Western PA Local News category, Page 236
ShotSpotter hastens police response but has little impact on arrests, audit finds
The ShotSpotter gunshot detection system has helped Pittsburgh police respond to shootings more quickly but has not led to a surge in arrests or any significant decrease in gun-related incidents, according to a report this week from the city’s controller. Pittsburgh first launched a ShotSpotter pilot program in a 3-square-mile...
Brackenridge hires Manager Chad Edwards to lead borough
For the first time in recent history, Brackenridge has a borough manager. Council hired West Virginia resident Chad Edwards to lead the borough’s day-to-day business. He most recently served as Village Manager of East Palestine, Ohio, coming on board months after the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment. Edwards was...
Decisive vote expected from Buffalo Township supervisors on proposed solar farms
After a summerlong controversy surrounding two proposed solar farms, Buffalo Township supervisors are expected to cast a final vote to approve or reject the projects at their meeting Wednesday night. A vote already has been delayed twice. The first holdup happened in June after a group of residents opposed to...
Greensburg Salem slated to host Back to School Bash
Greensburg Salem students and families attending the annual Back to School Bash next week will be able to meet the district’s first assistant superintendent and support the student-run Mini-THON fundraiser. The Back to School Bash is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Offutt Field, 109 Laird St. in...
Summer vehicle break-ins have police urging caution
A wave of summer car break-ins has police across the region urging caution — and locked vehicles. At least seven communities have reported multiple car break-ins since May, most involving unlocked cars or trucks. “It’s sporadic and its random. Throughout the years, we have upticks, then it goes away, then...
Judge rules Seton LaSalle student can play in football scrimmage while awaiting court action
Quarterback Anthony Smith can be on the field for Seton LaSalle at a football scrimmage this weekend, a judge ruled Tuesday. But his ability to play the rest of his sophomore season is up in the air. He remains ineligible when the season starts in two weeks after the PIAA...
Former county purchasing head claims public records refute theft allegations
In court documents filed Monday, the lawyer for Westmoreland County’s former purchasing director claimed that county leaders approved a transfer of the funds prosecutors contend was stolen during a yearlong payroll scheme. Kristopher Cardiff, 48, of Trafford was charged with felony theft counts in connection with allegations that he misappropriated...
Sharpsburg Community Garden invites public to enjoy harvest at annual party
The harvest is happening at the Sharpsburg Community Garden and members want to share it. An annual garden party, free to the community, will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 16 with revelers mingling among the crops and the adjacent Sharpsburg Community Library along Main Street. “Gardeners...
Despite dangers, South Huntingdon man who died at Clairton Coke Works loved his job
Tim Quinn joined generations of Southwestern Pennsylvanians 17 years ago seeking a good-paying job with benefits at a local steel mill. A few years after the South Huntingdon man graduated from Yough Senior High School, Quinn followed his father, Tom, into U.S. Steel Corp.’s Clairton Works, the nation’s largest coke-producing...
1 person flown to hospital after 3-vehicle crash involving dump truck in Washington Township
One person was airlifted to a hospital by medical helicopter after a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Washington Township. The wreck, around 10:30 a.m. near Meyer’s Schreck RV along Route 66, involved a Jeep SUV, a pickup truck and a dump truck, according to Washington Township police Sgt. Dakota Drew....
Iron City Car Cruise returns for 2nd year; brewery vows traffic jams won’t recur
The Pittsburgh Brewing Co. this month hopes to repeat the massive turnout it had for last year’s inaugural Iron City Car Cruise — without the massive traffic jam that came with it. After experiencing traffic snarls during last year’s car cruise, the brewery has been working to make adjustments for...
Here are 5 things to know about Clairton Coke Works explosion
Here are the latest details on the fatal explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. Gov. Shapiro headed to town Gov. Josh Shapiro will visit the site at 1 p.m. today for a press conference. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and other local officials will also be on hand to...
Neighbor files appeal in development of former Monsour medical site in Jeannette
A land use appeal filed by a neighbor of the former Monsour Medical Center property in Jeannette isn’t going to stop the developer of the property from continuing work on the commercial and residential project, he said. “We believe this is a nuisance resident looking out for her own benefit,”...
Pittsburgh region sees driest start to an August since late 1800s
After a spring and early summer that saw several damaging storms and floods, the precipitation well has run dry in August. The last time the Pittsburgh region saw no rain in the first 10 days of August, Grover Cleveland was serving his first term as president in 1887, according to...
Highlands to conduct public interviews for school board vacancy
A new Highlands School Board member is expected to be appointed next week. The school board on Monday night accepted the resignation of board member Justin Kipp, who was not at the meeting. “It is with regret that I make the motion,” board member Gene Witt said. Kipp announced his...
School district to turn over student records in criminal cases against special ed teacher, aides
The Greensburg Salem School District was ordered Monday to turn over sensitive student records to prosecutors and a defense attorney in the case of alleged mistreatment of three children in a special education classroom. Teacher Brooke Stanko, classroom aide Teri Kepchia and four other employees are awaiting trial on allegations...
Morning Roundup: 1 arrested following SWAT standoff in Bedford Dwellings; cooling centers open
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning — Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025: SWAT situation resolved in Pittsburgh A man was taken into custody Monday night in Pittsburgh’s Bedford Dwellings neighborhood after reports of a gunshot fired during a domestic altercation. Police were called to a home...
The Stroller, Aug. 12, 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. Free concert planned at...
Horizon Market in Tarentum fills void with healthy food options
A small independent grocery store in Tarentum is filling a big void. Horizon Market along Sixth Avenue has only a few aisles, but they’re stocked with locally sourced items like Wholey’s shrimp and Syrian bread from Fazio’s. Specialty sandwiches and gourmet pastries sit alongside milk, chicken, ground meat and produce...
West View Elementary School celebrates 100 years with grand reopening
A crowd of administrators, teachers, community members and students gathered Aug. 6 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and sneak peek of the newly renovated West View Elementary School. The unveiling of the nearly $40 million project was a special moment, held 100 years since the school first opened. Principal Jesse Simpson...
Other recent accidents at Clairton, where coke is made at near 2,000 degrees
Coke is the fuel used to generate the 2,912-degree heat needed to melt iron ore to make steel. Making coke requires coal to be superheated to nearly 2,000 degrees itself so it becomes pure carbon. U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works is the largest producer of high-grade metallurgical coke in the...
‘The waste of it all’: Mom laments son’s murder in Pittsburgh as his killer pleads guilty
Grant Gibeault’s mother called the woman who admitted to killing her son a “predator.” “She went there to rob him and then brutally shot him,” Shawn Gibeault told an Allegheny County judge on Monday. “The waste of it all just breaks me. My beautiful child died alone and scared.” Jaelyn...
Longtime West View medical practice hosts 2nd backpack, school supplies giveaway
A West View family medicine practice started giving backpacks and school supplies to children in need last year, but this year was the first time that Savannah Bledsoe came with her three children. “I love it. I absolutely love it,” she said Aug. 9 while attending the second annual giveaway...
Springdale man charged with marijuana operation, animal abuse tased after fleeing arrest
After Springdale Police were called to check on two dogs at a home in the borough, officers said, they discovered not only a pair of animals covered in urine and feces without food and water, but also a large cache of marijuana. That netted Joshua Pawlak, 35, two felony counts...
Ex-Southmoreland QB fighting to play at Seton LaSalle, says bullying necessitated school transfer
Anthony Smith should be getting ready for the first football games of his sophomore season. Instead, the record-breaking quarterback is in court, fighting for the opportunity to play football after the PIAA denied an appeal last week, leaving him ineligible for the season that starts in two weeks. “I’m optimistic...
