Patrick Varine stories, Page 178
North Allegheny student grows massive cabbage, earns $1,000 scholarship
If she were so inclined, Lily Ries could probably use the cabbage she grew in 2018 to make a life-sized version of pigs-in-a-blanket — with actual pigs. Ries, 9, now a fourth-grader at Peebles Elementary School in the North Allegheny School District, earned a $1,000 scholarship as the Pennsylvania winner...
Green Tree boarding business will host its own ‘Puppy Bowl’ on Super Bowl Sunday
The owners of Camp Bow Wow in Green Tree are more than willing to provide a cute distraction to this weekend’s Super Bowl with their first-ever “Puppy Bowl.” From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 3, adoptable puppies will “take the field” in the hopes of getting “drafted” by...
Challenge to Murrysville fracking ordinance will continue in February
The Murrysville Watch Committee’s challenge of the local fracking ordinance will continue Feb. 12 before the municipality’s zoning hearing board. The board’s three-hour Jan. 24 session was devoted to testimony by Murrysville Chief Administrator Jim Morrison, whose work on the existing fracking ordinance dates back nearly a decade. Morrison outlined...
‘The Dude’ was only teasing a new beer commercial, not a ‘Lebowski’ sequel
We knew it was almost too good to be true. When Jeff Bridges posted a Twitter video where he walked into a dimly-lit room dressed as “The Dude” from the Coen Brothers’ 1998 cult classic “The Big Lebowski,” he lit the Internet up with speculation that he might be teasing...
Ice artists create more than 70 sculptures for Ligonier Ice Fest, continues SundayVideo
Ernie DiMartino’s ice carvers have been working behind the scenes for weeks. And they’re not done yet — nine workers are transforming blocks of ice into beautiful sculptures at Ligonier’s Diamond Park. “There’s a lot going on, the weather’s perfect,” said Cindy Purnell, chairwoman of the 28th annual Ligonier Ice...
Catholic faith, Ukrainian roots were bedrock of Irwin man’s life
Being a Catholic with Ukrainian roots was the bedrock of Merle Morozowich’s life. It led him to a life of service in the League of Ukrainian Catholics, led his children to fond memories of the Pittsburgh Folk Festival and even led to a meeting with Pope John Paul II. “Both...
Protect P-T hopes letter-writing campaign can spur DEP investigation
A citizen’s group working to make sure unconventional gas development is done safely is not convinced that the Pennsylvania department charged with the same task is doing its job. Protect P-T, which is currently appealing two Penn Township well permits issued by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to Apex...
New Florence man accused of shooting woman with BB gun
A New Florence man faces aggravated assault charges after police say he shot a 24-year-old woman multiple times with a BB gun. State police charged Allen K. Palmer, 31, with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment. During an altercation at a Climax Road residence in West Wheatfield on Tuesday ,...
North Allegheny student grows massive cabbage, earns $1,000 scholarship
If she were so inclined, Lily Ries could probably use the cabbage she grew in 2018 to make a life-sized version of pigs-in-a-blanket — with actual pigs. Ries, 9, now a fourth-grader at Peebles Elementary School in the North Allegheny School District, earned a $1,000 scholarship as the Pennsylvania winner...
Jeannette woman passionate about volunteering, literacy
Gladys Peltier was a take-charge type of person, according to her family. It’s a good thing, too, because for many years she was in charge of both the annual Italian festival at Ascension Church in Jeannette and the weeklong High Park Jubilees in town. “She was always giving back,” said...
Is Jeff Bridges teasing a new ‘Big Lebowski’ film?
Why is Jeff Bridges teasing a Feb. 3 announcement while dressed as cinema cult-classic icon Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski from the Coen Brothers’ 1998 film, “The Big Lebowski”? The Internet is certainly wild with speculation. February 3 is Super Bowl Sunday, and it would make perfect sense for Bridges to...
Greene County man faces attempted homicide charges in Fayette kidnapping, beating
A Greene County man is accused of attempted homicide, kidnapping and assault after police said he kept a man against his will and beat him with his fist, a belt and a gun over the course of several days, at a Fayette County residence where a murder was committed just...
Retired teacher’s book aims to preserve a snapshot of Westmoreland’s natural areas
Dick Byers of Stahlstown loves nature. The 81-year-old retired biology teacher has enjoyed the natural areas of Westmoreland County and the surrounding region for decades. While there are plenty of publications exploring the trails that crisscross the area, Byers was more interested in preserving a snapshot of what nature looks...
PennDOT crews respond to large crack in Penn Township road
Drivers headed through Penn Township should avoid Paintertown Road between Route 130 and Simpson Road, until PennDOT crews are able to address a slide that took place on Thursday morning. Police chief John Otto said police were notified about the road by a motorist shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday morning....
Parts of Flight 93 memorial remain open during federal government shutdown
While not all features are accessible at the Flight 93 memorial near Shanksville, visitors who want to honor the men and women who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001, can still do so during the government shutdown. “Weather permitting, the gates were left open, so you can still come in...
Murrysville library will host speed-dating event… for books??
Murrysville library officials are hoping that patrons might be willing to take a stranger home, possibly even to bed — that is, if you enjoy reading before you fall asleep. The library will host “Speed Dating with a Book” on Feb. 9, where local officials will act as “matchmakers,” pitching...
Challenge to Murrysville fracking ordinance will continue Thursday
The citizens’ group challenging the validity of Murrysville’s fracking ordinance will be back before the municipality’s zoning hearing board on Thursday. The resident committee outlined its challenge before the board on Nov. 29. Murrysville council members voted 6-1 last year to approve their fracking ordinance, which they fine-tuned, re-examined and...
Mother of Sorrows will host open house to kick off Catholic Schools Week
To mark Catholic Schools Week in 2019, Mother of Sorrows School in Murrysville will host an open house that includes a preview of their spring musical, “Beauty & the Beast.” The open house will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 27 at the school, 3264 Evergreen Drive in...
Murrysville library to host local, county chess tournaments
Children in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to compete in the 2019 Murrysville Community Library chess tournament March 2. The top winners won’t have to travel far, because the library at 4130 Sardis Road, will also play host to this year’s countywide finals. All tournaments are split into junior...
Indiana County man charged with manufacturing methamphetamine
A 39-year-old Indiana County man was charged with operating a meth lab out of his car after a traffic stop turned up what state police said was a “one-pot” method of methamphetamine production, and faces additional drug charges filed a few days later. Police pulled over Jeremy M. Clawson, 39,...
How did Western Pa. meme the winter storm that wasn’t?Video
We went out and bought bread. And milk. And all the street salt. And then … not so much. But at least Western Pennsylvania residents got some humor out of the fizzled-out forecast for last weekend’s winter storm. Once the local forecast became rain for good, the memes started coming...
Pitt students make a happy home for Humane Animal Rescue residents
Humane Animal Rescue officials hosted nearly 30 student volunteers at their East Shelter for a “Day of Service” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The group of students was bussed to the Homewood shelter on Hamilton Avenue in the city’s East End, and spent hours decorating the windows...
Rotary seeking host clubs, families for exchange students
The Murrysville-Export Rotary Club is seeking host clubs and families for exchange students in the 2019-20 school year. Rotary Exchange students arrive in August and spend a year in a local high school. Many stay with up to three host families, each for a few months. Rotary Exchange students have...
Murrysville library welcomes new director Emma BeaverVideo
Emma Beaver will never forget her elementary school librarian. “She worked tirelessly to promote reading,” said Beaver, who took over as director at the Murrysville Community Library on Jan. 14. “It didn’t matter whether you liked reading, it was about bettering your life.” Beaver, 32, of Uniontown, comes to Murrysville...
PPG reaches $7.65 million health-benefit settlement with union retirees
A settlement between PPG and retirees from 13 of its facilities, including those from Springdale, Creighton, Ford City and Greensburg will mean an additional $7.65 million in medical benefits and continued health care coverage. A group of retirees filed suit against PPG in 2005 on behalf of past, current and...
