TribLive stories, Page 782
Bumper-to-bumper Westmoreland County traffic can’t slow down The Birdie
Last week: 9-4 (69.2%) Season: 32-15 (68.1 %) The Birdie was almost late for a game last week because he had to wait in traffic on Route 30. “Bumper-to-bumper from the 119 exit to Westmoreland Mall,” he said. “Never saw it like that. It tested my patience. “I asked a...
Bill Plaschke: Shame on USC for banning a reporter in a futile attempt to control media
LOS ANGELES — There is apparently a new class being offered at USC’s esteemed Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. It is being taught by football coach Lincoln Riley and new athletic director Jennifer Cohen. It is a case study of how to stifle free speech by controlling the media...
Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson says Rudy Giuliani groped her on Jan. 6, 2021
Rudy Giuliani allegedly molested White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson shortly before the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol, Hutchinson writes in a new book. The book, titled “Enough,” describes Giuliani as acting “like a wolf closing in on its prey,” according to the Guardian, which obtained an advance copy....
John Fetterman offers to wear suit in Senate if House ‘jagoffs’ avoid government shutdown
As chaos within the Republican ranks of the GOP-controlled U.S. House pushes the federal government closer to a shutdown, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has offered the opposition a sartorial olive branch. On Wednesday, Fetterman, who has been the target of Republican attacks over his insistence on wearing shorts and hoodies...
Oakmont woman gets life in prison for starvation, torture death of 3-year-old girl
No one was there. No one sat in the courtroom gallery wearing shirts that read “Justice for Bella.” No one told the judge what a great 3-year-old that Bella Seachrist was. How she loved to dance and would eat anything. How she was a giggly, bubbly, playful and loving child....
Jeannette art exhibition investigates realms beyond perception
Twenty artists participating in a new exhibition at a Jeannette art gallery seek to bend the lines of reality. A free opening reception for “And Beyond” will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at You Are Here. The exhibition will remain on display until Oct. 28. The pieces...
Oakmont woman gets life in prison for starvation, torture death of 3-year-old girl
No one was there. No one sat in the courtroom gallery wearing shirts that read “Justice for Bella.” No one told the judge what a great 3-year-old that Bella Seachrist was. How she loved to dance and would eat anything. How she was a giggly, bubbly, playful and loving child....
Release of suspect in $1.6M drug case ignites political firestorm in Allegheny County
Allegheny County court officials are still trying to figure out how a man accused of carrying $1.6 million in fentanyl in Pittsburgh was released from custody this month, and now another judge is reportedly involved in the snafu. A nationwide arrest warrant was issued for Yan Carlos Pichardo Cepeda, 27,...
Bethel Park garage sale featured 40 vendors
The second annual Bethel Park Industrial Park Garage Sale was held Sept. 16 in the Industrial Park on Industrial Blvd. between Progressive Blvd. and Enterprise Blvd. More than 500 people and 40 vendors attended. Items for sale included everything from clothing and shoes to home items to toys and books....
Nathan Benefield: Pennsylvanians deserve truth on education spending
Pennsylvania’s Basic Education Funding Commission has begun holding hearings on how to remake the state’s public schools funding formula after a state court determined that the existing formula violates the state constitution. To make informed decisions, the commission, lawmakers, parents and voters need accurate information. Unfortunately, misinformation about public education...
What to watch for in Penguins training camp
The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to report to training camp Wednesday with the first day of on-ice activities coming Thursday. Here are some storylines to watch: Who goes where on the power play? The Penguins’ power play was middle of the road last season, finishing with a conversion rate of...
Penn State’s James Franklin pleased with play of his edge rushers, cornerbacks
STATE COLLEGE — White Out week is here, and No. 7 Penn State must deal with Iowa’s stingy defense and its terrific special teams Saturday night at Beaver Stadium. Both teams are 3-0, and Nittany Lions coach James Franklin was in an expansive mood during his Tuesday news conference, commenting...
Serra Catholic student killed in school van crash in Dravosburg
A 15-year-old girl was killed Wednesday in a school van crash in Dravosburg, authorities said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the girl as Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner of Dravosburg. Three other juveniles, all students at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, were injured and taken to a hospital in...
Westmoreland happenings: Underground Railroad program, stuffed pork chop dinner, bingos, more
Fundraisers • Jeannette Knights of Columbus hosts bingo at 7 p.m. Fridays in Mersinger Hall at Ascension Church, 615 Division St., Jeannette. Doors open at 6 p.m. and early birds begin at 6:30 p.m. Players younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Food will be available. Details: 724-523-9244....
1 killed in Route 819 crash in Greensburg
It appears speed and drugs were factors in a fatal head-on crash Wednesday morning in Greensburg, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. Robert J. Glendening, 37, of Hempfield was driving a Chevrolet Cruze southbound in the northbound lane of Route 819 just before 6 a.m. when the car collided...
Letter to the editor: Billboard at our Rodi Road gateway?
Did you notice at the bottom of Rodi Road the nice new landscaped green area welcoming drivers as they come off the parkway? Well now we’re looking at a nice new billboard with an oversized electronic screen high in the air to mess up the gateway to Penn Hills. Don’t...
Letter to the editor: Consequences of electing liberal judges
What a surprise! A defendant with seven prior arrests, two misdemeanor convictions and two pending cases in New York — one for grand larceny and one for sexual assault — didn’t show up for a court hearing after he was released on nonmonetary bond thanks to District Judge Xander Orenstein,...
Letter to the editor: Preparing for winter heating bills
As fall approaches, one of the best weather periods of the year begins. It’s also a reminder to begin preparing for winter heating bills. For families with limited incomes, Pennsylvania’s Responsible Utility Consumer Protection Act (also known as Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code) can help. Enacted in 2004,...
Editorial: Is the Senate dress code that big a deal?
People in Pennsylvania knew who they were electing to the U.S. Senate in 2022. After a knock-down, drag-out statewide battle that included Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz talking about the price of crudité and then Lt. Gov. John Fetterman trolling him all over social media, Fetterman had a stroke days before...
The Stroller, Sept. 20, 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. New Kensington to celebrate Fridays on Fifth The monthly Fridays on...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 19, 2023: Nick Gonzales hits for cycle in Indy blowout
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 67-76) roughed up Rochester (Nationals), 19-1. 2B Nick Gonzales (.280) hit for the cycle, walked and finished with five RBIs. LF Canaan Smith-Njigba (.276) hit a two-run home run, his 14th, doubled, singled twice and knocked in five runs. DH Ryan Vilade (.262) was 5 for 6 with...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Sept. 19, 2023
High schools WPIAL Cross country Tuesday’s results Class 3A Section 5 Boys Beaver 22, Blackhawk 35 Blackhawk 15, Central Valley 50 Girls Beaver 16, Blackhawk 40 Blackhawk 19, Central Valley 40 Class 2A Section 3 Boys McGuffey 18, Keystone Oaks 42 McGuffey 19, Waynesburg 38 McGuffey 17, Washington 43 Waynesburg...
High school roundup for Sept. 19, 2023: Nothing settled when unbeaten North Allegheny, Seneca Valley meet
North Allegheny and Seneca Valley came into Tuesday night’s Section 1 showdown as the only undefeated teams in WPIAL Class 4A boys soccer. They left the same way. Arnav Patel scored for North Allegheny and Tyler Prex buried the equalizer for Seneca Valley as the teams played to a 1-1...
Coraopolis woman gets 3 to 6 years in prison for DUI crash that killed pedestrianVideo
Jeremia Scales always wanted to be the first, texting or calling his family at the stroke of midnight to wish them a happy birthday or happy Mother’s Day. The 25-year-old from West Mifflin loved music. He could play piano, drums, trumpet, harmonica and guitar, and served as assistant director of...
Column: Duane Bock thought he would have the summer off. Now the caddie is going to the Ryder CupVideo
Duane Bock finally gets a chance to caddie in the Ryder Cup, and to have told him that at the start of the year would have meant only one thing. “That Kevin Kisner had a great year,” Bock said Monday as he unpacked from a quick trip to Europe to...

