Grassroots efforts grow to help families in need
Amy Bocceri is no stranger to helping others. During the covid-19 pandemic, she helped deliver meals to local students who couldn’t attend school in-person. Now, she’s part of a growing trend of grassroots efforts that emerged across the region this year — not only for help with the holidays, but...
Eco-conscious resident finds ‘off-the-grid’ solar success in Aspinwall
Aspinwall resident Steve Paff hasn’t had an electric bill in six years. He followed his keen interest in solar energy and made the decision to install a large, 20-panel solar unit in his backyard in 2019. The ground-mount solar panels were installed in a fixed position and cost around $27,000,...
Springdale data center developers hopeful ahead of vote, close on property with Charah
Brian Regli, a consultant for the company seeking to construct a large data center in Springdale, says he’s optimistic the project will be approved by borough council next month. Land developer Allegheny DC Property Co. wrapped up its testimony during a five-hour meeting Monday night. That came a week after...
Pittsburgh Public Schools rejects school closure plan
A reconfiguration plan that called to shutter nine Pittsburgh Public School buildings was defeated by a 6-3 vote Tuesday night. The “Future-Ready” plan called for the closure of the Student Achievement Center (Baxter School); Friendship; Schiller, Manchester; Fulton; McKelvy (Miller PreK-5); Woolslair; Spring Hill and Morrow. Grade structures would have...
21 new police officers graduate from WCCC’s Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy
Twenty-one cadets graduated from Westmoreland County Community College’s Municipal Police Officers’ Training Academy during a ceremony Tuesday. Graduates are Jordan Brasile and Grace Revitsky, both of Latrobe; Damiyan Davis of West Newton; Andrew Evans of North Huntingdon; Bradey Jackson of Allegheny Township; Jonathan Preece of White Oak; Charles Sciore of...
Westmoreland judge considers new trial for convicted murderer of mother, sister and aunt
A New Kensington man who was a juror in the trial of a man accused of a triple murder in Loyalhanna testified Tuesday in Westmoreland County Court that he heard a fellow juror comment on why the suspect did not join the judge, attorneys and jurors when they toured the...
Gas odor causes evacuation at Murrysville shopping plaza
An odor of gas caused an evacuation Tuesday afternoon at a Murrysville shopping plaza and sickened several people. Six people were taken to a local hospital as a precaution when they reported feeling ill at the Walnut Hollow plaza on Route 22, TribLive news partner WTAE reported. An official told...
PennDOT opens all lanes of ‘diverging diamond’ interchange along I-70 in Rostraver
PennDOT on Tuesday completed work to fully open a new “diverging diamond” interchange at the junction of Interstate 70 and Route 51 in Rostraver. The newly formatted interchange and nearby improvements on the two roadways have been under construction for three years. The I-70/51 diamond configuration has replaced a previous...
Prosecutor’s errors under scrutiny as defense seeks to toss case in 2022 Taco Bell killing
The veteran Allegheny County prosecutor whose conduct led to a first-degree murder conviction being overturned this summer had never before tried a homicide case and hadn’t tried any case for nine years prior to the one in question. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jarrod Caruso was the only witness to testify...
Shapiro signs CROWN Act against hair discrimination
Pennsylvania is now the 28th state to ban discrimination based on hair or appearance, after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill expanding the definition of “race” to include hair texture, protective hairstyles and religious creed. On Tuesday, Shapiro and other legislators gathered at Island Design Natural Hair Studio in Philadelphia...
‘I know what it’s like to be hungry’: Greensburg church to donate 400 Thanksgiving dinners to local families
Kim Colosimo remembers what it’s like to be hungry. “I went through a divorce many, many years ago,” said Colosimo, who moved to Latrobe from Johnstown two years ago. “I had two small children. I was ‘this close’ from not having a home.” The church she attended in Johnstown is...
Tax rate would hold steady in West Deer under proposed budget
There is no tax increase projected in West Deer’s 2026 proposed budget. With expected revenues and expenditures balanced at almost $9.8 million, millage is projected to stay at 2.90 mills. Homeowners with the median assessed property value of $122,000 would continue to pay about $354 on their property tax bill....
Ex-Leet fire chief, wife charged in misconduct case involving junior firefighter
A former Leet Township fire chief and his wife were arrested Nov. 24 after investigators said she exposed herself to a teenage fire department volunteer and told him she was eager to have sex with him once he turned 18, according to Allegheny County Police. Nathan Turner, 40, texted his...
Leechburg Area School Board race flips after official votes are certified
After general election votes were certified Monday, Leechburg Area School District saw one race for a four-year board seat flip. Rather than losing a spot by 10 votes, which unofficial results showed on election night, Neill Brady received six more votes than newcomer Janie Borsh Symons to secure a four-year...
Pittsburgh airport T. rex absent from new terminal as officials weigh its future
Wondering where Pittsburgh International Airport’s iconic Tyrannosaurus rex ended up in the new terminal? It hasn’t reappeared. Its next chapter is still undecided, though it’s on the airport’s radar. In a collaborative Instagram post Monday with the airport, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History says they are discussing the exact...
Pittsburgh Brewing Company to host 3rd annual Light Up Night
The Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is expecting 1,500 people to attend its sold-out third annual Light Up Night in East Deer. Despite the large number, the Pittsburgh Brewing team said it’s around the same amount of attendees as last year’s celebration and they’re prepared for the crowd. “We do much more...
Duquesne Light rates climb 10% as statewide electric price hikes begin
Pennsylvania residents should brace for higher electric bills next month as temperatures drop and energy supply prices rise. Beginning Dec. 1, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will adjust energy supply rates for all state-regulated electric utilities. Duquesne Light services will increase by 10.6% and West Penn Power services will increase...
Hempfield supervisors buy land for new fire station despite response time warnings
A majority of Hempfield supervisors approved a conditional sales agreement for a new fire station in the western part of the township this week over concerns from firefighters in that area who said the location would impact their response time. Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department President Ken Wees said the current...
New strain of flu invades Western Pa. amid concerns over vaccine efficacy
A new flu virus variant has been sweeping across the United States, raising questions about the efficacy of this year’s flu vaccines. Medical professionals in Western Pennsylvania say even though they’re seeing the new flu strain permeate the region, this year’s flu vaccines can still help. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a...
West View manager proposes 24% property tax increase with 2026 budget
A nearly 24% property tax increase is included in West View’s proposed budget for 2026. In his budget report, borough Manager Bruce Fromlak says the 1.5 mill increase “is recommended to preserve fiscal stability and provide the resources necessary to maintain operations, meet contractual obligations and invest in future capital...
Principal to leave Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary for another position elsewhere
Amy Lenart, a principal at Burrell’s Bon Air Elementary School, will be leaving the school in January for another leadership role outside the district. School directors this month accepted Lenart’s resignation, effective Jan. 15. Lenart has worked for Burrell for 23 years in both teaching and administrative roles, said Superintendent...
PennWest reshapes program for ‘undeclared’ students in effort to improve retention
Pennsylvania Western University has reshaped its programming for students who enter college without a major — commonly known as “undeclared” or “undecided” students. The university’s new “exploratory studies” program is tailored to give those student intentional, individual attention. “As career coaches, it’s sad to have a conversation with a junior...
Thanksgiving weather in Western Pennsylvania expected to be cold, windy
This week’s weather forecast calls for a windy, but snow-free Thanksgiving. WTAE meteorologist Jill Szwed said rain is expected through Tuesday evening until mid-day Wednesday before drying up. According to Jason Frazier, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, temperatures on turkey day are expected to reach a high of...
State grant helps offset cost of Commercial Street culvert replacement in Bridgeville
A little more than $300,000 in state funding will advance plans to replace a culvert over Commercial Street in Bridgeville, supporting flood mitigation efforts in the borough, officials say. Bridgeville was awarded $305,000 from the state’s Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund for the project, ensuring that the culvert replacement is...
Morning Roundup: Road closures for Pittsburgh Turkey Trot; 21 people treated at Light Up Night
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Nov. 25: Road closures for Pittsburgh Turkey Trot P3R is expecting to host more than 8,000 participants from all over the country and world during its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. According to the P3R app, this week’s YMCA...
