Western PA Local News category, Page 1345
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...
Brentwood man charged in shooting that wounded boy, man in Hill District
Pittsburgh police arrested a Brentwood man for allegedly shooting a man and a 3-year-old boy in the city’s Hill District Wednesday night during a domestic dispute. Davont Spencer-Johnson, 24, was arraigned Thursday on two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault, one count of robbery, four counts of endangering...
Hampton Council discusses potential 4-way stop sign near high school
At a Hampton Township Council meeting held Sept. 14, police Chief Thomas Vulakovich requested that the township commission a traffic study to determine if putting a four-way stop sign at Topnick Drive at Park Road would improve safety and traffic flow near Hampton High School. Vulakovich said traffic is “heavily...
Somerset County tunnel restrictions slated overnight on Pennsylvania Turnpike
Motorists can expect single-lane, bi-directional traffic through the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Allegheny Tunnel in Somerset County beginning Thursday night. Officials said the westbound lanes of the tunnel are set to close at 8 p.m. Thursday, with all traffic switching to the eastbound lanes until 6 a.m. on Friday. The traffic shift...
Ligonier Highland Games return to Idlewild & SoakZone
A friendly disagreement about recipes led to the creation of a shortbread baking contest at the Ligonier Highland Games. The baking contest will be held for the fourth year, as the 63rd games take place Saturday at Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township. Gates open at 8 a.m., with the...
Wilkinsburg man dies after crashing motorcycle
A Wilkinsburg man died after crashing a motorcycle early Thursday. Philip Price, 38, lost control of the motorcycle shortly after 2 a.m. on Penn Avenue at Princeton Boulevard in Wilkinsburg, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The medical examiner’s...
Pittsburgh police seek woman missing since Sunday
Pittsburgh police are searching for a woman who has been missing since Sunday. Deborah “Debbie” Bailey, 44, is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds, police said. She has black hair with a silver streak, possibly worn in a short ponytail. Police said Bailey, who could have dementia,...
The Stroller, Sept. 15, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Freeport to celebrate September By the River Freeport Renaissance Association will host...
