkpoint Strike Force. The sobriety checkpoint was held May 9 in McCandless. A total of 837 vehicles passed...
