Western PA Local News category, Page 282
New Kensington man identified as Tarentum Bridge jumper
A man who jumped to his death from the Tarentum Bridge on Tuesday has been identified. The victim was Thomas Peter Link, 68, of New Kensington, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Link jumped into the Allegheny River shortly before 11:30 a.m. and died before he could be...
Fired Allegheny County chief public defender sues for wrongful termination
Allegheny County’s former chief public defender is suing the county manager for wrongful termination. The complaint, filed by Lena Bryan-Henderson on Wednesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against John Fournier, seeks reinstatement and back wages. Bryan-Henderson, 60, of Forest Hills said she had no comment on the lawsuit, which...
Northern Regional Police Department test-pilots equine therapy program
Several officers from the Northern Regional Police Department recently traded in their patrol vehicles, uniforms and police radios for saddles, fresh air and horses. The day was spent at Orchardview Stables in Marshall to learn about the benefits of equine therapy. “I can speak for myself when I say it...
Westmoreland happenings: Trap shoots, bank retiree lunch
Meetings • Rostraver Sportsmen and Conservation Association, 539 Cedar Creek Road, will meet at 7:30 p.m. June 23. The club hosts trap shoots from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, and at 10 a.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays. Public welcome. Details: 724-984-6611 or rostraversportsmen@gmail.com. • Retirees and former employees of...
Latrobe street paving project includes base repairs near hospital
A block-long Latrobe street bordered by parking lots for the town’s hospital is among a dozen streets that are slated for improvement in an upcoming city paving project. Derry Construction was awarded the $367,343 contract for the project — including extensive work on Taft Street. which intersects with Second Avenue...
Housing authority seeks sponsor to fund 9 cottage-style residences in Irwin
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority plans to seek another sponsor for a state application to fund the $2.3 million construction of nine cottage-style houses next to the Grand View Senior Residences. Irwin Borough declined the opportunity. The borough council last week rejected the housing authority’s request that the borough sponsor...
Oakmont Council passes food truck ordinances
A pair of ordinances regulating food truck operations in Oakmont passed without a peep after no residents attended Tuesday’s public hearings. The need for the ordinances arose after multiple borough businesses that don’t serve food contacted borough officials about hiring food trucks for special events.. There were no regulations in...
Colors for the carpet at Our Lady of Victory in Springdale
Our Lady of Victory parishioners filled bags of dyed sawdust Tuesday, June 17, at Our Lady of Victory in Springdale Township. Volunteers were preparing about 525 pounds of sawdust to be dyed in different colors for this year’s Feast of Corpus Christi, where sawdust carpets will be placed in the...
Annual NerdCon brings comic convention fun to Northland Public Library
The day when everyone wants to be a nerd finally arrived at Northland Public Library’s annual NerdCon celebration, held June 14, as folks of all ages dressed in their cosplay best. Anyone into comics, anime, board games, role playing — or even Mario Kart — were able to dress up...
U.S. Steel, Nippon finalize $14.9B merger, security agreement
Japan’s Nippon Steel has finalized its $14.9 billion takeover of U.S. Steel, the companies announced Wednesday, as they unveiled details about the deal, which amounts to a tightly monitored merger. To win government approval, the companies also have entered a national security agreement meant to mitigate worries about Nippon having...
Offers but no buyers on 3 Guardian Angels churches still on the market
Three former churches, once part of the Guardian Angels parish, remain for sale three years after the parish cut seven churches to two, keeping open Most Blessed Sacrament in Harrison and Our Lady of Victory in Springdale Township. “We have people looking all the time,” parish Business Manager Tom Babinsack...
New Alexandria man sentenced for 2023 confrontation with police
A New Alexandria man convicted of resisting arrest during a 2023 confrontation with state police in Unity was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation but will serve no additional jail time. Denton G. Krapf, 49, was found guilty in February of one misdemeanor count by a Westmoreland County jury....
Hunting licenses for 2025-26 season go on sale next week
It’s that time of year again — hunting licenses will go on sale starting next week, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced. On Monday, hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2025-26 season will be available for purchase. Antlerless deer licenses can be purchased when general license sales open per usual, but...
Morning Roundup: Police sergeant suspended after shoving man, mounted patrols to return to Montour Trail
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Wednesday, June 18: Ellwood City police sergeant suspended after shoving man at Sheetz The Ellwood City Borough Council voted unanimously to suspend and demote Sgt. Robert Magnifico after he shoved a man at Sheetz in June. The decision comes...
Hound Haus café and dog park opens in East Liberty
For many dog owners, their pets are considered family. This idea that led local dog lovers, Tom and Danielle Lafe, to open an all-in-one coffee shop, bar and dog park in East Liberty earlier this month. Hound Haus, located on Broad Street, had its grand opening on June 7, revealing...
The Stroller, June 18, 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. Comedy show to celebrate...
Interest in skilled trades surges nearly 14%
At 15, Ryley Potlas already knows what she wants to do with her life. The Kiski Area School District freshman dreams of a career in welding, and she’s getting a jump on it by enrolling at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington. “There’s a big need for...
Plum officials happy with injection well decision, preparing for appeals
After Plum’s Zoning Hearing Board rejected the application for a second injection well in the borough last week, officials say they’re happy with the decision but preparing for the legal “long haul.” For years, Delmont-based gas company Penneco sought a zoning variance to convert a natural gas well into an...
Observation of federal Juneteenth holiday varies throughout region
Many areas of Western Pennsylvania are inconsistent in their approach to observing Juneteenth. Federal and state offices are closed and employees will have a paid day off Thursday for the official holiday that was designated in 2021. Meanwhile, workers at courthouses in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties will be on the...
Chartiers Valley middle school students make their mark on Bridgeville garden
A project by students at Chartiers Valley Middle School will leave a lasting impact on Bridgeville for years to come. This year, students embarked on a multi-grade, cross-subject endeavor to beautify a new butterfly-pollinator garden off Baldwin Street in Bridgeville, said science teacher Tracy Brackin. “It was inspiring to see...
Burrell School District mulls 3.8% tax hike to offset shrinking tax base, decreasing assessments
Burrell School District officials say a shrinking tax base and appeals that could lower property assessments are reasons they’re considering a 3.8% property tax hike. The increased taxes would support a budget the school board will consider Tuesday. The proposed budget totals about $37.7 million, said district Business Manager Jennifer...
Greater Latrobe OKs 1-mill tax hike for 2025-2026
Greater Latrobe School Board on Tuesday approved a 1-mill property tax increase to help raise local revenue for a final 2025-26 district budget of $68 million. District business administrator Dan Watson had recommended a 2-mill hike to help Greater Latrobe prepare for future capital projects as it deals with school...
Police: Boy, 15, critically wounded after being struck by vehicle in McKeesport
A 15-year-old boy was critically wounded when he was hit by a vehicle Tuesday evening near the intersection of Lysle Boulevard and Coursin Street, police said. The boy was attempting to cross Lysle in front of a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus when a vehicle traveling in the left lane struck...
Pine kicks off Rockin’ Rec summer concert series with ribbon-cutting ceremony for amphitheater
The Friends of Pine Community Parks amphitheater is now open in Pine Community Park. The community was invited to attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. June 12, which coincided with the kickoff of Pine’s Rockin’ Rec summer concert series. Township Manager Jason Kratsas and members of the board...
Housing authority director says federal budget cuts to have drastic impact on residents
Two key programs that assist low-income Westmoreland County Housing Authority residents are on the chopping block as part of the Trump administration’s federal budget proposal awaiting congressional approval. Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Washowich said the bill passed last month by the U.S. House, and awaiting a Senate vote, slashes...
