Patrick Varine stories, Page 101
5 candidates vie for 4 open seats on Delmont council
Five candidates will compete for four open seats on Delmont Council in the Nov. 2 election, each with their own ideas for the future of the borough. “With input from the citizens of Delmont, council needs to identify issues and plan to correct them as we move into the future,”...
Incumbents face newcomer, write-in challengers in Penn-Trafford school board race
In the Penn-Trafford School Board race, long-serving incumbents will go up against a newcomer who took the top spot in his primary race, and three first-time candidates who were compelled to start write-in campaigns by what they felt was an unresponsive board. “A lot of things are happening that I...
Franklin Regional Thespian Club gives patrons two plays for the price of one with ‘Nooses Off’
After a school year in which the Franklin Regional Thespian Club put on a virtual play in the fall and a spring production with a cast of only seven, director Richard Sunny said he’s nearly forgotten what it was like to rehearse with a sizable group of actors. So naturally,...
Pittsburgh police: Man flees from crash through North Side park, nearly hits officers
A man was arrested Friday evening after Pittsburgh police accused him of fleeing a crash scene and driving through a North Side park. According to a release from Pittsburgh Public Safety, officers responded around 6:50 p.m. to a report of a vehicle hitting a tree in the 300 block of...
Chairman for Pitt board of trustees, Thomas Richards, dies at 66
Thomas E. Richards, chairman of the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees, died Thursday night after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 66. After graduating from Pitt and earning a master’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Richards spent a 45-year career in the tech industry, including nearly two...
Compass Inn hosts spooky storytelling, pumpkin carving contest
Knox Lipinski was having a tough time picking out his favorite pumpkin on Friday night. Knox, 7, of Latrobe was at the Compass Inn’s sixth annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, which takes place this weekend during the inn’s Halloween Hauntings Storytelling event. He finally settled on a large pumpkin that, upon...
TribLive Taste Test: What’s our favorite of the top Halloween treats?Video
This year, the National Retail Federation anticipates Americans will spend more than $10 billion on Halloween-related purchases. Its 2021 Halloween survey also showed that more than 95% of respondents are planning to purchase candy. But what kinds are we buying? According to trade publication Candy Industry — and to any...
Delmont man, 21, charged with dealing drugs out of apartment complex
A 21-year-old Delmont man faces drug charges after police said a search of his apartment turned up more than 3 1/2 ounces of marijuana, 60 grams of THC vapor cartridges and more than 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana “wax.” Delmont Police Chief T.J. Klobucar said his department had been contacted...
Murrysville proposal to hike earned-income, real-estate transfer taxes spurs debate
Murrysville resident Larry Schultz said he’s surprised the municipality has gone 14 years without a tax hike. “I appreciate how blessed Murrysville has been, based on their very sound spending and management,” he told council members recently. Schultz supported a potential 0.2% bump in the municipality’s share of earned income...
Murrysville news: Westmoreland Symphony, medical marijuana program, fall church sale, more
Submit news briefs and event information by emailing pvarine@triblive.com. • • • Westmoreland Symphony program at library Members of the Westmoreland Symphony will present a Nov. 6 program at the Delmont Public Library based on the story, “Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin,” and talk about some of the...
On the move: Knights of Columbus earn award, Lutheran church welcomes new pastor, more
Manordale Valley Council of the Knights of Columbus was chosen from more than 500 councils across the country as recipient of the national Knights of Columbus’ “Leave No Neighbor Behind” award. The Manordale council was recognized for its community work throughout the covid-19 pandemic including hosting several blood drives, supporting...
Six candidates compete for 4 open seats on Murrysville council
The six candidates competing for four open seats on Murrysville council in the Nov. 2 election have a wide range of goals if elected and concerns about current council officials potentially raising taxes for the first time since 2007. “The biggest issue facing Murrysville is its ability to effectively balance...
State archaeology workshops will focus on free Black communities in Pennsylvania
The State Museum of Pennsylvania will hold its annual archaeology workshops virtually on Saturday, focusing on stories of Black history told through the lens of archaeology. University of Maryland professor Cheryl LaRoche will present “Free Black Communities and Archaeology” as the day’s keynote presentation. LaRoche is a founding member of...
Agriculture officials hold national-anthem contest, seeking singers for 2022 Farm Show
Pennsylvania vocalists interested in entering the state’s upcoming national anthem contest could do a lot worse than getting some tips from Jill Simmons. The Latrobe native first sang the anthem at her high school football stadium. Since then, she has gone on to sing it at more than 20 Pittsburgh...
Murrysville begins refining amphitheater plans for Community Park
Murrysville officials hate to tear down a public works building, but at least they will be able to save the roof. That was one part of a recent update Chief Administrator Jim Morrison provided council on planning for an amphitheater area that will serve as a centerpiece for Murrysville Community...
Buffalo Bill’s House among unique spooky season spots in Western Pa.
Her visit happened over the summer, but Jeanette Milo still can’t say enough about why people should stay in October at the house made famous in the film “The Silence of the Lambs.” “I’m already planning to come back and stay again next summer,” said Milo, who won a contest...
5 candidates vie for 4 open seats on Delmont council
Five candidates will compete for four open seats on Delmont Council in the Nov. 2 election, each with their own ideas for the future of the borough. “With input from the citizens of Delmont, council needs to identify issues and plan to correct them as we move into the future,”...
TribLive Taste Test: Bardine’s candy corn bratwurstVideo
Bardine’s Country Smokehouse owner Gary Bardine likes to be different, experimenting with different ingredients. He’s certainly found a way to be different this fall — by offering candy corn bratwurst for a limited time at his Crabtree butcher shop. “A few years back, when the Seahawks were in the Super...
6 candidates battle for 4 open seats on Franklin Regional school board
Six candidates will compete in November’s election for four open seats on the Franklin Regional school board, with a seventh candidate, Diana Altieri Hand, running unopposed for a two-year seat after the 2020 resignation of board member Gary English. All candidates are registered Republicans, but as is typical in school...
Murrysville area: Blood drive, Halloween play, band fundraiser, more
Submit briefs and local news to the Star by emailing pvarine@triblive.com. AMVETS to host blood drive AMVETS Post 85 in Murrysville’s White Valley neighborhood will host an Oct. 30 blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are recommended by calling 412-209-7000, but walk-ins will be welcomed. An appointment...
Penn-Trafford area: Food drive, Halloween play, more
Lions Club to hold election day food drive The Manor Lions Club will hold an Election Day Food Drive on Nov. 2 to support the Manor Food Pantry. Donation boxes will be placed at the Manor Polling Station and the Manor Community Building. Voters are asked to bring nonperishable food...
What’s that? Delmont officials found a new spot for the borough’s first ‘traffic light’
Editor’s note: ‘What’s That?’ is a recurring feature in the Tribune-Review’s Westmoreland Plus edition. If there’s something you’d like to see explored here, send an email to gtrcity@triblive.com or call 724-838-5146. Back in the 1990s, a group of Delmont public works employees discovered an odd-looking stone pillar, which appeared to...
Fights, ‘credible threats’ send Woodland Hills students home Thursday and Friday
Woodland Hills High School students will shift to remote learning Thursday and Friday after district officials cited “credible threats” and multiple fights at the school on Wednesday, according to a district letter distributed to families. “After today’s events, we are reevaluating our safety and security protocols in regard to student...
1 arrested following home invasion in South Side Slopes
Pittsburgh police have arrested a suspect following a home invasion early Wednesday in the city’s South Side Slopes neighborhood. Zone 3 officers responded just after 3:30 a.m. to the 2300 block of Cobden Street for a report of someone kicking in a front door and running away with a suspect...
Incumbent Republican, Libertarian seeking Delmont mayor’s seat
A long-serving mayor will face off against a college student running a third-party candidacy in the November election to decide Delmont’s next mayor. Republican Alyce Urban, 74, a former councilwoman who initially was appointed mayor in 2014 after the departure of former mayor Gill Sanchez, will vie for votes against...

