TribLive stories, Page 501
Weather service confirms 3 tornadoes touched down in recent Western Pa. storm
Three tornadoes touched down in Western Pennsylvania late Wednesday, damaging homes and downing power lines, the National Weather Service said Thursday. An EF2 tornado with wind gusts up to 115 mph was spotted near Route 22 in the Beaver Run Road area and cut a path through parts of Salem...
Retired Pine-Richland JROTC instructor named state American Legion educator of year
Chief Michael Gasparetto has been named the 2024 Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania American Legion. Gasparetto retired from Pine-Richland School District earlier this month after serving as the district’s JROTC instructor since 20131. The Pennsylvania American Legion will present Gasparetto with the award on July 19 in Harrisburg...
Northland Radio Hour presents July 11 mystery program
Join Northland Public Library staff members as they perform the mystery “Candy Matson, Yukon 2-8209” at 6:30 p.m. July 11. You can view it in person to watch the recording process by registering online, in person at the Ask a Librarian Desk or by calling 412-366-8100, ext. 113. If you...
Heather Visnesky: Solving our child-care crisis
As a working parent, I understand the importance of high-quality, consistent early childhood educators. When my oldest child was born, my husband and I soon realized that the cost of quality child care was nearly equal to my take-home salary. The math just was not mathing, so we made the...
Library proud to be ‘making a space for the music’
Earlier this month, we witnessed something special in our studio. Lights low and surrounded by a captive audience, author and musician Colter Harper stood next to a projection of iconic Teenie Harris images and shared a passage from his new book, “Jazz in the Hill,” which digs deep into the...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: June 28-30
June has almost drawn to a close. Here are some things to do this weekend before we head into July. Charity horse show party Making Strides Foundation uses “equine-assisted services” to provide assistance to children and young adults with disabilities. Located in Penn Township, the organization provides several therapy services...
Sean O’Keefe: The Reaganesque candidate in 2024 isn’t a Republican
Republicans like me, loyal to principles over individuals, are grateful to see Reaganesque qualities in a candidate running for president in 2024. It would surprise and disappoint President Reagan, however, that it’s not the candidate on the GOP ticket. It is President Biden who, like Reagan, often demonstrates moral and...
Dan DeBone: Securing funding for Pa.’s critical bridge improvements
Bridges provide crucial access between regions and cities, linking workers to jobs, goods to markets and people to essential services. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), transportation agencies need $70.9 billion to overcome the current backlog of deficient bridges. This investment would be money well spent, as poor bridge...
Vigilante fake NYPD cop pepper-sprays Manhattan tourist subway fare evader
NEW YORK — A vigilante posing as an NYPD cop pepper-sprayed a tourist he caught entering a Manhattan subway station without paying the fare, police said Thursday. The bizarre incident sparked off 6:35 p.m. Sunday at the Whitehall St.-South Ferry station on the uptown R train platform. The vigilante saw...
Letter to the editor: Why does Biden need debate prep?
I have heard reports that President Joe Biden has spent an entire week preparing for the debate with Donald Trump. Biden has 16 people working with him to get ready for this 90-minute event. A mock stage has been built in an airport hangar with lights and cameras so he...
Letter to the editor: Flat fee for cyber charters
The letter “Poorly run schools misusing taxpayer money” (June 21, TribLive) notes what 500 school districts across the state have repeated to legislators for over a decade. Cyber charters can educate a child for $8,000-$8,500. Cybers can accomplish this, when no school district can, for numerous reasons. Cybers don’t run...
Editorial: Should police be allowed to collect DNA for anyone arrested — even if they aren’t charged with a crime?
The most basic building block of who you are is contained in your blood, your skin and the other cells of your body. Even if you don’t have your driver’s license or passport on you, the DNA coded into your body is even more precise than your fingerprints. A fingerprint...
The Stroller, June 27, 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. Community outreach set Friday in New Kensington Westmoreland Community Action will...
Letter to the editor: Project 2025 would end our freedoms
During Donald Trump’s first term of office, he did not have the organization nor the people to execute his unlawful and unconstitutional plans. This time around, Trump loyalists and the Heritage Foundation have corrected those past deficiencies. Here is their Project 2025 playbook. We would quickly devolve into a police...
Pirates farm report for June 26, 2024: Henry Davis begins rehab assignment in Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-41) and Rochester (Nationals) were rained out. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday. Next: Thursday at Rochester (Nationals), doubleheader, 1:05 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 29-42) gave up five runs in the ninth lost 11-6 to Akron (Guardians). C Henry Davis, on a rehab...
Severe storm results in damage, outages in Westmoreland, AlleghenyVideo
Wednesday’s powerful storm that swept through Western Pennsylvania caused widespread damage and power outages. Two suspected tornadoes were reported in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. Tornado touchdowns were reported about 7:45 p.m. 2 miles south of Imperial, Allegheny County, and about 8:15 p.m. in the Jeannette area, according to TribLive news...
Penn State lands commitment from 2025 4-star edge rusher Jayden Woods
James Franklin and Penn State’s coaching staff are on a recruiting heater, bolstering their 2025 class with yet another high-profile, four-star prospect. Jayden Woods, a consensus four-star edge rusher from Mill Valley High School (Kan.), verbally committed to Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class Wednesday. Woods, ranked as the No. 167...
A big education fight stands in the way of a Pa. budget deal
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 — How much money to spend on Pennsylvania’s public education system has become a key barrier to a budget deal as lawmakers launch a...
Ex-Seton LaSalle teacher gets probation, must register as sex offender for assault at school
The victim stood at the front of the courtroom, describing the repercussions she’s faced in the last six months since reporting a teacher’s sexual misconduct at Seton LaSalle High School. The girl, now 16, no longer feels comfortable there. Her fellow students see her differently. And she has distressing thoughts....
Ordination of Hampton graduate set for Saturday
Deacon Nicholas Clinton of Saints Martha and Mary Parish is one of four men who will be ordained to the priesthood by Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik during a Mass of Ordination at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. The other future priests and their home...
In brief: Herald area events for the week of June 24, 2024
Aspinwall OKs new garbage contract Aspinwall officials have approved a new garbage contract with Lower Burrell-based hauler Shank Waste. Council voted unanimously on the new deal June 12. It maintains the current unlimited weekly collection service. Residents are not required to get new garbage bins. Possible billing increases in the...
Joe Massaro: Shapiro’s proposed investment in Pa.’s trail system will boost economic development
As Pennsylvania competes with surrounding states to attract tourists, it’s important we remain competitive in as many areas as possible. Outdoor recreation and tourism are linked, especially in a state like Pennsylvania. And enhancements in outdoor infrastructure have far-reaching positive impacts on our communities and economies. This is why the...
Penn State open to selling ads on field but ‘it’s always going to be Beaver Stadium’
Recent NCAA rule changes have opened the door for schools to put logos on fields, opening sponsorship opportunities for programs across the country. With Beaver Stadium already in the early stages of renovations, that gives Penn State a chance to add an extra revenue stream to help pay for those...
Al Michaels returns to the Olympics — as the AI voice of Peacock
As legendary sportscaster Al Michaels would say, you can’t make this up. Or maybe you can. NBC Sports announced Wednesday that it will use the voice of Michaels, re-created using artificial intelligence, in a personalized daily recap of Summer Olympics events delivered to NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service subscribers. Peacock users...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of June 24, 2024
Code enforcement officer sought after resignation Penn Hills needs a new full-time code enforcement officer following a resignation within the department. Chevy Nave has moved on from the role after two years, leaving the municipality with four code enforcement officers until her replacement is found. All code enforcement staff report...
