Plum Advance Leader category, Page 23
After impressive postseason, Plum bowlers head to national championships
Plum was the only WPIBL program to have both its boys and girls bowling teams qualify for the Pennsylvania state championships. The Mustangs’ representation at Leisure Lanes in Lancaster on March 16 was the destination of a journey that took the squads through the WPIBL and Western Regional tournaments. But...
Plum School Board recognizes high school students’ accomplishments
More than 20 Plum Senior High School students were recognized for spring sports and technical academic accomplishments at the district’s March 26 school board meeting in the high school library. Boys wrestling coach Mike Supak, girls basketball coach Rich Mull, girls wrestling coach Dave Miller, principal Patrick Baughman and athletic...
Environmental group touts success against proposed injection well in Plum
An environmental group is celebrating some recent legal challenges against a proposed injection well in Plum while encouraging others to join the effort. “We’re really excited and happy that we have good news to share with the community,” said Gillian Graber, executive director of Protect PT. “We’re making some really...
Plum softball team bounces back from opening loss to blank Derry
The Plum softball team’s season debut against Ligonier Valley on Friday was, in the eyes of the coaches and players, not their best outing. But the Mustangs shook off the loss and rebounded in all three phases Monday at home against Derry. The Plum offense collected eight hits, and the...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of March 25, 2024
Wanted: Youth Service Librarian Oakmont Carnegie Library is accepting applications for a dedicated youth services librarian. The goal of the full-time position is to inspire young minds through literature and learning. The annual pay range is $40,000- $43,000. Applications can be found online at oakmontborough.com Help for property tax, rent...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of March 24, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill PA Real Estate Development Inc. sold property at 758 Margaretta St. to Oladipupo Olafiranye for $45,000. Roberta Anderson sold property at 444 Woodland Hills Drive to Elizabeth Hughes for $365,000. Forest Hills Ann Chay sold property at 507 Bevington Road to Evan Niznik and Stephanie Stras for...
State medals cap off successful season for Plum girls wrestlers
The Plum girls wrestling team met a lot of the expectations coach Dave Miller had for the 2024 season. No matter how high those expectations may have seemed. “I expected two girls to at least make it to states and I was hoping for three to get there,” said Miller....
Verona brewery expands to waterfront location along Allegheny River
Brews with a view is a new reality for patrons of Acclamation Brewing, as the business settles in to a new riverside location in Verona. At 314 Arch St. at the 10.7 Marina site, co-owner Jason Yahnke of Oakmont created a business with friends and family that allows him to...
Monroeville native doesn’t let brain tumor stop career in law enforcement
Luke Skledar isn’t one to back down from a challenge. He was a skilled hockey player in high school and achieved a second-degree black belt in martial arts. The Monroeville native, 22, took on another challenge after graduating from Gateway High School in 2020 — becoming the first member of...
Plum, Oakmont police warn residents to secure cars, valuables after series of thefts
Plum and Oakmont residents are being advised to lock their vehicles and remove valuables from them after a string of thefts that may be connected to a gang in Pittsburgh. Police from the two boroughs, Allegheny County Police and Pittsburgh police are investigating the thefts, which happened Feb. 9. Plum...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of March 18, 2024
Guard punched inmate in Allegheny County Jail cell, police say An Allegheny County Jail guard has lost his job and been charged after he punched an inmate multiple times, authorities said. Robert Veith, 49, of Plum, was conducting window cell checks Jan. 3 when the incident occurred, Allegheny County Police...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of March 17, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill William Saunders sold property at 8 Holland Road to Yousef Herwees for $358,000. Forest Hills Robert Bindas sold property at 515 Halsey Ave. to Paul Dafe Ogagan and Michelene Jeter Ogagan for $210,000. Monroeville Estate of Paul Myers sold property at 513 Lakewood Drive to Central Penn...
Plum seniors cap careers at PIAA wrestling tournament
Mike Tongel wrestled at the PIAA Class AAA tournament as a senior in 1984. He went 4-1 at 155 pounds and took third place overall. Forty years to the week, his son, Jack, a senior at Plum and a Pitt commit, took his first steps onto a wrestling mat at...
Expectations remain high for new-look Plum baseball team
It was another banner year in 2023 for the Plum baseball team. The Mustangs used a walk-off win against Fox Chapel on the final day of the regular season to earn a split of the Section 1-5A title with Penn-Trafford and went on to make the WPIAL semifinals before falling...
Plum School District budget projection shows tax increases for next 5 school years
Plum School District property taxes could increase every year for the next five school years as the district works to fund its operations, pay for a $30 million building project and bring back full-day kindergarten. District administrators still are working on the $74.1 million 2024-25 budget. The school board is...
Repairs to fire truck could cost Plum’s Unity Volunteer Fire Department $60,000
Repairs to one of the five vehicles at Plum’s Unity Volunteer Fire Department will wipe out the department’s budget for repairs this year, its chief says. Fixing the 25-year-old Freightliner could also eat up most, if not all, of what’s left of the $35,000 the borough budgeted for repairs for...
Guard punched inmate in Allegheny County Jail cell, police say
An Allegheny County Jail guard has lost his job and been charged after he punched an inmate multiple times, authorities said. Robert Veith, 49, of Plum, was conducting window cell checks Jan. 3 when the incident occurred, Allegheny County Police spokesman Jim Madalinsky said Monday. Surveillance video showed Veith talking...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of March 11, 2024
Road name to honor former Plum manager A Plum road will take on a new name honoring former borough Manager Mike Thomas on April 1. Old Mine Road will officially become “Mike Thomas Way” on April 1, said David Soboslay, who succeeded Thomas as borough manager. Thomas, 57, was one...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of March 10, 2024
ALLEGHENY COUNTY Churchill Nick Decaria sold property at 3726 E Rural Ct to Ferdinand Charles Palombo for $165,000. Kurt Borgoyn sold property at 2525 Greensburg Pike Unit 101 to Cheryl Kay and Robert Duwayne Hosken for $197,000. Forest Hills Temitope Olatundun Egbeyemi sold property at 372 E. Avenue to Kathryn...
Oakmont Country Club reopens gift shop, features 2025 U.S. Open merchandise
Whether they’re into golf, Oakmont or squirrels, there’s plenty of merch for lovers of all of the above at the Oakmont Country Club’s gift shop. Merchandise for the 125th U.S. Open Championship, which the country club will host in June 2025, is already for sale at the shop in Plum....
Plum swimmers earn berth to PIAA championships
The Plum girls swim team fared well in a number of events at the WPIAL Class 3A championships Feb. 29 and March 1 at Pitt’s Trees Pool. The Mustangs clinched three PIAA appearances — the two freestyle relays and junior Giuliana Ricciuti in the 200-yard freestyle — and were close...
Plum hockey hopes to build off turnaround season
It was quite a turnaround this season for the Plum hockey team. The Mustangs were 3-16 a year ago. The organization’s board of directors felt a coaching change was needed, and Plum hockey alumnus Jon Gratton came on board. The returning team members hit the ice together in August and...
Rail yards, crossings in 32nd District get $7.1 million investment
Freight rail infrastructure in Penn Hills, Verona and Oakmont is set for upgrades after two railroads and a construction firm received a combined $7.1 million in state grants. PennDOT announced the funding in December as part of a $42.5 million package for 25 rail projects across Pennsylvania. State Rep. Joe...
Plum Rotary gives $2K to support Plum EMS car seat, crib program
The Plum Rotary Club is supporting an effort to get car seats and cribs to families in need. The club recently gave $2,000 to Plum Emergency Medical Services to support its child safety program, said Brian Maloney, director of operations for Plum EMS. Plum EMS started its child safety program...
Plum firefighters expecting to use old borough building for training before demolition
Plum’s old borough building will serve one last purpose for the community before it’s torn down. Council is expected to vote Monday on allowing volunteer firefighters with the borough’s four departments to use the New Texas Road building for training. Council appears receptive to the idea. When Holiday Park Fire...

