Pine-Richland school put on lockdown Tuesday while police searched for suspect
Pine-Richland’s Wexford Elementary School was locked down for a short time Tuesday after a suspect fled from police during a traffic stop in McCandless. No injuries were reported. McCandless police tried to stop a vehicle that failed to stop along Grubbs Road, department spokesman John Bojarski said. The driver, Donald...
Feud among fire departments flares during Memorial Day blaze in Springdale Township
Seven fire departments and about 50 firefighters responded to a blaze that destroyed a home in Springdale Township on Memorial Day, but Springdale Volunteer Fire Department members, who were close enough to watch smoke rise from the fire, were not among them. According to Dan Copeland, a borough council member...
Route 28 South reopens in Pittsburgh after rush-hour crash sends 1 to hospital
One person was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon following a multiple-vehicle crash that shut down part of state Route 28 and left some rush-hour commuters sitting in traffic for an hour, authorities said. The crash occurred on Route 28’s southbound lanes near the 40th Street Bridge in Pittsburgh, according to Allegheny County...
As Trump cuts research money, Shapiro pitches $50M for science, innovation
While President Donald Trump yanks critical federal funding from universities and research institutions across the country, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to invest tens of millions of dollars each year in life sciences and innovation. During a visit Tuesday to a University of Pittsburgh research facility in Bloomfield, Shapiro spoke...
Case against Unity man charged with murder of missing girlfriend on hold for 2 months
Kathe Gross has waited more than seven years to see justice for her daughter. Following a court hearing Tuesday, Gross learned she will have to continue to wait as a trial for the Unity man charged with her daughter’s murder was delayed yet again. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Michael...
Greensburg-area woman wins $1 million on scratch-off lottery ticket
A Greensburg-area woman took a chance on spending $20 for a Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off ticket and is a $1 million richer for it. “She just bought one ticket” on May 14 and that was the winner, said Kim Rodman, manager of Rick’s Tobacco Outlet at 857 S. Main St. in...
Threat of rain prompts Plum School District to reschedule graduation
The threat of rain has prompted the Plum School District to reschedule its graduation ceremony. The district announced Tuesday that it has pushed the ceremony ahead a day, from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Plum High School stadium. “While the extended forecast is still subject to...
U.S. government to have control in Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel deal, Trump and Sen. McCormick say
HARRISBURG — U.S. Sen. David McCormick said Tuesday that an arrangement that will allow Japan-based Nippon Steel to invest in U.S. Steel will guarantee an American CEO, a majority of board members from the United States and U.S. government approval over certain corporate functions. The Pennsylvania senator spoke on CNBC,...
Newcomer earns most votes in Murrysville council primary
A political newcomer came away with the most votes in the primary election for Murrysville council last week. Darren Miller, 42, earned 22.4% of more than 7,000 votes cast in last week’s election, leading the field of five candidates running for a spot on the Republican side of the ballot....
Blairsville woman charged in 2024 fatal Derry Township crash
A Blairsville woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with a 2024 fatal crash in Derry Township. State police charged Ashley L. Kelley, 33, with homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and related offenses. She tested positive for marijuana after the crash, according to troopers. State police said...
In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area
Open house meeting set on parks plan As a part of McCandless’ ongoing Comprehensive Parks Master Plan process, an open house/public meeting is planned from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Devlin Pavilion, which is behind Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and vision for...
Burrell students teach, mentor younger generation on environment
Chad Clair wants to make science fun. By the looks of students from Stewart Elementary and Burrell High schools at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park in Lower Burrell last week, mission accomplished. Students in Clair’s new Environmental Field Study course at Burrell, and members of the Environmental Club taught...
In brief: Happenings in the Pine Creek Journal area
1 arrested, 13 cited in task force’s DUI detail The North Hills DUI Task Force recently conducted a stationary DUI detail May 9 in conjunction with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Checkpoint Strike Force. The sobriety checkpoint was held May 9 in McCandless. A total of 837 vehicles passed...
Prospect of Springdale data center meets mixed reactions among neighbors
Dale Remai likes the idea of a data center in Springdale where a power plant used to stand. A resident of Shady Avenue, adjacent to the former power plant site, Remai, 69, thinks it could be a boon to the borough in terms of attracting other employers. At least, it’s...
Mary Lou Retton charged with DUI in West Virginia
Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton was recently arrested and charged with DUI after an incident about 100 miles south of Pittsburgh. Online court records say Retton, 57, was arrested on May 17 in Fairmont, W. Va. She was charged with one count of driving under influence of alcohol, controlled...
Retired Greensburg cop Regina McAtee sentenced to 36 months’ probation
A retired Greensburg police officer was sentenced Tuesday to 36 months’ probation in a drug conspiracy case that involved the city’s former police chief. Regina McAtee, 52, of New Kensington pleaded guilty in May 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. “Ms. McAtee, I think...
Carnegie Carnegie ready for summer learning, reading
Another school year is almost in the books, but at the Carnegie Carnegie, the excitement is just beginning. Every summer, libraries across the country host Summer Reading programs to combat summer learning loss, or “the summer slide.” When school is out, students’ academic skills will often decline, resulting in lower...
All-female psychology group offers mental health services in Indiana Township
A pair of female licensed psychologists is settling into their first year in Indiana Township after relocating their therapy practice. The Psychology Loft is owned by Chelsea Williams of Indiana Township and Corrine Fallon of Murrysville and occupies the top floor in a 100-year-old building that was formerly Dorseyville Public...
Parkway East outbound restrictions to last the week as part of larger bridge project
Drivers on the Parkway East will see outbound lane and shoulder restrictions from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale interchange, weather permitting. Crews are building a retaining wall outside of the tunnel near the site of the new Commercial Street...
Morning Roundup: 3 out-of-state men charged with trespassing at vacant Pittsburgh school
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, May 27: 3 out of state men charged with trespassing at vacant Pittsburgh school Pittsburgh police said three men traveled halfway across the country to break into an abandoned school Monday in the city’s Knoxville neighborhood. Sean Alvarez,...
Lower Burrell man dead after motorcycle crash in city
A Lower Burrell man died Monday after his Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a sedan in the city. The incident occurred just before 4 p.m. The motorcycle rider, William Hartman, 20, died about an hour and a half later, according to a report from the Westmoreland County Coroner’s office. The...
The Stroller, May 27, 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. Volunteers needed for Kick...
Westmoreland GOP concedes endorsements had little impact on county primary
Days after two Republican row officers were ousted by former longtime Democrats who only recently switched to the GOP, party officials in Westmoreland County are looking for reasons why. The apparent primary victory of Katie Pecarchik over Register of Wills Jon Wian and John Ackerman’s defeat of incumbent Coroner Tim...
Hempfield solar farm gets green light
A Colorado firm’s plans to construct a solar system farm in Hempfield were approved by supervisors last week. Bear Peak Hempfield intends to build a 3,000 kilowatt facility on an 86-acre property off Penn Valley Road, said Matthew Pernelli, township planning manager. “It will be distributing the power to West...
Allegheny County Parks create economic spillover in nearby municipalities
Dave Brooke spends at least three days a week at Harrison Hills Park, checking for nesting success in the wooden bluebird boxes that dot the lawns in the Allegheny County-owned space. Birding and conservation are among a number of activities that draw people to the 500-acre park off Freeport Road...
