Paid family leave: Potential blessing for Pa. workers, challenge for employers
Meagan Paul of Lower Burrell would have loved to have had a paid leave program when her son, Sullivan, was born and she was working. “I didn’t have it. … You feel like you are committing a crime by taking 12 weeks of unpaid leave,” Paul said during a recent...
Hempfield expects September opening of park at new complex along Route 30
While zipping past a new Hempfield complex that’s forming along Route 30, it’s hard to tell how much progress has been made. But on the ground at the burgeoning municipal site between the Mt. Pleasant Road and Cedar Street exits, west of Westmoreland Mall, a park is starting to take...
Good for the gander: Wildlife Works heals goose injured by discarded fishing line
The Canada goose hesitated for about a minute when the door to its kennel opened. Outside lay its home, Twin Lakes Park, and, feet away, the family it hadn’t seen in almost a month. Once the goose stepped out of the kennel Monday, it walked straight to the rest of...
Richland boy battling brain cancer finishes 100th Kids Workshop project at Home Depot
Tristan Mikelas of Richland has been building things since he was 3. Now 11, he celebrated making his 100th Kids Workshop project on June 7 at Home Depot along William Flinn Highway in Hampton. Every Home Depot location offers a free workshop once a month where children of all ages...
2 people rescued after vehicle travels over Highland Park hillside
Two people in a Jeep SUV were injured after it careened over a Highland Park hillside and into the woods Monday afternoon, police said. The accident scene was at Reservoir Drive and Farmhouse Drive. First responders found an adult female driver and an adult male passenger trapped in the SUV...
Hunker man pleads guilty in forged check theft scheme, ordered to repay victims
A three-year theft ring operated by a Hunker man swindled dozens of businesses and led to the prosecution of two innocent people whose stolen checks were used in the scheme. Police said William D. Barnhart used forged stolen checks to purchase high-priced merchandise throughout the region. Barnhart, 56, pleaded guilty...
Influencer builds community for Pittsburgh’s new young professionals
Navigating life post-college graduation can be trying for many people in their early 20s, as emerging adults face a whole new set of challenges — acclimating to a new city, starting a career and creating a community. Social media influencer Arjun Manjunath is using his platform to create a space...
Man pleads guilty to killing Uber passenger in Pitcairn
A Wall man will spend at least 17½ years in state prison after pleading guilty Monday to third-degree murder in the death of an Uber passenger. Finel Javon Thompson, 23, was charged with killing Kaliq Dade, 20, of McKeesport as Dade rode as a passenger in the back seat of...
North Side woman pleads guilty to killing boyfriend as they drove to drug deal
A Pittsburgh woman who killed her boyfriend after he repeatedly threatened her with a gun pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter. Brook Lynn Lank, 28, of the North Side will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kelly Bigley on July 15. Lank also pleaded guilty to abuse of...
Police search for suspects in fatal Washington County home invasion
A woman was shot and killed and her son wounded Monday during a home invasion in Washington County, state police said. Renee Lynn Gill, 37, was shot at around 1:15 a.m. inside her residence on Eleanor Street in Smith Township. She died at 5:01 a.m. inside her home, according to...
In brief: Happenings in the Pine Creek Journal area
Richland fire station plans open house The Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department, which has been serving the community since 1948, is planning an open house from 6 to 9 p.m. July 14 at the station, 5857 Meridian Road. Attendees will be able to explore various equipment, participate in live demonstrations...
Prepare for a rainy week in Western Pennsylvania
It’s time to break out the umbrellas for rain in Western Pennsylvania. There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms every day this week, according to Liana Lupo, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon. “It’s going to be more of a scattered coverage,” she said, which is similar to...
West Newton woman accused of stealing $82K in lottery tickets
A West Newton woman is accused of stealing about $82,000 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery tickets from December 2024 to June 12 from the Hempfield gas station where she worked, according state police. Cheryl C. Keller, 52, of North Second Street, allegedly took the lottery tickets from the BP gas station...
Organizers hope Freeport’s 6th annual Pride celebration can be a low-key safe space for LGBTQ+ people
Pittsburgh’s boisterous Pride parade may soak up a lot of attention, but Freeport Pride Stroll and Festival is a chance for LGBTQ+ people in the Alle-Kiski Valley to feel supported in their own community, organizers say. “You don’t have to go to a big city to feel safe,” said Sidney...
Romeo resigns from Irwin council; Gass to resign in North Huntingdon
Officials will be seeking replacements for an Irwin councilman and a North Huntingdon commissioner who are resigning from their positions this month. In Irwin, Ron Romeo last week submitted his resignation to council, effective June 15. Romeo’s term expires Dec. 31 and council is accepting letters of interest from residents...
2 mail carriers in Verona earn Million Mile awards for safe driving
The National Safety Council and the U.S. Postal Service recently recognized two mail carriers from the Verona Post Office for their safe driving records. The NSC Million Mile Award is given to drivers who complete either 1 million miles of driving or 30 years of driving without a preventable accident....
Greater Latrobe to end elementary Spanish program, considers tax hike of less than 2 mills
Greater Latrobe School District is looking to eliminate elementary Spanish instruction in its proposed 2025-26 budget as most school board members want to limit any potential tax increase to less than 2 mills. The board is expected at its meeting Tuesday to vote on finalizing a budget with $68.4 million...
Morning Roundup: Large fight on South Side
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Monday, June 16: Bicyclist critically injured in Homewood vehicle collision An adult male bicyclist is in critical condition after he was struck Sunday night by two vehicles driving side by side on the roadway, Pittsburgh police said. Officers responded...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of June 16, 2025
Plum Council gives final approval for Geo-Solutions move Plum Borough Council gave its final approval for two resolutions that allow New Kensington-based company Geo-Solutions to move to the borough. The company plans to move into a multistory office building behind Plum School District’s bus garage while it develops a storage...
Bubble bursts for Greensburg record attempt
Greensburg blew it. The city’s attempt to set a new world record for group bubble-gum blowing fell short Saturday. But organizers pledged to try again. “We did get a Westmoreland County record but did not make the world record,” said Amy Beeghly, president of the Greensburg Business & Professional Association,...
Familiar face seeks return to Tarentum Council; unclear whether incumbent wants GOP nod
A familiar face could be returning to Tarentum Council. Two years after stepping down from local government, Carrie Fox has found herself in the political mix again. She secured the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Ward by write-in votes during the May primary election. “I do miss having a voice,”...
The Stroller, June 16, 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. Annual night race scheduled...
Jeannette plans to reset recreation board to 5 members
Jeannette is planning to reduce the size of its recreation board from seven to five members after difficulties in getting volunteers to join. “We’re having a problem with the rec board getting seven members,” said Councilman Chad Krawtz, who is on the board. “Right now, we’re down to five and...
Mom convicted of daughter’s death pins hope for freedom on disputed autopsy findings
Editor’s note: A prior version of this story was inadvertently missing several paragraphs, which have been restored in full. In 2016, Uniontown police charged the parents of a little girl with starving her to death. The most powerful piece of evidence against Lydia Wright’s mother and father came from an...
Western Pa. nonprofits hopeful state will pass bill to accept online, card payments for raffles
Gone are the days when Western Pennsylvania’s fire departments relied solely on community donations, hoagie sales and summer festivals to finance new equipment. Many stations rake in hundreds of dollars per month through tip boards — raffles in which participants purchase tickets with a chance to win prizes, ranging from...
