Plum Council approves borough budget
Plum Council unanimously approved the borough’s $26.3 million 2025 budget on Dec. 9.
The budget leaves the borough’s property tax rate unchanged at 6.63 mills. The annual borough property tax bill on a home at Plum’s median assessed value of $116,700 is about $774.
The tax rate was increased by nearly 40%, from 4.78 mills in 2023 to 6.63 mills in 2024, which was the first increase since 2017. Officials have said that hike is expected to carry the borough through at least five years, to 2028.
The borough’s spending is increasing by 4.4%, or about $1.1 million, over 2024.
2025 meeting schedule set for Plum Council
Plum Council will continue to regularly meet on the first and second Monday of each month in 2025.
The council holds a discussion meeting on the first Monday and a voting session on the second. Both meetings start at 7 p.m. at the municipal center, 2000 Mike Thomas Way.
Holidays cause changes in September and October. The September discussion meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, while the October voting meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Holy Family Parish offers free Christmas Day brunch
Holy Family Parish in Plum, Oakmont, Verona and Penn Hills again will be hosting a free Christmas Brunch on Christmas Day.
Everyone from the surrounding area is welcome to attend. Bring a friend or neighbor.
The brunch will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at two parish locations:
• Our Lady of Joy Church Hall, 2000 O’Block Road, Plum
• St. Joseph Church Hall, 825 Second St., Verona
Reservations are required by Dec. 23 by calling Noreen at 412-296-1709 or Dave at 412-932-5531 or by emailing sos@holyfamilypgh.org.
Everyone also is welcome to attend a Mass on Christmas Day at any of the churches in Holy Family Parish, especially at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church and 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Joy.
For details, call Holy Family Parish at 412-793-4511 or visit online at holyfamilypgh.org.
Plum School District prepares for annual Make-A-Wish telethon
Plum School District’s 24th annual Make-A-Wish Telethon will be held on Dec. 20.
It has a $50,000 goal this year. Last year, the telethon raised nearly $51,000; over 23 years, it has raised more than $1.4 million.
The telethon is sponsored by the district’s television production classes led by Rick Berrott, who has been involved since the first telethon as a teacher and sponsor of the National Honor Society.
Santa visiting Plum neighborhoods
Santa will tour Plum neighborhoods with the help of borough firefighters on Dec. 21.
Logan’s Ferry will start at 10 a.m. and Holiday Park will start at noon, while Renton and Unity are both scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
Free Christmas dinner
Christ the Divine Church in Monroeville is offering a free meal for anyone in need of some food and companionship on Christmas Day.
The Dec. 25 dinner is in the Lourdes Center, 245 Azalea Dr., Monroeville, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. or until the food runs out.
American Legion scholarships open to students in grades 6-12
The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500 scholarships.
The contest is open to students in multiple categories: grades 6-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or homeschooled.
Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 8 for those in grades 9-12, and by Feb. 5 for those in grades 6-8. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.
The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships offering $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest is open to those in grades 9-12. More information is available at legion.org/oratorical or by emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.
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.”
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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.