Greensburg Lutheran church sells shopping plaza along Main Street
A Greensburg shopping plaza has been sold to a Unity church. Charter Oak Church on Frye Farm Road has purchased the Mid Town Plaza, at 450 S. Main St., from First Evangelical Lutheran Church at 246 S. Main St. for $1.15 million, through its COC Holdings LLC, according to documents...
Municipal manager talks ‘All Things Monroeville,’ including mall’s fate, town’s future
During Monroeville Rotary’s town hall meeting Dec. 4 at Monroeville Public Library, municipal Manager Alex discussed “All Things Monroeville.” Fittingly, Graziani was introduced by Rotary President Tim Little, who served as Monroeville’s manager from 2010 until his retirement in December 2023. Graziani said he met with Little around the time...
Police drop charges against man previously accused of firing shots during road rage incident
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that charges against Dillon Schaub were withdrawn. State police have withdrawn all the charges against a man previously accused of firing several shots from a handgun at another vehicle during a supposed road rage episode in North Buffalo on Friday. On...
Victim identified in fatal shooting outside New Kensington Elks Lodge
Police continue to investigate a homicide that took place early Saturday morning outside the New Kensington Elks Lodge, 932 Third Ave. Jeffrey Ballard, 46, was shot and killed outside the bar at around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, said Melanie Jones, a spokeswoman for the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office. Ballard is...
Monroeville area: New Year’s ball drop, holiday events, food distributions and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or mhorvath@triblive.com. Noon ball drop planned at Monroeville Mall Monroeville Public Library is hosting its ball drop celebration at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 31 inside Monroeville Mall for anyone who wants to ring in the new year a little early. The ball will...
Sharpsburg, Rankin mayors attend Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism
Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis visited New Orleans for the first time with a heavy heart. Portis attended the 2025 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism held Dec. 2-4 in New Orleans. “The Tree of Life shooting is a tragedy that continues to weigh heavily on our region,” said Portis, invited...
Gateway High School’s ‘Almost, Maine’ production a fitting debut for director
The first time Kaylie Wallace saw her grandfather, Larry Cervi, direct a play was about a decade ago when Gateway High School performed “Almost, Maine” — the 2004 show written by John Cariani. Recently, Wallace stepped into Cervi’s (dancing) shoes as the artistic director and choreographer at the nonprofit East...
Longtime Brackenridge secretary retires
Brackenridge administrator Denise Tocco submitted her letter of resignation to council last week. Tocco served as office manager, secretary and treasurer for 43 years. She will officially retire Friday. Tocco was not at the meeting, but her letter was read aloud. She thanked council for “the opportunity to be part...
Budget bombshell: Pittsburgh councilwoman proposes 30% tax hike in 2026
Pittsburgh Councilwoman Barb Warwick dropped a budget bombshell on Monday, proposing a 30% property tax hike to balance what she and her peers see as a disastrous final spending plan by the outgoing mayor. A tax increase of that magnitude is only path to forward without axing services, Warwick said....
Film festival organizers look to help students hone their content creation skills
Luke Champlain grew up going to the movies every week with his family. “We still go whenever we’re able,” said the 18-year-old Penn-Trafford senior. “I’ve always wanted to make movies. I think one of the coolest thing you can do is tell stories.” It’s easier than ever for young people...
Plum prepares for 25th edition of Make-A-Wish telethon, hopes to crack $1.25M mark
Plum’s annual Make-A-Wish telethon is set to return later this month for its 25th edition. The livestreamed event has raised $1.19 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation since it began in 1999. But organizers are hoping to crack the $1.25 million mark this year, according to Plum High School teacher and...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Dec. 8, 2025
Group offers support for weight loss All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight. With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise. You may visit with no obligation...
In brief: Bridgeville, Carnegie area news and events, week of Dec. 8, 2025 and beyond
Board meetings Next year’s Chartiers Valley School Board meetings will be held at the middle school cafeteria, 50 Thoms Run Road. Meeting dates are Jan. 13 and 27; Feb. 10 and 24; March 10 and 24; April 14 and 28; May 12 and 26; June 9 and 23; Aug. 11...
Construction of driverless vehicle test track in East Huntingdon reaches the start line
Construction of a 2-mile track in East Huntingdon to test autonomous vehicles and train first responders is underway, with the facility expected to be in operation by late 2026. The project’s first phase, which includes the test track and supporting infrastructure, is expected to cost about $30 million. Work crews...
North Huntingdon OKs draft rules on leasing public land
North Huntingdon officials have approved a draft ordinance to govern the leasing of public land. The move is intended to prevent a recurrence of the controversy that surrounded a proposal for a sports complex on the public works facility site. Last month, the commissioners authorized advertising the ordinance, which would...
Morning Roundup: Water main breaks on Route 51; man arrested outside Pittsburgh FBI office
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Dec. 8: Water main breaks along Route 51 in Brentwood Repairs are underway early Monday morning following a water main break along Route 51 in Brentwood. The break happened Sunday night between Greenlee Road and Marylea Avenue, according...
The Stroller, Dec. 8, 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. AK Valley Historical Society...
In brief: Happenings across the North Hills Journal area
Veterans invited to free holiday lunch A free holiday luncheon for veterans is planned for noon Dec. 17 at the Ross Community Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive. The event is being hosted by the Ross Township Parks and Recreation Department. To make a reservation, call 412-931-7041. Police departments collecting toys...
Here are some upcoming programs at Penn Hills Library
Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, offers a variety of programs for all ages. For a complete list of offerings and to register for programs, visit pennhillslibrary.org. To reach the library by phone, call 412-775-4700. Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m....
At the library: Here are some upcoming programs at Northland Public Library
Notice to patrons Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless, will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the Christmas holiday. The library will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and remain closed through Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Northland’s regular operating hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through...
Man pistol-whipped during armed home invasion in Swissvale
A man was pistol-whipped during a home invasion in Swissvale on Sunday, Allegheny County Police said. The armed home invasion in the 2500 block of Delaware Avenue was reported to 911 shortly before 6 p.m. First responders found a man suffering from head lacerations. He was taken to a hospital...
Hundreds gather in Squirrel Hill to hear account of Israeli held captive by Hamas for 491 days
For Jay Idler, reading the first published account of an Israeli taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, was difficult, but necessary. “A lot of the hostages are appropriately closed in after having such a traumatic experience,” said Idler of Squirrel Hill. “Having someone elaborate after what they went...
Fire destroys Cook Township house; man left homeless
Firefighters had to battle a smoky fire at a Cook Township house Sunday while being careful as ammunition in the house was exploding, a fire official said. There were no injuries from the fire along Hoods Mill Road off Route 130, said Chestnut Ridge Fire Chief Shawn Kestner. The owner,...
Monessen man charged after 24 shots fired during fight outside Springdale restaurant
Springdale police have charged a Monessen man after two dozen shots were fired outside a borough business late Saturday night. Police charged Armando Antonio Diaz, 22, with robbery, theft, aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangerment, and firearms offenses, according to court records. According to a criminal complaint, an officer monitoring...
Tattoo artist plans new studio, community hub at former Manos Gallery in Tarentum
The former Manos Gallery in Tarentum will continue to be filled with art, albeit a different medium. Artist Chris Provenzo plans to open Golden Rule Tattoo Co. on Jan. 3 in the building along East Fifth Avenue. “Tattoo design is versatile, and I’ve worked very hard to try to create...
