Western PA Local News category, Page 111
Sydney Hanukkah attack hits Jews hard in Pittsburgh as police boost synagogue, school security
Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel, like many in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, spent Sunday torn between celebrating his faith’s festival of lights and mourning an antisemitic attack in Australia. But the sting of the shooting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach — in which at least 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration...
Some fees waived for students at closing Penn State branch campuses
Students at the closing Penn State Commonwealth Campuses can take more classes than normal in their next three semesters and save some money while doing it. With the New Kensington, Fayette, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, DuBois, York and Mont Alto campuses scheduled to close after the Spring 2027 semester, students there can...
North Allegheny’s Student Council collects 2,000 items, $3,000 during food drive
When it comes to helping out their neighbors, North Allegheny students deliver. About 2,000 food and toiletry items and $3,000 were collected for a food drive from Nov. 17-21 at the senior high school, coordinated by the Student Council. The collections were divided among the North Hills Community Outreach, Millvale...
Highmark loses $69M through 3rd quarter, dragged down by insurance costs
Highmark Health took a $69 million net loss in the first nine months of the year as the Pittsburgh-based company struggled with more frequent and costly health insurance claims. The organization’s insurance arm, Highmark Health Plans, had a $211 million operating loss through September, according to financial results released Monday....
Murrysville library offers extra books to patrons in advance of 2026 renovations
The Murrysville Community Library staff is looking to get some books off the shelf before undergoing a massive renovation next month. Using a $400,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, the library will undergo renovation over the winter. While it will remain open during the construction, the staff is...
Frigid temperatures, gusty winds set the stage for Steelers-Dolphins matchup
There will be two opponents on the field Monday night at Acrisure Stadium. But the fans in the stands will have a battle too — against the wind and cold. The temperature at kickoff for “Monday Night Football” is going to feel something like three field goals — 9 degrees,...
Iron City Distilling pays tribute to, makes history with whiskey release
Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Iron City Distilling is hitting a major milestone. On Friday, the East Deer distillery will be hosting a limited single-barrel release of its Bessemer Rye whiskey, marking the first drink produced completely in the distillery. “We distilled this about 21⁄2 years...
The Stroller, Dec. 15, 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. Festival of Trees raffle...
Westmoreland DA calls county grand jury a success; says another panel possible
Westmoreland County’s first investigating grand jury in more than three decades wrapped up its work with recommendations of criminal charges in three cases last week. The grand jury, which initially included 23 members and 15 alternates, recommended criminal charges be brought against four defendants, including former Ligonier Valley police Chief...
A half-million people could attend the NFL Draft. Where will everyone stay?
Rena Ostlund views the 2026 NFL Draft as a prime opportunity to earn extra income. She’s listed her Oakmont home for rent during what’s expected to be Pittsburgh’s largest tourism event ever. Her asking price: $15,000 for three nights. “I know it is very lucrative to do this,” Ostlund said....
Monroeville area: Tall Trees upgrades, New Year’s Eve ball drop, cookie walk and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or mhorvath@triblive.com. Grant will improve Tall Trees Amphitheater A $75,000 grant from the state’s Gaming Economic Tourism Fund will pay for upgrades at Monroeville’s Tall Trees Amphitheater. The project will replace 24 stage lights, the soundboard and associated audio equipment, and will...
Man critically hurt after car crashes, catches fire in Downtown Pittsburgh parking garage
A man was in critical condition Sunday after a vehicle crash and fire in a parking garage near PPG Paints Arena, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Police, fire and EMS responded just before 7 p.m. to reports of a vehicle on fire in the parking garage below Chatham Tower at...
Free haircuts & cookies among offerings at West Deer free store Poppin’ Tags holiday party
Things were poppin’ for a holiday party at Poppin’ Tags Free Store in West Deer on Sunday. The fourth annual party at Poppin’ Tags, which opened in May 2021, extended next door to Mama Jo’s House, which store owner Sonya Dembowski of Shaler opened in September. Named after Mary Jo...
Reported online threats prompt increased police presence at Rostraver Elementary
There will be an increased police presence Monday at Rostraver Elementary School after officials at Belle Vernon Area School District reported apparent threats made against the school on social media. In a Saturday letter addressed to the school community and posted on the district website, Superintendent Timothy Glasspool said the...
1 killed in Saturday night house fire in Tarentum
Allegheny County officials have confirmed one person was killed in a fire that severely damaged a duplex home late Saturday in Tarentum. Kasey Reigner, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Emergency Services, said the fire is being investigated by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office. She was unable to provide...
Pittsburgh records the most snow in a single day since 2022; lake-effect snow showers continue
Lake-effect snow showers are expected throughout Western Pennsylvania Sunday, said the National Weather Service of Pittsburgh, after the winter storm warning expired at 1 p.m. Northwest winds with gusts up to 30 mph will bring on the snow showers, which could add another inch of snow in some areas. Reduced...
The Stroller, Dec. 14, 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. Allegheny Valley Association of...
Area townships on front line as Pennsylvania eyes regulations for solar farms
Brandi Umbaugh planned to build a home on her 70-acre farm that would have a commanding view of surrounding fields and woods hugging the eastern side of Westmoreland County’s Chestnut Ridge. A massive solar panel array changed those plans. The panels were installed on a former Cook Township farm across...
Westmoreland housing authority secures federal funding to build Mt. Pleasant townhouses
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority has announced that a portion of its $5.6 million project to build 20 townhouses in Mt. Pleasant Township will be paid for through a federal grant. Officials said the agency secured a $1.25 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh through its...
Westmoreland happenings: Live Nativity, luncheon meeting, bingos, more
Christmas Level Green Presbyterian Church will have a free live Nativity 7 p.m. Dec. 19 on the church lawn, 105 Olive Drive, Trafford. Visiting with the animals will start at 6:45 p.m. The Mon Yough Chorale will present an indoor Christmas concert at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be served...
New details emerge about Maryland investigation of Jason Lando, O’Connor’s pick for Pittsburgh police chief
Jason Lando, the police veteran tapped to become Pittsburgh’s next chief, was linked by criminal investigators to an account that sent expletive-laced text messages from anonymous “burner” numbers earlier this year, according to a law enforcement report obtained by TribLive. Lando, a Squirrel Hill native who served as a Pittsburgh...
Volunteers place wreaths to honor generations of Jeannette veterans
David Holtz and his 7-year-old daughter, Nyla, saluted Saturday as they laid a wreath before the headstone of World War II Army veteran Richard H. Irwin at Jeannette Memorial Park. It was the Jeannette girl’s first year as a Cub Scout and her first time taking part in an annual...
PennDOT adds more highways where speed limit reduced to 45 mph due to winter storm
Due to the severity of Saturday’s winter storm, PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit to 45 mph on a number of major highways in the region. The latest highways to have the speed limit reduced are the Parkways East and West, and Interstate 79, 376 and I-279 (Parkway North)...
Macy’s helps children with Big Brothers Big Sisters experience joy of holiday shopping for loved ones
Instead of taking their own wish lists to Santa, 50 children got to shop at five Macy’s locations across the Pittsburgh region Saturday to play Santa themselves. The children are part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh’s mentoring program. Helped by their “bigs,” the “littles” got to...
Snow brings Christmas feel to New Kensington church’s live nativity
The snow didn’t keep The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington from staging its second annual live nativity early Saturday afternoon. Rather than a possible impediment, the Rev. Becca Siddle saw it as a feature. “For people in the neighborhood, it’s perfect because snow means Christmas,” she said. But the...
