Local category, Page 1538

An anonymous note left in a message box to guards at the Westmoreland County Prison led to the discovery of a makeshift weapon beneath a cell mattress, according to county detectives. Inmate Anthony A. Bittinger, 22, of Jeannette was charged last week with possessing instruments of crime, illegally making an...

They call them “smash burgers” – beef initially shaped like a meatball before being “smashed” down and sizzled on a grill until they are browned and juicy. The burgers are generously topped with grilled onions, American cheese, dill pickles and special “moon” sauce – which is a little bit spicy...

A Fox Chapel councilwoman is expected to launch her candidacy on Tuesday for state House of Representatives in the 33rd District. Mandy Steele is seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat in the May 17 primary. She is the first candidate to announce a campaign for nomination. Steele, 44, said...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its mask guidance to recommend higher-quality N95 and KN95 masks over cloth and surgical ones that many people have worn throughout the pandemic. Cloth masks can keep 30% to 60% of particles from coming in and potentially infecting the person wearing...

A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order sought by pro-mask parents in North Allegheny School District, meaning all students, staffers and visitors in district buildings must wear masks when classes resume Tuesday. The restraining order was requested last week by parents seeking to overturn the district’s mask-optional...

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s office said Monday that officials hope to have roads cleared in time for Tuesday’s morning commute, as crews continued cleaning up after Sunday’s heavy snow. A major winter storm hit the area with several inches of snow Sunday night into Monday, leaving roads slick for Monday’s...

Money seized during drug arrests in Indiana County is being used to help train police at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and throughout the county using realistic scenario-based training. About $6,000 in funding was used to purchase equipment from the Simunition FX company, including 10 Glock pistols, four patrol rifle conversions...

The North Hills School District has chosen two new assistant principals for the North Hills Middle School, replacing Dr. Jessica Sapsara, the previous middle school assistant principal, who resigned in November. Jim Cassell was hired as the new assistant principal of the middle school and comes from the Brentwood School...

A Pittsburgh tour stop by the rock band Evanescence is among the cultural casualties of the major winter storm in Western Pennsylvania. The group’s concert, scheduled for Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus, has been canceled. Evanescence performed Sunday in...

Though not as memorable as some of the other iconic moments during his life, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did have several connections to Pittsburgh and the region. Here is a brief look at some of the local ties to the civil rights leader and minister. EARLY VISITS TO...

West Deer has received a $291,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to rehabilitate and develop Bairdford Park. The grant is a part of a $70 million pool helping to fund more than 300 recreation and conservation projects across the state. West Deer was among three...

The first time Brian Jacob tries to answer the question raised by his memoir, “Is Life Fair,” he is remembering an unpleasant experience attending a play with his wife. Brian and Jamie Jacob were at a Pittsburgh Public Theater performance when an employee approached Brian, who is quadriplegic and uses...

Flag contest Sewickley Mayor George Shannon has proposed the idea of a contest to create a borough flag, including an insignia or seal. It is unclear when the contest would begin. Anyone with historical insight to the borough or may want to participate in the contest can contact the mayor...

Start the new year off right! Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number. Open house planned at the Corner Launchbox The Corner Launchbox in New Kensington will host a...

A White House plan to deliver millions of covid-19 tests to schools by the end of the month likely won’t change much in Western Pennsylvania. Those already using the tests appreciate the extra resources. The rest have no plans to change course. Burrell School District “is not interested in testing...

The Projecting Hope Film Festival, a showcase of faith-focused movies with uplifting themes, will be held at the GQT Pittsburgh Mills Cinema from Jan. 21 to 23. Admission to all seven of the films is free — with free popcorn, too. It will be the 18th Projecting Hope festival, which...

The Norwin School District will not hold in-school classes on Monday because of the Sunday night’s snowstorm but will participate in remote learning, with details provided by their teachers and building principals. The school district has canceled all student activities. The Norwin School Board is scheduled to meet at 7...

When Latrobe wrestling coach Mark Mears flew with his team to Colorado to take on the 20th-ranked team in the nation, he figured they’d be back in time to watch the Steelers game Sunday night. In a thrilling upset, the Wildcats beat the powerhouse Pomona Panthers, 34-33. But now they’re...

Leasing space in Arnold City Hall to outside parties has emerged as a bit of an issue for two city officials. Mayor Joseph Bia and Councilman George Hawdon are on opposite sides on just how much space the city may need in the building and how much it should lease...

Irwin officials will study the possibility of moving the borough offices to another location downtown, which may mean constructing a new building to house the police and administrative offices. Council President Rick Burdelski assigned the building committee the task of conducting a feasibility study on finding a new location for...

Just six weeks after a massive fire caused more than $4 million in damage to St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, parishioners gathered for Divine Liturgy in the church social hall and devised a plan to move forward. “You can’t stop this church,” said Susan Podolski, 68, a lifelong member of...

The Kiski Township supervisors and other municipalities received some good news on how funds from the American Rescue Plan Act can be spent. “Spending rules are now greatly expanded,” said township Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Bono, as he held up a 50-page guide provided by the U.S. Treasury Department during a recent...

The Westmoreland District Attorney’s office recently awarded Lower Burrell police $105,000 to go toward equipment for the Westmoreland SWAT team. The money comes from property seized from drug trafficking busts, which is forfeited to the DA’s investigative fund. It is distributed to law enforcement agencies to uphold the Controlled Substance,...