In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Jan. 27, 2025
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Plum police using Savvy Citizen
The Plum Police Department announced it will use the Savvy Citizen notification system.
The department will use it to send emergency notifications, safety alerts and helpful information.
To receive information from Plum police, Savvy Citizen users should go to community settings under “my account,” click on “add new community,” enter the 15239 zip code and click on Plum police.
Savvy Citizen can be found online at savvycitizenapp.com.
Holiday Park fire department seeks new members
The Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department is seeking new members to grow its ranks of firefighters, EMS providers, engineers and fire police squad officers.
There are various levels of membership and a rewards program for participation. A daylight staffing stipend program, recently approved by borough council, is expected to start soon. Other benefits include a tax credit incentive, college scholarship program, bunk-in program, and free training.
To schedule a visit and learn more, contact fire Chief Jim Sims at chief@holidayparkvfd.org.
Plum accepting road paving bids
Plum is seeking sealed proposals for its 2025 paving program.
The borough would not release the names of the roads to be paved in advance but has $1,044,000 budgeted for paving this year, borough Manager David Soboslay said.
According to the bid notice, the project includes milling; base repair; chip seal; curbs, stone driveway repair; and storm inlet, sanitary manhole and valve risers.
Bidding documents can be bought from KU Resources for $50.
The borough is accepting bids until 10 a.m. Feb. 3. Council is expected to award a contract on Feb. 10.
Comedy fundraiser on tap for Verona brewery
Riverside Women’s Association will sponsor a comedy night fundraiser at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Acclamation Brewing at 314 Arch St. in Verona.
The doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets cost $30. There will be a cash bar, raffles, 50-50 and auctions. Snacks will be available for purchase.
Those attending must be 18 or older. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For tickets and sponsorship information, visit funny4funds.com/events. For details, call Sue Portera at 412-956-7416.
PALS monthly meeting set
The Plum Area Ladies Society (PALS) will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Plum Community Center. There will be no speaker.
For the service project, members will fashion valentines for residents of Concordia at Ridgewood. Members should bring to the meeting construction paper, sharpies, scissors, glue sticks, heart stickers, ribbons, buttons and small doilies. Members also will host an ice cream social for Ridgewood residents on Feb. 8. Sign-ups will take place at the meeting.
As usual, PALS will be collecting paper products and cash for the Plum Food Pantry.
The Ladies Day Out will be celebrating Chinese New Year with lunch at Zen’s on Feb. 2. Contact Lynda English to sign up.
PALS is a service/social group open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and surrounding communities. Newcomers are welcome to attend a regular meeting, always held at 6:30 at Plum Community Center on the first Wednesday of the month from September through April.
For more information, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.
McAndrew gets committee assignments
State Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Penn Hills, was assigned to the House committees on Children and Youth, Energy, Gaming Oversight, Liquor Control and Transportation in the new legislative session.
McAndrew once again will serve as the chair of the Subcommittee on Public Transportation.
There were a few changes to his assignments, however. He was transferred from the Health Committee to the newly created Energy Committee and received a promotion to Secretary of the Liquor Committee.
McAndrew represents the 32nd District, which includes Oakmont, Verona, Penn Hills and parts of Plum.
Public hearing set for church office trailer
Plum Council will hold a public hearing in February on a church’s use of a temporary modular office trailer.
St. John the Baptist is seeking conditional use approval for the office trailer. An application is available for public view at the borough office, 2000 Mike Thomas Way.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. Feb. 3 in council chambers.
Zoning hearing scheduled on Plum injection well expansion
The proposed expansion of an underground injection well will again be the subject of a public hearing before Plum’s Zoning Hearing Board, beginning at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the municipal center, 2000 Mike Thomas Way.
Penneco Environmental Solutions is asking for special exception approval to expand the non-conforming use at 1815 Old Leechburg Road, a rural residential zoned area.
Penneco is also asking for the setback to a protected structure to be reduced by about 70 feet, and for the setback to the nearest property line to be reduced by about 175 feet.
Applications and plans are available for review at the municipal center.
Anti-litter award program offered for kids
Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.
Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.
The theme for the contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup! Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”
Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.
The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.
For an entry form, go to KeepPABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.
Rotary offering need-based scholarships
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from current high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.
This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded.
The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington- Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.
Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at rotarydistrict7305.org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
For details, email Dr. Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.
Group offers support for weight loss
All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.
With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.
You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.
There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.