APRIL 15-21, 2015
C E L E B R AT I N G 5 0 Y E A R S O F S O U T H H I L L S C O M M U N I T Y N E W S
Students return to Seton-La Salle after threats see, hear or read something suspicious; basically, ‘see something, say something,’ is the protoMultimedia reporter col,” said Deputy Police Chief Aaron Lauth. dsinger@thealmanac.net School officials said police officers would be at After an email detailing threats of violence the school for an undetermined amount of time. against school officials and students was sent to “An email was sent to the principal and other Seton-La Salle High School officials overnight faculty that contained threats about bloodshed April 8, students have returned to the private at the school ... comparisons to Columbine and campus following three days of cancelled class. Sandy Hook were in there,” Lauth said. “We’re A meeting with 500 parents was held April 12 handling the majority of the investigation, and by police and school officials to go over secu- the FBI is helping us with the technological asrity protocols, according to a Catholic Diocese pects by tracking I.P. addresses the email was likely sent from,” he said, noting the matter was spokesman. “Mt. Lebanon Police have been working with still under investigation. School officials had first said the April 8 cloSeton-La Salle High School administrators and their security consultant to review the security sure was due to a power outage, but a press reprotocols and suggest enhancements. Parents lease said the threat was received overnight. and students are reminded to speak up if they Students worked from home on laptops
By David Singer
April 10, as officials said it was a “Chrome from Home” day. Students said they appreciated how school officials handled the apparent threat. “It was scary at first, to be honest. When they said the FBI was involved, and that the note mentioned Columbine and other shootings, it’s scary. But I’m not bothered by it anymore because I’m confident the authorities will find out who did this,” said Rick Mellick, 18. For Jacob Blahut, 18, the threat was out of the blue. “Nothing like this has happened since I’ve been at the school. But being closed for two days, you know the school leadership is taking this seriously. They are concerned with the safety of students and unless they know the absolute validity of the threat, I think the way they’ve been handling it is okay in my book.”
DAVID SINGER / STAFF
Police prevented media and the public from entering school grounds April 8.
Coffee talk Peters police host community series By Suzanne Elliott Staff writer selliott@thealmanac.net
Data and deer were the topics of the morning at the Peters Township Police Department’s first ever monthly Coffee With The Cops at McDonald’s in McMurray. “We do a lot in the community and want to let the people know,” said Captain Michael Yanchak of the Peters police. “The more positive, the better.” Coffee With The Cops is part of a national initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice and is now taking place in 41 states. These informal gatherings allow residents to share their concerns, offer suggestions and get to know the members of the police force. Peters Township is the first community to host the event in Greater Pittsburgh. “I wanted to come out and support them,” said Dale Moore of Venetia, who attended the April 10 event. “They are a phenomenal group
SUZANNE ELLIOTT / STAFF
Former Peters Township residents, Joyce and Ron Kilgore, who now live in North Strabane, talk to Chief Harry Fruecht during the departSEE COFFEE PAGE 2 ment’s Coffee With The Cops get-together.
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