Western PA Local News category, Page 179
Leechburg native to release latest record with jazz ensemble Kinetic
Joe Sheehan has traveled quite a distance — literally — since he first began taking piano lessons while growing up in Leechburg. A lifelong student of music and now a Duquesne University professor and jazz composer, Sheehan, 44, of McCandless, traveled thousands of miles to Africa, more than once, to...
Fort Ligonier Days to feature return of fireworks, new history-themed games
As many as 60,000 people are expected to pack Ligonier’s Main Street on Saturday morning to watch the parade that is a central feature of the town’s Fort Ligonier Days festival. Those who remain on hand later that day, after more than 200 crafter and food vendor booths close, will...
The Stroller, Oct. 9, 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. Leechburg Fall Festival planned...
Repair work begins on South Buffalo bridge after monthslong closure
Crews began working to repair a 115-year-old bridge in South Buffalo this week after it abruptly closed to vehicle traffic in July. The bridge, which carries Clinton Road over a set of railroad tracks, has remained blocked off after an inspection called for “critical repairs” to its structure. The structure...
Greensburg official: Focus is on increasing residential housing options
Boosting Greensburg’s residential population within the city’s 4-square-mile boundary likely will have to come from building conversions in the downtown business district, a city official said this week. “Housing is our main focus right now. The only residential growth will be by developing residences” in the downtown area, said Alex...
Westmoreland happenings: Fire museum program, meeting, art exhibit, more
Art • The Greensburg Art Center and the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library will sponsor an exhibition by artist D’anna Kromer from Friday through Nov. 15 at the library, 237 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Greensburg. A free opening reception will be from 5 to 7 to p.m. Friday. Public welcome. Details: greensburgart center.org....
Monroeville area: ‘Discover Rotary,’ Symphony East performance, autism expo, more
‘Discover Rotary’ evening The Rotary Club of Monroeville is holding a Discover Rotary event from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. Rotary provides humanitarian efforts locally, nationally and worldwide. This is an evening of connection and to learn what Rotary and the local club...
Derry man convicted for causing 2019 crash that injured passenger
A Westmoreland County jury convicted a Derry Township man for causing a 2019 vehicle crash in Unity in which his passenger sustained serious injuries. Robert S. Mayer, 61, following a two-day trial, was found guilty this week of two felony offenses, aggravated assault by vehicle and causing an accident while...
Monroeville gathers to observe World Peace Day
The Rotary Club of Monroeville celebrated the United Nations’ International Day of Peace a day early this year, bringing together interfaith leaders and community members for a program focused on unity and diversity. The celebration, held Sept. 20, was anchored at the Peace Garden in Community Park West, which grew...
Springdale Planning Commission delays data center decision again
For a second time, the Springdale Planning Commission opted on Wednesday to postpone its recommendation to borough council to approve or deny a massive data center project. The planning commission will reconvene to try again Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. In late September, the three-member commission delayed its decision, opting...
Leechburg Area pitches fix for taxing inequality
Leechburg Area School District residents may be seeing balanced property tax bills as early as next school year. District Business Manager Jake Chapla presented a method to balance property taxes between the district’s Armstrong County and Westmoreland County residents after years of uneven taxation. There are multiple calculation methods provided...
Soaring gold prices spell payday for some, but economic uncertainty for all
Now might be a golden opportunity to empty out the jewelry box. A palmful of gold necklaces, rings or other jewelry could fetch about $10,000 at precious metals dealers as gold’s price-per-ounce continues its record-breaking rise. “People cry, like shaking — they can’t believe the amount they’re getting,” said Jenn...
Wounded Monroeville police sergeant faces accused shooter at trial
When Monroeville police Sgt. James MacDonald responded to an armed robbery last year at the Crumbl cookie shop on William Penn Highway, he was familiar with the area surrounding the Miracle Mile Shopping Center. MacDonald headed to a road nearby, hoping he might catch the suspect trying to flee. As...
Simulated bedroom fire to mark Fire Prevention Week highlights importance of installing smoke alarms
Members of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania teamed with Allegheny County Emergency Services for a live burn demonstration Oct. 6 in observation of Fire Prevention Week. The purpose of the media-only news conference was to share the importance of smoke alarms. Jorge Martinez, CEO of the Red Cross...
Horseman lassoes loose cow on I-79; heifer’s origin remains unknown
A wrangler on horseback lassoed a roving cow on Interstate 79 early Wednesday morning when the animal backed up traffic for about two miles in Cranberry. State police told TribLive news partner WTAE that callers first reported the loose livestock in the grassy median around 7 a.m. Police and an...
Anti-bullying talk hosted by swim club teaches kids importance of being ‘careful with words’
A worn, crumpled-up dollar bill is worth the same as a clean, newly printed one. This is one example award-winning motivational speaker Rob Oliver used to show that one’s worth can’t change, no matter how much someone may try to discredit or ruin it. Oliver was the guest speaker for...
Westmoreland jury acquits suspended trooper of girlfriend’s assault
Suspended state police Trooper Nicholas Hood was found not guilty Wednesday in connection to an alleged domestic violence incident two years in his Derry Township home. A Westmoreland County jury deliberated two hours before finding Hood not guilty of one misdemeanor count of simple assault. Common Pleas Judge Michael Stewart...
Delmont officials will host Q&A on Shields Farm master plan
Delmont officials will host a meeting from 6-7 p.m. Oct. 15 with a question-and-answer session about a draft of the master plan for the borough-owned Shields Farm property. The draft will be presented, having incorporated comments received during the last public meeting and through completed surveys. The plan’s purpose is...
Snow problem: Plan flops for Munhall to plow some Pittsburgh streets
Pittsburgh City Council members on Wednesday opposed a plan to provide street cleaning services to neighboring Munhall in exchange for snowplowing. Councilwoman Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, had pitched the idea of the swap. Her proposal called for Munhall to plow roads in Pittsburgh’s adjacent Lincoln Place neighborhood. That solution, she said,...
Group of 5 sworn-in to launch new Bridgeville Shade Tree Commission
Five women were sworn-in to Bridgeville’s inaugural shade tree commission on Oct. 6. Jen Brilmyer was named chairperson; Courtney Tolmer was appointed as vice chairperson and Alison Thomas was named secretary. Other commission members include Virginia Schneider and Kayla Lawrence. The borough established the commission this year. Shade tree commissions...
Gnat infestation, other violations prompt consumer alert for Richland restaurant
A gnat infestation was among high-risk violations that prompted the Allegheny County Health Department to issue a consumer alert for a Richland restaurantthis week. During an inspection Monday, Oct. 6, at Scoreboard Lounge on William Flinn Highway, the health department said it found a dozen food safety violations, four considered...
Ingomar Elementary students raise $587 for charities with 2nd Mystery Inflatable Teacher Race
An enormous baby recently dominated an important race at Ingomar Elementary School. Teacher Savanna Barton, in an air-filled costume, sprinted to first place in the second annual Mystery Inflatable Teacher Race, a fundraiser held Sept. 10 by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. Barton shared her unique racing experience. “I could...
Rally tries to reverse pending closure of United Physicians office in New Kensington
Ed Freeman has been going to the United Physicians clinic in New Kensington “for what seems like forever.” “My father came here, and he lived to be 85,” said Freeman, who lives in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of New Kensington. “And that’s how I ended up going here.” But come...
Chartiers Valley kindergarteners learn more about policing
Kindergarteners in the Chartiers Valley School District gave a special thank you to area police officers while also learning more about the profession. On Oct. 1, three kindergarten classrooms at Chartiers Valley Primary School participated in a “Coffee with Cops” event as part of the district’s “World of Work” career...
Dayton Freight shipping company to build depot off I-70 near Smithton
An Ohio-based freight company is moving into Westmoreland County and bringing at least 50 jobs with it. Dayton Freight finalized the purchase of 31.5 acres at the Interstate 70 Industrial Park in South Huntingdon, according to Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. officials. The company, through Stream’s Edge Properties, paid $1.7...
