Local category, Page 2085
Murrysville area happenings, Feb. 18, 2021
Here are news briefs and event listings for the Murrysville Star’s coverage area. Submit items to pvarine@triblive.com. Easter drive-thru in Murrysville Murrysville Recreation Department and Murrysville Community Library officials will host a March 26 Easter drive-thru at the municipal building on Sardis Road. From 3:30-5:30 p.m., families can stop by,...
Harrison restaurant owner remembered for generosity, work ethic
If anyone ever called the Saxon Inn looking for Ralph McClain, he was never there. McClain figured anyone who didn’t call him “Fritz” didn’t know him, said his daughter, Michelle Gutonski. “A lot of people never knew my dad’s first name,” Gutonski said. “Everybody called him Fritz.” Ralph L. “Fritz”...
Chelsa Wagner joins crowded field in race for Allegheny County judge
The race for Allegheny County Common Pleas Court judge looks like it will be a crowded one. Tuesday was the first day candidates for May’s primary election were permitted to begin circulating their nominating petitions. With nine seats open on the bench, it is expected that nearly three dozen people...
Commissioners dash calls for Westmoreland health department, trumpet broadband upgrade
With covid-19 still a constant threat and source of concern, county leaders on Thursday said they see a brighter future born from lessons learned during the ongoing pandemic. Commissioners speaking at the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce’s virtual State of the County conference outlined coronavirus-related challenges and successes, a plan...
3 Western Pa. public universities plan for campus reopening this fall
A trio of Western Pennsylvania public universities that shuttered their campuses last fall and only recently began offering more classes on campus say they are making plans for a full-fledged return to campus for fall 2021. Officials at California, Clarion and Edinboro universities say they are cautiously planning to reopen...
Western Pa. ski resorts benefit from increased snowfall, popularity during pandemic
With snow continuing to fall across Western Pennsylvania, and much of the region having totals that are almost double that of previous years, ski resorts are seemingly reaping the benefits. Natural snowfall, in combination with snow making, at Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain has allowed slopes and trails...
Norwin Lacrosse Club opens registration
Norwin Lacrosse Club is accepting registration from students who attend preschool through eighth grade in the Norwin School District and Queen of Angels school in North Huntingdon. Registration information is available at www.norwinlax.com. The team plays at St. Agnes Church field and at Oak Hollow Park, both in North Huntingdon,...
Norwin area charges filed, Feb. 18, 2021
Charges recently filed with North Huntingdon District Judge Wayne Gongaware. All individuals have the right to a preliminary hearing and are innocent until proven guilty or pleading guilty before a judge in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. • Isaiah Mohammed, 19, of Irwin, by borough police with possession...
Peduto to speak during event marking U.S. return to Paris Climate Agreement
Pittsburgh will again be linked with Paris Friday, as Mayor Bill Peduto will be among the dignitaries participating in a virtual event as the U.S. rejoins the Paris Climate Agreement. The mayor will be the last speaker during an “America Is All In” event Friday morning that will feature Special...
Rep. Ed Gainey calls on Peduto, Pittsburgh officials to act to prevent evictions
State Rep. Ed Gainey and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto agree the city needs to work quickly on legislation that protects renters from facing eviction because of the coronavirus pandemic. “The city has the legal authority and a moral obligation to protect the health and safety of its citizens,” Gainey said...
CCAC nursing program extends application deadline
The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) extended the application deadline for its nursing program for the fall 2021 semester. The new deadline is April 1, though applications received by the original deadline of March 1 will receive priority admission consideration. Prospective students can attend virtual workshops for assistance with...
North Huntingdon OKs new backyard chicken rules
Having debated for months on how to regulate people raising chickens in a residential neighborhood, North Huntingdon commissioners this week approved a zoning ordinance amendment that requires a permit. The seven commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved the zoning amendment. Under the revision, the owners of properties zoned R-2, R-3 and...
Veteran, puppy help police capture suspect accused of injuring Scottdale officerVideo
A Marine Corps veteran and his German shepherd puppy helped police capture a suspect accused of injuring an officer and trying to break into several Scottdale homes on Wednesday. Edward Swingle, 31, said his military training kicked in, and so did the instincts of his 4-month-old puppy, Keeper. “I’m happy...
Derry Township man charged in 2nd alleged rape
A Derry Township man awaiting trial on charges he raped a Ligonier Township woman in 2018 was charged Thursday after a second woman made similar allegations against him. Khachek Alexan Hamerski, 28, is set for arraignment next week on the new charges of rape and strangulation. Westmoreland County detectives said...
Food Podcast: Swissvale Community Food Pantry serves hundreds in surrounding community
Note: The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is featuring several of its Black partners and volunteers during Black History Month. The Swissvale Community Food Pantry serves hundreds of individuals and families from Swissvale and several surrounding communities. Nelson Kirksey, the pantry’s coordinator, said he is proud to provide food to...
Franklin Regional Unified Club raises more than $1,800 for Special Olympics PAVideo
Franklin Regional School District debuted its unified track team in 2014, part of a Unified Club that brings together students of all abilities under the banner of inclusion and fostering new friendships. The following year, the expanded team finished first in Westmoreland County. More recently, the team has been recognized...
Diocese of Greensburg announces new leadership appointments
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg announced two new key leadership appointments. Bishop Larry Kulick, who was installed last week, revealed Thursday a new vicar general and director of Catholic Charities. Both men are longtime figures in the diocese. Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle, 68, rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg,...
Shaler Area School Board greenlights 4-day, in-person schedule
Shaler Area students can return to the classroom four days a week, beginning in March, through a phased transition approved Feb. 17 by the school board. Under the plan, the district’s youngest learners would have the option to return first. As proposed, students in kindergarten through third grade can be...
Westmoreland County reports 92 new covid cases, 5 deaths
Despite an increase in new cases from yesterday, Westmoreland County continues to see an overall decline in its new case average. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 92 new cases of coronavirus Thursday. It’s the 15th straight day the county’s new case count was in double digits. The last time...
Westmoreland water authority to meet with contractors, gas well operators
Representatives from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County plan to talk with companies that work around two of its fresh water sources — the Beaver Run Reservoir in Westmoreland County and the Youghiogheny River in Connellsville and McKeesport — about maintaining the integrity of its drinking water. The authority plans...
Before making it big, Rush Limbaugh got his start in Pittsburgh as ‘Jeff Christie’
Many people know that Rush Limbaugh made a name for himself with a show that went on to reach more than 600 stations nationwide. What remains more obscure is how he got his start in major-market radio broadcasting. It happened in Pittsburgh in the early 1970s and it ended up...
Allegheny County covid numbers continue to decline
Despite surpassing 74,000 cases of coronavirus Thursday, Allegheny County’s overall covid averages continue to decline. The county health department’s latest report added 247 new cases of the virus. Of those, 114 cases were confirmed through 940 new PCR tests, processed from Feb. 8 to Wednesday. Officials said four of the...
Gateway making strides on middle school renovation, construction project
The Gateway School Board continues to move forward with the construction and renovation project of one of its middle schools. The board unanimously approved four resolutions Feb. 16 related to the giant project, which involves renovating Gateway Middle School to accommodate fifth- through eighth-grade students. One of the items approved...
Hairstyle protection law doesn’t impact ban on Pittsburgh police growing beards
Pittsburgh police officers must have neatly trimmed hair in a style that doesn’t interfere with their uniform cap. Most male officers aren’t allowed to grow beards, under a departmental policy last revised in 2017. But the CROWN Act, a law the city enacted in October, spelled out protections for Pittsburgh...
Ash Wednesday was a little different for Holy Family Parish members in Plum, OakmontVideo
Mary Kitchener of Plum had prepared herself for Mass and to receive ashes on her forehead much like she had done for the past six decades. However, due to the pandemic, this start of Lent would be different. The Holy Family Parish member stood before the Rev. Kevin Poecking as...
