Patrick Varine stories, Page 82
Delmont-Salem Rotary to install fountain at borough’s Newhouse Park
When Delmont-Salem Rotary officials have held events at Newhouse Park in Delmont, one question has popped up frequently, according to incoming president Christian Tomley. “When we have our steak fry every year, we’ve gotten questions about why there’s no fountain,” Tomley told Delmont council at its Aug. 9 meeting. “It’s...
‘House of the Dragon’ gets back to the backstabbing we loved in ‘Thrones’
Last time we spent our Sunday nights in Westeros, toward the end of the final season, there was one episode I truly enjoyed, just after the forces of good...
Opening of Franklin Regional’s solicitor post draws critics
Franklin Regional School District is accepting proposals for the position of district solicitor. Several district residents questioned school director Diana Altieri Hand’s motion the end of the Aug. 1 board meeting to reopen the solicitor’s position. The move was not part of the board’s posted agenda but passed by a...
Murrysville area: Rummage sale, golf fundraiser, car shows, more
Rummage sale Union Presbyterian Church will host a fall rummage sale Sept. 9-10 at the church, 656 Route 380 in Washington Township. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 10. Items other than jewelry, furniture and antiques will...
Driver in fatal Salem crash is Pennsylvania State Police trooper from Uniontown
A Pennsylvania state trooper remains on the job after his involvement in a fatal Aug. 17 crash in Salem, officials said Monday. A BMW driven by Tyler J. Strini, 27, of Homer City did not slow down for stopped traffic, troopers said. Strini, assigned to Troop B in Uniontown, joined...
Beaver County professor earns U.S. Dept. of Justice award for domestic-violence research
A Penn State Beaver professor and volunteer with domestic-abuse nonprofit Crisis Center North has been presented with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Crime Victims Research Award. John Chapin, 58, of Center, a survivor of childhood domestic violence who now researches the subject, was given the award which “recognizes individual researchers...
Export may get to pave central parking lot sooner than expected
Export’s central public parking lot could be paved sooner than expected. After having to remove the project from a state grant application earlier this summer, Export officials may be able to get it done through a federal-grant-money swap. Officials intended to use Community Development Block Grant money for a retaining...
Sweet corn, tomatoes are foundation for more diverse offerings from Western Pa. farmers
Hempfield farmer Neil Palmer says that for 50 years his operation has been focused on growing fresh produce, which is sold at his own farm market. “This year, we have a little more than 20 acres of fresh vegetables,” said Palmer, a fourth-generation farmer. “For the most part, it’s been...
Changing agricultural landscape leaves fewer farmers to work larger farms
When Ralph Myers, 85, looks at the farming operations around him, the difference is stark compared to three decades ago. “In 1995, there were about 195 dairy farmers in Armstrong County,” said Myers, a fourth-generation farmer from Gilpin and patriarch at Myers Pickle Farm, which dates to 1866. “Today, there...
TribLive Taste Test: Skittles & Extreme Sour Warheads freezer popsVideo
It’s the end of summer, and that means freezer pops are on sale. So we went to the corner store and found the two weirdest kinds they had — which turned out to be two supposedly candy-flavored types: Skittles and Extreme Sour Warheads freezer pops. TribLive Taste Test squad member...
Floral mural created by Export native, touts borough’s historyVideo
There is little doubt that the Westmoreland Heritage Trail has helped reinvigorate downtown Export. Shops along Washington Avenue that once were shuttered have sprung back to life, and projects large and small signal changes to come. Where the trail ends, walkers and cyclists will be treated to the work of...
Franklin Regional to renovate libraries with donation, foundation grantVideo
Franklin Regional Senior High School librarian Wade Burtch wants his library to be anything but a static space. “A high school building is already a pretty rigid environment, and one of the things (high school Principal) Ron Suvak and I talked about was making the library a place where students...
Billy Strayhorn-Duke Ellington’s jazz ‘Nutcracker’ to premiere in Pittsburgh
On Dec. 1, 1938, Pittsburgh resident and jazz composer Billy Strayhorn met the legendary Duke Ellington backstage after a show at what was then the Stanley Theater. Their musical personalities meshed, and Strayhorn’s composition “Take the ‘A’ Train” eventually became the Ellington band’s theme song. The duo also collaborated on...
Franklin Regional hires new assistant superintendent, assistant high school principal
Franklin Regional school board members filled a couple of the positions left open after the departure of several administrators in the past few months. School directors approved a new assistant superintendent and assistant high school principal, following the resignations of Robin Pynos and Ted Benning, respectively. Matthew Delp joins the...
Overnight closures planned as work starts on Rosslyn Road on-ramp to Parkway West
Motorists frustrated with the lack of progress in fixing the Rosslyn Road on-ramp to the Parkway West got some good news this past weekend. Crews are set to begin work Aug. 26 to repair damage to the on-ramp from a February accident. The repairs were delayed because of supply chain...
Murrysville developer earns state builder’s association’s Distinguished Achievement Award
When Jim Rumbaugh of Murrysville agreed to accept an appointment as chair for the Franklin Township Municipal Sanitary Authority board, he quickly recognized the challenges he faced. “Plum Borough was in the same basic situation 30 years ago, where the (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) shut down tap allocations and...
Murrysville area: Charity golf outing, car shows, Women’s Business Network meeting, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Golf outing to benefit Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes The Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection will host a Sept. 26 golf outing to benefit Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes. It will take place at the Westmoreland Country Club, 7100 Mellon Road in Penn Township. Registration...
Export dance studio earns Star Dance Alliance World Championship title
When DeStella Dance Centre owner Alexis DeSabatine is watching her students perform from backstage, she is a bundle of nerves. “I literally hold my breath and tense up,” she said. “I’m so nervous but also so excited.” On July 27, she had plenty to be excited about, watching from backstage...
Franklin Regional Sporting Clays team seeks new members for fall season
Terry Ventorini of Murrysville knows a few kids who might be interested in taking aim at the Salvation Army’s “Shoot for Hope” fundraiser, set for Aug. 18 at Highlands Sporting Clays in Champion. “We had three kids go to the Pennsylvania State High School Clay Target League’s state tournament in...
Westmoreland community-band members combine for patriotic concerts
Musicians representing five Westmoreland County community bands will perform patriotic concerts at the Flight 93 Memorial and in Gettysburg this month. “Sitting beside people you don’t know, pulling out a sheet of music and giving a beautiful performance is the thing I love most,” said Patti Marco, an Allegheny Township...
East Winds Symphonic Band marks 40th anniversary, will play free Monroeville concertsVideo
When Jim Partridge used to attend Trinity Christian School board meetings in Forest Hills, he could always hear a band practicing somewhere in the building. “I used to think, ‘Someday, when I have some extra time, I’d love to play in a band like that,’ ” said Partridge, 65, a Philadelphia...
Delmont puts on quite a show for its Delmont Daze celebration
Officials in Delmont hosted the annual Delmont Daze celebration Saturday with food, fun, live music and a parade through the borough. Other Star communities also have annual summer festivals coming up: Murrysville’s Concert in the Park will take place Aug. 13 from 3 p.m. to dusk, with four bands and...
Murrysville, Export gear up for summer festivals
It’s summer festival season, and local towns are gearing up to celebrate the season with food, music and the occasional fireworks display. In Murrysville, municipal officials will host the fifth Murrysville Concert in the Park, 4056 Wiestertown Road, from 3 p.m. to dusk Aug. 13 at Murrysville Community Park. “We’ll...
TribLive Taste Test: Chunk NibblesVideo
It’s tough to stop your children’s relentless pursuit of junk food. But at least with Chunk Nibbles, the Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022 award winner for “Most Innovative Product,” you’re donating to a good cause while satisfying their sweet tooth. A portion of proceeds from the sale of the four...
Blairsville band joins Beasts of the Burgh rock show at Mr. SmallsVideo
There’s a reason why Nashville is called “Music City USA.” As the center of the country music industry, and with one of the nation’s most vibrant, competitive music scenes, it can create an intimidating situation for a band making its first trip to Tennessee’s capital. Don’t tell that to Mike...
