Brian C. Rittmeyer stories, Page 39
Plum School Board considering 6.2% property tax increase
Plum residents already hit with a spike in their borough property tax bill also might see an increase in the largest part of their bill: the school district’s property tax. Ryan Manzer, the district’s chief financial officer, presented several options, including a 6.2% tax increase for the 2024-25 school year....
‘Together now’: New Kensington couple, both on life support, die on same day
The family of Gerald and Nancy Stadterman takes comfort in believing the New Kensington husband and wife are together again. In a tragic turn of events, both died on the same day last week after being removed from life support at separate hospitals. Gerald Robert Stadterman and Nancy Jean Stadterman,...
Home for the holidays carries different meaning for Rustic Ridge residents this year
Rick Napoleon’s home felt so much bigger before it was gone. A steel beam crossing the width of the foundation was the only thing above Napoleon’s head as he recently stood in what had been the garage and basement of his family’s home of 18 years. The rest of the...
Plum man who died in Parkway East crash remembered for generosity, baking skills
Ronald Richards made “the best lady locks around,” said Sean Hartley, whose family owns the Shop ’n Save on Golden Mile Highway in Plum. “He was making them for Christmas even this week. I saw him on Saturday at the store,” Hartley said. Hartley hired Richards to manage his store’s...
Plum High School prepares for annual Make-A-Wish telethon
For more than 20 years, students in the Plum School District have staged a telethon benefiting Make-A-Wish. After collecting about $57,500 last year and topping a lifetime collection of $1 million in 2021, they’re anticipating collecting less this year, said Rick Berrott, a TV production teacher and co-sponsor of the...
Plum approves Dollar General development, housing subdivision on Saltsburg Road
Plum Council has given its final approval for the construction of a new Dollar General store and approved a subdivision that could lead to the construction of three new houses, all along Saltsburg Road. At its meeting Wednesday , council unanimously approved without further discussion the land development plan for...
Valvoline proposes building oil change shop off Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington
A $1.4 million drive-thru oil change business is proposed along Tarentum Bridge Road in New Kensington. The Valvoline Instant Oil Change would be between the main entrance to Giant Eagle and Shamey’s Gas Station in front of Quality Inn. City council approved creating the lot, about three-fifths of an acre,...
Plum residents worried, angry as council approves nearly 40% increase in property tax rate
Plum residents voiced concerns and, at one point, erupted in anger as council approved a nearly 40% increase in borough property taxes Wednesday. Council voted 6-1, with Dave Vento against, to increase the borough’s 2024 property tax rate by 1.85 mills, from 4.78 mills to 6.63 mills. It will support...
Donations sought to help children who have been through ‘unimaginable circumstances’
A New Kensington business is seeking donations and contributions from the community to help children from three families who have endured horror and hardship this year have a happy Christmas. Operation Christmas Memories was started 15 years ago by The Beermuda, which is now Ash Taphouse and owned by Jenn...
O’Hara couple finds home for Tortured Souls brewhouse in New Kensington
The journey from home beer brewer to brewery owner has been a tortuous one for Scott Wyman and his wife, Angie. After the O’Hara couple’s plan to locate their brewery, Tortured Souls Brewing, in a former Sharpsburg church fell through, they looked at multiple places in and around the Pittsburgh...
National average gas cost falls for 3 months straight, at lowest level this year
The national average gasoline price has fallen for three straight months and is at its lowest level this year as oil prices continue to respond to cooling demand, an industry analyst said. “With nearly 80,000 gas stations in the U.S. now priced below $3 per gallon, and 23 states also...
New Arnold mayor plans to bring back city manager, remove police chief
Shannon Santucci says she ran for mayor of Arnold to make changes, and some of those changes will come quickly after she takes the office in January. With an anticipated council majority, Santucci intends to rehire Mario Bellavia as city manager and remove police Chief Eric Doutt. Council voted to...
Plum considering subdividing vacant Saltsburg Road land into 3 lots for houses
A proposed subdivision in Plum could lead to the construction of three new houses. Council will consider property owner Jim Meli’s request to subdivide a vacant lot at the corner of Saltsburg Road and Willow Village Drive into three residential lots, according to interim Borough Manager David Soboslay. Meli could...
Plum School Board names new officers
Plum School Board has three new members and new officers. Newly elected to the nine-member board this year are Lindsay Arenth, Renee Richardson and Mark Stropkaj. Members Michael Caliguiri and Michelle Stepnick won reelection to their seats. Former Plum District Judge Linda Zucco swore in all five during the board’s...
Toys for Tots requests up more than 40% over last year
Toys for Tots groups in some areas are seeing a more than 40% increase is requests over last year, a situation they say stems from a number of economic factors. “There’s a higher need for gifts for families in need,” said Jennifer Neilen, Allegheny Valley chapter Toys for Tots coordinator....
Plum Middle School students return to school after odor investigated
Students and staff returned to Plum Middle School about an hour after an odor caused school and district officials to divert its students to another building this morning, district Superintendent Rick Walsh said. What initially was described as a faint natural gas odor in a classroom was detected about 7:50...
‘It is a huge increase’ Plum resident tells council as nearly 40% tax hike discussed
A nearly 40% property tax increase sought in Plum is too much for residents to afford at once, one resident told borough council Monday. But leaders in Plum said the hike is intended to fund the borough for the next five years or more. Brenda Demello called the proposed increase...
Plum Council reluctantly gives approvals for 3rd Dollar General development
Members of Plum Council said they had no choice but to approve construction of a new Dollar General in the borough. Council voted in favor of a conditional use application and a subdivision for store at Saltsburg and Clements roads. Land development will be the last part of the approval...
New Kensington launches holiday season with tree lighting, mayor’s dinner; many more events to come
New Kensington is kicking off the holiday season. Residents gathered Friday evening at Ninth Street and Fourth Avenue for carols and the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. That was followed by Mayor Tom Guzzo’s annual holiday dinner at the city’s nearby No. 1 fire hall on Fourth Avenue. The...
Plum residents gather for Christmas at Plum Creek
Plum residents gathered for the annual Christmas at Plum Creek on Thursday evening. This marks the second year the event was held at the borough’s new municipal center on Old Mine Road. A recently completed outdoor amphitheater was used for the first time, with the Plum High School Jazz Band...
Plum property owners face nearly 40% tax hike in proposed budget
Plum property owners could see their property taxes increase by almost 40% under the borough’s proposed $25.1 million spending plan for 2024. Council is considering setting the borough’s total real estate tax rate at 6.63 mills, interim borough Manager David Soboslay said. That would be a 38.7% increase over the...
Plum School Board hires new transportation director, manager
The Plum School District has new leaders in its transportation department. The school board Tuesday approved hiring Taye Coles as the district’s director of transportation and Mark Delahunty as transportation manager. Coles’ annual salary was set at $85,000, while Delahunty will be paid $57,000. Both hires are retroactive to Nov....
Plum preparing to fill council vacancy created by president’s election as district judge
When Plum’s new council is seated in January, one of its first duties will be to fill a vacancy among its ranks. One of council’s seven seats will be vacant after Mike Doyle, the council’s current, longtime president, won election as district judge in this year’s election. Doyle, a Republican,...
Former Kiski treasurer, supervisor claims discrimination in civil suit
A former Kiski Township secretary and treasurer who briefly served as a supervisor is seeking more than $50,000 from the township in a civil suit alleging she was discriminated against because of her gender. In her complaint in Armstrong County Court, Sherry Lynn Tamski claims she was paid less while...
New Kensington council reluctantly approves garbage contract with 73% increase in bills
New Kensington council members conceded Monday that they had little choice but to approve a garbage contract that increases bills by 73%. They heard from residents upset that their garbage bills will spike next year but ultimately voted, 4-1, to award a five-year, $15.3 million contract for solid waste, household...
