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CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Last drive-in movie theater in Allegheny County to celebrate major milestone
The last remaining drive-in movie theater in Allegheny County is celebrating a major milestone this weekend. Dependable Drive-In on Moon Clinton Road in Moon Township is hosting a family-fun event full of entertainment on Saturday to celebrate 75 years in business. "Back in 1950, something magical happened with the strip mine. It turned into a drive-in," said Jay Glaus, the director of operations at Dependable Drive-In. Glaus talked to KDKA-TV on Friday about the history of the drive-in, saying the land was first used as a strip mine. "It was the Dependable Coal Company. Pat Springer actually was a local Moon Township native. He had the Dependable Coal Company here on this land, and it was a strip mine. 'You got coal,'" Glaus said. "A lot of drive-ins back then that were strip mines were turned to drive-ins because when you strip the land, it kind of lent itself the way it was shaped." Since the land became a drive-in movie theater, it's become a destination for families ready to make memories under the stars. "I don't think anyone back then, when the drive-in first started, could imagine what it would become today," Glaus said. "You can't imagine how many people we get that come out here that say, 'Oh, my parents used to bring me when I was a kid, and now I'm bringing my kids,' and it just goes generations." The drive-in was founded in 1950 and is the last drive-in in Allegheny County. The owners said they're committed to "preserving the magic of outdoor movies for years to come." "A lot of people treasure the drive-in because it's just a different type of movie-going experience, and there's just kind of more freedom, you know? More time you can spend playing ball. You see a lot of families, fathers and sons or what have you, just playing catch before the movie. And that's something that they're going to remember, that that kid is going to remember those times later on and in their life, and those memories were created here," Glaus said. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the drive-in is welcoming its customers and community for a day full of family fun on Saturday. Glaus said Steel City Gamers will offer laser tag and a foam pit free of charge to attendees, and Quack-A-Doodle-Doo Petting Zoo will be there with plenty of animals. "There's going to be a ton of animals for everyone to meet and play around with. We're going to have face painting. We're going to have caricatures. It's going to be a great day. We're going to have our concession stands open. You can get all the food that you know and love here at the drive-in: chicken baskets, burgers, dogs, pizza, mac and cheese bites," Glaus said. "We're even going to have a little trivia scavenger hunt." He said souvenirs and collectable merchandise will be available for purchase to celebrate the anniversary. "It's our way of giving back and saying thank you for 75 years, we're looking forward to 75 more," Glaus said. To end the night, attendees can catch a double feature under the stars. Screen one will play "Freakier Friday" and "Fantastic Four." Screen two will play "Weapons" and "Together," while screen three will play "Bad Guys 2" and "Jurassic World Rebirth." "The admission, we have an early bird special. If you arrive here between 4 and 5:30 p.m., you actually pay less, and you get to be here longer. It's $8 for adults and $4 for children. Our normal price is $10 for adults and $5 for children. So, if you arrive early, you get to pay less. And from 530 p.m. on, our normal pricing will resume," Glaus said.
CBS News
17-06-2025
- CBS News
Moon Township police set to bring back mountain bike unit after 20-year hiatus
The Moon Township Police Department is getting ready to bring back its mountain bike unit after 20 years, so officers can keep people safe along the Montour Trail. Sandi Veze of Hopewell Township runs along the Montour Trail with her dog almost every day, and sometimes her husband, Chris, joins them. "I love it out here. It's quiet, it's peaceful, the people, everyone says 'hello,'" Sandi said. She's never felt uncomfortable or unsafe along the path, even after last fall's fatal stabbing of Ben Brallier, an off-duty Liquor Control Enforcement agent with the Pennsylvania State Police who was out for a run along the trail when he was killed. "My friends were like, 'Aren't you afraid to run there?' I'm like no," Sandi said. A man, who said he was homeless, has since been arrested and charged with the death of Brallier. But before then, Moon Township Police Lt. Shener Ulke said the department was looking to resurrect the mountain bike program to increase its visibility on the trail. "It just really unfortunately became underfunded, and then unfunded, and people lost interest in it," Ulke said. Ulke said currently, to get a car on the trail, officers have to use a key to unlock a gate, and they're limited in distance. A bike is much more practical. "The mountain bikes make our officers super accessible, really approachable," Ulke said. The department intends to have three officers certified by July 4 and, eventually, have six officers patrolling the trail and Moon Park either during the first or second half of their shifts. It will be easier to respond to emergencies, like medical episodes, and will also increase community policing. "Stopping and saying hi, helping kids out when they get flat tires or if they get bumps and bruises," Ulke said. The hope is that the unit benefits both the officers and community members alike. "It's for public safety and a deterrence," Chris said. "It does add a little level of comfort there, for sure," Sandi said. The Montour Trail runs through several municipalities. The Findlay Township Police Department told KDKA it has had a bike patrol program since the 1990s, and currently, more than 10 officers are certified. The North Fayette Police Department also confirmed to KDKA that it has a bike unit that patrols the trail as well.
