in April at the monthly luncheon of the South Fayette
Tyagi shows artwork she made during
JOHN M. BARRETT
From sports teams celebrating upgraded fields in Fairview Park to residents graduating from the Citizens Police Academy, this issue of South Fayette Connect captures the energy of our community growing together.
A major upcoming project that will have a lasting impact on the fabric of our community is the South Fayette Activity Center (page 8).
The township's planned renovation of the former municipal building and police station on Millers Run Road in the Morgan neighborhood will result in a much larger, more vibrant library, rooms for fitness classes and recreation programs, and a refreshed senior center designed to better serve our older residents.
There will be some temporary adjustments during construction, but we ultimately will benefit from a modern, flexible space that serves various interests and ages, while strengthening our sense of community.
I am proud of what this project represents and excited about how the facility will serve South Fayette in the years ahead.
Thank you for being a part of it.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Chuck Lazzini, President
Tim Postufka, Vice President
Mark Hondru
Leigh Ann Oravecz
Rebecca Sray
TOWNSHIP MANAGER
John M. Barrett
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Andrea Iglar
ART DIRECTOR
Andrea Iglar
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Andrea Iglar
Recreation & Library
Ian McNeill, Paula Willis, Kristen Bagwell
CONTRIBUTORS
Harry Funk, John Phoennik, Abbey Scheerer, Daniel Thompson
School District
Emma Billing, Jennifer Donovan
South Fayette Connect is a free magazine published and distributed quarterly by South Fayette Township for the benefit of the public. The magazine is a nonprofit source of news and information aimed at connecting people with local government and fostering a strong sense of community identity and pride.
If your delivery is missed, please inform your postal carrier. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the editor. © Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.
South Fayette Connect offers advertisements in exchange for sponsorship of certain community events and programs. Contact the magazine editor or visit SouthFayettePA.com/ads
CONNECT WITH US
SouthFayettePA.com/magazine magazine@sftwp.com; 412-221-8700, ext. 231 South Fayette Township, Allegheny County PA
Heeter
Paula Willis, the Parks and Recreation Director of South Fayette Township since 2015, has won a Women in Parks and Recreation ProtoStar Award, presented annually to a professional age 35 or under. The national nonprofit recognized Willis in April for innovation, creativity and determination in advancing organizational and community goals, stating: "Through visionary leadership, innovation and community-centered growth, Paula has built a thriving and sustainable parks system, making her a standout leader and a true ProtoStar in Parks and Recreation."
Fairview Park visitors should use extra caution this summer due to parking lot paving and construction of artificial turf on two multipurpose fields. The three baseball/softball fields near the splash pad are not available for use until further notice, while final restoration and grass growth continue.
Do you want to promote your business in South Fayette while supporting the community? You can be a sponsor or vendor at South Fayette Community Day on Sat. Aug. 22 at Fairview Park. Details: southfayettepa.com/communityday.
Video recordings of public meetings of the South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners, Parks and Recreation Board, and Planning Commission are posted periodically on the township's YouTube channel @southfayettepa and aired on Comcast cable channel 14.
Mike Zurcher retired in February after 27 years with the South Fayette Township Police Department.
Police officers recognized South Fayette Township recognized police officers Joe Burek, left, and Dan Garfold in March for outstanding actions related to a 911 call about a man threatening self-harm near the I-79 interchange. Police Chief John Phoennik said the officers acted in a patient, professional and caring manner: “These communications de-escalated the situation and connected with the individual...possibly saving a life."
Get news, events, alerts, job postings, meeting agendas and more via text or email. Choose the South Fayette Township notifications you want at southfayettepa.com/notifyme.
South Fayette fourth grader Rhea Karas, 10, has earned major achievements this year as a 10U girls wrestler with the South Fayette Take Down Club, a community youth wrestling program.
Mark McPherson, club president and coach, said Rhea's collection of achievements is rare. “What she has done, it is definitely an elite accomplishment, and it’s never been done in my time,” he said. “It gives all the girls on the team something to look up to and say, ‘hey, this is possible.’”
Rhea earned four state and national championships this spring.
She won the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling tournament in Harrisburg, the Keystone State Championships in State College and the Tournament of Champions in Ohio. She won the Viper Pit National Championship in West Virginia, where she was undefeated in 11 matches across two days.
Her father Jason Karas, who coaches wrestling, said Rhea is the first female—or first of any wrestler—to earn some of these top honors. “We’re putting South Fayette on the map as being an elite wrestling program, and she’s kind of leading the way,” he said.
South Fayette Township staff and community volunteers cleaned up litter and beautified various areas this spring, as part of the Parks and Recreation Department's Earth Cleanup activities.
Public Works crews picked up roadside litter the week of Earth Day, filling two dumpsters, or enough garbage to fill roughly 180 trash bags (top and below).
Sygan Hill residents removed litter from their neighborhood (bottom right). South Fayette High School students cleaned up the township's stretch of the Panhandle Trail (right). WM volunteers added fresh mulch and pulled 20 trash bags of weeds at the Fairview Park entrance of Mayview Road (bottom left).
Doug Kotar, a South Fayette police officer since 2021, enjoys assisting the public. "I just like being out in the community, handling situations and dealing with calls," he says. "And being there for people in tough times."
Hometown: Grew up in Cecil Township
Education: Graduated from CanonMcMillan High School and Indiana University of PA Police Academy; earned bachelor's in criminology from IUP
Family: Wife Olivia; toddler son Doug; parents Heather and Doug; sisters Yaszmin and Elli
Pets: Moose, a Bernese mountain dog
Hobbies: Playing golf; spending time with immediate and extended family
First Job: Warehouse worker
First Car: 2007 Acura TSX, black
Favorite Food: Hot wings
Favorite Vacation: Myrtle Beach
Bucket List: Ensure family members are financially comfortable through success with stock market day trading
Best Quality of South Fayette: "I like that they are trying to build it up and put new businesses in. It's grown a lot just since I've been here."
Fun Fact: Doug is the third of four generations of Kotars named Doug. He enjoys spending time with family members, many of whom live in South Fayette and neighboring Cecil. On Sundays, his family gathers at his grandmother's house in Cecil to eat a pasta dinner and watch a football game.
— Andrea Iglar
Dog owners must license their pups with Allegheny County, keep dogs leashed in parks, use the Bark Park responsibly, clean up after pets and apply for a building permit to fence a yard.
Did you know that dog licenses can help reunite owners with their lost dogs? That's one of the most important reasons to get your pup licensed. Plus, it's the law.
Pennsylvania state law requires that all dogs 3 months or older be licensed by January 1 of each year. Failure to do so may result in fines.
You can find information and apply for annual or lifetime dog licenses by calling the Allegheny County Treasurer's Office at 412-350-4100 or visiting alleghenycountytreasurer.us
Dogs must be on physical leashes at all times in all township parks, including Boys Home, Fairview, Morgan, Preservation and Sturgeon, and on the Panhandle Trail.
Owners must have their dogs under control at all times, clean up after their dogs and follow all other park rules and regulations. Dogs are prohibited on athletic fields and sport courts.
The only off-leash area on township property is within the Bark Park at Fairview Park, which is a 5-acre wooded, double-fenced dog park. Here are the details about Bark Park:
• No permit or fee required
• 1-mile trail loop, with gravel and paved portions
• A fenced small-dog section is available within Bark Park, via a paved, ADA-accessible trail
• Dog waste bag stations are located throughout Bark Park; please collect and dispose of waste properly
• Open to the public; enter at your own risk
Please call 911 immediately to report any violations or emergencies.
Please be sure to clean up after your pet and properly dispose of waste, not only in public areas but also on your property.
South Fayette follows the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, which states: "Exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition." Violations are subject to a fine.
If you’re looking to fence in your yard to accommodate your pet, please note that the township requires a zoning permit. For all requirements, including height, orientation and easements, please reach
out to me directly. Here is how you can easily apply:
• Complete our building/zoning permit application, available at southfayettepa.com/building.
• Submit a copy of your property survey with the fence location marked. Make note on the survey that the fence will be kept a minimum of 1 foot inside of the property line (per township zoning code). If you do not have access to your property survey, feel free to reach out to my office, as we may have one on file.
• Pay the $35 application fee for a residential fence.
• Once you have all documents, you can submit them to our office in person, via email at ascheerer@sftwp.com or by mail to 100 Township Drive, South Fayette, PA 15017, Attn: Abbey Scheerer.
Please note that corner lots have more strict requirements as they are considered to have two front yards. Please reach out to me directly to discuss in detail.
For links and other resources about dogs, visit southfayettepa.com/dogs
Abbey Scheerer is an administrative assistant with South Fayette Township.
South Fayette Township
April 2, 2026
The South Fayette Township Police Department completed our second annual Citizens Police Academy at the end of April, and it was another great success thanks to the 28 community members who graduated.
Throughout the 8-week academy, participants experienced weekly topics
▶ Police Chief John Phoennik, administrative assistant Dane Korbe and Officer Nick Walter assist residents with APEX Officer virtual training April 28 at the final session of the 2026 South Fayette Township Citizens Police Academy. ▼ Police officers gather with the 28 graduates.
such as police investigations, K-9 demonstrations, first aid and CPR, the judicial system and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training.
They participated in our virtual training system called APEX Officer, which puts attendees in real-life scenarios that officers face daily.
Our South Fayette police officers instructed all of the Tuesday-evening sessions, with assistance on certain weeks from the South Fayette-based SouthBridge EMS, District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet and the nonprofit Center for Victims.
The academy gave participants opportunities to understand some of the things that we, as your police department, do and why we do them.
It also gave us, as officers, a chance to meet and interact with the community in a positive environment.
For the past two years, participants
have taken a strong interest in all our topics with their involvement, questions and comments. I firmly believe that holding the annual Citizens Police Academy for residents promotes transparency and develops positive relationships among everyone involved.
The township will begin to advertise for the 2027 academy later this year. The program generally runs March through April. Hope to see you at next year’s Citizens Police Academy.
John Phoennik is chief of the South Fayette Township Police Department.
By Andrea Iglar
South Fayette Township’s $1.7 million road improvement program this year includes not only paving but also treatments that extend the life of existing pavement.
Six roads will be newly paved, while 16 streets will be preserved with methods called rejuvenation and cape seal.
The Board of Commissioners in February awarded a $1.1 million contract to Morgan Excavating LP for milling and paving, plus $71,000 to Pavement Technology, Inc. for rejuvenation and $200,000 to Russell Standard for cape seal.
In addition, the township has budgeted $300,000 to rehabilitate a section of CecilReissing Road.
Facilities director Vitali Alexandrov said the township uses technology to costeffectively improve and maintain streets.
“We want to get the best bang for our buck, instead of just mill, pave, mill, pave,” he said.
Cape seal work started in May. Paving is expected in late May and early June. Rejuvenation is anticipated in June and July.
Both rejuvenation and cape seal extend the life of existing pavement. These treatments take a week or two to complete because they involve multiple steps.
Rejuvenation will occur on 13 roadways that were paved in 2024. The process can extend pavement life by 5 to 7 years when applied to asphalt that is less than 3 years old, Alexandrov said.
For the first time, South Fayette will use cape seal treatment, a two-step preservation process involving chip seal and then slurry seal. The process can extend the life of older but structurally sound asphalt by 7 to 10 years, he said.
“These methods protect our investment in roads,” Alexandrov said.
Asphalt paving is set for Lawnshadow Drive, Old Oak Drive, Pine Creek Drive, Melrose Court, Cemetery Hill Road and Hickory Grade Road.
Hickory Grade Road, between Alpine and Parks, includes a sharp bend that the township also will widen and stripe. Guardrails will be installed, and utilities will move underground.
The Panhandle Trail parking lot in Sturgeon will be paved, as well as the tennis court lot and spaces along Recreation Road, near the splash pad, in Fairview Park.
Full pavement rehabilitation will occur on Cecil-Reissing Road, between Riggerts Hill Road and the new pavement that was installed as part of the Southern Beltway interchange. Work involves full-depth reclamation—which restores the road base—and three layers of chip seal.
Alexandrov said he hopes to continue the Cecil-Reissing improvements next year and also restore other rural roads.
Prior to road work, contractors will notify residents and post no-parking signs.
The multistep asphalt paving process takes about two to four weeks on each street, depending on weather and the road surface. The resulting pavement may last up to 15 years, depending on traffic volume, water drainage, underlying soils, proper maintenance and other factors.
Prior to paving, the township will document existing conditions. After paving, the contractor will restore any road striping, wedge curbs and other features by no later than Sept. 30.
Township Manager John M. Barrett said this year's program was designed and coordinated in-house. “That saved some engineering fees, so we had more money for additional paving materials,” he said.
The 2026 paving plan was based on a five-year guide that used road condition data to assess and prioritize improvements. The township also accounts for efficiency, costeffectiveness and other factors.
Any of the listed streets that cannot be completed this year, due to weather or other reasons, will move to the 2027 program.
In addition to the annual contracted paving program, the South Fayette Township Public Works Department conducts road repairs and maintenance. Work includes, but is not limited to:
Milling & Paving
Lawnshadow Dr (Fairview Manor)
Old Oak Dr, from Pinewood to Meadow (Fairview Manor)
Hickory Grade Rd, from Alpine Rd to Parks Rd
Pine Creek Dr (Villas of Wood Creek)
Melrose Ct (off Washington Pike)
Cemetery Hill Rd (Sturgeon)
Abele Rd, Christine Ct, Emerson Ln, Firwood Dr, Forbes St, Greenwood Dr, Hunting Ridge Rd, Meadow Dr, Old Pond Rd, Pinch Rd, Scotch Hill Rd, Villani Dr, Woodhaven Dr
Cape Seal Clubview Dr Longview Cir
Stockbridge Ct
Trimming trees and vegetation along roads and rights-of-way
Inspecting, cleaning, repairing and improving stormwater systems
Replacing guardrails
Installing road signs
Patching potholes
Sealing pavement cracks
Painting lines
Sweeping streets
By Andrea Iglar
South Fayette Township is poised to renovate the former municipal building at 515 Millers Run Road in the Morgan neighborhood.
Plans for the South Fayette Activity Center include expanding the library, updating the senior citizen meeting space and adding recreation programming rooms.
The township solicited construction bids this spring. Officials were reviewing the cost figures in late April, with the possibility of the Board of Commissioners awarding contracts in May.
Once construction is set to start, library operations and senior citizen activities will be temporarily relocated. Work is expected to take approximately one year.
Township Manager John M. Barrett said the project aims to provide more space for community activities while reinvesting in the Morgan neighborhood. The 68-year-old former municipal building is situated next to Morgan Park and the Public Works garage, which the township also is eyeing for improvements.
“The project will modernize and expand the space while keeping the home of the library and the senior group in the same location,” Barrett said.
During construction, the South Fayette Township Library is expected to move to the South Fayette Township Municipal Center, 100 Township Drive (along Hickory Grade Road). The library aims
to close for two weeks starting on May 25, and then reopen June 8 with modified operations at the municipal building.
The monthly luncheons and weekly bingo of the South Fayette Area Senior Citizens Association will move to the Oak Ridge Volunteer Fire Department social hall, 1214 Oakridge Road, with other activities likely in the municipal center. Timelines, schedules and other details will be determined.
The library and senior group are independent, non-township entities that use township-owned facilities.
The 15,000-square-foot Activity Center plan includes a 2,800-square-foot addition. Plans show the library space will more than quadruple. Two rooms totaling about 1,500 square feet of flexible space will accommodate some township recreation programs. The 3,000-square-foot space for senior activities and other programming will be refreshed.
The building exterior, plus systems such as heating/cooling, plumbing and electrical, will be updated.
Funding sources include the township's capital reserve fund and a $750,000 state Keystone Grant for Public Libraries.
In late 2023, the police station and township administrative offices had vacated 515 Millers Run Road—which dates to 1958— and moved into the newly built municipal center.
The South Fayette Area Senior Citizens Association held their monthly luncheon and annual officer election on April 20.
Pictured at top right are treasurer Marlene Hoffman, left, president Mary Gates, vice president Mary Anne Morgan and secretary Elaine Salizzoni.
The event was held at 515 Millers Run Road—the former municipal building in the Morgan neighborhood that is poised for a renovation project.
Once construction is set to start, the monthly luncheon, as well as weekly bingo, will move temporarily to the Oak Ridge Volunteer Fire Department social hall, 1214 Oakridge Road, South Fayette. Other activities likely will be held in the South Fayette Township Municipal Center, 100 Township Drive.
The days or times of some activities may vary from the current schedule. Details will be announced.
Adults age 55 and older who are interested in joining the senior citizen group are invited to attend a future luncheon. Find more information at southfayettepa.com/seniors.
—Photos & text by
Andrea Iglar
By Harry Funk
If you enjoy watching tiny trains roll through miniature mountains and villages, here’s an opportunity to help construct such scenarios.
South Fayette resident Nick Yackovich invites enthusiasts to join Carnegie Modular Railroaders, an all-ages group for anyone with an interest in the time-honored tradition of model railroads.
The group meets twice a month in a spacious room at the historic Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Ave., Carnegie.
Yackovich’s goal is teaching members how to build a display table, from painting and assembling the plywood base to installing the track and adding decorative scenery. The table will be modular, hence the club’s name, so that it can be taken apart, transported and reassembled easily to take to train shows.
“I made the decision for the club that we are going to follow Lionel’s specifications,” Yackovich said, referencing the legendary producer of model trains and its FasTrack Modular Railroad Specification Manual.
The plan is to have the display ready for a December show with the Northeast Ohio Mod Squad, a Cleveland-based group that is supportive of Yackovich’s efforts. Both clubs work with O-scale trains, which are one-48th the size of the cars on which they’re based.
His own interest began when he was a boy.
“My first train set was from my parents. It was an HO,” he said about the hobby’s most popular size, one-87th scale. “I had that for several years, and then they bought me a Lionel steam engine. I had that through much of my childhood.”
Regional supporters, Yackovich said, include the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers and South Hills Model Railroad Club. He assisted with the latter group’s mid-April display at the library.
In August, he approached library director Walker Evans about starting a club, and a subsequent survey indicated sufficient interest. Following a November introductory session, the group started meeting officially in February, with membership that includes youngsters along with adults.
“I want to see the trains survive with younger children,” Yackovich said.
Yackovich said his wife, Ruth, shares his enthusiasm: “One year I asked her, ‘May I buy a new steam engine train because mine’s so old?’ Her reply was, ‘Yes, only if I can have a passenger steam set.’ I said, ‘You’ve got a deal.’ A year later, I said, ‘Can I buy a diesel engine?’ She said, ‘Yes, because my train set cost twice as much as yours.’”
Ruth’s forte is designing scenarios that include anything from houses and automobiles to a carnival set and airport to minuscule details such as “two raccoons on a trash can,” he said.
Yackovich said they try to buy train cars local to Pennsylvania.
For the sake of the Carnegie Modular Railroaders, he has secured donations of lumber, scenery items, supplies and the trains themselves toward what he considers to be an educational venture.
“I always wanted to have a club so I could share my talent,” he said.
“Plus, I just retired and wanted something to do, and this is keeping me very busy.”
Carnegie Modular Railroaders meets from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. two Saturdays each month. There is no fee to join. For details, contact Yackovich at 412-667-0929 or nicholas.yackovich@comcast.net.
Harry Funk is a freelance writer.
By Harry Funk
Children who have diabetes and related disorders received a boost from the Bridgeville Greater Area Lions Club, which serves local communities including South Fayette.
Following a fundraising pasta dinner in April, the club donated $5,000 to UPMC Children's Hospital’s Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, which provides diagnostic and therapeutic services for young patients.
The contribution was administered through the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, where Clay Rehm works as
development coordinator for community fundraising.
“It brings together so many different areas of our community, so many neighbors throughout those communities who are really interested in making a difference and impacting the hospital and the patients that we serve every day,” Rehm said about the foundation.
“We’re super grateful to be able to have people like the Bridgeville Lions in our corner in order to bring this to life and in order to keep these critical programs running.”
South Fayette resident Mike Crossey, the Pennsylvania Lions State Council of Governors chairman, said the local club
focuses primarily on combating childhood cancer and childhood diabetes.
In addition to the UPMC donation, the club recently gave $500 to Young Adult Survivors United, which serves people impacted by cancer and their caregivers.
Another $1,000 went to Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, which Crossey said allowed a child to vacation in Orlando, Florida.
Lions Clubs International, a service organization founded in 1917, has more than 1.4 million members in 200 countries.
The local club meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bridgeville Borough building, 425 Bower Hill Road.
Crossey invites prospective members: “We’re a nonpolitical organization that just focuses on helping our neighbors.”
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▲ The Bridgeville Greater Area Lions Club, which includes South Fayette, has donated $5,000 to support children's health. Club members presented a ceremonial check in April to UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation. Pictured from left are club secretary Doug Thames; Eileen Crossey; vice president Joe Colosimo; Clay Rehm of UPMC; Bridgeville Mayor Betty Copeland; Mike Crossey; club president Laura Underhill; and club treasurer Joe Meliton. (Photo by Harry Funk)
By Harry Funk
When the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Houston Texans in the National Football League playoffs, Jeremy Stabile had a clear rooting interest.
But his was hardly typical for a South Fayette native.
“My goal is that there are no hard feelings, but I always want to beat them,” Stabile said about the Steelers, and given his job as a football data analyst for the Texans, he achieved a strong degree of satisfaction with their Jan. 12 victory in Pittsburgh.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing the Steelers,” he said. “It kind of makes me work even harder that week, to be honest.”
Fellow 2018 South Fayette High School graduate Jake Ponikvar experienced a similar situation when Pittsburgh lost in November to the Chicago Bears, the NFL franchise that employs him.
“Obviously, at the end of the day, who wouldn’t want to work for their hometown team? Circumstances just didn’t happen that way, and I’m very happy and blessed to be where I am currently,” Ponikvar said. “But I can’t lie and say it wasn’t a bittersweet moment.”
high school,” Stabile said.
As a Houston data analyst since 2023, his duties in winter months included researching the performances of free-agent players in numerous capacities to help determine if they’d be good fits for the Texans, along with evaluating collegiate talent in advance of the NFL draft, which was held in Pittsburgh in April.
(Submitted
Ponikvar and Stabile, onetime football teammates under longtime South Fayette coach Joe Rossi, met all the way back in second grade.
“He’s been one of my best friends for a long time now, so I’m glad that we’re both doing what we said we’ve wanted to do since
“Our goal is to kind of reduce the amount of work that the scouts and coaches have to do in terms of collecting data and breaking down data," he said. “We have all that in our databases, and if they come to us with a question or they want us to look something up for them, we’re there to put it together for them in a quick and timely manner.”
Ponikvar is heading into his third season as a pro scout for the Bears.
“A lot of our task on the pro side is to continuously upgrade through players who are currently in the NFL or just out of college,” he explained. “During the preseason, a lot of that is flipping the back of the 90-man roster out and getting fresh legs,” a process that continues when teams trim the roster size to 53 in advance of the regular season.
When games start counting in the standings, he evaluates Chicago’s upcoming opponents.
“Say we play the Browns next Sunday, and right now, we play
“He’s been one of my best friends for a long time now, so I’m glad that we’re both doing what we said we’ve wanted to do since high school.”
—Jeremy Stabile, referring to fellow South Fayette graduate Jake Ponikvar
the Packers,” he said. “While we’re playing the Packers, I’m at the Browns game, wherever that is.”
He then presents his findings to members of the coaching staff and keeps them updated between games, especially with regard to key players’ injuries.
For Stabile, a self-described “math and science kind of person,” immersing himself in data analysis comes naturally.
“I’ve always been undersized while playing sports, so I had to play smarter than people, and I always needed to know my role and know my plays,” he explained. “So that’s how I always thought about the game and thought about sports. I always thought about it from a statistical advantage, as opposed to just pure talent.”
He studied computer science at Syracuse University, where he worked jointly on a semester’s internship with Ponikvar, a Slippery Rock University graduate.
While in college, Stabile collected data for sports analytics company Pro Football Focus, and he was on the staff of the Miami Dolphins as an analytics staff assistant before joining the Texans.
Ponikvar secured a position as a player personnel/scouting intern in summer 2022.
“It was four of us competing for two full-time spots during training camp,” he recalled, and he earned one of them as a scouting assistant prior to his promotion to pro scout. loving it.”
Dollar Bank of South Fayette, in partnership with South Fayette Township, hosted a business networking event in April at Apex Newbury Apartments along Oakridge Road. Guests gathered on the fifth floor to enjoy views, coffee and pastries, and a meet-and-greet. Above, Jalissa
of Apex Newbury, left, and Jill
on a top-floor
Studio offers instruction with international flair
Story & photos by Andrea Iglar
Seven years ago, violinist Katherine Gray left her home in Chile—with only her violin, clothes and cat—to accept a music scholarship at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Over time, she learned, performed, met and married her husband, Evan, and in March of this year, opened a lesson studio in South Fayette Township.
“It has been a journey for sure,” Gray said.
Bee Sharp Music Studio offers youth and adult lessons in piano, voice, guitar,
violin, saxophone, and other string and wind instruments.
On a wall just off the lobby, pins mark places on a world map where students have visited and where the studio’s music teachers grew up—from the U.S. to Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Spain and beyond.
“The same way that we found our way here, we try to inspire you to find ways to make whatever you want happen,” Gray said.
That could be learning a certain song, achieving a desired level of proficiency or performing in a periodic recital.
Gray herself is a violinist with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and the Butler County Symphony Orchestra, and she has performed at festivals across Latin American and North America. She instructs violin, viola and basic piano.
After teaching from her Bridgeville Borough home, she began seeking her own studio space that offered the same warm atmosphere.
She landed on a suite around the back of the brick building where Ridge convenience store sits on Boyce Road, near the Hunting
Ridge neighborhood.
Gray said the South Fayette community has been supportive: “I feel like families here are very welcoming in general.”
The lesson rooms are named for classical composers and feature their quotes on the walls. Studio decor evokes the bee theme in various colors, and accent walls are papered with sheet music.
Gray created the business logo herself— an image that combines a violin and a bumblebee.
“Bees actually travel miles and miles and miles looking for honey,” she said. “I am kind of like a traveler bee.”
Bee Sharp Music Studio: 850 Boyce Road, Suite 6, South Fayette: 412-915-3629; beesharpmusic.com
Bartram House Bakery & Café opened a smaller version of its casual eatery in March in the Hastings neighborhood of South Fayette Township.
Tim and Denise Warne of Peters took the opportunity to move in when Salud Juicery closed.
"We've spent a lot of time here at Hastings with family, and we love it," Tim Warne said. "The acceptance of the community has been fantastic."
The Hastings menu offers all-day breakfast/ brunch/lunch options, coffee/espresso drinks, and pastries/desserts/ice cream, from morning to night daily. Indoor and outdoor seating are available.
The Hastings café is about a third the size of the Bartram in The Piazza at South Fayette. Other locations are in Peters, Pine and Cranberry.
Bartram House at Hastings: 1433 Hastings Crescent, South Fayette: 412-914-8540; bartramhousebakery.com.
By Harry Funk
Field upgrades at Fairview Park in South Fayette Township are set to benefit young athletes.
Thanks in part to more than $1.1 million in grant funding, two multipurpose athletic fields below the park’s Rotary Pavilion are in the process of receiving artificial turf.
Installation work started in April, with project completion expected by the fall.
“Having artificial turf will give our community sports teams more play time on the fields,” township parks and recreation director Paula Willis said. “We look forward to this major improvement.”
The switch from grass to turf comes as good news to leaders of local youth sports groups that offer football, lacrosse and soccer.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into trying to keep that grass going,” said Ryan Kacsur, South Fayette Township Youth Football Association president.
Simply getting grass to grow can be a
challenge, South Fayette Soccer Association treasurer Steven Dobis said.
While football and soccer players will use the new surfaces in the fall, South Fayette Youth Lacrosse Association athletes are competing on grass for one more spring season.
“If it’s too rainy and the fields are soggy, we have to cancel either practice or the game because we don’t want to tear up the field for the remainder of the season,” Nathan Boxx, the group’s president, said. “Having the turf fields kind of takes that wild card off the table for us.”
ability to host tournaments. We’d not really had the ability to do that with lack of turf fields. We’re very excited about that.”
Along with replacing grass with turf, the project features an accessible path around both fields, plus steps leading up to the Rotary Pavilion and its restrooms.
“Having artificial turf will give our community sports teams more play time on the fields.”
—Paula Willis, Parks and Recreation Director
Kacsur, an eight-year participant in the football association, said the addition of turf has been a youth sports topic of discussion for quite a while. He was among those in attendance for a brief on-field groundbreaking ceremony during a chilly, rainy March afternoon.
He pointed out another advantage.
“It’s going to, I think, put us on par with some of our neighbors as far as facilities go,” Boxx said. “It will allow us the
“Finally, to be there and do the groundbreaking,” he said, “it’s exciting to know that it’s happening.”
The American tradition of Thanksgiving, while commemorating an event that may have occurred four centuries ago, became an official holiday as recently as 1863.
Similarly themed harvest festivities in India date back thousands of years— and as a multicultural festival in South Fayette demonstrated this winter, such events continue to be observed each year.
Partnering with South Fayette Township Parks and Recreation, community resident Selva Priya Sahadevan brought together four celebrations from various parts of her native country for a day combining art, dance, literature, food and drink.
Her twin daughters, South Fayette Middle School eighth graders Kavya and Oviya Yuvaraj, helped launch the proceedings by providing guests with information about the various holidays. Their family comes from the state of Tamil Nadu in the southeastern part of India, where the four-day Pongal festival has taken place for more than 2,000 years.
Kavya and Oviya spoke about Pongal traditions such as honoring cattle, feeding birds and expressing gratitude for the sun, along with the practice of boiling rice with milk and jaggery, a nutrient-rich sweetener, until the concoction bubbles to the top, symbolic of prosperity.
Shilpa
The harvest festival Magh Bihu—a fixture in Assam, a state in the northeastern portion of India—originated around 3500 B.C., according to India Today magazine. Among the highlights are feasts, dancing and ceremonial bonfires known as Mezi.
Bonfires also feature prominently in Lohri, the festival of farmers that is celebrated primarily in Punjab, the state bordering Pakistan that serves as the heart of India’s Sikh community. And Makar Sankranti, observed throughout the nation, features the flying of colorful kites, especially in the western state Gujarat.
During South Fayette’s festival, held in
February at the township facility on Millers Run Road, award-winning artist Sahadevan conducted a lesson in Lippan, a type of mural that traditionally consists of clay and small mirrors. Following her lead, guests had the opportunity to produce their own creations, minus the mud.
Practicing another art form of India, South Fayette High School student Srihitha Vulupala provided many of the guests with Mehndi, intricately designed temporary henna tattoos.
Dancers from Happy Feetz in South Fayette performed, and youngsters were treated to readings from works by Kelir Books, which produces bilingual TamilEnglish resources showcasing one of the oldest languages on earth.
All the while, food and beverages from Tikka ’N’ Wrapz, a restaurant owned by township residents Anurhada and Deepak Gupta, and The Spicyfi, an Indian grocery store, provided a tasty touch to the afternoon.
Parks and Recreation Director Paula Willis said her department aims to offer events and programs for a wide range of ages, abilities and interests.
"The multicultural festival was a great way to highlight our community and bring together our residents," she said.
Harry Funk is a freelance writer.
By Jennifer Donovan
At South Fayette Township School District, being student-centered extends beyond academics to emotional well-being.
As part of a commitment to providing consistent, accessible mental health support, the district has formalized therapy dogs on campus.
The Pawsitive Partners program brings therapy-certified dogs into school settings to provide comfort, connection, healing and support for students and staff alike. Approved staff members, outside providers or volunteers bring their therapy-certified family dogs into designated school spaces.
Dr. Kellee Oliver, the Director of Student Support Services, coordinates visits, structuring them to create safe, positive interactions that promote emotional wellness and help students navigate challenges of the school day.
“As a district, we are always looking for meaningful ways to support the whole child,” Dr. Oliver said. “Therapy dogs offer a unique form of connection that helps students feel safe, seen and supported. Sometimes that quiet, nonjudgmental presence can make all the difference in a student’s day.”
Research and experience show therapy dogs can have a meaningful impact on school communities. Their presence offers benefits such as emotional support (comfort and reassurance), companionship, reduced stress and anxiety, regulated feelings and emotions, improved focus and attention,
Four staff members currently can bring their certified dogs to visit school buildings. Students of all ages have welcomed A.J. (Labrador retriever), Holly (sheepadoodle), Kelly (greyhound) and Wrigley (black Lab).
The district created trading cards of the dogs as a keepsake that promotes literacy and familiarity with the animals. Similar to baseball cards, each one features a photo of the dog with fun facts such as the animal’s likes and dislikes.
crisis and trauma support/healing, and enhanced social skills such as cooperation, conversation and peer interaction.
Involvement with therapy dogs has been proven to help build self-esteem and foster a sense of belonging.
While both therapy dogs and service dogs play valuable roles, they serve very different purposes.
Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks are directly tied to that individual’s needs, and the dog works as part of a dedicated team with its handler. The district has a policy governing service animals.
Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are trained to provide comfort, affection and companionship to a wide range of individuals. Rather than assisting one specific person, they interact with many people. Their role is relationship-based, as opposed to task-based.
Only dogs and handlers with registration from a recognized therapy dog organization are permitted in the schools, and documentation must show the dog is up to date with veterinary services and licenses. Handlers must carry liability insurance and are responsible for dog supervision and care at all times. These guidelines ensure that every therapy dog visit is safe, structured and beneficial.
Members of SF BeWell, a high school student group focusing on mental health, have scheduled therapy dog visits for their peers. In February and March, students signed up for 20-minute visits using school attendance software, with teacher permission to miss instructional time.
“SF BeWell has really taken ownership of this effort, and it’s been incredible to see students leading the way in promoting wellness among their peers,” said Dr. Felix Yerace, faculty co-advisor for SF BeWell.
SF Pawsitive Partners—along with school-based therapists, counselors and Chill Rooms— reflects the district’s dedication to nurturing the whole child. Sometimes, a simple interaction with a wagging tail and a gentle nudge, or a quiet moment with a calm companion, can make a lasting difference.
Jennifer Donovan is the school district's communications director.
By Emma Billing
South Fayette High School has officially welcomed girls flag football as a varsity sport, marking an exciting new opportunity for studentathletes like me.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League declared girls flag football a varsity sport in September 2024, with 2026 being the first season of scheduled games.
After participating originally as a club team two years ago, South Fayette High School formed a varsity team in just two weeks before the start of this season.
flag foot ball team
In the short time since we pulled together these 26 talented players, our growth has been impressive, and we’ve learned new positions and new rules from scratch. The dedication of our three coaches is tireless. Our team already feels like a family, and we work together to compete at our best every week.
“I don’t think words could properly put into perspective the positive effect this team has had on me," said senior Braedyn Stites, who has been playing South Fayette flag football since its inception as a club team.
“This team has given me a purpose and a place. It has been so amazing seeing my teammates grow individually and our team grow as a whole. Every girl comes out with a willingness to learn and a love for the game.”
Though we got off to a slow start this season, we have looked at every game as an opportunity to grow. It has been heartwarming to see the confidence bloom in every player, whether senior or freshman. We keep our heads high and push forward together, focused on progress, teamwork and building something lasting for future players. It is so important that we show the younger girls that it is possible to change the stereotypes and play football.
“I am so excited to see this program grow and expand over the coming years,” Braedyn said. “I will forever be proud of these girls, and this program will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Emma Billing, a South Fayette High School junior, is a flag football running back and linebacker.
Saturday, May 23
Last Day of Service at 515 Millers Run
Monday, May 25Saturday, June 6 CLOSED for relocation
Monday, June 8
First Day of Service at 100 Township Drive
Monday, June 15
First Day of Summer Programming
South Fayette Township Municipal Center 100 Township Drive South Fayette, PA 15017
As we get ready for an exciting renovation of our library space, weʼll be temporarily relocating to:
Lea r n m or e an d sta y up to date !
Will the library hours of operation change?
The librar y will continue to offer our cur rent hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM and Fridays and Saturdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Will I be able to pick up my holds?
Yes! Please visit the librar y's website to lear n more.
Will I be able to return my books?
Yes! The librar y will offer an outdoor book retur n. As always, items can also be retur ned to any librar y in Allegheny Count y.
When is the renovated librar y expected to open?
Weʼre excited to share that the transfor med librar y is expected to open in mid-2027 - bringing a vibrant, expanded space designed for connection, discover y, and lifelong lear ning. Stay tuned as we get closer to opening day!
JUNE 15 - AUGUST 15
SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP PARKS & RECREATION
SURVIVAL ADVENTURE CAMP
AUGUST 3-7 9 AM-3 PM
AGES 8-13 $365
MON. & TUES. @ BOYS HOME PARK WED. THURS. & FRI. @ MORGAN PARK
JULY 13-17
*W/ SF SCHOOL ART TEACHER
MRS. GIOVANNUCCI
9 AM-1 1 AM, 3-4 GRADE 12 PM-2 PM, 5-6 GRADE
FAIRVIEW PARK ROTARY PAVILION $180
WEEK 1: JUNE 15 - 19 @ 10 AM - 1 PM
WEEK 2: JULY 20 - 24 @ 9 AM - 12 PM
AGES 5-12, $210/CHILD SOUTH FAYETTE MUNICIPAL CENTER
PITTSBURGH LACROSSE ACADEMY
MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 1 - 24
U8/U10 @ 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM U12/U14 @ 6:30 PM - 8 PM
RISING 1 - 8 GRADE GIRLS ST TH FAIRVIEW PARK - FIELD E PRICES VARY
THURSDAYS
LACROSSE: JULY 9 - AUG 13 BOYS HOME PARK, HOGAN FIELD; $115
AGES 3-5 @ 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM
AGES 6-9 @ 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM
JR. PICKLEBALL CAMP AGES 6-14 $195 9 AM-12 PM
WEEK 1: JUNE 15-19
WEEK 2: JULY 27-31
MON. TUES. THURS. & FRI. NO CAMP ON WED.
MORGAN PARK
LIONHEART
BOXING ACADEMY
WED. & FRI. JUNE 17 - JULY 17
AGES 10-17, 4 PM - 5 PM $120
BOYS HOME PARK ANNEX FIELD
SATURDAYS, JUNE 13-AUGUST 8
FAIRVIEW PARK
*PRICES VARY PER AGE GROUP
AGES 7-11 @ 9 AM - 10 AM
AGES 12-17 @ 10 AM - 11 AM
AGES 5-6 @ 11 AM - 11:30 AM
WEDNESDAYS @ 9 AM - 11 AM
JUNE 10-RADICAL ROBOTS
JUNE 17-ROLLING AROUND THE ROCK CYCLE
JUNE 24-EUREKA: SHIPWRECKED!
JULY 8-BRIXOLGY AEROSPACE
JULY 15-DIG & DISCOVER DINOSAURS
JULY 29-PYRAMID POWER
AUGUST 5-ENERGY BURST
RISING 1 -6 GRADERS ST TH FAIRVIEW PARK LAFAYETTE PAVILION $30/CLASS
WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 3 - JULY 29
BOYS HOME PARK, HOGAN FIELD
AGES 2-3 @ 5 PM - 5:30 PM
AGES 3-4 @ 5:35 PM - 6:10 PM
AGES 4-5 @ 6:15 PM - 6:50 PM AGES 6-8 @ 6:55 PM - 7:40 PM
SOUTHFAYETTEPA.COM/RECREATION
222 PRICES VARY
Garbage is collected weekly and recycling every 2 weeks. Place bins at the curb before 6 AM on pickup day. Do not bag recyclables.
Monthly bulk/oversize item collection has a 2-item limit and does NOT include extra trash bags. Bulk items are picked up the 2nd full week of each month (the week starts with Monday).
If an observed holiday falls the week before your pickup day, collection is delayed one day.
Waste Management wm.com ◆ 1-800-866-4460
May 7
June 4
June 5
100 Township Drive, South Fayette PA 15017 Ph: 412-221-8700 Web: SouthFayettePA.com
Staff Directory
John M. Barrett, Township Manager
Administration
Vitali Alexandrov, Facilities Director
Patrick J. Catena, Assistant Manager
Joe Hollowood, IT Director
July 2
July 3
July 9
May 14
May 15
June 11
June 12
July 10
July 16
July 17
June 18
June 19
May 29
June 25
July 23
July 24
July 30
Arianna Lower, Executive Assistant
Shannen McKahan, Finance Officer
Amy O'Neill, Accounting Assistant
Peggy Patterson, Administrative Assistant
Rodger Ricciuti, Fire Services Coordinator
Planning, Building & Code
Gary Hartz, Planning/Zoning Director
Joe Niedermeyer, Building Code Official
Mike Blocher, Code Enforcement Officer
Abbey Scheerer, Administrative Assistant
Communications & Community Development
Andrea Iglar, Director
Parks & Recreation
Paula Willis, Director Public Works
Dan Dernosek, Director
Todd Petrillo, Foreman
Sandra Bukovinsky, Administrative Assistant Police
John R. Phoennik, Chief of Police
Dana Korbe, Administrative Assistant Business Office: 412-221-2170 Emergency & Dispatch: 9-1-1
South Fayette Township Library 412-257-8660, SouthFayetteLibrary.org
South Fayette Area Senior Citizens Association 412-302-6265, SouthFayettePA.com/seniors
South Fayette School District 412-221-4542, SouthFayette.org
Historical Society of South Fayette Township SouthFayettePA.com/history
Tax Collection
Deputy Tax Collector: Jordan Tax Service, 724-731-2311, JordanTax.com
Tax Information: SouthFayettePA.com/tax
Municipal Authority (Dye Tests & Sanitary Sewers) 412-257-5100, MATSF.net
Chambers of Commerce
South West: 412-221-4100, SouthWestRegionalChamber.org
Pittsburgh Airport Area: 412-264-6270, PAACC.com
Ambulance & Emergency Medical Services
SouthBridge EMS: 412-221-5115, SouthBridgeEMS.com
Volunteer Fire Departments in South Fayette Fairview, Oak Ridge, South Fayette, Sturgeon: SouthFayettePA.com/fire
Police, Fire & Ambulance: 9-1-1