Pittsburgh controller warns city could end year $15M over budget for overtime
The City of Pittsburgh has already spent about 39% of its budget for holiday and overtime pay, reigniting concerns that its spending plan this year may not be feasible. Controller Rachael Heisler projects Pittsburgh will likely end up about $15 million over budget in premium pay if expenses continue at...
Valley Ambulance Authority working with AHN physicians while on calls after dropping Heritage Valley
After more than 50 years with Heritage Valley Sewickley, the Valley Ambulance Authority is instead relying on physicians from Allegheny Health Network’s hospital in Wexford for authorization to treat patients in the field. The switch happened March 1, but wasn’t officially announced until April 16. “We saw that Allegheny Health...
Some Pennsylvania Jews reminded of Tree of Life shooting after arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home
HARRISBURG — A year ago, Carole Zawatsky was invited by Gov. Josh Shapiro to a Passover Seder, held in the same room at the governor’s official residence that was devastated by an arsonist just hours after Shapiro hosted this year’s Jewish holiday feast. Now, as she looks at photos of...
Penn State branch campus closure announcement delayed
Upper Burrell Supervisor Ross G. Walker III hopes no news is good news. The longtime township supervisor said that, since learning of the potential closure of his township’s Penn State New Kensington campus, he has not heard anything from Penn State administration regarding the school’s future. “It could make you...
Major building projects at Plum schools proceed as initial designs emerge
The Plum School Board moved forward with an extensive renovation and addition process at two district schools during a special meeting Wednesday night. The board heard a presentation from Robinson-based HDG Architects with updates on project bids at Plum Middle School and planning progress on a large addition project at...
Plum School Board appoints new member after 9 rounds of voting
It took nine rounds of voting, but the Plum School Board appointed a new member during a special meeting Wednesday night. Beverly Purcell, 65, will serve the remainder of the term left by Devin Adams, who resigned last month after moving out of the district. Now retired, Purcell served nearly...
Portion of Hulton Road in Penn Hills down to 1 lane because of washout
PennDOT is alerting motorists to a restriction on a section of Hulton Road in Penn Hills. Due to a washout, the road is reduced to a single lane of alternating traffic between Mission and Milbren drives until further notice. The stretch is being controlled by stop signs. Motorists are adivsed...
Lower Burrell planners OK proposed Bon Air Elementary renovations
Regardless of which option Burrell School Board chooses when it comes to renovating Bon Air Elementary School, it has the support of Lower Burrell’s planning commission. The commission recommended approval of plans that add cafeteria and kitchen space to Bon Air, or additional cafeteria space and six additional classrooms at...
Then and Now: Aspinwall Catholic grade school celebrates 100 years in the borough
A lot has changed since St. Scholastica elementary school was established along the tree-lined streets of Aspinwall in 1925 – most notably, the name. But the school, now called Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy, remains true to its mission of providing a solid Catholic foundation for area youth. “Our...
Police to withdraw citations against East Deer man accused of targeting Trump supporters
An East Deer man cited by Aspinwall police in March for harassment and disorderly conduct will have all citations withdrawn by police after he completes community service. The decision came at the close of Christopher Brown’s, preliminiary hearing on Thursday, April 17 in District Judge Matthew Rudzki’s Sharpsburg courtroom. Brown,...
2 men plead guilty in fatal Penn Hills shooting
Two men on Wednesday pleaded guilty in connection with a 2022 shooting death in Penn Hills. Brandin Demonde Jackson, 33, of Wilkinsburg, and Raquan Jackson, 24, of Penn Hills will be sentenced July 10 by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jill E. Rangos. The two are not related. Brandin Jackson...
Northland Public Library selects Commonplace Coffee as cafe vendor for reimagined space
The cafe vendor for Northland Public Library’s much-anticipated renovation was announced April 16 as Commonplace Coffee. After an extensive request for proposals, Northland’s Authority Board unanimously approved a partnership with Commonplace Coffee during an April 10 special board meeting. The cafe will enhance the library experience for patrons, said Amy...
Plum approves ordinance to restrict parking around Oakmont Country Club during U.S. Open
Plum Council adopted a temporary ordinance April 14 that will apply parking restrictions in the area around Oakmont Country Club during the upcoming U.S. Open tournament. The ordinance, which restricts nonresident street parking in the area, will affect around a dozen streets and more than 200 households for a week...
3 Democrats vying for Vandergrift Council seat
Three candidates are vying for a two-year term on Vandergrift Council. Democrats will choose among Nick Morgan, Nikol Reed and Michael Reilly in the May 20 primary. No Republicans are on the ballot. Morgan, 33, is an insurance salesman at Howard Hanna. He’s also on the Vandergrift Business Association Board...
Columbia Gas seeks 11.3% hike; consumer advocate claims rate is higher
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania wants to boost the monthly gas bill of a typical residential customer 11.3%, but a state consumer advocate says the change could be illegal. The gas distribution rate hike from Columbia Gas would raise the average residential monthly gas bill from $138.50 to $154.30, while small...
LEAP preschool at Sharpsburg’s Watson Institute the only one of its kind in Allegheny County
Teacher Christine Kunkel kicks off each day with a morning meeting that finds her shaking her arms, patting her stomach and pretending to swim. The meeting participants — 3- and 4-year-olds at the Watson Institute’s LEAP preschool in Sharpsburg — follow suit, singing and dancing on a colorful mat near...
McCandless adopts ordinance requiring permit with $50 fee to consume alcohol in town’s parks
A $50 fee will be required to obtain a permit to consume alcoholic beverages in any McCandless park, according to a vote at the April 14 council meeting. Specifically, Ordinance 1556 states that “no person shall consume any alcoholic beverage in any quantity in the Parks or on the property...
Pittsburgh International Airport to adjust security checkpoints
Pittsburgh International Airport is making changes to its security checkpoints. Travelers who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck and are ticketed to fly out of Pittsburgh should proceed directly to the main security checkpoint starting May 5. There, they will receive expedited screening benefits as PreCheck members. The alternate security checkpoint...
Massive steel transport expected to slow traffic on Western Pa. roads
A truck carrying a massive load of 153 tons of steel will wind its way through Western Pennsylvania on Thursday, slowing traffic on major arteries from Allegheny County to Columbiana County, Ohio. The superload will cause rolling traffic stoppages as it needs two lanes to move through, PennDOT officials said....
Morning Roundup: 3 injured in Ross crash; guns stolen from Cranberry home
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, April 17: 3 injured in Ross crash Three people were injured late Wednesday following a crash along McKnight Road in Ross near the area of a major road project. Emergency crews were called to the 4600 block of...
Officials look at possible connection between 2 found dead in Butler and Beaver counties
Two people were found dead in separate incidents Wednesday — one in Butler County, the other in Beaver County, the Pennsylvania State Police report. First, a 47-year-old woman was found shot inside an apartment complex at about 1 p.m. in Jackson Township, Butler County. She was discovered at her Creekside...
Improvements on track for Latrobe’s Amtrak station
A long-awaited update of Latrobe’s Amtrak station is expected to get underway in the weeks ahead. City officials reported project representatives have been checking with the Pennsylvania One Call System to determine the location of underground utilities in preparation for beginning construction. “I’m thrilled it’s finally going to happen,” Jarod...
The Stroller, April 17, 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. Free event to celebrate...
Harrison’s 1st Garden Tour aims to connect residents
From metal fish to mosaic tiles to a Victorian doorknob, every bauble in Bill Godfrey’s garden was either a roadside find or dropped at his door by friends and strangers. “It’s an artist’s garden,” said Godfrey, who has lived three decades at his Walnut Street home in the Natrona neighborhood...
6 buildings to be razed, others renovated at New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park
A familiar, if not attractive, sight to motorists on the New Kensington Bridge soon will be gone. Red brick buildings, known for decades for being empty and having smashed windows, are among six at the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park to be demolished over the summer as remediation efforts at...
