Fundraiser for family of Oakmont man detained by ICE raises more than $75K
An online fundraiser to aid the family of a man taken into ICE custody in Oakmont on Thursday had collected more than $75,000 as of Tuesday evening. Jose Flores, 47, was handcuffed and placed in an unmarked SUV by ICE agents Thursday morning in front of his 8-year-old daughter, Lily....
Can Pittsburgh build it? LEGO skyline needs community votes
A Pittsburgh LEGO set has the potential to be reviewed by designers for production — but it needs 10,000 community votes first. At the beginning of January, creator “Chris74” posted a LEGO model of the Pittsburgh skyline on the LEGO Ideas crowdsourcing platform, which gives regular people the opportunity to...
Expert witness for Fern Hollow bridge victims claims engineering firms missed problems prior to collapse
An expert retained by the victims of the Fern Hollow bridge collapse said the three engineering firms contracted to inspect the span failed to uphold the standard of care required for professional engineers. David B. Mrowiec, a civil engineer based in Virginia, reached that conclusion after reviewing thousands of pages...
Suspect in fatal hit-run found hiding under insulation in Jeannette attic
A Jeannette man was hiding in an attic underneath insulation when he was taken into custody Friday on state police accusations that he was involved in a 2025 hit-and-run that killed an e-bike rider. Troopers said in court papers that they learned William Edward Sever, 37, was staying at a...
Lower Burrell zoning board to consider credit union’s proposal to move to old PNC Bank building
A credit union may soon occupy the former PNC Bank building in Lower Burrell’s Hillcrest Shopping Center complex. Western PA Federal Credit Union, which has a location in Feldarelli Square, New Kensington, seeks a zoning variance as it plans to move to the former PNC building at Hillcrest. PNC closed...
Deposit from Midway-St. Clair boosts Hempfield fire service support fund
Money that Midway-St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department had invested is being transferred into a fund controlled by Hempfield. The township supervisors on Jan. 26 accepted the deposit of $161,365.99 into the Hempfield Township Volunteer Fire Service Support Fund at the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. “That clears the books on...
Pittsburgh Public Schools building closure plan discussions back on the table
The Pittsburgh Public Schools board unanimously voted to reopen the discussion on a reconfiguration plan, which had raised the possibility of closing nine schools. On Wednesday, the Future-Ready plan was reintroduced by Eva Diodati, school board director for District 7. “I didn’t want to delay any longer than necessary. There’s...
Check out these parking chairs in PittsburghVideo
In many American cities, a parking spot is just a parking spot. In Pittsburgh? It’s a recognized and respected claim staked by a folding chair. Welcome to parking chair season. We compiled this video and photo galleries of parking chairs around the Pittsburgh region. Check it out....
Ruthie’s Diner fire started in kitchen of Ligonier Township restaurant, fire marshal saysVideo
A fire that destroyed landmark Ruthie’s Diner started in or near a cooking appliance in the kitchen, said state police fire marshal Trooper Chet Bell. The Jan. 20 blaze at the Ligonier Township diner has been ruled accidental and Bell said in a news release that he continues to investigate...
Penn State launches change-of-campus program
A new Penn State University program is designed to help undergraduate students explore and navigate changing campuses. The university announced Monday it is launching “Penn State Pathways” this spring through its Student Orientation and Transition program. It will feature in-person events at six campuses — University Park, Abington, Altoona, Beaver,...
Fox Chapel police chief search wrapping up
Fox Chapel officials are wrapping up their search for a new police chief. The borough partnered with Dailey Operation Consulting several months ago to help with the nationwide search to replace retired Chief Michael Stevens. Stevens retired Nov. 2, and Sgt. Craig Sorg was named interim chief the following day....
Allegheny Land Trust nears goal to conserve 30 acres in Collier for park expansion
The Allegheny Land Trust is a step closer to conserving about 30 acres of property in Collier. The trust is receiving $659,100 from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to put toward the acquisition of the approximately 30 acres in Collier for an addition to Settlers Cabin County...
The Stroller, Feb. 2, 2026: 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. Lower Burrell Citizen Police...
Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow — predicting no early springVideo
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of wintry weather Monday, a forecast sure to disappoint many after what’s already been a long, cold season across large parts of the United States. His annual prediction and announcement that he had seen his shadow was translated by his handlers in...
In brief: Block party, soup swap, meetings, art show and more in Sewickley area
Community invited to join in soup swap Feb. 9 Sewickley Public Library will host a soup swap from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at 500 Thorn St. Bring a crockpot or large container full of your favorite homemade soup then swap with fellow participants. Bowls and spoons, breads and...
Blawnox launches ‘soft dig’ to test water lines throughout borough
Blawnox officials are taking steps to ensure that borough infrastructure is built to last. A “soft dig” project will kick off this spring to test water line composition throughout the borough. “The project will allow the borough to dig down to certain water lines and identify exactly what material the...
In brief: Happenings from throughout the Fox Chapel area
To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com. O’Hara collecting valentines for seniors O’Hara Township and its Human Services Department is hosting a Valentine’s Day card collection through Feb. 12. Cards are available in the lobby of the municipal building, 325...
Opponents of Homer City power plant and data center air concerns at community gathering
At a community meeting Sunday about the natural gas-powered data center project near Homer City, activists and residents expressed concerns ranging from environmental to economic and health impacts. The afternoon event was organized by Concerned Residents of Western PA, a group formed to oppose the planned 4.5-gigawatt power plant and...
‘A little scary’ and a lot dangerous: People reminded to stay off frozen rivers
It is highly dangerous and widely discouraged to walk on frozen rivers. But that hasn’t stopped some people from doing it anyway. Videos and news footage from this weekend have shown people walking and sliding across the frozen Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, near Point State Park and the North...
Inmate who died at Allegheny County Jail identified as Hampton man
A 55-year-old man died Sunday morning at the Allegheny County Jail, Warden Trevor Wingard announced. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the man as Mark Schwartz, of Hampton. Schwartz was booked into the jail on Aug. 2 on charges of a misdemeanor charge of simple assault and a summary offense...
Making the grade: School districts vary when configuring grade levels in buildings
A realignment of grade levels in Burrell School District buildings has offered more opportunities for students this school year. Students had more clubs, career exploratory classes and leadership prospects because of a district realignment that followed the closure of Stewart Elementary in August 2025. Effective this school year, Bon Air...
Driver accused in Hempfield fatal hit-and-run arraigned, jailed
A Jeannette man accused of killing a man riding an e-bike in a hit-and-run in Hempfield last year is now in the Westmoreland County Jail. William Edward Sever, 37, of Jeannette, was denied bail as a flight risk when he was arraigned Friday, according to court records. Sever is charged...
Jury selection set to begin for Thomas Stanko, charged in Unity woman’s deathVideo
Jury selection in the criminal homicide trial of a Unity man charged with killing his former girlfriend is scheduled to begin Monday morning in a Westmoreland County courtroom. Thomas G. Stanko, 55, was charged in 2022 with criminal homicide in connection with the disappearance of Cassandra Gross five years earlier....
The Stroller, Feb. 1, 2026: 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. Library collecting handmade Valentines...
Go Laurel Highlands’ annual photo contest captures the region’s beauty
From brightly colored birds to foggy vistas, the nine photographs recognized as winners of Go Laurel Highlands’ annual photography contest reveal the beauty of the region. The winners are all local, from veteran photographers to hobbyists just starting out. Alex Byers, the lead photographer and videographer for Go Laurel Highlands,...
