Patrick Varine stories, Page 2
Pittsburgh Presbyterian churches collect donations to eliminate $14 million in medical debt
Amy Grella and her family know how stressful medical debt can become. Grella’s daughter underwent five stays in the hospital before her fifth birthday because of ongoing problems with persistent viral respiratory infections. The Mt. Lebanon family had health insurance, but their claims fell into loopholes and exclusions in their...
Murrysville area: Pancake fundraiser, holiday library closures, Christmas brunch, more
Franklin Regional band fundraiser The Franklin Regional Marching Band is hosting a “A Royal Pancake Feast” to raise money for its March 2026 trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. It will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 3 at First Presbyterian Church, 3202 North Hills Road in...
North Huntingdon passes 2026 budget with 30% property tax hike
North Huntingdon officials unanimously approved a $15.8 million budget for 2026 that will raise the township’s property taxes by 30%. The 3.5-mill tax hike is split into two parts: 1.5 mills for the general fund and 2 mills for the capital reserve fund for roads and stormwater management projects. For...
From Emmet Otter to Mr. Magoo, here are some overlooked holiday specials
It’s only about a week until Christmas, and, by now, you’ve probably exhausted the run of typical holiday specials. We all love Charlie Brown and Vince Guaraldi’s instantly familiar piano tunes, but you might want to look a little deeper to find a unique Christmas special. Here’s a handful of...
Murrysville library offers extra books to patrons in advance of 2026 renovations
The Murrysville Community Library staff is looking to get some books off the shelf before undergoing a massive renovation next month. Using a $400,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, the library will undergo renovation over the winter. While it will remain open during the construction, the staff is...
Monroeville area: Tall Trees upgrades, New Year’s Eve ball drop, cookie walk and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or mhorvath@triblive.com. Grant will improve Tall Trees Amphitheater A $75,000 grant from the state’s Gaming Economic Tourism Fund will pay for upgrades at Monroeville’s Tall Trees Amphitheater. The project will replace 24 stage lights, the soundboard and associated audio equipment, and will...
Heirloom holiday decorations hold special memories, family history
Every time Nancy Trabucco looks at Santa and his reindeer decorating her Delmont front yard, she’s reminded of a half-century of holiday goofiness with her family. When Melanie Litz of Export looks at the Merry Glow ’Round spinning topper on her Christmas tree, she thinks about her mother, who purchased...
Wisconsin fugitive arrested at Hempfield gym
State police arrested a man wanted on an extradition warrant out of Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon at a Hempfield gym. Police from Troop A in Greensburg received information that Martin Alvarez Jr., 35, of Youngwood, was at Anytime Fitness on Route 30 in Hempfield. A non-uniformed trooper went to the...
Local farmers skeptical about impact of ‘bridge payments’ on bottom line
New Alexandria’s Fred Slezak said many farmers like him have a strong independent streak. “We don’t particularly care to get payments from the government,” said Slezak, 71, owner and operator at Lone Maple Farms off Route 119. “But there’s just a whole host of struggles that we’re battling out here.”...
Cross-country team will collect new, used shoes in Murrysville
The Franklin Regional Cross Country team will collect donations of new and gently used shoes Saturday in Murrysville. The team is working with fundraising company Funds2Orgs, which will sell the shoes at a discount to those in need in other countries. Funds2Orgs will also make a donation to the team’s...
Murrysville to move ahead with stormwater fee ordinance
Murrysville officials will move ahead with plans to implement a stormwater fee for residents and businesses, as the municipality’s state-mandated responsibilities regarding storm runoff expand. Council approved advertising the proposed ordinance and will likely vote on it at their final meeting of 2025 or early in the new year. Murrysville...
Murrysville area: Delmont ‘Holidaze,’ winter heating assistance, holiday events, more
Delmont ‘Holidaze’ Delmont will host a “Holidaze” celebration from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Faith Global Methodist Church, 305 Freeport St. The afternoon will include food trucks, craft vendors, live music, children’s activities, basket raffles and a visit from Santa. There will also be a dozen new bikes and helmets...
St. Vincent Camerata explores Mary and the manger with ‘Nata Nox’ concerts
Chaz Bowers of Elizabeth has been admiring the St. Vincent Camerata for quite some time now. Over the years, he’s played the organ for several of the chamber ensemble’s concerts, and the music they perform is at the heart of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, where he serves as music...
Delmont mayor resigns in absentia; longtime solicitor retiring
Delmont will start the new year with a new borough attorney but without its newly elected mayor. Alyce Urban submitted a letter of resignation at Tuesday’s council meeting, just over a month after running unopposed in the November election and earning a new four-year term. Urban, who has served as...
Cars crashing into buildings: Increase seen in these high-hazard calls
They are among the most dangerous and unpredictable incidents first responders face: Vehicles crashing into buildings. In a few chaotic seconds, a routine drive transforms into a complex emergency involving potential mass casualties, fire hazards and the threat of structural collapse. For first responders, it is the call that typically...
8 taken to hospital following Monroeville crash involving school bus
Five children and three adults were taken to local hospitals after a crash Monday morning between a Gateway school bus and another vehicle, school officials said. First responders were called to Monroeville Boulevard near the entrance to Target around 8:30 a.m. The bus collided with an SUV, which overturned. Gateway...
Monroeville area: New Year’s ball drop, holiday events, food distributions and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or mhorvath@triblive.com. Noon ball drop planned at Monroeville Mall Monroeville Public Library is hosting its ball drop celebration at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 31 inside Monroeville Mall for anyone who wants to ring in the new year a little early. The ball will...
Film festival organizers look to help students hone their content creation skills
Luke Champlain grew up going to the movies every week with his family. “We still go whenever we’re able,” said the 18-year-old Penn-Trafford senior. “I’ve always wanted to make movies. I think one of the coolest thing you can do is tell stories.” It’s easier than ever for young people...
Avian enthusiasts prepare for annual Christmas Bird Count
It wasn’t just the usual suspects showing up for the Mon Valley’s annual Christmas Bird Count. While counters noted a slight drop in hairy woodpeckers — 17 spotted last year compared to 20 the year before — the 2024 survey yielded a fantastic collection of new species, providing a fresh...
Export proposes ’26 budget with no property tax hike
Export officials expect to pass a $1.1 million 2026 budget that keeps the tax rate at 14 mills. Council plans a special meeting Dec. 16 for budget approval. “We have about $230,000 that we’re carrying over from this year, and we allotted a little more money for paving and street...
Heinz History Center asks local artists to envision ‘My America’
As 2026 draws closer, more and more signs of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday are popping up throughout Western Pennsylvania. In Westmoreland County, two replicas of Pennsylvania’s iconic Liberty Bell were unveiled in Greensburg and Murrysville, decorated by local artists to mark the country’s semiquincentennial. In Allegheny County, the...
Westinghouse retiree group makes record donation to help food insecurity
As food insecurity continues to climb across Southwestern Pennsylvania, a dedicated group of retired Westinghouse employees mobilized, raising a record $55,000 this year to support local organizations battling hunger. The nonprofit group, SURE (Service Uniting Retired Employees), shattered its previous donation record and further assisted the community by hosting its...
Holiday-themed concerts and events set
Here is a list of holiday-themed concerts and events taking place in December: Thursday, Dec. 4: Holiday Bell Choir. The event will be at 6 p.m. at the Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required by calling 412-775-4700 or emailing phlibrarypgh@pennhillslibrary.org....
Murrysville area: East End Kids’ breakfast, Symphony East, ‘Santa at Sardis’ and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Holiday-themed events Here is a list of holiday-themed concerts and events taking place in December: Dec. 5: Light Up Export. Borough officials will host the annual event from 6-9 p.m. along Washington Avenue. As in years past, the evening will include a...
Monroeville area: Upcoming meetings, holiday events, free food distributions and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Upcoming public meetings • Monroeville Citizens’ Night: 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the municipal building, 2700 Monroeville Blvd. Citizens are invited to address council, and council will set its agenda for the regular monthly voting meeting. • Pitcairn Council: 6 p.m. Dec....
