Plum Advance Leader category, Page 28
Plum graduate makes 2nd donation of cleats to varsity baseball team
Plum’s varsity baseball team is on firm footing thanks to the continued generosity of a former player. When Nick Frazetta first donated cleats to the team last year, it was something the 2017 Plum graduate said he would be doing every year. He made good on that promise March 30,...
No tax increase 6 of past 10 years contributes to Plum School District’s 6.2% proposed hike
Plum School Board members say they can’t afford to continue putting off raising property taxes. The board has opted not to boost taxes for six of the past 10 years. Some board members say that’s one reason why district property owners are facing a hefty increase now. The board is...
Plum recruits young officer to fill police ranks
Cristina Sargent showed interest in police work from a young age. Her father said she would watch “America’s Most Wanted” when she was 4 years old. But White Oak police Chief Mark Sargent, who has been chief for six years and with his department for more than 30 years, didn’t...
More than a dozen departments respond to house fire in Plum
At least 14 departments responded to a two-alarm house fire Tuesday morning in Plum, authorities said. The fire was reported around 7 a.m. in the 100 block of Elwood Avenue, according to Glenn Kopec Jr., assistant chief of Unity Volunteer Fire Department. It took about 45 minutes to knock down...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of April 8, 2024
Old Mine Road becomes Mike Thomas Way The U.S. Postal Service was expected to process address changes for Old Mine Road to Mike Thomas Way on April 9, the borough announced. Plum Council in October approved changing Old Mine Road to Mike Thomas Way in honor of the former borough...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of April 7, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Susanne Steving sold property at 34 Barton Drive to Elaine Rachelle Wilson for $187,000. Tanner Yocca sold property at 1046 Black Forest Drive to Daniel Festa and Emily Dahlin for $255,000. Edgewood Tiffany GP Inc. sold property at 409 Edgewood Ave. to Trevor and Emily Mauk for...
Plum Junior Olympic wrestlers prove to be among best in the state
A trio of Plum youth wrestlers — Nicholas Pifer, Braeden Watters, and Ethan Schwartz — recently qualified for and participated in the Keystone state tournament in Reading, and the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling state tournament at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center. Schwartz, in the 10U 55-pound division, now is a two-time Keystone...
Led by sprinter Gabrielle Layne, Plum athletes embark on 2024 track and field season
Gabrielle Layne capped her 2023 outdoor track season with some major accomplishments. She found herself on the medals podium twice at the WPIAL Class 3A championships at Slippery Rock with a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter dash and an eighth-pace finish in the 200 dash. She also punched her ticket...
Plum High School preparing for presentation of spring musical, ‘Bye Bye Birdie’
Plum High School students are wrapping up rehearsals for this year’s spring musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.” It’s been close to 20 years since Plum has performed the 1960 musical comedy. Set in 1958, its story is influenced by Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army at the height of his...
Plum School District hires director of facilities
Plum Borough School District has new leadership managing its facilities. Shelley Shaffer was introduced at last month’s school board meeting as the new Director of Facilities and Grounds. Shaffer previously held similar positions at Westmoreland County Community College, Shepherd University, Saint Vincent College and Clarion University of Pennsylvania. “We’re thrilled...
Investigators interview man who visited Rustic Ridge home days ahead of fatal explosion
Allegheny County authorities say they identified a man who was seen on the porch of a home in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood days before it exploded last year. The man was not suspected of any wrongdoing, but investigators believed he could have information that might help in the ongoing investigation,...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of April 1, 2024
Registration open for Plum youth fishing day Plum has opened registrations for the borough’s annual youth trout fishing day, which will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 13 on Plum Creek at 1040 Ross Hollow Road. The free event is open to Plum residents only. Families are asked...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of April 4, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Forest Hills Estate of Marilyn O’Connor sold property at 4 Hillcrest Road to TLH TD Properties for $125,000. Katherine Opsitnick sold property at 321 Sharon Drive to Justin Pawlowski and Ashley Baskin for $281,950. Jupiter Financial Services LLC sold property at 231 Woodside Road to Nicholas and Sara...
After impressive postseason, Plum bowlers head to national championships
Plum was the only WPIBL program to have both its boys and girls bowling teams qualify for the Pennsylvania state championships. The Mustangs’ representation at Leisure Lanes in Lancaster on March 16 was the destination of a journey that took the squads through the WPIBL and Western Regional tournaments. But...
Plum School Board recognizes high school students’ accomplishments
More than 20 Plum Senior High School students were recognized for spring sports and technical academic accomplishments at the district’s March 26 school board meeting in the high school library. Boys wrestling coach Mike Supak, girls basketball coach Rich Mull, girls wrestling coach Dave Miller, principal Patrick Baughman and athletic...
Environmental group touts success against proposed injection well in Plum
An environmental group is celebrating some recent legal challenges against a proposed injection well in Plum while encouraging others to join the effort. “We’re really excited and happy that we have good news to share with the community,” said Gillian Graber, executive director of Protect PT. “We’re making some really...
Plum softball team bounces back from opening loss to blank Derry
The Plum softball team’s season debut against Ligonier Valley on Friday was, in the eyes of the coaches and players, not their best outing. But the Mustangs shook off the loss and rebounded in all three phases Monday at home against Derry. The Plum offense collected eight hits, and the...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of March 25, 2024
Wanted: Youth Service Librarian Oakmont Carnegie Library is accepting applications for a dedicated youth services librarian. The goal of the full-time position is to inspire young minds through literature and learning. The annual pay range is $40,000- $43,000. Applications can be found online at oakmontborough.com Help for property tax, rent...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of March 24, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill PA Real Estate Development Inc. sold property at 758 Margaretta St. to Oladipupo Olafiranye for $45,000. Roberta Anderson sold property at 444 Woodland Hills Drive to Elizabeth Hughes for $365,000. Forest Hills Ann Chay sold property at 507 Bevington Road to Evan Niznik and Stephanie Stras for...
State medals cap off successful season for Plum girls wrestlers
The Plum girls wrestling team met a lot of the expectations coach Dave Miller had for the 2024 season. No matter how high those expectations may have seemed. “I expected two girls to at least make it to states and I was hoping for three to get there,” said Miller....
Verona brewery expands to waterfront location along Allegheny River
Brews with a view is a new reality for patrons of Acclamation Brewing, as the business settles in to a new riverside location in Verona. At 314 Arch St. at the 10.7 Marina site, co-owner Jason Yahnke of Oakmont created a business with friends and family that allows him to...
Monroeville native doesn’t let brain tumor stop career in law enforcement
Luke Skledar isn’t one to back down from a challenge. He was a skilled hockey player in high school and achieved a second-degree black belt in martial arts. The Monroeville native, 22, took on another challenge after graduating from Gateway High School in 2020 — becoming the first member of...
Plum, Oakmont police warn residents to secure cars, valuables after series of thefts
Plum and Oakmont residents are being advised to lock their vehicles and remove valuables from them after a string of thefts that may be connected to a gang in Pittsburgh. Police from the two boroughs, Allegheny County Police and Pittsburgh police are investigating the thefts, which happened Feb. 9. Plum...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of March 18, 2024
Guard punched inmate in Allegheny County Jail cell, police say An Allegheny County Jail guard has lost his job and been charged after he punched an inmate multiple times, authorities said. Robert Veith, 49, of Plum, was conducting window cell checks Jan. 3 when the incident occurred, Allegheny County Police...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of March 17, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill William Saunders sold property at 8 Holland Road to Yousef Herwees for $358,000. Forest Hills Robert Bindas sold property at 515 Halsey Ave. to Paul Dafe Ogagan and Michelene Jeter Ogagan for $210,000. Monroeville Estate of Paul Myers sold property at 513 Lakewood Drive to Central Penn...
