Local category, Page 1143
Belle Vernon musical scrambles to replace costumes lost in fire
A second high school in the region has seen its performing arts program impacted by a devastating fire. In early February, the auditorium and its contents at Elizabeth Forward High School were destroyed in a blaze. Wednesday morning, a devastating fire at DC Theatricks in Buffalo, N.Y., that cost a...
Jeannette property owners protest plans to demolish dilapidated structures
Jeannette officials want two property owners to see it as a favor, or gift — their blighted houses will be demolished at no cost to them, leaving behind a clean slate and possibly lower taxes. But the property owners don’t seem to be interested. “Do you feel that the city...
Former chief deputy sheriff launches 2nd bid for Westmoreland commissioner
A former chief deputy sheriff announced she will run a second time for Westmoreland County commissioner in this spring’s primary election. Patricia Fritz, 68, a Republican from Mt. Pleasant, finished sixth in a seven-candidate GOP field in the 2019 primary. “I know I can make a difference,” Fritz said. “I...
St. Paddy’s Day baking class offered in Marshall
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a cake and cookie decorating class on March 16, at the Marshall Township Municipal Building on Pleasant Hill Road. Michelle Maseth of One Sweet Cookie Bakery in Baden, Beaver County, will host two events that day. Participants will decorate a leprechaun and pot-of-gold cookie, as...
Lower Burrell man accused of intentionally crashing into vehicle during road rage incident
Lower Burrell police arrested a man after a motorist accused him of purposely crashing into his vehicle during a road rage incident and then fleeing, according to authorities. Gregory Thomas Costanzo, 60, of the 100 block of Caribou Circle in Lower Burrell was charged with a felony count of aggravated...
$6M wetlands initiative will improve habitats on 61 state game land sites
The state Game Commission and Ducks Unlimited have partnered to form the Pennsylvania Wetland Habitat Initiative that would improve 1,600 acres of wetland habitats on 61 state game lands. Outdated pipes, damaged dikes and dilapidated infrastructure limit site managers’ ability to the wetlands and leave the species in these habitats...
NA Foundation awards more than $22,000 to NA staff
A mountain bike skills park, a fly-tying club, and a library program for deaf and hard of hearing students are among the projects funded by eight grants awarded by the North Allegheny Foundation. The foundation, which raises funds to benefit the school district, will provide $22,935 worth of grants, which...
Murrysville Council will look into updating zoning map after ‘litany of rezoning requests’
Murrysville Council’s discussion about its latest rezoning request Wednesday night grew into a larger conversation about taking a closer look at — and potentially updating — the municipality’s zoning map. “I would like to propose a subcommittee to look at zoning in our community,” Councilwoman Jamie Lee Korns said. “I...
Rebranding of North Hills School District moves forward
The rebranding of North Hills School District — complete with a new advertising design — took another step forward on March 2 as the school board got their first look. The next step is voting to approve the branding. High school seniors from the A.W. Beattie Career Center, which draws...
Angry East Palestine residents confront Norfolk Southern over health fears
Residents who say they’re still suffering from illnesses nearly a month after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in Ohio confronted the railroad’s operator Thursday at a town forum, demanding to know whether they’d be relocated from homes they’re afraid to live in. “It’s not safe here,” said one man,...
Police say Jeannette man used gun to rob teenager
A Jeannette man was denied bail Tuesday after city police said he pointed a gun at a teenager and robbed him of THC oil cartridges. Devin J. Dapra, 19, is charged with robbery, receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Jeannette police were notified by Penn-Trafford High School resource...
Police seek McKees Rocks man in connection with shooting
Allegheny County Police are seeking a man known to frequent the McKees Rocks and Stowe areas in connection with a shooting early Thursday morning in McKees Rocks. McKees Rocks police and paramedics were called to the 100 block of Irwin Street just after 6 a.m. Thursday for a woman who...
Hundreds of Pa. residents turn to Beaver County resource center near train derailment site for help
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health opened a resource center in Beaver County for state residents concerned about the impact of last month’s train derailment in nearby East Palestine, Ohio. In the two days after it opened Tuesday, officials said about 200 residents of Beaver County and neighboring Lawrence County went to...
Baldwin man gets 18 to 36 years in drug overdose death of infant son
Allegheny County Police Detective Greg Renko remains haunted by the scene he found inside a home on Baldwin’s Oakleaf Road 2-1/2 years ago. Renko went to the red-brick Cape Cod home on Sept. 13, 2020, to investigate the death of a 12-month-old boy. The boy, as it turned out, had...
Pittsburgh’s Prime Stage heads to Narnia with ‘Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe’
Rehearsals for Prime Stage Theatre’s production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” are about to enter what stage manager Britt Kolek said is the best but also the most difficult phase. “We’re starting the really heavily technical rehearsals,” said Kolek, 24, of Freeport, who has been working at...
North Hills Art Center director earns AAUW Equity Award
On March 11, the American Association of University Women North Hills Branch will present its 2023 Gateway to Equity Award to Kim Freithaler, North Hills Art Center executive director. According to the AAUW, she embodies the association’s commitment to achieving equity for women and girls by promoting healing through creativity...
Hampton Township School District presents Hues and Harmony
Just in time for athletes’ transition from winter to spring sports seasons, Hampton Township School District’s creative types have the opportunity to showcase their talents. The annual Hues and Harmony celebration is taking place throughout March, which happens to be both Music In Our Schools Month and Youth Art Month....
Prospective jurors in Tree of Life case being summoned to federal court to fill out questionnaires
Prospective jurors in the Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting case are being summoned to federal court beginning Monday to fill out questionnaires to determine whether they can serve on the jury. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville summoned the prospective jurors to appear in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh...
O’Hara officials peck away at proposed chicken ordinance
O’Hara resident Nadya Ustinova has never raised chickens, but she hopes to soon have a feathered flock in her backyard if a proposed chicken ordinance is passed in the coming months. Ustinova, a township resident for five years, has attended several virtual township meetings in support of backyard chickens and...
Pittsburgh officials divided on investing in natural gas garbage trucks
Pittsburgh City Council members are debating the merits of continuing to invest in compressed natural gas vehicles. The city has 10 compressed natural gas refuse trucks and is getting 10 more this month, according to Maria Montaño, a spokeswoman for Mayor Ed Gainey. “I hate that we continue to add...
Delmont fiber arts show expands into larger venue
Those interested in creating or learning about fiber arts or purchasing crafted fiber items will find an expanded selection of vendors at the semiannual Raggz Fiber Affair show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Delmont. Organizer Toni Ritchey-Ridella of Salem Township said she’s seen interest in fiber arts,...
Pittsburgh expanding program for accelerated permits
Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections is expanding its new accelerated review program to include commercial mechanical and electrical permits. The city launched a pilot program about a year ago to speed up the process for people applying for fire alarm and fire suppression permits. People pay an additional...
Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk returns to Boyce Park in Plum
A charity dog walk is returning to Boyce Park after being conducted virtually the previous few years because of the covid-19 pandemic. “We were virtual, but I still remained active on social media and people still made donations,” Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk organizer Nicole Orlando said. “I was still...
Northland library in McCandless receives state grant
The Northland Public Library in McCandless has been awarded a $750,000 matching grant from the state that will help with needed building upgrades. The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund is supplying the grant, which is used for the planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities. “We’re so...
Norwin briefs: Irwin plans pre-St. Patrick’s Day activities
Irwin plans pre-St. Patrick’s Day party A celebration of Irish-themed activities is planned for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Irwin. The St. Patrick’s Family Fun Fest from noon to 4 p.m. March 11 will feature children’s activities and visits with St. Patrick will be in the Masonic Hall, 415...
