Patrick Varine stories, Page 75
Witches ride bicycle broomsticks for Ligonier animal-charity eventVideo
There were witches dancing in the woods in Ligonier on Sunday afternoon. But there was no need to call the police. In fact, a couple of local officers were already there, taking photos with “witches” arriving at the sixth Ligonier Witches Bike Brigade. The event draws hundreds of participants dressed...
Political organizer, write-in candidate vie for 55th District seat
In the redrawn 55th District, voters in the Nov. 8 midterm election will choose between a longtime Republican political organizer and a Democratic candidate who earned a spot on the ballot through a write-in campaign. Scott Gauss, a retired human resources director for Boeing, will go up against former Westmoreland...
‘Lick or Treat’ for dogs in downtown Irwin
Downtown Irwin was filled with costumed canines Saturday afternoon during the “Lick or Treat” celebration sponsored by PETals Boutique. The day included treats for pets at local businesses and prizes for the best dog costumes....
‘Breast Saturday Ever’: A colorful name for a colorful morningVideo
When Val Tressler of Mt. Pleasant started decorating the borough’s Diamond Street gazebo for Breast Cancer Awareness Month more than a decade ago and collecting donations for a regional charity, it didn’t take long for fellow downtown business owner Denise DeSabato to join in. The decorations — and the events...
Murrysville area: Halloween parade, active-shooter training, walk-a-thon, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Upcoming Halloween events • The Export Halloween Parade will take place Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., with signups beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Export Volunteer Fire Department station at the corner of Washington Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. For more, see ExportPennsylvania.com....
Franklin Regional band members kick off fundraising for 2023 Hawaii trip
Students learn about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor in history class, but setting foot on the grounds where it took place can be quite a different experience. Members of the Franklin Regional Panther Marching Band have begun fundraising for just such a trip – they plan to take part...
1 taken by helicopter from Washington Township crash
One person was hurt in a crash Monday evening in Washington Township, according to Armstrong County emergency officials. First responders were called to the 100 block of Upper Limestone Road around 8:20 p.m. for a report of a one-vehicle crash. A medical helicopter was called to transport one person to...
Sewickley man missing since September found dead
The body of a Sewickley Township man who was reported missing in September was found Monday morning by a hunter, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Aaron D. Ross, 43, of Wendel Road in Sewickley, was last seen Sept. 7, and was reported missing by his mother. On Monday...
A ‘wow’ moment is also a weird narrative choice on ‘House of the Dragon’
In the early trailers for “House of the Dragon,” Ser Otto Hightower says to his daughter, “We play an ugly game.” That game kicked into high gear with this week’s...
Protect PT will host radon information workshop, offer sensor rentalsVideo
Despite its prevalence in Western Pennsylvania, radon — the odorless, colorless gas that results from the breakdown of naturally occurring radioactive elements in soil and rocks — has been largely ignored even as it causes an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S, according to the American Lung Association. The...
Claridge Boy Scout troop has a flock of Eagles
Eagle is the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve, and the culmination is a community service project in which the Scout takes the lead in organizing, gathering materials and a work crew, and executing his vision. At Troop 239 in Penn Township’s Claridge neighborhood, this summer produced a whole...
Rugged cross-country bike race benefiting Westmoreland Heritage Trail rolls through Delmont
The first-ever Delmont CX race took place Saturday morning featuring a course that runs the wooded trails, grass runs, steep hills and obstacles at Shields Farm. Proceeds from the race will benefit the race hosts, the Delmont Visionary Committee, which is a citizens group working to bring a spur from...
Westmoreland Heritage Trail officials working to close ‘middle gap’
Officials for the Westmoreland Heritage Trail are working to find a way around — or underneath as it turns out — Route 66 as they work to close a 4-mile middle gap that will create an uninterrupted hiking and biking path from Trafford to Saltsburg. While acquiring land and easements...
Penn Hills man faces both juvenile and adult charges related to sexual assault incident
A Penn Hills man wanted as a juvenile on sexual assault charges was charged as an adult after police said he resisted arrest on Thursday morning. Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office deputies took Dabiaun A. Davidson, 18, of Penn Hills into custody during their search of a home on Sweetbriar Drive...
Murrysville area: Drug take-back day, Halloween parade, craft show and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Briefs must be sent two weeks in advance to ensure placement in the Star. Police host drug take-back, license plate replacement Murrysville Police will host a National Drug Take-Back Day event as well as a license plate replacement event from 10 a.m....
Delmont will use $20,000 grant to develop borough-wide transportation plan
Delmont officials and a citizen group will begin work soon on an active transportation plan for the borough. The Delmont Visionary Committee (and the borough, serving as administrator for the funds) will use a $20,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s WalkWorks program and Department of Conservation and Natural...
Export will not rescind latest sewage rate hike
In July, Export Mayor Joe Zaccagnini broke a contentious tie vote over whether to approve a $5 monthly increase in local sewage rates, passing along a roughly 8% rate hike by the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority. Councilman John Nagoda said he and other borough residents felt council had not...
Yough grad takes director’s reins for Grand Theatre production of ‘The Wedding Singer’
After graduating from Yough High School, South Huntingdon native Nik Nemec pursued his passion for theater at Point Park University. After spending several years working as a stage manager for the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Connecticut, Nemec is taking...
Appalachian Teaching Project students seek input from Connellsville residents
Across the Appalachian region, more than 2,000 students from more than 20 universities take part annually in the Appalachian Teaching Project, an applied research and training program that helps support economic development in Appalachia’s communities. On Oct. 14, a group of students from the University of Pittsburgh want to hear...
TribLive Taste Test: Cam Heyward’s Blitz MixVideo
This week we’re dipping our toes into the water of athlete-branded snack food, with Cam Heyward’s Blitz Mix, a snack mix blend sold exclusively through Giant Eagle and PLB Sports & Entertainment, the company that brought us Flutie Flakes, Patrick Mahomes Magic Crunch, Stefon Diggs Hot Sauce and yes, even...
Penn State officials criticize student group’s event featuring Proud Boys founder
Penn State University officials criticized a student organization’s plans to host an upcoming event with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. Student organization Uncensored America on Oct. 24 is scheduled to host McInnes and BlazeTV contributor Alex Stein’s “Stand Back & Stand By.” University officials on Tuesday released a statement criticizing...
Delmont schedules 2023 budget workshops
Delmont officials will hold two public workshops to go over the 2023 budget in the coming weeks. The borough will host 6 p.m. budget workshops on Oct. 23 and Nov. 2 at the borough building at 77 Greensburg Street. The first session typically covers incoming revenue for the new budget...
Driver in critical condition as a result of crash in Westwood
Pittsburgh Police said a female driver was in critical condition on Tuesday morning after a crash on Greentree Road. Police, fire and EMS workers responded to the 600 block of Greentree Road in the city’s Westwood neighborhood around 9:45 a.m. Police said they believe the female driver attempted to illegally...
The king gets confused as ‘House of the Dragon’ dances on the edge of war
King Viserys Targaryen has made a lot of bad moves during the first season of “House of the Dragon.” His latest bad move wasn’t exactly his fault, but it certainly fit right...
Allman Brothers Band to release live recording of 1971 Pittsburgh debut
Many a classic rock fan made the trip to Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood to see plenty of now-legendary bands perform at the former Syria Mosque. The 1916 building, with its multicolored facade and sphinx statues out front, hosted everyone from Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry to Bob Dylan and Simon &...
