Western PA Local News category, Page 1216
Youngwood bartender school will be featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ series
When partygoers in Westmoreland County are waiting on a drink New Year’s Eve, there’s a decent chance the person mixing it attended a class at Wines, Steins & Cocktails in Youngwood. At an unassuming building on Helman Street, owner Dan Clougherty estimated that he’s trained more than 40,000 people over...
Several hundred birders slough through rain to count thousands of birds, some rare
For the 123rd Christmas Bird Count, several hundred people scoured all types of habitats from Pittsburgh’s three rivers to the brushy fields of Hartwood Acres in Indiana Township to the Laurel Highlands for the annual census of birds. There are never enough boots on the ground for the longest-running community...
Authorities release little information about New Kensington bank robbery
New Kensington police are still looking for a suspect in the robbery Friday of First National Bank in New Kensington. The bank is a freestanding building at the front of the Riverview Plaza property at 90 Tarentum Bridge Road. A male robber threatened bank tellers by saying he was armed,...
Community rallies around Verna Montessori School in Fayette County after burst pipe floods classrooms
The sisters of Verna Montessori School are thankful for the support of their community after they discovered a pipe had burst in the ceiling of the Bullskin, Fayette County, school on Christmas morning. According to its principal, Sister Juliana Tengia, she and five other nuns were checking on the school...
Lawsuit alleges improprieties in cosmetology school
A former employee is suing the Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology and its owner alleging financial improprieties, defamation and retaliation. Jennifer Michael, of Hopewell, filed the complaint against the school and owner Cheri Herold on Tuesday in federal court. It also includes claims under the state whistleblower act. Herold,...
Wait continues for residents of flooded Scottdale apartment complex
A water leak forced 29 residents from the Scottdale Court apartment complex on Christmas Day, and it’s unclear how long it will be until they can return to their homes. Greensburg’s Homes Build Hope, which developed the complex in 2013, expects most of the displaced residents will be able to...
Troopers justified in deadly November shooting of motorist, Westmoreland DA says
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli has ruled that state troopers were justified in fatally shooting a Johnstown man during a November high-speed chase that ended in Westmoreland County. Ziccarelli said in a news release Friday that she reviewed numerous videos, reports, witness interviews and evidence in coming to the...
Hampton elementary students create ‘one of a kind’ earrings
Nestled on a shelf in Three Little Birds Cafe & Juice Bar on Middle Road are dozens of dangle earrings for sale of varying shapes and sizes: white flowers with silver sparkles, dark blue with large gold circles and, for the holidays, green and red charms. The only clue that...
Gilpin passes budget, holds the line on taxes
Gilpin residents won’t see a property tax increase this year. Supervisors approved the 2023 final budget Wednesday that keeps the tax rate at 11 mills. Supervisors Chairman Charles Stull said he is pleased with the fiscal progress made possible by the board and treasurer Sharon Long, referred to by Stull...
Police: South Greensburg motel fire ruled arson, Washington Township man charged
A state police fire marshal determined a blaze Thursday at the Knights Inn in South Greensburg was arson and a man told authorities he started it in the room where he was staying, according to court papers. A trooper reported to borough police that the 11 a.m. blaze began inside...
Fire marshal investigating fatal West Newton blaze
Firefighters and paramedics were not able to resuscitate a woman who was pulled from her apartment in West Newton on Thursday after a fire in her living room, fire Chief Craig Sanner said. The flames were contained to the home of Joyce Marinos, 76, who lived on the 11th floor...
New Kensington man accused of punching ER nurse at AHN Allegheny Valley faces felony charge
A man who was found walking outside without shoes Monday in New Kensington was accused by police of assaulting a nurse at AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital after he was brought there to be checked out. Raimiynd Hezekia Glover, 21, of the 600 block of George Street in New Kensington was...
Springdale Township final budget passes with no tax hike
Springdale Township Commissioners last week approved a nearly $1.2 million budget for next year that keeps the real estate tax rate at 6.50 mills. It includes a $221,500 carryover from this year. Spending will increase by $40,000 for the township’s share in the Allegheny Valley Regional Police department. The township...
MAWC seeks grant for Yukon sewer construction
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County is seeking nearly $5.8 million in federal grants to build a new sewer system to service a tiny community in South Huntingdon. Officials said the project to build a $9 million extension of sewer lines in Yukon is in the planning stages. Once completed,...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Dec. 30-Jan. 1
Artsy interlude Weekend hours will be 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. The museum will be closed Sunday for New Year’s Day. Current exhibits include “Gatecrashers: The Rise of the Self-Taught Artist in America,” featuring...
State liquor store in Greensburg to reopen Monday
The state liquor store in Greensburg will reopen in a few days, but not in time for partygoers to buy their favorite libations for a New Year’s Eve bash. The Fine Wine & Good Spirits store at 105 Harrison Ave. will reopen Monday after being closed since August because of...
$25M, 2-year preservation project on New Kensington Bridge to start in spring
A two-year, roughly $25 million project to preserve the nearly century-old New Kensington Bridge is scheduled to start in the spring. While drivers will encounter some traffic restrictions in 2023, the biggest inconvenience won’t come until the summer of 2024, when the bridge is scheduled to be closed for six...
West Deer holds steady on taxes for 2023
West Deer supervisors during a meeting last week gave the final approval of a $9.2 million budget that keeps real estate taxes at 2.99 mills. The 2023 spending program marks a 2.2% increase from 2022. The budget includes $2.2 million earmarked for the police department, which has 19 officers and...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 30-Jan. 1
This weekend begins in 2022 and ends in 2023 and there’s plenty to do in Pittsburgh in between, especially when it comes to ushering in the New Year. Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2023 Produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, this year’s First Night festivities get underway at 6 p.m. Saturday...
Police: Sewickley Township man fought with troopers
A Sewickley Township man is behind bars after state police said he fought with troopers during his arrest Wednesday, fled into a nearby creek and vomited in the back of a patrol unit, according to court papers. Victor J. Ford, 38, is facing numerous charges including robbery, strangulation, aggravated assault...
The Stroller, Dec. 30, 2022: 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. Cornhole tournament to aid addiction recovery charity An indoor cornhole tournament...
Holiday Family Day draws dozens of visitors to Historic Hanna’s Town
Historic Hanna’s Town was a hive of activity Thursday, as dozens of people gathered for Holiday Family Day. “People are looking for something to do between Christmas and New Year’s, so as long as they want to come, we’re happy to be here,” said Lisa Hays, executive director of Westmoreland...
Ringing in the new year means staying on the clock for many workers
It’s a night of high expectations for people who want their celebrations to be memorable. But, for those providing service, New Year’s Eve can be a nonstop, thankless grind. The host of servers, bartenders, drivers and others behind the scenes generally make the party possible for revelers. Alcohol flows in...
Coroner: 1 dead following apartment fire in West Newton
A 76-year-old woman died Thursday night after a fire at a senior apartment complex in West Newton, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Joyce Marinos was killed in the blaze. An autopsy will be done Friday, Carson said. Filbern Manor was evacuated partially after the fire in an 11th-floor...
Lawsuit accuses Moon child care center of failing to take action against employee accused of abusive conduct
The families of three small children are suing a Moon Township day care, alleging that a former employee there improperly punished them, including pulling down their pants and underwear in front of other children and employees. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, includes claims for negligence,...
