Penn Hills Progress category, Page 113
Penn Hills High School JROTC program could be eliminated
The Naval Junior ROTC program at Penn Hills High School is in danger of being eliminated. District officials said it’s likely going to be cut from next school year’s activities due to declining enrollment. The program has been offered to Penn Hills students for at least the past 14 years...
Police: 2 teens expected to survive after being shot in Penn Hills
Two teenagers were expected to survive after being shot in Penn Hills , Allegheny County police said. Police were called to the 8900 block of Eastwood Road at 8:10 p.m. Tuesday. Officers found a 19-year-old man who had been shot in the head and leg, and a 17-year-old boy who...
2 men shot in Penn Hills
Penn Hills police say two men were shot Tuesday evening along Eastwood Drive. Police responded to reports of the shooting shortly before 9 p.m. in the 8900 block of Eastwood Drive. Police on the scene confirmed they found two men who had been shot. Both were transported to hospitals. Allegheny...
Penn Hills sent 35 furlough letters but none announced so far
Penn Hills School District officials said rumors about teacher furloughs and program cuts have been greatly exaggerated. However, state financial recovery officer Daniel Matsook confirmed April 29 that 35 teachers received a letter of possible furlough on April. 8. “We overextended the number to cover all educational operations as we...
Man killed in Penn Hills hit-and-run crash identified
Allegheny County Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a man Sunday night in Penn Hills. Joseph Morris, 51, of Pittsburgh, was found dead by police in front of 1841 Universal Road in Penn Hills after Allegheny County 911 received multiple calls around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Police and paramedics...
Penn Hills pet advocates raising money, starting website
A group of dog lovers in Penn Hills has banded together to raise money for a temporary holding space for lost pets and launched a website aimed at keeping track of them. Brittney Norris of PAWsitive Voice animal advocacy group hopes a $2,500 goal will be met in order to...
7 Democrats seek 2 Penn Hills council seats
There’s a crowded field of candidates seeking two Penn Hills council seats. Six challengers and one incumbent, all of whom are Democrats, are running in the primary. There are no Republicans on the ballot. The six challengers are Chuck Chieffo, James Getsy, Shawn Kerestus, Frank Pecora, Jace Ransom and Tyler...
2 Democrats vie to be new Penn Hills mayor
Two Penn Hills residents are vying for votes to be the municipality’s next mayor. Pauline Calabrese, 56, and John Petrucci, 57, have announced bids. They are both running as Democrats. Mayor Sara Kuhn will not seek re-election. Her term expires in December. Here are where the candidates stand on some...
Volunteers wanted for Saturday’s Verona Cleanup Day
Volunteers are wanted for the upcoming biannual Verona Cleanup Day. Organized by Luke and Kathy Mattocks for at least 15 years, the next big cleanup is set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27. Participants are to meet up around 9:45 a.m. for maps and supplies at the borough...
Verona car seat program helps families make sure safety device properly installed
Car seats can be carrying a family’s most precious cargo. That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure the devices are installed and working properly. One of the ways to do that is through car seat safety check events. Verona recently hosted such an event at the Riverview Children’s...
Fire destroys Penn Hills house, leaves at least 3 homeless
American Red Cross is assisting at least three Penn Hills residents with shelter after fire destroyed their house Wednesday evening. Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Co. No. 5 Assistant Chief Mike Stadelman said no one was injured battling the two-alarm blaze at 8910 Upland Terrace shortly before 7 p.m. He said...
Only 2 people are on the ballot for 5 seats in Penn Hills School District primary
Not many Penn Hills residents want a chance to lead their school district. That is evident via Allegheny County Elections Division records, which show only two people have filed for five seats in the May 21 primary election. Incumbents board President Erin Vecchio and School Director Bob Marra have cross-filed....
Penn Hills residents to see small reduction in quarterly sewage bill
Penn Hills residents will save some money on their quarterly sewage service fee after the municipality decreased the bill by $5. The municipality recently decided to reduce its sewage service fee from $30 to $25, which is billed quarterly. The savings amounts to $20 a year per ratepayer. Manager Scott...
Person injured in 2-vehicle crash in Penn Hills
One person was transported to a hospital with injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash in Penn Hills. Allegheny County dispatchers said two cars collided Tuesday shortly before 4 p.m. at the intersection of Allegheny River Boulevard at Nadine Road. There was no word on any other injuries....
Assault, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Apr. 22, 2019
Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for courtJordan Mason, 20, of Penn Hills on charges of simple assault, harassment and strangulation....
Penn Hills financial crisis inspires bill aimed at keeping districts from similar fate
A state lawmaker presented a bill package April 17 that seeks to avoid school district financial crises and allows for greater punishment of school officials if poor decisions are made. State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, along with state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, unveiled the bill package, dubbed “School Board and...
Extension granted to craft Penn Hills School District’s recovery plan
State financial recovery officer Daniel Matsook and his committee have more time to construct a plan to fix the fiscally troubled Penn Hills School District. Matsook said an extension was granted by the state Department of Education to complete the plan by May 20. He originally intended to submit the...
Penn Hills school directors appoint board vice president’s wife to fill vacancy
Penn Hills School Board Vice President George Sens will be joined on the elected panel by a very familiar face: his wife. Board members voted 4-2 at a special meeting Monday to appoint Jan Sens to fill the seat vacated by former President Denise Graham-Shealey. Graham-Shealey resigned in March to...
Police: Penn Hills kidnapping victim released after assailants realize he’s the wrong guy
Penn Hills police said a man was kidnapped at a business along Verona Road and released a few streets away when the alleged assailants realized they had the wrong guy. The incident took place around 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Verona Car Spa in Penn Hills. Police Chief Howard Burton...
Penn Hills emergency responders recognized for saving young life
Penn Hills officials recognized six first responders for their work to save a young woman after she suffered a near-fatal cardiac arrest last year. Taylor Allen, 21, suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest July 31 at her grandmother’s home in Penn Hills. Penn Hills EMS Supervisor Diane Fitzhenry said the...
Penn Hills mayor defends decision to silence resident
The Penn Hills mayor said she was sorry a woman felt upset after being silenced at a public meeting in March but doubled down on her decision to cut the woman off. “As mayor of Penn Hills, I am truly sorry the speaker was so upset with the decision of...
DUI, drug cases among those recently handled in Judge DeLuca’s Penn Hills court – Apr. 15, 2019
Penn Hills District Judge Anthony L. DeLuca handled the following cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Charges were filed by Penn Hills police unless otherwise noted. Held for courtMelvin Barnes III, 33, of Pittsburgh on charges of possession of marijuana, driving under...
Penn Hills to host Easter egg hunt
The Penn Hills Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor an Easter event at a local park on April 20. The department will hold its annual Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt from noon to 2 p.m. at Penn Hills Community Park, 120 Colorado St. The event will be held in rain...
Man recovering after being shot in the back in Penn Hills
A man in his early 20s is recovering after being shot in the back in Penn Hills. Police Chief Howard Burton said officers found the victim Wednesday after 11:30 p.m. along Robinson Boulevard near the Thad Stevens Volunteer Fire Department. He’s believed to have been shot while in his car...
Verona officer commended for saving missing woman unknowingly in medical danger
A Verona police officer is being hailed a hero for finding a missing borough woman who unknowingly needed serious medical attention. Resident Joann Semencar was reported missing Feb. 26 around 11:20 p.m. Police Chief Ron McLemore said she had reportedly left her home on the cold, windy evening in search...
