Penn State launches change-of-campus program
Penn State University is launching a program designed to help undergraduate students explore and navigate changing campuses. The university announced Monday it is launching “Penn State Pathways” this spring through its Student Orientation and Transition program. It will feature in-person events at six campuses — University Park, Abington, Altoona, Beaver,...
Allegheny Land Trust nears goal to conserve 30 acres in Collier for park expansion
The Allegheny Land Trust is a step closer to conserving about 30 acres of property in Collier. The trust is receiving $659,100 from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to put toward the acquisition of the approximately 30 acres in Collier for an addition to Settlers Cabin County...
Opponents of Homer City power plant and data center air concerns at community gathering
At a community meeting Sunday about the natural gas-powered data center project near Homer City, activists and residents expressed concerns ranging from environmental to economic and health impacts. The afternoon event was organized by Concerned Residents of Western PA, a group formed to oppose the planned 4.5-gigawatt power plant and...
‘A little scary’ and a lot dangerous: People reminded to stay off frozen rivers
It is highly dangerous and widely discouraged to walk on frozen rivers. But that hasn’t stopped some people from doing it anyway. Videos and news footage from this weekend have shown people walking and sliding across the frozen Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, near Point State Park and the North...
Making the grade: School districts vary when configuring grade levels in buildings
A realignment of grade levels in Burrell School District buildings has offered more opportunities for students this school year. Students had more clubs, career exploratory classes and leadership prospects because of a district realignment that followed the closure of Stewart Elementary in August 2025. Effective this school year, Bon Air...
Police: Wilkinsburg man assaulted woman, stole her vehicle
Pittsburgh police arrested a Wilkinsburg man accused of assaulting a woman and using her vehicle to get away. Charges against Jermaine Turner, 34, include aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, robbery, robbery of a motor vehicle, simple assault and terroristic threats. The victim in the case told officers that Turner, whom she...
Another record low: Temps dip to minus 11 degrees overnight
Western Pennsylvania set another record low Saturday. Temperatures were recorded at minus 11 degrees at 5:29 a.m. at the National Weather Service’s offices in Moon Township, said meteorologist David Shallenberger. The previous record for Jan. 31 was minus 5 degrees, set in 2019, Shallenberger said. “This is most likely a...
New Kensington couple homeless after house fire; crews fight flames in sub-zero temps
A New Kensington home is destroyed following a fire early Saturday morning. Crews were dispatched at 12:47 a.m. to the 500 block of Oates Boulevard, New Kensington Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said. “In my lifetime — I’ve been on the books as a firefighter for 40 years — this...
Ben Franklin-signed land grant in Upper Burrell ‘quite the conversation piece’
Alle-Kiski Valley historian Ray Rieser knew time was ticking. With Penn State New Kensington closing next spring, Rieser had something on his mind not too many others knew about — a 1787, Benjamin Franklin-signed land grant Rieser believed was being stored at the Upper Burrell campus. Over the years, Rieser...
Code Orange air quality warning issued for Mon Valley
An air quality action day has been issued for five communities in the Monongahela Valley because of an increase in particulate matter pollution, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP issued a Code Orange Air Quality Day on Saturday for Clairton, and Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln and Port...
Chartiers Valley 8th grade student wins MLK poetry contest, community award
A Chartiers Valley Middle School student was recognized for her writing ability. Saadhana Srinivasan, 14, won the Unsung Community Service Award among youth for her poem, “A Dream Come True,” at The One Music Fest in Bridgeville on Jan. 16. The poem also won the first annual MLK Poetry Contest...
Arnold teen comes into own with starting, leading Valley pep band
The idea to start a pep band at Valley Jr.-Sr. High School had been on Samantha Potts’ mind for years. “I hated that once football season is over, I don’t get to do marching band,” said Potts, a junior at Valley. “I wanted to do more outside of school hours....
CMU to launch AI platform designed to assist students in introductory courses
Some area college students can boost their studies with a Carnegie Mellon University initiative that uses artificial intelligence to improve learning in introductory courses. The $55 million investment between CMU and the Gates Foundation will launch Learnvia, Inc., free AI-enabled courseware for students that combines lessons, homework and an AI...
Man trying to flee police walks several miles up the frozen Allegheny River, authorities say
A man is in stable condition and facing criminal charges after a three-hour police chase Wednesday over a frozen Allegheny River — from Highland Park to Harmar. Pittsburgh police say they were dispatched at 1 p.m. to the 7100 block of Highland Drive for a report of a person trespassing...
Slopes to shovels: Valley High ski club clears snow for safe bus stopsVideo
Na’Zere Johnson knew when he joined Valley Jr.-Sr. High School’s ski club earlier this year that he’d be expected to brave wintry weather. But this week, Johnson and his peers traded the slopes and skis for hills and shovels. A group of ski club members has spent afternoons this week...
Bridgeville to host ‘tree tender’ course
An upcoming course in Bridgeville will teach people hands-on skills in tree planting and care. Bridgeville is hosting a “tree tender course”
Feb. 28 at the borough building, 425 Bower Hill Road. The class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. It is for borough residents...
Freeport Area educator appointed to Burrell School Board
A Lower Burrell man who is a Freeport Area School District educator is the newest member of the Burrell School Board. Robert W. Harris was appointed by the board to fill a vacancy, Superintendent Shannon Wagner said. “I have committed my life to public education, as it is something that...
Lower Burrell’s new training proves crucial in snowstorm
Lower Burrell officials were more prepared for Sunday’s snowstorm than any other event in the past 12 years, according to Mayor Chris Fabry. The preparedness can be attributed to city officials’ participation in a community risk reduction course in late November, he said. The course saw city officials from public...
Snow storm transforms Winter Field Day from practice to real-life for ham radio operators
Most people would happily have skipped having the past weekend’s winter storm, but for amateur or “ham” radio operators, it was perfect timing. Saturday and Sunday already were scheduled as a nationwide Winter Field Day for the radio operators, which is an event aimed at practicing using their skills during...
New Kensington-Arnold considers adding in-house ESL service, phasing out French
New Kensington-Arnold School District officials are looking to create an in-house program for English as a second language while phasing out the high school French program. Jennifer Pallone, the district’s special education director, said the declining popularity of French and a rapid expansion of the number of students who speak...
Proposed PennWest program cuts spark union concerns
Campus union presidents at Pennsylvania Western University are concerned about the university’s future as the college weighs a proposed academic array that cuts dozens of programs. “We agree that thoughtful planning is necessary,” said Mario Majcen, faculty union president at PennWest California. “However, decisions about academic programs must be data-informed,...
The Weeknd, Point Park partner to grow creative talent in Pittsburgh
A new partnership between Point Park University and HXOUSE, an initiative by artist Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and his creative director, La Mar Taylor, aims to provide an innovative, creative education for aspiring artists at the Downtown Pittsburgh college. “Both HXOUSE and Point Park also understand that, now more than...
New assistant principal set to start at Bon Air Elementary
A Burrell School District special education teacher and lifelong community resident will be the new assistant principal at the district’s Bon Air Elementary School. Deanna Lott begins Monday and joins Bon Air Principal Jim Croushore, said Superintendent Shannon Wagner. Lott succeeds Amy Lenart, who resigned to become an administrator outside...
Updated Carlynton graduation requirements focus on real-world skills
Revised graduation requirements at Carlynton Jr.-Sr. High School are designed to better align student learning with state expectations, post-graduation readiness and workforce demands, officials say. The school board on Tuesday, Jan. 20 approved revised requirements that will take effect beginning with the Class of 2029. District officials say the changes...
Upgraded pedestrian crossing planned for Bower Hill Road in Bridgeville
Bridgeville will improve a pedestrian crossing along Bower Hill Road in an area where officials say there has been an increase in traffic accidents and more pedestrians usage. The borough will install a pedestrian crossing on Bower Hill Road at Commercial Street, in front of the Dari Delite, later this...
