TribLive stories, Page 257
Letter to the editor: Quaker Valley School District tax increase raises concerns
I am writing to express serious concern over the Quaker Valley School Board’s unanimous 8-0 vote approving a 3.9% real estate tax increase for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Since 2018-2019, district enrollment has declined by approximately 6%, yet staffing, particularly non-teaching support staff, has grown significantly. The number of support...
In brief: Sewickley Music Club, veterans lunch and more in Sewickley
Sewickley Music Club On May 13 at noon, Sewickley Music Club members will hold their annual meeting and spring luncheon at Montour Heights Country Club. The musical entertainment will include The Concord Jazz Quartet featuring Jeff Grubbs (bass), Eric Susoeff (guitar), Andy Reamer (vibraphone), and Thomas Wendt (drums). An aspect...
Letter to the editor: Venditti for Franklin Regional School Board
I’m writing to express my strong support for my longtime friend, Shannon Venditti, in her candidacy for the Franklin Regional School Board. Having known Shannon for many years, I can confidently say she embodies the values, energy and commitment our district needs. As a devoted mother of four school-aged children,...
Western Pa. Catholics anticipate papal conclave to usher in new era
The late Pope Francis opened the way for women in the Roman Catholic Church to serve as readers and altar servers, and to assist priests during services or in administering Communion. But the church continues to bar women from the roles of deacon or priest, and debate over that issue...
Editorial: Westmoreland County crisis teams address critical need
There might be no single issue in the United States that affects more areas than mental health problems. They can be caused by physical health issues, such as chronic pain or a dire diagnosis. But they also can exacerbate those issues as depression or anxiety can delay treatment or interfere...
The Stroller, May 8, 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. Donations welcome at Animal...
Letter to the editor: Message to Reschenthaler
Congressman Reschenthaler, Let’s address the substance, or lack thereof, in your canned replies. The constant finger-pointing at the previous administration is not only tired — it’s cowardly. The Trump administration was handed a stable economy, and in record time launched a reckless trade war that’s vaporized trillions in U.S. wealth....
High school scores, summaries and schedules for May 7, 2025
High schools Baseball Wednesday’s results Class 5A Section 1 Kiski Area 11, Penn Hills 1 Kiski Area 11, Penn Hills 1 Penn-Trafford 5, Franklin Regional 3 Section 2 Upper St. Clair 4, Chartiers Valley 1 Upper St. Clair 7, Chartiers Valley 2 Peters Township 11, South Fayette 8 Trinity at...
Pirates farm report for May 7, 2025: Bubba Chandler gives up 3-run homer in Indy loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 17-16) lost 4-3 to Columbus (Guardians). RHP Bubba Chandler (2-1, 2.25) started and went 2⅔ innings, allowed three runs on five hits, including a three-run home run. He walked four and fanned five to take the loss. RHP Hunter Stratton (4.97) and LHP Randy Labaut (5.06) each struck...
High school roundup for May 7, 2025: Pine-Richland snags share of section title
Jon Edgerly and Logan Plummer each singled and doubled as Pine-Richland pounded out 12 hits in a 12-2 Section 3-5A baseball victory over New Castle on Wednesday. The result, coupled with Mars’ walk-off upset win over Shaler, gave the Rams a share of the section title with the Titans. Sam...
3 Doors Down singer Brad Arnold reveals Stage 4 cancer diagnosis
3 Doors Down singer Brad Arnold announced he was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer in a video posted on the band’s social media accounts on Wednesday. “Hey, everybody, it’s Brad from 3 Doors Down. I hope you’re having a great day today,” the “Kryptonite” singer said in the video....
Democrats send ‘dead-on-arrival’ marijuana legalization bill to Pa. Senate
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House took a major step toward legalizing recreational cannabis Wednesday, passing a bill along party lines that would permit the sale...
Ex-Hillandale Farms executive sentenced for embezzling $6.8M
A Canonsburg man who embezzled nearly $7 million from Hempfield-based Hillandale Farms over more than 13 years is going to federal prison. Jonathan Weston, 60, was ordered to serve 27 months incarceration when he was sentenced Wednesday before U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy. Weston was indicted May 26, 2021,...
How Penn State trustees’ plan to vote on campus closures could run afoul of transparency law
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Talk of the Town, a weekly newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-central PA, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. The...
Barbie doll prices spike as Trump tariffs loom
With President Donald Trump warning that his tariff policy may cause the price of toys to spike, a Barbie with swimsuit accessories that cost $10.49 on April 16 is now selling at Target for $14.99 — marking a 43% increase. While it’s not clear if the higher price is directly...
Grandmother and boyfriend sentenced in Penn Hills infant’s fentanyl death
A grandmother and her boyfriend who both used fentanyl-laced heroin around her 7-month-old grandchild while they were babysitting — leading to the child’s death from fentanyl poisoning — were sentenced on Wednesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Barbara Ann Dunlap-Toombs, 68, of Larimer, will serve one to two years...
Dan DeBone: Regional transit proposals warrant caution — and a seat at the table for Westmoreland County
In recent weeks, there has been growing conversation around potential legislation that would consolidate smaller, rural transit systems — such as our own Westmoreland County Transit Authority — into Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). While no formal bill has been introduced, the concept alone is already drawing attention across Southwestern Pennsylvania....
Seton Hill students, Greensburg businesses plan weekend shopping experience
A free Mother’s Day event in Greensburg Saturday will provide special experiences for shoppers while helping students from the Seton Hill University School of Business and Technology gain professional experience. The college students are working with the Greensburg Business & Professional Association to plan and facilitate Blooms & Sips: A...
Greensburg Bloodhound Team completes annual certification
Members of the all-volunteer Greensburg Bloodhound Team recently completed their annual certification during a training session in Maryland. The certification isn’t required in Pennsylvania, said Cmdr. Lou Battistella, but “it’s a plus if you’re asked to take your bloodhound testimony into court.” The team has been in existence since 1969...
South Side bar, restaurant and music venue The Smiling Moose closing
After more than two decades, East Carson Street bar, restaurant and music venue The Smiling Moose is closing its doors. On Saturday, the business posted the news to its social media pages, citing a new business model post-covid and the intent to focus on its Cranberry location. The South Side...
Jason Richey: As conditions change, it’s time for administration to rethink the Nippon-U.S. Steel merger
The tallest building between New York and Chicago, the U.S. Steel Tower stands as a monument to Pittsburgh’s industrial past — and a reminder of what the future could be if our nation’s leaders step up for our manufacturing sector. Once the world’s largest steelmaker, U.S. Steel’s presence remains vital...
Gallery: Photos from May 7, 2025
Embark on a visual journey around the Western Pennsylvania region with TribLive’s latest collection of captivating images for Wednesday, May 7, 2025. From the rustic landscapes of Western Pa. to diverse corners of the globe, experience the shared moments of humanity....
Letter to the editor: All veterans should be honored
As the mother of an Operation Enduring Freedom combat vet, I am infuriated! Apparently President Donald Trump only honors veterans from wars we won. Last week, he declared on social media that he is “renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day...
Letter to the editor: Trump selling out to highest bidders
Vietnam’s latest move is a masterclass in transactional politics. In what to me is clearly a bid to avoid the wrath of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the country just greenlit a $1.5 billion Trump-branded resort, fast-tracked Starlink (owned by Trump ally Elon Musk) and made clear they’re willing to pay...
Letter to the editor: Jamie Lingg represents integrity
The practice of political committees endorsing candidates during primary elections is a dangerous distortion of democracy. But the most troubling element is the use of proxy voting, a backdoor tactic that strips transparency from the process and concentrates power in the hands of a few. In theory, endorsements should reflect...
