Patrick Varine stories, Page 76
Community Foundation of Murrysville, Export, Delmont accepting grant applications
The Community Foundation of Murrysville, Export and Delmont is seeking applicants for small, community-based grants. “We’ve now distributed over $30,000 since 2006,” said foundation board member Roberta Cook. “Everything from the water trough in Delmont, to fancy grass seed for the Morosini Reserve, to an AED (defibrillator) for Franklin Regional...
North Hills schools to retire chief logo, but keep ‘Indians’ nameVideo
The North Hills School District Board of Education voted Thursday night to stop using a Native American chief logo, but will continue to use the name “Indians” for the district’s athletic teams. The board voted 7-2, with Deanna Philpott and Elizabeth Nease voting against the resolution that was introduced at...
Construction worker dies in fall from bucket truck off Parkway East overpass
A construction worker died Friday morning from injuries suffered in a fall from a Parkway East overpass, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The man was identified by Allegheny County officials as Derek Cronk, 41, of Bridgeport, Ohio. Pittsburgh firefighters and medics were called shortly after 3 a.m. to the area...
Murrysville area: Art show, cyclo-cross race, used book sale and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Event listings must be submitted two weeks in advance to make the Star’s deadline. Christian Art Show set for Oct. 22-23 The 46th annual Christian Art Show will take place Oct. 22-23 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Murrysville. Show hours are 10...
Former employee charged after break-in at Delmont convenience store
A former employee of the Sunoco station in Delmont was caught breaking into the store late Wednesday, according to borough police. John A. Balistrieri, 61, of Greensburg Street in Delmont was charged with burglary, criminal trespassing, prowling and disorderly conduct, after police said he used an employee key to unlawfully...
1 flown from Ligonier Township crash
One person was flown by helicopter from a crash late Wednesday night in Ligonier Township, according to county 911 officials. Emergency responders were called to the intersection of Route 30 and Route 259, just east of Idlewild & Soak Zone, for a one-vehicle crash around 10:55 p.m....
Wilkinsburg man charged with dragging Penn Hills police officer with his car
A Wilkinsburg man has been charged with aggravated assault, after police say he dragged a Penn Hills officer about 20 feet with his car early Tuesday morning. Shortly after 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, a Penn Hills policeman was flagged down by a tow truck driver, who said an SUV had gone...
Man found shot in Downtown Pittsburgh alley dies from injuries
A man found shot Monday night in a Downtown Pittsburgh alley has died, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV. Police responded to a report of shots fired at Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Maddock Place in the city’s Cultural District around 11:20 p.m. Police said they found a man with gunshot...
Man killed in Pa. Turnpike crash near Butler Valley exit
A man was killed early Tuesday morning in a two-vehicle crash along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Hampton, state police at Gibsonia said. The victim, Richard F. Krupka, 55, of Maple Heights, died as a result of injuries suffered in an accident two miles from the Butler Valley exit in Hampton,...
3 injured in Parkway East crash in Pittsburgh
Three people were injured in a single-car crash on the Parkway East early Monday, according to state police. Charles Williams Jr., 60, of North Braddock, was traveling east near the Squirrel Hill exit just before 12:15 a.m., police said. As he was merging into the right lane, police said he...
No major injuries in Route 981 crash in New Alexandria
Emergency responders were called to a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning in New Alexandria. Fire and EMS crews responded to the intersection of Route 981 and William Penn Highway just before 5:45 a.m. Route 981 was closed down at Route 22 while officials investigated and cleared the scene, emergency dispatchers said....
What are the best (and the worst) Halloween candy varieties in 2022?Video
When it comes to Halloween candy, opinions differ widely on best and worst. As long as you aren’t allergic to peanut butter or chocolate, it’s hard to top full-size Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. And despite Brach’s Candy’s best efforts, candy corn consistently ranks near the top of treats people love...
Police charge man with injuring 2 workers in construction-zone crash in Armstrong County
A Cowansville man faces a host of charges after state police say he sped through an active work zone in Armstrong County and injured two construction workers in late September. State police charged Ronald S. Wiegand Jr., 19, of Cowansville on Monday with aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless endangering, simple...
Arnold convenience store robbed at gunpoint
An Arnold convenience store was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday, according to one of the store’s owners. The All Seasons Mini Mart on the 700 block of Drey Street, just a block from the Arnold police station, was robbed shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, co-owner Tom Tyborowski said. An unknown...
If looks could kill, they wouldn’t need daggers on ‘House of the Dragon’
If looks could kill, no...
1 injured in truck crash in Cook Township
One person was flown by medical helicopter following a crash Sunday night in Cook Township, according to a Westmoreland County 911 supervisor. Emergency crews were called to Route 711 at Horseshoe Bend Road, near Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, just after 6 p.m., for a report of an overturned truck. Additional...
Daughters of American Revolution to dedicate marker for 18 veterans interred at Washington Township cemetery
In September 2021, members of Poke Run Presbyterian Church in Washington Township installed two new headstones to replace worn away markers in the church cemetery for two Revolutionary War soldiers, Isaac Sadler and John McConnell. Church officials had been contacted by the Major Isaac Sadler-LaBelle Vue chapter of the Daughters...
Pitcairn will use state grant to update borough sports complex
Youth baseball is not what it once was in Pitcairn, according to Borough Manager Mike Bolen. “Unfortunately, like a lot of other areas, we’ve kind of seen it go away,” Bolen said. “Our Little League fields haven’t been used in five or six years.” But with more than $121,000 in...
Hempfield church will mark 250th anniversary with organ concert
When organist Robert Copeland is practicing for the concert he’ll play Sunday at St. John’s Harrold Reformed United Church of Christ’s 250th anniversary, he won’t need to travel far to practice. That’s because Copeland, owner of the Robert Copeland Pipe Organ Co. of Jeannette, has a full pipe organ installed...
Polka music lives on, thanks to the musicians of tomorrowVideo
Joe Grkman Jr. can recall his father playing the accordion as far back as he can remember. “He’d have a friend come over to play guitar along with him,” said Grkman, 70, a Westmoreland County native living in Venetia. Joe Sr. and his friend would play polka tunes, and, in...
Murrysville area: AI speaker, leaf pickups, used book sale, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Event listings must be submitted two weeks in advance to make the Star’s deadline. AAUW speaker will explore artificial intelligence The Murrysville chapter of the American Association of University Women will welcome guest speaker and Carnegie Mellon Professor Emeritus of computer science...
Franklin Regional puts new spin on homecoming vote
Franklin Regional officials have introduced an additional round of homecoming voting this year to recognize student achievement. “We chose four categories — academics, arts, athletics and citizenship — and asked students to first nominate classmates for those categories, explaining their reasoning,” FR communications director Tina Gillen said. “Senior students were...
2 Franklin Regional graduates make IUP homecoming court
Two Franklin Regional graduates are among the “Crimson Court” at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1. IUP’s annual homecoming celebration will take place throughout the weekend starting on Friday, and is expected to draw thousands for alumni reunions and events surrounding the homecoming parade and game....
Hempfield man, 62, suffers medical issue, dies following East Huntingdon crash
A Hempfield man who suffered a medical emergency while driving Wednesday morning died of injuries from the resulting crash, Westmoreland Coroner Tim Carson said. James A. Shifko, 62, of Broadway Avenue was headed south on Westec Drive shortly before 7 a.m. State police said he was believed to have suffered...
Western Pennsylvania natives in Florida prepare for Hurricane Ian to make landfall
Claire Dice was planning to return to Penn Hills on Friday from her vacation in Florida. But at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dice got word that Indian Shores, a town on the Gulf Coast barrier island where she is staying, was being evacuated as Hurricane Ian prepares to make landfall in...
