Local category, Page 2020
Acmetonia 4th-graders raise more than $8K to protect marine lifeVideo
Fourth graders in Elizabeth Newill’s science class at Harmar’s Acmetonia Elementary surprised their teacher — and themselves — by raising more than $8,000 in the Ecostudent Challenge. The children clapped and squealed with delight when they saw a giant check for $8,362.96 unveiled Tuesday afternoon during an assembly in the...
Recent snake, bear sightings just add to Pittsburgh’s animal lore
Animal encounters are nothing new to Pittsburgh and the stories of people hanging out with various critters in the city prove it. Much has been made of the black bear wandering Wednesday through Mt. Washington. More hype surrounded the gigantic black rat snake seen this week in a tree at...
Shortage of bus drivers could affect Pittsburgh students going back to school
The return to classrooms within Pittsburgh Public Schools this week was a success, district officials said — but a looming shortage of bus drivers could threaten the district’s ability to bring in more students. A severe shortage of bus drivers means the district won’t have enough open seats for everyone,...
History on display at 23rd annual Bushy Run Historic Arms ShowVideo
It’s easy to see the passion Bill Vance has for antique firearms as he cradles a 50-caliber St. Louis plains rifle, with intricate inlaid metalwork and a unique feature the average person would not even notice. “A lot of these types of long rifles were made with curly maple, the...
Kecksburg firefighters donating 1989 fire engine to Dominican RepublicVideo
Kecksburg firefighters are hoping to invoke the sense of wonder the community enjoyed more than 55 years ago, when a mysterious, metallic acorn-shaped object reportedly fell from the sky and brought worldwide attention to the tiny Mt. Pleasant Township village. This time, they’re hoping to do it with a donated...
Pittsburgh police investigate fatal shooting in Sheraden
Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting that claimed an 18-year-old Pittsburgh man Friday afternoon in the city’s Sheraden neighborhood. Officers found Kenneth Hairston, who had been shot in the head, when they responded to a Shotspotter alert at about 1:30 p.m. in the 700 block of Stafford Street. He was...
Greensburg man to serve probation, house arrest for overdose of longtime girlfriend
Christopher Showalter told a Westmoreland County judge on Friday he never considered he was about to commit a crime when he delivered two stamp bags of heroin to the Hempfield home of his son’s mother two years ago. “I loved her and I would never, ever let anything happen to...
Ohiopyle State Park returning to ‘normal’ after nearly 500-acre forest fires
Crews on Friday continued to mop up hot spots from two forest fires at opposite ends of Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County after they consumed nearly 500 acres of woodlands, according to authorities. Ed Callahan, district forester of Forbes State Forest, said it is among the worst forest fires...
Franklin Regional Unified Club captures Western Pa. bocce championshipVideo
When Franklin Regional life skills teacher Allison Harris helped start the high school’s Unified Club in 2014, she was hoping to create inclusive opportunities that would bring life skills students together with the larger student body in fun competitions. She certainly did not expect the club’s track team to win...
Alle-Kiski Valley districts earn national recognition for music education
The Alle-Kiski Valley is alive with the sound of music. Five Valley school districts have been recognized by a national organization for their commitment to music education. Burrell, Kiski Area, Fox Chapel Area, Freeport Area and Plum Borough were among 686 school districts named best communities in the nation for...
Unity officials urge township residents to take advantage of spring cleanupVideo
Unity residents can do their part and participate in their township’s Neighborhood Spring Cleanup, set for April 24. They’ll be able to drop off unwanted non-hazardous household items in large trash bins from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the township office building, at 154 Beatty...
Penguin Court to host native plant sale in Laughlintown
Those wanting to fill their gardens with native plants this season will be able to chose between 45 species of perennials, shrubs and tree seedlings during Penguin Court’s plant sale. Penguin Court, the former family home of the late Tribune-Review publisher Richard M. Scaife, was converted in 2019 into a...
Pittsburgh police union appeals firing of former officer Paul Abel
The union that represents the Pittsburgh police is appealing the firing of an officer who has been in trouble dozens of times on technical grounds. Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1 filed a petition to vacate last month’s arbitration award, which found in favor of the City...
Watershed association seeks donations in order to stock the Kiski River with trout
As the covid-19 pandemic walloped many fundraisers, the Kiski Watershed Association is scrambling to raise money to stock trout in the Kiski River. It’s a 15-plus-year tradition that draws residents and visitors alike. Typically, the watershed association would work with local business and others to raise the money to buy...
Sharpsburg Community Library launches courtyard programs for all ages
Sharpsburg Community Library has come alive with programs since reopening to the public earlier this month. Courtyard programs are hosted almost daily, with topics that target young readers to adults. “Now that the weather is warming up, we’re excited to begin offering some outdoor, in-person programs again,” Manager Sara Mariacher...
Hempfield band sub sales set to resume next monthVideo
After a monthslong hiatus because of covid-19 restrictions, a major fundraiser for the Hempfield Area marching band is back. Sub sales, a popular event in the Hempfield community, will resume May 15, band director Brian Tychinski confirmed. The May event will be the first since sales were suspended in September...
UPMC: Covid vaccine may not be as effective for immune-compromised
UPMC experts on Friday shared new data related to the effectiveness of the covid-19 vaccines on patients with compromised immune systems – suggesting that, for some people, the vaccines are less effective at preventing infection. Researchers searched for antibodies via blood tests of 70 volunteer residents of UPMC Senior Communities,...
Shaler Area walking trail named for late teacher who went the extra mile for students
A walking trail in the Shaler Area School District has been named in honor of a beloved teacher who passed away earlier in the school year. Kim Baysek-Young, a third grade teacher at Reserve Primary School, will be memorialized with a 0.2-mile path at the school along Lonsdale Street. The...
Unity enjoys revenue boost after year in pandemic; eyes paving, roof replacement
Unity Township is in good financial shape, despite the covid-19 pandemic, and is looking ahead to replacement of the roof on the municipal building and a paving project that will address some roads long overdue for attention. The township also is updating a piece of heavy equipment and seeking funds...
Local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter marks 110th anniversary
When Sharon Wallhausen of Irwin was growing up, her great aunt told stories about their family being part of the Revolutionary War Patriots, but Wallhausen was never able to uncover enough family history to prove the link. Wallhausen, who had a passion for genealogy, eventually traced her family’s ancestry back...
Westmoreland prosecutor to head county’s bar association
Assistant District Attorney Judith Petrush will have a new role in addition to her day job as a Westmoreland County prosecutor. Petrush, 53, of Murrysville, this week was elected president of the Westmoreland Bar Association and, in doing so, becomes the first full-time prosecutor to oversee the organization that represents...
New Pitt documentary ‘Chasing Covid’ premieres Monday
The University of Pittsburgh is celebrating the 66th anniversary of Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine being declared “safe and effective” with a new documentary about the covid-19 pandemic. It was April 12, 1955, that Salk’s breakthrough was confirmed. To mark the date on Monday, Pitt is holding the world premiere screening...
‘Ice ball man’ Gus Kalaris is back on the North Side
The “ice ball man” is back on the North Side. Gus Kalaris has been manning the bright orange ice ball cart under the rainbow-colored umbrella near West Park on Pittsburgh’s North Side for seven decades. The stand opened for the season on Wednesday, just in time for the Pirates home...
Bicycle industry still booming a year into the pandemic
Bicycles continue to spin out of stores in record numbers. Last March, people began purchasing bicycles at the beginning of the pandemic. A year later, the industry continues to see an increase in sales — to the point where manufacturers are struggling to supply product, experts said. “We used to...
Mt. Lebanon man recognized for his volunteering at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh
Dan Jenkins talked with a high school classmate about finding a career where he would earn a lot of money. She suggested he consider doing something that would make him rich in a different way — become a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. So he did....
