Kellen Stepler stories, Page 3

Ex-NBA player shares story of drug addiction, recovery to Westmoreland County high school students

As a McDonald’s All-American basketball player, Chris Herren remembers blowing off assemblies in high school about drug and alcohol abuse, thinking that negative impact would never happen to him. But years down the line, Herren’s professional basketball career — which included stints with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics —...
Upper Burrell to offer notification system for residents

A text notification app of Upper Burrell happenings and events will launch in the township sometime next year. Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III said Upper Burrell plans to use the Savvy Citizen program, a mobile app designed to allow governments to communicate with residents. The app can be downloaded...
Slippery Rock, Community College of Beaver County program will have students earn wings and a degree

Graduates of a new collaborative effort between Slippery Rock University and the Community College of Beaver County will not only have earned their wings, but also have a bachelor’s degree in hand. In the co-enrollment partnership, launched next semester, students simultaneously enroll at Slippery Rock and CCBC and complete flight...
Retired Scott Chief John ‘Ace’ Kowalo recognized for decades of service

John “Ace” Kowalo, who served in Scott’s police department for decades, was recognized by township commissioners Nov. 25. Kowalo joined the Scott police department as a patrolman in 1959, elevated to lieutenant in 1969, named chief in 1984 and retired in 1993. Commissioners and the public commented that Kowalo consistently...
Proposed Carnegie budget would raise taxes 6%

Carnegie property owners would see a 6% increase to their property taxes next year under the borough’s proposed budget. The borough’s millage rate under the budget would increase from 8 to 8.5 mills, according to a budget draft written by Carnegie Manager Steve Beuter. A property at Carnegie’s median assessed...
New Kensington enters brownfield revitalization partnership

New Kensington officials hope a collaborative program with Westmoreland County will assist in the remediation and revitalization of its brownfield former industrial sites. The city entered into a Brownfield Revitalization Partnership with the county’s redevelopment authority, Monessen, Jeannette and Trafford, said City Clerk John Zavadak. “(This) will allow each of...
Identification of WWII airman Sidney Burke’s remains was ‘82 years in the making,’ nephew says

For almost all of Paul Hankin’s life, the circumstances surrounding the death of his uncle, Sidney Burke, who was killed while serving in World War II, were a mystery. “We thought we would never find out what had happened,” said Hankin, 83, of Bethel Park. “I had his picture hanging...
Point Park unveils new performing arts program to enhance students’ versatility

A new program at Point Park University aims to better prepare its performing arts students with transferable skills while also making its conservatory more elite. The Downtown Pittsburgh university will launch an accelerated bachelor of fine arts degree in performance and creative industries next fall, said Keisha Lalama, interim dean...
Rotary donates solar-powered picnic table to South Fayette

South Fayette Township’s Morgan Park is the latest beneficiary of the Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary Club. The club donated a $6,900 picnic table with a solar-powered charging station at Morgan Park, Sherman Street. The table was funded by the club and the Rotary International Foundation. It has benches, a space for...
4% pay hikes included in contract for Chartiers Valley educational support staff

Chartiers Valley school officials inked a 3-year contract with the district’s non-teaching staff. The new agreement calls for a 4% wage increase for its members, which include secretaries, cafeteria workers, technology technicians, instructional aides, playground monitors, paraprofessionals and office staff. The current agreement expires in June. “By meeting early, both...
Slippery Rock to grow program that gives college, work experience to students with intellectual disabilities

Slippery Rock University is expanding its “Rock Life” program, a four-year, non-degree program for students with intellectual disabilities. The federal government awarded Slippery Rock $300,000 over the next five years for the program. The money will be used to hire more staff and grow vocational and other campus school and...
Paving project bumps New Kensington budget to $12.4M; taxes hold steady

Property taxes will not change under New Kensington’s $12.4 million budget for next year. Council this week approved the city’s budget in a 4-0 vote, with Todd Mentecki absent, said City Clerk John Zavadak. The property tax remains at 32.02 mills. A property assessed at the city’s median value of...
13 employees furloughed from PennWest University

Thirteen union employees at Pennsylvania Western University’s California and Clarion campuses were furloughed last week, a university spokeswoman confirmed. “Thirteen AFSCME employees were furloughed,” said Wendy Mackall, a spokeswoman for PennWest. “PennWest is proud to support 1,571 employees across our campuses and to serve as a significant economic driver for...
Pittsburgh Public Schools rejects school closure plan

A reconfiguration plan that called to shutter nine Pittsburgh Public School buildings was defeated by a 6-3 vote Tuesday night. The “Future-Ready” plan called for the closure of the Student Achievement Center (Baxter School); Friendship; Schiller, Manchester; Fulton; McKelvy (Miller PreK-5); Woolslair; Spring Hill and Morrow. Grade structures would have...
Principal to leave Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary for another position elsewhere

Amy Lenart, a principal at Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary School, will be leaving the school in January for another leadership role outside the district. School directors this month accepted Lenart’s resignation, effective Jan. 15. Lenart has worked for Burrell for 23 years in both teaching and administrative roles, said Superintendent...
PennWest reshapes program for ‘undeclared’ students in effort to improve retention

Pennsylvania Western University has reshaped its programming for students who enter college without a major — commonly known as “undeclared” or “undecided” students. The university’s new “exploratory studies” program is tailored to give those student intentional, individual attention. “As career coaches, it’s sad to have a conversation with a junior...

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