Western PA Local News category, Page 31
Harry Potter-themed Airbnb brings the magic in New KensingtonVideo
Calling all muggles. Harry Potter fans — and those just looking for whimsical digs — can book a stay in a two-story Harry Potter-themed Airbnb rental created by uber-fan Kim Waits and her boyfriend, AJ Rassau, both of New Kensington. It’s the latest creative Airbnb endeavour for the couple, who...
Pittsburgh controller questions $608 catering bill charged to taxpayers for funeral reception
The Pittsburgh City Controller’s Office is questioning a $608 city credit card charge last month that paid for food to be sent to a funeral reception for the father of Councilman Khari Mosley. City Council President R. Daniel Lavelle authorized the expenditure of taxpayer money. “Our office is empathetic to...
Pittsburgh-area students design human-centered AI models to tackle education issues
Diego Jofre Lieva remembers some of the language barriers he faced when he came to West Allegheny High School from Chile at the end of his freshman year. “We took language assessments, and a lot of my peers really struggled,” said Jofre Lieva, now a senior at West Allegheny. “I...
Peoples Library gets sensory spaces for neurodivergent inclusivity
Though libraries are typically quiet spaces, they aren’t always the most sensory friendly spots for people with special needs, according to Elle Kisiday, an occupational therapist at nonprofit Achieving True Self. Now, though, visitors might find the New Kensington and Lower Burrell People’s Libraries a bit more serene following the...
Burrell officials consider adding vending machines to schools
Burrell School Board is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to install vending machines in school buildings. The board is considering a three-year contract with New Kensington-based Iron City Vending Co. Food Service Director Megan Mlinarcik and Business Manager Jennifer Callahan recommended the contract to the board as a possible...
Woman charged after posing as mother, taking child from Steel Valley school, police say
Steel Valley School District officials released an 8-year-old student to a woman now charged with kidnapping after she pretended to be the child’s mother, Homestead police said. Jamya Jones-Houston, 25, of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood is charged with felony kidnapping and interference with the custody of children for the incident...
Trash mounds along Allegheny River in Braeburn to be cleaned up
Illegal trash dumping has always been a problem along the Allegheny River in Lower Burrell’s Braeburn neighborhood, said Wade Schantz, a resident who adopted a stretch of Lowe Road. The past week has been no exception, with large piles of abandoned furniture and scattered waste along the road, accumulating mostly...
More NFL Draft road closures take effect
Another phase of road closures for the NFL Draft on Pittsburgh’s North Shore begins Wednesday — a day before the draft. The following roads will be closed from Wednesday through Saturday:Sproat WayNorth Shore Drive (from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way)Mazeroski WayWest General Robinson StreetLacock StreetFederal StreetI-279 Southbound Exit 1B...
Westmoreland Land Trust to host free Earth Day event at Saint Xavier Nature Reserve
Volunteers and visitors are welcome Saturday afternoon for a series of environmental activities at Westmoreland Land Trust’s Saint Xavier Nature Reserve in Unity. Tree planting and trash clearing along a section of Route 30 are scheduled along with a series of awareness programs set from noon to 3 p.m. The...
Pitt track and field athletes put on training clinic for Shaler Area’s Kids of Steel
Shaler Area Elementary School students preparing for the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon got some tips from members of the University of Pittsburgh track and field team. The Pitt students and their coaches put on a Track 101 clinic April 15 around the elementary school’s track. There were stations where kids could...
Painted Tree Boutiques in Homestead closes amid nationwide shuttering
The Homestead location of Painted Tree Boutiques at The Waterfront closed its doors Tuesday along with the more than 60 locations nationwide. A retail chain that leased space to local vendors and artisans, the Arkansas-based company abruptly announced it would shutter this week. The Homestead store’s general manager, Eric Williams,...
Murrysville man killed in motorcycle crash near Saltsburg
A Murrysville motorcyclist was killed Thursday evening after crashing into a pickup near Saltsburg, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Peter Devey, 59, died in the crash. Police said Devey and the driver of a Ford F-250 pickup had been traveling west on Waukeena Road in Loyalhanna Township around 10:45 p.m....
Here are some places to dine in the North Hills during NFL Draft
North of Pittsburgh lies an array of restaurants for NFL Draft visitors seeking a break from the crowds. The North Hills suburbs include Ross, Shaler, McCandless, Pine and Hampton. Within these areas are a wide variety of cuisines, from Thai joints to Italian establishments. Here is a selection: Barrel Junction...
The Stroller, April 17, 2026: 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. Tickets on sale for...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from April 9-15, 2026
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, TribLive’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate, please...
Brackenridge awarded $13.2M from state for water plant upgradesVideo
Brackenridge got a major boost from the state this week to upgrade its water filtration plant and rectify previous concerns from the Department of Environmental Protection about aging mechanisms. The borough landed more than $13 million — a $5.7 million grant and a $7.4 million loan — through the Pennsylvania...
Strawpump fire department regains its service area in North HuntingdonVideo
The Strawpump Volunteer Fire Department regained its status this week as the primary responder for its service area in eastern North Huntingdon, 18 months after its territory was split between two neighboring departments following a poor insurance rating. “We are just excited to be the primary fire service for our...
Sharpsburg chili cook-off fundraiser postponed until October
A beloved Sharpsburg Community Library food-themed fundraiser has been postponed. The annual Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off was originally planned for April 18 at Roots of Faith. It has now been pushed to early October. Organizers are working to confirm a new date and time. “We’re cooking up something bigger...
Southwestern-themed cantina expands with dinner and bar hours in O’Hara
Brunch, dinner and cocktails are now on the menu at Gordo’s Cafe & Cantina in RIDC Park, O’Hara. Owner Brian Gorder is looking to spread the news that there’s something for everyone at the Southwestern/Mexican-themed eatery featuring made-from-scratch food and cocktails. “We’re so excited to launch our cantina menu,” he...
New Kensington’s Willie Thrower family to join Bears brass at NFL Draft to honor league’s 1st Black quarterback
This fall marks 73 years since Willie Thrower’s monumental moment in football history when he became the first Black quarterback to take a snap in the modern NFL. Legendary Chicago Bears coach George Halas called on Thrower, a New Kensington native, in a game Oct. 18, 1953 against the San...
Earth Day cleanup aims to make ‘Sharpsburg shine’
Sharpsburg residents are encouraged to get their hands dirty Saturday, April 18, for a good cause. Sponsored by the borough and the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization, an Earth Day cleanup will be from 9 to 11 a.m. “Sharpsburg is a community that takes pride in working together,” Mayor Kayla Portis said....
Diocese of Greensburg bishop joins clergy nationwide weighing in on Trump, Pope Leo XIV discourseVideo
Diocese of Greensburg Bishop Larry Kulick said Thursday that Pope Leo XIV is “speaking from his rightful position” in criticism of President Donald Trump and the Iran war. The polarizing debate between the president and the pope has pushed onlookers to opposing sides. But Kulick views Leo’s continued calls for...
Pittsburgh cop’s use of force under review for striking handcuffed woman in face
Pittsburgh police, claiming they were prompted by community concerns, have asked an independent use-of-force expert to investigate after a city police officer was filmed striking a woman in handcuffs during a drug-related arrest. A Pittsburgh police spokeswoman on Thursday said the male officer, who she did not name, struck Angel...
Parks Township nuclear waste cleanup expected to take 6 to 8 yearsVideo
To residents, cleanup at a Parks Township nuclear waste dump will look like a few trucks leaving the site every week, said Nicholas Melin, commander of the Pittsburgh District of the Army Corps of Engineers. Behind the site’s electric fence, 10 trenches containing about 33,000 cubic yards of materials will...
Organizer of Draft Bash event on North Side forges ahead while awaiting permit
Even though Pittsburgh event producer William “B” Marshall is still waiting for full permit approval with one week to go before the 2026 NFL Draft, he’s moving ahead with plans to bring 40 largely minority-owned art, food and merchandise vendors to the southwest corner of Allegheny Commons Park West throughout...
