TribLive stories, Page 351
Gary Franks: Biden and Trump pardons overshadow Inauguration Day
I never thought that my column this week would be about anything other than the inauguration of America’s 47th president, Donald J. Trump, and his visionary quest to bring America into a Golden Age. But then we had the pardons. They were all historic in nature. I am disappointed and...
‘I’m going to beat her.’ Texts show how sisters tortured Oakmont girl, 3
“I made her nose bleed,” one message read. “Good. I’m going to beat her,” came the response. Those were just two of hundreds of text messages between Alexis Herrera and her sister, Laura Ramriez, in early 2020 in the months leading up to their arrest for criminal homicide. According to...
11-year-old collector to sell Paul Skenes’ 1-of-1 Pirates rookie card at auction
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ offer wasn’t enough to sway an 11-year old card collector who found the coveted Topps Paul Skenes 1-of-1 Debut Patch rookie card and has decided to sell it at auction. The Los Angeles youth and his family will make the card available in the Fanatics Collect “March...
Charges withdrawn against Arnold woman accused of shooting threat
Charges of burglary, terroristic threats and criminal mischief have been withdrawn in the case of an Arnold woman accused of trying to break into a New Kensington home. The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office withdrew the charges Thursday at what was supposed to be a preliminary hearing before District Judge...
Michael Hiltzik: A stem cell clinic tees up a Supreme Court challenge to rules protecting patients’ health and safety
For years, the Food and Drug Administration has taken up arms against clinics hawking unproven and ineffective stem cell treatments to desperate patients looking for cures of intractable diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and even erectile dysfunction. As the FDA has repeatedly cautioned, there is no...
Rev. Martin R. Bartel: The buck (of incivility) stops here
Having inaugurated the 47th president this week, it is worth reflecting on the example set by Harry S. Truman, our 33rd president. Truman was known for a sign that sat on his desk in the Oval Office: The buck stops here. This sign, crafted at an Oklahoma Federal Reformatory, symbolized...
In brief: Sewickley board appointments, student art show and more
Student art show Mark Rengers Gallery in Sewickley will host its annual Public Art Show with students of art tutor Dr. Robert Edwards from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 23-25. On display will be original drawings and paintings of various portraits, landscapes, animal studies and still lifes. For more information, call...
Letter to the editor: Try a plant-based Super Bowl party
As Super Bowl Sunday nears, it’s worth considering the staggering number of chickens sacrificed for a single day of indulgence — an estimated 375 million, just for wings. This annual tradition, though beloved by many, comes at a great cost to animals, the planet and even our health. Fortunately, there’s...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 24-26
Feeling a little cooped up after an arctic-cold week in Pittsburgh? Get cozy with indoor events — or embrace the freeze with a few outdoor ones. Here’s a little inspiration. Anatomy of a Lasagna Winter calls for comfort food, and what’s more comforting than a big, heavy rectangle of pasta,...
Letter to the editor: Norwin board needs fiscal conservatives
The Norwin School Board race of 2023 was won by the “We aRe Norwin” Democrats. They swept all five seats. This included the loss by the conservative Republican candidate Bob Wayman, a staunch fiscal conservative. It set the stage for their tax increase last June, as taxes were indeed raised...
The Stroller, Jan. 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. Bowl-A-Thon to raise money...
Laurels & lances: Winter weather & water woes
Laurel: To finding the upside. It’s hard to locate the silver lining in sub-zero temperatures, but bug experts gave Pennsylvanians a ray of hope. You might not like the deep freeze that settled across the state this week, but neither do spotted lanternflies. The invasive pest has been the bane...
Letter to the editor: We now have an oligarchy
Oligarchy is a form of government in which power resides with a small group of people. America’s recent presidential election has thrust the nation into a three-party system: Republican, Democrat and oligarchy. However, I believe the country is on the verge of evolving into a one-party system led by a...
The legal weed debate is starting up again in Pa.
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 — No one in the Pennsylvania Capitol is prepared to say if this is the year the state will legalize marijuana. But that hasn’t...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: Jan. 24
The following is a regular feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz:...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 23, 2025
High schools Basketball Boys Thursday’s results Class 2A Section 2 Northgate 62, Leechburg 36 Section 3 Jefferson-Morgan 72, Beth-Center 40 Chartiers-Houston 55, Carmichaels 21 West Greene 61, Mapletown 33 Nonsection Kiski School 71, Indiana 51 Obama Academy at Sto-Rox, (n) Southwestern Christian Athletic Conference Cheswick Christian Academy 61, Western PA...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 24-26
With below-freezing temperatures keeping everyone inside this past week, you might be feeling a bit of cabin fever going into the weekend. Need to get out? There’s plenty to do this weekend. Ligonier Ice Fest It’s time to celebrate the cool things about the cold with the Ligonier Ice Fest....
Fayette County skier places in Junior World Championships moguls competition
Fayette County native Jessie Duda came away from the freestyle skiing Junior World Championships proud of her performance. Duda, 19, of Brownsville was one of 12 U.S. athletes to compete against dozens of freestyle skiers from across the world at the Junior World Championships, held the second week of January...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 24, 2025
High schools Basketball Boys Friday’s results Class 6A Section 1 New Castle 69, Butler 46 North Allegheny 41, Pine-Richland 36 North Hills 44, Seneca Valley 43 (OT) Fox Chapel 52, Woodland Hills 46 Section 2 Central Catholic 68, Hempfield 27 Imani Christian 73, Connellsville 60 Mt. Lebanon 76, Canon-McMillan 45...
High school roundup for Jan. 23, 2025: OLSH strengthens grip on 1st place in section
Claudia Ierullo scored 21 points and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart solidified its hold on first place in Section 1-3A girls basketball with a 62-25 victory over Quaker Valley on Thursday night. Lola Garner added 12 points for the Chargers (15-2, 10-0). Mimi Thiero scored 13 for the Quakers...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• Penn Hills High School students Mary Cooper, Maria Hernandez and Sydney Smith received the Women in Science Award and a full scholarship to Seton Hill University. The Women in Science Day was held Dec. 20 at the university. The annual event is held to honor high school students who...
Hearing begins for last defendant in torture death of Oakmont girl, 3, to determine degree of guilt
Wooden signs throughout the Oakmont house and decorative pillows in the entryway featured words like “home,” “family” and “happy.” The kitchen pantry was stacked with snacks like peanut M&Ms, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Bugles and cake mix. The refrigerator was stocked with frozen meats. And yet, police said, nearly 4-year-old...
Ed Blank, former Tribune-Review critic and reporter, dies at age 81
Ed Blank, former critic and reporter for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, passed away Wednesday at 81. No immediate cause of death is known, though he had been in ill health for some time, his family said. Edward L. Blank was the youngest of five children and moved from Shadyside to Mt....
In brief: Paddle tennis tournament, winter flea market and more in Fox Chapel area
Paddle tennis tournament Pittsburgh North Optimist Foundation and Steel City Squash are partnering for a Paddle Tennis Tournament fundraiser on Feb. 2. Matches will begin at 11 a.m. at two locations — Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel and Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley Heights. Registration is $95 per player,...
Sam Ahwesh: We must restore Pittsburgh’s protections for rodeo animals
If you live in Pittsburgh, you may be surprised to learn that a rodeo bull riding event will be coming to town this weekend. This is an alarming development, as Pittsburgh has had protections since 1992 to shield animals from some of the most egregious practices used in rodeos. These...
