the almanac M A R C H 30, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
a thealmanac.net
facebook.com/SouthHillsAlmanac
@shillsalmanac
USC ROBOTICS TEAM QUALIFIES FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PAGE A6
COURTESY OF JON FISH
Jon Fish’s chickens enjoy time out in their run.
Re-‘coop’ing costs?
Raising chickens is unlikely to ease burden of high egg prices
NEW ERA OF BASEBALL BEGINNING AT MT. LEBANON PAGE B1
By Jon Andreasi Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
As egg prices rise many are looking to raise their own chickens, but experienced chicken farmers say it is ultimately an impractical and more costly solution. According to the Consumer Price Index provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of a dozen large, grade A eggs rose to approximately $5.90 in February. That’s nearly a dollar higher than the previous month, and up from about $3 a dozen in February 2024. Eighty Four resident Kristan Marchewka has been raising chickens since 2017, and ran “Roos and Bawks Consultants” to help anyone who was looking to start their own backyard chicken farm. She also helps run a private Facebook group for chicken owners. “What we’re seeing across the country, across chicken forums and different help pages … We are seeing inexperienced people coming in and buying out chicks,” Marchewka said. For personal reasons Marchewka no longer operates Roos and Bawks, and currently isn’t adding any more chickens to her flock.
TREE OF LIFE LAUNCHES NEW TRAVELING EXHIBIT AT UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH PAGE B3 What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A3 COURTESY OF KRISTAN MARCHEWKA
SEE CHICKENS PAGE A2 Kristan Marchewka’s chickens gather for food.
Classifieds, B4-6
Ortitay hopes state funds can remedy ‘Georgetown Scalper’ By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
State Rep. Jason Ortiay hopes state funds can be used to help redesign a low-clearance railroad underpass in Cecil Township that has caused many truck drivers to get stuck. Ortitay said the funds would come through a grant from the commonwealth’s Rail Freight Assistance Program, known in shorthand as RTAP. It’s up to the Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad, which operates the line, to apply for grant money, Ortitay said, but the Cecil Republican said he would be glad to “go to bat” for them. “”It’s a major issue,” Ortitay said. “A huge traffic issue.” The underpass, located in the 500 block of Georgetown Road before it becomes Valley Brook Road, has acquired the nickname the “Georgetown Scalper” thanks to the frequency of trucks getting stuck or damaged when they try to pass under it, which has a clearance of 11 feet. Despite signs warning truck drivers that they won’t be able to A box truck is ripped apart after getting stuck in an unfit under it, travelers in box derpass on Georgetown Road in Cecil Township that has SEE FUNDS PAGE A2 earned the nickname the “Georgetown Scalper.”
JON ANDREASSI/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Work is underway on the Peters Township Aqua Park at Rolling Hills Park. It is scheduled to open in June.
Peters Twp. sets admission fees for new water park By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
Peters Township council has set the price of admission for Rolling Hills Aqua Park when it opens later this year. Council unanimously approved fees of $2.50 for residents and $5 for non-residents at its meeting March 24. Township Manager Paul Lauer said the park is slated to open in June. It will include a splash pad, pavilion and party room that can be rented for private events. Peters residents can get a four-person annual pass for $25. The shelter can be rented
for $100, and the party room for $150. All prices are doubled for those who live outside of the township. Lauer explained the fee structure is meant to offset the cost of operating the park. “There is no way to know that for sure until we get some experience at the aqua park. So once the season is done I think we need to go revisit this to make sure that the fees make sense in terms of generating sufficient money,” Lauer said. The park will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. It will be open until Labor SEE PARK PAGE A2