TribLive stories, Page 1623
Rita’s Italian Ice won’t be giving away free treats on 1st day of spring … again
Rita’s Italian Ice usually celebrates the first day of spring with free frozen treats. But for the second year in a row, the coronavirus pandemic has iced those plans. “With covid-19 still a part of communities, we’ve chosen to cancel free Italian Ice day on (March 20) to keep everyone...
McKeesport City Council, citizens reach agreement on public meetings
McKeesport City Council and a group of citizens advocating there reached an agreement Wednesday to make sure future public meetings are accessible. Council’s monthly meeting was rescheduled last week after four community members sought an injunction alleging that McKeesport officials were violating the state Sunshine Act by denying the public...
Former Steelers player Ryan Switzer’s child released from hospital
After a stressful weekend in the hospital, the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Ryan Switzer is home. Christian Switzer, only nine months old, was admitted to the hospital Saturday after waking up covered in his blood. Christian, who also was diagnosed with covid-19, needed fluids, medication and several transfusions....
Pittsburgh man alleges racial bias by Judge Tranquilli after marijuana conviction
Nearly six months after former Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark V. Tranquilli resigned his seat and stipulated to a complaint alleging racial bias, a Pittsburgh man convicted by him on marijuana charges is seeking a new trial. It is believed to be the first hearing on what is likely...
Westmoreland news includes St. Patrick Day festival, fundraisers
Festival • The St. Patrick’s Day Food and Family Fest will be March 13 in downtown Irwin. Photos with St. Patrick and children’s games will be at the Shidle Lodge, 417 Main St. The first 125 people to have their photos taken will receive either an Irish derby, green beads...
Sheldon Jacobson: NCAA covid-19 policy demands selective reseeding for March Madness
The NCAA announced policies designed to keep March Madness on track for a safe and successful tournament. These policies include holding all 68 games in the Indianapolis area and limiting the number of people in each venue to 25% of its capacity. These restrictions will serve to limit the spread...
Editorial: The Diocese of Greensburg, 70 years young
On March 10, 1951, Pope Pius XII created the Diocese of Greensburg. If a parish is the spiritual house of a Catholic, a diocese is a kind of religious municipality. It is the governmental unit of the Catholic Church — larger than a city, smaller than a state. Greensburg is...
Letter to the editor: No need to criticize Texas for mask policies
Why are folks “ragging” on Texas concerning its mask policies? There are 16 states that do not have mask mandates and are opened up. Check your facts: Pennsylvania had 190 deaths per 100,000 people and Texas had 156 deaths per 100,000 people — that should tell you something. If you...
Letter to the editor: Do your own research on RGGI
Marc Mondor’s letter “RGGI will allow Pa. to be globally competitive” (Jan. 30, TribLIVE), promoting the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is a tax on power generation in its most basic form, is a ruse in its most basic form. With his imploring of Pennsylvania to join the RGGI, he...
Pop-Up book sale, spring crafts and more at Sewickley Public Library
Sewickley Public Library, 500 Thorn St., is again offering express library services. The Express Library gives users a chance to come into the library to browse the collection, check out items and use the public computers. The library is taking precautions to ensure the safety of library staff and patrons,...
Pot of Gold raffle, March Book Madness and more at Northern Tier Library
The Northern Tier Library is open for in-person browsing. Computer use remains by appointment only. Returned items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours, but often longer, before being checked in. A variety of programs and services are being offered remotely. Contactless lobby pickup is still available by request....
Letter to the editor: Limbaugh’s dangerous propaganda
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida opened the recent Conservative Policital Action Conference with praise for the recently deceased Rush Limbaugh and lamented that Republicans would now enter “battles ahead … without one of our greatest field generals.” DeSantis was right to talk about Limbaugh’s role in terms of combat. He...
Part of Brownsville Road in South Park closed following crash
Part of Brownsville Road in South Park is closed after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole, Tribune-Review news partners WPXI-TV reported. The road is closed in the area of Wilhelm Avenue. Police are waiting for crews to make repairs to the pole and powerlines. The road remained closed as...
Letter to the editor: Struggling to find vaccines
Both of my parents are in their 80s, and my sister and I have struggled daily to get them covid-19 vaccinated. They live in Westmoreland County, which, according to the state map of vaccine locations, has 10 times fewer sites than Allegheny County. Also, this antiquated system of having to...
The Stroller, March 10, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Valley News Dispatch will publish a list of community Easter egg hunts and activities. To have an event listed online and in the print edition, send the information as soon as possible to The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Fourth Ave., Tarentum PA 15084 or email Carol Pinto-Smith; email...
Women’s History Month documentary, virtual book discussions and more at Northland Public Library
Following is a sampling of upcoming programs offered at Northland Public Library. Some of the virtual programs require registration online at northlandlibrary.org or by calling 412-366-8100. The library is located at 300 Cumberland Road in McCandless. Registration and links for live streaming many of the programs for children can be...
How the Andrew Carnegie Free Library’s books end up on the shelves
There are many things I really like about my job. As librarians, we spend a great deal of our time helping and teaching people. At times this can be a challenging career, but almost always an incredibly rewarding one. One major way we serve our community is through the materials...
House to vote Wednesday on massive coronavirus aid billVideo
WASHINGTON — The House will vote to clear the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package for President Joe Biden’s signature on Wednesday, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters. House lawmakers received the paperwork on Tuesday from the Senate after that chamber’s marathon “vote-a-rama” that ended Saturday afternoon, resulting in numerous changes...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for March 9, 2021
High schools Basketball Boys WPIAL playoffs Class 6A Semifinals Tuesday’s results Upper St. Clair 70, Butler 62 Pine-Richland 76, Fox Chapel 63 Finals Friday’s schedule Upper St. Clair (18-1) vs. Pine-Richland (13-5) at Peters Township, 8 p.m. Class 5A Semifinals Wednesday’s schedule Mars (16-2) at Chartiers Valley (21-2), 6 p.m.;...
Serra Catholic overcomes Winchester Thurston in overtime for spot in Class 2A finals
Grace Navarro isn’t one to dwell on the past. The Serra Catholic senior might miss a basket on one possession before quickly putting it behind her and setting her focus on the next. “When I’m playing, I’m kind of out of it and I can’t hear anything or pay attention...
Rochester boys hold off Leechburg in WPIAL Class A semifinals
Rochester continued its boys basketball rags-to-riches story Tuesday night. But it wasn’t without a major challenge from Leechburg. Winless a year ago, the Rams are headed for the WPIAL Class A title game after a 58-55 home semifinal victory. Second-seeded Rochester (14-4) will play No. 1 Bishop Canevin at 8...
Buffalo Township man with dementia found after search died of hypothermia
A Buffalo Township man who was found by searchers late Tuesday after going missing earlier in the evening died of of hypothermia, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Dennis Fester, 74, who suffered from dementia, went missing Tuesday. His wife, Sally Fester, said her husband went for a...
Judge denies bail for Trump administration aide for alleged role in Capitol siegeVideo
A Trump administration aide accused of leading rioters into the Capitol building — and violently assaulting an officer with a stolen shield — is a danger to society who should remain behind bars pending trial, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. Federico “Freddie” Klein, 42, appeared virtually in Washington, D.C., federal...
Looking for a covid-19 vaccine? This site can help find spares — but you’ll need patienceVideo
In an attempt to rid Americans of the tedious task of refreshing websites for hours on end, a team of 21 medical advisers, technology experts and business people are running a site that matches covid-19 vaccine providers with leftover doses to people who want one. The free service, coined Dr....
Couple sues Penn Hills police over broken arm during wrongful arrest
A Penn Hills husband and wife are suing the police department there, alleging that an officer responding to a domestic disturbance wrongfully arrested the woman and, in doing so, broke her arm. Barbara Ann Thompkins, 61, and her husband, Eric Klavon, filed the civil rights complaint in federal court on...
