P-G: Primanti to open site in Mt. Lebanon

The newest Primanti Bros. restaurant will open in mid-June in Mt. Lebanon.

After purchasing the building last fall the chain, famous for its all-in-one sandwiches, will debut its 10th suburban restaurant at 1529 Washington Road, director of operations Marc Teklinski said.

"What's special about it is the location," he said.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/primanti-to-open-site-in-mt-lebanon-638357 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Almanac: Mt. Lebanon unveils veterans memorial

The threat of rain didn't dampen the spirit of hundreds of Mt. Lebanon residents who gathered outside the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center May 27 to witness the dedication of the Veterans Memorial. The evening marked the conclusion of a two-year effort to permanently honor Mt. Lebanon men and women who served in the military.

The memorial, located on Morgan Drive, is constructed of Pennsylvania sandstone and features the names of Mt. Lebanon's war dead inscribed on white marble stones. The memorial is easily seen by the American flag rising from the center of the obelisk, and the memorial will be lit at night.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/05-30-2012-Lebo-vets-memorial-w-pic (The Almanac)

Trib: Mt. Lebanon overlooked $800,000 worth of parking tickets

The now-defunct Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority failed to collect about $800,000 in unpaid parking tickets over 15 years, but municipal officials say they are more concerned with collecting at least some of the money than understanding why it slipped through the cracks.

"That was sort of a shock to us," said Mt. Lebanon Commission President David Brumfield, a former board member of the parking authority. "Why these things (occurred) -- hasn't been our focus. After we've dealt with the fines, we may try to go back and figure out why this happened.

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/news/1864441-74/parking-tickets-authority-lebanon-brumfield-department-ticket-unpaid-800000-charge (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

P-G: Tax hike, funding, job cuts, tap of reserves characterize plan in Mt. Lebanon

After a months-long budget-making process some of them said was their most difficult to date, Mt. Lebanon school directors approved a final 2012-13 spending plan Monday night that will raise the property tax rate by a half mill and includes $850,000 in program and staff cuts.

No teachers will be furloughed in the $80.6 million budget, but the district will furlough one 10-month secretary, six part-time library clerks and one high school library clerk. The millage increase will mean an extra $50 a year for a home valued at $100,000, and the total millage is 27.13 mills.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/tax-hike-funding-job-cuts-tap-of-reserves-characterize-plan-in-mt-lebanon-637368/ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Almanac: Hagy, Heintz, Wilding winners at Almanac banquet

For the first time in the 22-year history of the event, a male from Mt. Lebanon claimed The Almanac's prized honor as athlete of the year during the Premiere Performers All-Sports Banquet held Sunday, May 20 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Green Tree.

Nearly 200 people attended the banquet and watched as Luke Hagy was named the 2012 Male Athlete of the Year. Bethel Park resident and Seton-La Salle junior Angela Heintz was crowned the top female athlete for the school year and Upper St. Clair's Austin Wilding captured the prestigious Waldie/Shaeffer Scholarship Award.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/sportstory11/05-23-2012-banquet-story (The Almanac)

P-G: TV's 'Design Star' finalist helps Mt. Lebanon students create classroom

The girls gathered around and gossiped about their handsome, brawny visitor with the nice smile. They had already Googled him and checked him out on Twitter. Two summoned him to pose for a quick photo with them. One slyly asked his favorite ice cream flavor Friday, and presented him with a tub of cookies and cream the following Monday.

But it was more work than play Monday at Mt. Lebanon High School.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/tvs-design-star-finalist-helps-mt-lebanon-students-create-classroom-637367/ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: A newsmaker you should know: Mt. Lebanon doctor named local leader of medical group

Dr. G. Alan Yeasted of Mt. Lebanon has stepped into his new role as Governor of the Pennsylvania Western Chapter of the American College of Physicians, the national organization of internists. His four-year term began during the organization's annual meeting held last month in New Orleans.

Dr. Yeasted brings to his new role a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at St. Clair Hospital in Mt. Lebanon. He is also an internal medicine private practice physician and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/a-newsmaker-you-should-know-mt-lebanon-doctor-named-local-leader-of-medical-group-637366 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Blue Devils satisfied with finish at PIAA tennis meet

One less victory at the WPIAL tournament, but one extra win at the PIAA championships.

All in all, Mt. Lebanon will take it. Needing to replace three starters -- including their top player -- from last season's WPIAL Class AAA championship team, the Blue Devils were WPIAL runners-up and a PIAA semifinalist.

"I thought we definitely overachieved a little bit this year," coach Augie Garofoli said. "I think the guys' first goal is always to win WPIALs, and although they didn't, they did get to the finals, and they did get one round further than last year [at the PIAA championships]. We're happy with that."

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/high-school-other/south-xtra-blue-devils-satisfied-with-finish-at-piaa-tennis-meet-637223 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon student's arrest sparks court case over school authority

Mt. Lebanon High School senior Mitchell Klemencic missed his prom Tuesday night.

And he will miss graduation June 4.

He missed his senior reception last week and will miss the senior picnic next week.

All because he was cited -- but not yet convicted -- for possession of drug paraphernalia April 23 by Mt. Lebanon police in an off-campus, after school hours incident.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-arrest-sparks-court-case-over-school-authority-637271 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trib: Judge: Mt. Lebanon senior with drug charges can't attend graduation

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Judith L.A. Friedman denied a request Wednesday from a Mt. Lebanon High School senior that would have forced the district to allow him to participate in his graduation ceremony.

The district barred Mitchell Klemencic, 18, from prom and June commencement because police charged him in April with possession of drug paraphernalia.

"I don't necessarily agree, but there's not much I can do now," said Klemencic, who attended the hearing with his father.

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/news/1851610-74/district-klemencic-drug-alcohol-students-activities-charged-graduation-judge-june (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon holds off N. Allegheny in AAA semifinals

Mt. Lebanon got on the board early and held on late Monday night to secure a berth in the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game.

The Blue Devils beat North Allegheny, 3-2, at Burkett Sports Complex in Robinson to advance to the title game May 29 or 30 after missing the playoffs in 2010 and '11.

"I can't put it into words," Mt. Lebanon coach Pat McCloskey said. "We had a tough couple of years the past two years not making the playoffs."

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/high-school-baseball/mt-lebanon-holds-off-n-allegheny-in-aaa-semifinals-637187/ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trib: Mt. Lebo grad on display for PSU baseball

Justin Steranka jokes that his younger brother Jordan, a power-hitting third baseman for the Penn State baseball team, didn’t have much of a social life back in high school at Mt. Lebanon.

“I can’t remember one girlfriend or one dance he went to. I can’t remember him doing anything at all,” Justin Steranka said. “He’s always been somebody who has not caved into peer pressure.”

OK, probably a bit of an exaggeration, as Jordan insists that he lightened up and went to prom as a junior and senior. But this much isn’t an overstatement: Jordan Steranka’s obsession with baseball has resulted in a record-setting college baseball career that could culminate with Penn State’s first Big Ten tournament title.

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/sports/1836241-85/steranka-state-penn-baseball-jordan-third-justin-rbi-runs-ten (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Trib: Shady Side upsets Mt. Lebanon to reach WPIAL lacrosse finals

The Shady Side Academy boys lacrosse team started the season with four losses, including one to Mt. Lebanon, the top seed in the WPIAL Division I tournament.

The Indians have turned their season around and earned revenge over the defending champion Blue Devils on Tuesday with an 8-3 win in the WPIAL semifinals at Chartiers Valley.

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/sports/1842056-85/hills-north-game-seeded-shady-wpial-academy-division-goals-indians (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

PR Newswire: Pennsylvania Puts Additional 20 Drug Recognition Experts on the Road

In Pennsylvania's latest effort to strengthen highway safety, 13 state troopers and seven municipal police officers have recently been trained as drug recognition experts, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan announced today.

These drug recognition experts, known as DREs, are trained to recognize signs of impairment in drivers who are under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. The officers are also trained to identify the category of drugs causing the impairment.

Municipal police officers certified as DREs were Patrolman Joshua Bucher, Carlisle Police Department, Cumberland County; Patrolman Kevin Quinter, Wyomissing Police Department, Berks County; Patrolman Matthew Lynch, Chambersburg Police Department, Franklin County; Officer Robert Keen, State College Police Department, Centre County; Officer Jeffrey Bileck, Mount Lebanon Police Department, Allegheny County; Sgt. Craig Scott, Haverford Township Police Department, Montgomery County and Officer Jamie Nolan-Trently, Archbald Township Police Department, Lackawanna County.

Read the full article:

• www.marketwatch.com/story/pennsylvania-puts-additional-20-drug-recognition-experts-on-the-road-2012-05-07 (PR Newswire)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon school board passes budget

Mt. Lebanon school directors approved a final 2012-13 budget tonight that will raise the property tax rate by a half mill and includes $800,000 in program and staff cuts.

The $80.6 million spending plan will use roughly $106,000 in reserve funds and includes furloughs of one 10-month secretary, six part-time library clerks and one high school library clerk. No teachers will be furloughed.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-school-board-passes-budget-636926/ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trib: Victory worth the wait for Mt. Lebanon baseball

The sun was out, rain was still falling and lightning was striking on the horizon.

The contradiction of weather led to a delay of one hour, 39 minutes before Monday night’s WPIAL Class AAAA baseball semifinal between Mt. Lebanon and North Allegheny got started. By that point, Mt. Lebanon was restless.

The No. 9 seed Blue Devils scored all of their runs in the opening three innings, boosting them to a 3-2 victory over the No. 5 Tigers at Burkett Complex and a spot in the WPIAL finals for the first time since winning the title in 2006.

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/sports/1834558-85/lebanon-happ-third-blue-devils-allegheny-final-north-tigers-semifinal (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

P-G: Tax likely to fill budget gap in Mt. Lebanon schools

Mt. Lebanon school directors are poised to vote on a final 2012-13 budget Monday that will raise the property tax rate by a half mill. If passed, the final spending plan will use roughly $106,000 in reserve funds and make about $800,000 in program and staff cuts. The millage increase would mean an extra $50 a year for a home valued at $100,000. Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/tax-likely-to-fill-budget-gap-in-mt-lebanon-schools-636339 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

WPXI: Authorities investigate bomb threat at Mt. Lebanon High School

A bomb threat was reported Wednesday afternoon at Mt. Lebanon High School.

School officials said graffiti was found written on a wall in the 6th-floor stairwell in the high school that stated, "Bomb 5-17 Everyone Die."

The Mt. Lebanon Police Department was contacted. After investigating, they classified the incident as institutional vandalism.

Read the full article:

• www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/authorities-investigate-bomb-threat-mt-lebanon-hig/nN7fk/ (WPXI)

P-G: Prison for ex-Allegheny County reassessment officer after arranging liaison with child

A former real estate professional and Allegheny County assessment hearing officer faces 14 years in prison for using a computer to entice a minor into sexual activity.

John A. Brownlee III, 62, of North Versailles and previously Mt. Lebanon, asked a woman for access to minor children in a phone conversation. He then embarked on a six-month effort to make that happen, unaware that the woman had alerted police and that the FBI was monitoring his phone conversations and texts along with emails that included child pornography.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/prison-for-ex-allegheny-county-reassessment-officer-after-arranging-liaison-with-child-636024 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon toy store on the ball with latest craze: kendama

Cup and ball was a popular game played in early America and in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. These days a Japanese form of the game called kendama is drawing young players away from video games, computers and television with its challenging hand and eye coordination routines.

Made up of a wooden handle (ken) and ball (tama) connected by a string, the kendama allows players to juggle the ball into one of three cups on the handle, spear the ball with a spike at the end of the grip or balance the ball next to the spike with creative maneuvers.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-toy-store-on-the-ball-with-latest-craze-kendama-635299 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon group helps keep music alive

On Sept. 27, 1975, soprano Roberta Peters and baritone Robert Merrill performed in a Music for Mt. Lebanon concert at Mt. Lebanon High School before a black-tie audience.

Other world-class artists in the early decades of the community music series included pianist Van Cliburn, who performed in 1955 and again in 1967; violinst Isaac Stern in 1958; and the Boston Ballet Company with guest soloist Edward Villela in 1971. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performed throughout the first 25 seasons.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-group-helps-keep-music-alive-635296 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon comes up short of retaining WPIAL team tennis title

Mt. Lebanon won the WPIAL Class AAA boys tennis team championship last season, but it wasn't easy. Repeating the feat proved to be a bit too difficult.

The Blue Devils fell just short of their 19th WPIAL title when they lost, 3-2, to Shady Side Academy in the final this past Friday.

Considering Mt. Lebanon's top player from last season did not return to the team this season, the Blue Devils' run to the final arguably is as impressive or more impressive than winning it all in 2011.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/high-school-other/south-xtra-mt-lebanon-comes-up-short-of-retaining-wpial-team-tennis-title-636204 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon Class of 2013: meet the Class of 1962

In celebration of their 50-year reunion, members of Mt. Lebanon's class of 1962 are reaching out to the next generation of graduates with a message of optimism. A group of alumni is planning an event called Lebo 50/50 not only to celebrate their milestone but to contribute to today's high schoolers and the community of Mt. Lebanon, which turns 100 this year.

On Sept. 28, they will share their trials, triumphs, rejoices-- even regrets -- at roundtable discussions with members of Mt. Lebanon high school's graduating class of 2013.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/mt-lebanon-class-of-2013-meet-the-class-of-1962-635298/ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon boys will take a run at 'AAA' team track title

In the many years Mike Agostinella has been head coach of the Mt. Lebanon High School boys track and field program, one goal has eluded the Blue Devils: a WPIAL team championship.

"We were second in the team championships in 1998," said Agostinella, who coached the Blue Devils from 1969 to 1975, then returned to the program in 1984 after coaching the University of Pittsburgh's men's track and field and cross country teams.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/high-school-other/south-xtra-mt-lebanon-boys-will-take-a-run-at-aaa-team-track-title-635160 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Almanac: Lebo eliminates PT; clinches playoff spot

Mt. Lebanon celebrated more than a playoff berth with its come-from-behind triumph, 7-6, against Peters Township last Friday under the lights at Peterswood Park.

"It was one of the biggest wins in the history of our program," proclaimed an excited Lebo manager Patt McCloskey.

Indeed, the victory marked the Blue Devils' first at Peterswood Park. All the past defeats wreaked havoc with the Blue Devils.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/sportstory11/05-09-2012-lebo-baseball-w-pic (The Almanac)

P-G: Advertisements coming to school, municipal fields in Mt. Lebanon

A regulation passed Tuesday night in Mt. Lebanon will allow advertising at the municipality's athletic fields and school stadiums.

Over the past month, residents have turned out at meetings to discuss the poor state of neighborhood parks and fields and how the municipality is going to pay for improvements. Many of them agree that selling ad space is a way to fund those projects without raising taxes.

Dave Franklin, a Mt. Lebanon resident supporting the regulation and a board member on various athletic associations in the municipality, started the blog "Lebo Fields" last month to keep the discussion going after the meetings.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/advertisements-coming-to-school-municipal-fields-in-mt-lebanon-635300 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

P-G: Defending champion Mt. Lebanon moves on to boys tennis quarterfinals

Last week, Thomas Jefferson's Keegan Shudy and Jake Mascaro narrowly missed out on a PIAA berth when they took fourth place in the WPIAL Class AA doubles tournament. Monday, Shudy and Mascaro took out their frustrations on Neshannock.

Shudy won his match at first singles, 6-1, 6-1, and Mascaro won at second singles, 7-5, 6-3. When Rit Gupta and Sam Gupta won, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, against a previously-undefeated team at first doubles, that assured a 3-2 Thomas Jefferson victory against Neshannock in a WPIAL Class AA team tournament first-round match.

"It was the best match of the year for (Shudy)," Jaguars coach Chuck Correll said. "Everything was working... Jake Mascaro played a phenomenal match."

Read the full article:

• sportstown.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/mt-lebanon/31846-defending-champion-mt-lebanon-moves-on-to-boys-tennis-quarterfinals (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Almanac: Smith runs successful write-in campaign

State Rep. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, was unopposed on the Democratic ticket during the April 24 primary, and recently learned he was the successful write-in candidate on the Republican ticket.

His name will appear on the November ballot as both the Democratic and Republican candidate and he appears the likely winner for the seat.

A person needs 300 write-in votes to gain a party nomination in the primary, equivalent to the number of signatures on a nominating petition.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/05-07-2012-Smith-write-in (The Almanac)

P-G: Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair high schools get high state rankings

In its latest rankings announced today, U.S. News & World Report has named two Allegheny County schools among the top 10 public high schools in the state with Mt. Lebanon at No. 8 and Upper St. Clair at No. 9.

The top-rated high school among 752 Pennsylvania high schools is Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia. It ranked No. 61 of nearly 22,000 high schools nationwide.

In the national rankings, Mt. Lebanon ranked No. 557 and Upper St. Clair was No. 604.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/mt-lebanon-upper-st-clair-high-schools-get-high-state-rankings-634945 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

WPXI: 10 Arrests Made After Police Discover Alcohol, Drugs At Mt. Lebanon Party

Police arrested 10 individuals after discovering alcohol and drugs at a house party in Mount Lebanon on Saturday night.

Inside the Sleepy Hollow Road home, officers said they found dozens of empty beer cans, drug paraphernalia, and teens hiding under clothes in a closet.

"They found several underage people that appeared to be have consumed alcoholic beverages and found several open containers of alcohol, as well as various drugs and drug paraphernalia,” said Mt. Lebanon police Lt. Aaron Lauth.

Read the full article:

• www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/9-teens-1-adult-charged-underage-drinking-party-mt/nNQhq (WPXI)

P-G: Jefferson Middle School seventh-grader wins school contest with essay

You never know what a youngster will pick up from an adult conversation, Betsy Brubaker reminds.

Often in the presence of her daughter, Megan, 13, Mrs. Brubaker said she spoke about a family friend named Mark Vomund, a Green Beret who was severely injured in Afghanistan two years ago.

Mrs. Brubaker was relating a story about Mr. Vomund's first night without post-traumatic stress that he said followed a fishing trip with other injured service members arranged by the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project. The mission of that organization is to honor and empower wounded military members.

Read the full article:

• www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/jefferson-middle-school-seventh-grader-wins-school-contest-with-essay-633193 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Almanac: Mt. Lebanon divided on sign ordinance

When Mt. Lebanon Commission President David Brumfield introduced the idea of corporate advertising signs being permitted and regulated in new areas of the municipality, commissioners hoped it would be a source of revenue for Mt. Lebanon.

But the Mt. Lebanon Planning Board has concerns about the ordinance, and on March 27, the planning board voted against recommending adoption of the proposed ordinance.

At the commissioners April 23 meeting, a public hearing was held that allowed members of the planning board and residents to voice their opinions about the ordinance.

Read the full article:

• www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/04-25-2012-ML-signs (The Almanac)

Trib: Advertising considered to pay for Mt. Lebanon programs

Mt. Lebanon might allow sign advertising at school fields, stadiums and parks for the first time in its 100-year history, as it tries to find ways to pay for maintenance and upgrades of athletic space.

Commissioners heard from the public at meetings on last Thursday and Monday, and they are not expected to vote before May 8.

Some see allowing businesses to buy advertising around fields at parks and schools as a way to usher in revenue similar to what Cranberry did, granting naming rights for a 105-acre park to Dick's Sporting Goods in 2009. The retailer committed $2.2 million over 10 years for the development of the $9 million park, named Dick's Sporting Goods Sportsplex at Graham Park. A 10 foot-tall sign at the park can be seen from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Cranberry Manager Jerry Andree said.

Read the full article:

• www.triblive.com/neighborhoods/yoursouthhills/1151369-87/lebanon-fields-commissioners-million-advertising-board-park-adding-budget-businesses (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)