Warren Times Observer, 5/28/2011.
Excerpt: After a continuance was requested by the seller, the property, which includes the western part of the building from about the middle of the courtyard along Clark Street, will be put up for sale on Aug. 4 with a price tag of about $1.3 million. The original sale was set for June 2.
The location is the site of the proposed convention center.
The property owner is Warren Hospitality Associates, but the bank representing the property and calling for the sale is Manufacturers and Traders Trust of Buffalo, which is associated with M&T Bank.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/29/2011.
Excerpt: It started 95 years ago, in a grand limestone edifice filled with light and fresh air. It will end in a nondescript hallway in a windowless former middle school, likely soon to be demolished itself.
Though the battle over Pittsburgh Schenley High School was fought three years ago, the school will sputter to its end this week. There will be no more DeJuan Blairs bringing the Spartans a state basketball championship, no more Andy Warhols prowling its art classes, no more Ray Browns playing in the orchestra.
What remains are the roughly 190 kids who stuck it out -- forsaking pep rallies, after-school clubs and even a decent lunch hour -- to give Schenley a proper goodbye.
"They fought to stay together and now we're at the end," said principal Sophia Facaros. "The physical space has changed, but what the heart of Schenley is has never changed."
The Pittsburgh school board voted to close Schenley in 2008, after receiving estimates of between $42 million and $87 million to renovate the building, including fixing issues with asbestos and falling plaster. The 5-4 decision didn't go down easy with Schenley supporters, who tried rallies, protests and petitions to keep the school open.
The building has been vacant since the end of the 2008 school year. While there has been interest from several prospective buyers, all eventually decided not to purchase the building.
Thomas Merle Seymour, 60, of 117 Sixth Street, Warren, passed on Monday at his residence.
Tom was born August 19, 1950, in Warren, the son of the late Merle and Ida Scandreth Seymour. Tom was a lifelong Warren resident and a 1968 graduate of Warren Area High School. He was currently employed with Jones Chevrolet since 1987, and previously with Merle Swift, spanning a thirty year career in the automotive business, holding various positions throughout. Tom used to play floor hockey and bowled at Penn Lanes. He enjoyed family and friends and especially his great nephews. Tom was also an avid collector, and enjoyed antiquing.
He is survived by two sisters, Sandra Paden and her husband Joseph, Meadville, Karen Seymour and her husband Bob Blood, Concord, N.C.; one brother, Richard Seymour and his partner Russell Rogers, Manville, N.J.; two nieces, Wendy Lynch and her husband Steve and Stacy Sherretts and her husband Wayne; and his great nephews, Tyler, Kyle and Nick.
Warren Times-Observer, 5/20/2011.
Excerpt: According to statistics released Thursday from the 2010 Census, 18.7 percent of county residents are over 65, ranking ninth in that category across Pennsylvania. It also tied with three other counties with the third highest of median age at 45.1.
Excerpt: The City of Warren has run into a snag in the process to develop new homes on the former Home Street Elementary School property.
The city's Redevelopment Authority met Thursday morning to discuss approving a proposal from developer Justin Kinney to construct houses and several duplexes on the property's subdivided lots. However, according to City Manager Jim Nelles, Kinney hasn't provided the adequate information to the authority regarding his background.
Nelles said that Kinney, the owner of Oak Valley Contractors, LLC, did send the authority a brief letter, expressing his interest in developing the property. "To be real frank with you," he said, "I think it's insufficient. I'm not really satisfied with the short paragraph in this letter. I specifically asked him for references and financial information. My recommendation is we hold up on this and do more vetting."
