TribLive stories, Page 354
Mark Compton: Open road tolling to power economic development along turnpike system
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is proud of its designation as “America’s First Superhighway.” Our system opened in 1940, and, over the past 85 years, its groundbreaking innovation reinvigorated communities across the state and served as a model for the nation’s Interstate Highway System. Our core mission — to ensure safe, uninterrupted...
Gallery: Photos from Dec. 3, 2024
Embark on a visual journey around the Western Pennsylvania region — and the world — with TribLive’s latest collection of captivating images for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. From the rustic landscapes of Western Pa. to diverse corners of the globe, experience the shared moments of humanity....
Letter to the editor: Imagining God
If we continue to view God as a white male, we will continue to accept white male dominance in our society. This serves to further legitimize racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, colonialism, deportation and discrimination. An infinite God can never be captured by finite human metaphors. Our lack of imagination regarding...
Search and rescue teams gain access to mine where Unity woman fell down sinkhole, fresh crew arrivesVideo
The search for a woman suspected of falling down a sinkhole in Unity on Monday evening continued under floodlights late Tuesday, with authorities vowing to keep looking for her underground until she is found. Search and rescue personnel gained access to a mine believed to have caused the sinkhole Tuesday...
Editorial: Is a social media ban here possible?
Social media is everywhere. It’s on the desktop computer that might be used for gaming. It’s on the laptop your teenager uses for homework. It’s on the tablet your kindergartner uses for videos. It’s on the smartwatch that counts steps. It’s on the phone tucked in every back pocket or...
The Stroller, Dec. 3, 2024: 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. Plum Christmas celebration set...
Letter to the editor: Dems circumvented democracy
I find Joseph J. Ellis’ negative critique of America’s electoral system perplexing (“The U.S. alone is saddled with an Electoral College. How did that happen?,” Nov. 4, TribLive). He is concerned that it does not use the direct popular vote for selecting our president. But many believe it has served...
Dick’s to bring House of Sport concept to Westmoreland Mall
A Dick’s House of Sport planned for the vacant Sears spot at Westmoreland Mall would be the second House of Sport concept store in the Pittsburgh region. It also follows a trend as malls evolve to remain relevant in the wake of the collapse of former retail giants like Sears....
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 2, 2024
High schools Basketball Boys Monday’s results Rettger tournament At Franklin Regional Avonworth 89, Aquinas Academy 82 Franklin Regional 43, Seneca Valley 37 Nonsection Beth-Center 62, Bentworth 36 Derry 61, Mt. Pleasant 20 Ellwood City 70, Sto-Rox 37 Hopewell 63, Beaver Falls 56 Neighborhood Academy 79, Eden Christian 28 Propel Montour...
High school roundup for Dec. 2, 2024: Rowan Carmichael hits for 34 in Avonworth win
Rowan Carmichael poured in 34 points and freshman Will Shields added 18 as Avonworth ran past Aquinas Academy, 89-82, in the Mike Rettger Memorial Tournament on Monday at Franklin Regional. Eli Gardner added 13 points and Tom Werner had 11 for the Antelopes (1-0). Jake Guillen and Sam Duer scored...
No, Amish voters in Pennsylvania did not carry the election for Donald Trump
Despite widespread claims on social media from conservative activists, Amish voters cannot be credited with winning Pennsylvania for President-elect Donald Trump, according to vote returns. While there looks to be marginal increase in the number of Amish people who voted this year, experts said they do not expect major shifts...
Longtime basketball coach headlines Knoch sports hall of fame class
Knoch announced its ninth sports hall of fame class, and it is rich with basketball talent and expertise, which probably means there are Shoops involved. Legendary boys hoops coach Les Shoop headlines the six-person group, which also includes athletes Josh Shoop, Jade Thrower, Brittany Faust, Celina Sanks and Greg Bzorek....
Pete Hegseth quit vets groups over misconduct claims, New Yorker saysVideo
Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Department of Defense, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, was forced to resign from two veterans’ advocacy groups amid allegations of personal and financial misconduct, the New Yorker reported. A 2015 whistleblower report obtained by the magazine described Hegseth as repeatedly intoxicated on the...
Pine-Richland senior named bocce player of month
Pine-Richland High School senior Ben Dudkowski was named the Clearview Federal Credit Union Bocce Player of the Month for November. The program recognizes Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Three Rivers Region’s exceptional athletes and unified partners who demonstrate sportsmanship, teamwork and dedication on and off the bocce court and who promote inclusion...
Hampton police participate in holiday charity campaigns
Hampton police are letting both their hair and their giving spirit grow out this holiday season as they once again participate in multiple holiday charity efforts, including the No Shave and Presents from Police campaigns. For the fourth annual No Shave campaign, Hampton officers including Patrolman Ben Brown are growing...
Report: Penn State assistant expects to interview for West Virginia head coaching job
West Virginia is entering the market for a new head coach. And a Penn State assistant coach could reportedly be in the running for the Mountaineers’ opening. Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki “expects to interview” for West Virginia’s head coaching opening, according to a report from West Virginia Sports...
Hampton resident opens laser-engraving studio in Etna
If you’re looking for the perfect personalized gift this holiday season, look no further than Etna’s new laser engraving and DIY workshop, Maple and Metal. Hampton resident Leslie Michielli opened her laser engraving studio and DIY workshop just a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. Just two weeks after opening, Michielli already...
Football coach Shawn Liotta leaving Burrell for arena team in Wilkes-Barre
Football coach Shawn Liotta has stepped down at Burrell to coach a new indoor football team in Wilkes-Barre. Liotta, 44, led the Bucs for seven seasons, going 26-45 with three WPIAL playoff appearances. Last season, Burrell went 2-8 overall and 2-4 in the Class 3A Allegheny 7 Conference. Liotta has...
Andy Macey: Nippon best for future of US Steel
I read your editorial “Are there any guarantees with Nippon Steel?” (Nov. 23, TribLive). As a steelworker, I wanted to share my perspective. I started my career at U.S. Steel in 1977, had to leave the company for four years because of the horrible downturn in the industry in the...
Jordan Brown says a murder conviction, later reversed, stole his childhood. A jury will now decide if police wronged him
Jordan Brown lost seven years of his childhood. He spent from ages 11 to 18 in the custody of the state of Pennsylvania, accused — and later convicted — of a murder he maintains he didn’t commit. Now, six years after the state Supreme Court reversed his conviction, Brown is...
Drone with thermal camera used to find fleeing suspect in Harrison
Police used a thermal drone to find a wanted man who escaped an arrest attempt despite being tased in Harrison on Friday, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Brandon Montae Wheeler, 29, of Harrison and previously of Penn Hills, was arrested on eight outstanding warrants, including two bench warrants...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘Who’s Holiday!’ is naughty and nice
Fair warning, there will be no rhyming in this review. The red-and-green tinsel-tassled march toward Christmas has begun, a time of merriment, cheer and family — and it can be a bit cloying at times. Pittsburgh CLO’s “Who’s Holiday!” is a very R-rated 90-minute show that will turn all of...
Latrobe grad Camille Dominick has new attitude for 2nd season with Pitt-Johnstown women’s basketball team
One hundred eighty-one days. That’s how long Camille Dominick went without playing basketball after a shoulder injury during junior high volleyball necessitated surgery and a long recovery. Not that she was counting. During the six months she was forced to sit out athletics, she realized what was most important to...
Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Penn-Trafford’s Kyler Doran
Last year, Penn-Trafford finished 7-9, eighth in the PIHL’s Class 2A division. This year, the Warriors have turned it around, matching their previous season’s win total in just nine games, along with jumping out to the division lead. “It definitely has improved from last year. We still haven’t played our...
Change in roles helps Burrell grad Jayson Ireland become key player for Penn State New Kensington men’s soccer
In the moments after the Penn State New Kensington men’s soccer team earned a historic victory in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament, coach Mark Duffield wasn’t sure what made him more proud: the fact that the program earned its first win in the event or that Jayson Ireland...

