Mariano appointed Chartiers Valley board president
Darren Mariano was reelected as Chartiers Valley School Board president when the school board reorganized in December.
Lisa Trainor was named vice president.
Trainor, Mark Fiorilli, Mitch Montani and Megan Sexton were sworn-in to four-year seats on the board.
The board retained Matthew Racunas as solicitor.
Carlynton reorganizes
Jim Schriver was reelected as Carlynton School Board president and Joe Appel was named vice president.
Board representatives to other boards and commissioners include: PSBA, Susie Puskar; South Hills Area School Districts Association, Mary Eddins and Reece Smith as alternate; Pathfinder, George Honchar and Brittany Bova as alternate; Parkway West CTC, Appel and Honchar as alternate; Carlynton Foundation, Eddins and Bova as alternate.
The district retained the Law Offices of Andrews and Price as solicitor, tax counsel and delinquent tax collector.
Scott man chair of county appeals board
Michael Suley, of Scott, was elected chairman of the Allegheny County Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review.
The appeals board hears and decides on all appeals filed. The board heard about 6,500 appeals for the 2026 tax year.
CV board meeting
The March 10 Chartiers Valley School Board meeting will be held at the Parkway West Career and Technology Center.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
PWCTC is at 7101 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale. Enter through door 20.
Laborer hired
Bridgeville Council hired Jerome Damon as a laborer/equipment operator for the borough.
The Public Works Committee recommended Damon be hired.
Truck purchased
Bridgeville Council authorized purchasing a 2026 Ford F-600 4×4 Chassis from Laurel Auto Group. The price is $59,355.
Bridgeville joins CONNECT
Bridgeville will join CONNECT, the Congress of Neighboring Communities.
CONNECT is a collaborative effort between municipalities to coordinate ways to address regional issues.
The annual membership fee is not to exceed $400.
Carlynton board meetings scheduled
Carlynton School Board set the following meeting date schedule for this year: 6 p.m. Feb. 10; 7 p.m. Feb. 17; 6 p.m. March 10; 7 p.m. March 17; 6 p.m. April 14; 7 p.m. April 21; 6 p.m. May 12; 7 p.m. May 19; 6 p.m. June 9; 7 p.m. June 16; 6 p.m. Aug. 11; 7 p.m. Aug. 18; 6 p.m. Sept. 8; 7 p.m. Sept. 15; 6 p.m. Oct. 13; 7 p.m. Oct. 20; 6 p.m. Nov. 10; 7 p.m. and Nov. 17.
The reorganization meeting is at 7 p.m. Dec. 8.
There are no scheduled meetings in July.
All meetings, unless otherwise indicated, are at the Jr.-Sr. High School’s Cougar Collaboration Center, 435 Kings Highway.
Carlynton makes personnel moves
At their Dec. 2 meeting, Carlynton school directors hired Jeremy Hersey and David Acklin as Jr.-Sr. High School custodians.
The board accepted the resignation of Denis Kizina, instructional aide at Carnegie Elementary.
Grant Nickelson was hired as an assistant boys basketball coach and Kelsey Armstrong was named musical drama coach.
Old St. Luke’s concert series
The concert series is back at Old St. Luke’s Church in Scott.
Remaining concerts include: March 22, Academy String Quartet “Domestic and Imported Lyricism”; April 26, Trio Sine Nomine; and May 3, Taburaški Sastav Ponoć America’s Premier Tambura Band.
Concerts begin at 2 p.m. and are held at the church, 330 Old Washington Pike, Scott.
The suggested donation is $20.
For more information, contact the church at info@oldsaintlukes.org or 412-495-0509.
Superintendent forums
Carlynton Superintendent John Kreider is hosting parent and community forums this school year.
Remaining forums are scheduled for Feb. 4 at Crafton Elementary and 6 p.m. March 3 at the Carnegie Elementary Library.
Register online at the district’s website.
Police administrative assistant hired
Kristin Colabrese was hired as a Collier police administrative assistant/evidence technician by the township commissioners Dec. 15.
She will earn a starting wage of $26.44 an hour.
Region 1 Choir
Olive Marcello, a senior at Chartiers Valley High School, successfully auditioned to be placed into Region 1 Choir.
The three-day festival will be held Feb. 19 to 21 at Mohawk High School. At the festival, Marcello will audition among other students in Western Pennsylvania for placement in the All-State ensemble.
Sweetheart Social
Collier Parks and Recreation is hosting a Dad and Daughter Sweetheart Social from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at the community center, 5 Lobaugh St.
There will be music, photos, crafts and treats for fathers, grandfathers, uncles or father figures, and their girls, ages 5 to 10.
The fee is $10 for members or $12 for non-members.
Sign up by calling 724-693-0780. Register by Feb. 9.
Heidelberg reorganization
Ray Losego was named president of Heidelberg Council when the borough reorganized in January.
John Duda was elected vice president and Rick Pattinato was named president pro tem, according to Mayor Ken LaSota.
Millers Run
The Chartiers Valley District Flood Control Authority was awarded $408,000 for streambank restoration efforts along Millers Run to prevent erosion and protect infrastructure.
The funding was awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account and Act 13 Programs. Local share account funding comes from the state’s race horse development and gaming act.
Officers sworn-in
Three officers were sworn-in to the Collier police department.
District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet administered the oath of office to Aaron Nero, Michael Smolka III and Kevin Prince on Dec. 15.
New generator
The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded $300,000 to Scott to install a new generator for the municipal building.
The money comes from the local share account funded by the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. The act distributes gambling revenues for public projects.
South Fayette budget
South Fayette’s 2026 budget has no real estate tax increase for property owners.
The $20.1 million budget holds the property tax rate at 5.98 mills.
The owner of a home at South Fayette’s median assessed property value of $165,400 would continue to pay about $989 annually in township property taxes.
Spring craft show
Collier Parks and Recreation is looking for vendors for its spring craft show.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 7 at the community center, 5 Lobaugh St.
The vendor registration fee is $35 per space. People can register by calling 724-693-0780 or emailing debzymroz@colliertwp.net or ngiroski@colliertwp.net.
Admission to the event is free.
Carnegie Community Garden Project
Carnegie was awarded $45,000 in state funding for a community garden project.
The funds were administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The Greenway, Trails, and Recreation Program is funded by proceeds from the state’s Marcellus Legacy Fund. A portion of the revenues from the fee paid by natural gas companies are directed to statewide programs like GRTP.
Planning commission appointment
Martin Palma was appointed to Scott’s planning commission, filling a spot vacated by Todd Tulowitzki.
Palma’s term expires March 1, 2029.
Scott intersection improvement
Scott was awarded $145,192 from the state to modernize the intersection of Hope Hollow and Greentree roads.
The money comes from a Green Light-Go grant, which serves as a reimbursement to municipalities for projects that improve efficiency and operations of existing traffic signals. Projects are funded through the state’s 2025-26 budget.
Annandale stormwater pond
Collier was awarded $100,300 to retrofit the Annandale stormwater pond to reduce small, solid particles from entering Robinson Run.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority administered the grant from the state’s Local Share Account, funded from the PA Race Horse Development Gaming Act.
Historical society presentation
Robert S. Windhorst will present “Neville House — Woodville” at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 as part of the Bridgeville Area Historical Society program.
The presentation will be held in the Chartiers Room at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department, 370 Commercial St., Bridgeville.
Thoms Run Road overnight closures
Southbound I-79 structure repair work in Collier will continue until mid-February, according to PennDOT.
Due to a bridge strike on the structure carrying southbound I-79 over Thoms Run Road about a half-mile north of the Collier (Exit 55) off-ramp, a right-hand lane and shoulder closure has been in place since Dec. 23.
During repairs, Thoms Run Road between Washington Pike and Neville Park Boulevard is closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night through mid-February, according to PennDOT.
All traffic will be detoured via Washington Pike and Prestley Road.
Once repairs are complete, I-79 will reopen to three lanes of traffic.
Collier meetings
Collier’s board of commissioners will hold workshop meetings this year the second Monday of each month, and the regular meetings will be held the fourth Monday of the month. Meetings will occur at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise advertised.
Planning Commission meetings will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Meetings begin at 5 p.m. unless otherwise advertised.
The zoning hearing board will meet the third Tuesday of each month, as needed. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
The Civil Service Commission will meet quarterly on the third Monday of each month, as needed, at 5 p.m. unless otherwise advertised.
All meetings are held at the municipal building, 2418 Hilltop Road, Presto.
Chartiers Valley comings and goings
Amanda White and Stacey Taucher were appointed as teacher mentors, and Angela Benson was named environmental club sponsor in the Chartiers Valley School District.
Also hired were Joseph Polizzi, technology technician; Robert Sparber, skilled maintenance; Brian Carilli, substitute custodian; and Adam Kinnee, payroll/benefits specialist. The board accepted resignations from Pranali Patil and Julie Gamble.
In athletics, the board accepted resignations from Dom Tolomeo, head boys varsity lacrosse coach; Michael Kingan, assistant boys varsity lacrosse coach; and Ryan Ponchione, assistant varsity track coach.
Musical staffing
The following people were approved to work Chartiers Valley High School’s spring musical:
Kim Giffin, director/producer; Paul Yeater, assistant director/vocal and orchestra director; Dustin Giffin, set construction/design and tech director; Jay Weaver, sound engineer; Matt Efthimiades, tech assistant and sound rental; and Ashley Murphy, program layout and design.
Approved to work the middle school musical are: Zach Calloway, lighting designer; Michelle Exler, set designer and lead set builder; Gary Baranowski, assistant set builder; Rebecca Quinn, lead costume designer; Charlotte Lange, assistant costume designer; Hannah Roadway, vocal director; Kaylee Skumburdes, assistant director; and Hannah Salerno and David Kraft, stage managers.
Cash for Classrooms
A $250 Cash for Classrooms grant from Kickline Dance Center was awarded to Chartiers Valley Primary School teacher Kylie Mihalov. The money will go toward flexible seating options.
A $150 grant was awarded to intermediate school teacher Stacie Vaughn for hands-on supplies to support speech therapy.
Officer hired
South Fayette police have a new officer.
District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet on Jan. 14 administered the oath of office to Sam Greco.
Greco formerly was a police officer in Aspinwall, Saxonburg, East Deer and Frazer. He graduated from the Allegheny County Police Academy and holds an associate degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s in criminology.
Cookie decorating
A cookie decorating workshop will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Scott Community Room, 1 Park Drive.
Each class comes with six cookies. There will be refreshments, a question-and-answer session about icing tips and more.
Registration is $55 and non-refundable. Reserve a spot by emailing Terrie at tcavey@scotttownship.com.
Donations
Chartiers Valley School Board accepted a $550 donation from the Corpus Christi Helping Hands Ministry to be used for the CV Colts Closet.
The Zitelli Family Foundation donated a golf simulator.
Easter Bunny breakfast
An Easter Bunny breakfast will be held from 10 a.m. to noon March 29 at the Collier Community Center, 5 Lobaugh St.
The event includes a hot breakfast, egg hunt, crafts and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
People can register by calling 724-693-0780. Registration is $10 per member or $12 per non-member. Children 3 and younger are free. Register by March 27.
AP Honor Roll
Chartiers Valley High School achieved silver recognition on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll.
Schools earn the recognition annually based on increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and improving college readiness.
In 2025, Char Valley administered 617 AP exams to 269 students.
Fifty-five percent of CV Class of 2025 graduates took at least one AP exam, and 44% of those students scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam. Nine percent of students took five or more AP exams during high school.