Guilty pleas pile up in fentanyl drug ring linked to New Kensington, Mexican cartel
Ten people pleaded guilty this week in Pittsburgh for their roles in a cross-border drug ring that smuggled fentanyl and meth from a Mexican cartel into the United States. The drugs were distributed throughout the country, including in Western Pennsylvania. In all, 19 of the 35 people arrested have pleaded...
Sharpsburg water tower springs leak; resident water service reportedly not impacted
Hampton Shaler Water Authority officials said they are working with a vendor to repair a leak at the authority’s water tower in Sharpsburg. The leak occurred April 19 at the tower along the Allegheny River. The authority released a statement about the incident Wednesday . “HSWA is planning repairs to...
Trump administration reverses course on international students’ revocation
After spending the past several weeks abruptly revoking the ability of more than 1,500 international students to study in the U.S., often without explanation, the Trump administration reversed course Friday and said it would reinstate the affected scholars, allowing them to continue their coursework. Students across Western Pennsylvania are affected...
Westmoreland Envirothon puts emphasis on forest stewardship, bird research
Westmoreland Conservation District staff definitely picked the right day this week to study the environment with high school senior Tim Miller and his fellow Derry Area students. While spring in Southwestern Pennsylvania can be a weather Jekyll and Hyde, Thursday, April 24, couldn’t have been nicer, with sunny skies and...
Deer Lakes Middle School tackles deforestation in a feature film about the environment
Deer Lakes School District is one of 17 schools across Southwestern Pennsylvania participating in the creation of an animated feature-length film about confronting ecological problems. Each school is writing a segment of the film. Deer Lakes Middle School is focusing on deforestation. The idea was developed by Terry Thoren, CEO...
Lead water service lines in New Kensington, Arnold to be replaced
Lead water service lines soon will be replaced in New Kensington and Arnold in a project that will affect 100 residential customers in the two cities. “This will replace all lead service lines. We will not have any lead lines in the New Kensington water system,” said James Matta, manager...
Ex-Greensburg police chief hopes to avoid jail time in drug conspiracy case
Former Greensburg police chief Shawn Denning is hoping to stay out of jail when he is sentenced in federal court next week in his drug distribution conspiracy case. Prosecutors are asking Denning be required to serve “a reasonable sentence of incarceration,” according to a sentencing memorandum filed Thursday. Denning’s attorney...
2 earthquakes recorded about a hundred miles from Pittsburgh
Two earthquakes occurred about a hundred miles southwest of Pittsburgh this week near the same southeastern Ohio town. A 3.1 magnitude earthquake occurred just after 4 a.m. Tuesday about a mile away from Pleasant City — a 0.18-square-mile village east of Columbus. A 3.4 magnitude was recorded near the area...
Brackenridge eyes 3 roads for summer paving project
Brackenridge Council has narrowed a list of streets to be paved this summer. It’s short but covers a lot of ground. This year’s road improvement project will target portions of First Avenue, Union Avenue and Prospect Street. Borough officials said they expect to approve the project to go out for...
PennDOT work in Westmoreland to close road in Mt. Pleasant Township, restrict traffic on I-70
PennDOT projects will result in a road closure and detour in Mt. Pleasant Township and lane restrictions on Interstate 70 beginning Monday. Closure of a section of Route 982, between Double Hill Road and Claypike Road/Kecksburg Road in Mt. Pleasant Township, is expected to continue through early June. The closure...
As data centers spread, their leaders push for transparency, consistency in state regulations
Last year, Duquesne Light Co.’s network service peak load was nearly 2,700 megawatts. And a hyperscale data center commonly ranges from 60 megawatts to several hundred megawatts, according to C. James Davis, director of rates, energy procurement and federal affairs at Duquesne Light. “A single data center could account for...
Morning Roundup: Liberty Tunnel overnight lane closure extended
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, April 25: PennDOT extends Liberty Tunnel closures The state Department of Transportation will continue its overnight lane closures of Pittsburgh’s Liberty Tunnel starting Sunday night. The tunnel has been under a partial lane closure from 8 p.m. to...
The Stroller, April 25, 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. 5K race and vendor...
Frazer could see luxury senior living near Pittsburgh Mills
A proposal to bring what’s billed as luxury living for older adults is creeping forward in Frazer. Described as the “Pittsburgh Mills Active Adult” community, it would target those 55 and older in a five-parcel area along Butler-Logan Road adjacent to the Pittsburgh Mills mall. Foxlane Homes at Pittsburgh LLC...
Long-awaited Route 356 widening project has some property owners in limbo
On warm afternoons, James Buchanan likes to turn on the radio, crack a beer and watch the cars go by from his garage where Route 356 and Bear Creek Road meet. The entertainment amps up around rush hour, when shoppers and commuters pour onto the highway cutting through Buffalo Township...
Development key issue for Lower Burrell Council candidates
Business growth and development are priorities identified for Lower Burrell by all three candidates seeking two seats on city council. Incumbent Councilman David Stoltz and newcomers Lance Anthony and Carley Logan are running for council on the Republican ballot. No Democrats filed as candidates for the primary, so it’s likely...
5 things to know about Supercross in Pittsburgh
Off-road motorcycle riders are set to compete in the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship Saturday inside Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium. The elite riders — including Jett Lawrence, Cooper Webb and Haiden Deegan — will vie for the title of Supercross Champion. Beaver County’s Brian ‘JR’ Saunier, a Hopewell Area High...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: April 25-27
There’s so much to do and so little time this weekend. Slow down and have some fun at one of these events happening all around town. August Wilson Block Party Celebrate the birthday of the esteemed late Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson with Saturday’s block party. Held at the August Wilson...
Ligonier Township planning board recommends allowing mid-May opening for Country Market
The Ligonier Township Planning Commission is recommending that township supervisors modify a conditional-use permit, which would allow the popular Ligonier Country Market to open as planned May 17. The supervisors will hear testimony on the matter at a formal hearing set for 7 p.m. Tuesday. The planning board unanimously agreed...
Throngs come out for 1st Greensburg Night Market of the season
The Greensburg Night Market returned for a seventh season Thursday, on a perfect April evening that drew a large crowd to South Pennsylvania Avenue. This season, more than 150 food, beverage, art and craft vendors will participate, stretching across four blocks — between West Otterman and West Fourth streets —...
Pittsburgh official’s ‘horrible’ social media posts raise ire of police union ahead of contract talks
The union representing most Pittsburgh police officers says it will not negotiate a new contract with a top city official who has posted on social media comments about defunding the police. In a letter dated Wednesday, union President Bob Swartzwelder told Mayor Ed Gainey he should appoint someone else to...
Murrysville area: Used book sale, summer concerts in Export, and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Used book sale The Murrysville Community Library and local branch of the American Association of University Women will host their annual used book sale May 1-3. The sale will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 and 2, and 9:30...
Westmoreland drug court moves into new era; founding judge honored
Westmoreland County’s drug court has entered a new era. Its two founding judges, who have presided over the program since its inception a decade ago, have now relinquished their roles in the program that has seen 94 graduates. Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio announced Thursday the end of her...
Norwin area: Plant sale, bus trip and art classes
Plant sale planned The Irwin Garden Club plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon May 17 at the Norwin Public Library, Caruthers Lane, Irwin. Perennials and gently-used garden items will be for sale. Cash only will be accepted on all transactions. The sale will be held, rain...
PennDOT pipe replacements close roads near Jeannette, West Newton
Replacement of underground pipes is triggering closures of one road on the outskirts of Jeannette and another east of West Newton. Closure of a section of Penn Adamsburg Road in Hempfield, between Gratz Street and Julie Dean Lane, is set to begin Friday, according to PennDOT. State maintenance crews will...
