Soxman Funeral Homes in Penn Hills marks 3rd annual Children’s Grief Awareness Day
Children learned about grief and how to process it while enjoying snacks, listening to a storytime, crafting and hanging out with Lilo, a bereavement care dog, during Soxman Funeral Homes’ third annual Children’s Grief Awareness Day event Nov. 22. Created by The Highmark Caring Place in 2008, Children’s Grief Awareness...
Third trial for man charged with 2020 New Kensington killing begins
For the third time in the last 18 months, a Westmoreland County jury is hearing evidence against a New Kensington man charged with the fatal shooting of an Arnold drug dealer nearly five years ago. Letresse Tareke Williams, 35, is charged with second-degree murder, robbery and other related offenses in...
As cold temperatures approach, don’t forget the drip
Western Pennsylvania may be avoiding heavy snowfall this week, but frigid temperatures are still sticking around. Matt Brudy, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon, said colder air is on the way during the second half of this week and this weekend, which could lead to single-digit wind chills...
8 taken to hospital following Monroeville crash involving school bus
Five children and three adults were taken to local hospitals after a crash Monday morning between a Gateway school bus and another vehicle, school officials said. First responders were called to Monroeville Boulevard near the entrance to Target around 8:30 a.m. The bus collided with an SUV, which overturned. Gateway...
North Hills School Board approves limiting any potential property tax increase to state limit
The North Hills School Board has agreed to limit any potential property tax increase in the district’s 2026-27 budget. At its Dec. 2 meeting, the board approved a resolution stating it would not seek to increase the property tax rate by more than 4.2%, the district’s inflation limit imposed by...
In brief: Happenings across the Penn Hills area
Holiday House Tour to raise money for sports court resurfacing The Crescent Hills Civic Association is hosting a Holiday House Tour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13. Participants will start the tour at the Steel Goat Marketplace, 200 Jefferson Road, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to pick...
PennDOT announces overnight closures of Route 8 in Etna
Southbound Route 8 in Etna will be closed overnight Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 9-12, PennDOT announced. The closures between Kittanning Street and the Route 28 interchange are scheduled for 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. each night. The ramps from southbound Route 8 to northbound and southbound Route 28 also will...
Cheswick passes budget with no tax hike, some utility increases
Cheswick Council opted not to raise property taxes in its recently passed budget, but some utility prices will increase. Residents will pay a combined $76 more per year with the utility hikes — $56 for fixed water rates and $20 for garbage collection. That’s a 30.4% increase in water rates...
Police say there could be more victims in case of former Highlands teacher charged with sex assault
Allegheny County Police said there might be more victims of sexual assault by a former Highlands School District teacher arrested Thursday. Sean Dicer, 53, was arrested at his Pacific Avenue home in Brackenridge. He was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor and...
Verona, Oakmont open student councilperson applications for Riverview students
Riverview students can have a seat at the table. Oakmont and Verona councils have opened applications for student representatives to join the conversation. The programs allow selected Riverview students to attend monthly council voting and workshop meetings, budget sessions and community events. Both boroughs encourage the student representatives to participate...
In brief: Happenings across the Shaler Journal area
Free Community Meal on Jan. 5 open to all Everyone is welcome to ring in the new year with a free Community Meal from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1719 Mt. Royal Blvd., Shaler. Enjoy “no-peek” chicken, rice, desserts, fun and fellowship. Bethlehem Lutheran Church...
Greensburg Lutheran church sells shopping plaza along Main Street
A Greensburg shopping plaza has been sold to a Unity church. Charter Oak Church on Frye Farm Road has purchased the Mid Town Plaza, at 450 S. Main St., from First Evangelical Lutheran Church at 246 S. Main St. for $1.15 million, through its COC Holdings LLC, according to documents...
Municipal manager talks ‘All Things Monroeville,’ including mall’s fate, town’s future
During Monroeville Rotary’s town hall meeting Dec. 4 at Monroeville Public Library, municipal Manager Alex discussed “All Things Monroeville.” Fittingly, Graziani was introduced by Rotary President Tim Little, who served as Monroeville’s manager from 2010 until his retirement in December 2023. Graziani said he met with Little around the time...
Police drop charges against man previously accused of firing shots during road rage incident
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that charges against Dillon Schaub were withdrawn. State police have withdrawn all the charges against a man previously accused of firing several shots from a handgun at another vehicle during a supposed road rage episode in North Buffalo on Friday. On...
Victim identified in fatal shooting outside New Kensington Elks Lodge
Police continue to investigate a homicide that took place early Saturday morning outside the New Kensington Elks Lodge, 932 Third Ave. Jeffrey Ballard, 46, was shot and killed outside the bar at around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, said Melanie Jones, a spokeswoman for the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office. Ballard is...
Monroeville area: New Year’s ball drop, holiday events, food distributions and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or mhorvath@triblive.com. Noon ball drop planned at Monroeville Mall Monroeville Public Library is hosting its ball drop celebration at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 31 inside Monroeville Mall for anyone who wants to ring in the new year a little early. The ball will...
Sharpsburg, Rankin mayors attend Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism
Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis visited New Orleans for the first time with a heavy heart. Portis attended the 2025 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism held Dec. 2-4 in New Orleans. “The Tree of Life shooting is a tragedy that continues to weigh heavily on our region,” said Portis, invited...
Gateway High School’s ‘Almost, Maine’ production a fitting debut for director
The first time Kaylie Wallace saw her grandfather, Larry Cervi, direct a play was about a decade ago when Gateway High School performed “Almost, Maine” — the 2004 show written by John Cariani. Recently, Wallace stepped into Cervi’s (dancing) shoes as the artistic director and choreographer at the nonprofit East...
Longtime Brackenridge secretary retires
Brackenridge administrator Denise Tocco submitted her letter of resignation to council last week. Tocco served as office manager, secretary and treasurer for 43 years. She will officially retire Friday. Tocco was not at the meeting, but her letter was read aloud. She thanked council for “the opportunity to be part...
Budget bombshell: Pittsburgh councilwoman proposes 30% tax hike in 2026
Pittsburgh Councilwoman Barb Warwick dropped a budget bombshell on Monday, proposing a 30% property tax hike to balance what she and her peers see as a disastrous final spending plan by the outgoing mayor. A tax increase of that magnitude is only path to forward without axing services, Warwick said....
Film festival organizers look to help students hone their content creation skills
Luke Champlain grew up going to the movies every week with his family. “We still go whenever we’re able,” said the 18-year-old Penn-Trafford senior. “I’ve always wanted to make movies. I think one of the coolest thing you can do is tell stories.” It’s easier than ever for young people...
Plum prepares for 25th edition of Make-A-Wish telethon, hopes to crack $1.25M mark
Plum’s annual Make-A-Wish telethon is set to return later this month for its 25th edition. The livestreamed event has raised $1.19 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation since it began in 1999. But organizers are hoping to crack the $1.25 million mark this year, according to Plum High School teacher and...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Dec. 8, 2025
Group offers support for weight loss All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight. With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise. You may visit with no obligation...
In brief: Bridgeville, Carnegie area news and events, week of Dec. 8, 2025 and beyond
Board meetings Next year’s Chartiers Valley School Board meetings will be held at the middle school cafeteria, 50 Thoms Run Road. Meeting dates are Jan. 13 and 27; Feb. 10 and 24; March 10 and 24; April 14 and 28; May 12 and 26; June 9 and 23; Aug. 11...
Construction of driverless vehicle test track in East Huntingdon reaches the start line
Construction of a 2-mile track in East Huntingdon to test autonomous vehicles and train first responders is underway, with the facility expected to be in operation by late 2026. The project’s first phase, which includes the test track and supporting infrastructure, is expected to cost about $30 million. Work crews...
