Patrick Varine stories, Page 25
Salem approves 55,000-square-foot Westmoreland Food Bank expansion
The Westmoreland Food Bank cleared another hurdle on the way toward a planned expansion that will double the size of the nonprofit’s food cooler, receiving approval from Salem supervisors to proceed. “We’re expanding by about 55,000 square feet and it’s being funded through (federal American Rescue Plan) funds through the...
U.S. House bill would dedicate Monroeville VA Center to Wilkinsburg World War II veteranVideo
The recently built VA center in Monroeville may be named for a member of the only all-Black unit to take part in the D-Day invasion during World War II. If the Senate passes Rep. Summer Lee’s legislation — which was approved by the U.S. House on Monday — the Department...
New Kensington girl among Pittsburgh-area youth boxers building the region’s fighting legacy
Four years ago, Gea Fultz of New Kensington was an 11-year-old girl walking into a gym full of boys training to fight. “It was really scary at first,” said Fultz, 15, now a sophomore at Valley High School. “I felt like I had to prove myself.” The proof? In August,...
Line upgrades impact November sewage overflow in Delmont, Salem
Delmont officials made the next partial payment last week on the borough’s large-scale, state-mandated sewage project, putting just more than $267,000 toward an collection point on Christy Road and the relocation of a sewage line in Salem. The pressurized sewage line along with a gravity sewage line runs through the...
Police: Indiana County school security guard accidentally fires gun in elementary school
A Purchase Line School District security guard in Indiana County is under investigation after state police said he accidentally discharged his gun Friday morning in an elementary-school faculty room. Police were called to Purchase Line Elementary School around 9:15 a.m. in Green Township. They said shortly after 9 a.m., an...
Drones, SWAT team used in standoff with Greensburg man wanted on assault warrant
A Greensburg man wanted on aggravated assault and other charges forced a SWAT team to enter a Perry Avenue residence to arrest him Thursday. Tyler Schultheis, 34, was wanted on a warrant issued Wednesday listing charges of aggravated assault, strangulation, terroristic threats and unlawful restraint, according to court records. A...
Mt. Pleasant police investigate reported shooting
Mt. Pleasant Borough police are investigating a Thursday morning shooting downtown that caused Ramsey Elementary School to be locked down. A man entered the Sunoco convenience store on West Main Street around 11 a.m. and told employees that someone had shot at him as they were in the area of...
Murrysville area: Christmas bird count, state band honors and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Christmas Bird Count in Westmoreland County Local residents are encouraged to volunteer for the annual Christmas Bird Count, a worldwide effort to document local bird populations. The survey is the largest citizen science effort held for one day, between Dec. 14 and...
Monroeville area: Free Christmas meals, art exhibit, American Legion scholarships, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Free Christmas dinner in Monroeville Christ the Divine Church, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville, will host a free Christmas Day dinner in their Lourdes Center this year. Dinner begins at 12:30 and will continue until 3 p.m., or until the supply...
Legislation aims to address post-traumatic stress among first responders
In February 2023, Sardis Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joe Paiano Jr. entered a burning house in Salem Township to rescue an 11-year-old boy. The boy was among three people pulled from the fire, but he died of his injuries a few days later. The incident affected Paiano in a way...
Monroeville area: AARP meeting, art league exhibit, holiday events, more
New Year’s ball drop at noon For those who who don’t want to stay up until midnight, the Monroeville Public Library will host a ball drop at noon on Dec. 31 inside the Monroeville Mall, 200 Mall Circle Drive. This free, all-ages New Year’s Eve celebration will be held on...
Monroeville approves 1st property tax hike in a decade with 2025 budget
Monroeville Council reduced an anticipated 2-mill tax hike to 1.5 mills in passing its 2025 municipal budget on Tuesday. Council voted 5-2 to raise property taxes from the current 4 mills to 5.5 mills. Councilmen Bill Krut and Mike Adams voted no. The $41.3 million budget does not change the...
Monday’s Union Restaurant reopens after playing ‘vital’ role in Elizabeth Pollard search
At 3 p.m. Tuesday, the atmosphere in Monday’s Union Restaurant in Unity was positively serene compared with the same hour last week. A handful of customers chatted at the bar while two others sat in the restaurant waiting for one of Monday’s popular pizzas. The previous Tuesday, the main downstairs...
Vote for local high school artists in ‘Paint the Plow’ contest
High school students across the state have decorated winter snow plows, and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials want the public to vote on their local favorites. The annual Paint the Plow contest is part of PennDOT’s annual campaign drawing awareness to winter driving safety. Students were asked to create a...
Have you seen a red-bellied woodpecker? In Pittsburgh region, it’s a possibility, birder says
When Brian Shema began taking part in the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count more than two decades ago, red-bellied woodpeckers were a very rare sight. The red-headed bird’s historical range was the central and southern states. They’re not suppose to be here, traditionally speaking. But these days, Shema said...
Murrysville council approves 2025 budget with no tax hike
Property taxes will remain at 12.05 mills next year in Murrysville, after council members voted to pass a $17.3 million budget for 2025. The municipality’s $17.28 million budget includes $3.8 million in capital spending. Capital projects for next year will include grant-supported bridge work along with $100,000 for new police...
1 killed, 1 wounded in Penn Hills shooting
One man was killed and another is in stable condition following a shooting late Thursday night in Penn Hills, police said. First responders were called to the 200 block of Universal Road shortly before midnight and arrived to find Vanderlee Stevenson, 21, of Penn Hills with multiple gunshot wounds, according...
Murrysville area: East Suburban Artists League reception, holiday events and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. East Suburban Artists League exhibit The East Suburban Artists League invites the public to a Dec. 14 reception for its exhibit at Gallery Space in the Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard. It will be from 6-8 p.m. and will showcase...
Morning Roundup: Metal debris on Parkway East causes multiple flat tires
Here are a few news items for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024: Drivers suffer popped tires on Parkway East PennDOT officials said nearly 30 drivers ended up with flat tires after hitting a metal grate on the Parkway East near the Churchill exit. A large number of vehicles were forced to...
Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count puts the focus on our feathered friends
Susan Miller is used to spotting birds on her nature walks. That makes the Plum naturalist a perfect candidate for the annual Christmas Bird Count, a worldwide effort to document local bird populations. The survey is the largest citizen science effort held for one day, between Dec. 14 and Jan....
Delmont will lower Athena Drive speed limit to 25 mph
Delmont will officially lower the speed limit on Athena Drive to 25 mph. Council voted 6-1 at its November meeting to reduce the top speed on the stretch of Athena between Freeport Street and the borough line just north of Park Drive. Council President Andy Shissler voted no. Athena is...
Morning Roundup: Downtown Pittsburgh roads reopened after water main break; crash in Rostraver
Here are some overnight news items for Monday, Dec. 2, 2024: Water main break cleaned up The intersection of Liberty Avenue and Commonwealth Place has reopened after an overnight water main break made both roads impassable in Downtown Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Water crews were called to the intersection around 10:30 p.m....
Steelers vs. Bengals: What they’re saying in Cincinnati after loss
For those who’ve been watching Steelers football for decades, former defensive player and CBS Sports analyst Bryant McFadden summed it up pretty well. “Once upon a time, we lived in a world where it would take three games for a Pittsburgh-led offense to score 40-some points,” McFadden said in postgame...
Where can you listen to live Christmas music?
From Christmas cantata choirs to community bands to elementary and high schools, ‘tis the season for holiday music. Here are some seasonal concerts happening across southwestern Pennsylvania. Events are free except where indicated. • Scottdale Concert Band holiday concert, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Woodcrest Senior Living Community, 1 Woodcrest...
Monroeville area: AARP meeting, art league exhibit, holiday events, more
Plum AARP meeting, luncheon on tap Plum AARP will celebrate Christmas with a luncheon buffet at Palmieri’s Restaurant, 951 Old Frankstown Road, Plum, at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 10. The entertainment will be Kathy Zang, who will perform holiday songs. Plum AARP is a social organization open to residents of...
