Western PA Local News category, Page 1211
Solar push for business, nonprofits in McCandless
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the name of Sharon Grace Pillar. Big tax breaks await businesses and nonprofits in McCandless that go solar, and they can get help with the process through nonprofit Pennsylvania Solar Center. An online informational webinar is scheduled for Jan. 13, from...
Murrysville area: Cornhole tournament, comedy night, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Cooper sworn in as state rep Jill Cooper of Murrysville was sworn in Jan. 3 as the 55th District state representative. Cooper grew up in neighboring Plum, graduated from Grove City College and worked as vice president of sales and marketing for...
Pa. gas drilling report criticizes industry for failing to report abandoned gas wells
The Department of Environmental Protection rebuked the conventional oil and gas drilling industry for not complying with state regulations, saying that operators with 11 or more wells failing to report key data “seems to be an industry-wide rule rather than the exception.” “Over the past five years, DEP’s OOGM (Office...
Deer Lakes Middle School wins national award
Deer Lakes Middle School has been named one of the state’s “Schools to Watch,” which is a statewide recognition that is part of a larger national program. The school was one of three schools in the state to be recognized by the Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch Program...
Damar Hamlin’s toy drive prompts donations topping $7 million
A toy drone. A Hot Wheels track. A Mickey Mouse car. To Sierra Giesy’s three sons, these are fun items. To their mom, they represent so much more. The McKees Rocks mother of Alec, 12; Liam, 6; and Nolan, 4, watched her children choose the items with the help of...
Damaged eye removed from cat abandoned at Greensburg apartment complex last spring
A cat had an eye surgically removed after Greensburg police said a woman left it behind when she moved out of a city apartment in May, according to a criminal complaint. Shelly Ann Kemerer, 52, of Jeannette, was arrested Tuesday on animal cruelty charges. Police were notified June 3 after...
Police arrest Derry man after purse-snatching incident in Scottdale
A Derry man is accused of stealing a purse from a woman in Scottdale Wednesday before police apprehended him after a foot pursuit, according to investigators. Jason M. Thomas, 33, was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $50,000 bail on charges of robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and...
Westmoreland targets 2024 for shelter construction
Construction of a new shelter expected to increase the county’s ability to care for and assist the homeless could begin in 2024, Westmoreland County officials said Wednesday. Officials outlined the plan to seek proposals for private providers to acquire land and build what could be a 12-unit shelter that would...
Woman escapes house fire in village of Claridge in Penn Township
A historic home in Claridge was destroyed Thursday morning in a fire and a woman who lived there escaped with minor injuries, according to first responders. Claridge Fire Chief Ron Supancic Jr. said he believed the blaze started on the first floor. Part of the second floor collapsed. “When we...
Feliciani elected president judge in Westmoreland County
Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani on Wednesday was elected as Westmoreland County’s 30th president judge. The county’s 11 judges unanimously elected Feliciani to serve as the lead administrator in charge of the civil, criminal and family court divisions. “It’s humbling,” Feliciani said. “I am honored to have the support of...
Willie’s Random Acts of Kindness Day honors memory of Greensburg infant
Though William David “Willie” Fennell lived only a few hours after his birth Jan. 6, 2020, his brief life continues to have an impact on others. His parents, Will and Lindsay Fennell of Greensburg, in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region, are inviting people to perform...
The Stroller, Jan. 5, 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. NK church offers kids clothing closet The Kids Closet at The...
Grassroots nonprofits feed those in need each week at Greensburg, Jeannette churches
A special service takes place Thursday evenings at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg. People who drive or walk to the church are collectively served with more than 200 free meals to go — through the efforts of a local nonprofit, with support from businesses, volunteers and donors. “We do...
Coop costs jump: Chicken feed 1 culprit behind rise in price of eggs
When Adam Mason, owner of HEAL Farms in Apollo thinks about buying his next order of chicken feed, he gets a pit in his stomach. “I’m a little worried because we have to get feed soon, and I don’t know the feed price, but every time I’ve gotten feed, it...
‘They’re not going to leave him’: Brackenridge officers keep watch over fallen chief
Police officers from across Western Pennsylvania are keeping watch over Brackenridge, as the borough’s own officers stand guard over their fallen chief. At least one officer from Brackenridge has remained alongside Chief Justin McIntire’s body since he was killed in the line of duty Monday. “There has been at least...
Children’s Bureau audits identify state payments owed to Westmoreland County
A growing numbers of juveniles who received care from the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau led to bookkeeping errors that resulted in an influx of more than $650,000 in state reimbursements dating back to 2017, officials said. Rob Hamilton, the new director of the county’s human services division, said the audit...
Murrysville area: Holiday events, American Legion scholarships, ‘Parents Night Out’, more
Holiday happenings The following is a list of holiday-related events happening in the Star’s coverage area. Email events to pvarine@triblive.com. • Franklin Regional Middle School seventh and eighth grade chorus holiday concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the middle school’s Little Theater, 4660 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. •...
New Stanton warehouse construction forces closure of Glenn Fox Road
New Stanton officials said a portion of Glenn Fox Road in the borough will close Friday. It will not reopen until sometime this spring, said Jeff McLaughlin, borough manager. The closure was necessary to accommodate the increasing number of construction vehicles traveling to the build site of a 1 million...
K9 retires from Northern Regional police department
Though he’s not beach-bound, a local police dog has recently retired to the “lap” of luxury. That lap belongs to his former police partner and now permanent owner Sgt. Michael Dorsch of the Northern Regional Police Department. K-9 Nolte retired in December from the NRPD, which he first joined in...
Indiana Township officials hold the line on taxes in 2023
Indiana Township property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes this year as part of the town’s budget. Supervisors unanimously voted last month to approve the 2023 spending plan and hold the line on taxes at 3.47 mills, of which 2.99 mills is designated for the...
County judge’s ruling regarding proposed Quaker Valley High School appealed to state court by Leet residents
A pair of Leet residents has filed an appeal of an Allegheny County judge’s ruling regarding a proposed Quaker Valley High School. Senior Judge Joseph James removed a roadblock for the district to move forward with its plans for an estimated $100 million school in late November. But attorney Louis...
Wexford woman gets probation and house arrest for failure to pay taxes
The owner of a now-defunct Fox Chapel business will serve three years probation, including six months on house arrest, after she was sentenced on Wednesday for failing to pay both personal and business taxes. Shelley L. Fant, 52, of Wexford was sentenced before U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy. In...
Pa. Turnpike toll hike to take effect
It will cost a bit more to drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike beginning next week. On Jan. 8, tolls will increase by 5% for both E-ZPass and Toll-By-Plate drivers. This is the 15th consecutive year that tolls have increased. The most common passenger car toll will increase from $1.70 to...
Tarentum officer injured in shootout released from hospital, healing at home
Tarentum police Officer Jordan Schrecengost got to eat breakfast in his own home Wednesday after being shot in the leg during a frenzied and fatal manhunt in Brackenridge earlier this week. “He’s doing well,” Tarentum Mayor Bob Lang said. “He’s in some pain, but he’s out of the hospital.” Lang...
Former Steeler Smith-Schuster helps Hampton boy support friend in fight against leukemia
A surefire way to raise money in Western Pennsylvania is to auction off anything related to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s what young Hampton resident Rylan Lennex had in mind when he attended a “Final Farewell to Pittsburgh” event in June for JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was leaving the Steelers for Kansas...
