Western PA Local News category, Page 1343
News from North Allegheny schools
The North Allegheny School District among the districts organizing the North Pittsburgh College Fair from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 10. More than 120 colleges, universities and trade schools will participate. High school students and their parents will have the chance to meet with representatives from each school to learn more...
Murrysville planners look at proposal for second fracking well
Murrysville planning commissioners will consider a recommendation for the second Olympus Energy fracking well in the municipality. Canonsburg-based Olympus is seeking to build the Hermes unconventional gas drilling well on a 147-acre property just southwest of the Rolling Fields Golf Club, on the 5000 block of Logan Ferry Road. The...
Natrona Heights woman, 80, struck by vehicle in Tarentum, condition unknown
A Natrona Heights woman was taken to a hospital in stable condition Thursday night after being struck by a vehicle in Tarentum. The 80-year-old woman was transported to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, according to Tarentum police. Police did not release her name. Police said the woman was in a...
Public invited to honor loved ones for Monarch Hospice memorial walk on Saturday in Lower Burrell
Monarch Hospice is sponsoring its third annual Memorial Walk and Celebration of Life on Saturday. The public is invited to Kotecki Park in Lower Burrell to honor their lost ones. For years, the annual memorial service was held in a church to honor seriously ill patients and other loved ones...
Sewickley Township farm earns conservation award thanks to management practices
The Lash family of Sewickley Township knows a few things about keeping a farm going. They’ve kept their family farm running for more than two centuries and recently were named Conservation Farmers of the Year by the Westmoreland Conservation District. Once a dairy operation, the Lashes have had to make...
Former State Rep. Jeff Pyle dies; legacy lives on with community college branch in Ford City
Former State Rep. Jeff Pyle, 57, died on Wednesday in Ford City after a long battle with cancer. A Ford City resident, Pyle was a former nine-term Republican state representative, Ford City mayor, and Ford City teacher. He is survived by his wife, Michele Pyle, and two daughters. Pyle battled...
Florida businessman admits to role in $100M health care fraud scheme
A Florida businessman involved in nearly $100 million of health care fraud pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Pittsburgh. Daniel Hurt, 58, of Fort Lauderdale, pleaded guilty in three separate cases before U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy to charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy...
Labrador retriever pup, Charlie, could be new staffer at Highlands Middle School
The Highlands Middle School in Harrison could have a new administrative staffer by next week — one with four legs and a wet nose. The school board is considering a proposal for a district therapy dog named Charlie, a 5-month-old Labrador retriever. Charlie belongs to Principal Becky Bragan. “The goal...
Plum Distinguished Alumni Committee honors 2020 inductees
Because of the covid-19 pandemic, the Plum Distinguished Alumni Committee made the decision to postpone the induction banquet for the Class of 2020. The committee, which recognizes select Plum High School graduates for their exemplary accomplishments, announces that the inductees will be honored at a banquet on Oct. 6 at...
Mt. Pleasant man accused of another assault of nurse at jail
A man being held at the Westmoreland County Prison was arraigned Thursday for assaulting a nurse at the jail, the second accused incident in as many weeks involving a nurse, according to court papers. Joe Paul Biller, 37, of Mt. Pleasant is charged with aggravated assault and simple assault. County...
Landowners to receive $5.5M to settle suit over oil, gas rights in Fayette County
About 60 Fayette County landowners who signed leases for oil and gas rights 14 years ago will receive a combined $5.5 million in a settlement reached with a drilling company. The settlement calls for Chief Exploration and Development, now known as Cyprus Exploration and Development, to pay the landowners for...
PennDOT announces drilling operations on Wexford Bayne Road
Drilling operations are expected to last on Route 910 — Wexford Road/ Wexford Bayne Road/Gibsonia Road — in Franklin Park and Pine, Richland, and Marshall townships through late September, PennDOT announced. Single-lane alternating traffic on Route 910 will occur weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. between I-79 and Hardt...
Monroeville Council’s rezoning approval paves way for funeral home
Monroeville council members on Sept. 13 approved the rezoning of a new business on Haymaker Road. Law Funeral Home intends to open a new location in Monroeville to answer the demands of their clients. In order to open this location, they needed to have the 4.5-four acre property rezoned from...
Hyde Park husband sentenced to up to 26 years in prison for wife’s death
Despite being convicted of her murder, Jeffrey Fondrk told a Westmoreland County judge Thursday that he misses his wife. “She was the world to me and I tried to take care of her the best I could. I regret her death and I miss her. She was a very good...
Squaw Run stream renamed as Sycamore Run
The federal renaming of a stream that runs through Fox Chapel, Indiana Township and O’Hara is a long-sought triumph for people who battled years against what is now a nationally recognized slur. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on Sept. 8 announced that Squaw Run will be called Sycamore Run, striking...
Arnold plans to use federal covid-19 relief money to target blight
The landscape in Arnold could look vastly different several years from now, thanks to money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The city will receive a portion of the $10.1 million sum allotted to Westmoreland County for blight remediation. Arnold will then be able to tear down 79 of...
Norwin area: Oktoberfests, car cruise, library programs, more
Chamber to hold Oktoberfest There will be music, German food, raffle prizes and a beer stein holding contest at the Norwin Chamber of Commerce’s Oktoberfest fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 29 at Quinn Brewing, 300 Commerce Loop, Banco Industrial Park, North Huntingdon. The chamber is asking for a...
Penn-Trafford area: Blood drive, seniors meet, chicken barbecue, more
Blood drive underway A blood drive in memory of the late Allan Chelkis of Manor, who died in September 2021 at age 73, is being held through Sept. 30 in conjunction with the American Red Cross. Chelkis suffered from a disease that prevent red blood cells from processing the iron...
Murrysville area: High tea fundraiser, Scout troop recruiting, Rotary Oktoberfest, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. • • • ‘High Tea’ to benefit Laird Hall First Presbyterian Church officials in Murrysville will organize a “high tea” to raise funds to replace the doors on the church’s Laird Hall. It will be from 1:30-4 p.m., Oct. 23 at the...
Carnegie Mellon professor speaks out after controversial tweet about Queen Elizabeth II
In her first recorded interview since sending a controversial tweet wishing pain on Queen Elizabeth II that was removed by Twitter, Carnegie Mellon University professor Uju Anya explained her family’s history in Africa and the British role in a war there that her family fled. Last week, shortly before it...
Vandergrift shutterbug lands first public exhibit
A nature-loving shutterbug from Vandergrift has landed her first public photography exhibit. Karlee Holmes spends most of her time outdoors, photographing animals and scenery across the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond. Butler Area Public Library is exhibiting “Call of the Wild,” featuring some of Holmes’ images, through Sept. 30. The display,...
Asbestos uncovered in Tarentum structures set for demolition will increase cost of work
The good news for Tarentum residents is that four hazardous homes and a dilapidated commercial building are expected to be demolished by January. The bad news is that the cost of the demolitions just jumped after asbestos was uncovered in all of them. “It will be costly,” Code Enforcement Officer...
Baby kangaroos visit UPMC East in Monroeville
Staff members at UPMC East in Monroeville received a special visit from Aldinger Farms on Sept. 14. Two baby kangaroos were brought for a meet-and-greet on the hospital’s outdoor patio. Staff members lined up in front of the caretakers for their turn to hold the six-month- and nine-month- old babies....
Former McKeesport teacher faces more sex charges
Police on Wednesday filed additional sex charges against a former McKeesport Area middle school teacher who already was accused of sexually assaulting several boys. The new charges against Eric Vincent Fairman, 26, of Pleasant Hills, relate to his former role as a basketball coach and involve two players, according to...
Pittsburgh police brace for busy weekend with Elton John, Steelers home opener
Pittsburgh police are anticipating a busy weekend, with an Elton John concert and the Pittsburgh Steelers home opener. “With the large events, there will be extra officers,” Acting Police Chief Thomas Stangrecki said Thursday, explaining the bureau is working with other agencies. The department is short staffed, he said, and...
