Western PA Local News category, Page 106
Bon Air’s Toys for Tots drive teaches life lessons
Pam White wasn’t sure how many Toys for Tots donation boxes would be needed this year at Bon Air Elementary School. “I contacted the Toys for Tots representative for our area,” said White, a personalized learning coach at Bon Air who took over as faculty adviser for Student Council this...
Murrysville approves $7 monthly stormwater fee despite equity concerns
Murrysville property owners will see a new $7 monthly stormwater fee starting next year, after council members approved a measure aimed at fixing the municipality’s aging infrastructure and meeting state environmental mandates. Prior to the 5-1 vote this week, council members debated whether the fee — which the Pennsylvania Commonwealth...
Students say arts programs at PennWest California are in jeopardy
Students at Pennsylvania Western University’s California campus fear that planned academic program changes could result in the loss of its art programs. Koa Knopsnider, 19, is petitioning the university to not sunset the arts programs at the California campus. The online petition has purportedly reached more than 1,100 signatures within...
Pittsburgh media personality Guy Junker turned love of sports into a winning career
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Pittsburgh sports have changed a lot over the past 45 years, but one thing has managed to stay the same: Guy Junker....
Harrison residents must use new recycling bins
Harrison residents will receive new recycling containers when the township’s new hauler, Noble Environmental, takes over recycling services in January. The company will distribute green carts with lids to all properties beginning the week of Jan. 5. Anyone with a pickup prior to that date can use their round red...
‘Sunnymede’ estate boasts European-style architectural roots, for sale in Sewickley Heights
An Old World estate with authentic European details and an impressive architectural pedigree is on the market in Sewickley Heights. Sunnymede is a French-inspired luxury estate designed by the late, renowned architect William Boyd Jr., boasting historic formal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the man behind the design of...
Morning Roundup: Police arrest 2 suspects over gun, drugs; pet owners warned of scammers targeting missing animals
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Dec. 19: Police arrest 2 suspects over gun, drugs Pittsburgh police say they arrested two men and confiscated a gun and drugs Thursday after reports that one of the men brandished a gun at a maintenance worker Downtown...
The Stroller, Dec. 19, 2025: 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. Blue Christmas service planned...
Salem teen bullish on rodeo riding competition, claims national title
Jack Brentzel has suffered bruised legs, a broken wrist and has been thrown too many times to count. But that hasn’t stopped the Greensburg Salem High School sophomore from pursuing his passion for competitive bull riding. Brentzel, 16, has been at it for 10 years, perfecting his skill at hanging...
Flight 93 National Memorial completes ‘Flight Path’ renovation in advance of 25th anniversary
A critical piece of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County has been restored to its original vision just in time for a milestone year. The nonprofit Friends of Flight 93 announced the completion of a $500,000 renovation of the “Flight Path,” a walkway that traces the final trajectory...
2 men killed in Carrick shooting identified, their deaths ruled homicides
Two men died in a shooting Thursday evening in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood. At 5:15 p.m., Pittsburgh police responded to the 1200 block of Linnview Avenue for reports of a shooting, said Eliza Durham, public safety spokeswoman. Officers found two men who had been shot multiple times, Durham said. EMS took...
Future raises for Westmoreland elected officials under review
The Westmoreland County commissioners signaled Thursday they might soon overhaul the decades-old method used to calculate annual pay increases for the county’s elected officials. A policy enacted in 1996 ties raises for elected officers to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Under this formula, these officials are slated for a 3.25%...
Westmoreland commissioners pass budget, look to assign blame for ‘precarious’ finances
The Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday passed a $466 million budget for 2026 that holds the line on property taxes despite a nearly $15 million deficit. The shortfall will be offset by surplus funds. To reach the final figure, commissioners slashed an anticipated $30 million deficit in half through personnel...
Pittsburgh City Council continues to hammer out 2026 budget as vote deadline nears
Pittsburgh City Council members failed Thursday to hash out all their differences over the 2026 budget they’ll vote on this weekend and temporarily left unanswered the biggest question: Will there be a tax hike? In a daylong meeting, council spent hours debating preliminary votes on dozens of amendments to the...
Police: woman critically injured, man found shot dead in Banksville home
A woman was assaulted Thursday and police found an unidentified man dead in a home in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood. Pittsburgh police said they were dispatched around 9:45 a.m. to a home in the 2600 block of Winchester Drive. Inside, officers found a woman suffering from “significant” injuries such as “facial...
Historic Park House returns to North Side after closure
North Side’s Park House has opened its doors once again, promising live music from Pittsburgh musicians. On Dec. 5, the Park House opened for the first time in over 4 years, celebrating the anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. “We intend to continue the Park House’s tradition of serving up...
Winfield mobile home park faces water troubles again after monthlong ‘Do Not Use’ notice
Barely a month after water at Bernie’s Mobile Home in Winfield finally tested at safe drinking levels, residents are facing a boil water advisory. In a statement sent to residents, park management said Bernie’s had experienced a water main break on Wednesday, which resulted in a loss of water pressure....
Ex-North Huntingdon EMS manager files federal sexual harassment lawsuit
A former North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue office manager is alleging in a federal lawsuit that she was subject to a decade of sexual harassment and retaliation by the service’s former executive director. Kelly Pirl, 39, of McKeesport, claims in the six-count suit that Shane Spielvogle, 50, of East McKeesport, subjected her...
Double-amputee Marine sent to prison for sexually assaulting teen
A U.S. Marine and Purple Heart recipient who lost both legs to a bomb in Afghanistan is headed to jail for up to 24 years on charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl multiple times this spring. Brandon Rumbaugh, 36, of Pleasant Hills had sex with the teen four...
‘I will never forgive you:’ Brother testifies at sentencing of Greensburg man for drug overdose
After more than two years, Nicholas Ginter couldn’t hold back his anger any longer. It had been simmering since his older brother, Joseph Ginter, died in July 2023 from a drug overdose. On Thursday, the man who pleaded guilty to providing the fatal dose of drugs — Justin Todaro, 38,...
Pitt chancellor gets 32% raise but vows to donate it to student, faculty causes
Pleased with her accomplishments and in an effort to retain her, a group of University of Pittsburgh trustees voted to increase Chancellor Joan Gabel’s base salary to $1.25 million next year, a 32% raise. Pitt’s compensation subcommittee voted Thursday to increase Gabel’s base pay, effective Jan. 1. She was hired...
Squirrel Hill’s Murray Avenue Grill closing after nearly 40 years
After 40 years in Squirrel Hill, the Murray Avenue Grill is turning off the lights and serving its final meals. The restaurant announced the closure in a social media post. “It has been our privilege to serve this community and to build lasting relationships with our customers, employees and neighbors.”...
Former high-ranking cop in Allegheny County DA’s office faces trial on assault charge
A former assistant chief in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is headed to trial on charges he broke into the home of a colleague he previously dated and assaulted her. Richard McDonald, 56, of Oakdale, waived his preliminary hearing Thursday on charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another...
Reserve woman whose punch led to mom’s death pleads guilty, gets time served
A Reserve Township woman Wednesday pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for delivering the bone-breaking punch that caused her 73-year-old mother’s death — and a judge let her go home with a punishment of probation and time already served in jail. Krystal Slepski, 43, punched Patricia Kachinko in the chest during...
Heidelberg holds line on taxes for 2026
Heidelberg’s property owners will not see an increase in their real estate tax bills in 2026. The borough’s $1.1 million budget holds the line at 9.45 mills, said Mayor Kenneth LaSota. A homeowner at Heidelberg’s median assessed property value of $86,200 will continue to pay about $814 annually for borough...
