Bridgeville’s new police chief, Gary James, sworn-in
Gary James was officially sworn-in as Bridgeville’s police chief at a recent council meeting. James has worked in the Bridgeville Police Department for more than 35 years, first as a patrolman, then as a sergeant and now as chief. “His dedication, leadership and deep roots in Bridgeville make him the...
Letter to the editor: Trust, respect teachers to make appropriate decision on ‘Mockingbird’ book
I reside in Richland with two children in the Pine-Richland school system. As a veteran ELA teacher in a neighboring district, I have absolute confidence in our ELA teachers — knowledgeable, dedicated and empathetic professionals who consistently contribute to near-perfect Literature Keystone scores. Some school board members believe all students...
Letter to the editor: Community violence affects us all; fund intervention efforts now
The tragic shooting in Pitcairn on June 26 — where two 16-year-olds were killed — is yet another heartbreaking reminder that gun violence is devastating families in our region. Community violence intervention (CVI) groups are working every day in neighborhoods across Allegheny County to prevent these tragedies through mentorship, mediation...
Here are some things to know as students in the North Hills School District start new year
Students in grades 1-12 in the North Hills School District will return to school on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Kindergartners will have their first day on Aug. 22. • Holiday breaks: Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 to Dec. 1; winter, Dec. 24 to Jan. 2; spring, March 30 to April 3. • Enrollment:...
‘We didn’t get justice’: Questions surround charges filed in Natrona girl’s death
For almost a year, Heather Bonnoni has known the name of the man she feels is responsible for her niece’s death. She kept it secret on the advice of legal experts as they sought “full justice” for 11-year-old Roxanne Bonnoni, who died after being run over by a vehicle on...
Leechburg Area renews MOU agreement
The Leechburg Area School District has renewed its memorandum of understanding agreement with the Leechburg Police Department. “It shows that they have jurisdiction for any emergencies or anything that would happen,” said superintendent David Keibler. Due to a 2023 state requirement, the district selected the department to enter into an...
Riverview teacher recognized as 2025 Pennsylvania History Teacher of the Year
Kenneth Kubistek was surprised to be selected as the 2025 Pennsylvania History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute. After all, he said, he’s just doing his job. “I was really surprised. Teaching to me is just something I do because I enjoy working with the kids,” Kubistek...
Here are some things to know as students in the Hampton School District start new year
Students in the Hampton School District return to classes on Aug. 21. • Holiday breaks: Thanksgiving, Nov. 27-Dec. 1; winter, Dec. 24-Jan. 4; spring, April 2-6 • Enrollment: 2,600 • Lunch prices: Elementary, $2.60; middle and high school, $2.90, each up 10 cents • District phone number: 412-486-6000 • District...
Here are some things to know as students in the Shaler Area School District start new year
Shaler Area students return to classes on Aug. 19. • Holiday breaks: Labor Day, Sept. 1; Thanksgiving, Nov. 26-28 and Dec. 1; holiday, Dec. 19-Jan. 2; spring, March 30-April 3; Memorial Day, May 25. • Enrollment: 3,751 • Lunch prices: Primary and elementary, $2.15; middle and high school, $2.40, each...
Mt. Pleasant, state police investigating skill game machine thefts
Mt. Pleasant borough police are investigating a string of thefts from skill game machines in the area. In the most recent theft, about $20,000 — primarily in fraudulent winning tickets — was obtained from machines that were broken into at Mt. Pleasant Express on West Main Street on Wednesday. Police...
Iconic South Side clock to shine brighter
On Thursday at 8:30 p.m., the face of the iconic clock above Pittsburgh’s South Side will be illuminated brighter than ever. Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer has invested in updating the lights and look of the largest clock face in the U.S., which was built in the 1930s by...
Facebook Marketplace scam has Allegheny Township police charging Maryland woman
Dan Sevic believed something was off after his business, Sevic Landscaping and Supply in Allegheny Township, took an order for concrete block back in March. Little did he know that transaction would be linked to an alleged scheme that police say used stolen credit cards to buy the blocks, sell...
New Kensington-Arnold hikes pay rate for substitute teachers
New Kensington-Arnold School District officials hope a $30 per-day pay increase will attract more day-to-day substitute teachers to the district. School directors this week set the substitute teacher rate at $130 per day. Previously, substitute teachers made $100 daily for the first 30 days they worked. That would increase to...
Animal Friends launches free spays, neutering for Pittsburgh dogs, cats after city scaled back program
Animal Friends is offering Pittsburgh pet owners free spay and neuter services after the city scaled back a similar program. The Ohio Township-based nonprofit on Thursday announced the “Short Term Fix” spay and neuter program, which will provide free spay and neuter surgeries to dogs and cats owned by Pittsburgh...
Allegheny Valley to implement new emergency alert badges this school year
Allegheny Valley teachers and staff will have an additional safety tool this school year. On their first day back district employees will receive training to use Centegix’s CrisisAlert panic button system. The system will add a credit-card sized badge into the lanyards or clips that employees already wear, according to...
Burrell schools beef up, add layers to disciplinary protocols
Burrell’s high school and middle school will be adding another layer to their in-school suspension protocols. Burrell High School and Charles A. Huston Middle School will establish an Alternative Learning Center this school year that’s located within the school buildings but away from other classrooms, said Carla Roland, assistant high...
Fox Chapel estate built to house late owner’s art collection lists for $4.5M
The late Charles G. Pauli was an art, furniture and antique collector who amassed such an extensive collection in his 50 years of traversing the globe that he designed an English-inspired manor residence in Fox Chapel large enough to showcase his collection. Pauli died in 2016 at the age of...
Sharpsburg-based Frankie’s Sausage shutters retail store to focus on wholesale demand
Two relatives with a passion for fresh, never-frozen sausage are making adjustments to their business operations in Sharpsburg. Brothers-in-law Michael Conte of O’Hara and Frankie Marckisotto of West Deer founded Frankie’s Sausage in 2022. Business has doubled in the past year, and, in an effort to focus on expanding the...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: Aug. 15
The following is a feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz: 1. A local university signed a contract with Wyndham Grand hotel in Downtown that will place up to 90 freshmen in off-campus housing at the start of the fall semester. Which school is it? A/ Pitt B/ Duquesne C/...
More than 700 motorcycles expected for 8th annual Shaw Ride
The largest charity motorcycle ride in Western Pennsylvania returns to the Alle-Kiski Valley this weekend. The eighth annual Brian Shaw Ride is set for Saturday. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center, Harmar, and kickstands go up at 10 a.m. The ride is in memory of Officer...
The Stroller, Aug. 15, 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. Casino Theatre plans auditions...
Faces of the Valley: Brackenridge’s Marlene Haggerty, 90, ‘keeps on going’ at work, church, volunteering
Marlene Haggerty doesn’t believe in sitting still. The 90-year-old Brackenridge resident works full time as a medical biller, teaches Sunday school and serves as an Allegheny County judge of elections. “I wish I knew my secret, but the truth is: I’m just active,” Haggerty said. “It keeps you going.” Born...
Shaler Area accepts business manager’s resignation, arranges high school leadership
The Shaler Area School District will be looking for a new business manager. The school board accepted the resignation of Jennifer Tressler, director of finance and operations, at its Aug. 13 meeting. It is effective Sept. 24. Tressler is leaving Shaler for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, where she will start...
Tarentum police enjoy Olive Garden lunch served by Highlands Golden Rams
Tarentum police Chief Bill Vakulick said building relationships with the community’s youth is one of his officers’ most important roles. On Thursday, the department connected with members of the Highlands High School football team during a special lunch. The goal was to foster positive connections between students and law enforcement....
PNC sues NYC entrepreneur, claims $27M loss in bad-checks scheme
PNC Bank on Thursday sued a New York tech-company founder, accusing him of defrauding it of $27 million in a check-kiting scheme that involved the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars. Dan Herbatschek, a mathematician who founded Ramsey Theory Capital, is named as the lead defendant in the lawsuit,...
