Jack Troy stories, Page 10
Feds OK settlement between Shapiro, grid manager to control electricity prices
Federal regulators approved a deal between Gov. Josh Shapiro and PJM Interconnection to limit some electricity price hikes. PJM is a regional transmission organization, which works to secure generation capacity for utility companies within its 13-state network. It holds annual auctions in which the lowest bidder earns the right —...
Teen recounts 100-foot fall in Harrison Hills Park that left her with broken ankle, back
Star Henwood admits she likes to take risks. Her thrill-seeking tendencies landed her in trouble — and the hospital — last week when she plunged about 100 feet down a hillside in Harrison Hills Park, leading to a two-hour effort by first responders to hoist her back to safety. She...
Former Vandergrift cop accused of having sex with underage girl waives charges to court
Former Vandergrift police Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Depanicis, who is accused of having sex with a minor about 100 times in the early to mid-1990s, waived his charges to court Monday. A criminal complaint filed by state police alleges he invited a 14-year-old girl to his Oklahoma Borough home for sex...
Survey finds ignorance and fear surrounding nuclear cleanup in Parks Township
A report from a University of Pittsburgh public health graduate student has found lingering information gaps and distrust surrounding the Army Corps of Engineers’ planned cleanup of the Parks Township nuclear waste dump. “There is a very intense fear around the site, and people have stuck to that,” said Ariana...
3 Republicans running to replace Albert ‘Ouch’ Roenigk as Buffalo Township supervisor
Republicans voters in Buffalo Township will have three choices for supervisor in the May 20 primary. Bob Buterbaugh, John Haven and Heath Singer all are vying for a six-year term. No Democrats are on the primary ballot. The winner likely will succeed Albert “Ouch” Roenigk, who is stepping down from...
Building the Valley: Numa Yoga brings a calming presence to Freeport
It’s mid-morning on a Thursday in March, and Kristen Formaini is searching for “effortless.” The soft music, wafts of burning palo santo and three heaters set to a stuffy 85 degrees are all meant to help her and her students find it. “We repeat things all the time in this...
Valley Ambulance Authority working with AHN physicians while on calls after dropping Heritage Valley
After more than 50 years with Heritage Valley Sewickley, the Valley Ambulance Authority is instead relying on physicians from Allegheny Health Network’s hospital in Wexford for authorization to treat patients in the field. The switch happened March 1, but wasn’t officially announced until April 16. “We saw that Allegheny Health...
3 Democrats vying for Vandergrift Council seat
Three candidates are vying for a two-year term on Vandergrift Council. Democrats will choose among Nick Morgan, Nikol Reed and Michael Reilly in the May 20 primary. No Republicans are on the ballot. Morgan, 33, is an insurance salesman at Howard Hanna. He’s also on the Vandergrift Business Association Board...
Heritage Valley CEO: Sewickley hospital here to stay, even as system consolidates
The head of Heritage Valley Health System says the network’s Sewickley hospital isn’t going anywhere, despite the upcoming closure of its Kennedy counterpart. “Clearly, there is a need for a hospital in that Sewickley community,” Heritage Valley President and CEO Norm Mitry told TribLive. “We don’t foresee any negative impact...
Proposed stormwater fee draws concerns from Allegheny Township residents, business owners
Allegheny Township’s plan to fund compliance with the state-mandated stormwater management program motivated around 50 residents and business representatives to attend Monday’s supervisors meeting, mostly in opposition. The ordinance has been unpopular among a vocal faction since its introduction this year. “We do our best to collect as much water...
Buffalo Township supervisor gives reopening date for Sheetz
The Sheetz location in Buffalo Township is set to reopen April 23, according to township Supervisor Michael Oehling Jr. The gas station and convenience store where Route 356 and Monroe Road meet closed in October to be torn down and rebuilt. Sheetz did not return requests for comment. Company spokesperson...
Parks Township nuclear waste cleanup now set to start in fall
The Army Corps of Engineers is targeting this fall to start cleanup of the Parks Township nuclear waste dump, which marks a slight delay caused by harsh winter weather from previously announced dates. “From the beginning, we have emphasized that safety will dictate the pace of the project,” said Lt....
Contract doesn’t need ‘the moon and the stars,’ just better pay, ATI workers say
A few dozen ATI workers rallied outside the company’s Vandergrift plant Thursday as the deadline nears to reach a union contract, arguing the specialty metal manufacturer’s recent success should trickle down to the rank-and-file. “We’re not asking for the moon and the stars,” said Keith Beavers, a maintenance technician and...
Police shooting in East Vandergrift justified, says DA
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli has found police were justified in fatally shooting a suspect during a February raid in East Vandergrift. Ziccarelli announced her ruling Tuesday, marking the first official public account of why authorities opened fire on Lyle Cessna, 52. TribLive previously obtained court documents detailing the...
Scrapping $200 fee, Vandergrift instead hopes to enforce existing $50 charge on landlords
Vandergrift backed off a fourfold increase to its rental licensing fee on Monday but pushed ahead with the rest of a proposal to rein in unscrupulous landlords. The draft ordinance calls for annual inspections on rental properties and a $50-per-unit fee for their owners. Only after a code enforcement officer...
Trump orders new review of Nippon Steel’s bid for U.S. Steel
President Donald Trump is seeking a new review of Nippon Steel’s proposed purchase of U.S. Steel. A memo issued Monday by the White House gives the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States 45 days to review the nearly $15 billion deal and say “whether any measures proposed by...
Buffalo Township mega-development on hold as builder, municipal authority hammer out water, sewage deal
A planned 627-unit subdivision in Buffalo Township is on hold until the developer and the local water and sewage authority agree on how quickly to hook up homes. For the third time in as many months, the township’s planning commission Wednesday withheld approval for Charter Homes & Neighborhoods to break...
Mayors with merged police forces find freedom, frustration in altered roles
Zack Gent’s final council meetings as mayor of Freeport were tense. The energetic young Republican took office in September 2022 with the aims of supporting local businesses, promoting recreational assets and improving government transparency. He would hold the post during crucial years for the quiet river town as it hired...
Golf season almost in full swing for region’s few, but thriving traditional driving ranges
It will only be a matter of weeks before a polyester polo becomes weather-appropriate attire and golfers across Southwestern Pennsylvania hit the links. Golf season is likewise fast approaching for the humble driving range, where players can finally dial in that pesky 3-wood (just a few tweaks should do it)...
Cherrie Mahan’s mom feels closer than ever to finding her daughter’s abductor, remains
Cherrie Mahan’s mother and a team of friends are preparing to search a largely unexamined plot of land where they suspect the girl, who disappeared Feb. 22, 1985, from a school bus stop in Winfield, may be buried. The area is part of a 26-acre parcel across from where Cherrie’s...
TinyCause in Vandergrift now able to hold stray dogs
TinyCause in Vandergrift has received a state certification to hold stray dogs, allowing more lost or abandoned pooches to avoid euthanasia by the borough’s animal control service. The nonprofit along Columbia Avenue can hold up to three at-large dogs, according to longtime volunteer Cindy Richard. Strays will initially be held...
Redeemer Lutheran High School adding gym as it settles in at former St. Gerard church
Redeemer Lutheran High School plans to break ground in June on a roughly $4 million gymnasium. It’s sorely needed, said Eureka Van Wyk, business manager and athletic director at Redeemer Lutheran School. Two years ago, the parochial school system moved its high school students to the former St. Gerard Majella...
Bealls to open store in Hyde Park Plaza in May
First of all, it’s pronounced “bells.” Florida-based discount apparel and home goods retailer Bealls is coming May 5 to Allegheny Township, the company announced Monday, marking its first foray into the Alle-Kiski Valley. While the name might spark some confusion, the Bealls business model is familiar to most shoppers. Spokesperson...
U.S. Steel board hopefuls urged to sell non-union assets for Mon Valley upgrades
The United Steelworkers claims an activist investor wants to sell U.S. Steel’s state-of-the-art facilities in Arkansas and funnel the proceeds toward its aging blast furnaces, including the Mon Valley Works in Southwestern Pennsylvania. These legacy operations are union-run, making Ancora Holdings Group’s apparent plan to flip the nonunion Big River...
Pittsburgh college students fear ICE could hit campuses after string of national arrests
After several high-profile arrests of foreign nationals attending college in New York, Alabama and, now, Massachusetts, students at Pittsburgh universities wonder if it’s only a matter of time before federal immigration agents target their campuses. Spokespeople for the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University said Thursday they weren’t aware...
