O’Connor raps rival Gainey’s budget for Pittsburgh as too ‘rosy’
Corey O’Connor offered a sobering assessment Thursday about the finances of the city he wants to run. “Despite the current administration’s rosy projections, our budget is barely held together by strings and Band-Aids,” O’Connor, who wants to be mayor of Pittsburgh, told reporters during an appearance in the city’s Knoxville...
Murrysville area: Blessing of the Bikes, woman’s club scholarships, and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Three Rivers Community Band Festival The 19th annual Three Rivers Community Band Festival will be held from 2-5 p.m. April 5 at Franklin Regional Senior High School in Murrysville. The East Winds Symphonic Band, which founded the festival and is comprised of...
Plum School Board member resigns, district seeks replacement
Devin Adams, nearing the end of his first term on Plum School Board, resigned from his position this month after he and his family moved out of the district. Headed to the Norwin School District, Adams, who previously served as the Plum board’s vice president, said his time on the...
Pennsylvania Lottery awards $1 million winner in Belle Vernon
Pennsylvania Lottery officials presented a commemorative $1 million check on Thursday to a Fayette County woman at the Belle Vernon sports bar where she purchased the ticket. Brittnee Boot purchased the winning “$1,000,000 Winnings” ticket at Foster House II in Belle Vernon. Boot was joined by Foster House II co-owner...
Eat ‘n Park diner’s GoFundMe retirement fund for 81-year-old waitress tops $250K — and growingVideo
A $40 tip from a concerned Eat’n Park diner has started a quickly growing retirement fund for an 81-year-old waitress. In a TikTok video, Tamie Konzier, 41, of Millvale, who works as an esthetician at Bloom Beauty Parlor in East Liberty, was with her son, Leo, 10, at an Eat’n...
1st Street Cafe posted for sale, owner looks toward retirement
After a decade of ownership, Devra Gromley is saying goodbye to her beloved 1st Street Cafe in Leechburg. “I know this isn’t what I want to do with however many years I have left in my life,” Gromley said. The cafe is in the building formerly known as the Addison...
Oakmont passes new parking ordinance, faces litigation threat
Oakmont Council passed a revised parking ordinance despite a looming threat of litigation from a resident who owns multiple businesses in the borough. During council’s meeting on March 18, the board passed a long-discussed ordinance that updates parking requirements in the borough’s commercial district. The vote was 6-1. Similar to...
Carnegie Mellon president addresses China-based ties
The federal government has requested information about Carnegie Mellon University’s international students and possible collaborations it has with China-based universities and research institutions. CMU President Farnam Jahanian said it was one of six American universities to receive a letter from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party regarding...
Morning Roundup: Bus driver shortage affects Hopewell schools
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, March 27: Bus driver shortage causes flexible instruction day The Hopewell Area School District announced it will have a flexible instruction day Thursday — due to a bus driver shortage. Located in Beaver County, the change applies to...
Pittsburgh Zoo’s oldest male gorilla dies suddenly
Harry — Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s oldest male gorilla — died Tuesday of a “sudden cardiac event.” At 33 years old, the Western lowland silver-back gorilla was a longtime zoo favorite as the eldest male in a troop of six. Male western lowland gorillas have a median life expectancy of...
‘Celebrate CV’ brings together students, staff and community
Chartiers Valley School District’s ‘Celebrate CV’ showcase is more than just an event, said intermediate school assistant principal and coordinator Amanda Beckett. “It’s a reflection of the pride, passion and unity that define our school community,” Beckett said. “We are grateful for the support of our families and community members...
Greensburg’s SummerSounds announces 2025 lineup, aims to manage growing crowds
SummerSounds, a free outdoor concert series at Greensburg’s St. Clair Park, will feature several tribute bands and Sudanese pop-funk rock fusion in its lineup this year. The concert series amassed a combined attendance of 28,500 people and drew more than $1 million in economic impact to Greensburg last season, co-founder...
Pro wrestling organization returning to Springdale — for 1 last time
Springdale Junior-Senior High School marching band members will likely be playing the swan song to one of its biggest fundraisers Friday. Keystone State Wrestling Alliance superstars return to the home of the Dynamos, the Donald C. McGhee Fieldhouse, for Springdale Slam 6. It will be the end of two eras....
$24M in projects being worked into Burrell school budget
The public can get its first look at how Burrell School District’s multimillion-dollar school realignment could affect their taxes next school year at a meeting Tuesday. “If you want to know where your tax money is going, and what they pay for, show up to the meeting,” board President Rick...
Man accused of killing Mogie’s owner remains in state hospital with no date to resume trial
The man accused of killing the owner of Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell remains confined to Torrance State Hospital in Derry and, in the view of a Westmoreland County judge, unable to stand trial. Nathan Salem, 46, of Lower Burrell has been in custody without bond since Dec. 21,...
The Stroller, March 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. Donations welcome for Easter...
Educational programming at Penn State New Kensington vital to local school districts
When asked how Penn State New Kensington’s ABC Create programming has enhanced their students’ learning, Burrell School District technology teachers were quick to answer. Students at Bon Air Elementary learned how to operate small, mobile “Dash robots” to code assignments, putting their math, engineering and technology skills to the test,...
Mystery deepens over ex-UPMC doc accused in Hawaii attack on wife
Gerhardt Konig smiled in the Oct. 5, 2018, Facebook photo as his new bride leaned into his side, holding a bouquet against her white dress. The photogenic couple stood under a garden arbor adorned with white flowers. “Best. Day. Ever.” Konig wrote. On Wednesday, some 6½ years later, authorities in Hawaii...
Trafford authors to deliver talk on their literary work, small-town upbringing
Trafford authors Lori Jakiela and Dave Newman will give a talk on April 3 about the influence of their small towns on their literary works. The married couple live in Trafford, Jakiela’s hometown. Newman grew up in Irwin. They will read excerpts of their work before delivering their talks. A...
Monroeville area: Sedlak Cleanup Day, free Easter dinner, wine-tasting fundraiser, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Pet walk to benefit rescues planned for Boyce Park The Wildflower Pet Walk, formerly the Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk, will be held April 27 at the Tanglewood Shelter on Pierson Run Road at Boyce Park in Plum and Monroeville....
Monroeville adds 3 new officers, receives recognition from U.S. Secret Service
Monroeville added three new officers to its police force this month, including its first officer fluent in Spanish, bringing the department to 49 officers. Grady Fagan, Michael Ragan and Miguel Armijo were sworn in at council’s March 11 meeting. For the past few decades, all of the officers that have...
Local quilter’s ‘challenges’ showcased at Monroeville library
Karen Junge Luce’s “Challenge Accepted” quilt exhibit will be on display in the Monroeville Public Library Gallery Space from March 28 to April 22. The public is invited to a free opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. March 29. Many of Luce’s quilts will be available for purchase. The...
Penn Hills teachers reach contract agreement, avoid strike
Penn Hills teachers were able to avoid a strike after a contract agreement was reached with district administration. According to a news release from the Penn Hills Education Association, an unspecified majority of the membership voted to ratify their collective bargaining agreement with the district Wednesday night. The school board...
Jury renders split verdict for man accused of dousing ex with hot cooking oil
Tasha Lomax suffered second-degree burns over 20% of her body after hot cooking oil spilled down her left side. She claimed her ex-boyfriend, Herkley Fields IV, had doused her on purpose in McKeesport on Oct. 9, 2022. “‘This is what you and your friends get for playing with me,’” Lomax...
Female veteran from Greatest Generation: ‘Best thing that ever happened to me’
The world that young Emily Drake was navigating in the spring of 1942, armed with an Aspinwall High School diploma, was awash in war — in Europe, Asia, Africa and throughout the South Pacific. Drake, who lives in O’Hara, wanted to join the Women’s Army Corps to serve her country...
