Patrick Varine stories, Page 13

A Derry native and veteran has made a $50,000 donation to the proposed osteopathic medicine college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Lt. Col. Barry Gasdek, a 1964 IUP graduate, offered the donation, which is part of $32 million the university has collected in private and government funding to develop the...

The five Republicans who will compete for four open seats on Murrysville council are all casting an eye toward the municipality’s future — in particular, how it will grow. “One of the biggest challenges is maintaining our infrastructure while thoughtfully and conservatively managing growth,” said incumbent Jason Lemak, 47. “I’ll...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Live music at Joey’s the Edge Joey’s the Edge in Export will host a summer concert series. Shows will take place from 7-10 p.m. This season’s schedule is: • Paxton Spangler Band: May 9 • David Tauberg Trio: May 10 • Johnny...

Scottish Heritage Day Hillcrest United Presbyterian Church will host a Scottish Heritage Day on May 4. The all-ages event is open to the public and will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 1622 James St. in Monroeville. The day will kick off with a worship service...

White House officials have blasted a reported proposal by Amazon — which the company has denied — to begin including information on its website about the amount of tariffs being applied to goods it sells. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stepped in to respond to a question directed...

Officials from Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage will host an open house Tuesday in Murrysville for the Appalachian Reliability Project, which will add pipeline and carrying capacity in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The project involves updates to existing compressor stations and other natural gas facilities in Westmoreland, Armstrong and Greene counties, including...

The Franklin Regional school board will see at least two new faces next year, with incumbents Mark Kozlosky and Traci Eshelman Ramey declining to run for reelection. Five candidates will compete in the May 20 primary election for four open seats on the school board. Members serve a four-year term....

State police have identified an 83-year-old Greensburg woman as being the wrong-way driver who caused a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday on Route 30 in Hempfield. Nancy Duva entered the eastbound lanes of the divided highway going west in Subaru Crosstrek around 5:15 p.m., causing the crash just past the Cedar Street...

Westmoreland Conservation District staff definitely picked the right day this week to study the environment with high school senior Tim Miller and his fellow Derry Area students. While spring in Southwestern Pennsylvania can be a weather Jekyll and Hyde, Thursday, April 24, couldn’t have been nicer, with sunny skies and...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Used book sale The Murrysville Community Library and local branch of the American Association of University Women will host their annual used book sale May 1-3. The sale will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 and 2, and 9:30...

Franklin Regional Thespian Club adviser Richard Sunny didn’t need to give most of his cast much background on “Little Women,” the club’s spring production. “Most of them have been asking me to do this since they were freshmen,” he said with a laugh. Louisa May Alcott’s classic story of the...

Monroeville council will see some changes after this year’s elections, with second-term mayor Nick Gresock finishing his time with the municipality and multiple council seats in play. Four seats are open on council, however only one of those seats will have multiple candidates vying for it in the May 20...

School district seeks sponsorships Gateway School District officials are seeking sponsors for numerous facilities throughout the district. Individuals or businesses interested in sponsorships can email Jeremy Tepper at jtepper@gatewayk12.org. Divine Mercy Academy cheer camp Registration is open for Divine Mercy Academy’s Saber Summer Cheer Camp, which will be held from...

A third person has pleaded guilty to involvement in a credit-card fraud scheme which cost a regional car-rental company more than $500,000. Tai Jauna L. Jones, 29, of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, after prosecutors said she provided credit...

Rising charter school payments and growing retirement costs have Hempfield Area school officials exploring how to offset a 2025-26 budget deficit that stands at more than $5 million. District business manager Paul Schott said expenditures for next year are up by nearly $7.3 million over 2024-25. “Without the impact of...

Board members of Hempfield Area School District voted unanimously — although reluctantly in some cases — to shift the start and end times for school next year. “I think this is the better option. But I still feel bad,” school board member Diane Ciabattoni said. The start and end of...

A Pitcairn man accused of robbing the Monroeville Burger King where he’d been fired a few months earlier now faces federal weapons charges. Yamin A. Harris, 30, of Pitcairn was arrested Dec. 29, 2024, after police said he returned to the Burger King on Broadway Boulevard — where he worked...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. National Day of Prayer event The National Day of Prayer will be observed locally with a May 1 program at the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department hall, 2360 Route 66 in Delmont. It will be at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “Pour...

It’s probably an understatement to say that Luca Bertucci had some strong motivation to raise money for cancer research funding. After in-patient chemotherapy during his sophomore year of school following a cancer diagnosis, Bertucci rang his cancer-free bell last fall and is in remission. Bertucci had been stricken with Burkitt’s...

When Jesse Torisky was a student at Evergreen Elementary, there were no smart boards or smart phones. There was a lot more chalk, and a lot more paper. But Torisky, who today is president of Autism Pittsburgh, got a chance to return to his former school on April 4, and...

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bkikel@triblive.com. Car show to benefit pet adoptions The Head Turners Pittsburgh car group will host a May 4 car show from 12-4 p.m. at the Community College of Allegheny County’s Boyce Campus. The cost for car registration is $10. Proceeds will...