Patrick Varine stories, Page 54
Bushy Run hosts 11th annual car cruise
It’s easier than you might think to find parts for a 1928 Ford Model A. “It’s one of the most popular antique cars out there,” said Ron Giuliana of Irwin, who secured himself one of the few available shady spots at the 11th annual Bushy Run Car Cruise, held Saturday...
A snort and a yip: Pugfest takes place in Derry Township
Pugs of all shapes and sizes were snuffling, snorting and sending up good-natured barks during Pugfest, held Saturday at the Kingston Veterans & Sportsmens Club in Derry Township. There were tiny, svelte black pugs with long craning necks. There were traditional-colored pugs with, perhaps, no chance of ever enjoying the...
Pitt police searching for robbery suspect in Oakland
University of Pittsburgh and city police are seeking information about a man who robbed two people early Friday in the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Campus police posted a crime alert to their X (formerly Twitter) account at 1:50 a.m. Friday alerting students to a robbery that occurred on the 300 block...
Red Cross honors Pirate security employee for saving co-worker from choking
American Red Cross officials honored a security employee for the Pittsburgh Pirates whose quick thinking helped save a life during his first day on the job this summer. Patrick Benedict was working his first shift as game-day security at PNC Park on June 7 when he noticed a co-worker choking...
1 dead, 1 rescued from Allegheny River after jumping incident
A man died after jumping into the Allegheny River early Saturday, and a second man who dove in after him was rescued, according to Pittsburgh police. First responders were called to the Ninth Street Bridge around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday for reports of witnesses who saw a man run from...
Franklin Regional: Mental health survey could ‘gauge the climate’ in school district
Franklin Regional might undertake a student mental health survey that is generating debate about how much a school district should get involved with the issue and to what extent parents should be included in those decisions. School directors recently delved into the issue, with district officials defending a proposed student...
Murrysville area: Bonsai workshop, hospice discussion, used book sale and more
Bonsai tree workshop The Murrysville Community Library, Murrysville Garden Club and municipal recreation department will present “The Ancient Art of Bonsai,” about bonsai tree cultivation, at 6 p.m. Oct. 16. Murrysville resident Dave Metzgar will discuss the history of the art form, what constitutes a bonsai tree and will show...
Pa. liquor stores offering up several varieties of Japanese whisky
Pennsylvania’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits store is adding some international flavor to the whisky section this month, with several Japanese varieties available at select stores and online. The crown jewel in the group, at least based on price, is an 18-year-0ld Hakushu single-malt peated whisky created to celebrate Suntory...
Youghtoberfest aims to raise money for Ohiopyle Borough
Officials in Ohiopyle, the small Fayette County borough surrounded by Ohiopyle State Park, estimate they need $650,000 to fix the local sewage treatment plant and make related repairs. State officials say Ohiopyle’s sewage system takes in more wastewater than it can handle. But the town has fewer than 30 permanent...
Murrysville company provides $3.1 million in air tank upgrades for Pittsburgh firefightersVideo
If a house catches fire in the Pittsburgh region, there’s a good chance equipment from MSA — and, specifically, from its Murrysville production facility — played a role in firefighters’ efforts. For the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, MSA’s G1 self-contained breathing apparatus will be well worth the $3.1 million investment...
Blues legend Buddy Guy reschedules stop at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre
Blues guitar legend Buddy Guy will have to wait a little longer to say “Damn Right Farewell” to Westmoreland County, after announcing that his Sept. 28 show will be rescheduled to April 7, 2024. “My medical team has advised me to reschedule some of my upcoming shows,” Guy, 87, said...
Dragon boat racing team of breast cancer survivors readies for annual festival
It’s not just that Lynn Jablonowski didn’t have any boating experience. She was also actually afraid of the water. But she’d overcome breast cancer, and with help from members of the Hearts of Steel dragon boat racing team, she overcame her fear of water, too. Everyone on the Hearts of...
Murrysville area: Cyclo-cross race, CROP Walk, community band and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Registration open for Delmont cyclo-cross race The Delmont Visionary Committee will host its second annual “Hammer the Hills of Delmont” cyclo-cross race. It will be at 9 a.m. Nov. 11 at Shields Farm. The race is a challenging course with wooded trails,...
Blackburn Center continues to expand Red Sand Project, drawing awareness to human trafficking
Throughout September, Westmoreland County residents may have noticed red sand filling in the sidewalk cracks at prominent locations such as Independence Health System hospitals, the county courthouse, local libraries and Seton Hill University. A sign accompanying the bright red sand notes that it is part of the Red Sand Project,...
Hometown Hero: Export man survived military parachuting accident, left Scouting legacy
(Editor’s note: This is part of a series about Westmoreland County residents who have been honored as Hometown Heroes. The program honors local military and non-military heroes by displaying photos on decorative banners in area communities.) Robert Harouse Export 1934-1969 Robert Harouse didn’t talk much about his military service during...
Saint Vincent graduate fellows pursue advanced degrees, support local school districts
There are two additional students in the classrooms of Franklin Regional School District this year: two graduate students from Saint Vincent College. The Saint Vincent College Fellowship program brings two students enrolled in Saint Vincent’s master’s of education program to Franklin Regional for the next two academic years. “It’s a...
IUP professor collaborates with Queen guitarist on book about Bennu asteroidVideo
An Indiana University of Pennsylvania professor is part of a group of authors whose recent book explores the Bennu asteroid, which scientists believe is a sort of “time capsule” from the dawn of the solar system. And since they were studying a rock, they recruited a rock star to help...
Murrysville underpass mural on hold as PennDOT officials develop formal policy for working with artists
Christina Donahoe was excited to be painting another mural where she grew up. After creating a floral mural in Export in 2022, she has been preparing to start a mural project to cover unsightly graffiti on a Route 22 underpass in Murrysville. She was in the process of lining up...
Delmont swears in new full-time police officer
Part-time Delmont Police Officer David Johnston is the newest full-time member of the borough’s police force, after being sworn in at the borough council’s Sept. 12 meeting. Johnston will replace Officer Richard Stephens, who resigned in late August. Johnston has been working full-time in the borough since Sept. 1. In...
Murrysville area: ‘Pilgrimage Jr.’ tickets, glass recycling, local live music and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Tickets on sale for ‘Pilgrimage Jr.’ The Delmont Pilgrimage is expanding to include a session specifically geared toward children. “Pilgrimage Jr.” will be Dec. 2 from 2-4 p.m., where pre-school and elementary-age children can experience the Nativity while interacting with the angel...
‘Silence of the Lambs’ actress will return to Buffalo Bill’s House
Brooke Smith hasn’t been back to the unassuming house on Circle Street in Perryopolis since her “rescue” there by the FBI in the early ’90s. OK, technically it was the fictional Catherine Martin rescued from a well in the horrifying basement of serial killer Buffalo Bill, during the seminal 1991...
Beer wholesaler opens 300,000-square-foot warehouse in Salem, more than 100 jobs anticipated
Happy hour started a little early for Frank Fuhrer III and his guests Wednesday afternoon. It’s only appropriate — Fuhrer was cutting the ribbon on a new 300,000-square-foot warehouse for his beer and soda pop distribution business, so getting a few coolers full of beer was a matter of walking...
5 homes evacuated in Laurel Mountain borough amid gas leak report, 911 says
Several homes in the small borough of Laurel Mountain near Laughlintown were evacuated briefly Wednesday morning as authorities investigated reports of a gas leak, according to county emergency officials. First responders were called to a home on Walnut Road in the small community off of Route 30 shortly after 11...
Residents ask Delmont to consider adding dog park to borough
Delmont residents asked their council to consider some additions to the borough — specifically a dog park, and speed humps on West Pittsburgh Street. “There are more than 300 dog license applications processed for Delmont, and that’s just in 2023. We want our dogs to be happy and healthy, and...
Westmoreland County man drowns while vacationing at Hilton Head Island
A Westmoreland County man drowned Monday while vacationing on Hilton Head Island Beach in South Carolina. Beaufort County Deputy Coroner Andrew McNece identified the man as David Owens, 64, of North Huntingdon. Emergency responders were called to the Disney Club Beach in Palmetto Dunes around 3:30 p.m. Monday for a...
