West Homestead
By David Whipkey
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Some parents of children attending Steel Valley middle and high schools will be seeking alternative methods of getting the students to class later this spring.
Beginning April 4, the Port Authority will discontinue the 55D West Run-Brierly Lane and 61F Homestead Park bus routes as part of the agency’s Transit Development Plan. According to Steel Valley Superintendent William Kinavey, about 60 students from both the middle and high school use Port Authority service to get to and from school.
Resident Gerry Hawkins asked the school board last week if anything can be done to help those students affected make it to school in a safe manner should no bus service be available.
“This has been reported all through the media,” Ms. Hawkins said of the service changes in Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead. “I know we do not have school buses in the district.”
Board officials said they planned to contact Port Authority to explore possible alternative transit options for affected students.
“I think that we should definitely have a meeting with the Port Authority to see what we can do,” school director Michael Terrick said. “We need to give the parents tools that can help secure some kind of transit to school for their children.”
[Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10063/1040014-55.stm]
By Mary Niederberger
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The president of the Steel Valley school board and the district’s superintendent walked out of last night’s meeting as a resident was attempting to discuss a citizen coalition she is trying to form to work with the board and administration on district projects and programs.
The abrupt end came after a meeting during which the board, at the recommendation of Superintendent William Kinavey, eliminated three administrative positions and created another without much explanation.
After the board’s actions and during the citizen comments portion at the end of the meeting, resident Sharon Ford had used the three-minute time limit the board has imposed on public comments. She wanted to continue, but board President Joseph Ducar announced her time had expired and immediately gaveled the meeting to a close. Then, he and Dr. Kinavey abruptly walked out of the meeting.
The rest of the board, with the exception of school director Edward McCallister who was absent, remained and continued a discussion with Ms. Ford for approximately 20 more minutes. Several board members explained to Ms. Ford that it is common practice for public bodies to impose time limits on comments.
Ms. Ford has exceeded the time limit during previous addresses to the board and has tried to maintain that it is not legal for the school board to enforce the limit.
In the end, board members encouraged Ms. Ford to prepare and deliver a written report to board secretary Mark Cherpak to be included in the packets that they receive on the Fridays before board meetings. The hope is that would eliminate the need for long presentations by Ms. Ford.
[ Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09175/979489-100.stm ]
By Mary Niederberger
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Allegheny County Council President Rich Fitzgerald came to the Carnegie Library of Homestead yesterday bearing a significant gift — a $150,000 check from the county Department of Economic Development.
The funds came from a Community Development Block Grant and will be used to begin infrastructure improvements in preparation for the installation of an elevator that will make all three floors of the library, built in 1898, accessible to the disabled, said Library Board President Dan Lloyd. The library is still seeking funding for the elevator.
The grant was the second major gift recently received by the historic library, which is actually located in Munhall. The library board plans to soon renovate and enlarge the children’s and teen area with a $50,000 grant from the Allegheny Foundation and a $10,000 gift from Janney Investments.
The project will enlarge the current 850-square-foot children’s library by about 50 percent, said Mr. Lloyd, who is also a Munhall councilman. He made the announcements at a late-day news conference yesterday at the library.
[ Full story available at: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09050/950267-100.stm ]
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Two Homestead residences were destroyed and two others damaged in a pre-dawn fire today. One resident was treated for smoke inhalation.
The two buildings that were destroyed were a duplex at 344-346 E. 11th Ave. and the house behind it at 1106 McClure Ave.
A resident of 344 E. 11th Ave, identified as Patricia Hoston, was taken to UPMC Mercy for smoke inhalation. That was the only reported injury.
About eight people had to be evacuated from four houses after the fire started after 6 a.m. Initial indications from fire officials is that the fire was ignited by a candle.
[ Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09046/949379-100.stm ]
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A robber who threatened to use a gun held up the Marriott Courtyard in The Waterfront shopping complex mall early yesterday, police said.
The robber, a black man about 5 feet, 10 inches, entered the front lobby around 6 a.m.
He wore a brown hooded coat, with the hood tied tightly around his face, exposing only his eyes and nose, West Homestead police Chief Christopher Deasy said.
The robber confronted the lone clerk, demanded and took an undisclosed amount of money and fled.
[ Full story available at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09003/939339-55.stm ]
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A collection of news articles focused on the communities of Pittsburgh’s Steel Valley.