Ligonier Township native winds up 45 years of trimming hair in BlairsvilleVideo
Butch Rabic still gives his customers a trim in the same early 20th-century chair he inherited from his predecessor when he took over a Blairsville barber shop in 1980. Though he doesn’t ring up bills on it, he also uses a vintage cash register that can key in a top...
Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh residents who vote Democrat get what they want
I do not understand why reporter Julia Burdelski is so concerned about increased levels of taxation faced by Pittsburgh property owners (“Tax trifecta: Pittsburgh property owners take it on the chin,” Dec. 22, TribLive). The vast majority of Pittsburgh property owners either vote Democrat or do not vote. As a...
Cremation overtakes burial as people rethink death, cost and tradition
A generation ago, burial was the default and cremation the exception. Today, the roles are rapidly reversing. By 2035, 80% of Americans will opt for cremation over burial, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. That’s a stunning figure, considering that just 55 years ago, only 5% of people chose...
Editorial: Penn State trustees still aren’t talking enough in public
Penn State’s Board of Trustees deserves credit for spending more time in public discussion this year than it has in the recent past. After years in which outcomes often were treated as foregone conclusions, more conversation is a welcome change. But more is not the same as enough. The measure...
The Stroller, Jan. 3, 2026: 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. Project Lifesaver available to...
Letter to the editor: Lest we forget — Apollo Patrolman Leonard C. Miller
“Kill for Thrill: The Crime Spree That Rocked Western Pennsylvania” by Michael W. Sheetz details the fatal crimes involving four victims in late 1979, early 1980. The families and friends of the victims will always remember those who lost their lives under heartbreaking circumstances. Apollo Patrolman Leonard C. Miller, the...
Another turnpike toll hike takes effect. Here’s why and what it will cost you
John Brady can’t figure out why the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission keeps raising tolls. “It’s just hard to justify the hike every single year. You would think they would do it every other year,” said Brady, of Hampton, who travels with his wife, Deb, from the Butler Valley exit to the...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 2, 2026
High schools Basketball Boys Friday’s results Class 6A Section 1 Pine-Richland 57, North Allegheny 48 Nonsection Ambridge 57, Beaver Falls 42 Beth-Center 84, South Side 73 Geibel Catholic 95, Brownsville 65 Central Catholic 42, Penn Hills 31 Mohawk 66, Deer Lakes 59 Environmental Charter 76, Wilmington 72 Peters Township 60,...
High school roundup for Jan. 2, 2026: South Fayette beats Ohio power
Juliette Leroux scored 30 points to lead South Fayette to a 75-65 victory over Archbishop Hoban on Friday in a matchup of one of Pennsylvania’s top girls basketball teams against one of Ohio’s best. Haylie Lamonde added 21 for the Lions (12-1), who are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A...
DeSean Goode, Nikolaos Chitikoudis lead Robert Morris to win over Detroit Mercy
Single-digit outcomes are becoming a habit for the Robert Morris men’s basketball team, which won another close road game Friday night. As long as the Colonials are successful, coach Andy Toole has no problem with a pattern that already has produced seven victories in 10 such outings during their first...
Ex-NYC mayor Eric Adams tells Andy Cohen to ‘seek help’ after NYE rant
NEW YORK — Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams responded to Andy Cohen’s drunken New Years Eve rant, accusing the Bravo host of having a drinking problem he needs to address. “My response to Andy: AA,” Adams wrote in a post on X Thursday evening. “Another sloppy drunken rant,”...
Letter to the editor: Tomlin lacks fire, passion — it’s time for him to go
I’ve been a lifetime Steelers fan since 1974. Back then, we had three channels and rabbit ears on the 12-inch screen. My grandfather and father introduced me to football and the Steelers. They loved Joe, L.C., Franco and Mr. Noll. Not only because they won, but because of the way...
Letter to the editor: Ukraine’s execution
In my letter “Ukrainians political pawns” (April 24, 2024, TribLive) I stated that we should either save Ukraine or abandon them to their fate. We appear to finally be making that choice. President Barack Obama watched as Russia seized Crimea in 2014, 11 years ago. His administration signed Ukraine’s execution...
The Stroller, Jan. 2, 2026: 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. Annual Epiphany event planned...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Jan. 2-4
As the new year begins, Westmoreland County offers a wealth of opportunities to pursue your resolutions or simply enjoy the season’s local offerings. Whether you are focused on personal growth or seeking meaningful weekend activities, the following community events provide a purposeful start to the year. Led Zeppelin tribute Experience...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Dec. 23-31, 2025
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, TribLive’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate, please...
Laurels & lances: Safety & honor
Laurel: To being prepared. Two Philadelphia lawmakers introduced legislation in October to require school districts to stock naloxone — a medication that reverses an opioid overdose and can save lives. A TribLive story revealed that many Southwestern Pennsylvania districts didn’t need a law passed. They already have naloxone on hand...
Letter to the editor: Family key to joy and goodness
This past Sunday was the Feast of the Holy Family. The following is from the Magis Center’s daily reflection: “Jesus, Emmanuel, ‘God with us,’ chose to be born as a member of the human family. More than this, however, He chose to have a mother and a father, and He...
Ravens’ Lamar Jackson responds to questions about injury, future entering Steelers game
BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson emerged from the field house like a phoenix Thursday in Owings Mills, his back contusion protected by a flak jacket and teammates and coaches energized by his presence on an otherwise bitterly cold afternoon. The two-time NFL MVP’s full participation in practice for a...
High school sports schedule for Jan. 2, 2026
High schools Basketball Boys Friday’s schedule Class 6A Section 1 Pine-Richland at North Allegheny, 7 p.m. Nonsection Beaver Falls at Ambridge, 7:30 p.m. Beth-Center at South Side, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville at Geibel, 7:30 p.m. Central Catholic at Penn Hills, 7:30 p.m. Deer Lakes at Mohawk, 7:30 p.m. Fox Chapel at...
Dolphins hire Troy Aikman as a consultant in general manager search
MIAMI — The Dolphins hired ESPN NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Troy Aikman as a consultant to assist in their general manager search, a league source said Thursday. Aikman, who recently began working in the role, will remain ESPN’s lead NFL commentator while assisting owner Stephen Ross...
Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer entering transfer portal; LB Tony Rojas will return
Perhaps the biggest domino of coach Matt Campbell’s first offseason at Penn State has seemingly fallen. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer is set to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple reports Thursday. This presumably ends his time with Penn State once the transfer portal officially opens Friday. However, a big piece...
Polar plunge draws the brave to Mon Wharf for New Year’s Day jump into Monongahela River
Brave participants jumped into the Monongahela River along the Mon Wharf in Pittsburgh Thursday morning at the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Plunge. Proceeds from T-shirt and other sales at the event benefited WTAE’s Project Bundle-Up....
Here’s why we eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day
We Pennsylvanians know that on New Year’s Day, we are obligated to eat pork and sauerkraut. But why? Yes, it’s a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition that we all follow, but it’s important to know its history. (It’s also fun.) So here’s why we eat pork and sauerkraut as well as other...
Snowstorm drops up to 5 inches of snow across region
The new year rang in with high winds and heavy snow overnight that put a damper on the First Night turnout in Pittsburgh and left a fresh blanket of white across the region. Pittsburgh police said there were no issues during the First Night celebration as there were light crowds,...
