Gateway School Board OKs field improvements, grass cutting contract
Gateway School Board members voted unanimously to replace the surface of the batter’s box and pitching area at the high school athletic field for a total of $11,937. The vote was 9-0 this week to approve the proposal from Shaw Turf. Continuing the discussion that began at a recent study...
Morning Roundup: No injuries reported in Etna fire; Glassport man charged in McKeesport shooting
Here are some news items for Thursday, Feb. 27: No injuries reported in Etna fire Multiple fire companies quickly knocked down a fire reported late Wednesday night in the wall of an Etna home. Fire crews were called to the unit block of Ann Street just after 10 p.m. They...
High school counselors weigh options as Penn State branch campuses hang in the balance
Burrell High School guidance counselor Sandra Oskin thinks Penn State New Kensington is still a good option for prospective students, despite the Upper Burrell campus potentially closing in two years. “I’m hoping it remains a viable option — especially for Burrell,” she said. “It’s been a great resource. It’s convenient...
The Stroller, Feb. 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. Coffee with a Cop...
Local competitors prepare for USA Dance National Ballroom championships, held in Pittsburgh
Sitting in a Murrysville restaurant on a chilly Wednesday in February, John and Deana Foley’s heads occasionally sway to the pop music on the radio. But if a tango or a foxtrot were to start up, John would have to battle the urge to don a topcoat and tails, sweep...
Jeannette, police dog handlers agree on $70K compensation settlement
Jeannette will pay $70,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by police dog handlers who claimed the city violated labor laws by not paying them an overtime rate for time spent caring for their canines. The settlement agreement, obtained by the Trib, also outlines that Sgt. Jim Phillips will work a...
Former Greater Latrobe wrestler, Pittsburgh-area auto entrepreneur an Alumnus of Distinction
Scott Brewer powered through his senior wrestling season in high school, despite being injured, and advanced to the district tournament with six Greater Latrobe teammates. “I had a pretty bad knee injury toward the end,” he said of that 1985 season grappling in the 145-pound class. “But I just stuck...
Banana Republic on Walnut Street in Shadyside to close
The Banana Republic store on Walnut Street in Shadyside is set to close after being open for more than 30 years. Two signs posted in the store’s windows say “We’re Closing: March 2025.” A specific date has not been announced. The two-story store is located at 5542 Walnut St., at...
‘A light in this school’: Penn Middle School expands Landram’s Light charity, created in honor of late teacher
Pete Landram was emotional when he walked through the doors of Penn Middle School to watch his son, Dylan, and 14 classmates pack tote bags with supplies for local cancer patients in honor of his wife. Jackie Landram taught seventh grade English at the Penn Township school for 16 years....
Norwin cheerleaders shine in national competition
The Norwin cheerleaders performed some magic recently in the magical land of the Walt Disney World Resort, during the national cheerleading championship competition in Orlando, Fla. “We really tried to take it to the next level. They had great execution,” said cheerleading coach Sarah Brooks, about the 23-member squad. The...
Penn Hills resident publishes book of poetry inspired by 15 years of riding bus to work
Michael Frachioni has been riding city buses for years. Unlike most who use the commute to zone out, listen to music or close their eyes for a moment, Frachioni uses that time to observe his fellow riders to find the subject of his next poem. A lawyer for PNC Bank...
Student creations featured at Monroeville library during Youth Art Month
The gallery space at Monroeville Public Library will come alive in March with Gateway School District’s K-12 student art show. This annual exhibit celebrates Youth Art Month and is organized by Gateway High School Visual Arts Department Chair Greta Severson. “The art show presents student art from every school in...
‘Anything Goes’ features humor, entries from the Great American Songbook
The Franklin Regional Senior High School auditorium will transport its audience back to the days of the Golden Age of Hollywood, big-band music and the end of prohibition in its spring musical. The high school’s Theatre Guild will stage “Anything Goes” on Feb. 27-28 and March 1-2, presenting a madcap...
Monroeville area: Library trivia, gospel performance, Gateway musical, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. ‘Good as New’ book sale The 30th annual “Good as New” book sale will be held March 21-23 at Monroeville United Methodist Church, 219 Center Road. A variety of fiction, nonfiction and children’s books will be available. Gently used puzzles...
Snowplow woes force Pittsburgh officials to explore asking for help clearing roads
With nearly a third of Pittsburgh’s snowplow fleet out of commission, some city officials want to ask their neighbors for help. Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, D-Squirrel Hill, said neighboring municipalities often seem to treat roads more efficiently than Pittsburgh. She wants to explore paying them to treat Pittsburgh roads after they’ve...
Westmoreland County suspends new purchasing director
Westmoreland officials for the second time in less than a year suspended the director of the county’s purchasing department. Daniel Ellingsen, who has been on the job since mid-November, was placed on paid leave early last week for undisclosed reasons. His suspension was changed to unpaid starting Wednesday, Commissioner Ted...
Staffing agency owner who served Charleroi area accused of harboring illegal aliens
A Belle Vernon man pleaded guilty this week to two counts related to accusations that he ran a temporary staffing agency that provided workers who were illegally in the United States. Federal prosecutors said Andy Ha, 28, also failed to pay taxes related to those employees. Ha pleaded guilty to...
Members of North Allegheny community learn how to react in active shooter scenarios
While random gun violence can be unpredictable, knowing how best to react could help prevent tragedy. That was the message relayed to residents Feb. 19 during the Active Shooter Community Educational Night at Marshall Middle School. About 70 members of the North Allegheny community, local hospital workers, church leaders and...
Excessive force lawsuit alleges Clairton police officer sicced K-9 on motorist
A Clairton man is suing his local police department, claiming he was mauled by a police dog after being pulled over for going through a stop sign last year. Te’mon Jackson, 19, filed the lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday against Officer Fred L. Hill Jr. alleging battery and the...
Police say man with cocaine in his system caused fatal Homestead crash
A man had cocaine in his system and was driving more than 100 miles an hour just before he caused a fatal crash in Homestead in July, police said Wednesday as they announced criminal charges. Jesus Luciano, 37, of the Homestead area was charged with homicide by vehicle and other...
Man fatally shot at Tube City Cafe in McKeesport
A man was fatally shot Wednesday morning in McKeesport. The victim was shot during an argument at the Tube City Cafe in the 900 block of 5th Avenue, according to Allegheny County Police. First responders answering a 911 call at 11:51 a.m. found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. They...
Feds claim Allegheny County man had illegal guns, child porn, violent ideology
An Allegheny County man who authorities claim had numerous guns and espouses a “racially motivated, violent extremist ideology” is now facing a charge of possessing child pornography. Aidan Harding, 20, of Crescent, was indicted Tuesday by a grand jury in U.S. District Court. Harding remains in custody following a Feb....
Ligonier Township: More funding needed to complete bridge, sidewalk for high school students
Ligonier Township has received a little less than half the state funding it sought to construct a pedestrian bridge and sidewalk for students who walk from adjacent Ligonier Borough into the township to reach Ligonier Valley High School. Local officials say students’ safety is at stake since they now must...
Westmoreland happenings: Burger bash, children’s night out, bingos, more
Children’s event • The Cook Township Community Center will host a Kids Night In for children age 5 to 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. March 7 at the center, 1714 Route 711. Cost: $5, includes cheese pizza, drink, games and a dance party. Parents may register their children and...
Nature journaling set for Twin Lakes Park meadow
A Westmoreland Land Trust programmer will conduct eight sessions this spring of natural journaling — writing one’s observations of nature — to chronicle the seasonal changes from March through June at the meadow at Twin Lakes Park east of Greensburg. Paula Purnell, the coordinator of education programming for the Land...
