the almanac J U N E 22, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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‘A great hobby’
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SUBMITTED PHOTO
Stephanie Urchick, a longtime member of the McMurray Rotary chapter, will be ending her tenure as president of Rotary International June 30. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF WIRELESS ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTH HILLS
From left, Lori Bobro, Doug Jameson, Nate Suehr and Frank Bobro, assemble the antenna tower for a previous field day.
Ham radio enthusiasts gear up for field day
By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
The Wireless Association of the South Hills (WASH) is one of many clubs across the country preparing to take part in the annual amateur radio field day later this month. Members of the club will gather at the Sunset Hills shelter in South Park for the event, which runs from 2 p.m. June 28 to 2 p.m. June 29. Field Day is organized nationally by the American Radio Relay League. “The purpose of it is really to do a number of things. One is to give people, the members of the public, an opportunity to interact with and engage with ham radio operators and learn about our hobby, and learn about the value we can provide to people. Particularly in times of disaster with emergency
Urchick wraps up her tenure as president of Rotary International
Eric Udren operates a ham radio at night during the annual field day.
communications,” said Tom Galante, president of WASH. The ham radio enthusiasts work to set up their radio equipment and establish communications with others across the country. The members are licensed radio operators, so those without a license will only be allowed to observe and ask questions. However, Galante says the license requirement should not be a deterrent for those interested. “It’s not hard to get a license. The club
will help people get involved in the hobby,” Galante said. “With this hobby, you can get very basic equipment that will get people on the air for under $100.” According to Galante, amateur radio operators help provide the National Weather Service with information during storms. Galante also volunteers during the Pittsburgh Marathon to help coordinate traffic and emergency services. SEE RADIO PAGE A2
“My year as president has flown by,” is how Stephanie Urchick describes her 12-month tenure leading Rotary International. And the year that has flown by has been full of flights to far-off locales to spread the word about what the service organization does. Urchick has also had her passport stamped as she has represented Rotary International at conferences and other events. Japan, Turkey and Ireland have all been on her itinerary, and before her time as its leader ends on June 30, she will be at the helm of Rotary International’s convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “Rotary remains an opportunity for me to give back to the world and continues to give me a sense of purpose,” Urchick said by email, as she was preparing for the gathering. A native of Monessen, a resident of Canonsburg and a longtime member of McMurray’s Rotary, Urchick has
been only the second female president of Rotary International in its history – women weren’t even allowed to join until 1989. As of July 1, Francesco Arezzo of Ragusa, Italy, will take over as president. He was chosen by Rotary International’s board of directors earlier this month after the sudden resignation of Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo of Brazil, who was chosen in 2023 to be president in the 2025-26 term. De Camargo cited personal and business obligations in his decision to resign. During the last year, Urchick has been living in a condominium in Evanston, Ill., near Rotary International’s headquarters. The presidency of Rotary International has been the culmination of more than 30 years of Rotary membership for Urchick. She initially joined in 1991, when she was looking to meet new people after getting divorced, and in the decades since has served on committees dealing with strategic planning, operations and other areas. SEE URCHICK PAGE A2
Upper St. Clair budget Fun in the park includes tax increase The Upper St. Clair School Board adopted the district’s 2025-26 final budget totaling $108,436,040 during its June 11 meeting. The budget includes a 3% millage increase of 0.9180 mills – resulting in a final millage rate of 31.5150. In November, the board approved a resolution limiting any possible 2025-26 tax increase to within the inflationary index determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Passage of the resolution assured taxpayers that any proposed increase to the real estate tax rate would not exceed 4% or 1.2238 mills. Three key factors negatively impacted the budget:
Allegheny County’s common-level ratio: The rate has steadily declined from 100% in 2013 to 52.7% in 2025. The budget includes a $750,000 revenue loss attributed to real estate tax refunds related to the common level ratio. Rising health-care costs: The budget includes a $500,000 increase in the cost of medical coverage. Cumulatively, over the last three fiscal years, the cost has increased 28.7%, or more than $2 million. Mandated state retirement contributions: Retirement contributions increased by $400,000 over the previous year. Salaries and benefits total nearly 72% of the
BETHEL PARK Army veteran receives new roof through team effort PAGE A6 What’s happening, B3
budget. The budget includes the elimination of one classified staff position through attrition. A special education teacher and support aide were added using federal funding. Otherwise, the district is maintaining the same staffing levels, including not filling the assistant superintendent and senior director of operations and administrative services positions. The budget includes a one-time use of $725,000 from the district’s fund balance to offset expenditures related to fully funding bus and technology equipment purchases.
ELEANOR BAILEY/ THE ALMANAC
SEE BUDGET PAGE A2
SPORTS USC hires McConnell-Serio as head coach PAGE B1 Real estate transactions, A3
Austin Stack of Upper St. Clair enjoys a day in the park. While riding down a slide, his father, Ryan, said he loved living in Upper St. Clair, in part, because the community has “beautiful facilities” in which to raise a family.
SCHOOL NEWS South Fayette teacher gets recognized nationally PAGE B3 Classifieds, B4-6