Denise Plaskon took the long way around to reach Bellevue once again.

While studying at the University of Pittsburgh -- where she received a master’s degree in library and information science -- she did sales work that included Bellevue as part of her territory.

Since then, she has traveled a bit, working as the branch manager of the Lawler Branch Library in New Bedford, MA, for three and a half years, and then as director of the Everett Free Library in Everett, PA for two years.

When Alex Riddle addressed his fellow seniors as class valedictorian at Avonworth High School's graduation ceremonies in June, nobody doubted his claim to being at the top of the Class of 2010, his grade point average being 4.28.

Kenneth Todoverto Sr. Kenneth M. Todoverto Sr., 81, of Bellevue died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Loretta Todoverto; four children, Kenneth Todoverto Jr. and his wife Sandy, Janice Barry and her husband Mike, Carla Pritchard and her husband Glenn and Donna Boyer; his sister, Louise Killian; and five grandchildren, Brian Verlihay and his wife Steph, Steven Verlihay, Glenn Pritchard Jr., Becky Pritchard and Ally Boyer.

Pending the approval of next year’s borough council, Bellevue will contribute to the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) as a sign of the borough’s commitment to the program.

CONNECT is a project of Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, designed to deal with “policy level issues” facing the City of Pittsburgh and the 38 municipalities that border the city, according to associate director Kathy Risko.

Alma Fleming Alma Eleanor Oestreicher Fleming, 97, of Wadsworth, OH, formerly of Kilbuck Township and wife of the late James D. Fleming, died Monday, Oct. 10, 2011. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Livingston and her husband Paul; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three nephews; and a niece. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Nellie Oestreicher; and her brother, Charles Oestreicher and his wife Helene. Friends were received at O'Brien Funeral Home, North Side, until the time of services on Friday. Burial was in Rosedale Cemetery.

John Koch Jr.

Ohio Township is asking for the Avonworth School District's help in preventing the defacing of its street signs.

Avonworth superintendent Valerie McDonald and Brad Waters, director of fiscal management and support services, had a meeting with officials from Ohio Township last week, according to McDonald. At that time, McDonald and Waters were informed that Avonworth seniors were believed to be defacing street signs in the township. According to McDonald, signs were starting to wear the "2012" mark. McDonald was told that this was "everywhere."

New academic standards were discussed at the Avonworth School Board’s work session on Sept. 6. Dr. Shannon Varley, director of curriculum and instruction for the district, spoke to the board about the Common Core Standards, which have been adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

With Marilynn Berner retiring as Northgate's director of finance and operations at the end of September, the Northgate School Board has hired her replacement.

Christopher Urso was hired with a two-year contract at a salary of $66,000 per year. His 2011-12 salary will be pro-rated.

Ursu already has begun work at Northgate in order to be able to take over the district's business office in October.

When school starts up in September and friends trade stories about how they spent their summer, most will talk about vacations, jobs, relaxing.

Some, though, will have a different story to tell. Their story will be about traveling nearly 900 miles to do volunteer work under the scorching Missouri sun, helping the people of Joplin put together lives shattered as a result of the May 22 tornado that killed 116 people.

Although some additional revenue is expected to find its way into the Avonworth School District’s 2011-12 budget, officials are being advised to remain cautious with expenditures as they vote next Monday on a final spending plan that includes no property tax millage rate increase.

The public hearing on the proposed budget, held prior to the school board’s work session last Monday, was a non-event, with no one from the public having any comments or questions.

Dropping interest rates may make it possible for Bellevue to refinance the borough’s bonds and net a savings of at least $150,000.

Director of administrative services Doug Sample told officials at the council meeting on Tuesday that interest rates were at 3.89 percent, but if they contin ued downward to 3.79 percent, Bellevue could save some money by refinancing the bonds last refinanced in 2005.

He suggested authorizing the firm of Boenning & Scattergood to refinance the bonds if the interest rate hit the necessary level.