Arnold fire chief suggests ‘squatters’ may have ignited overnight fire
An overnight fire in Arnold may have been started by squatters, according to the city’s fire chief. Crews were dispatched at 12:27 a.m. Tuesday to the 1600 block of Kenneth Avenue for a report of smoke in the structure, said Arnold Fire Chief Eric Gartley. Neighbors told firefighters the building...
‘Violation of trust’: Ex-McKeesport police captain to serve 16 years of probation for evidence room theft
A former McKeesport police captain will serve 16 years on probation for stealing more than a quarter-million dollars from his department’s evidence room. Christopher Halaszynski, 54, pleaded guilty to theft and receiving stolen property on Tuesday before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Satler. As part of his sentence, Halaszynski...
Finances to be focus of 4 Pine-Richland School Board meetings as district faces $4.9M deficit
The financial future of the Pine-Richland School District, and what that means for students’ education and property owners’ tax bills, will be the subject of four upcoming meetings of the school board. The meetings, scheduled for Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and 20, and Nov. 10, will each have a different,...
Fast-moving fire damages Scottdale salon and house
A home and salon were damaged in Scottdale Monday afternoon during a fast-moving fire, said fire Chief Dave Wendell. But the contents of some rooms were spared because the doors to them were closed, he said. Photos posted on the department’s Facebook page from inside the Loucks Avenue home showed...
Hempfield OKs housing plan along Forbes Trail Road
A new residential development is expected to bring 70 homes to Hempfield. Township supervisors on Monday granted final conditional approval for the Deer Point site plan. Farmland along Forbes Trail Road at Fetters Road will be turned into 24 town homes, 16 duplexes and 30 single family homes. A clubhouse...
Friday night games? Oakmont, Riverview school officials await word on grant money for football field lights
As Allegheny Valley School District adds lights to the Springdale Dynamos’ new football field, Riverview is left as the last public school in the WPIAL without a lighted field. Saturday afternoon football is a staple in Oakmont’s Riverside Park. While conversations between district and borough leaders have taken place over...
Menards seeks extension for site plan of home improvement store in Hempfield
Home improvement store chain Menards is seeking an extension to its site plan through the end of 2025, according to a letter sent to Hempfield obtained by TribLive. Township supervisors are expected to consider the extension during their September meeting, manager Aaron Siko said. “It’s so exciting to know they’re...
What’s in a brand? Cracker Barrel stock tanks 10% after booting Uncle Herschel from logo
Since Cracker Barrel cleaned up its logo a week ago, it has been dressed down by those averse to the change. The restaurant and gift shop, a staple of roadside rest stops throughout the homeland, prides itself on a homey atmosphere that’s emblematic of an episode of “The Waltons.” Locally,...
Salem’s Market to sell closed Hill District grocery store to church
Salem’s Market is pursuing the sale of its closed supermarket in Pittsburgh’s Hill District to the Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh. In an announcement this week, Salem’s said the parties signed a sales agreement on June 25 and are not making financial details of the deal public as the transaction is...
Aspinwall resident promotes chess club in the borough
A public chess club based in Aspinwall is expanding its offering to provide more opportunities for anyone interested in playing one of the world’s oldest board games. Chess enthusiast Donald Mazreku lives in Aspinwall and created the Aspinwall Chess Club Facebook group in 2022. Mazreku works full-time as director of...
Pittsburgh police arrest Pizza Hut robbery suspect after chase, crash in Penn Hills
Pittsburgh police have charged a man with armed robbery at a restaurant in the city’s Bloomfield neighborhood. Police said they made the arrest Monday after a high-speed car chase that ended with the suspect crashing in Penn Hills. Police said Jason Brian Fields, 44, of Penn Hills reached speeds of...
Encouraging nightlife reason to tweak property zoning ordinance, Greensburg officials say
Greensburg has changed over the years, but its zoning ordinance hasn’t. Work is underway to update the decades-old zoning map to better reflect the community’s look and how it could evolve. There are several upcoming opportunities for members of the public to provide input. “Zoning does affect everybody,” said Alec...
Truck driver struck in fatal hit-and-run in Washington County
A truck driver was killed Monday afternoon after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver on a Pennsylvania Turnpike ramp in Washington County. Brian Everhart, 46, who had listed addresses in Clarksburg, W.Va., and Russellville, Tenn., was struck after he pulled his rig onto the shoulder of the on-ramp from...
Harrison seeking $1.4 million for sewer upgrades, township projects
Harrison Commissioners are seeking $1.4 million in funding through Allegheny County for sewer upgrades and other township projects. The board approved four grant applications. They include: • About $330,000 for the Oak Manor sanitary sewer realignment. • About $314,400 for the Olive Avenue storm sewer upgrade. • About $499, 700...
The Stroller, Aug. 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. Motorcycle run to raise...
Government officials join fight against ‘designer Xanax’ that’s killed dozens in Western Pa.
Pennsylvania’s attorney general has joined a growing call for emergency action against bromazolam, a dangerous drug often dubbed “designer Xanax” that has killed hundreds — including dozens in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. In a letter sent last week to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Attorney General Dave Sunday and others...
Girl Scouts educate others about composting as part of project to earn Silver Award
Composting is a great way to eliminate food waste and clean the air, according to two Girl Scouts at Northland Public Library in McCandless on Aug. 7, who were there hosting a hands-on activity to learn more about the effort. Amelia Shaffer, 13, and Salem Elewononi, 14, set up tables...
Tree-climbing school goes out on a limb to teach safety to pros and homeowners alike
Saying that a recent tree-climbing school was hands-on is a bit of an understatement. As an arboreal activity that requires a whole-body commitment, the course held Aug. 12-15 by Penn State Extension drew 11 participants, from professionals looking to brush up on their skills to homeowners interested in doing their...
Washington High School teacher and coach Ron Todd remembered for dedication to community
William Ronald Todd was more than a football coach and teacher in the Washington, Pa. School District. “Ron Todd was a great guy. He’s going to be dearly missed,” said one of his colleagues, Mike Bosnic Sr. The elder Bosnic, like Todd, is on the Prexies coaching staff led by...
Here are some upcoming programs at Penn Hills Library
Penn Hills Library, 1037
Stotler Road, offers a variety
of programs for all ages. For a complete list of offerings and to register for programs, visit pennhillslibrary.org. Regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library...
Man admits stealing car with Lucky the dog inside, but provides no leads
Willard Martz and his dog, Lucky, were nearly inseparable. Martz, a retired Marine from Donegal Township, had cared for his late son’s dog since 2020, and they were rarely apart until last fall, his daughter told a Westmoreland County judge Monday. She addressed the court during a guilty plea hearing...
Allegheny Valley plans for parking, seating at new turf field
As crews place the finishing touches on Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School’s new artificial turf field, district officials say they’re preparing to manage crowds during the Dynamos’ inaugural football season at the site. According to Allegheny Valley School District spokeswoman Jan Zastawniak, the district will set aside several parking lots around...
Last chance: Penn State New Kensington, Fayette welcome final 2-year class before impending closure
Bailey Maschok always knew she wanted to spend two years studying at Penn State New Kensington and finish her degree at the university’s main campus in State College. “I’m really grateful I made the cutoff to do two years here before going up to main campus,” said Maschok, 18, of...
Washington County DA Jason Walsh defends use of death penalty
Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh told the state Supreme Court that prosecutors have broad discretion to seek the death penalty and urged the justices to reject a bid to limit his authority. “This court should decline petitioners’ invitation to fundamentally reorder the criminal justice system to suit their goals,”...
Woman stabbed at Greensburg apartment, man charged
A woman was stabbed at a Greensburg apartment Sunday morning, and police said they seized about 450 stamp bags of drugs during the investigation. Officers were called to Independence Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg after 9 a.m. and learned the woman had been stabbed in the leg, according to court...
