Content about News

09.10.10

Experts are telling the Avonworth School Board to act now to secure financing for the the construction of an $18 million primary center.

What began as an attempt to take advantage of lower interest rates to refinance two current bond issues has blossomed to include the nearly $16 million Avonworth still needs to build the new school.

07.23.10

On the job

For the first time since March, the Borough of Bellevue has a director of administrative services on the job in the borough hall. Former Crafton manager Doug Sample began work Monday. The position has remained vacant since Connie Flasher resigned last spring.

09.10.10

"Improve the Vue"

"Improve the Vue" is a day of community service in and around Bellevue. The Bellevue Initiative for Growth (B.I.G.) is planning the event, which will be held on Saturday Oct. 9.

09.10.10

Ambulance service

NorthWest EMS will continue to provide emergency services to Emsworth Borough.

At its meeting on Sept. 8, Emsworth Council voted to extend the borough’s contract with NorthWest EMS to June 30, 2012.

Justin Webster, District Chief of NorthWest EMS for the northern boroughs, will be attending council meetings while the contract is in effect.

09.10.10

Business robbery, many burglaries reported

Two robberies -- including the armed robbery of a clerk at a Bellevue business -- as well as a number of burglaries were among incidents investigated recently by the Bellevue Police Department.

A white male armed with a handgun is reported to have robbed the Bellevue Beer distributor on Ohio River Boulevard on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The robber was wearing a blue hoodie and carrying a black bag. Allegheny County Police were asked to assist in the investigation.

Also on Aug. 28, a man came to the police station to report that he had been robbed by someone he knew.

09.10.10

K-9 visits to continue

Canine inspections of the Avonworth school buildings and grounds were discussed at the Avonworth school board’s work session on Sept. 7. Superintendent Dr. Valerie McDonald told the board that there were issues raised with regard to visits from trained dogs used to locate drugs and other illegal substances that may be present on school property.

09.10.10

Keystone Collections

It was reported at the Emsworth Council meeting on Sept. 8 that Keystone Collections Group will be taking over the collection of borough taxes and payroll withholding as of Jan. 1, 2012.

That service currently is provided by Central Tax Service.

The appointment of Keystone Collections was approved by the Allegheny North Tax Collection District at its meeting on Aug. 25. Emsworth and the other North Boroughs municipalities and school districts are part of that district.

09.10.10

No investigation

There will be no further investigation into allegations that an Emsworth Council member violated state ethics laws.

09.10.10

Senior wellness

Mayor Dee Quinn, at the Emsworth Borough Council meeting held on Sept. 8, urged senior citizens and any disabled residents of the borough to participate in the borough's senior wellness program.

Senior citizens or the disabled can be checked on through daily telephone calls from the Ohio Township Police Department.

The mayor stated that some residents were uncomfortable with daily contact with the police. She stressed that residents could participate in the program and opt out of the daily phone calls.

09.10.10

Teacher hired

Avonworth has a new science teacher.

At its work session on Tuesday, the Avonworth School Board approved the hiring of Douglas Haskins to fill the position of middle school eighth grade science teacher.

09.10.10

Vehicle break-ins continue

This summer's rash of vehicle break-ins in the Avonworth communities is continuing, with some 17 new break-ins reported during the past week.

The thefts occurred in Ohio Township, Kilbuck Township, Ben Avon and Ben Avon Heights, with electronic devices such as GPS units and iPods continuing to be the focus of the thieves, along with loose change.

Police say that in each of the recent cases, vehicles had been left unlocked, and they are urging residents to lock their cars even when parked in a driveway.

09.03.10

Avalon Police News

A South Home Avenue resident reported Aug. 27 that someone had used a credit card without permission, making an internet purchase of $218.65 on May 5.

Nathaniel Vickinovac, 20, of Perrysville Ave., Ben Avon, was charged with driving under the influence on Route 65 on Sept. 2.

Gregory Omlor, 21, of Sewickley, was charged with theft of services and public drunkenness on Sept. 2. Police located him on Ohio River Boulevard after he apparently left without paying his check at Eat n’ Park.

08.27.10

Ambulance Service

Bellevue Council will solicit proposals from ambulance services.

During council's regular meeting on Aug. 24, safety committee chair David Gillingham Jr. said that he was concerned that Bellevue did not have a formal written contract with any ambulance service. Up to now, he said, Bellevue has had only a "handshake" with NorthWest EMS.

The agreement holds only that calls to 9-1-1 and emergency requests from police for an ambulance are automatically routed to NorthWest. Residents of Bellevue are free to employ any ambulance service.

08.27.10

Anti-discrimination

Bellevue has adopted a new, more encompassing, anti-discrimination policy, but perhaps not completely.

Council voted Tuesday to adopt an Ordinance amending the personnel code to clarify that "Bellevue Borough is an equal opportunity employer whose non-discrimination policy extends to matters of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, religious affiliation and disability."

08.27.10

Avalon Police News

A 10-foot brake, weighing several hundred pounds, was reported stolen during the burglary of a McKinley Avenue residence on Aug. 23. The owner said the equipment was valued at $2,000, and had been stolen between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Avalon Police were called on Aug.20 when someone witnessed a person in a silver vehicle pull up to a Jackman Avenue home, get out, and steal a copper downspout from the side of the house.

08.27.10

Committee to look at possible park lot sale

Despite opposition from some officials, Bellevue Council’s parks and recreation committee will explore the possibility of selling a portion of Memorial Park.

Council members Linda Woshner and Jane Braunlich attempted to nip in the bud any plans to sell a portion of the park property, specifically the “cinder lot” that has been the focus of recent efforts after Ross Township and the owners of adjacent residential property demanded it be cleaned up.

08.27.10

Director resigns

At its regular meeting on Aug. 24, Bellevue Council accepted the resignation of Sharon Helfrich, Bayne Library's library and cultural director.

Council member Linda Woshner said that the borough was losing an important part of the community, and would have a difficult time replacing her. Helfrich has been at the library for more than 12 years, and started numerous programs and services. Woshner expressed her opinion that council needed to make the library an important part of the community and to provide it with more funding.

08.27.10

Hospital Update

Representatives of West Penn Allegheny Health System updated Bellevue Council Tuesday on changes at the Allegheny General Hospital - Suburban Campus.

Gregory Burfitt, CEO of Allegheny General Hospital and Kim Sperring, vice president of AGH- Suburban Campus, spoke to council about what has happened since inpatient and emergency room services were discontinued last week.

08.27.10

Improve the Vue

Chuck Gohn, pastor of Bellevue Christian Church, spoke to Bellevue Council at its regular meeting on Aug. 24 to promote "Improve the Vue" Day, and to request the help of council in distributing flyers and information.

The day of community service will be held on Oct.9. Gohn said that organizers hope to recruit 300 to 500 volunteers from civic organizations to work on various improvement projects in Bellevue.

08.27.10

New chair

Bellevue Council'spublic works committee has a new chair.

At council's regular meeting on Tuesday, president Kathleen Coder said that Jane Braunlich had resigned as the committee chair. She will be replaced by council member Jim Viscusi.

08.27.10

Ohio Twp. Police News

A vehicle was reported stolen from Kensington Road in the Cobblestone plan in Ohio Township on Aug. 22. Police say it later was recovered in the City of Pittsburgh.

Five juveniles face charges after police caught them in Avonworth Community Park on Aug.19. The youths are charged with underage drinking, possession of drug paraphernalia, and one with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Five more juveniles were charged with underage drinking on Aug. 21 when police found them walking along Camp Horne Road late at night.

08.27.10

Route 65 to close in Emsworth

PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in the Borough of Emsworth, will be closed in both directions this weekend, Aug. 27-30.

Crews will be installing a temporary support beam to allow traffic to remain on the existing bridge over Lowries Run between Hiland Avenue and Camp Horne Road while long-term construction to replace the structure continues. This beam installation work cannot occur with traffic on Route 65.

08.21.10

Avalon pool hours

Because many of the Avalon pool life guards will be returning to college soon, the pool will be open with limited hours using high school students as life guards.

Bellevue passes will not be honored, officials stated.

The new hours are: Aug. 23 - 27, 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; weekend hours remain unchanged, noon - 6 p.m.; Aug. 30 - Sept.7, 11 - 5 p.m.

08.21.10

Bellevue Police News

Linda McCallister, 55, of Shiloh Avenue, was arrested for shoplifting and public drunkenness after an incident at CVS on July 14.

James Kelly, 28, of Dellrose Street, Pittsburgh 15210, was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Pittsburgh during a traffic stop on July 12.

Holly Berger, 18, of Ohio River Boulevard, and Kayla Lennex, 19, were cited for shoplifting at CVS on July 17.

On July 15, a vehicle in the lot of Russ's Auto was reported broken into during the previous night.

A South Jackson Avenue residence was reported burglarized on July 17.

08.21.10

Model school

At the Northgate School Board meeting on Monday, Superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield announced that the National Inclusive Education Initiative (NIEI) has selected the Avalon Elementary School as one of 20 model schools in the country.

The NIEI works to improve education and outcomes for students with autism. The model school project will help teachers improve their ability to teach students with autism as well as non-disabled students in regular education classes.