Honestly, if you only look at the headlines, you'd think Penn Hills was just a series of traffic stops and school board meetings. But if you actually live here or spend any real time driving down Rodi Road, you know there is a lot more moving under the surface. This January has been particularly weird. We’ve had school buses catching fire—mercifully empty ones—and a high school basketball team that is apparently fueled by local pizza. It’s a lot to keep track of.
Staying on top of penn hills pa news usually feels like a full-time job because we are one of the largest municipalities in Allegheny County. We aren't just a "suburb" of Pittsburgh; we are a massive, sprawling community with our own unique drama and wins.
The School Bus Fire and the Luck of the Timing
Let's talk about that bus. On a random morning in early January 2026, a Penn Hills School District bus basically turned into a fireball on Frey Road. If you saw the video captured by Madge Lomax, it was intense—thick, black smoke choking the morning sky.
The crazy part? Nobody was on it.
The bus was empty. No kids. No injuries. Just a shell of a vehicle and a lot of questions for the district's maintenance crews. Authorities are still digging into what caused the blaze, but for parents, it was a "heart in your throat" moment that ended with a collective sigh of relief.
Penn Hills PA News: The Budget No One Expected
You’ve probably heard people complaining about taxes since the dawn of time, especially in the Penn Hills School District. But here is the kicker for 2026: both the municipality and the school district are looking at no tax increases.
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Yeah, you read that right.
Breaking Down the $78.9 Million Municipal Plan
Township Manager Scott Andrejchak and the council have been working on a $78.9 million spending plan. For the average homeowner with a property assessed at around $70,100, that means your tax bill stays sitting at about $486.77.
They are actually adding things, too. A new "traffic division" is in the works, which means a dedicated police officer specifically for traffic calming. If you’ve ever tried to pull out onto Frankstown Road during rush hour, you know why that’s a big deal. The town’s general fund has grown from $7 million back in 2013 to about $15 million today. That’s a massive swing in fiscal health for a town people used to say was struggling.
The School District’s $106 Million Balancing Act
On the school side, Business Manager John Zahorchak is juggling a $106 million budget. It’s also balanced without a tax hike, even though cyber charter school costs are eating the district alive—we're talking $2.2 million of their $3 million expenditure increase just going to tuition for kids not even in the buildings.
It’s a tough spot. They’re basically treading water while trying to repave the road around Linton Middle School and rebuild their capital funds.
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Hoops, Pizza, and Local Pride
Switching gears to something a bit more fun, the Penn Hills boys' basketball team is currently killing it. They started the season 0-4, which had everyone worried, but they’ve roared back to a 4-1 start in Section 1-5A.
Coach Chris Giles has a pretty hilarious incentive program going on. If a player gets 10 rebounds, they get a pizza. Calix Clark, one of the standouts, has already banked three pizzas this season. But he’s picky—he told the local press he doesn’t want big-box delivery. He wants "a real Italian dude cooking my pizza" from a homestyle shop. You've gotta love the local loyalty.
Real Life Updates: From Bingo to Parking
If you are looking for penn hills pa news that actually affects your Tuesday night, here is a quick hit list of what is happening on the ground:
- Winter Parking: The municipality is being super strict about the parking advisory. If it snows, get your car off the street. The plow trucks can’t get through the narrow residential blocks if your SUV is sticking out.
- Volunteer Firefighters: Penn Hills No. 7 on Universal Road is looking for recruits. They have a "live-in" program where you can get free college tuition through Allegheny County’s FireVEST program (CCAC scholarships). It’s a massive opportunity for younger residents.
- Valentine Bingo: Mark Feb. 7 on your calendar. It’s a fundraiser for the firefighters at the No. 7 station. $20 gets you in, and there’s food and (for the 21+ crowd) drinks.
- Math Night: The Elementary school is doing a "Magic of Math" night on Jan. 15. It’s not just for current students; incoming kindergartners can go too.
The "Interim Manager" Controversy
It wouldn't be Penn Hills without a little bit of political friction. Recently, the Mayor has been challenging the process for appointing the interim manager. It’s one of those deep-in-the-weeds local government disputes that actually matters because it determines who is signing the checks and running the day-to-day operations of the township.
There is a bit of a power struggle regarding how much say the Mayor’s office should have versus the Council when it comes to these high-level hires. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s very Penn Hills.
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New Food Near Us (But Not Quite Here)
While we’re waiting for more big developments inside our borders, the surrounding areas are exploding. Cava just opened in East Liberty at The Meridian, and Mineo’s Pizza just opened a massive spot at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Locally, we’re seeing a lot of real estate transactions in the eastern suburbs. People are still buying here because, frankly, you get a lot more house for your money in Penn Hills than you do in places like Oakmont or Squirrel Hill.
Actionable Steps for Penn Hills Residents
If you want to stay involved and not just complain on Facebook, here is what you should actually do:
- Attend the Zoning Board Meeting: The next one is Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Government Center on Duff Road. This is where decisions about what gets built in your neighborhood actually happen.
- Check Your Property Assessment: With the 2026 budget staying flat, make sure your assessment is accurate so you aren't overpaying into that 6.944 millage rate.
- Support the VFD: If you’re a student or looking for a career change, look into the FireVEST program. Free tuition at CCAC in exchange for serving the community is one of the best-kept secrets in the county.
- Download the Parking Alerts: Check the municipal website (pennhillspa.gov) to sign up for snow emergency alerts so you don't get a ticket or, worse, get your mirror clipped by a plow.
Penn Hills is in a weirdly stable spot for 2026. No tax hikes, a winning basketball team, and a lot of infrastructure work on the horizon. It’s not perfect, but it’s home.