TribLive stories, Page 311
Destenie Nock: Help is out there for those struggling with heating costs
The sound of a pipe bursting somewhere inside my wall, followed by a torrent of water gushing from my kitchen cabinet, interrupted one of my work calls a week ago. The culprit: freezing temperatures in Pittsburgh. The estimated cost of repairs: $950 and counting. I had taken all the recommended...
Irwin man who can’t recall killing girlfriend sent to prison for up to 20 years
An Irwin man who has no memory of killing his girlfriend at a Monroeville hotel three years ago will serve at least 71⁄2 years in state prison. Matthew Gribschaw, 40, pleaded guilty but mentally ill in November to third-degree murder for killing Rochella Anderson, 49. On Thursday, Senior Judge Katherine...
‘You left a hole in our soul’: Man who killed 3 in Homewood gets life
Each person who stepped to the front of the courtroom Thursday wondered the same thing about Ronald Steave. How could he have murdered Nandi Fitzgerald — the mother of his own son — on New Year’s Eve 2021? How could he have seen Fitzgerald’s 12-year-old son, Buddy, who he knew...
Upcoming events at Sharpsburg, Cooper-Siegel libraries for the week of Jan. 30, 2025
The Cooper-Siegel Community Library and its Sharpsburg branch offer a variety of programming for visitors of all ages. To view a complete list of offerings, visit coopersiegel.librarycalendar.com. Events at both libraries are listed and can be viewed according to age group and location. Registration is required for most programs as...
Bestselling author Marie Benedict to launch new book at The Lindsay Theater
Marie Benedict found her calling writing novels that unearth the seldom-known stories of history’s amazing women. The Sewickley resident’s latest work — “The Queens of Crime” — will be released on Feb. 11, and she’s kicking off a more-than-20-city book tour on Feb. 8 with a launch event at The...
Gallery: Photos from Jan. 30, 2025
Embark on a visual journey around the Western Pennsylvania region with TribLive’s latest collection of captivating images for Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. From the rustic landscapes of Western Pa. to diverse corners of the globe, experience the shared moments of humanity....
Penn State returns to ‘basketball facility’ Rec Hall in hopes of curing late-game woes
STATE COLLEGE — The Bryce Jordan Center won’t ever be heralded as one of the cathedrals of college basketball, even if it housed Penn State hoops for the next 100 years. The venue is largely considered best suited for concerts or other events like the university’s annual THON fundraiser for...
Letter to the editor: Oligarchy? It’s not a new development.
The writer of the letter “We now have an oligarchy” (Jan. 24, TribLive) states “political advisers, allies and billionaire oligarchs have suddenly gained influence within the U.S. government.” Suddenly? The left has been controlled by George Soros, John Morgan, Reed Hoffman, etc. for years. Rick Rohac Greensburg...
‘The Real James Bond … Was Dominican’ is a must-see at City Theatre
There was once a Dominican-born man named Porfirio Rubirosa. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you haven’t heard of him; his is not a household name. But in the mid-20th century, he was a notorious playboy, a successful diplomat, a champion polo player, one of Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husbands, cozy...
Pa. student scores on national testing lower than pre-pandemic, results show
Pennsylvania public schools still may be grappling with the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, according to a national report on reading and math proficiency among fourth grade and eighth grade students. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress — released Wednesday by the National Center for Education Statistics — shows...
Letter to the editor: Questioning representatives’ ‘nay’ votes on Laken Riley act
To the three Pennsylvania congressional Democrats having the distinction of casting “nay” votes for the Laken Riley Act, but most importantly to Summer Lee and Christopher Deluzio (the former previously was my representative in District 14, the latter my current representative due to realignment). Having been born and raised in...
In brief: Author talk, bingo fundraiser and more in Fox Chapel area
American Association of University Women Author Beverly Harris-Schenz will be the guest speaker at a public program in February hosted by the Fox Chapel Area affiliate of the American Association of University Women. She will speak about issues in her book, “Living while Black: My experience with everyday racism.” The...
Celebrate Black history this February at the Carnegie Carnegie
Black history is American history. I’ve heard this refrain often, and the more I’ve grown and learned, the more obvious this truth becomes. There’s hardly an aspect of American history that doesn’t turn out to involve race in some way, once you scratch the surface. When I was younger, the...
Editorial: Government must be reliable to function
The somewhat simplified diagrams in social studies textbooks and the catchy tunes of “Schoolhouse Rock!” have taught us a rudimentary idea of what society looks like and how government fits into that. But civics classes and cartoon shorts on Saturday mornings did not give us an appreciation of how those...
The Stroller, Jan. 30, 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. Musical alumni concert planned...
Letter to the editor: What to do about PPS absenteeism crisis?
Colin McNickle wrote an excellent column on the shocking, to some, absenteeism in Pittsburgh Public Schools (“PPS’ continuing chronic absenteeism crisis,” Jan. 18, TribLive). I’m not shocked as much, perhaps as a retired teacher and brother of a retired PPS administrator, who saw the absenteeism firsthand. But this should shock...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 29, 2025
High schools Basketball Boys Wednesday’s results Class 5A Section 2 Plum 46, Armstrong 37 Class 3A Section 4 Ligonier Valley 81, Brownsville 55 Class 2A Section 1 Jeannette 61, Clairton 51 Nonsection Avella 62, Beth-Center 32 Beaver 60, Lincoln Park 49 Monessen 72, Cornell 43 Nazareth Prep 76, Perry 19...
High school wrestling roundup for Jan. 29, 2025: Thomas Jefferson storms into Class 3A semifinals
Maddox Shaw (152), Brayden White (160), Bode Marlow (172) and Zach LaBryer (189) recorded four consecutive pins and a pin by Shep Turk (285) gave Thomas Jefferson the lead for good in a 39-33 victory over Trinity in the WPIAL Class 3A team wrestling quarterfinals Wednesday. Zach Rehak (107) also...
High school basketball roundup for Jan. 29, 2025: Oakland Catholic ends North Catholic section winning streak
Madi Pullen sank the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, leading No. 3 Oakland Catholic to a 39-37 victory over No. 1 North Catholic in Section 1-4A girls basketball Wednesday night, ending the Trojanettes’ 112-game section winning streak that dated to 2016. Alayla Bivins scored 12 points to lead the...
Visit with LeBron James doesn’t rub off on Duquesne men, who lose 3rd straightVideo
One night after his team joined pal LeBron James in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room in Philadelphia, Duquesne coach Dru Joyce III was hoping his Dukes would glean some inspiration from the NBA superstar’s presence. But much like the Lakers’ 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers — despite James’...
Pittsburgh council president says Gainey favors acting police chief for permanent post
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey is close to nominating the city’s acting police chief, a 30-year veteran officer, to lead the police bureau on a permanent basis, City Council President R. Daniel Lavelle said Wednesday. If Gainey presses ahead with Christopher Ragland, he will have to make the case for a...
Trial begins for Taco Bell manager charged with killing employee from Harrison
Both sides agree Zairyre Simmons fatally shot Dorian Carver of Harrison after the two argued at Taco Bell in Scott where they worked. But the prosecution and defense disagree about why. Simmons, 26, is charged with criminal homicide, receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm without a license. His trial...
Richard Davies: Trump uses power of outrage and keeps everyone guessing
President Donald Trump loves to keep us guessing. This is exactly what we’re all doing as his second term in the White House begins. It’s one way he controls the narrative. Trump’s off the cuff, unfiltered, controversial statements infuriate opponents and delight his supporters. The rest of us are left...
Claire B. Wofford: Federal threats against local officials on immigration orders could be unconstitutional
President Donald Trump has begun to radically change how the U.S. government handles immigration, from challenging long-held legal concepts about who gets citizenship to using the military to transport migrants back to their countries of origin. Trump’s administration is doing more than reshaping the approach of the federal government toward...
Westmoreland happenings: Valentine’s Day card drive, Jeannette bingo
Valentine’s Day • Senior Helpers is collecting handmade Valentine’s Day cards that will be distributed to local senior citizens. Schools, community groups and local organizations are welcome to participate. Arrangements can be made for pickup by Senior Helpers or they can be dropped off at the office, 4000 Hempfield Blvd.,...
