TribLive stories, Page 732
Knights of Columbus donates coats to Plum, Riverview students
Holy Family Knights of Columbus Council 4242 donated 48 new winter coats for elementary students in Plum and Riverview school districts. Coats are being distributed to students through the assistance of the elementary guidance counselors at both school districts. Coats for Kids is one of the many charitable programs that...
Monessen man sentenced on federal drug charges
A Monessen man will serve more than five years in federal prison after his conviction on drug charges, U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan announced Thursday. Daniel Smith, 41, was part of a conspiracy to distribute cocaine between June 2020 and July 2021, which involved residents of Brownsville as well as Chicago,...
Mandy Simons: What does it mean to be pro-Israel?
“Pro-Israel.” That’s a standard term in American discourse about the Middle East, and now more than ever. We hear of confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters. Praise and blame are handed out to those seen as adequately or inadequately pro-Israel; the political lobbying organization AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee),...
Former Bethel Park police lieutenant pleads guilty to smuggling Venezuelan woman into U.S.
A former Bethel Park police lieutenant pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping a woman illegally enter the United States from Mexico because he said he “loved her” and she could “keep his house.” Blake Babin, 59, will be sentenced March 13 in federal court on a single count of transporting an...
Lawsuit: Man removed from transplant list after UPMC officer assaulted him, falsified charges
A UPMC police officer assaulted a Uniontown man during a medical transport and then lied about the incident to file criminal charges and have him involuntarily committed, a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday claims. The allegations led to the man’s removal from a liver transplant list, although the charges were ultimately...
Through the years: Yough outslugged Kittanning in 2013 playoff barnburner
Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look back at the games, players and events that have shaped local scholastic history. In a spectacular offensive display, Yough outgained Kittanning, 529-494, as the Cougars won their only playoff game to date 57-42 on...
Peter Morici: ‘Bidenomics’ is a bust, and even Democrats don’t want him to run again
The economy is improving, but President Biden doesn’t get much credit. Now it appears that could be enough to cost him his job. In contrast to last summer, most economists put the likelihood of a recession at less than half. Although the National Bureau of Economic Research considers several variables,...
Why Penn State RB Kaytron Allen is built for a game like Michigan: ‘I can’t be denied’
James Franklin described Penn State’s matchup with Michigan as “big boy” football. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, they have a bruising tailback rounding into form. Kaytron Allen is hitting his stride. The 5-foot-11, 222-pound sophomore — one of the more underrated running backs not only in the Big Ten, but...
Democrats sweep Riverview School Board races
Democrats swept the races for Riverview School Board, earning five seats for four-year terms and another for a two-year term in the Nov. 7 election, according to unofficial Allegheny County results. Jennifer K. Chaparro, board president, won reelection with a leading total of 1,875 votes. “I am grateful to the...
Letter to the editor: Thanks to all emergency personnel
Recently I retired my EMS status with Mutual Aid Ambulance Service, after providing more than 45 years of service to our communities. I worked alongside other EMS personnel, Greensburg police, Pennsylvania State Police and fire departments throughout the area. There are many agencies that get involved behind the scenes when...
Letter to the editor: No need for big, beautiful schools in Latrobe
Regarding the article “Greater Latrobe’s multimillion dollar revitalization plan raises taxes through 2039” (Sept. 22, TribLIVE): Federal, state and local government continually have their hands deep in Pennsylvania residents’ pockets and around our throats. Local school boards add to the financial burden. After completing the new Latrobe Elementary School building,...
Remember When: Sewickley Herald headlines from 1990
In the news this week 33 years ago: • A $28-million parking garage addition at Sewickley Valley Hospital was set to open. Known as the South Wing project, the construction added 465 parking spaces and replaced the former main entrance of the hospital complex. Four new operating rooms were part...
Letter to the editor: Hydrogen key to clean energy future
Regarding the article “Pittsburgh- based plan passed over as hydrogen hub selections draw statewide praise” (Oct. 13, TribLIVE): Building a lower carbon future means ensuring the success of the Department of Energy’s new hydrogen hubs. The hubs are networks of clean hydrogen producers, consumers and connective infrastructure working together to kick-start...
Editorial: Pennsylvania teachers should be able to wear their faith
For 74 years, Pennsylvania public school teachers could be penalized for wearing a cross or a crucifix, a Star of David or a crescent moon hanging from a necklace. There could be no symbols for any religion on clothing or jewelry because of a law passed in 1949. That will...
The Stroller, Nov. 9, 2023: 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. Food collection to benefit local families in need Vandergrift Police Department...
Letter to the editor: Kiski’s values will never change
Kiski Prep, moving beyond its all-male student body, is changing in a way that reflects the realities of America today. This is not some shrouded attempt for Kiski to become “woke.” Kiski needed to adapt and change to reflect important financial and social realities. While this change has caused an...
St. Brendan’s in Franklin Park hosts Cookie Walk Nov. 18
The Cookie Monster would love this, not to mention Santa and his elves. St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church of Franklin Park will hold its annual Holiday Happenings Craft Show and Cookie Walk on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than two dozen vendors will offer handcrafted goods...
Next on the Tee: John Mahaffey recalls winning ’78 PGA Championship at Oakmont Country Club
On this episode of Next on the Tee, host Chris Mascaro is joined by two legends of the game, John Cook and John Mahaffey; plus one of the great players in Western Pennsylvania history, Bob Friend Jr.; and Top 100 instructor and Pittsburgh native Eric Johnson. Cook discusses his epic...
First lady Jill Biden highlights Western Pa. workforce development efforts during Pittsburgh stop
First lady Jill Biden visited Pittsburgh on Wednesday and praised the region’s efforts in expanding workforce development programs and other career training initiatives — including a major one in New Kensington. Pittsburgh was designated a “workforce hub” in May. That provided federal funding and other assistance to existing workforce training...
SAG-AFTRA committee approves deal with studios to end historic strike
LOS ANGELES — SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee has approved a a tentative deal with the major studios that would end a nearly four-month-long strike that has sidelined thousands of workers. The tentative contract — which still must be ratified by the union’s board and members — would boost minimum pay for...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Nov. 8, 2023
High schools Field hockey PIAA playoffs Class 3A Quarterfinals Saturday’s schedule Conestoga (23-0) vs. Lower Dauphin (19-3) at Exeter Township, 11 a.m.; Wyoming Valley West (11-7) vs. Emmaus (23-1) at Nazareth, 11 a.m.; Manheim Township (19-1-1) vs. Parkland (18-5-1) at Exeter Township, 1 p.m.; Warwick (16-5-1) vs. Penn Manor (16-5-1)...
How Steve Zappala was reelected as Allegheny County DA running on the GOP ticket
Ben Wren parked himself Tuesday night in the back of Cupka’s Cafe II on the South Side, the “war station” of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala’s reelection effort. Politicians, supporters and reporters flowed like koi past Wren’s table. He constantly checked information on two tablets and a laptop....
Nearly half of all Westmoreland write-in votes came from Greater Latrobe school board races
When John Petrarca saw the number of write-in votes in the Greater Latrobe school board election for four-year seats, he said it was “hard to believe.” Nearly half of the 22,259 total write-in votes cast in Tuesday’s election in Westmoreland County were done so in the two races for Latrobe...
The Birdie’s No. 1 priority is picking Westmoreland County playoff games
Last week: 8-1 (88.9%) Season: 103-28 (78.6%) The Birdie pulled from his car trunk his favorite playoff keepsake — his giant, foam No. 1 finger — as the quarterfinals get set to kick off this week. No, it wasn’t meant to point out his radiant one-loss record from last week...
Column: Michigan game is Penn State’s last gasp at being elite this season
There has been plenty of consternation about Penn State’s status in the college football world this season. The team’s loss to Ohio State put it on the back burner once again in the College Football Playoff picture and left the program without a clear path to taking the next step...
