What are ‘gas station drugs’? Medical professionals warn of addictive effects
Easily found on store shelves, the small blue bottle labeled “Feel Free” is sparking concern as doctors and social media users warn about the dangers of so-called “gas station drugs.” Manufacturer Botanic Tonics touts the Feel Free drink as a blend of “plant ingredients,” claiming it provides an energy boost...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: Aug. 8
The following is a feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz: 1. Western Pennsylvania native Mark Cuban’s drug company has partnered with Giant Eagle pharmacies to make certain medications more affordable. Where did the billionaire attend high school? A/ Bethel Park B/ Canon-McMillan C/ Mt. Lebanon D/ Upper St. Clair...
Fox Chapel grads opening for Smash Mouth at Hartwood AcresVideo
Cal Tucker and Michael Monahan of IMY2 (an abbreviation for “I miss you, too”) won’t have to miss their hometown when they return for an Aug. 17 Hartwood Acres show. The trio of musicians — third member Annalise Mahanes is from Richmond, Va. — will open for Smash Mouth at...
Springdale data center could be one of many in region
Brian Regli thinks folks in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the Pittsburgh region in general should embrace the idea of data centers. The data center he’s pushing for in Springdale, he said, may only be the beginning of a much larger current in Western Pennsylvania. As consultant for the proposed center’s...
The Stroller, Aug. 8, 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. Street fair returns to...
While PennDOT works to raise bridge clearances, it suggests 511PA app for alerts
When drivers try to squeeze trucks under bridges with inadequate vertical clearance, it can tie up traffic and cause damage to the vehicle and the overhead structure. A too-tall vehicle on Interstate 70 struck and damaged the Route 51 overhead bridge in December 2021 in Rostraver. It led to traffic...
Ligonier Tavern auction features kitchen equipment, decor from iconic restaurant
For those looking for a last taste from the iconic Ligonier Tavern and Table, now’s your chance. Everything from commercial dough mixers to beer tap handles and signed artwork is going to the highest bidder in a liquidation auction of items at the shuttered restaurant. The online-only auction by Greensburg’s...
Dino digger: Norwin grad gathers fossils from Wyoming, aids research in Pittsburgh
Nick Hornicak of North Huntingdon digs dinosaurs, literally. The 24-year-old Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate student was part of a team of fellow dinosaur diggers who in June worked in the high desert of southern Wyoming. They unearthed about two dozen packets of dinosaur fossils that have been buried some...
Penn Township recreation director could take over PTARC operations
The Penn-Trafford Area Recreation Commission could dissolve after 24 years following votes by the nonprofit’s governing bodies. Founded in 2001, the commission organized a variety of recreational events for community members of all ages, including sports leagues, a summer playground program, an annual 5K at Bushy Run Battlefield, art activities...
Pittsburgh man arrested in connection with bank robbery in Bloomfield
Quick action by city police and a detective on Thursday led to the quick apprehension of a suspected bank robber in Bloomfield, police said. Aaron Roth, 36, is charged with robbery and theft of property for allegedly robbing the First National Bank along the 4700 block of Liberty Avenue. Public...
New Kensington fire station renamed, memorial hosted for city’s only firefighter to die in the line of duty
There wasn’t a dry eye on the lawn as the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Convention kicked off in New Kensington with a memorial service for Eric L. Mangieri, an Arnold native and New Kensington firefighter. Mangieri died in the line of duty while fighting a fire on Aug. 7, 1995. Thursday...
After 75 years, New Kensington native Pfc. Roland Bowser laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery
For 75 years, Paul Bowser’s had the same last memory of his older brother, Roland. It was in 1950, when Paul was 13. Roland marched down the front steps of his family home in Mount Vernon, New Kensington, hopped in a coupe with his girlfriend, Ruthann, and left to serve...
Manor man captured hiding in Herminie house after eluding law enforcement
A Manor man was captured late Wednesday night while trying to hide in a Herminie house bedroom after eluding law enforcement for about eight hours when an attempt was made to serve him with an arrest warrant at an ice cream shop in North Hempfield, the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Department...
VA voids union contracts for 400K workers, prompting backlash
The Department of Veterans Affairs is voiding union contracts for more than 400,000 workers, part of the Trump administration’s bid to weaken organized labor in the federal bureaucracy. Affected employees include doctors, nurses, benefits administrators — everyone at the VA except for roughly 4,000 police officers, firefighters and security guards....
Union stages walkout at Derry Township’s Pace Industries; health coverage costs major issue
Union workers at Pace Industries’ Derry Township plant walked off the job early Thursday morning, after local labor leaders said talks broke down for a new contract with the facility that makes aluminum die-cast parts for customers that include Harley-
Davidson and Polaris. Union President Duke Reed said members of Laborers’...
Milling, paving work to impact Hulton, Hamil roads through early September
Penn Hills travelers will be hitting some traffic starting Friday, Aug. 8, and lasting through early September, weather permitting. According to PennDOT, milling and paving operations will take place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Hulton Road, Hamil Road between Saltsburg and Indiana roads, and Hamil Road between Hunter...
New Kensington man’s murder retrial ends after 2nd jury unable to reach a verdict
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli on Thursday said her office will seek a third trial for a New Kensington man charged in connection with the 2020 fatal shooting of an Arnold drug dealer. After 10 hours of deliberations over two days, jurors failed to reach a verdict for charges...
Bench dedication marks touching moment during Franklin Park’s National Night Out
Franklin Park marked National Night Out on Aug. 5 with a special ceremony honoring the borough’s first police chief. A bench near the entrance of the Franklin Park Police Department was dedicated to the late Joseph Hotnich, an officer who served as chief in the 1960s when Franklin Park transitioned...
Murrysville Area: Export summer festival, Fairview Park Old Fashioned Picnic and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Export summer festival The annual Export Ethnic Food & Music Festival will be from 12-9 p.m. Aug. 16 along Washington Avenue. Borough officials announced that there will be no parking on Washington Avenue after 11 a.m. on Aug. 15, through Sunday morning,...
Heinz partners with Smoothie King to launch ketchup smoothie
Pittsburghers love their Heinz Tomato Ketchup — but will they love it in smoothie form? For the first time, Heinz fans can get their ketchup in smoothie form through a new partnership with Smoothie King, Kraft Heinz announced Wednesday. The new blend won’t be available in Pittsburgh, according to the...
Carnegie Mellon announces layoffs in computer science school
Eighteen employees were laid off this week from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science, officials said. In an email from Martial Hebert, the dean of the school, stated that staff positions in several departments, academic support function and administrative positions had been eliminated, “including marketing and communications, program support,...
Police continue to investigate caltrops found in Brackenridge
Tarentum police now have about a dozen reports of caltrops on First and Brackenridge avenues in Brackenridge. They continue to investigate the origin of the small multispiked metal objects, said police Chief William Vakulick, whose department covers Brackenridge. They haven’t had any reports since Tuesday evening. Vakulick said the caltrops...
Tapville Social self-pour taproom, restaurant opens in Strip District
Be your own bartender at a new drink and dining destination in the Strip District. Tapville Social opened Monday, offering 32 beers and 16 wines lining a wall offering a self-pour tap experience. The nationally franchised eatery offers plenty of food and a full-service bar for those who don’t want...
Pittsburgh plans to transform office spaces into housing to boost Downtown life
Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership, a nonprofit community development organization, wants to more than double the residential population in the city over the next decade. In a quarterly address this week, the organization said it plans to to raise residential numbers Downtown from 7,000 to more than 15,000 by repurposing commercial office...
‘Lives shattered’: Emiliano’s vows to reopen after feds seize 16 in immigration raid
Federal immigration agents took 16 people into custody Thursday during coordinated raids at Emiliano’s restaurant locations in the North Hills and Butler County. The agents, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, were executing “federal court-authorized search warrants” in response to information that the two restaurants were “employing...
