Local category, Page 2590
Seton Hill names new dean for visual, performing arts
Seton Hill University has named Kellee Van Aken as dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. Van Aken, associate professor of theatre and chair of the Theatre and Dance Department at Seton Hill, joined the faculty in 2011 and has served as interim dean of the School of...
Waterline extension project in South Buffalo gets key funding
A proposed waterline extension along Srader Grove Road in South Buffalo received a major financial boost Monday. State Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, appeared at the supervisors meeting to announce that the township has received a $150,000 state grant for the project. “I’ve always felt that if Armstrong County is going...
Pittsburgh poised to pay city firefighter $70,000 to settle discrimination suit
Pittsburgh would pay a city firefighter $70,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming the city violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in 2016 by restricting his duties after he suffered a head injury while responding to a fire call. City Council introduced a resolution Tuesday that would authorize a settlement of...
Police: Bugs ‘crawling on the walls’ at South Huntingdon home with 2 kids
A South Huntingdon woman who was ordered not to have contact with a baby is accused of having the child at her home last month, according to state police. Elizabeth Ann Hart, 22, is charged with child endangerment and harassment. Troopers investigating a 911 hang up call Jan. 8 on...
Saving Stories book release celebrates history, culture
Traditional Nepali, Sudanese and Islamic tales that are passed down for generations among natives now will be preserved in the United States for years to come. More than 50 people gathered at the Whitehall Public Library on Feb. 17 for the launch of five new bilingual books through the Saving...
Pa. Superior Court hears appeal arguments in corruption case against former Westmoreland sheriff
The lawyer for former Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held argued Tuesday that not enough evidence exists to warrant the continued prosecution of the now-private citizen on public corruption offenses. Held, 45, of Hempfield is awaiting a second trial for allegations he directed on-duty staffers to participate in reelection campaign activities...
Gordmans grand opening in East Huntingdon draws curious shoppersVideo
Several dozen shoppers braved a wet, windy morning Tuesday to be among the first to shop at the new Gordmans, formerly Peebles, department store in East Huntingdon. Officials from the township and from Mt. Pleasant borough joined employees as they officially opened the location in Countryside Plaza. Grand openings of...
Man sentenced to life in prison in beating death of refugee Pittsburgh cab driver
One of four men accused of beating a Somali refugee cab driver to death nearly three years ago in Pittsburgh was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison by an Allegheny County judge. Daniel Russell, 23, was convicted of second-degree murder in November for his role in the 2017 death of...
Conservancy seeking volunteers to help prune apple trees in Murrysville
Westmoreland Conservancy officials are looking for a few good apples, so they can create a whole bunch more. The metaphorical “few good apples” would be additional volunteers to help with a Feb. 22 apple-tree pruning session at the Conservancy’s Morosini Reserve in southeast Murrysville. “This will be our third time...
Coming soon: More pet camping sites at Pennsylvania state parks
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will allow pets at more state park campsites in 2021. Dogs, cats and caged animals such as birds and hamsters will be permitted in the parks. Livestock such as horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and goats are not considered pets. Pet camping started...
Police: Indiana County man killed by own tow truck during repossession in McKeesport
A tow truck driver from Indiana County making a repossession was killed early Tuesday in McKeesport when the tow truck he was operating rolled back over him, Allegheny County police said. Andrew Sester, 42, of Lucerne Mines in Center Township, was pronounced dead at 4:54 a.m., according to the Allegheny...
Cops: Amber Alert for missing Connellsville teen stemmed from fatal shooting
An Amber Alert was issued Tuesday for a teenager after a 52-year-old city man was found shot to death, Connellsville police said. State police in Uniontown activated the child abduction alert at 9:50 a.m. for Damion Mickey, 16, who was last seen between 2 and 3 a.m. Police were dispatched...
Western Pa. libraries prepare for upcoming chess tournamentsVideo
At 12 years old, Sidd Ramineni is understandably a little shy when it comes to discussing his accomplishments. But with a display shelf at his Murrysville home that’s filled with chess trophies, he certainly would have plenty to brag about. “I like the strategy you have to use,” said Sidd,...
August Wilson’s early life, writing process to anchor Pittsburgh center’s 1st permanent exhibit
August Wilson didn’t rely merely on his imagination when he set to work composing a play. The Pittsburgh native’s writing process involved immersing himself in sights, sounds and people that inspired him, recalled the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s widow, Constanza Romero Wilson. He’d jot down ideas and dialogue on napkins while...
Hempfield man accused of hitting Irwin bar patron with his truck
Police accused a Hempfield man of hitting another man with his pickup truck during a fight outside an Irwin bar last month, according to court papers. Adam Charles Walters, 26, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault by vehicle, reckless endangerment and related offenses. He is free on a recognizance...
535Media unveils AI startup MeSearch, with focus on reader-tailored experience
A Pittsburgh artificial intelligence startup built on decades of search technology launched Monday with an aim to change the way news is published, delivered and consumed online. MeSearch, founded as a joint venture with 535Media, will start the first tests of its technology with Trib Total Media to provide neighborhood...
Participants needed for 3 focus groups with Westmoreland aging agency
Participants are needed for three focus groups next month to help the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging develop a four-year plan. Sessions will be held in Monessen, Latrobe and New Kensington. Participants will help the agency identify needs of older adults around the county while discussing existing services and...
Westbound lanes of Pa. Turnpike reopen between Beaver Valley, New Castle
Part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed Tuesday morning due to an overturned tractor-trailer. The westbound lanes were closed for almost three hours between the Beaver Valley and New Castle exits. The lanes reopened shortly before 10 a.m. No injuries were reported. BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: No Reported Injuries and No...
The Stroller, Feb. 18, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
The Stroller is your go-to place for local charitable events and volunteer opportunities. Information for The Stroller may be dropped off or mailed at least a week in advance to: The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084, email vndnews@tribweb.com or fax 724-226-4677. Fundraiser planned March 14...
Pittsburgh police searching for missing woman
Pittsburgh police are searching for missing woman. Stacy Childs, 55, has been missing since last February. She is 5 feet 3 inches tall, 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Police said Childs’s family describes her as a “free spirit” who frequents Homewood, Wilkinsburg and Rankin. They are concerned...
12-year-old boy reported missing found Tuesday, police say
A 12-year-old boy reported missing was found Tuesday afternoon, according to Pittsburgh police. Taesean Gibson was last seen at Martin Luther King School shortly after 3 p.m. Monday. Police did not believe Gibson was abducted or is in danger, noting that he frequents Carnegie Library on Federal Street in the...
2 men charged in connection with September murder of Monroeville woman
Two men face homicide and other charges in connection with the September murder of a Monroeville woman in McKeesport, according to criminal complaints filed Monday. Allegheny County Police charged Ramonta Yancey, 26, of Pittsburgh, and Daron Parks, 26, of Washington, with criminal homicide, robbery of a motor vehicle, conspiracy, tampering...
Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski’s house in Hempfield goes on auction block
The Westmoreland County home of Pittsburgh Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski and his wife will go to the highest bidder, with the sale coming less than three months after memorabilia from his Hall of Fame career and other household items attracted hundreds of people to a New Year’s Day auction. Bids...
DUI cases among those recently handled by Judge Herbst
Monroeville District Judge Jeffrey Herbst handled these cases recently. Defendants will have court dates set in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Charges were filed by Monroeville police unless otherwise noted. Waived preliminary hearings • Monica McCann, 64, of Trafford on charges of driving under the influence and careless...
Palmer Pharmacy in West Deer loves to serve community, keep hometown feel
Editor’s note: Building the Valley tells stories of businesses big and small and the employees who make them special. If you know of any standout employees, bosses or companies with a great story to tell, contact Senior News Editor Tom Fontaine at tfontaine@tribweb.com. Kaitlyn Sullivan likes making a difference and...
