Latest news with #Shaler
CBS News
13 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Shaler woman builds free community pet pantry in honor of her beloved dog
By: KDKA-TV producer Ashley Funyak A woman in Shaler is looking to lend a helping hand to neighbors and pet owners in need. Emily Boehler says she got the idea for the Shaler Little Free Pet Pantry and Stella's Snack Shack after her rescue dog, Stella, died in 2023. "Hi, I'm Stella," a post on the pantry's Facebook page reads. "I was rescued in 2013 and called Shaler my home for almost 11 years. My two favorite things were food and my jammies. My family built this pantry in loving memory of me, in hopes of keeping bellies full and hearts warm throughout the community." (Photo: Stella's Snack Shack/Facebbook) The pantry was installed at the intersection of Mount Ivy Lane and Hahn Road in early June, with help from Boehler's dad and their neighbor. Boehler says the pantry operates under "take what you need, leave what you can" guidelines. She asks that donated items remain in good condition, and that all food is unopened and not expired. The pantry has its own Facebook page where people can see what offerings are available, as well as check out their Amazon wish list. Boehler says she takes donations of larger items that do not fit inside the pantry, which can be distributed as needed. She says she has contacts with rescue organizations and is happy to pass along items if they are not in demand by the community. This isn't the first time that Boehler has gone out of her way to make a difference. Boehler and her mother started the Petals for Pups flower cart in 2022. Their cart on Wible Run Road sells flowers from their gardens, with proceeds going to local animal rescue organizations.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds honor Vietnam veterans during Wall That Heals ceremony in Shaler
The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., visited Shaler during the Memorial Day weekend, from May 22 to 26, as a key feature of the township's 125th anniversary celebrations. Thousands of names are etched in the stone, honoring local men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. 'It's so important that these children recognize what I did, what my brother did, what my uncles did, and what my grandfather did,' said veteran Daniel Bonnett. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, commonly known as The Wall, was dedicated in Washington, D.C., in 1982 and is one of the most visited memorials, attracting an estimated 5.6 million visitors each year. The Wall That Heals was originally unveiled as a half-scale replica in 1996 and upgraded to three-quarter size in 2018. It measures 375 feet long and 7.5 feet high at its tallest point, consisting of 140 panels made of synthetic granite. Shaler Township is one of only 31 communities that will experience The Wall That Heals. 'If you had a family member who died, whether you knew them or not—an aunt, a sister, a brother, or a father—you should show respect, and we need to honor that, as everyone deserves respect,' Bonnett emphasized. Vietnam Veteran Jake Buckler, a Shaler and Penn State graduate who was drafted at just 21 years old, expressed how he initially did not receive this recognition upon returning home in 1971. 'There was no acknowledgment when I came back. I returned on June 8, 1971, and flew into Pittsburgh Airport. My mother and father were there to greet me, but no other family members or friends recognized what I had done,' Buckler recalled. Like many Vietnam veterans, Buckler faced indifference and, at times, hostility, making it difficult for him to process his grief for the friends he lost. 'A lot of people don't understand what happened back then. I have two classmates from the [Shaler] class of '65 who are on this wall, and I have come to acknowledge their sacrifice,' he said. On Monday, hundreds gathered at Anderson Field in Shaler Township to remember those who were lost and those who returned home. Buckler described the ceremony as long overdue and one that provided him with a sense of healing. 'This is an amazing event, and I am so thankful to everyone who participated and helped bring this here,' Buckler said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
CBS News
09-05-2025
- CBS News
Pittsburgh-area leaders share scam warning signs
With advances in technology, it's becoming easier than ever to fall victim to a scam. On Friday, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and other leaders joined the Shaler Police Department in describing the warning signs to look out for. How to protect yourself from scams "It's much more sophisticated with AI, computers and things," said Robert Cessar, who retired after working 38 years with the U.S. Department of Justice. "The most important thing is don't act irrationally. Stop, pause and think." Scams come in the form of phone calls, text messages, emails and letters in your mailbox. "These scammers are very good. That's the word to use, they're very good, very convincing," Shaler Police Chief Sean Frank said. Some of the most common scams happening right now include "grandparent" scams, fake tech support and gift card scams. The goal is always the same: to steal money or personal information. "If it's gift cards, nobody collects debts with gift cards except scammers," said Chief Frank. "If you get a call and you think it's a grandchild, verify that with someone else in the family." The bottom line: don't believe everything you hear or read. Take time to verify the information before reacting. "If you get a call and you don't know the number, don't answer. If you get a text, don't reply," said Cessar. Law enforcement urges people to verify information, avoid suspicious links and question anything that seems off. Because once the money is gone, it's likely gone for good. "In most cases, the money is out of the country. It's gone," said Cessar. And even if you think it's a small scam, report it. Officials say every report helps track fraud and prevent future crimes.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Shaler parents push for security changes after student brings gun onto bus
It's been almost two weeks since a video showing a Shaler Area High School student with a gun - cocking it and pointing it - sent shockwaves through the community. 'Definitely scared,' said parent Kati Maas-Crawford. 'I didn't know if it was morning or after school. If it was after school then that means it was with him all day in the school, which is even more concerning.' RELATED COVERAGE >>> Student brought semi-automatic gun onto Shaler Area School District bus, police say Millvale Police Chief Tim Komoroski told Channel 11′s Antoinette DelBel they're still investigating if the 16-year-old student brought the gun inside the high school and who owns it. Since then, school administrators have been meeting with concerned parents and taking another look at security measures in the schools. 'We've been listening,' said Superintendent Dr. Bryan O'Black. 'I want you to know we feel and understand the depth of the fears, frustrations and concerns that have emerged as a result of this incident.' During a school board meeting Wednesday night, parents faced school leaders for the first time since police arrested the student. Some parents spoke out about the need for metal detectors at the high school. 'I know the school district cannot control what happens outside its doors, but it can control what comes through the doors,' Maas-Crawford said. Parent Jennifer White started a petition pushing for safety changes. 'We want to know that something is going to be done,' White said. Superintendent O'Black said they've been looking into adding metal detectors. 'We want to take a careful and informed approach in considering these options and their potential impact on our school environment,' he said. 'We've already begun visiting school districts in our region that have implemented metal detections or weapons detection systems.' Maas-Crawford is a Shaler parent who teaches at another school district. She's familiar with school threats and is hopeful some kind of action is taken soon. 'Thank you for all the teachers that are keeping everyone safe, but we got to step it up a little bit,' Maas-Crawford said. The teen accused of having the gun has been charged and is scheduled for a hearing sometime next week. Police Chief Komoroski said the gun does not belong to his parents and they aren't facing any charges at this time. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
