Western PA Local News category, Page 2003
Franklin Regional board holds ‘public-less’ public hearing
To the editor: On May 24, the Franklin Regional School District held a public hearing on the future of the empty Heritage and Newlonsburg elementary schools. It was a public hearing, but the public wasn’t allowed to attend because the board is still holding virtual meetings where residents can watch,...
Greensburg man accused in 4-mile, high-speed chase that police said ended at his home
A Greensburg man is accused by state police of leading troopers on a high-speed, 4-mile chase along Route 30 early Thursday that ended at the suspect’s home, according to court papers. Police say Brandon Jeremiah Thomas, 23, was intoxicated when he drove more than 100 mph during the pursuit. He...
Pittsburgh Public Schools form committee to advise board about $100M federal covid cash
Parents, teacher, administrators and other Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders will advise the school board as it decides how to allocate more than $100 million in new federal coronavirus recovery money that’s coming to the district. The school board on Wednesday approved forming a 21-member Public Stakeholder Advisory Committee to provide...
Pittsburgh receives grant to evaluate vacant property in Homewood
A $17,500 state grant that will pay for a study of Homewood’s properties will be a key to implementing an improvement plan for the neighborhood, Pittsburgh City Councilman Ricky Burgess said Thursday. The city received the grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. It will identify vacant...
Penn-Trafford area happenings: Chicken barbecue, reading program and more
Manor Lions to hold chicken barbecue to raise money for pediatric cancer The Manor Lions Club will hold its “Jerry Nedley Memorial Chicken BBQ for Pediatric Cancer” at 11 a.m. June 12 in the Roberts Roofing parking lot, Route 993, Manor. The meals will be $8 for a half-chicken, roll,...
Turnpike officials expect Memorial Day traffic to nearly double from last year
What a difference a year makes. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission project traffic on the toll highway over the Memorial Day holiday will almost double to 2.1 million motorists compared to 2020, when travelling options were severely impacted by shutdowns and safety concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic. The agency anticipates...
As covid vaccinations continue, Pennsylvania and Allegheny, Westmoreland counties see fewer cases
After Pennsylvania passed a mark Wednesday with more than 70% of adults having at least one dose of a covid vaccine, Alison Beam, Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary, announced Thursday morning that the state’s mask order will be lifted by June 28. Officials, who had said that the state’s...
Allegheny Valley School Board passes preliminary budget with no tax hike
The Allegheny Valley School Board has approved a $22.9 million proposed budget for next school year that does not include a property tax increase. The board voted 6-3 in favor of the preliminary spending plan. It will vote next month on adoption of a final budget. “With this budget, there...
Merrimac Street on Mt. Washington to get speed humps
Pittsburgh will install speed humps on Merrimac Street next month to slow traffic, the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure said Thursday. They will be installed between Grandview Avenue to Woodruff Street in an effort to slow traffic on Mt. Washington. The city collected data in the spring that showed...
Greensburg firefighters to hold community ‘day’ at Lynch Field
Greensburg is not having its traditional community days festival, which typically stretches four days around the Memorial Day holiday because of covid-related restrictions, but the city’s volunteer fire department is organizing a one-day festival this year at the end of July. In an effort to provide a bright spot during...
Summit Hose seeking donations for 4th of July fireworks in Tarentum
Summit Hose firefighters are asking for the community’s help as they work to bring Fourth of July fireworks back this year. The department is trying to raise $15,000 to pay for the display, scheduled for the evening of July 3 near Dreshar Stadium. The department has close to $5,000, said...
Jeannette man accused in Hempfield drug overdose death
A Jeannette man is behind bars after state police said he sold heroin and fentanyl to a man who died of an overdose last year, according to court papers. Rick Paul Petros, 52, formerly of Florida, was arrested Thursday on charges of drug delivery resulting in death and drug offenses....
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces reopening, improvements at Western Pa., West Virginia sites
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is announcing the reopening of select facilities at district-managed sites in anticipation of the 2021 recreation season. “We invite the public to come out and safely enjoy our beautiful reservoirs and parks. Our rangers and resource managers across the district have done...
Greensburg’s Oliver’s Pourhouse back in business after 14-month closure
Tim Zontek was a regular at Oliver’s Pourhouse before the pandemic shutdown. The Mt. Pleasant resident was seated at the bar of the downtown Greensburg eatery on Wednesday, a day after its reopening. “It’s good to have them reopen,” he said. “They’re good people, and they have the best sandwiches...
North Huntingdon man charged with retaliation in ongoing neighborhood dispute
A North Huntingdon man awaiting trial on multiple complaints in an ongoing dispute with neighbors is facing more charges after police say he fired a pellet gun and damaged the homes of some of his accusers, according to court documents. Matthew D. Fox, 38, of the 13000 block of Dean...
Traffic restrictions, delays expected on Route 356 in the Sarver area during milling work
Drivers can expect to see lane restrictions and delays as PennDOT begins milling work on Route 356 in the Sarver area on Friday. The milling work will begin on Route 356 in Jefferson, Winfield and Buffalo townships at 6 a.m. on Friday. Work may continue through Saturday, according to PennDOT....
Cranberry debuts renovated amphitheater completed with sponsorship from Armstrong
For the past decade, the nonprofit Cranberry Township Community Chest has hosted fundraisers and tapped local businesses to sponsor community projects. The latest addition to the Community’s Chests efforts is a $300,000 renovation and expansion of the 17-year-old Rotary Amphitheater in Community Park, which was sponsored by Armstrong, the township’s...
Quaker Valley High School to hold in-person graduation
Quaker Valley High School seniors will be able to celebrate the ending of a chapter together in person at Chuck Knox Stadium. Graduation will be held 7 p.m. June 10. Principal Deborah Riccobelli said 157 seniors will be graduating. All students, guests, staff and administration must wear a mask and...
WPXI’s Mike Holden gets puppy love during live reportVideo
Some actors will tell you to never work with kids or animals — they steal the show every time. WPXI reporter Mike Holden found that out Thursday morning while covering a water main break in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood. Reporting live from Voelkel Avenue, Holden spotted a resident at his front...
Rock on: WDVE’s Memorial Day 500 has begun
In Pittsburgh, it’s the unofficial start of summer — not just the Memorial Day holiday weekend but the accompanying WDVE radio countdown of 500 classic rock tunes. The station calls it “The Memorial Day 500,” and it’s beloved by fans throughout Western Pennsylvania. “Yes, we are doing the countdown again,...
Signature Dishes: Wade’s brings made-to-order doughnuts to Export’s breakfast tableVideo
This is part of an ongoing series highlighting Signature Dishes at locally owned restaurants in the region. See Trib Total Media’s new online directory of restaurants, Dine Local, at dinelocal.triblive.com. If too much business is a problem, Karen Wade and her husband, Alan, were on the verge of having a...
Murrysville family’s story highlights importance of public adoptionsVideo
Theresa Gutierrez has a lot of love to give. After losing her husband nearly a decade ago, Gutierrez raised her eldest daughter, now in her mid-20s, and her son Brandon, who is now 16. Just about a year ago, Theresa and Brandon welcomed 10-year-old Phillip into their home, and as...
Plum community chips in for new game at the community center
Plum seniors will soon have a new game to play at the borough’s community center thanks to the teamwork of a furniture shop and a high school art class. Mayor Harry Schlegel earlier this year proposed the idea of offering cornhole, a lawn game in which players take turns throwing...
World Square, an event with international flair, returns to Downtown Pittsburgh
World Square is returning to Market Square. After missing last year because of the pandemic, “World Square — Welcoming All of Pittsburgh’s Neighbors” will return June 11-13. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. June 11, noon to 8 p.m. June 12 and noon to 6 p.m. June 13. The three-day...
Water main break floods homes, yards in Beechview
Water service was restored to two customers in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood Thursday night after crews repaired a water main that broke in the morning, a water company official said. An 8-inch water main broke around 5:30 a.m., said Gary Lobaugh, a spokesman for Pennsylvania American Water, which flooded yards and...
