Patrick Varine stories, Page 126
Western Pa. anglers aim to make it easier for outdoor enthusiasts to collect trashVideo
Hunter Klobucar and Tyler Waltenbaugh spent the summer of 2018 crossing the deep woods and backwaters of northern Pennsylvania, along the Route 6 corridor, and while their purpose was to study the natural habitat of brook trout, one particularly unnatural feature kept showing up: trash. “We’re in all these remote...
Franklin Regional Thespians rehearse for virtual fall play, ‘A Delightful Quarantine’Video
The Franklin Regional Thespians were originally planning to perform “A Christmas Carol” as their fall production. But they certainly weren’t going to risk an asymptomatic Scrooge passing the coronavirus to Bob Cratchit. And, while this season’s virtual fall play has “Quarantine” in the title, it has nothing to do with...
Murrysville Scout troop produces 3 Eagle Scouts in 3 weeksVideo
Scouts from Troop 208 in Murrysville are earning their wings at a brisk pace this fall. Over three weeks in October, three members of Troop 208 earned their Eagle Scout badges following the completion of their Eagle projects, adding function to Murrysville Community Park and the nearby Scouting Knob, and...
Voters in 11 Allegheny County precincts receive incorrect polling place information
Voters in 11 different precincts across Allegheny County will receive letters in the next few days updating their polling places after a mistake was made in the statewide database. The affected communities include Bethel Park, Braddock Hills, Brentwood, Green Tree, McCandless, Plum, West Mifflin and West View. County communications Director...
4 injured in multi-car crash on Parkway East near Squirrel Hill Tunnels
Four people suffered minor injuries in a multi-car accident involving 12 crashes on I-376 near the Squirrel Hill Tunnels on Thursday night. The westbound lanes of the Parkway East were shut down for a half-hour as state police began their investigation of the crash, according to Tpr. Melissa Bondarenka. The...
Murrysville-area happenings, Oct. 31-Nov. 12
Upcoming public meetings The following public meetings will take place in the Star’s coverage area in the coming weeks: • Franklin Regional school board, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 9. Meetings are streamed online at YouTube.com/user/FranklinRegionalSD. • Delmont council, 7 p.m., Nov. 10 at the borough building, 77 Greensburg St. • Franklin...
Westmoreland elections officials: ‘Number of residents’ have not received mail-in, absentee ballots
While nearly 50,000 mail-in ballots from Westmoreland voters have been returned to the county’s Election Bureau, a number of residents have not received the mail-in or absentee ballot they requested. County officials said as of Wednesday, 71,852 of 74,648 ballots had been delivered to the U.S. Postal Service to be...
New Kensington man accused of taking more than $150K in VA benefits
A federal grand jury has indicted a New Kensington man accused of taking money intended for a Veterans Administration beneficiary and using it to buy a diamond ring and a truck and make payments on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said Wednesday. Andrew Ziacik, 57, of Earl Avenue,...
Highlands High School closes because of covid-19 case with ‘significant’ quarantines
All Highlands High School students will learn remotely through next Friday, Nov. 6, because officials said a covid-19 case resulted in a “significant” number of required quarantines. The move to all remote learning took effect Thursday. “The high school building will be closed and all after-school activities that are scheduled...
Charges filed in traffic crash that led to Jefferson Hills policeman’s death
A Homestead man whose June car crash led to the death of a Jefferson Hills police officer has been arraigned on three homicide-related charges, borough police Chief Gene Roach said Wednesday. Zachary W. Foltz, 23, of Homestead was taken into custody and arraigned Wednesday on charges of homicide by vehicle,...
Driver injured after car crashes into Delmont chiropractic office
One person was injured after a car exited Route 66, jumped a guardrail and crashed into a Delmont chiropractor’s office on Wednesday afternoon. Delmont VFD Chief Don Cline said a female driver on Route 66 hit a pick-up truck, jumped the guardrail at the Greensburg Street intersection and crashed through...
Franklin Regional, local church partner to provide ‘Holiday Help’ to families
For years, schools in the Franklin Regional School District would operate a program helping out less-fortunate families during the holiday season. Through school counselors, families in need would be identified and through fundraising, would be provided with gifts . Just a little more than a mile west down Old William...
Norwin area sees 60% jump in covid-19 numbers in past week
The Norwin area, which has a population of about 35,000, has had 584 confirmed cases of coronavirus since the pandemic hit the region in March, up from 356 cases on Oct. 12, according to state Department of Health data released Monday. The rise in cases in the Norwin area —...
Covid-19 numbers tallied for Penn-Trafford area
The most recent state data shows 300 people in the Penn-Trafford Star’s coverage area have had confirmed cases of coronavirus 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...
Covid-19 numbers tallied for Murrysville-Delmont-Export area
The most recent state data shows just over 200 people in the Murrysville Star’s coverage 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 42 since Oct. 12. The health...
TribLive Taste Test: Budget Halloween candyVideo
As we’re all well aware, there are many levels to the candy haul kids bring home on Halloween night. You have your first-tier candy, your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, your full-sized candy bars, etc. Then you have your middle-tier treats — stuff that’s not your favorite but still good, like...
Proposed bill would provide relief for theaters, music venues
John Pergal is in a difficult situation. Pergal owns the Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall in Lawrenceville, and is part of the ownership group for the Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks. Both buildings are usually filled with the sounds of music and the sight of dancing crowds enjoying their favorite...
Manor man has spent decades working on ‘collection of collections’
Some people have collections. Larry Bard of Manor might better described as someone with a collection of collections. From milk bottles and coffee tins to Bugs Bunny and ‘ALF’ memorabilia, Bard and his wife, Verdine, have filled their home — and a separate building, and basically just about any available...
Murrysville Council hears proposal for ‘right-size’ development south of Route 22
Developers are responding to an indication by Murrysville Council that the community needs more housing options for older residents. Council held a public hearing for Hillstone Village, a 42-home planned residential development at the intersection of Harrison City-Export and Claridge roads. “At the last (comprehensive) plan discussion, it was mentioned...
Mixed-use developers propose realigning Wilson Road in Murrysville
As officials from Dedicated Nursing Associates prepare to begin developing a multi-phase project off Route 22 in southeastern Murrysville, they are proposing to realign Wilson Road. They say they want to better accommodate traffic from the town homes, office complex and restaurant they want to build near the intersection of...
Bishop Zubik comments on Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions
Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said Pope Francis’ tacit endorsement of civil unions between same-sex couples is a reflection of his call for all people to be treated with dignity and love. In a statement released Wednesday, Zubik said Pope Francis’ recent comments “reflect his pastoral...
New Stanton man killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-70 in South Huntingdon
A New Stanton man was killed following a multi-vehicle crash along Interstate 70 that sent multiple people to area hospitals Wednesday evening, officials said. Deputy Coroner Joshua Zappone Thursday morning identified Dillon Walton, 27, as the person killed in the crash that occurred near Smithton. The crash, which was reported...
Franklin Regional band holds fruit sale
The Franklin Regional Senior High School band will host its annual fruit sale now through Oct. 30, with online orders continuing through Nov. 4. Place an order through any band or band front member or by using the fruit sale link at FRBand.com. Fruit will be delivered Dec. 5. Proceeds...
Murrysville area happenings, Oct. 29-Nov. 4
Here’s a few upcoming events in the Star’s coverage area: Franklin Regional band will host fruit sale The Franklin Regional Senior High School band will host its annual fruit sale now through Oct. 30, with online orders continuing through Nov. 4. Place an order through any band or band-front member...
Conservation district officials praise Murrysville’s environmental efforts
Westmoreland Conservation District officials had nothing but praise for Murrysville, the first collective entity — as opposed to an individual or group — to earn its annual Conservation Partnership Award. “Murrysville’s leadership and citizens are very progressive, and they’ve led the way with a lot of conservation ‘firsts’ — installing...
