1 person flown to hospital after West Kittanning crash
One person was injured in a vehicle rollover early Friday, authorities said. Armstrong County dispatchers said a person was flown by medical helicopter to a local hospital after a crash at about 7 a.m. in West Kittanning. Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Route 268 and Butler Road....
Temperatures will take a dip Monday as brutal cold expected
Winter weather is delivering a one-two punch across the region this weekend. Following Friday’s bout of freezing rain, temperatures are expected to plummet more than 30 degrees Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. “It looks like it’s probably one of those days where temperatures are warmest in...
The Stroller, Dec. 26, 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. Super bingo to benefit...
Robotic-assisted technology diagnoses lung cancer more quickly
When Leslie Keebler contracted the flu last winter, early-stage lung cancer was not on her radar. The 62-year-old from Munhall, a former smoker, underwent breathing treatments and a round of steroids before a lung scan revealed a suspicious spot. Her physicians at Allegheny General Hospital on Pittsburgh’s North Side recommended...
South Greensburg dental staff restores 12-foot holiday train displayVideo
Employees at a South Greensburg dental office have brought a traditional holiday train display back to life after more than 12 years in storage. The 144-square-foot layout at the office of Dr. Samuel Scardina features multiple trains chugging around village scenes and through a tunnel headed beneath a ski slope....
Judges swap dockets in Westmoreland court shuffle
Two Westmoreland County judges will swap dockets in January as part of a shakeup of the county’s court system. President Judge Christopher Feliciani will return to criminal court after a year presiding over civil cases. He will take over the criminal caseload handled by Judge Scott Mears, while Mears will...
Icy road conditions on tap Friday for Pittsburgh-area motorists
Roads in the Pittsburgh area are about to get icy. The second of two clippers — storm fronts starting in Canada and sweeping past the Great Lakes into Western Pennsylvania this week — has led the National Weather Service to put Pittsburgh under a winter storm watch. Up to a...
Oakmont Elks lodge Christmas dinner blends tradition, community, holiday spirit
The dozens of meals that volunteers served at an Elks lodge in Oakmont on Thursday afternoon felt as much about tradition as they did the spirit of Christmas Day. About 50 people gathered to break bread at 2 p.m. in the Washington Avenue lodge’s dining room — and the details...
No ham, no hassle: Chinese buffet, Jewish-run bookstore give Christmas a different spin
Greg Schmitt didn’t need a ham dinner with green beans and scalloped potatoes to celebrate Christmas with his family Thursday. Instead, the Tarentum man traded in the traditional holiday spread for a plateful of piping-hot General Tso’s chicken at a modest Chinese buffet. “It’s nice to have a place to...
Vandergrift woman pleads guilty to endangering 5 children
A Vandergrift woman pleaded guilty last week to endangering five children who were found living in deplorable conditions. Heidi L. Beer, 35, was sentenced Dec. 19 in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court to serve between three and 23 months of incarceration after pleading guilty to numerous counts each of endangering...
2 injured in Forest Hills shooting
Two people were wounded and taken to hospitals Thursday morning following a shooting in Forest Hills, according to Allegheny County Police. The victims — a woman and a man — were transported in critical but stable condition, according to police. Detectives are investigating. Police were dispatched to the 400 block...
The Stroller, Dec. 25, 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. Merry Christmas, dearest readers...
Travelers on Friday will face tough weather conditions, PennDOT to limit speed on interstates
It looks like Pittsburghers won’t get a White Christmas this year. But meteorologists warn that Mother Nature is set to unleash ice, sleet and “a little bit of snow” just a day later — and the officials in charge of Pennsylvania’s roads are gearing up for a winter storm amid...
Conviction in 2019 Arnold fatal shooting upheld
The conviction of a Pittsburgh man serving a 40-year prison sentence for a fatal shooting six years ago in an Arnold alley will stand, a Westmoreland County judge ruled. Shawden Ross, 39, argued his conviction should be overturned because evidence presented against him during a 2022 trial did not prove...
Murrysville area: Turkey Cup winners, Christmas tree recycling, comedy fundraiser, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Turkey Cup raises more than $13,000 Franklin Regional primary and intermediate school students taking part in the district’s annual Turkey Cup Challenge raised more than $13,000 for the Westmoreland Food Bank. The class at each building which raised the most money earned...
Judge rules guilty plea stands for man convicted in fatal shooting at Jeannette football game
A Westmoreland County judge on Wednesday rejected an attempt by a Jeannette man to withdraw his guilty plea in connection with a 2019 fatal shooting outside a Jeannette High School football game. Greg A. Harper, 46, contended he was not properly represented when his former defense lawyer advised him to...
PJM’s power auction shortfall could lead to increased blackout risks in Pa., other states
Regional grid operator PJM Interconnection says people in Pennsylvania and 12 other states may face increased blackout risks as data centers soak up electricity. In its annual generation capacity auction, PJM asked power producers to guarantee more than 152,000 megawatts of electricity could be available at one time from June...
Feast of the 7 Fishes fuels Christmas Eve frenzy in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
Brad Quartuccio refused to allow fate to disrupt a Christmas Eve tradition — prepping for his family’s Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian-American celebration revolving around succulent seafood. The Morningside resident and his son Sal, 7, marched proudly around 10 a.m. Wednesday through Wholey’s packed aisles, bags of shrimp...
Monroeville man will march in Tournament of Roses Parade with a band of, well, band directors
Michael Buckstein might be an assistant band director at the University of Pittsburgh, but it has still been a while since he practiced his heel-toe marching step. He’s been brushing up lately, though, after being chosen to perform with the Band Directors’ Marching Band at the annual Tournament of Roses...
Hempfield awards $1.3M contract to connect new municipal complex to Five Star Trail
Hempfield awarded a $1.3 million contract Monday for a project that will connect the township’s new municipal complex with the Five Star Trail. Construction firm A. Liberoni Inc. of Plum was the lowest bidder for all five facets of the project. Township manager Aaron Siko said work is anticipated to...
More than 100 academic offerings on PennWest’s chopping block
Pennsylvania Western University could end more than 100 academic programs as the college prepares to adapt to demographic and enrollment declines impacting schools nationally. In a Dec. 12 email to faculty and obtained by TribLive, Interim Provost James Fisher recommends more than 100 academic programs to be placed in moratorium...
Merry Christmas from the Stroller
Merry Christmas, dearest readers A very Merry Christmas to all our loyal readers and their families! May the peace and joy of the season remain in your heart all year-round. - Carol Pinto-Smith Supply donations welcome at Knead Community Cafe Knead Community Café in New Kensington has a wish list...
Man accused of trying to pull gun on police in Verona
A routine foot patrol turned violent Tuesday evening after, Verona Police say, a man tried to pull a gun on police when they attempted to arrest him. According to Verona Police Chief Thomas Dessell, officers were “conducting a proactive foot patrol” on the 400 block of School Street just before...
Annual Oakmont Christmas tree collection to benefit goats
Oakmont is giving folks another chance to supply tasty treats to the goats that help keep weeds under control in the borough. For the fourth year, the borough will collect Christmas trees for the furry friends at Capricious Goats LLC. The group of working goats, affectionately known as the “Munch...
Crews extinguish Lower Burrell house fire
Crews across the Alle-Kiski Valley battled a house fire with hoarding conditions Wednesday morning in Lower Burrell. The fire was reported just before 8 a.m. in the 4000 block of James Drive. Upon arrival, crews saw smoke showing in the basement and rear of the building, said Brennan Sites, chief...
