Pet owners demand justice, new laws to deal with funeral director accused of theft
Don’t mess with the pets. That was the resounding message from protesters outside the Allegheny County Courthouse Wednesday, demanding justice for deceased pets they fear were mistreated by Patrick Vereb at funeral homes he operated in Pittsburgh and Harrison. About 20 people were scattered along the sidewalk of the courthouse’s...
Mt. Lebanon poet, artist earns spot in ‘Art of the State’ gallery in Harrisburg
Marilyn Narey’s main challenge in preparing her entry for Pennsylvania’s “Art of the State” contest was that she could only submit one piece, instead of the full series from which it originates. In addition to her work as a visual artist, the Mt. Lebanon resident is also a poet, and...
Franklin Regional hikes taxes by 4 mills for 2025-26 school year
The Franklin Regional school board approved a final 2025-26 budget with a 4-mill property tax hike. The board unanimously OK’d a final budget at its June 16 voting meeting. The $71.25 million budget has a $671,000 deficit, covered with $147,000 from the district’s technology fund balance, along with approximately $525,000...
Murrysville area: Alzheimer’s fundraiser, farmers’ market, live music and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Ginny’s Carniv-Alz The Alzheimer’s Association will host an afternoon carnival June 29 in Murrysville as part of its “The Longest Day” initiative. “The Longest Day” is a campaign the association undertakes annually during the summer solstice, the day of the year with...
North Allegheny School Board OKs 2025-26 budget with no tax increase for 3rd year
The North Allegheny School Board unanimously approved its 2025-26 budget of $204,355,366 on June 11 that keeps real estate taxes at 19.74 mills. “This is the third year we will not be raising our millage rate, and I think that’s quite an accomplishment given the big hit we took in...
Western Pa. politicians divided over Middle East conflict
Two Pittsburgh-area U.S. House members on Wednesday blasted President Donald Trump for opening the possibility of thrusting the U.S. into war in the Middle East without congressional approval. Social media posts by some of their Republican counterparts, meanwhile, did not mention the ongoing missile strikes between Israel and Iran but...
Man hospitalized after morning stabbing in Downtown Pittsburgh
A Downtown Pittsburgh stabbing left a man hospitalized in critical condition early Wednesday. Pittsburgh police found the man, who they did not name, lying on the ground and screaming around 5 a.m. near the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Smithfield Street, a spokeswoman said. He had been stabbed multiple times...
New Kensington man identified as Tarentum Bridge jumper
A man who jumped to his death from the Tarentum Bridge on Tuesday has been identified. The victim was Thomas Peter Link, 68, of New Kensington, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Link jumped into the Allegheny River shortly before 11:30 a.m. and died before he could be...
Fired Allegheny County chief public defender sues for wrongful termination
Allegheny County’s former chief public defender is suing the county manager for wrongful termination. The complaint, filed by Lena Bryan-Henderson on Wednesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against John Fournier, seeks reinstatement and back wages. Bryan-Henderson, 60, of Forest Hills said she had no comment on the lawsuit, which...
Northern Regional Police Department test-pilots equine therapy program
Several officers from the Northern Regional Police Department recently traded in their patrol vehicles, uniforms and police radios for saddles, fresh air and horses. The day was spent at Orchardview Stables in Marshall to learn about the benefits of equine therapy. “I can speak for myself when I say it...
Westmoreland happenings: Trap shoots, bank retiree lunch
Meetings • Rostraver Sportsmen and Conservation Association, 539 Cedar Creek Road, will meet at 7:30 p.m. June 23. The club hosts trap shoots from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, and at 10 a.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays. Public welcome. Details: 724-984-6611 or rostraversportsmen@gmail.com. • Retirees and former employees of...
Latrobe street paving project includes base repairs near hospital
A block-long Latrobe street bordered by parking lots for the town’s hospital is among a dozen streets that are slated for improvement in an upcoming city paving project. Derry Construction was awarded the $367,343 contract for the project — including extensive work on Taft Street. which intersects with Second Avenue...
Housing authority seeks sponsor to fund 9 cottage-style residences in Irwin
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority plans to seek another sponsor for a state application to fund the $2.3 million construction of nine cottage-style houses next to the Grand View Senior Residences. Irwin Borough declined the opportunity. The borough council last week rejected the housing authority’s request that the borough sponsor...
Oakmont Council passes food truck ordinances
A pair of ordinances regulating food truck operations in Oakmont passed without a peep after no residents attended Tuesday’s public hearings. The need for the ordinances arose after multiple borough businesses that don’t serve food contacted borough officials about hiring food trucks for special events.. There were no regulations in...
Colors for the carpet at Our Lady of Victory in Springdale
Our Lady of Victory parishioners filled bags of dyed sawdust Tuesday, June 17, at Our Lady of Victory in Springdale Township. Volunteers were preparing about 525 pounds of sawdust to be dyed in different colors for this year’s Feast of Corpus Christi, where sawdust carpets will be placed in the...
Annual NerdCon brings comic convention fun to Northland Public Library
The day when everyone wants to be a nerd finally arrived at Northland Public Library’s annual NerdCon celebration, held June 14, as folks of all ages dressed in their cosplay best. Anyone into comics, anime, board games, role playing — or even Mario Kart — were able to dress up...
U.S. Steel, Nippon finalize $14.9B merger, security agreement
Japan’s Nippon Steel has finalized its $14.9 billion takeover of U.S. Steel, the companies announced Wednesday, as they unveiled details about the deal, which amounts to a tightly monitored merger. To win government approval, the companies also have entered a national security agreement meant to mitigate worries about Nippon having...
Offers but no buyers on 3 Guardian Angels churches still on the market
Three former churches, once part of the Guardian Angels parish, remain for sale three years after the parish cut seven churches to two, keeping open Most Blessed Sacrament in Harrison and Our Lady of Victory in Springdale Township. “We have people looking all the time,” parish Business Manager Tom Babinsack...
New Alexandria man sentenced for 2023 confrontation with police
A New Alexandria man convicted of resisting arrest during a 2023 confrontation with state police in Unity was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation but will serve no additional jail time. Denton G. Krapf, 49, was found guilty in February of one misdemeanor count by a Westmoreland County jury....
Hunting licenses for 2025-26 season go on sale next week
It’s that time of year again — hunting licenses will go on sale starting next week, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced. On Monday, hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2025-26 season will be available for purchase. Antlerless deer licenses can be purchased when general license sales open per usual, but...
Morning Roundup: Police sergeant suspended after shoving man, mounted patrols to return to Montour Trail
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Wednesday, June 18: Ellwood City police sergeant suspended after shoving man at Sheetz The Ellwood City Borough Council voted unanimously to suspend and demote Sgt. Robert Magnifico after he shoved a man at Sheetz in June. The decision comes...
Hound Haus café and dog park opens in East Liberty
For many dog owners, their pets are considered family. This idea that led local dog lovers, Tom and Danielle Lafe, to open an all-in-one coffee shop, bar and dog park in East Liberty earlier this month. Hound Haus, located on Broad Street, had its grand opening on June 7, revealing...
The Stroller, June 18, 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. Comedy show to celebrate...
Interest in skilled trades surges nearly 14%
At 15, Ryley Potlas already knows what she wants to do with her life. The Kiski Area School District freshman dreams of a career in welding, and she’s getting a jump on it by enrolling at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington. “There’s a big need for...
Plum officials happy with injection well decision, preparing for appeals
After Plum’s Zoning Hearing Board rejected the application for a second injection well in the borough last week, officials say they’re happy with the decision but preparing for the legal “long haul.” For years, Delmont-based gas company Penneco sought a zoning variance to convert a natural gas well into an...
