Patrick Varine stories, Page 129
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...
Franklin Regional taking letters of interest for school board seat
The Franklin Regional school board is accepting letters of interest for a new member, after officially accepting the resignation of Director Gary English earlier this month. The board has 30 days to appoint a new member to fill English’s seat, and did not take any action to fill it Monday...
Westmoreland prison, manor register additional coronavirus cases
An additional seven guards and nine inmates have tested positive for coronavirus at the Westmoreland County Prison in Hempfield, bringing the total to 11 guards and 45 inmates. The courts have halted transfer of inmates to the courthouse in Greensburg, according to county Solicitor Melissa Guiddy. “All inmates will appear...
Rotary names Sardis VFC president as 2020 Volunteer of the Year
The Paiano family of Murrysville knows a bit about firefighting. Before spending 28 of his 35 firefighting years as president at Sardis Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Joseph Paiano Sr. learned about the long hours and sacrifice of the job through his father. When Paiano is at the station these...
Tractor Supply ‘chicken swap’ moving from Delmont to Export
For about a decade, animal enthusiasts have gathered the first Sunday of the month at Tractor Supply in Delmont for the chicken swap. The agriculture chain has held the swaps at locations across the country for years. But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, they slowly began dwindling. “Since covid hit,...
Delmont seeks bids for 1st phase of $4.85 million sewage project
Delmont officials are seeking bids for the first phase of a proposed $4.85 million project to address sewage overflows. As part of a consent order finalized with the state Department of Environmental Control in late April, borough officials have proposed relocating and replacing a gravity line and a force main...
Basket raffle, Christmas brunch, car parade happening in Murrysville area
Here are a few upcoming events in the Murrysville area: Basket raffle to benefit kidney transplant patient Export Floral will hold a basket raffle to benefit a former employee, Stacey McKay Campbell, who is in need of a second kidney transplant. The basket is worth more than $275, and the...
Frost advisory issued for Friday night into Saturday
If the last few plants from your summer garden are still hanging on, it’s time to bust out the row covers. That is literally the first piece of advice — “take steps now to protect tender plants” — in the National Weather Service’s preparedness section, for a frost advisory starting...
Murrysville-area emergency responders get more than $100,000 for covid-related expenses
Millions of dollars in grants are on the way for Pennsylvania’s fire departments and ambulance agencies struggling through the coronavirus pandemic. About 90 Westmoreland County fire departments are getting more than $2 million. Fourteen EMS agencies in the county are set to receive about $210,000 total. That includes Murrysville Medic...
