North Journal

Realtor: North, South Hills real estate markets have more similarities than you’d think

Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series on real estate market trends in Western Pennsylvania. Twenty-six years ago, Bob Topich broke the age-old social norm of Pittsburgh suburbanites — departing his native South Hills for a home north of the city. Topich, 65, of Franklin Park, has never...
La Roche University gifted buildings, including motherhouse, from Sisters of Divine Providence

A property transfer from a Catholic organization to La Roche University sets the college up for long-term growth, officials say. The Sisters of Divine Providence has gifted the Providence Heights Motherhouse and about 15 acres of nearby property to La Roche, the university announced Tuesday, Dec. 16. The transfer includes...
Ross property owners to see tax increase for 2nd consecutive year

Property owners in Ross will pay more in taxes to the township after commissioners approved a tax increase for the second consecutive year. While commissioners unanimously approved the township’s $46.7 million 2026 budget on Dec. 15, they voted 7-2 to approve the 8% property tax increase, from 3.7 mills to...
West View approves 24% property tax increase, borrowing for new municipal complex

Property taxes in West View will increase 24% after council approved the new tax rate along with the borough’s budget for 2026 on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Council approved increasing the tax rate by 1.5 mills, from 6.3 mills to 7.8 mills. It is the first increase in the borough’s tax...
Local lawmakers, librarians celebrate $5M increase in Pa. budget for public libraries

Librarians and others joined local legislators Dec. 5 at Northland Public Library to celebrate a $5 million increase in the Pennsylvania budget for public libraries. The extra funding is reflected in the statewide public library subsidy of $75,470,000 for the coming fiscal year and is part of the $50.1 billion...
North Hills School Board approves limiting any potential property tax increase to state limit

The North Hills School Board has agreed to limit any potential property tax increase in the district’s 2026-27 budget. At its Dec. 2 meeting, the board approved a resolution stating it would not seek to increase the property tax rate by more than 4.2%, the district’s inflation limit imposed by...
In brief: Happenings across the North Hills Journal area

Veterans invited to free holiday lunch A free holiday luncheon for veterans is planned for noon Dec. 17 at the Ross Community Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive. The event is being hosted by the Ross Township Parks and Recreation Department. To make a reservation, call 412-931-7041. Police departments collecting toys...
At the library: Here are some upcoming programs at Northland Public Library

Notice to patrons Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless, will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the Christmas holiday. The library will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and remain closed through Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Northland’s regular operating hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through...
Holiday performances, gingerbread house display keep things festive at The Block Northway

The shopping atmosphere at The Block Northway was kept seasonally festive thanks to a free concert performed by the Slippery Rock University Clarinet Choir on Nov. 30. The clarinetists were part of a free series of concerts and performances held during the holiday season at the mall off McKnight Road...
North Hills School Board reorganizes following November election

The North Hills School Board welcomed one new and three returning members when it reorganized on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Newcomer Anthony Hall was one of four Democrats elected to the board in November. Returning to the nine-member board are Sandra Kozer, Mike Santucci and Allison Mathis. Elizabeth Nease left the...
Jacks Run Road bridge over I-279 in Ross expected to remain closed until fall 2027

North Hills-area motorists will have to find other ways around a closed bridge over Interstate 279 in Ross for about another two years, according to the Allegheny County Department of Public Works. The department closed Jacks Run Road Bridge No. 3 in July after inspectors found corroded steel in a...
West View mourning death of council vice president

West View Councilwoman M. Kimberly Steele died on Wednesday, Nov. 26, following a 10-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 72. During her tenure on borough council, Steele had been president and was most recently vice president. She also had served on the West View Water Authority’s board of directors....
Ross budget cuts fail to make dent in projected 8% property tax increase

Ross officials have continued to work on the township’s 2026 budget but have not found enough cuts to make a dent in a proposed 8% property tax increase. At a commissioners meeting Nov. 17, finance director Dan Berty told commissioners that while they found spending that could be cut, they...
Long-time coach provides ‘GPS’ for youths in book detailing challenges from childhood

A McCandless resident, known to many in the North Hills as Coach Dave Gray, is celebrating the release of his debut book, “Next Point Wins: A Playbook for Future Champions.” The book details what it was like growing up as a foster child, finally being adopted, his challenges as a...
Round of grants to benefit multiple North Hills communities

Multiple communities in the North Hills are getting a boost from a recent round of state grants. A $106,000 grant will support the chassis replacement of an ambulance from the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority. The total cost of the chassis replacement, also known as an ambulance remount, is $225,000, according...
A.W. Beattie students turn Thanksgiving parade into schoolwide event benefiting North Hills Community Outreach

Giving thanks and giving back to those in need were the themes of a student-led Thanksgiving parade at A.W. Beattie Career Center in McCandless. It also was a special treat for the preschoolers of Beattie’s Kiddie Tech program, who got to march in the parade around the school. While the...

More North Journal >