Western PA Local News category, Page 1038
Pittsburgh to Erie Trail Alliance fundraiser on tap at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer, a future trailhead
Nearly two decades after the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance took the initial steps to create regional recreation opportunities, leaders are celebrating 188 miles of trails that have been carved out amid dozens of communities showcased along the path. The goal to connect the two cities and thousands of steps...
Natrona Comes Together offers children one-stop shop for summer reading, art and sports
A crushed soda can and a jar of paint might be enough to inspire the next generation of artists. At the very least, the craft sessions could unleash creativity for the 25 or so children who gather at Natrona Community Park for educational programs all summer long. “Having a weekly...
97th annual Cinderella Ball celebrated on Father’s Day
For a girl, her father is her first love. On Sunday, that bond was evident as dads and male role models reached out for the hand of the young women they’ve embraced their entire lives at the 97th annual Cinderella Ball — fittingly on Father’s Day. Sixteen debutantes were presented...
Early-bird teachers contract approved, tax rate unchanged in Jeannette
The Jeannette City School District property tax millage rate will remain unchanged for the 2023-24 school year, and new positions will help students with internships and teachers manage classrooms and learning. Plus, teachers will earn more starting in the 2024-25 school year under a new contract struck between the education...
Highmark Health cuts 118 jobs
Highmark Health laid off 118 employees this week across the regional health insurer’s operations, the company said. The layoffs occurred across all departments and included a small number of management positions, said Lynn Seay, a Highmark Health spokeswoman. With the layoffs announced Wednesday, Highmark has eliminated 259 positions this year,...
Turnpike to close to westbound traffic from Breezewood to New Stanton overnight Saturday
An 86-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s westbound lanes from Breezewood to New Stanton will be closed beginning 11 p.m. Saturday to about 6 a.m. Sunday for road construction work, the turnpike commission said. The seven-hour closure is needed for crews to safely implement an interim traffic crossover as part...
House near Murrysville’s Pedora Park will be demolished
Murrysville officials have begun the process to try and demolish a long-abandoned property near Pedora Park. Council members voted unanimously to designate the residence at 6283 Old William Penn Highway as a blighted structure. “This isn’t a fixer-upper,” code enforcement officer Nick Ruffner said. The property was posted as being...
Pittsburgh native Nick Pasqual’s indie film ‘Poor Paul’ now streamingVideo
From its 2022 world premiere at Dormont’s Hollywood Theater, the indie movie “Poor Paul” has moved on to bigger audiences. With creators and cast members including Pittsburgh natives Nick Pasqual and Abhi Sinha, the film is now available on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play and YouTube. “A statistic I find...
Kinzua skywalk reopens after inspection prompted by high winds
The skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park has reopened after high winds prompted an emergency inspection and a temporary closure, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The McKean County structure was closed Wednesday and was inspected Thursday. The skywalk stretches 225 feet above the valley floor...
Observatory Hill House Tour features 12 homes
Jeremy Lawler was taking down his Christmas tree in February when he noticed two cars pull up and people get out to take pictures in front of his house. “Thinking that was odd, I went outside to see what was going on,” Lawler said. “I spoke to one of the...
$8.8M in covid funds earmarked for water, sewer projects in Westmoreland
As many as 50 farms and other properties in East Huntingdon could have municipal water service this fall when water lines are extended to tap into the municipal system. It’s a project that might never have happened without funding from Westmoreland County, according to East Huntingdon Supervisor Joel Suter. “It’s...
22 suspected drug dealers arrested in sweeping Western Pa. raid
Twenty-two of 24 men who federal prosecutors say sold cocaine and fentanyl in Western Pennsylvania have been arrested in a sweeping raid that began last month, according to court documents. Law enforcement began arresting suspects in late May following a nine-count federal indictment. They are accused of dealing 5 kilograms...
Morning roundup: Rostraver woman pleads guilty to credit union theft
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, June 23: Woman pleads guilty to $340,000 theft from credit union A Rostraver woman pleaded guilty this week to taking $340,200 from a Monessen-based federal credit union almost seven years ago, then staging a fire in the safe...
New affordable housing development to cater to seniors in Pittsburgh’s Fairywood
A new development will bring affordable housing for senior citizens to Pittsburgh’s Fairywood neighborhood. Officials broke ground Thursday on Cedarwood Homes, a 46-unit development at the former Fairywood School site. “We’re going to make sure the people who live here can age in place and they can do it with...
The Stroller, June 23, 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. Hartwood Acres to host rhythm and blues concert The Allegheny County...
Yukon fire company celebrates 100 years with upcoming carnival
An unusual wheeled contraption sits idle in the wood-paneled basement of the Yukon Fire Hall. The device — a century-old metal fire engine cart designed to be pulled by a car — has been maintained in good condition, though it’s no longer on active duty. Built in 1923, when the...
Burrell School District raises taxes with approval of $36.1 million budget
Property owners in Burrell School District will see an almost 4% increase in their real estate taxes next year. Next year’s budget totals just under $36.2 million, a 4.1% increase from this past school year, said Jennifer Callahan, the district’s business manager. The budget raises the millage rate from 107...
Family fun found at annual Fox Chapel Day in McCahill Park
Families throughout the Fox Chapel area flocked to McCahill Park for Fox Chapel’s annual community celebration, Fox Chapel Day, on June 17. Hundreds of folks enjoyed activities under sunshine and blue skies. There were train rides, an Allegheny Health Network LifeFlight helicopter, balloon artists, face painting, a deejay, food trucks,...
Pride on display: Merchandise backlash concerns local LGBTQ community, some retailers
“Love wins” and “Love is love” are among the messages adorning apparel displayed in recognition of Pride Month at Rue 21, a chain clothing store at Westmoreland Mall. Not everyone is taking to heart such messages supporting the LGBTQIA community during June, as evidenced by recent backlashes against some major...
Fayette County Courthouse struck by bullet, judge’s chair hit
The Fayette County Courthouse was placed on lockdown Thursday after shots were fired and a bullet struck the building. Officials said a bullet went through a window and struck a judge’s chair while she was sitting in it. She was not injured, and there no reports of other injuries. The...
Greensburg Salem finalizes $49.4M budget that holds tax line
Greensburg Salem School Board has approved a $49.4 million 2023-24 district budget that keeps real estate taxes at 89.72 mills. It’s the fourth consecutive year without a tax hike, according to board President Jeff Metrosky. The district is counting on additional federal and state allocations that weren’t certain when the...
Shadyside stabbing suspect’s bond revoked, judge orders him back to jail
A district judge on Thursday revoked a Shadyside man’s bond and ordered him back to Allegheny County Jail after the district attorney’s office said he presented a threat to the community. Jasper Jacob Hilliard, 21, faces charges including attempted homicide in connection with the stabbing of a 72-year-old man on...
Hays eaglets take flight, could settle anywhere
They grow up so fast. Another bald eagle fledgling left the nest in Hays last Thursday, Jim Bonner of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania confirmed. The eaglet joined its older sibling, which took flight four days before. The Hays eagles are in their 11th breeding season and have raised...
Judge sets bond for Seward man charged with sex offenses
A Westmoreland County judge on Thursday set bond for a Seward man charged with attempting to pay a juvenile for sex. Anthony Ronald Laughard, 41, was arrested and charged June 2 with the attempted rape of a child, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and other related offenses in connection with...
Workshop for writers benefits scholarship fund
The 2023 In Your Write Mind Workshop for writers and aspiring writers will be held virtually July 13-15. Registration is open through July 12. The workshop includes live and recorded workshops and a keynote presentation from author Gail Carriger. Carriger is a New York Times best-selling multi-genre author. Some of...
