Pittsburgh seeks to ban discrimination over past homelessness
A measure introduced Tuesday to Pittsburgh City Council would prohibit landlords from discriminating against people who have been homeless or have information on their housing record that might be viewed as a problem. Rachel Shepherd, executive director of the city’s Commission on Human Relations, said the goal is to ensure...
Pittsburgh police arrest 1 of 3 suspects in deadly Downtown riverfront attack
Pittsburgh police have arrested one of three suspects in the violent robbery and killing of Stephen Williams, a 42-year-old man whose body was found in the Ohio River earlier this month. Jose Soto, 25, was charged Monday with homicide, robbery and conspiracy in connection with the Sept. 6 killing. His...
2 dogs die in Tarentum house fire, residents displaced
No injuries were reported in a fire that tore through a Tarentum home on Tuesday, but two dogs died. Four dogs escaped, officials at the scene said. The blaze, in the 900 block of Porter Street, was reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. and quickly was upgraded to a second alarm....
Arnold, New Kensington American Legion posts merge, citing declining membership
A decline in membership has led the Arnold and New Kensington American Legion posts to merge. Arnold’s Post 684, and New Kensington’s Post 347, are combining to create the Ar-Ken American Legion, said Commander Gill Thomas. “Most Legion members, nowadays, are Vietnam era,” said Thomas, who was Arnold’s post commander...
Pine-Richland approves superintendent’s performance rating, salary increase
The Pine-Richland School Board has approved a pay increase for Superintendent Brian Miller. In finding that Miller had met performance standards for the 2024-25 academic year, the board set his salary at $221,707. That’s a 2.5% increase from the $216,300 salary the board set for Miller in August 2024 when...
Grist House brewery celebrates opening at former Cold War missile site
It wasn’t long after Brian Eaton and Kyle Mientkiewicz opened Grist House brewery in Millvale that they knew they would need additional space for production. As it turns out, a Cold War missile-command site in Collier fit the bill. Grist House celebrated a grand opening at the Nike site Sept....
Freeport Area eyes state budget impasse; finances OK for now
Although the state budget impasse could soon threaten Pennsylvania school districts’ operations, Freeport Area officials are not reaching for the panic button — yet. The state’s budget allocates millions of dollars in education subsidies every year, which are critical for financing district operations. Freeport Area was projected to receive almost...
Heidelberg program connects those in need with volunteers ready to help
A new initiative in Heidelberg has a simple goal: to ensure no one in town has to struggle with everyday household tasks alone. The borough has launched a program called “Heidelberg Helpers,” a neighbor-to-neighbor volunteer initiative created to connect residents who could use a helping hand, with those who are...
After Pittsburgh Riverhounds project stalls, North Huntingdon to consider setting rules for leasing township land
North Huntingdon is considering a new set of rules for anyone who wants to lease township-owned land. The township commissioners are expected to vote Wednesday to advertise a new ordinance that aims to prevent the kind of controversy that arose last year when officials considered leasing land for a $30...
Man identified in Robinson stabbings, fatal crash
Authorities have identified the man they say stabbed a boy and woman in Robinson and later died in a crash on Route 576 on Sunday. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as Brian Allen Thomas, 36, of McKees Rocks. The stabbing was reported just after 8 a.m....
Officials identify 4-year-old killed in Elizabeth Township fire
A child was killed following a house fire early Monday morning in Elizabeth Township. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Zyaire Akins, 4. He was located in a bedroom and taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital, where he died, according to authorities. The fire broke out just...
The Stroller, Sept. 16, 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. Pet supply collection planned...
Therapy dogs, youth boxing demo join lineup for Latrobe’s National Night Out on Wednesday
Therapy dogs and a youth boxing demonstration will be first-time features at this year’s National Night Out in Latrobe, set for Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. The free event, meant to promote police-community relations and crime prevention, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. In addition to seeing a Westmoreland...
Rape charge dismissed as part of New Kensington man’s plea deal
A New Kensington man pleaded guilty Monday to reduced charges following allegations of a violent sexual assault last year in Arnold. As part of a negotiated plea deal, prosecutors dismissed felony charges of rape, aggravated indecent assault, aggravated assault and sexual assault against Marque Angelo Sanders in return for guilty...
DEP gives preliminary nod to $10B Homer City plant, environmental group sounds alarm
State environmental regulators say they intend to approve an air quality plan for a proposed natural gas-fired power plant near Homer City, despite concerns from an environmental group that the facility would become the largest air polluter in Pennsylvania. The Department of Environmental Protection said the air quality plan submitted...
Police pensions suspended for 2 former Greensburg officers convicted of drug crimes
Greensburg’s police pension board voted Monday to suspend benefits paid to two former officers, both of whom are serving sentences for federal drug crimes. Notice of the suspensions will be provided to Shawn Denning, 41, of Delmont and Regina McAtee, 52, of New Kensington. They have 30 days to appeal...
New ‘Stand for All’ organization created in Pittsburgh to combat hate
Community members on Monday launched a grassroots push to bridge cultural and neighborhood divides and curb hate. The announcement of Stand For All Pittsburgh came during Pittsburgh’s fifth annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit, being held through Wednesday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. The introduction of the organization,...
Annual Rosedale Fall Festival ushers in autumn, caps beach club’s 99th year
The Rosedale Fall Festival brought together hundreds of people from the Penn Hills region to celebrate the end of summer and usher in fall. Held Sept. 11-13 on the grounds of the Rosedale Beach Club in Penn Hills, it also capped the community pool’s 99th year. The three-day event included...
Wilkins man sentenced in connection with fatal 2024 North Versailles crash
A Wilkins man has been sentenced to less than a week in jail for his role in a fatal crash in early 2024. Aaron J. Butler, 21, was sentenced last week to three to six days in jail after entering a guilty plea in connection with the April 7, 2024,...
Franklin Regional has counseling options in place after student suicide
Flowers were left at the entrance to Franklin Regional Senior High School on Monday, a gesture of sympathy after a student committed suicide behind the school early Sunday morning. Franklin Regional officials said resources from Westmoreland County Behavioral Health as well as the University of Pittsburgh’s youth counseling service will...
Pittsburgh apartment robbery, shooting leads to 3 arrests
Three men face criminal charges after a robbery and shooting in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood Saturday morning, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday. Duwayne Carey, 61, William Roberson, 61, and Raymond Paul Conti, 43, all of Pittsburgh, are being held in the Allegheny County Jail, according to online...
Fall foliage in Western Pa. may be less than splendid, forecaster says
First, the good news, especially if it gets windy: The season of raking/blowing/bagging leaves could start and end earlier than normal this year because of an extended dry spell that started in early August and lasted through Labor Day. But the lack of rain, coupled with an early cold snap...
Shaler Area School Board considers reduced scope of work for middle school
Building renovations at Shaler Area Middle School have been reduced in cost from more than $20 million to about $8.2 million over the next three years. While still replacing the school’s entire roof, HVAC work would be limited to replacing two or three of the units in the worst condition...
Portion of Burtner Road to close in Harrison and Fawn
A portion of Burtner Road in Harrison and Fawn will be closed through the end of the month for slide repair work. The closure is expected to start at 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to PennDOT. Work will target the portion of Burtner Road from Pleasantville Road to Bachman Drive. PennDOT...
CCAC reports 9% enrollment increase over last fall
The Community College of Allegheny County is seeing a larger student population — just over 9% more than last year — this fall, said President Quintin Bullock. “This is probably the largest increase we’ve experienced in the last five years,” Bullock told TribLive. While numbers will be finalized later in...
