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Patrick Varine stories, Page 121

Patrick Varine
Patrick Varine
Toomey, Casey propose bill to increase oversight, resources at nursing homes 
Bucking the stereotypical lack of bipartisan cooperation in federal politics, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey were exploring weaknesses in the country’s nursing homes long before the coronavirus pandemic, commissioning a June 2019 report examining their federal oversight. This week, they announced a bipartisan bill that aims to enhance...
Diocese of Greensburg to televise Christmas Masses
The Diocese of Greensburg will televise Christmas Masses this season in addition to holding in-person services, to engage parishioners at home amid concern over a strong resurgence in coronavirus cases throughout the region. “The Diocese and its parishes have consistently had thousands of faithful viewers watch our streaming Masses from...
'Jazz Road Tours' grants support artists hoping to launch short 2021 tours
New York City jazz musician Jon Irabagon was in the process of stringing together dates for an April 2021 tour with a brand-new ensemble when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Luckily for him, as he was setting up potential touring dates, he also heard about the Jazz Road Tours grant program...
Coronavirus numbers tallied for Penn-Trafford area
Recent state data shows there have been 475 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Penn-Trafford area since the start of the international pandemic in March, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The health department on Monday released data on confirmed cases of the virus in the five Penn-Trafford area...
Coronavirus numbers tallied for Murrysville-Export-Delmont area
The most recent state data shows 317 people in the Murrysville area have had confirmed cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in March, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The area registered an additional 50 confirmed cases in the past seven days’ worth of reported test...
Murrysville area happenings, Nov. 11 and beyond
Here are events happening during the next few weeks in the Star’s coverage area. To submit an event, email pvarine@triblive.com. Delmont police will hold food drive The Delmont Police Department will host a Nov. 22 food drive, 8 a.m. to noon at the borough garage, 30 Bierer Street. Donations, along...
'The Mandalorian' finds new allies, and some surprising backstory
**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD THROUGH SEASON 2, EPISODE 3 OF ‘THE MANDALORIAN’** This week, we learned that there are least two ideologically-opposed sects of Mandalorians, that Silas Adams has upped his villain game and gotten promoted from Gem Saloon muscle to Imperial commander, and that Admiral Ackbar’s brethren are apparently the...
This week's 'Mandalorian' side-quest gets cold and creepy
**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD THROUGH SEASON 2, EPISODE 2 OF ‘THE MANDALORIAN’** I’m just gonna come out and say it: does anyone else think the “ice spiders” in this episode were a little jab at HBO’s “Game of Thrones”? Longtime “Thrones” fans had a lot of high hopes dashed during the...
Delmont neighborhood pivots from holiday party to house-decorating contest amid covid-19 surge
The residents of Monticello Drive in Delmont have a tradition going back more than three decades of joining in December for a neighborhood get-together. Neighbors would pick a local charity and bring donations. With covid-19 cases surging across the county, state and country, that didn’t seem like a great option...
PNC grant will fund return of Delmont library's butterfly garden and much more 
When Delmont Public Library officials and supporters were able to raise enough money to build a new library, the celebration came with a small caveat. To prep the property for construction, they’d have to temporarily do away with the grant-funded butterfly garden built just a few years earlier. But, thanks...
Covid-19 numbers tallied for Murrysville-Delmont-Export area
The most recent state data shows 267 people in the Murrysville area have had confirmed cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in March, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The confirmed cases show an increase of 52 since Oct. 27. The health department on Monday released...
Mt. Pleasant, Franklin Regional schools register covid-19 cases
Norvelt Elementary students will return on Thursday and Franklin Regional Senior High will remain open after district officials were notified that a student in each building had tested positive for coronavirus. Mt. Pleasant Area School District officials were notified Nov. 9 that a Norvelt student had tested positive. The school...
Delmont will vote on $1.7 million balanced budget next month
Delmont officials will advertise a $1.7 million balanced budget for 2021 that does not call for a tax hike. Following two public budget workshops, council voted Tuesday night to advertise its 2021 budget. Taxes will remain at 18 mills. This year’s budget is about a half-million dollars larger than the...
Greensburg Salem elementary teacher tests positive for coronavirus
A teacher at Nicely Elementary in the Greensburg Salem School District tested positive for the coronavirus, administrators said Tuesday. “We have contacted faculty and families whose children may have been in close contact with this teacher to inform them of the situation and to recommend quarantine and testing,” Superintendent Gary...
Sloan Elementary architects discover damaged fire walls not up to code
In early 2017 while discussing a facilities study that outlined more than $70 million in improvements the Franklin Regional School District would need over the next decade, former board member John Koury said previous school directors had “a Band-Aid mentality” when it came to maintenance. The current board saw an...
Manor library offers online readings, free fall craft bags for children
The Manor Public Library’s preschool program is well attended and, when it was forced to go on hiatus as the coronavirus pandemic locked down much of the country, children’s library assistant Melissa Paris immediately began thinking about how to keep things going. “Our biggest goal was to keep kids engaged...
Warmer weather to taper off beginning Wednesday
The unseasonably warm weather the past few days in Western Pennsylvania didn’t break any records for November, but they are certainly giving residents a chance to enjoy the outdoors before winter begins to set in. Temperatures Monday reached 75 degrees and Tuesday’s high is forecast at 77 degrees. “This last...
Agriculture secretary: Pa. industry will need 75,000 skilled jobs in the next decade
Someday, Logan McCabe would like to manage and, eventually, own a farm. The Delaware native was able to get a jump on that goal through an agricultural apprenticeship at Fullers Overlook Farm in northeast Pennsylvania, where he spent two farming seasons training for an industry that state officials say will...
Murrysville girl cast in Westmoreland native's latest film 
Esha Chundru technically was cast as the main character in the upcoming film, “Definition Please.” Luckily for the 8-year-old Murrysville girl, she was cast for a flashback to the character’s elementary-school days — and the toughest thing she had to memorize was how to spell “opsimath,” since her first scene...
Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium seeking 'virtual choir' for annual Thanksgiving celebration
Each year the members of the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium invite their diverse congregations to attend a service at an unfamiliar house of worship. “Usually, we’re in person and we rotate so we can be in one another’s spaces, and we each offer something from our own tradition,” said Rabbi Barbara...
Franklin Regional Middle School students create virtual tribute to veterans 
The Franklin Regional Middle School Performing Arts Veterans Day performance will look quite a bit different this year. “We couldn’t invite the local veterans to participate, nor could we include the student body to honor them,” said middle school teacher Bruce Palmiscno. And while this year’s assembly is still entirely...
Veterans Day deals for vets, active-duty military throughout Western Pa.
Local businesses and organizations are honoring the military on Veterans Day with a host of promotions and discounts Nov. 11. Unless otherwise indicated, all promotions are limited to Nov. 11. Most require some form of military ID. Local events • The Level Green Lions Club will host a Nov. 14...
Murrysville-area events, Nov. 9 and beyond
The following events are happening in the coming weeks in the Murrysville Star’s coverage area. If you have an event you’d like listed, email pvarine@triblive.com. Fundraiser for FR boys basketball Chipotle, located at 4137 William Penn Highway in Murrysville, will host a Nov. 24 fundraiser for the Franklin Regional Boys...
MAWC's Avonmore plant upgrades are final step to address DEP corrective action plan
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County secured a $1.2 million loan and $1.8 million grant from the federal government that will allow it to upgrade its Avonmore plant at no cost to customers. The $3.1 million project, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Services, includes the construction...
'The Mandalorian' returns with same Western flair, same tantalizing teaser at the end
**SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers ahead up through the second-season premiere of “The Mandalorian”** “The Mandalorian,” the Disney+ series set in the “Star Wars” universe, has returned for its second season. And while the season-two trailer teased a journey that could bring the title character into contact with a Jedi or two,...


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