TribLive stories, Page 527

This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. BELLEFONTE — Pennsylvania’s poorest districts won’t receive $100 million in new money to help fill vacancies and reduce funding deficits after lawmakers diverted those dollars...

Dry January — abstaining from alcohol for the entirety of the first month of the year — has significant benefits for physical and mental health. It also prevents impaired driving and helps people reevaluate their drinking habits. Social drinking during the holiday season is widely accepted, generally seen as a...

Six North Allegheny hockey players were selected to play in the annual PIHL all-star game, set for Jan. 28, at Robert Morris’ Island Sports Center. Forwards Marc Joyson, Ryan Jackman and Evan Kerber; defensemen Owen Logan and Travis Lamark; and goalie Andrew Long were picked to play in the Class...

I could live the rest of my life happily without being reminded of Jeffrey Epstein, his yearslong exploitation of young women or the many famous male moths who were drawn to the billionaire’s flame. I’m sure his emotionally scarred victims wish they could, too. Recent news developments, unfortunately, make the...

The evening news has been reporting, again, a possible federal government shutdown. By my own rude/crude math, our fair republic has been rescued from government shutdown more than once in the last short stack of years. It’s getting to be a regular thing, something possibly used as a bargaining chip...

Pa. Legislature’s blank check There is a popular commercial dealing with the timeshare industry. Basics are this: You don’t know how much and for how long you are going to pay for a real estate mistake. You signed a blank check for life. Several times this paper has granted me...

With a heavy wind advisory in effect through Sunday across Southwestern Pennsylvania, plenty of residents are waking up to news of a downed tree in their area. As of 8:30 a.m., PennDOT officials in Westmoreland County were reporting several downed trees either blocking the road or laying on utility wires...

A Dec. 21 Penn State webinar, “Natural Gas in the Appalachian Basin,” discussed the Marcellus and Utica shale gas. Nothing was said about managing wastewater produced from fracking, or other dangers of gas. It was said gas is needed to provide constant electricity. After storms damaged Hawaiian electricity, the island...

We knew it was coming. The 2024 election year was bound to be some rough weather for Pennsylvania. It’s a presidential year, after all, which means national campaign funds and political action committee money will fall like rain. Presidential years also mean state and federal representatives will be on the...

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. Who Knew? program to discuss extreme winter weather The Who Knew?...

First, I am not a Trump supporter. I am a retired serviceman who has fought for our freedom. A freedom that I have been seeing erode every day. I watched with everyone as they tore down our statures and rewrote our history. I watched as the playing of our national...

High schools Basketball Boys Friday’s results Class 6A Section 1 Central Catholic 66, Butler 42 Pine-Richland 62, New Castle 49 Seneca Valley at North Allegheny, ppd. Section 2 Baldwin 68, Hempfield 47 Mt. Lebanon 66, Norwin 35 Upper St. Clair 65, Canon-McMillan 49 Class 5A Section 1 Connellsville 70, Ringgold...

Andrew Mendelovich scored 16 points as Pine-Richland evened its record with a 62-49 victory over New Castle in Section 1-6A boys basketball Friday night. Eli Wentz added 13 and Zach Kenney contributed 10 for the Rams (6-6, 2-2). Ralphie Blundo led New Castle (10-4, 1-3) with 24 points. Damian Harrison...

A man was found fatally shot in Arnold early Friday evening, a Westmoreland County Public Safety supervisor said. The victim was found dead by an Arnold police officer about 6 p.m. in the 1600 block of Cherry Alley, authorities said. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson identified the victim as Allen...

The FBI is investigating a Spirit Airlines passenger who is accused of asking flight attendants to join the “mile high club” this week, the Department of Justice announced Friday. James Warren Finnister, 47, is facing criminal charges alleging he interfered with flight crew members, sexually harassing and assaulting flight attendants,...

In the Cold War, American values won. Democracy and capitalism won. The fall of the USSR occurred without a single shot being fired or any troops being deployed. The Soviet Union had severe economic problems, and its system of government — communism — failed. Our enemies would love to see...

The Pennsylvania Superior Court on Friday again affirmed the murder conviction of a former University of Pittsburgh neuroresearcher imprisoned for fatally poisoning his wife, a renowned neurologist. Robert Ferrante, 75, is being held in the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale, where he is serving a mandatory life sentence for the...

A Black woman is suing the company that runs concessions at PPG Paints Arena alleging that they discriminated against her because of her Afro. Asani Porch, of Spring Hill, filed the lawsuit against Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services LLC in federal court on Thursday alleging race discrimination and a violation...

Penn State will enter the 2024 season with three new coordinators. Stacy Collins, the Nittany Lions’ special teams coordinator the last two years, is leaving. Collins is expected to be hired as Boise State’s special teams coordinator, linebackers coach and assistant head coach, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam...

A teenage employee at Longhorn Steakhouse who was struck by an out-of-control SUV and severely injured while she washed the McCandless restaurant’s windows last summer is suing the driver. The lawsuit, filed Thursday by the employee’s mother, Christine Maher, in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, alleges negligence against Mary E....

Regarding the article “Primanti Bros. sending gift of thanks — in sandwiches — to Titans for helping Steelers make playoffs” (Jan. 8, TribLIVE): I wonder how many would remember when the then-Houston Oilers did the same thing by beating Cincinnati 20-16 the last game of the season. The Steelers players...

A New Castle woman who police say searched online for months about what happens to children who swallow dangerous substances — including water beads, sunscreen and batteries — has been charged with fatally poisoning her boyfriend’s 18-month-old daughter last summer with acetone. Aleisia Owens, 20, was arrested Wednesday by the...

Many people feel it is just stupid people who carry guns into airports. The truth is, scared people carry guns everywhere, from church to airports. We now have a record number of honest people who have pistol permits. Why? Our country has turned from a safe country into a country...

Antioch Baptist Church 332 Elizabeth St., Sewickley. 12-741-7688. antiochfwbaptistsewickley.org. Sunday school is every first Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Morning worship and praise service is weekly at 10:45 a.m. Virtual Bible study is every first Wednesday at 7 p.m. The link is on the church’s website. Beth Samuel...

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. Leechburg Elks to host annual hoop shoot event The annual Leechburg...