Morning Roundup: Police pursuit in the South Side; serious fire in New Castle
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Dec. 22: _______________________________________ Juvenile accused of leading police on chase Pittsburgh police were led early Monday on a high-speed chase near East Carson Street in the South Side that ended with the suspect’s vehicle crashing into a home....
LED field lights coming to Bridgeville’s Chartiers Park
If Bridgeville officials did nothing to improve field lighting at both baseball fields at Chartiers Park, the lights would soon fail, forcing the cancellation of nighttime practices, games and community events, said Borough Manager Joe Kauer. But $150,000 in state funding awarded to the borough Dec. 18 will help prevent...
Wilmerding woman shot and killed in McKeesport
A Wilmerding woman was shot and killed late Sunday, according to Allegheny County Police. The victim was identified as Lisa Sharnell Epps, 50, by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Emergency crews were called at about 8:50 p.m. to the 500 block of Pirl Street in McKeesport. Responders found Epps,...
The Stroller, Dec. 22, 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. Christmas Eve concert to...
Fourth-generation Aspinwall resident wears numerous job ‘hats’ in the borough
Ryan Santelli can walk to his job and that’s just one of the things he loves about living in Aspinwall. As a fourth-generation Aspinwall resident, Santelli is employed as the borough’s building and zoning officer, building inspector and emergency management coordinator. “It’s the shortest work commute I’ve ever had,” Santelli...
Aspinwall, Sharpsburg and neighboring fire departments team up to rebuild volunteer force
A coalition of fire departments serving Aspinwall, Sharpsburg and other Lower Valley communities will launch an intensive recruitment process to address the region’s volunteer shortage. The number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has plummeted about 90% since 1970, according to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute. It is estimated...
5 things to know about the Pittsburgh budget, tax hike approved by City Council
Pittsburgh City Council on Sunday approved a 2026 budget with a 20% property tax increase, the first tax hike the city has implemented in more than a decade. Council members and Pittsburgh residents were starkly divided over the tax increase. No tax hike was included in Mayor Ed Gainey’s initial...
Owners of Franklin Park Mexican restaurant say they will rebuild after fire
A Mexican restaurant in Franklin Park is closed for repairs following a kitchen fire last week. Owners of Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant said on their Facebook page that repairs are expected to take at least a couple of months and that they expect to reopen in 2026. “We will miss...
1 person hurt, fire station damaged in crash on Freeport Road in Harrison
At least one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash on Freeport Road in Harrison Sunday afternoon. The crash at 5300 Freeport Road, at the Harrison Hills fire station, was reported around 3:30 p.m. The location is about midway between Highlands Mall and the Route 908 intersection. According to Harrison...
Mobile home catches fire in North Huntingdon
Firefighters responded to a trailer fire Sunday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Mobile Home Village in North Huntingdon. Authorities were alerted of the blaze around 2:45 p.m., according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. It was controlled as of about 3:15 p.m, the dispatcher said. There were no injuries, according to...
Search to continue Monday in Manor Township for missing man believed to be in danger
Search and rescue crews in Armstrong County continued their efforts Sunday to find Cory Dominic Cook, a 31-year-old Avonmore man last seen Thursday and said to be suffering from paranoid delusions and hallucinations. The search, suspended on Sunday at sunset, will continue Monday morning. Authorities began the search on Saturday,...
Pittsburgh City Council approves 2026 budget with 20% property tax increase
Pittsburgh City Council voted Sunday to raise property taxes by 20%, down from an earlier proposal for a 30% tax hike. Council supported the 20% tax hike — the first increase in more than a decade — in a 6-2 vote after hours of deliberation Sunday. “I do feel this...
Alle-Kiski Senior Citizen News – Dec. 7, 2025
Armstrong County Senior Centers Apollo Wednesday and Thursday: closed for the Christmas holiday. Hours: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Details: Charlotte at 800-368-1066 or Amy at 724-478-1410. The center is at 707A N. Fifth St., Apollo. Freeport Wednesday and Thursday: closed for the Christmas holiday. The center is at...
The Stroller, Dec. 21, 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. Food distribution set Tuesday...
International priests fill vital roles in keeping Diocese of Greensburg operating
After more than a decade of educating aspiring Catholic priests in his native Philippines, the Rev. Jay Jacinto was ready for a change. Jacinto, 48, was ordained in 2005. He worked in the Philippines for 17 years before volunteering to serve abroad in 2022. A year later, the bishop of...
Diocese of Greensburg ‘on the cusp’ of revival going into 75th anniversary, bishop says
When the Rev. Alexander Pleban looks back on his nearly 60-year career as a priest, one feeling in particular stands out among the flood of emotions. “I feel very, very blessed that my priesthood was during the golden age of the diocese,” said Pleban, 95. He’s talking about the 1970s...
Westmoreland happenings: Christmas services, more
Church news • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 Main St., Irwin, will have a Christmas Eve service for children and families at 4 p.m. The traditional candlelight service will be at 8 p.m. with vocal, organ and bell choir music. The sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at both...
After a snow delay, Lower Burrell gets in its Christmas parade
Lower Burrell celebrated Christmas with its fourth annual parade on Saturday, a week later than originally planned. While the parade is held at night when lights shine more brightly, the snow on Dec. 13, instead of contributing to the atmosphere, forced its cancellation and rescheduling, Mayor Chris Fabry said. The...
Hempfield Area hosts 36 high school cheer teams in regional competition
The 2025 WPIAL Competitive Spirit Championships were held Saturday at Hempfield Area High School. A total of 36 schools (21 from Class 3A, 13 from Class 2A) competed in five categories, Class 2A Small Varsity, Class 2A Large Varsity, Class 3A Small Varsity, Class 3A Large Varsity, Co-Ed Varsity. Overall...
Duquesne man facing charges after boy hospitalized from ingesting narcotics
A Duquesne man is facing charges after Allegheny County Police say a boy was hospitalized from ingesting narcotics. Iedoniae Cole, 32, is facing multiple charges including aggravated assault, possession with intent to deliver, endangering the welfare of children and receiving stolen property. The Allegheny County Police Department said UPMC Children’s...
Pittsburghers share mixed opinions on significant tax hike proposal as council remains divided over budget options
About 24 hours before Pittsburgh City Council is scheduled to vote on a 2026 budget, council members remained divided on whether to cut services, raise taxes or find a middle ground that combines both approaches. Council on Sunday will take preliminary and final votes on the tax increase and budget....
Search efforts underway in Manor Township for endangered man
Police in Armstrong County are looking for a 31-year-old man said to be in danger and suffering from paranoid delusions and hallucinations. According to Manor Township police, Cory Dominic Cook was last seen around 8 a.m. Thursday, and the last time someone had contact with him was by phone or...
Missing 83-year-old woman found safe, Pittsburgh police say
A missing 83-year-old woman with dementia and Alzheimer’s was found safe, Pittsburgh police said Saturday. According to police, Desiree Yates had last been seen Friday about 6:15 p.m. in the 800 block of Inwood Street in the city’s Homewood West neighborhood. She may have required medical assistance, police said. Pittsburgh...
The Stroller, Dec. 20, 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. Free food pantry available...
Passing the torch: Aging VFW honor guards need younger veterans to step upVideo
Military veterans who serve on honor guards for local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts say there is an urgent need to pass the torch to a younger generation. “We’re always asking for young people, but they don’t have the time. We have seven or eight members who...
