Western PA Local News category, Page 1237
Pitt visionary remembered for her legendary leadership
A centenarian praised for a lifetime of leadership in America is being remembered for her tireless dedication to the Girl Scouts organization, the University of Pittsburgh and numerous global endeavors. Frances Hesselbein, of Easton, died at her residence Sunday, Dec. 11. She was 107. The former CEO of Girls Scouts...
Out & About: Pitt-Greensburg alumni make merry at holiday gathering
Ugly sweaters were the garment of choice at the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association’s Merry Mingle, held Dec. 2 in Millstein Library at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Alumna Kim McLeod poked fun at cross-state rival Penn State by wearing the tinsel-embellished likeness of former football coach Joe Paterno. Lee Garsteck...
Faces of the Valley: Vandergrift native opens neighborhood butcher shop in Lawrenceville
Having grown up in Vandergrift, Steve Dawson understands the heartbeat of a small town. Now, he is bringing that neighborhood vibe to an already-bustling area with his recently opened butcher concept in Lawrenceville. After years working as a corporate geologist, Dawson left his profession to pursue his passion for butchering,...
Remember When: Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington served the city well
For nearly 90 years, Citizens General Hospital served thousands in the New Kensington area. The facility — known simply as CGH to many — existed from 1912 until 2000. The hospital had a humble beginning, chartered on Dec. 12, 1912, when it was known as “Trinity Hospital.” It was located...
Out & About: Westmoreland Society chooses new work for museum collection
The permanent collection of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is richer, following the 35th Annual Westmoreland Society Dinner on Dec. 2 in the Greensburg institution. As is their custom, members were presented with a choice of artworks to acquire. This year’s choice was between two pieces by Pakistani-American artist...
New Kensington-based group led by Lillie Leonardi helps disadvantaged people through ‘boxes of goodness’
A group of dedicated volunteers are giving back to those in need, one backpack at a time. Books Bridge Hope, a nonprofit based in New Kensington, was founded in 2017 by Arnold native and former FBI specialist Lillie Leonardi. Leonardi, of Oakmont, is a former Arnold police officer and retired...
Arts, crafts featured at Greensburg library’s Family Maker Day
Maggie McCaffrey set out to paint sheep. Using a bamboo brush dipped in water, 13-year-old McCaffrey’s zen-like artwork started to drip and morph. So she pivoted and recast her picture as rain clouds. The 10th grader from Hempfield was among those who participated Saturday in the Greensburg-Hempfield Area Library’s latest...
Penn-Trafford students will prep for graduation with personal finance class
Penn-Trafford School District students who are prepping for graduation have more than a few requirements to check off their lists before they can earn a diploma. Students must complete 4 credits of English, 3.5 credits of social studies, 3 or 4 courses of math, 3 or 4 courses of science,...
Out & About: Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary hosts annual Christmas auction
Linda Assard welcomed a steady stream of guests to her elegantly decorated Hempfield home on Dec. 1, for the Westmoreland Hospital Christmas Auction. Inside the door, they added to a basket overflowing with books destined for siblings of babies born in the Greensburg hospital’s Family Additions Maternity Center. Books for...
Police investigate after wounded man walks into Pittsburgh hospital
Pittsburgh police said an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to a man arriving on his own at a hospital Sunday morning with multiple gunshot wounds. The unidentified adult man presented himself at the hospital at about 6:20 a.m. and was listed in critical condition, police said....
Armstrong County fires 3 public defenders, they sue. County revamps department.
Three Armstrong County public defenders who were fired last month have filed a civil case against the Armstrong County Board of Commissioners in federal court in Pittsburgh. The lawsuit, filed Dec. 2, accused the county commissioners of wrongful discharge, breach of the terms and conditions of employment agreements and multiple...
Trafford approves budget, reexamines comprehensive plan
Trafford borough council members last week approved a 2023 spending plan of just over $2 million that does not include a tax increase. The budget was balanced with an infusion of $ 559,731.88 from the general fund balance. Compared with this year, the borough will cut expenditures by $313,436 in...
Woman found dead in Elliott home under investigation
Pittsburgh police are investigating an apparent fatal shooting Saturday night inside a home in the city’s Elliott neighborhood. Police responded to a call at 11:35 p.m. from a family member at the home on the 900 block of Wilhelm Street who reported a woman in her 60s was found unresponsive...
Nearly 30 graduates nominated for New Kensington-Arnold ‘Distinguished Alumni’ honors
Nearly 30 graduates of Valley High School and its predecessors in New Kensington and Arnold have been nominated to be recognized as distinguished alumni. New Kensington-Arnold Assistant Superintendent Jon Banko and School Director Sarah Yurga announced earlier this year that the district would be bringing back a program to honor...
Ligonier artist tells history through artwork
Steve Patricia had a dream when he was young: to someday work for National Geographic. Patricia looked at the nonprofit as an organization that created “art for science’s sake.” As someone who grew up interested in science, history and art, he was drawn to that type of work. “I’ve always...
Free shopping event in New Kensington provides holiday goodies for those in need
April Bontempo of Arnold left her house Saturday morning intent on just buying dog food. She returned home with much more, thanks to the generosity of a regional nonprofit dedicated to providing freebies to anyone in need. Bontempo stumbled upon the Cuddles For Kids Annual Holiday Pop-Up Free Store at...
Kiski Township officers accuse woman of drunken driving with 2 toddlers, infant in vehicle; felony charges filed
Kiski Township police accused a woman of driving drunk with her three young children in the vehicle when she failed three field sobriety tests after jumping the curb. Officers responding to a report of a single-vehicle crash shortly after 8 p.m. Dec. 1 said they found a Nissan Juke SUV...
Sewickley area real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 11, 2022
Franklin Park Richard Marcus sold property at 2404 Bellwood Ct to Lina Albander for $640,000. Estate of Susan Boucheck Webb sold property at 2527 Country Side Ln to Daniel and Kimberly Regan for $390,000. Estate of Kimberly Sue Beining sold property at 1564 Duncan Drive to HM Reno LLC for...
Fox Chapel area real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 11, 2022
Blawnox Michael Louis Meskel sold property at 518 Freeport Road to James Joyce for $87,500. Etna Gloria Mehalich sold property at 42 Bridge St. to Kevin Burke for $17,000. Justin McGhee sold property at 27 Christler St. to Holly Fromlak and Alison Parent for $189,900. Louise Bosilovich sold property at...
Behind the art: Paperweights have pride of place at SAMA-Ligonier Valley
Glass paperweights are often found among the kitschy collections in flea markets and thrift stores, but they’re also having a moment in the contemporary art world. “They’ve actually become quite the thing again,” said Kristin Miller, site coordinator at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. “In the...
‘Peace on Earth’ holiday concert returns to Tarentum church
Local musicians will bring some holiday cheer to Tarentum this month by putting on a concert as part of a series that is returning after shuttering in 2020. The “Peace on Earth” concert featuring vocalist Daphne Alderson and the St. Michael Chamber Band will take place Dec. 18 at Central...
Malls’ best days may be long gone, but memories remain strong, particularly at Christmastime
There was a time when holiday gift buying involved — and in many cases required — a pilgrimage to the nearest mall. Many malls are still there, but shoppers aren’t crowding into them like they once did. And while going to the mall isn’t the experience it once was, nostalgic...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of Dec. 11, 2022
Chalfant Ronald Harmon sold property at 212 Highland Ave. to Jeffrey Harmon for $138,000. Edgewood Estate of Luther Shay sold property at 331 Dewey Ave. to Shane and Sara McCombs for $330,000. Courtney Kern sold property at 228 Elm St. to Luis Alberto and Linda Chow Chu for $250,000. Renee...
North Hills real estate transactions, week of Dec. 11, 2022
Bellevue Brian Clause sold property at 550-552 Forest Ave. to Derek and Kayla Higham for $225,555. Anna Catherine Properties LLC sold property at 563 Lincoln Ave. to Blue Owl Properties for $1 (state deed transfer stamps indicate a value of $184,746). Kenneth Kitchen sold property at 70 N Sprague Ave....
In brief: news from Trinity Lutheran Church, AARP and more
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2500 Brandt School Road in Franklin Park, is conducting its annual Live Nativity on Dec. 18. Performances are at 4:30 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6 p.m., including singing Christmas carols. This is an annual tradition for all the community to attend. Performances are followed by hot cocoa,...
