Unity supervisors agree to double property tax, increase fire tax by 50%
Unity Township’s supervisors agreed Wednesday to double the township’s general purpose property tax to 4.4 mills, expecting to raise an additional $600,000 in revenue to cover rising expenditures. Supervisor Mike O’Barto noted the increase in that tax is the first approved in more than 50 years. And the resulting millage...
White-out on Route 119 near Westmoreland-Fayette border leaves 1 injured after multiple crashes
One motorist was injured in one of a series of three wrecks that happened during white-out conditions Tuesday morning along a stretch of Route 119 near the border of Westmoreland and Fayette counties. A PennDOT plow on hand to clear snow from the highway was involved in the last of...
Ligonier Township moves forward on replacing 1 local bridge, repairing another
Ligonier Township is moving forward with plans to refurbish a bridge on Harvey Road after awarding a contract for the project to a Washington County company. Replacement of a closed township bridge on Ramsey Road also is closer to reality now that state officials have approved the township’s application for...
Latrobe joins Leechburg in switch to Indiana County no-kill group for animal control service
Latrobe is dropping its longtime Salem-based animal control provider in favor of an Indiana County nonprofit that has added a stray animal pickup service to its animal shelter and sanctuary operation. City officials said Whiskey Acres Rescue and Sanctuary’s no-kill policy was a primary factor in making the switch. “My...
State trooper struck by vehicle while at scene of previous Butler County crash
A state trooper from the Butler station was struck by a vehicle while investigating a previous two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Butler County. The trooper was taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries and was in stable condition, according to state police. The driver of the vehicle that...
Unity Township considers higher taxes to support fire departments, infrastructure and services
For the first time in more than half a century, Unity officials are proposing to increase the township real estate tax by doubling it to 4.4 mills. The township supervisors will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday to vote on the tax hike and the tentative 2026 budget...
Kettle bell ringers in short supply as Salvation Army struggles to meet area donation goals
Salvation Army leaders in Latrobe, Greensburg and the Allegheny Valley are looking to make up ground in their annual Red Kettle Campaigns, as donations to date are far short of the amounts they’re hoping to raise by Christmas. As of Dec. 17, the Salvation Army service center in Latrobe had...
Salem teen bullish on rodeo riding competition, claims national title
Jack Brentzel has suffered bruised legs, a broken wrist and has been thrown too many times to count. But that hasn’t stopped the Greensburg Salem High School sophomore from pursuing his passion for competitive bull riding. Brentzel, 16, has been at it for 10 years, perfecting his skill at hanging...
Former worker armed with knife charged with harassment, trespass at Trafford business
An Allegheny County man is behind bars after, police say, he entered his former workplace in Trafford with a knife and made threatening comments to workers. Roneil Rashaud Wright, 28, of Pitcairn is charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and trespass in the Thursday evening incident at Chelsea Building...
Ligonier Township supervisors approve 25% tax hike
Increases in Ligonier Township’s contribution to the Ligonier Valley Police Department budget, investment in planned bridge projects and inflationary cost increases are among factors prompting a 25% increase in the municipality’s property tax next year. The increase, from 6 mills to 7.5 mills, will generate an additional $150,000 in revenue...
Reported online threats prompt increased police presence at Rostraver Elementary
There will be an increased police presence Monday at Rostraver Elementary School after officials at Belle Vernon Area School District reported apparent threats made against the school on social media. In a Saturday letter addressed to the school community and posted on the district website, Superintendent Timothy Glasspool said the...
1 killed in Saturday night house fire in Tarentum
Allegheny County officials have confirmed one person was killed in a fire that severely damaged a duplex home late Saturday in Tarentum. Kasey Reigner, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Emergency Services, said the fire is being investigated by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office. She was unable to provide...
Area townships on front line as Pennsylvania eyes regulations for solar farms
Brandi Umbaugh planned to build a home on her 70-acre farm that would have a commanding view of surrounding fields and woods hugging the eastern side of Westmoreland County’s Chestnut Ridge. A massive solar panel array changed those plans. The panels were installed on a former Cook Township farm across...
Volunteers place wreaths to honor generations of Jeannette veterans
David Holtz and his 7-year-old daughter, Nyla, saluted Saturday as they laid a wreath before the headstone of World War II Army veteran Richard H. Irwin at Jeannette Memorial Park. It was the Jeannette girl’s first year as a Cub Scout and her first time taking part in an annual...
State trooper shoots suspect in Pittsburgh following pursuit of stolen car
State police said one of their troopers shot a man Saturday morning in Pittsburgh after he fled from them in a stolen car. According to the state police, troopers on patrol spotted the stolen Infiniti shortly before 9:40 a.m. heading east on Interstate 376. Police said the driver failed to...
Frigid temperatures below 20 degrees to trigger opening of Pittsburgh warming centers
Pittsburgh’s CitiParks is set to open five warming centers on Sunday, with the expected arrival of bitter cold temperatures well below freezing. Warming stations will be open to all from noon to 6 p.m. at the following five Pittsburgh Healthy Active Living Community Centers: • Beechview, 1555 Broadway Ave. •...
Shooting in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood sends man to hospital
A man was in critical condition following a shooting early Saturday in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood. City police responded to the 600 block of Chauncey Street to investigate three ShotSpotter alerts shortly before 1:45 a.m. totaling 17 rounds of gunfire. Officers found a vehicle with bullet damage and multiple shell...
Latrobe to add accessible curb ramps at sites north of Depot Street
Latrobe plans to improve handicapped accessibility on city sidewalks at seven locations north of Depot Street, with the help of federal funding. Public works Director Scott Wajdic said there are several locations that lack curb ramps for those with mobility challenges. He said sites along Alexandria Street are targeted for...
Greater Latrobe School Board hires new solicitor after Sunshine Act argument, chooses Rossi as president
Greater Latrobe School Board has a new president and a new solicitor. The choices follow an extended argument among board members over the former solicitor’s billing and whether the public was given proper notice of the agenda item in accordance with the state Sunshine Act. Yelayna Rossi, one of two...
Borings at Donohoe Road intersection to restrict traffic in Hempfield
Single-lane restrictions will be in place beginning Monday on Donohoe Road and Georges Station Road in Hempfield, as preparatory work begins for PennDOT’s plan to reconstruct those roads’ four-way-stop intersection as a roundabout. The restrictions are expected to continue throughout December, with flaggers controlling traffic. Traffic will be affected on...
Owner wrestles for control of box truck stolen in Downtown Pittsburgh; suspect in custody
Police took a suspect into custody Thursday, stemming from the theft of a box truck in Downtown Pittsburgh. City police responded shortly before 1 p.m. to a reported fight at Liberty Avenue and 11th Street. They discovered two men restraining a third for allegedly stealing the truck. The truck’s owner...
Seton Hill’s $30 million indoor athletic facility moves forward with bond approval
Seton Hill University on Thursday completed the first step in its plan for financing a new indoor athletic facility as the Latrobe Industrial Development Authority approved a bond issue of up to $37.5 million for the project. On Monday, the bond financing will come before Latrobe City Council for approval,...
Blairsville police seek public’s help in finding porch pirate
Blairsville police are searching for a “porch pirate” who stole a package of pet food and toys on Monday from a home in the Indiana County borough. The theft occurred at about 1:45 p.m. at South Brady and East Brown streets, according to police Chief Lou Sacco. Police have posted...
French countryside inspired latest mural installation in downtown Latrobe
An echo of the French countryside soon will greet visitors to downtown Latrobe, with the debut of a new mural on the historic Danceland building. The enlarged image of “Le Lutin pres du Loing,” a 1940 work by French painter Pierre Eugène Montézin, is set to be unveiled about 6:50...
Greensburg bloodhound team mourns loss of 12-year veteran, Lucy
A solemn procession of law enforcement officers, first responders and public safety officials on Wednesday marked the final journey of Lucy, a beloved veteran bloodhound with the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department Bloodhound Team. Having dedicated more than a decade to searches for missing persons and fleeing suspects, Lucy retired from...
