Patrick Varine stories, Page 123
Franklin Regional 8th graders deck the doors with decorationsVideo
Eight-plus inches of snow didn’t chill the spirit — or the creativity — of Franklin Regional Middle School eighth graders, who joined their teachers Thursday in spreading some holiday spirit by decorating their classroom doors....
Franklin Regional joins other districts in second post-holiday shift to online learning
If Franklin Regional officials had not made the move to remote instruction the week following Thanksgiving, nearly 60 people with either a positive covid-19 test or a potential exposure would have come back into the senior high school, according to the superintendent. “During those days, from Nov. 26 through Dec....
Murrysville library issues ‘Winter Reading Challenge’ to patrons
For their “Winter Reading Challenge,” Murrysville Public Library officials are asking patrons to give themselves a literary challenge. “Most of our patrons tend to stick to a favorite type of book,” said library associate Janeene Foster. “A big part of this program is to challenge participants to step outside of...
Perfect timing: Boyce Park ski slopes, snow tubing opens Saturday
Just days following a 9-inch snowfall, the Boyce Park ski slopes and snow tubing area will open for the season on 10 a.m. Saturday. Restrictions will be in place to comply with Pennsylvania’s temporary covid-19 protection measures. Only 50 skiers and 50 snow tubers will be permitted during each session....
No injuries as SUV goes over hillside near Murrysville-Plum borderVideo
Roads continued to prove slippery in the wake of heavy snowfall across the region, but no one was injured when an SUV went over an embankment near the Murrysville-Plum border on Thursday evening. Murrysville police said the SUV’s driver went off the roadway near the intersection of Saltsburg Road (Route...
Mt. Oliver man wanted in connection with North Huntingdon woman’s fatal shooting
Police are seeking a Mt. Oliver man wanted in connection with the Dec. 5 shooting death of a North Huntingdon woman. An arrest warrant has been obtained for Jerrel Marquis Ingram, 32, of Mt. Oliver. Allegheny County detectives said 22-year-old Madison Gilroy of North Huntingdon died of injuries sustained during...
Several Penn-Trafford schools move to remote instruction leading up to Christmas
Penn-Trafford High School officials will close the building on Friday, after being notified of four positive covid-19 cases on top of four that were already reported within the past 14 days. “The district will follow the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Education recommendations,” Superintendent Matthew Harris...
Derry school board member, Excela social worker partner to host ‘Christmas on the Frontlines’ benefit
Sean Kemmerer was disappointed when he didn’t receive any committee assignments in his role as a member of the Derry Area School Board, so he decided to find another positive way to help the community, forming the Derry Area Philanthropy Committee earlier in the fall. “I’ve taken my position on...
Excela recognized for efforts focusing on workplace wellness
For the ninth consecutive year, Excela Health has been recognized among the Healthiest Employers in Western Pennsylvania, and for the fifth year in a row named a Healthiest 100 Workplace in America, in an awards program presented by Healthiest Employer. The Healthiest Employer awards program, powered by Springbuk, was created...
Covid numbers tallied for Penn-Trafford area
The state Department of Health reports there have been 1,067 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Penn-Trafford area since the start of the pandemic in March. The department on Monday released data on confirmed cases of the virus in the six Penn-Trafford area ZIP codes, showing an increase of 549...
Covid numbers up almost 16% in Murrysville-Export-Delmont area
The most recent data from the state Department of Health shows 688 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Murrysville area since the pandemic started in March. Of those, 109 cases were reported in the past seven days. The health department on Monday released the figures for the three ZIP codes...
Excela plans to begin vaccine distribution to staff on Friday
Excela Health officials plan to administer their first doses of Pfizer’s covid-19 vaccine to staff in Westmoreland County on Friday, officials said. “We have requested 6,000 doses,” Excela spokesperson Robin Jennings said. Excela officials have conducted an internal survey among staff about the vaccine. Employees will not be required to...
Murrysville council looks at updating storm water ordinance
Murrysville council members will vote Wednesday on a storm water ordinance update that, according to engineering technician Emily Mallisee, largely goes beyond county and state requirements. “All of these are basically enhancing the rules and regulations we already have in place,” Mallisee said. “Our regulations weren’t too stringent, but they...
Latrobe woman wins Judges’ Choice award in state parks photo contest
A misty morning on the Youghiogheny River has earned a Latrobe woman an award in the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation’s “Through the Seasons” photo contest. Clare Kaczmarek, 68, won the Judges’ Choice award in the contest’s “Motion” category for her photo of the river running through a bed of...
‘Monticello Lights’ display backs up traffic in Delmont, second night set for SundayVideo
When residents of Monticello Drive in Delmont replaced their annual holiday party with a neighborhood drive-thru Christmas-light competition, they were hoping for an enjoyable weekend and a chance to raise a little money for charity. What they didn’t expect was a four-and-a-half-hour parade of cars that backed up traffic along...
Sheraden dog-bite victim arrested after fighting with police
Police and medics responding to a reported dog bite early Sunday morning ended up filing charges against the victim after she fought with and bled on officers, public safety officials said. Police from Zone 6 and EMS responded to a home on the 3000 block of Motor Street in Pittsburgh’s...
Business owners buckle down for new covid restrictions
For some local business owners, the expanded state health and safety orders that went into effect Saturday were another punch to the gut, during a year in which they’ve already absorbed plenty of body blows. At Jioio’s Restaurant in Greensburg, owner Tony Jioio is buckling down for a tough holiday...
No injuries in storage facility fire on South Side
Emergency crews were dispatched to the 100 block of South 26th Street in Pittsburgh’s South Side for a fire at the Stash & Store storage facility Saturday morning. Firefighters were staging equipment at South 26th and Josephine streets shortly before 8:30 a.m., according to an Allegheny County 911 supervisor, who...
Greensburg company will host Toys for Tots drive through Dec. 20
Greensburg company Advanced Fire will host a holiday Toys for Tots drive through Dec. 20 at its location on West Drive, just off Route 30. The drives, taking place at 15 of its sites, is run through CertaSite Serves, parent company CertaSite’s charitable arm. “At our core, CertaSite’s purpose is...
Murrysville area happenings, Dec. 10 and beyond
Delmont library plans 2021 events After finishing 2020 with a new building, Delmont Public Library officials are gearing up for the first events of the new year — two outdoor walks exploring local nature spots. A “First Day Walk” will take place from 1 to 3 p.m., Jan 1 at...
Murrysville holds off on public hearing to add senior housing options
Murrysville officials want to tighten their language adding senior housing options to the municipality’s zoning code before inviting public comment on it. After citing a lack of options for developments like high-rises and planned senior communities, Murrysville Council is considering updating its zoning ordinance to allow senior high-rises in its...
Covid numbers tallied for Murrysville-Delmont-Export area
The most recent data from the state Department of Health shows 579 people in the Murrysville area have had confirmed cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in March. Of those, are 127 confirmed cases reported in the past seven days. The health department on Monday released the...
Export Council passes 2021 budget with no tax hike
Export Council approved a 2021 budget Tuesday night that does not call for a tax increase. Council has not raised taxes for more than a decade, and its last tax-related move was to lower taxes about a decade ago, from 16 to the current 14 mills. The budget’s $668,100 in...
Export fire department will hold socially-distanced Santa visit on Friday
Santa Claus is coming to town — the town of Export, that is. But instead of spending all his time at the fire hall, this year Kris Kringle will be out and about in the borough, delivering holiday cheer to families from 6-8 p.m. on Friday. “That was the fire...
Covid numbers tallied for Penn-Trafford area
The state Department of Health reports there have been 716 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Penn-Trafford area since the start of the pandemic in March. The department on Sunday released data on confirmed cases of the virus in the six Penn-Trafford area ZIP codes, showing an increase of 163...
