Western PA Local News category, Page 1065
Pine-Richland launches pilot program to test viability of electric buses
With an evergreen tree as part of the district’s name and school colors to match, it only stands to reason that Pine-Richland’s students and staff have an affinity for finding ways to preserve the natural beauty of the environment. The Pine-Richland School District recently began the testing phase of a...
Norwin area: Nature festival set at Irwin Park; West Newton library to hold book sale
Rubber duck race fundraiser slated The Natural Festival at Irwin Park, featuring food, music, face painting, games, raffle prizes and the annual Rubber Duck Race, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. June 24 at the park off Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street. The ducks can be purchased for...
Grads’ speeches inspire at Gateway commencement
Midway through her Gateway High School Commencement welcome address, Juliana Guido had to pause. “I didn’t think I was going to cry,” she said. But the subject matter merited tears. “I think it’s appropriate to take a moment to remind all of my fellow classmates on this field with me...
New North Allegheny hire to join line of superintendents stretching to 1948
In the North Allegheny School District’s 75-year history, it’s had nine superintendents and at least two acting superintendents, or about one every seven years — better than average, according to numbers from an official of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. “The average term of a PA superintendent is 3.73...
Murrysville woman accused of stealing $30K in jewelry from cleaning client
A Murrysville woman who owns a cleaning business is accused by police of stealing $30,000 worth of jewelry from a client. About half of the items were returned. Holly Lynn Simpson, 48, was arrested Wednesday on charges of theft and receiving stolen property. She is free on $15,000 unsecured bail....
Pittsburgh looks to issue bond for affordable housing efforts
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said Wednesday that the city could bring in between $25 million and $40 million for affordable housing initiatives by issuing a bond. Gainey said legislation will be introduced to City Council — and also require authorization from the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority — to issue a...
Pittsburgh opening cooling centers Thursday, Friday
Pittsburgh is opening cooling centers Thursday and Friday as temperatures are expected to reach about 90 degrees. The cooling centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center, 1555 Broadway Ave.Brighton Heights Healthy Active Living Community Center, 3515 McClure Ave.Greenfield...
Jeannette rental inspections would jump from 2-year minimum to 10 years under proposed ordinance
A revamped ordinance governing rental properties in Jeannette could go into effect this summer if council gives it a final approval next week. The new guidelines would lessen the burden on city officials who conduct inspections of an estimated 4,000 rental units. Fire Chief Bill Frye, who does most of...
Crack, meth, guns seized during raid at Vandergrift home; 2 people face felony charges
Two people are accused of being drug dealers and having illegal guns after state narcotics agents raided their home in Vandergrift early Tuesday afternoon. The suspects are Melissa Marie Lange and Ronald Gene Sconish, both 47, and living in the 400 block of Jackson Avenue. Both were charged with two...
Greensburg’s Rialto to remain closed; owner gives DA power to approve future sale
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli will have the right to approve any potential sale of the shuttered Rialto bar and restaurant in Greensburg under an agreement approved Wednesday. Common Pleas Judge Harry Smail Jr. signed off on a consent decree between Ziccarelli and Rialto Inc. owner John Rullo that...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: June 2-4
Madcap musical Saint Vincent Summer Theatre’s season-opening production of “The Andrews Brothers” has performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Carey Performing Arts Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity. The musical is a madcap romp of mistaken identities, featuring 30 songs...
Libraries aim to curb summer slide, keep kids engaged in literacy
Area libraries are turning the page on another year of free summer reading programs for children. The 2023 Collaborative Summer Library Program’s national slogan is “All Together Now.” Summer reading programs date back to the late 1800s, as a way to coax school-age children to utilize libraries and foster reading...
Monessen man who possessed child pornography sentenced to 8 years in prison
A Monessen man was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in a federal prison for having child pornography. Robert Haggerty, 63, was ordered to spend five years on supervised release after the prison term, according to federal prosecutors. Investigators said Haggerty had 92 images and eight videos of child pornography. He...
Morning Roundup: 4 homes destroyed in Cecil fire
4 homes destroyed in Cecil fire A townhouse in the Lawrence section of Cecil Township, Washington County, erupted in flames just before 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The fire started in the garage and spread to homes on either side, Cecil Township Fire Chief Noel McMullen said in a statement. Four...
‘Cool Cars, Cool Dads’ offers Father’s Day fellowship at Fox Chapel church
The parking lot at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church is bound to turn a few heads on Father’ Day. Vintage vehicles will fill the lot during the annual “Cool Cars, Cool Dads” event from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “I originated the idea as a fellowship event following worship, though now...
The Stroller, June 1, 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. Touch-a-truck event planned Saturday in Fawn Autism support group Powered By...
What to know about the implosions of the Cheswick Generating Station smokestacks
Springdale’s biggest attraction — literally — is being imploded Friday, and officials are preparing for its demise. At 8 a.m. or soon after, the two Cheswick Generating Station smokestacks in Springdale will be imploded. Local law enforcement will coordinate with the Cheswick Plant Environmental Redevelopment Group, the property owner; Grant...
Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer stocked with Point Park students’ discards
Dorm room trash at Point Park University has turned into treasure for the Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer. College police, tasked with clearing rooms after students leave for the summer, had a choice whether to toss leftover food, bedding and clothes into dumpsters or put the items to...
Some look back wistfully at Springdale’s towering smokestacks, others welcome implosions
Mark Mattone of Springdale still recalls when he scaled the “stacks” on a crisp fall day in October 1973. Mattone, 73, a retired electrician, worked at what was then the Duquesne Light Power Station during the 1970s. “I was asked if I was afraid of heights, and before you know...
Pollution, weather, climate change all affect start, severity of allergy season
April showers bring May flowers, but those blooms can bring sneezes and sniffles along with itchy, watery eyes. As the region heads into the summer months, tree and grass pollen coupled with other irritants are ushering in suffering for those affected by allergies, according to local experts. Tree and grass...
Penn Hills senior citizens to get 3% real estate tax break in 2024-25 school year, but tax hike expected then, too
Penn Hills School District officials want to give low-income senior citizens a slight break on their real estate taxes in 2024. The board unanimously voted May 31 to approve a 3% tax rebate program effective the 2024-25 school year. District chief financial officer John Zahorchak said 1,092 Penn Hills seniors...
Penn Hills School District to petition the state to lift financial recovery status
The Penn Hills School District may be on its way out of its “financial recovery” status. A petition to the state Department of Education is in the works, state-appointed chief recovery officer Dan Matsook announced at a board meeting Wednesday, May 31. He said there will be a lot of...
Part of Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell reopens after water main break is fixed
A portion of Leechburg Road was closed and several Lower Burrell residents went without water Wednesday as a result of a water main break the night before. The Lower Burrell Emergency Management Agency reported via Facebook the break occurred around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officials said there was damage to the...
Teen charged in New Kensington fatal shooting to be prosecuted as a juvenile
A 15-year-old boy who is one of seven people charged in connection with a fatal shooting last summer in New Kensington will be prosecuted as a juvenile. After what was described in court records as an emergency hearing, Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani on Tuesday transferred the...
Hampton High School musical captures 6 Gene Kelly Awards
Hampton High School’s “Something Rotten!” won a school record-tying six awards at the 32nd annual Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. The event, featuring group performances by the students from the participating schools, and medleys from the nominees for Best Actor and Actress, was...
