In Brief: Spring clean up, late sewage fees waved in Ross and more in the North Hills

North Hills Genealogists meeting

The North Hills Genealogists will present a free live, online presentation titled “The Importance of Family History Writing” at 6:45 p.m. on March 15.

The program will be co-hosted by Rich Watson and Sue Ennis, who will outline why and how to write about your ancestors. They will cover four ways to write about family history along with writing tips, research suggestions, sample pieces and how to share what’s been written.

The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Watson is a retired railroad industry sales manager and avid genealogical researcher, Ennis is a retired English teacher and librarian who enjoys teaching genealogical research and writing.

To participate in the meeting, which will be conducted via Zoom, sign up online. A confirmation to attend the meeting will be sent by email.

For more information about the group, visit northhillsgenealogists.org.

McCandless spring roadside cleanup

The Town of McCandless is seeking volunteers for its sixth annual spring roadside cleanup at 10 a.m. April 10.

Residents are encouraged to form their own groups to clear debris from local roads.

To conduct the cleanup safely during the covid-19 pandemic, people who sign up will be placed into small groups ahead of time and will be assigned a location to work.

Safety vests and reflective T-shirts, gloves and bags will be provided to a designated group leader for pickup.

To sign up, send an email to eac@townofmccandless.org or call 412-364-0616 ext. 118.

NH School Board president tapped for advisory post

Allison Mathis, who serves as president of the North Hills School District Board of Education, was appointed to the post of sectional advisor of the Pennsylvania School Board Association.

There are eight PSBA sections across the state. Section 5 is composed of Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Sectional advisers focus on promoting the purpose, programs and participation of the association across the counties they represent while serving as a liaison to help facilitate communication to and from the organization.

Mathis will participate in the annual school leadership conferences and serve as a representative of PSBA at local school board meetings.

She also will serve as an appointed committee member for the organization’s governing board.

Her term runs through December.

La Roche offers online admissions event

An Instagram Live event hosted by La Roche University will offer on-the-spot admissions decisions and an inside look at campus March 11.

The live event will be at 5 p.m. and will feature a counselor-guided tour of a private residence hall room and other La Roche facilities, including the Palumbo Science Center, Kerr Fitness & Sports Center and Zappala Campus Center. Users also will hear from current students and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Students are encouraged to submit an application prior to the event with related documents.

Follow @larocheuniv on Instagram to join the live event.

For more information, email admissions@laroche.edu or call 412-536-1272.

Personal care items needed

North Hills Community Outreach is hosting a collection drive until April 19 to collect personal care items for needy people.

The most needed items include disposable razors, shave cream, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, unscented hand soap, unscented hand lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, deodorant, washcloths and lip balm.

Donations can be dropped off weekdays from 9 am. to 4 p.m. at the charity’s three locations and from 9 a.m. to noon at the Allison Park location on the first Saturday of the month.

NHCO’s main office is located at 1975 Ferguson Road in Allison Park. There also are offices in the Millvale Community Center at 416 Lincoln Ave., 2nd floor in Millvale; and at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave. in Pittsburgh.

Girl Scout cookies available

Still haven’t satisfied your fix for Girl Scout cookies?

Scouts will be selling boxes of Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs and the other varieties at The Block Northway along McKnight Road starting Feb. 27.

The Scout will be set up between the Land’s End and DSW shoe stores.

Cookies will be sold Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 21.

Proceeds benefit local Scouting troops.

Sign up for summer camp

Registration is open for Camp Cranberry, which runs June 7 to Aug. 20 for children ages 5 to 15 from any community.

The camp focuses on developing physical, social and decision-making skills, promoting self-confidence and having fun.

There will be weekly themes for younger campers, such as outer space, dinosaurs, animals, science and storybook classics.

Older campers will learn about their natural surroundings, how to express themselves creatively and inventing games and activities.

Some of the camp activities will be held at the township’s water park.

Full-day camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There also are half-day camps offered for younger children.

Lunch and extended care also will be available.

Cranberry also is offering swimming lessons for all age groups.

There are group lessons, Saturday classes, sessions for preschool kids and parent and child aquatics.

Private lessons also are available.

For more information, visit cranberrytownship.org.

Block Party To Go charity fundraiser

Participants in North Hills Community Outreach’s annual block party fundraiser won’t be able to gather in person this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the North Hills charity and social service agency is still planning to party.

Have fun at home with a “Block Party To Go” party bag. The adult bags include a do-it-yourself pizza kit, wine, dessert, a game and more. The children’s bag includes a craft kit from Dots and Doodles, snacks and other items.

Some of the bags will include a “bonus” gift card to a local restaurant or business. The first 300 party-to-go kits will include a link to play BuzzWorthy Pub Trivia.

More information and an order form for party bags are available online at NHCO/Block-Party.

Fees waived for late sewer bills

Ross Township officials said they have received complaints from residents who got late invoices for sewer bills mailed from Jordan Tax Service.

The township was informed by the tax collection agency that the bills were tied up with the U.S. Postal Service following a covid-19 outbreak among employees.

Jordan told township officials that any late fees or interest charged because of the late bills will be waived.

Summer work in Marshall parks

Marshall’s parks and recreation department is accepting applications for full-time seasonal staff to maintain park grounds May through August at a starting rate of $10/hour. Responsibilities include trimming weeds, maintaining trails and cleaning restrooms, playgrounds and rental facilities.

Applicants typically work 40 hours per week but flexible scheduling is available if requested. Some weekend work required.

Applicants must be 18 years old and have a driver’s license.

Call the municipal building for more information or to request an application at 724-935-3090 Ext. 214.

Free tax prep

A free tax preparation service is being offered by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania through April 10.

The service is available virtually or through a combination of online and in-person meetings.

Clients can upload their materials, and tax experts will prepare and review the return. The hybrid tax preparation will require two brief appointments in a safe environment, following covid-19 guidelines, to provide information and review the return.

The service is available to residents in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Assistance from a volunteer tax preparer is available for people and families with a total annual income of up to $57,000.

A free, do-it-yourself online tax assistance program is available at myfreetaxes.com.