Patrick Varine stories, Page 25
Online store pops up selling unlicensed Franklin Regional merchandise
The reaction to Franklin Regional School District’s announcement that school-branded merchandise would be consolidated under a single vendor was swift and harsh. Negative criticism came from groups across the district that purchase branded merch for athletes, clubs, fundraisers and more. Parents and boosters aired concerns about not being able to...
Monroeville council denies controversial development project at former airport site
Monroeville council has denied an application for a controversial development bordering the town’s Garden City neighborhood. The proposal to build 95 homes on 47 acres off Logans Ferry Road at the site of the former Pittsburgh-Monroeville Airport has been met with criticism and resistance from neighbors over the past few...
Pitcairn officials look to improve recreation areas in advance of connector trail
As the groundwork continues to be laid for a connector between the Great Allegheny Passage and the Westmoreland Heritage trails, Pitcairn officials want to pave the way for what they hope will be an economic driver for the borough. “The bike trail is supposed to come through Pitcairn and our...
Latrobe woman charged in 2023 Johnstown bar owner’s death
A Latrobe woman is charged with killing a Johnstown restaurant owner in 2023. Police said Tami Shafer, 54, asked another person to call 911 on Feb. 20, 2023, to report that Lance Ross, owner of the now-closed Freight Station bar and restaurant, had fallen down a set of stairs, according...
Morning Roundup: Bell Acres police seek man impersonating officer; T riders face closure
Here are some news items from Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Police seek person impersonating officer Bell Acres Police are investigating reports from Wednesday of an elderly man posing as a police officer. Police were told the incident originated just outside the town, when a suspect began following the victim in...
Murrysville area: Holiday events, Symphony East luncheon and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Holiday events • Export Light Up Night will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 outside the Export Fire Department at the corner of Washington and Lincoln avenues. The evening will include a fish fry at the Export Moose from 3-8 p.m.,...
Monroeville area: Tree lighting, toy drive and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Symphony East holiday luncheon The public is invited to the annual Symphony East “Sounds of Joy” holiday luncheon, set for 11:45 a.m. Dec. 2 at the Lamplighter Restaurant on Route 22. A buffet luncheon will be served at 11:45 a.m....
Cranberry police seek information on pedestrian hit-and-run crash
Cranberry Police are seeking information about a hit-and-run crash early Wednesday morning that left a man in serious condition. Township police were called to a crash involving a pedestrian shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday on the southbound side of Franklin Road. A 28-year-old man was walking south near the intersection...
Sheriffs arrest fugitive with warrants in multiple Pa. counties
A woman with multiple warrants in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties was taken into custody Wednesday by Allegheny County Sheriff’s deputies. Carley L. Johnson, 27, who lists addresses in Irwin and Pittsburgh, has been a fugitive since April 2023, when she failed to appear in Westmoreland County district court on robbery...
Morning Roundup: Police rein in runaway horse; postal worker pleads guilty to stealing $6M in checks
Here are news items for Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024: Police return runaway horse Pittsburgh police in Zone 1 were chasing an unexpected suspect Wednesday — a runaway horse. Around 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of an escaped horse near Brighton Road and Harbison Avenue near the city’s Riverview...
Human relations commission seeks additional feedback on harassment, bullying guidelines
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is seeking feedback as it develops guidelines to address bullying and harassment in schools. The commission released an initial draft of proposed guidelines on Aug. 8. “In August we received more than 70 public comments on our harassment in education guidance,” said commission Executive Director...
Pedestrian struck, killed by vehicle in Forest Hills
A pedestrian has died after being struck by a car late Tuesday night in Forest Hills, according to Allegheny County Police. Police said an adult male was struck shortly before 10 p.m. near the intersection of Ardmore Boulevard and Sumner Avenue. The pedestrian, who police have not identified, was taken...
Morning Roundup: McKeesport teacher’s aide charged with assaulting special-needs student
Here are some news items for Wednesday, Nov. 13. McKeesport teacher’s aide charged with assault A teacher’s aide at Francis McClure Elementary School in White Oak has been charged with assaulting a 5-year-old special-needs student. Allegheny County Police were assigned to investigate a ChildLine report about an incident that allegedly...
Driest summer since 2002 leads to increase in brush fires
Southwestern Pennsylvania set an April record for rainfall this year, racking up nearly 8 inches, according to the National Weather Service. But over the past six months, the region has experienced drought-like conditions that have left Western Pennsylvania at a 3-inch rainfall deficit. This has created ideal conditions for brush...
2 injured in Upper Burrell crash
Two people were injured in a crash Saturday along Route 780 in Upper Burrell. Police and EMS were called to the intersection of Route 780 and Stoney Hill Road shortly before 5 p.m. for the two-vehicle crash. According to a Pennsylvania State Police report, the driver of a Chevy Silverado...
Casino worker charged with dealing fake blackjack hands
A Rivers Casino employee has been charged with dealing nearly 200 fraudulent hands of blackjack between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Jamie L. Smith, 33, of Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood, was seen on video surveillance by police and gaming enforcement agents overpaying patrons on winning...
Murrysville proposes ’25 budget with no tax hike
Murrysville council will consider a 2025 budget that does not call for a tax increase. 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 equipment and vehicles and the replacement of HVAC...
Morning Roundup: Teen shot in leg in East Hills; Sheraden man arrested following high-speed chase
Here are some overnight new items for Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Teen shot in leg in East Hills Pittsburgh police are investigating after a 16-year-old was shot early Sunday morning in East Hills. Police were called to the 2300 block of Wilner Drive around 2:45 a.m. after receiving a ShotSpotter...
Access to Great Crossings Bridge restricted due to safety concerns
A 206-year-old bridge that has been a treat for curiosity seekers since it emerged because of unusually low water levels at Youghiogheny River Lake is being closed to the public because of safety concerns. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is restricting access to the Great Crossings Bridge,...
Here are Veterans Day activities, promotions happening throughout Westmoreland County
Veterans Day events are being held throughout the region. To submit an event, email gbgnewsroom@triblive.com. Events • White Valley AMVETS and Murrysville American Legion Post 711 will host Veterans Day activities throughout Murrysville, Export and Delmont on Nov. 9. They are: 9 a.m. at Eastview Union Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Delmont;...
Murrysville war monument relocated to community park just in time for Veterans Day
Jerry Deible wanted more people to see Murrysville’s honor roll monument for local World War I and II soldiers. Having been originally installed in 1967 on a small piece of property near the intersection of Old William Penn Highway and Sardis Road, it didn’t have much visibility. So Deible began...
Murrysville area: Yingling receives state citation, used book sale and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Yingling recognized by local, state officials Longtime Franklin Regional school board member Herb Yingling was recently recognized with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as well as a proclamation from Murrysville Mayor Regis Synan declaring Sept. 27, 2024, “Herb Yingling...
Monroeville happenings: Toy drive, women’s self-defense course, live music, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Toy drive AY Beauty in Monroeville is collecting toys for its first community toy drive in partnership with Lean On Me, which organizes support groups for single mothers. Donations are due by Nov. 30 and can be dropped off at...
Monroeville area: Art gallery opening, free Thanksgiving dinners, Rotary scholarships, more
Artist repurposes used panels, canvases The public is invited to a free opening reception of “Leonid Shower,” an exhibit by Monroeville resident Jay Winter, from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Monroeville Public Library Gallery Space. A retired geologist, Winter’s artwork is inspired by the Earth and sky...
Markosek wins reelection in 25th District House race
With 100% of precincts reporting, Democrat incumbent Brandon Markosek will retain his seat in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives. Markosek, with just under 60% of the vote, beat Republican challenger John Ritter with 40% of the vote in the 25th District. More than 34,000 votes were cast in the race. Markosek...
