Western PA Local News category, Page 1892
Grammy-winning singer Jason Mraz inspired by Pittsburgh’s favorite neighbor
Grammy-winning musician Jason Mraz’s latest album design was inspired by one of Pittsburgh’s beloved neighbors. The cover has an image of a mirror surrounded by a rainbow. “Mister Rogers was definitely the inspiration,” Mraz, who will be performing here at the end of the month, told the Tribune-Review. “Mister Rogers...
Monroeville Council comes to settlement agreement with ALCOSAN after violating contract for 27 years
A contract that never should have been entered into almost ended up costing Monroeville a huge sum of money. The issue goes back to an agreement that the municipality signed in 1994 that broke an exclusive contract signed with ALCOSAN nearly 40 years earlier. “The important thing to remember is...
Nurse accused of stealing medications meant for patients at Winfield nursing home
A nurse told police she stole medications intended for patients at a Butler County nursing home to deal with pain in her teeth, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. State police said Karen Lynn Hemby, 46, of Ellport, Lawrence County, signed out 18 doses of medication between...
Sewickley officials hire Donna Kaib as new borough manager
Sewickley officials have tapped Reserve Township manager Donna Kaib as their new top administrator. She was hired as the new borough manager via an 8-0 vote on Aug. 10. Councilman Tom Rostek was absent. Kaib was not at the meeting. Her start date is scheduled for Aug. 19. “We’re excited...
Wine Store at Vallozzi’s Restaurant in Hempfield offers unique varieties
While other folks were learning to crochet or bake bread during quarantine, restaurateur Ernie Vallozzi turned his attention to wine. The results of his study are on display — and for sale — in the new Wine Store at Vallozzi’s Restaurant in Hempfield. “We had a realization (during pandemic restrictions)...
Duquesne Light grant helps complete Pitcher Park Rain Garden in Carnegie
A late summer bloom is arriving in Carnegie Park as work on the new Pitcher Park Rain Garden reaches its final stages. Thanks to a $2,500 Community Impact Grant from Duquesne Light, the Carnegie Borough Shade Tree Commission is able to move forward with the long-awaited rain garden, creating a...
Most Kiski Area parents ‘in favor of choice’ when it comes to masks for children, acting superintendent says
Kiski Area School Board will discuss its current health and safety plan during Wednesday night’s agenda meeting. A draft of the district health and safety plan, presented to the public on July 26, makes it optional for students, staff and visitors to wear face coverings or masks when classes begin...
Blawnox Community Garden hosts weekly opportunities to volunteer
Blawnox Community Garden volunteer Ashley Dolhi was filled with excitement after helping to harvest kale from the raised beds that fill the site along Center Avenue. It was the first time that Dolhi of Blawnox got her hands dirty at the weekly work shifts scheduled Wednesdays at the garden. Organizers...
Baldwin-Whitehall extends free weekly meal packs
Baldwin-Whitehall School District is set to ensure no child in the district goes hungry this year. As an extension of the Seamless Summer Option, a weekly summer meal provider program, all children under age 18 will have access to free, weekly meal packs through BWSD during the 2021-2022 school year....
Pittsburgh charity party 100 years in the making set for Aug. 21 in Verona
Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit agency focusing on removing transportation barriers for those in need, is celebrating a century of helping people in the Steel City area. A party is planned from 4 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 21 in Railroad Park in Verona. It will be hosted by...
Peduto aide Majestic Lane leaving to work for Allegheny Conference
The leader of Pittsburgh’s Office of Equity, who also serves as outgoing Mayor Bill Peduto’s deputy chief of staff, is leaving next month to take on a similar role with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Majestic Lane has worked for the Peduto administration since 2016. He became deputy chief...
Penn Hills School District hosts open houses at its 3 schools
Penn Hills families got a chance to tour the district schools and look at what is in store for their children a few weeks before the start of the new school year. The elementary, middle and high school doors were open for a couple of hours each on Aug. 10....
Pair of La Roche alumnae elected to top leadership posts on university’s board of trustees
A pair of alumnae of La Roche University in McCandless have been elected to serve in leadership positions on the board of trustees. Class of 2003 graduate Ernestine Harris will serve as board chair and Dione Graswick, who graduated in 1993, is the new vice chair, university officials announced. “I...
Joe Fischetti out as Plum buildings and grounds supervisor, employment search to start soon
Plum buildings and grounds supervisor Joe Fischetti has resigned after eight years as one of the borough’s top administrators. Council accepted his resignation and approved a separation agreement Aug. 9. Borough manager Michael Thomas said the deal comes with two weeks severance pay, three months of health care benefits and...
Molting or mites? Seeking an explanation for ‘bald birds’
Lillian DeDomenic of Monroeville was snapping photos of birds in her backyard when one in particular caught her eye. At first, she wasn’t sure what it was. It had red body plumage, but its head was a deep gray, and as she looked closer, it didn’t appear to have any...
2 arrested in Jeannette after deputies find drugs, children in ‘horrible living conditions’
Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies serving warrants in Jeannette Tuesday said they turned up counterfeit cash, suspected crystal methamphetamine and a house of filth, according to court papers. Two people are facing charges — Anthony Bittinger, 22, and Jennie Wagner, 27. Deputies said they served warrants at the pair’s South Fourth...
Duquesne University invokes mask mandate as students head to campusVideo
Citing a troubling increase in covid-19 infections regionally, Duquesne University announced Wednesday it is invoking a temporary mask mandate, effective Friday. The Pittsburgh university, which has required covid-19 vaccines as a condition of attendance this fall, said officials are requiring all individuals on campus to mask indoors, both in public...
Westmoreland news: burger bash, concert and pet blessing service
Art • The Harlan Gallery at Seton Hill University is accepting entries for Women Artists 2021, a juried exhibition that will showcase women artists in all media. The event will be Nov. 2 to 26 and an opening reception will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 4. Artists may submit up...
Fire, police and public works vehicles on display at Hampton’s Touch-A-Truck event
Township trucks of all sizes will be on display and open to tour during Hampton’s Touch-A-Truck event. Police cruisers will blare their sirens and fire engines will be available to climb through, thanks to organizers who planned the free event. EMS trucks and public works vehicles also will be on...
Man charged with choking woman at Mt. Pleasant Township home, burning her face with cigarette
A Herminie man is behind bars after state police accused him of using a cigarette to burn a woman’s face and later breaking into her home and choking her, according to court papers. Titus Isaiah Wright, 28, is charged with strangulation, burglary, criminal trespass and related offenses. Troopers were called...
Export’s annual Ethnic & Food Festival set for Aug. 21
Export officials are making plans for the borough’s annual Ethnic Food & Music Festival, set for Aug. 21 throughout the downtown area. Washington Avenue will close late in the evening on Aug. 20 to allow vendors to stage booths and bring in equipment, and to construct the main performance stage...
Car charging stations, ramp equipment among electric additions eyed at Arnold Palmer airport
The Westmoreland County Airport Authority wants to reduce the carbon footprint at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport by replacing some diesel-powered aircraft ramp equipment with electric-powered models. The authority also wants to install charging stations for those who drive electric cars to the airport, at routes 981 and 30 in Unity....
Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Festival returns for 5 days next month
Labor Day. Football. Ribs. The Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Festival returns Sept. 2-6 at Heinz Field. Hours will be 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 2, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 3-5 and noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 6. The event was canceled last year because of the pandemic. Solomon...
Crash affects traffic on Interstate 70 near New Stanton
No one was hurt in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 Wednesday morning, according to a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. The 7:30 a.m. crash closed the westbound lanes for a time near the Madison exit, not far from New Stanton. The crash caused traffic backups, according to a PennDOT traffic map....
Embracing our differences at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall
If you spend much time chatting with a public librarian, chances are you’ll end up hearing a lot of idealistic talk. Lofty terms like intellectual freedom, equity of access and civic engagement are always rolling off our tongues — we tend to be a pretty values-driven bunch. Of course, we...
