Kellen Stepler

1 week ago | triblive.com | Kellen Stepler

“If you build it, they will come” was not the way to go about higher education in Pennsylvania, experts say. Declining birth rates and rising tuition costs are combining with other economic factors to make it harder — especially for smaller campuses — to fight enrollment declines and survive. “It’s not a new problem — it’s an accelerating problem,” said Julie Wollman, professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Kellen Stepler

New Kensington’s city clerk said Thursday the city is soliciting bids to fix a sewage-flooded hole, which has been declared a public nuisance, in Moss Alley. “We are actively trying to fix this problem,” said Dennis Scarpiniti. “We’re aware of it and we’re doing our due diligence.”The hole is located on Moss Alley in the Parnassus area of New Kensington, between Fifth and Fifth streets, and Fifth and Sixth avenues.

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Kellen Stepler

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, April 10:Man in custody after SWAT situation in PittsburghA man was taken into custody following a SWAT situation overnight in Pittsburgh’s Summer Hill neighborhood, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. At 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, a man barricaded himself inside a home in the 400 block of Ivory Avenue after a domestic dispute with a woman. The woman told police the man, who was not identified, was known to have guns in the home.

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Kellen Stepler

What started as a sewer repair in a New Kensington alley has devolved into a public safety and health hazard, neighbors say. “It’s technically not a sinkhole, but it turned into one,” said Vince Davis, who owns property nearby. “The hole originally was like a manhole, 13 feet deep. Now, if I measure it, it’s probably bigger — at least 12 by 14 feet.” The hole is located on Moss Alley in a residential part of New Kensington, between 5th and 6th streets, and 5th and 6th avenues.

2 weeks ago | triblive.com | Kellen Stepler

A Valley High School biology teacher has been nationally recognized for her efforts in the classroom. Kathy Jo Sagwitz, who has taught at Valley High School for 17 years, was selected as the grand prize winner in the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge, administered by the National Science Teaching Association. “Great teaching is more than delivering content. It’s about igniting curiosity and inspiring students to see the world through a scientific lens,” said Alicia Conerly, NSTA president.