Erin Yudt stories

Greensburg YMCA gymnasts scored big at this year’s YMCA-USA national championships in Cincinnati. Emma Rost of Greensburg captured national titles in two events. Rost claimed gold medals in the level 4 vault and floor exercises. She also won a bronze medal in the all-around and placed sixth on the bars....

The U.S. Department of Education invited River Valley School District to the White House twice this summer. In July, the district was recognized as part of the Rural Community of Practice as an exemplary school district that reimagines how the nation’s high schools prepare students to thrive in the workforce....

Frogs are finally getting their due — and their own week of celebration — thanks to the efforts of an Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate student. “Most tend to fear frogs and other creatures around them; frog week helps break this and bring attention to what is in our backyard,”...

Following suit with rising costs and inflation, the costs of automobile ownership, insurance and necessary repairs have soared in recent years and are expected to continue. Frank Ferra, president of Ferra’s Automotive Services in Sharpsburg, says expenses including wages, rent, taxes, equipment and insurance, along with the costs for parts,...

Linda Kruel is hoping for a resurgence of her craft. “Crocheting has made such a big comeback; we can only hope the same for knitting,” said Kruel, president of the Golden Dome Knitting Guild based in Greensburg. Spurred on during the covid pandemic, “Grandmacore” — the term for a popular...

Trinity Tower United Methodist Church welcomed a new pastor July 2. Pastor Greg Spencer replaces retired pastor Dale Reese and comes from Trinity UMC in Brackenridge. Spencer hails from the Titusville and Warren areas and became an ordained deacon in 1983 and pastor in 1985, following in his father’s footsteps....

Can’t choose between seeing your favorite artists this year? Live Nation might have the solution for you. The event promoter is holding its “Summer’s Live,” a promotion that gives fans the opportunity to purchase four concert tickets for $80 before taxes. The promotion is for selected events with limited inventory....

Following a supply chain disruption earlier this year, Eat’n Park’s grilled stickies are back thanks to a new partnership with 5 Generation Bakers in McKees Rocks. Back in March, the company said that the sweet treat was “no longer available after the closure of a bakery partner,” which was Byrnes...

Math and reading scores among America’s 13-year-olds fell to their lowest levels in decades, with math scores plunging by the largest margin ever recorded, according to the results of a federal test known as the Nation’s Report Card. The results are the latest measure of deep learning setbacks in the...

The Westmoreland Land Trust is expanding a preservation project at its St. Xavier site by planting native grasses and wildflowers. Along Route 30 in Unity, the St. Xavier Nature Preserve is part of an ongoing collaboration with Saint Vincent College, which donated cameras and other infrastructure to create livestreams of...

With summer in full swing, some are planning a traditional summer grill with the family but for vegetarians and pescetarians (who also enjoy seafood), these gatherings can mean limited options and the possibility of going home with a grumbling tummy. Here are five restaurants in the Pittsburgh area that have...

Puerto Rican rapper Farruko is the headliner for Pittsburgh’s second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival set for Sept. 30 at PPG Paints Arena. Local Hispanic vendors, live music and dance performances by Latin artists will be part of a festival prior to the Farruko concert. The concert starts at 8 p.m.,...

The 2023 In Your Write Mind Workshop for writers and aspiring writers will be held virtually July 13-15. Registration is open through July 12. The workshop includes live and recorded workshops and a keynote presentation from author Gail Carriger. Carriger is a New York Times best-selling multi-genre author. Some of...

The third annual Mike Reese Memorial 5K — Roast, Run and Family Fun is scheduled for Sunday, July 2, at Mammoth Park in Pavilion 1 in Mt. Pleasant Township. “This event has quickly become something that area families look forward to and our foundation is really happy to see how...

Whitehall Borough’s street signs may have been replaced, but the old signs are not gone for good. The Whitehall Historical Society started auctioning off more than 700 of the 40-year-old street signs with bids starting at $25 on June 1 as a way to not create waste and give back...

Construction on eastbound Interstate 70 single-lane restrictions between Exit 46 Route 51 and Exit 49 Smithton is scheduled to begin in Rostraver on Thursday through the end of August. The current westbound Interstate 70 single-lane restrictions will remain in place. The single-lane restrictions are necessary to allow crews to perform...

After the Taylor Swift pandemonium last weekend, more music lovers are going to extreme lengths to see their favorite performers on the North Shore. Fans were lined up outside of Stage AE early Tuesday morning in hopes of scoring a spot close to the stage to watch boygenius Tuesday evening....

The Taylor Swift concerts are just days away, and Swifties are making friendship bracelets to trade and adding final touches to their outfits for The Eras Tour shows Friday and Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. Here are five things to know before going: 1. Plan for parking The North Shore will...

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour, a journey through the musical eras of Swift’s career, is set to hit Acrisure Stadium. The shows Friday and Saturday are sold out at the 68,400-seat facility. So how rare is that? Concert promoter Rich Engler, who has worked in the industry for 53 years,...

Westmoreland County District Court Administrator Amy Mears DeMatt is the new president of the Pennsylvania Association of Court Management. “I am just absolutely delighted to be elected to this position,” DeMatt said. “It is such an honor to be recognized by my peers and fellow colleagues throughout the state.” DeMatt...