Western PA Local News category, Page 1507
Pittsburgh City Council advances plans to create Lead Safety Trust Fund
Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced a measure that would create the Lead Safety Trust Fund to help finance the city’s new Lead Safety Ordinance. The city would put $2 million in American Rescue Plan funding into the trust, which would also hold other cash dedicated to enacting the Lead...
Father of New Kensington boy found dead ordered to trial on charges he punched the boy in November
The father of a 9-year-old New Kensington boy who was found dead May 4 was ordered to stand trial on charges of simple assault and child endangerment that were filed in November. Jean J. Charles, 40, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr....
Residents remain divided on Pittsburgh’s proposed Oakland Crossings development
A Pittsburgh City Council hearing Wednesday on the proposed Oakland Crossings development revealed that some residents remain divided on the project, despite efforts by Mayor Ed Gainey to reach a compromise between the developers and concerned residents. Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer that revitalized Bakery Square, has sought a zoning...
Pittsburgh Art Commission denies proposal for Jane Seymour sculpture on Mt. Washington
Pittsburgh’s Art Commission on Wednesday denied a proposal to place a sculpture by actress Jane Seymour on Mt. Washington’s Grandview Avenue Overlook. The proposed bronze statue would depict Seymour’s open heart design, which is best known from the Kay Jewelers Open Hearts jewelry collection. An anonymous donor offered to fund...
Hampton Township School District hosts Innovative Learning Spaces Tour
As part of Remake Learning Days 2022, Hampton Township School District hosted an Innovative Learning Spaces Tour and Discussion on May 24. Educational leaders and community members who attended began the day with a tour of Central Elementary School’s redesigned Outdoor Learning Lab and Sensory Garden, which was built with...
Memorial Day-related events in, around Westmoreland County in 2022
All events are on Monday, unless otherwise noted: Delmont, Export, Murrysville • The White Valley AMVETS will join the Export, Delmont and Murrysville American Legions in hosting a series of events to mark Memorial Day. The schedule is: 8 a.m., honor roll at the Export American Legion on Kennedy Avenue...
Westmoreland courthouse construction project prompts revision to bail payment process
Westmoreland County Park Police Chief Henry Fontana said he wasn’t quite sure how his department became responsible for collecting bail payments on behalf of inmates seeking release from prison at night or on weekends. But that’s about to change, thanks in part to the $7 million reconstruction of the underground...
Letter to the editor: Sewickley Academy should embrace local history
Sewickley Academy will soon be asking the Edgeworth Planning Commission to approve a plan to reconfigure Nichols Field and the Newington Blacksmith’s House property at the corner of Village Drive and Beaver Road. Unfortunately, their preliminary plans call for the demolition of the historic houses on both properties. In an...
Proposal to allow youth groups to camp in Pittsburgh parks moves forward
Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced legislation that would allow youth groups to camp in city parks. The measure would allow youth organizations to secure permits to camp in city parks, something that isn’t allowed now, said Kathryn Vargas, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. “Right now, if...
Former Penn Hills principal remembered for civic engagement, kind heart
For anyone in Penn Hills, the name Ed Hoover brings a flood of memories of a man who dedicated countless hours to bettering his community and leaving a lasting impression on those around him. Doug Rehberg, Hoover’s pastor and friend for 31 years, called him a legend. Helping people was...
Students envision future of Hampton through cross-curricular project
How can the Hampton Township community be improved? Ninth-grade honors geography and honors English students at Hampton High School set out to answer that question in a project that culminated with a poster presentation on May 25 in the school auditorium. About 80 students, divided into 23 groups, conducted research...
Libraries offer free museum admission through Experience Kits program
Libraries may be bursting with books, but they offer much more to their card holders, including free museum admission with the Experience Kits program. Beginning June 1, libraries including Monroeville Public Library will offer their card holders free admission to nine historical sites: Sen. John Heinz History Center, Duncan &...
Murrysville area: Community dinner, 5K color run, benefit golf tournament, more
Email news briefs for the Star to reporter Patrick Varine at pvarine@triblive.com. WSO Hat Luncheon slated for June 11 The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s annual Hat Luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. June 11 at the Greensburg Country Club, 309 Pleasant Valley Road in Hempfield. Tickets are $85 and are...
Pine-Richland communications director retiring; replacement named
Pine-Richland School school officials announced the hiring of a new director of communications. The school board recently appointed Erin Hasinger as its director of communications to replace Rachel Hathhorn, who is retiring after 17 years in the job to move out of the area. “We are excited to welcome Ms....
Lower Burrell woman who was a real-life Rosie the Riveter turns 102
Sue Gregory’s favorite photo of her spunky grandmother, Laura Such of Lower Burrell, shows her riveting at Alcoa in New Kensington during World War II just like Rosie the Riveter. Such worked at Alcoa riveting canisters for military supplies like many women who stepped up during World War II to...
Sweetwater Center for the Arts stands with Ukraine through new exhibition
Photographer Michael Haritan said he presents his work with the aim of educating those who see it. “I always had the approach that it was of value to generations to come from a historical perspective,” said the Peters Township resident and owner of Haritan Photography. That mission has special urgency...
‘Eagerly anticipated’: Riverview elementary students enjoy Field Day in Oakmont
Verner and 10th Street elementary schools in Verona and Oakmont had one of the students’ and faculty members′ favorite events of the year with Field Day at Riverside Park in Oakmont. Organized and run by Riverview School District physical education teacher Kevin Krajca, the day is intended for students in...
In brief: Pine-Richland band fundraiser, Women’s Business Network and more
Pine-Richland band fundraiser The Pine-Richland Band Boosters organization is selling Kennywood tickets as a fundraiser to support the Pine-Richland Marching Band. Is one of the largest fundraisers annually. The cost for a ticket to the P-R Kennywood day on Aug. 19 is $36. Tickets for any other date are $40....
Plum High School seniors celebrate graduation on the field of Mustang Stadium
Plum Senior High School 12th-graders said goodbye to their borough classrooms and hello to the next chapter of life Wednesday night. Nearly 300 graduates celebrated commencement on the field of Mustang Stadium in front of hundreds of family members and friends. The high school band played “Pomp and Circumstance” as...
Highlands’ Girls on the Run program fuels fitness, builds character
When Highlands fourth grader Kendall Walter runs laps around the playground after school, she hums tunes from the hit Broadway show “Hamilton.” “That Lin-Manuel Miranda really keeps me going,” said Kendall, a second-year participant in the elementary school’s Girls on the Run (GOTR) program. Hosted in part by the University...
Mt. Pleasant contractor pleads guilty for work not performed
A Mt. Pleasant contractor will serve up to three years on probation for accepting payment for work he never performed. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears said Wednesday that penalty could be converted into a jail sentence unless at least $8,000 in restitution is paid by Sept. 1....
Penn Hills father, daughter graduate together from Duquesne University
A Penn Hills father and daughter were able to celebrate a special occasion together at Duquesne University’s commencement. Arielle and Joshua Frederick both graduated from Duquesne on May 13 at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Joshua Frederick earned his second master’s degree in analytics and information management, and his daughter earned...
Kiski Township, Rosebud Mining dispute fix for Hilty Road
Kiski Township is demanding that Rosebud Mining fix a road slide on Hilty Road. But the mining company first wants the township to release it from future responsibility to fix the road. Rosebud has used Hilty and other township roads for truck traffic to access its coal mining operations at...
Sewickley man charged in Pittsburgh teen’s homicide
A Sewickley man is charged in connection with the killing of a teenage boy this month in Pittsburgh, according to police, who said the man sent video of the teen’s last moments to at least one other person. In addition to homicide, Joseph Koller, 20, faces charges of aggravated assault...
Big Brothers Big Sisters plans ‘Summer Fest’ at Twin Lakes Park
Aubrey Marquis has been a “Big” for a year and a half, and she says she still gets choked up when she talks about spending time with her “Little” at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. “You come into the program with the mission of changing the life...
