Western PA Local News category, Page 24
Zappala no longer seeks death penalty against man charged with killing McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski
The man accused of killing McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski will not face the death penalty if found guilty. On Wednesday, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office filed a notice to rescind its intent to seek capital punishment against Johnathan Morris — just days after receiving his psychiatric records. “Experts...
Fort Pitt Tunnel reopens after overheight truck forced closure
The inbound Fort Pitt Tunnel reopened to traffic after an early morning closure Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. An overheight truck forced the eastbound side of the tunnel to close, PennDOT said in a news release around 7:15 a.m. The tunnel reopened around 8:30 a.m., PennDOT said....
Penn Brewery insists it’s not closing despite filing for bankruptcy protection
Penn Brewery is not closing despite filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, owners said in a social media post early Thursday morning. The popular brewery and restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood said it is using the filing “as a strategic tool to restructure and secure a stronger future.” In...
Local sports fans can buy seats from Three Rivers Stadium
Sports fans nostalgic for the days of Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium can buy a piece of the former home of the Steelers and Pirates. The Washington Wild Things baseball team is selling seats from the first level of the team’s EQT Park, which had originally been installed at Three Rivers...
Morning Roundup: Police question 2 people after Brighton Heights shooting; man found shot on Beechview porch
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, April 2, 2026: Police question 2 after Brighton Heights shooting Police are investigating after a shooting Wednesday evening left one person injured in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood. Just before 10:30 p.m., police fire and EMS personnel were called...
The Stroller, April 2, 2026: 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. Community Good Friday service...
Tarentum Book Club, the 2nd-oldest in the state, marks 125 years
Members of The Tarentum Book Club — the oldest club in the Alle-Kiski Valley — aren’t surprised people are clamoring to join. “Everyone in the club values it,” member Mary Jane Jacques said. “Whatever committee you’re on, we all do our very best.” As the club marks its 125th anniversary,...
Former Monroeville Expo Mart listed for sale
In a sign that development of Monroeville Mall might be gaining momentum, one of the largest pieces of mall-adjacent property is on the market. The three-story, 226,500-square-foot office building at 105 Mall Blvd. is listed through Pittsburgh-based Oxford Development. Built in the early 1980s as the Monroeville Expo Mart, the...
From South Side to Penn Hills: Vessel Studio Glass finds a new home
Jeannine Hine and her husband, Drew, will be wearing hard hats for the next fews months. The couple are the owners of Vessel Studio Glass, a glassblowing business that sells various handmade creations and offers classes. The couple opened Vessel Studio in 2007 in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood, where they...
England native takes 5th trip across the pond to cheer on Pittsburgh sports teams
Katie Stewart is not your typical Pittsburgh sports fan. In fact, she usually cheers on the Steel City from across the pond — yes, the Atlantic Ocean. Hailing from the English town of Wolverhampton, Stewart, 31, became enthralled with the sports scene in Pittsburgh. She travels yearly to the city...
Pittsburgh Sakura Project readies for peak cherry blossom viewing in North Park
A spring hanami event, a Japanese term for flower-viewing, will be celebrated from 2 to 4 p.m. April 18 along the lake and at Harmony Shelter in North Park, near the boathouse off Pearce Mill Road. The blooming buds are all part of the Pittsburgh Sakura Project, a group of...
Westmoreland happenings: Worship services, Art on the Vine fundraiser, more
Church news • Christ Lutheran Church, 5300 Old Logans Ferry Road, Murrysville, will have a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7 p.m. April 2 and a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. April 3. Easter services will be at 6 p.m. April 4 and 10 a.m. April 5. Details: 412-795-1212....
Norwin area: Bataan Memorial March, art workshops, Sage’s Army anniversary, more
Bataan Memorial March The Norwin Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will hold its 14th annual, 14-mile Bataan Memorial March along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail on April 25. The race begins at 9 a.m. at the B-Y Park trailhead in Trafford, with a rest and water station 7 miles...
Shopping experience lauded at Sharpsburg’s Harvest on Main market
Harvest on Main Community Market in Sharpsburg’s business district just logged its first month since opening its doors, and operations are going smoothly, according to volunteers. The only hiccup thus far is an apparent delay in being able to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Bonnie DeMotte, executive director of...
Murrysville area: Women’s Business Network open house, scholarship, litter pickup, more
Women’s Business Network open house The Murrysville chapter of the Women’s Business Network will host an open house from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. April 9 at Dick’s Diner, 4200 William Penn Highway, Murrysville. The WBN is a category-exclusive organization for local businesswomen focused on networking, leadership development and community service....
Band Together Pittsburgh open mic night holds its signature event in Murrysville
Franklin Regional Senior High School in Murrysville hosted the third annual Band Together Pittsburgh open mic night on Wednesday evening. The nonprofit focuses on providing musical education and experience to people with disabilities. “This is what it’s all about,” said Band Together Pittsburgh spokesperson Lisa Hnath. “Open mics are our...
Astrobotic’s latest lunar lander on track for 2026 launch
Pittsburgh’s Astrobotic is closing in on the launch of its Griffin-1 lander, a 15-footwide spacecraft that will deliver two state-of-the-art rovers to the moon. CEO John Thornton said Wednesday the lander is nearing completion and should be ready for takeoff on a SpaceX rocket by the end of the year....
2 Pagans motorcycle gang members held in jail on bail after preliminary hearing
Two Lower Burrell men who police say are members of the Pagans motorcycle gang are being held in the Westmoreland County jail on $300,000 bond following a January assault at Mogie’s Irish Pub. Robert Browne, 27, and Devin Colucci, 25, face charges of assault, robbery, theft, harassment, disorderly conduct and...
Mt. Pleasant man pleads guilty to paying for videos of monkey torture
A Mt. Pleasant man pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to paying people overseas to torture monkeys and record the acts on video. Joseph Garrett Buckland, 44, was charged with conspiracy to create and distribute animal crush videos in February. The videos, which are illegal to sell or exchange,...
New Kensington man pleads guilty for baseball bat assault
A New Kensington man was ordered to serve at least four years in prison for the assault of a house guest with a baseball bat. Brian Mikesell, 51, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault in connection with an incident at his home on March 12, 2025 that...
Fundraiser, funeral services announced for Chartiers Valley junior Trinity Irwin
Trinity Irwin, a Chartiers Valley High School junior remembered as an exceptional student and deeply involved in the community, has died, the school district has announced. Members of the Chartiers Valley community have established a GoFundMe online fundraiser to support Irwin medical and funeral expenses. A viewing will be held...
Death row inmate Kevin Murphy appeals to Pa. Supreme Court in Westmoreland triple murder case
A Loyalhanna businessman on death row for 16 years is asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear an appeal for a new trial. Lawyers for Kevin Murphy are challenging a ruling last month by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio that upheld his triple homicide convictions. Bilik-DeFazio previously...
How Hempfield Area’s $119M high school renovation will impact students
Hempfield Area students will not have to attend classes in temporary trailers during the upcoming $119 million high school renovation. Instead, a 2023 decision to move freshmen to the former Harrold Middle School has provided enough available space to keep all students in permanent classrooms after work begins June 1....
Former Freeport Council president accused of assaulting man after traffic collision
Former Freeport Council President — and current tax collector — Richard Fennell is facing an assault charge after, police say, he punched a man during a traffic incident. Fennell, 57, had served on council since 2024 before resigning in January to take up the borough’s vacant tax collector position. On...
Balance Brewing opens in Ross, enlarging space of former craft brewer Necromancer
A desire for balance — in life and in beer — has lead three partners to open their own craft brewery in Ross. “A good beer is balanced in its sweetness and bitterness,” said Rob Houston, co-founder and operations manager for Balance Brewing, whose philosophy of balance extends to his...
