Observation of federal Juneteenth holiday varies throughout region
Many areas of Western Pennsylvania are inconsistent in their approach to observing Juneteenth. Federal and state offices are closed and employees will have a paid day off Thursday for the official holiday that was designated in 2021. Meanwhile, workers at courthouses in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties will be on the...
Chartiers Valley middle school students make their mark on Bridgeville garden
A project by students at Chartiers Valley Middle School will leave a lasting impact on Bridgeville for years to come. This year, students embarked on a multi-grade, cross-subject endeavor to beautify a new butterfly-pollinator garden off Baldwin Street in Bridgeville, said science teacher Tracy Brackin. “It was inspiring to see...
Burrell School District mulls 3.8% tax hike to offset shrinking tax base, decreasing assessments
Burrell School District officials say a shrinking tax base and appeals that could lower property assessments are reasons they’re considering a 3.8% property tax hike. The increased taxes would support a budget the school board will consider Tuesday. The proposed budget totals about $37.7 million, said district Business Manager Jennifer...
Greater Latrobe OKs 1-mill tax hike for 2025-2026
Greater Latrobe School Board on Tuesday approved a 1-mill property tax increase to help raise local revenue for a final 2025-26 district budget of $68 million. District business administrator Dan Watson had recommended a 2-mill hike to help Greater Latrobe prepare for future capital projects as it deals with school...
Police: Boy, 15, critically wounded after being struck by vehicle in McKeesport
A 15-year-old boy was critically wounded when he was hit by a vehicle Tuesday evening near the intersection of Lysle Boulevard and Coursin Street, police said. The boy was attempting to cross Lysle in front of a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus when a vehicle traveling in the left lane struck...
Pine kicks off Rockin’ Rec summer concert series with ribbon-cutting ceremony for amphitheater
The Friends of Pine Community Parks amphitheater is now open in Pine Community Park. The community was invited to attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. June 12, which coincided with the kickoff of Pine’s Rockin’ Rec summer concert series. Township Manager Jason Kratsas and members of the board...
Housing authority director says federal budget cuts to have drastic impact on residents
Two key programs that assist low-income Westmoreland County Housing Authority residents are on the chopping block as part of the Trump administration’s federal budget proposal awaiting congressional approval. Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Washowich said the bill passed last month by the U.S. House, and awaiting a Senate vote, slashes...
Pa. Dems warn GOP’s proposed Medicaid cuts will ‘cost lives’
Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid, the federal program that provides health coverage to poor Americans, could leave hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians without health insurance and force rural hospitals and medical centers that cater to vulnerable communities to shut their doors, Democratic officials warned Tuesday. They urged people to call...
Police charge Duquesne man in fatal Safari Club shooting
Police on Tuesday arrested a Duquesne man in the killing of Tywone McClain last weekend inside a city bar. Marvin Harpool, 51, shot McClain, 26, once in the head last Friday at the Safari Club bar, according to a criminal complaint. Harpool had stepped between McClain and an unnamed woman...
Group of Girl Scouts safe after flash flooding near North Park cabin
Emergency crews rescued a group of Girl Scouts and counselors Tuesday after flash flooding near their cabin in North Park, police said. Police and fire departments arrived at 1:20 p.m. to a cabin near Kummer Road after a nearby stream started overflowing, police said. “They were in no immediate danger,”...
Introducing the Chartiers Valley High School Class of 2025
Here are the graduates in Chartiers Valley High School’s Class of 2025: Kamola Abdufattakhova, Leah Karen Acheson, Avery David Adams, Easton Ezekial Adkins, Dominick Paul Adragna, Elizabeth Jolie Adwar, Natalia Ann Adzima, Hassam Ahmad, Umidakhon Akobirova, Alexis Nicole Albert, Nizar Mohammad Al Housria, Farahangiz Alozie, Mohammed Abdulbari Alqahtani, Anthony Joshua...
Family of Ohio blast victim reaches $6.1M settlement in wrongful death lawsuit
The family of Akil Drake, a 27-year-old Penn Hills native who died May 28, 2024, in the Realty Tower explosion in Ohio, landed a $6.1 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit. Patrick McFarland, who represents Drake’s estate, filed the settlement in March. On April 11, a motion was filed...
Scott recognizes teen for cleanup efforts
Gianna Baker’s passion for helping others and the environment was recognized by Scott Township leaders last month. Township commissioners awarded Baker, who graduated this spring from Chartiers Valley High School, a proclamation for putting together a team of volunteers to collect more than 100 pounds of trash and litter in...
Cellphone classroom storage fails to get full support from Jeannette board
A committee of Jeannette City School District administrators and teachers will consider revisions to a proposed policy that would require mandatory classroom storage of cellphones and related devices. The first proposed policy received a 4-2 vote from school directors Monday, but needed five votes to pass. Two members of the...
The Peach Truck returns to Pittsburgh
The Peach Truck is rolling back into town this summer, delivering fresh produce just in time for Pittsburgh’s peak farm-to-table season. The Nashville-based Peach Truck will stop at 11 locations this summer throughout the Pittsburgh region. Stephen Rose, owner of the Peach Truck, got the idea for the company after...
Jeannette school directors plan 2nd session as they work at budget approval
A proposed 1-mill property tax increase failed to get enough affirmative votes Monday, so Jeannette City School District directors will meet again next week to get the 2025-26 budget approved before the June 30 deadline. The tax hike got a 4-3 vote, but, to pass, a measure must get at...
Rev. Melissa L. Stoller elected 1st woman bishop of Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Rev. Melissa L. Stoller was elected the next bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — the first woman to hold the position. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod spans the bottom left corner of the state, with West Virginia and Ohio as the south and...
Allegheny Valley Hospital opens Healing Garden, public wellness space
Rosemary Musolino said she couldn’t think of a more fitting project for Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison than the new outdoor respite garden. “It’s a beautiful design because it’s so welcoming,” said Musolino, an Allegheny Township resident and vice president of the hospital auxiliary. “It’s not only connected to our...
Carlynton holds line on taxes, shuffles admin positions, hires school police officer
Carlynton School District’s budget for next year doesn’t increase taxes for property owners. The school board on June 3 approved the 2025-26 budget, which totals $37.1 million and maintains the current property tax rate of 28.5083 mills. “We’re proud to present a plan that advances our mission without placing additional...
West Jefferson Hills School District officials bid farewell to class of 2025
Gavin Hart did not waste time by patting himself on the back for making it through the rigorous academia that is Thomas Jefferson High School. Instead, the senior class president spent the better part of his commencement address highlighting the accomplishments of his classmates and student clubs the past few...
Bridgeville scouts help with landscaping project at chamber of commerce
Two Bridgeville-area organizations that aim to enhance the community did just that earlier this month. Troop 2 Scouts BSA, of Bridgeville, helped the Southwest Regional Chamber of Commerce with its yearly landscaping project June 7, said Mandi Pryor, the chamber’s executive director. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 990...
Man dies after jumping from Tarentum Bridge
A man who jumped from the Tarentum Bridge into the Allegheny River on Tuesday morning died before he could be taken to a hospital, according to paramedics at the scene. River rescue units were launched after the man apparently jumped from the bridge shortly after 11:30 a.m. Motorists had reported...
In brief: Roundup of events in the Penn Hills area for the week of June 23, 2025, and beyond
Fire departments collecting cases of water The Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department is in need of cases of bottled water and electrolyte drinks to benefit the firefighters of the municipality’s six stations. During the summer months, fire departments can quickly deplete their supply of bottled water. Everyone is welcome to...
Oliver’s Donuts to close Lawrenceville Market House location
Oliver’s Donuts announced it will close its Lawrenceville’s Market House location on June 29. In an Instagram post, the decision was announced with a graphic thanking customers for their support over the last three years. “We are sad to announce Oliver’s Donuts is closing,” the post reads. “It’s been a...
New Pennsylvania license plates available to order
Pennsylvania’s new license plate design is now available for order, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday. Sports teams mascots across the state showed off their very own versions of the new plates in a promotional video released online. Shapiro initially unveiled the new “Let Freedom Ring” license plate and state welcome...
