TribLive stories, Page 302
Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Mt. Pleasant’s Seth Painter
Mt. Pleasant’s swimming program, both boys and girls, long has been regarded as one of the best in Class 2A, if not the entire WPIAL. The Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association championship Jan. 24-25 was another example of that, as the Vikings boys and girls won team titles. A key contributor...
Plum grad Ta’Rasi Means reaches 1,000 career points for Penn State New Kensington men’s basketball
When he played basketball at Plum, Ta’Rasi Means was not a 1,000-point scorer. Means didn’t get any varsity time as a freshman, so that reduced his chances of reaching the coveted milestone. At Penn State New Kensington, three years has been more than enough for Means to hit the millennium...
Officials mum after Munhall police shoot man in holding cell during scuffle
Munhall officials remained tight-lipped Monday after a borough police officer shot and wounded a 38-year-old man overnight during a scuffle inside a holding cell in the municipal building. “There’s not a lot I can say right now,” Munhall Mayor Rob Falce told TribLive. “It’s been turned over to county investigators.”...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• North Allegheny’s student newspaper, The Uproar: The Student Voice of North Allegheny Senior High, was named a 2024–25 Distinguished Site by Student Newspapers Online for the sixth consecutive year. The Uproar consists of 22 members: Jaycee Mae Faber and Grace Thomas, co-editors-in-chief; Fiona Engel, news and features editor; Annika...
In brief: Blood drive, chili cook-off and more in Fox Chapel area
Blood drive Fox Chapel Area High School is holding a community blood drive 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 12 at Fox Chapel Area High School in the large group instruction room. Those 16 and older are encouraged to donate blood. Anyone who donates blood between Feb. 9-14 will receive a $20...
Gallery: Photos from Feb. 10, 2025
Embark on a visual journey around the Western Pennsylvania region with TribLive’s latest collection of captivating images for Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. From the rustic landscapes of Western Pa. to diverse corners of the globe, experience the shared moments of humanity....
Letter to the editor: Potholes in Leechburg
I realize this is pothole season, but it would appear that some businesses could give a rat’s butt about potholes near their places of business. Several businesses near the Giant Eagle store in Leechburg have potholes that have needed repair for at least six months and could result in flat...
Letter to the editor: Missions from God must include love
History shows us that demagogues on self- appointed “missions” from God are delusional at best and diabolical at worst. Missions from God do not include retribution, retaliation or repression. Missions from God do not include demonization, discrimination or deportation. Missions from God do not include violence, vitriol or vanity. Jesus Christ...
Trib introduces ‘Asking for a Friend,’ a column for navigating life’s everyday quandaries
The Trib is launching “Asking for a Friend,” a column that tackles life’s little conundrums before they snowball into full-blown crises. Whether you’re unsure about whether to text back or how to gracefully handle a house guest who won’t leave, we’ve got you covered with advice that’s both practical and,...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Feb. 10, 2025
Plum School District settles litigation with firm The Plum School District will pay $10,000 to settle a construction consultant’s lawsuit claiming the district breached a contract and did not pay it for services. The school board approved the settlement with Dennis Russo and Rucon in December, but did not release...
Letter to the editor: Un-American censorship
This is my personal encounter with Big Tech and censorship. I noticed in 2019, when I ran for Westmoreland County commissioner, that my Facebook posts were being shadow banned. Anything I posted with a picture, link or political message was suppressed. In 2020, I published a novel about covid titled,...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Feb. 10, 2025
Middle school thespians to stage ‘SpongeBob’ Linton Middle School is staging “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition” at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22 and 2 p.m. Feb. 23. All shows will take place in the auditorium, 250 Aster St. The one-hour show is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $5...
Editorial: Trump shouldn’t push his luck on tariffs
So far, President Donald Trump’s tariff brinkmanship has worked out well for him. He forced Colombia to bend to his will on repatriating its migrants and brought the leaders of Canada and Mexico rushing back to the table to talk border security. But what happens should his luck run out?...
Letter to the editor: Fixing finances in Allegheny Township
Regarding Joseph Ferguson’s letter “Allegheny Township’s fiscal footing” (Jan. 28, TribLive): The 3% tax increase is the first time taxes have been raised in 14 years, and will cost taxpayers approximately $12 per year. Ferguson asserts that during his 12 years as supervisor, the township never experienced significant deficits between...
The Stroller, Feb. 10, 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. Bingo to raise funds...
Letter to the editor: How to save our spiritual soul
My opinion is America’s spiritual soul is a mess. Mainstream Christian churches are closing in record numbers while immorality, debauchery, degeneracy and indecency are being injected into everything from children’s cartoons, children’s books and even children’s Bible studies. I put the blame for this evil squarely on the shoulders of...
In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area
Blue paint, chiseled stone selected for Wexford Interchange PennDOT recently released the results of its aesthetic design survey for the Wexford Interchange project. The department asked the public for input on the color of the steel beams and the concrete texture of the abutments and piers. The survey, which garnered...
High approval rating for Trump in 1st month, CBS poll shows
More than half of U.S. adults say they approve of the job President Donald Trump is doing in his first month in office, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll published Sunday. The poll, conducted Wednesday through Friday of last week, showed Trump had a 53% approval rating. The poll of...
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 10
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 10....
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 10
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 10....
Israeli forces withdraw from key Gaza corridor as concerns mount over extending ceasefire
MUGHRAQA, Gaza Strip — Israeli forces withdrew from a key corridor in Gaza on Sunday, Israeli officials and Hamas said, the latest commitment under a tenuous ceasefire that faces a major test over whether the sides can negotiate its planned extension. Israelis’ shock at the sight of three emaciated hostages...
Tom Robbins, literary prankster-philosopher, dies at 92, multiple outlets report
NEW YORK — Tom Robbins, the novelist and prankster- philosopher who charmed and addled millions of readers with such screwball adventures as “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” and “Jitterbug Perfume,” has died. He was 92. The New York Times and NPR are among the outlets that reported Robbins’ death Sunday. The...
Trump says he will announce 25% steel and aluminum tariffs, and more import duties are coming
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he will announce Monday the United States will impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada and Mexico, as well as other import duties later in the week. “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a...
Vance and Musk question the authority of the courts as Trump’s agenda faces legal pushback
WASHINGTON— Top Trump administration officials are openly questioning the judiciary’s authority to serve as a check on executive power as the new president’s sweeping agenda faces growing pushback from the courts. Over the past 24 hours, supporters ranging from billionaire Elon Musk to Vice President JD Vance have not only...
A presidential first: Trump at the Super Bowl, latest chapter in a complicated legacy with football
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As a student, Donald Trump played high school football. As a business baron, he owned a team in an upstart rival to the NFL and then sued the established league. As president, he denigrated pros who took a knee during the national anthem as part...

