Harrison officials seek $3.2 million in grant money for sewer projects
Harrison Township officials are pursuing more than $3.2 million in grant money for proposed sewer projects. The commissioners voted to approve grant applications for six different projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority last week. “They are all state LSA (Local Share Account) grants,” Township Manager Amy Rockwell said. “There is...
Highlands comes to tentative ‘early bird’ contract with its teachers
The Highlands School Board is moving to ensure labor peace with the district’s teachers union for the rest of the decade. The board has unanimously approved a tentative “early bird” contract with the Highlands Education Association, the district’s teachers union. “We are thrilled that this early bird has an agreement,”...
Springdale Township commissioners want to review further proposed on-street parking rules
The Springdale Township commissioners have delayed action on a proposed ordinance to regulate on-street parking. The commissioners discussed the ordinance Thursday but agreed to hold off further action to give them more to study it. “The whole issue is to limit street parking, not to be onerous, but to allow...
AT&T to erect 93-foot antenna at Highlands football field to improve cellphone service in Harrison
AT&T will erect a new light standard with a cellular antenna attached on property owned by Highlands School District. The Harrison Township commissioners voted 4-0 at its October meeting to approve a conditional use for the project following a public hearing. Commissioner Eric Bengel voted “present.” No one from the...
State budget impasse has Springdale Township considering loans for infrastructure projects
Springdale Township officials might have to borrow money to finance projects in the next two years. “We are looking at borrowing money in a big way for major projects that we were hoping to get grants for,” said Commissioner Tim Basilone, accounts and finance director. “It looks like most of...
Arnold councilman calls for spending freeze as city faces $200k shortfall
Concerns about Arnold’s finances prompted one councilman to call for a halt to spending. Councilman Phil McKinley, the city’s director of accounts and finance, made that pitch at a recent council meeting. It came amid a projection by City Manager Mario Bellavia that Arnold is facing a $200,000 deficit as...
Arnold approves settlements with former police chiefs Josh Stanga, Eric Doutt
Arnold Council voted this week to approve financial settlements with two former police chiefs — Josh Stanga and his predecessor, Eric Doutt. Council agreed to a financial settlement that pays $12,000 to Stanga, whose resignation was accepted on Sept. 9. He was suspended in August 2024 after being arrested by...
Harrison goes with new garbage hauler to keep the same service, but residents will pay more
The Harrison Commissioners voted to stay the course on its garbage collection system, even though it will cost more. The commissioners voted 3-2 to award a three-year, $4.9 million garbage hauling contract to Noble Environmental, which also does business as County Hauling. The new contract will boost residents’ monthly rate...
Lower Burrell Family Dollar property to have its real estate tax slashed by 40%
Real estate taxes on the Family Dollar Store in Lower Burrell apparently will be slashed for this year and next. The Burrell School Board approved a real estate assessment appeal settlement with Greensburg Road LLC, et. al., the owner of the property. The settlement would reduce its school taxes by...
East Deer to decide which ambulance service to use in the future
East Deer Commissioners face an important decision on what emergency medical service will care for its residents. Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said Lower Valley Ambulance Service notified the township it will make a proposal to include East Deer in its coverage area. He said the other option is the EMS...
Freeport Area eyes state budget impasse; finances OK for now
Although the state budget impasse could soon threaten Pennsylvania school districts’ operations, Freeport Area officials are not reaching for the panic button — yet. The state’s budget allocates millions of dollars in education subsidies every year, which are critical for financing district operations. Freeport Area was projected to receive almost...
Freeport Area superintendent thinks national recognition serves as confirmation of district’s decisions
As Freeport Area High School’s recent ranking by a national publication boosts community pride, Superintendent Ian Magness says it could be a reality check for some. In late August, U.S. News & World Report released its assessment of 24,000 high schools throughout the United States with 18,000 judged on six...
Rob Haus officially becomes Arnold police chief, ending tumultuous 12 months
Arnold Mayor Shannon Santucci has appointed Rob Haus as the city’s new police chief. Santucci announced the appointment at Tuesday’s council meeting, ending a year of uncertainty as to who would lead the department on a permanent basis. Haus has been leading the department on an interim basis as former...
Harrison commissioners try to address trucks using Rambler Drive as a shortcut
Keeping truck traffic off Rambler Drive poses a problem for the Harrison commissioners. Residents have complained about big trucks using the residential street between Saxonburg Road and Freeport Road. Commissioner Eric Bengel brought up the complaints at the commissioners’ meeting Monday. He suggested solving the problem by putting up signs...
Harrison commissioners deadlock on a 1st Ward representative, vacancy board will try to choose
Harrison still needs a fifth township commissioner. The four sitting commissioners failed to agree on appointing someone to fill the vacant 1st Ward seat formerly held by Chuck Dizard, who resigned last month after serving 10 years on the board. A decision on filling the vacancy now goes to the...
Lower Burrell Council OK’s vehicle sales, purchase
Lower Burrell Council has approved the sale of three used vehicles and the purchase of a new one. Two of the vehicles are police vehicles that brought in a total of $15,100. Both are Ford Explorer Police Interceptor models, 2017 and 2020. The winning bid of the 2020 Interceptor, submitted...
Freeport Area schools plan AI as a tool, not a crutch, in classrooms
Freeport Area School District teachers are learning how to use and teach artificial intelligence in their classrooms. Superintendent Ian Magness told the school board a district committee of 16 teachers and administrators mapped out how to approach the use of AI. He said that effort began about two years ago...
Lower Burrell adds streets to paving plans
Three streets are being added to Lower Burrell’s paving program this year. Council approved the paving of Clarendon Avenue, Tioga Street and Prospect Circle, which were not among the streets council approved in July as part of the paving program. The original streets, located primarily in the city’s Kinloch section,...
Springdale Council tables action on proposed parking ordinance near high school
Springdale residents expecting a proposed parking ordinance will have to wait until at least next month. Council voted 4-2 to table any action on the matter to the July 15 meeting. Residents living near Springdale Junior-Senior High School are concerned about how the ordinance will affect them, family members and...
Federal money to benefit Arnold’s firefighters, parks, sewage system
Two of Arnold’s recreation sites are in line to get some improvements though the city’s latest Community Development Block Grant allocations. They are among seven projects likely to get funded from about $300,000 in federal cash. Katie Robson, a part-time financial clerk for the city, outlined the possible uses of...
Buffalo Township supervisors delay vote on solar farms after residents blast the plans
Buffalo Township residents voicing concerns about two proposed solar farms prompted the supervisors to postpone a vote on the facilities. Residents were united in their opposition to SolAmerica’s proposal at two public hearings Wednesday. The hearings, which were attended by about 35 residents and went on for almost three hours,...
East Deer lays out steps for delinquent service payments
Employees and customers of East Deer’s water department are getting firm regulations to follow when it comes to delinquent payments. Commissioners approved a formal policy regarding such payments, not only for water bills but also for refuse collection and sewer maintenance payments. “It’s just a policy that (township Manager) Chrystal...
East Deer wants better repaving after utility work under streets
East Deer Commissioners want to make utility companies do more when it comes to repairing streets they dig up. Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said he’s looking at revising the township’s street opening ordinance and wants the rest of the commissioners to do the same. “I’m bringing it to your attention...
Still no vote on Lower Burrell allowing alcohol at city park events
A final city council decision on allowing alcoholic beverages at Lower Burrell park events is being pushed back again. For the second time in two months, council tabled a vote on a proposed ordinance to allow alcoholic beverages to be served at events in city parks. The measure would permit...
Springdale hires new manager away from his same position in Latrobe
Terry Carcella worked for several municipalities, in different capacities, while constructing a 42-year municipal government career. Now, he can add the Springdale Borough manager position to that list, as borough council hired him with a unanimous vote Tuesday. On May 27, he’ll assume his new post, which has been vacant...
