Plum fire department fish fries

The Holiday Park, Logans Ferry and Renton volunteer fire departments will have fish fries on Fridays during Lent, from March 7 to Good Friday, April 18.

Holiday Park will have lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will be open all day on Good Friday. The menu includes fish sandwich, jumbo shrimp, crab cakes and pizza. For information, call 724-327-3456.

Logans Ferry will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Good Friday. Its menu includes fish, shrimp and crab cake dinners; shrimp basket; and half fish sandwich. For information, call 724-337-0191 or 724-339-2210.

Renton’s fish fry will be at its social hall, 222 Renton Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. Its menu includes fish and shrimp dinners; shrimp with and without fries; fish sandwich; and pizza. For information, call 412-793-3059.

Plum AARP plans monthly meeting

Plum AARP will hold its monthly meeting at noon March 11 at Unity Community Church.

Chris Denem will perform songs by Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, and others. Hot dogs with condiments, potato chips, cake and coffee will be available for $3.

In addition to two hot dog lunches a year, AARP hosts a Christmas party, a May luncheon and a summer social. Nearly all meetings have a speaker or entertainment. Members can book one-day or longer trips through Thomas Tours or Louise Grassi tours. Dues are $15 per year.

Plum AARP is open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and surrounding communities. Newcomers are welcome at regular meetings held at noon on the second Tuesday of each month except June at Unity Community Church.

For information, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.

Plum fire chiefs finalize stipend program

A program to have firefighters available weekdays in Plum by paying them a stipend is about to begin.

The chiefs of the borough’s four volunteer fire departments finalized the stipend program Feb. 25, following borough council approving it in January.

The program will start with a three-member crew on duty from 7 a.m. to noon and from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, excluding major holidays. They will be based out of the Renton station.

The crew will consist of a driver, two interior firefighters and a dedicated fire engine.

Firefighters will be paid $75 per shift.

The first day firefighters will be staffed was not immediately known. As the program grows, how many firefighters are staffed and their location could change.

Firefighters must be members in good standing of the Unity, Renton, Holiday Park or Logans Ferry Heights departments to participate.

New billing for Plum garbage, stormwater fees delayed

New billing for garbage collection and stormwater fees in Plum was delayed, borough Manager David Soboslay said.

Property owners were expected to get bills from Keystone Collections around Feb. 15. Keystone is replacing the Plum Borough Municipal Authority in billing for those services. While the municipal authority assessed the fees monthly on water bills, Keystone will collect them annually or quarterly.

As of Feb. 26, bills were expected to be mailed out by March 1. Annual payments will be due by March 31 to receive a 2% discount, or by April 30 at face value.

Quarterly payments will be due on April 30, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, according to the borough.

Keystone Collections can be reached from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 724-978-0300.

Plum School Board formally cancels electric bus buy

The Plum School Board at its Feb. 25 meeting formally canceled the district’s contract to buy electric school buses.

The vote was taken without any further comment about the effort, which began with a $5 million federal award, followed by district efforts to get additional funding to cover as much of the project cost as possible.

The district had obtained grants and tax credits totaling about $7.2 million toward the vehicles, and approved the now-canceled $10.7 million purchase order with Highlands Electric Fleets for 25 buses.

Earlier in February, Superintendent Rick Walsh said the district was abandoning acquiring electric buses because of uncertainty over the available of previously promised federal funding and concerns that arose regarding their operation.

Plum School Board hires former police chief

The former police chief of White Oak is the newest school police officer in the Plum School District.

The school board on Feb. 25 approved hiring Mark Sargent, effective March 3, at an hourly rate of $29.50.

Sargent’s daughter, Cristina Sargent, has been a police officer for the Plum Borough department since she was hired in April 2024.

“It was a family decision,” Mark Sargent said. “When I saw the opportunity online I jumped on it. I couldn’t be happier to be here.”

At the school district, Mark Sargent will work a swing shift and will be seen by the community at events in the spring, Superintendent Rick Walsh said.

The school board also approved hiring Mark Ciak as a 10-month security guard, also effective March 3 at an hourly rate of $18.

Court renovations to disrupt Plum spring tennis season

The Plum School Board on Feb. 25 approved a nearly $270,000 proposal from Keystone Sports Construction of Phoenixville, Pa., for the installation of four tennis courts at the high school.

“This will be a great addition to our high school campus,” board President Angela Anderson said.

The work, expected to start as soon as weather permits, will disrupt the spring tennis season, she said. Arrangements have been made for use of the courts at Boyce Park.

Plum police remind residents to leash dogs

Police are reminding residents to keep dogs on leashes, especially at the borough’s parks.

Residents have reported incidents where dogs have been attacked by loose dogs, police said.

A borough ordinance requires dogs to be under control and not allowed to run at-large. Owners are responsible for damages caused by their dogs. A violation can result in a $100 fine.

There are dog parks on New Texas Road by the basketball courts in Boyce Park where dogs may run freely, police said.

Plum School Board approves personnel moves

The Plum School Board approved a retirement, resignations and hirings at its Feb. 25 meeting.

Brenda Batley-Bianco will retire as a bus driver on Oct. 3.

Resignations approved are Jacob Chapla, varsity assistant football coach, effective. Jan. 9; Adam Santoro, varsity football offensive coordinator, effective Jan. 10; Victoria Ryan, girls varsity tennis coach, effective Jan. 15; Caitlin Davis, O’Block paraprofessional, effective Feb. 7; Joshua Bliss, psychologist, effective Feb. 20; and Ron Tolle, bus driver, effective Jan. 31.

The board approved hiring three paraprofessionals, Louis Colaizzi, Amanda Krull and Lindsay Laverty, all effective March 3 at hourly rates of $19.85.

Bryan Fitch and Anthony Righi were hired as van drivers, beginning March 3 at $18.58 per hour. Cameron Clark was hired as a bus aide effective March 3 at $17.65 per hour.

Employment statuses were changed for two employees. Christopher Delsignore was changed from a full-time custodian to full-time maintenance worker effective Feb. 20 at $24.95 per hour, while Danielle Worthy was changed from a van driver to a full-time bus driver effective Feb. 26 at $24.27 per hour.

Water lines to be relocated in Oakmont

PennDOT announced that waterline relocation work will be done from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights through mid-March on Allegheny Avenue between Maryland and Delaware avenues in Oakmont.

Single-lane alternating traffic will occur while crews from Williams Excavation conduct the work, weather permitting. Motorists should use caution and expect delays.

Verona text program available

Verona has launched a program for residents to receive borough information directly on their phones.

TextMyGov is a text messaging service that became available to residents on March 3. To opt in, text the keyword “VeronaBorough” to the number 91896. After messaging the keyword, the texter will be asked to send the word “yes” to confirm their opt-in. Participants will be able to receive information, such as upcoming events, garbage delays and road closures.

In addition to the launch, residents can text the borough’s TextMyGov phone number at 412-517-7774 to receive information on demand. Keywords will be set to give information about borough events, permits, parks and other items.

Plum High School musical tickets available

Tickets for Plum High School’s spring musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” are available.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. April 3, 4 and 5.

Tickets cost $10. Box office hours are 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. March 12, 19 and 26, with cash only accepted. Tickets are also available online from ticketleap.com.

St. Paddy Wagon brewery hop planned

Three local breweries are hosting a St. Paddy Wagon brewery hop on March 15.

The participating breweries are Acclamation Brewing at 314 Arch St. in Verona, Inner Groove at 751 E. Railroad St. in Verona and Local Remedy Brewing at 531 Allegheny Ave. in Oakmont.

The trolley adventure will include unlimited hop-on-and-off rides from noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. between the three breweries, festive beers, food trucks and Irish fun.

Rides will be provided by Molly’s Trolleys.

A ’90s band, Waiting for Ray, will perform live music starting at 6 p.m. at Acclamation Brewing.

Reservations for the trolley cost $5 and must be made in advance.

To register, visit innergroovebrewing.com/stpaddywagon.

CPR certification offered in Oakmont

Lower Valley Ambulance Service will offer a CPR certification class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 22 at Riverview Community Action Corporation, 501 Second St. in Oakmont.

Topics will include procedures for adult, children and infant CPR and choking. The cost is $30.

Call 412-828-1062 for reservations, which are required, by March 14.

Entries welcome for student poetry contest

Ligonier Valley Writers is accepting entries for its 34th annual student poetry contest.

Students in grades four through 12 who live in Western Pennsylvania are welcome to enter. Cash prizes are awarded in each of nine categories for first-, second- and third-place. There are no entry fees.

Submissions must be emailed by March 11. For entry forms and rules, visit LVWonline.org.

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.