The Stroller, Dec. 25, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Merry Christmas, dearest readers...
Hometown playoff hero Robbie Mertz staying with Riverhounds
The hometown hero of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ run to their first USL Championship title will be back in black and gold. Upper St. Clair’s Robbie Mertz signed a two-year deal with a club option for a third year, the Riverhounds announced Wednesday. Mertz, a 29-year-old midfielder, has spent parts of...
Travelers on Friday will face tough weather conditions, PennDOT to limit speed on interstates
It looks like Pittsburghers won’t get a White Christmas this year. But meteorologists warn that Mother Nature is set to unleash ice, sleet and “a little bit of snow” just a day later — and the officials in charge of Pennsylvania’s roads are gearing up for a winter storm amid...
2025 high school basketball holiday tournament schedule
Boys basketball Friday’s schedule Allegany tournament Armstrong at Allegany, 7 p.m. Aquinas Academy tournament Seton LaSalle vs. Winchester Thurston, 5 p.m. Springdale at Aquinas Academy, 7 p.m. Burgettstown tournament Riverside vs. Geibel Catholic, 6 p.m. Brashear at Burgettstown, 7:30 p.m. Plum tournament Knoch vs. Latrobe, 6 p.m. Highlands at Plum,...
Todd L. Pittinsky: The Ivies can weather the Trump administration’s research cuts — it’s the nation’s public universities that have the most to lose
Most of the media coverage of the federal government’s recent cuts in federal research money for universities has focused on its effects on a handful of elite Ivy League universities, such as Harvard, Columbia and Cornell. “When you take money away from a Columbia or a Harvard or other institutions,...
Gallery: Photos from Dec. 24, 2025
Christmas looks a little different around the world — but the joy, light and celebration feel the same everywhere. From snowy city squares to sun-soaked celebrations, traditions shine in every corner of the globe. Different cultures, shared joy — as Christmas is celebrated around the world....
3 arrested in $14 million gift card fraud scheme that hit shoppers across Texas
DALLAS — What looked like ordinary gift cards on store racks across Texas were quietly turning into empty plastic. State investigators say a months-long scheme drained millions from unsuspecting shoppers — until it ended with three arrests this week. The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center has arrested three men accused...
Joe Palaggi: The season to remember we’re still one nation
Every year around this time, the noise starts to drop. The pace eases a bit. Families gather, neighbors reconnect and people who disagree on just about everything still manage to pass plates across the same table. Something about late November into December nudges us toward reflection. Whatever you call it...
Merry Christmas from the Stroller
Merry Christmas, dearest readers A very Merry Christmas to all our loyal readers and their families! May the peace and joy of the season remain in your heart all year-round. - Carol Pinto-Smith Supply donations welcome at Knead Community Cafe Knead Community Café in New Kensington has a wish list...
Crews extinguish Lower Burrell house fire
Crews across the Alle-Kiski Valley battled a house fire with hoarding conditions Wednesday morning in Lower Burrell. The fire was reported just before 8 a.m. in the 4000 block of James Drive. Upon arrival, crews saw smoke showing in the basement and rear of the building, said Brennan Sites, chief...
Editorial: Are you naughty or nice?
Everyone knows about The List. Santa makes it. He checks it. He checks it again. Are you naughty? Nice? We don’t know. Santa does. The List is why we have elves sitting on shelves. It’s why kids brush their teeth more and pay closer attention to their homework after Halloween....
Year in Review: The best of Pittsburgh theater in 2025
Despite funding struggles and numerous other challenges, including the construction in the Cultural District, Pittsburgh’s theater companies and arts organizations staged a stunning slate of productions in 2025. While we didn’t get to all of them, here are some highlights to remember. The Top 5 Shows City Theatre’s “The Real...
The Stroller, Dec. 24, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Merry Christmas “No one...
Toys for Tots campaign: More Western Pennsylvania children in need
Demand for Toys for Tots assistance climbed in the Alle-Kiski Valley this holiday season and held steady in Westmoreland County, reflecting continued financial strain on families. In the Alle-Kiski Valley, coordinators reported about 700 more children in need of holiday gifts this year, a significant jump from last year, when...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 23, 2025
High schools Basketball Boys Tuesday’s results Class 6A Section 1 New Castle 60, Seneca Valley 26 North Allegheny 49, Fox Chapel 44 (OT) North Hills 69, Pine-Richland 65 Butler 60, Woodland Hills 54 Section 2 Central Catholic 61, Canon-McMillan 25 Upper St. Clair 74, Connellsville 41 Hempfield 69, Imani Christian...
High school roundup for Dec. 23, 2025: Collin Rodgers hits 1,000 points in Deer Lakes win
Collin Rodgers poured in 34 points, reaching the 1,000-point mark in his career, to lead Deer Lakes to an 82-46 victory over Highlands in Section 1-4A boys basketball Tuesday night. Evan Moore had 18, and Dylan Ferraro chipped in 13 for the Lancers (5-4, 2-2). Carmine Lacava scored 14 points,...
China’s military buildup makes U.S. vulnerable, Pentagon report says
WASHINGTON — The Chinese military is in the midst of a “historic military buildup” that has made the U.S. homeland “increasingly vulnerable,” according to the latest edition of a Pentagon report on the capabilities of the Chinese military, presenting a challenge to President Donald Trump’s plans for new limitations on...
Court papers shed light on ICE arrest of Latino man in Mt. Washington
A man who struggled with federal immigration officers last week in Mt. Washington before being whisked away in a white van is a Nicaraguan national targeted after he tried to buy a gun, according to papers filed Tuesday in federal court. Darwin Alexander Davila-Perez, whose age is not listed in...
John Dorfman: An X-Ray view of the Magnificent 7
For the past three years, a huge share of the stock market’s action has been in the Magnificent Seven, a small group of super-successful, super-popular stocks. There are signs of fatigue in this leadership group, but the Magnificent Seven remain mainstays in many people’s portfolios. They are Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL),...
Penn State defensive starter, Aliquippa native reportedly won’t play in Pinstripe Bowl
On an already thin defensive unit, Penn State is now losing another veteran starter for the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. Sixth-year senior defensive end Zuriah Fisher is not with the team and will not participate in Saturday’s game, according to On3 and 247Sports. He is still listed on the Penn...
In brief: Happenings across the North Allegheny Journal area
North Park’s ice rink to open Dec. 24 North Park’s ice-skating rink at 1101 Pearce Mill Road in Pine will open for the season on Wednesday, Dec. 24. Public skating will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 24. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day. It will...
‘I like what he’s about’: Penn State veterans share 1st impressions of new head coach Matt Campbell
Penn State fans don’t need much reminding about just how crazy the past few months have been, but if they want another one, here you go. Yes, Penn State plays one more football game in the 2025 season on Saturday in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. That’s hardly been the...
‘This year nearly broke me as a scientist’ — researchers reflect on how 2025’s science cuts have changed their lives
From beginning to end, 2025 was a year of devastation for scientists in the United States. January saw the abrupt suspension of key operations across the National Institutes of Health, not only disrupting clinical trials and other in-progress studies but stalling grant reviews and other activities necessary to conduct research....
Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and wife welcome new baby boy
Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and his wife, Maria, have something extra to celebrate this holiday season. On Tuesday, Allegheny Health Network announced that the couple’s third son, Suede, was born at AHN Wexford Hospital on Sunday afternoon. The McCutchens announced the impending arrival of their fifth child several months ago....
Recycle your Christmas trees here in Allegheny County
The Allegheny County Parks Department will again offer its Christmas Tree Recycling Program this holiday season. Residents can drop off natural Christmas trees from Friday through Jan. 18, at any of the county’s nine parks. Drop-off is available daily from 8 a.m. until dusk. All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands...
