Local category, Page 2455
Newlonsburg reconfigures year-end celebration for fifth graders
Fifth graders at Newlonsburg Elementary in Murrysville typically get a warm send-off as they leave for summer vacation and prepare to enter the middle school. “On the last day of school, we do sort of an indoor parade,” Principal Tina Gillen said. “Students and staff line the hallways, and fifth...
Forbes State Forest cave closures to continue
With no direct knowledge of whether the coronavirus can infect or sicken North American wildlife, including bats, the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will continue the ongoing closure of three caves in the Forbes State Forest. Lemon Hole and Coon caves in Westmoreland County, and Barton Cave in...
Peduto wants to block off streets for outdoor dining in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is exploring options to revive Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene with outdoor dining. “We’re in danger,” he said, when asked if some restaurants could close in the next year. “I think within the next month will be critical time. If we can get outdoor seating established this next...
WDVE’s Memorial Day 500 returns again this weekend
A pandemic can’t stop WDVE’s Memorial Day 500. The massive music countdown of the top 500 rock tunes of all time begins at 1 p.m. Friday and ends around 6 p.m. Monday, said John Moschitta, program director for WDVE/WXDX iHeartMedia Pittsburgh. (Update: The countdown began at No. 500 with “Everlong”...
Western Pa.’s libraries see e-books, audiobooks become more popular during pandemic
With libraries in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties closed since mid-March to stem the spread of the coronavirus, more patrons are using the electronic resources — books, audiobooks, movies and music, a trend that likely will continue when they reopen, library officials and library directors say. “There has been a significant...
Police search Unity property in Cassandra Gross disappearanceVideo
State police investigators equipped with an excavator, searched a Unity township property Wednesday possibly connected to the 2018 disappearance of Cassandra Gross. Just after 8 a.m., multiple marked and unmarked police cruisers drove down White Fence Lane, adjacent to Unity Cemetery, to serve a search warrant on Almira F. Stanko....
Athletic director steps in to head troubled Latrobe wrestling programVideo
Greater Latrobe School Board went to the top of its athletic staff to set a new course for the district’s troubled wrestling program. The board this week named its athletic director Mark Mears to also serve as wrestling coach, taking leadership of a program rocked in January by hazing allegations...
Greater Latrobe eyes worst-case 2.7-mill tax hike
Property owners in the Greater Latrobe School District could see a 2.7-mill increase in real estate taxes under a tentative 2020-2021 budget of nearly $57.2 million approved this week by the school board. District business administrator Dan Watson said the potential hike to 84.95 mills would add $73 to the...
As Pa. fairs are canceled, communities miss out on tradition, social engagement
Rural communities across Pennsylvania are feeling the effects of the coronavirus pandemic as local fairs, often social epicenters during the summer, are canceled in accordance with state regulations. So far, 16 of the 108 fairs across the state have been called off, said Sally Nolt, president of the Pennsylvania State...
Memorial Day events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The following Memorial Day observances are planned Monday in the Alle-Kiski Valley unless otherwise noted: Apollo Volunteers are needed at 7 a.m. Saturday to place flags on the graves of veterans in Riverview Cemetery and Historic Apollo Cemetery. Apollo-Ridge School District students can earn community service hours by checking in...
The Stroller, May 20, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Read The Stroller daily for announcements of how everyone can ease the pressure and stress of others, even while maintaining social distancing. Information for The Stroller should be emailed to vndnews@tribweb.com. Christopher’s Light children’s charity accepting donations Due to the increasing number of families experiencing unemployment, Christopher’s Light is seeking...
Tractor-trailer filled with Frito-Lay brand chips and more donated to Feeding Freeport
The Feeding Freeport drive-by meal program got a boost from Frito-Lay with a semi tractor-trailer loaded with Doritos, baked Ruffles potato chips, popcorn and more, much of it in individual servings. Feeding Freeport is a pop-up community effort that’s been at work since March 17 helping area residents impacted by...
Belle Vernon Area School District, teachers’ union ratify new five-year deal
Belle Vernon Area School District and its teachers’ union have ratified a new five-year contract after more than a year of negotiations, including two eight-hour sessions mere days before schools statewide were shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new contract is retroactive to July 1, 2019, and runs through...
Penn-Trafford video students snag awards, adjust to producing amid pandemicVideo
The students who create Penn-Trafford TV, the school district’s in-house television broadcasts, brought home 16 nominations and six awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Mid-Atlantic Region High School Production Awards. Both are school records. But there was barely any time to enjoy their success before schools...
Wires down, brush fire in Shaler
A large brush fire in Shaler has caused a few streets to close and homes to lose power Tuesday. Allegheny County officials tweeted several telephone and electrical poles with high tension wires sheared at about 5:15 p.m. Shaler: Electric wires down/brush fire - Several telephone and electric poles sheared with...
Pittsburgh EMS recognized for quality of emergency pediatric care
Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services was recognized Tuesday for reaching the highest level of training in pediatric care, based on the state’s Pediatric Voluntary Recognition Program. Duane Spencer, manager for the EMS for Children Program in the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, presented a certificate to bureau leaders for...
Pennsylvania food distributors receive $50 million for food box program
State and local food distributors in Pennsylvania are receiving a big financial boost to get food boxes to families in need. Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday state distributors will get $50 million of the $1.2 billion in funding for the program. The money will pay for the purchase of surplus...
In the market for a spaceship or jungle? Quirky Plum home for saleVideo
Strange noises are the first thing you notice when walking into Epoc I, the name of a Plum house that has been getting a lot of attention as of late. Not just regular noises, like a creaking door or the shuffling of feet or the pleasantries exchanged between host and...
Westmoreland County aims for safe in-person voting June 2Video
Westmoreland County Elections Bureau Deputy Director Scott Sistek said additional measures will be implemented at each of the county’s 307 voting precincts to ensure a safe environment for poll workers and voters during the June 2 primary. Poll workers will wear masks in the precincts and, while voters will not...
Portion of Eliza Furnace Trail closed through Wednesday
A section of the Eliza Furnace Trail will be closed through Wednesday between the Hot Metal and Birmingham bridges for tree trimming. The project is being done by PennDOT with cooperation from Pittsburgh city officials and the organizations Friends of the Riverfront and Tree Pittsburgh. Cyclists and pedestrians won’t have...
Religious freedom bill proposed in Pennsylvania as churches navigate reopening
As some churches prepare to open, two Pennsylvania lawmakers want to prevent the state from restricting religious gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic or any future emergency. State Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Westmoreland, said religious leaders have been confused about whether churches are affected by state-mandated coronavirus shutdowns. “Our religious community is...
Gateway seniors to graduate in Monroeville Mall parking lot
Gateway seniors will cap their high school experience in a parking lot at the Monroeville Mall. Justin Stephens, the high school’s principal, said in a letter to parents last week that graduating seniors will have a commencement ceremony that adheres to distancing guidelines. “In cooperation with Macy’s and the Monroeville...
Robert Levin makes 2nd bid to revive family furniture business
Robert Levin is back in the furniture business. Almost two months to the day after his deal fell through to repurchase the family-owned furniture chain he sold to Art Van Furniture in 2017, Levin has negotiated a deal in bankruptcy court to buy back the Levin brand. His $25.7 million...
Hempfield Area to extend cyber program to elementary grades
The Hempfield Area School District is making its cyber program available to all elementary grades. In a letter dated May 15, Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said the program will be available to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The program currently is open to grades six through 12. She noted some...
Westmoreland County Prison guard charged with assaulting inmate
The alleged assault on an inmate at the Westmoreland County Prison at the hands of a guard last month was reported by Manor Police, who had just delivered the handcuffed prisoner to the jail, according to court records. Borough officers told county detectives they watched as James Mapp “was repeatedly...
