Pittsburgh NAACP seeks public input on police chief nominee
The Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP is calling on city leaders to slow the confirmation process for Christopher Ragland as police chief to allow for at least one public forum. In an email to Mayor Ed Gainey, City Council members and their staffers, the NAACP branch offered to coordinate with...
15 Pine-Richland athletes officially commit to continuing sports journey at collegiate level
Fifteen student-athletes at Pine-Richland High School recently participated in National Signing Day, signaling their intent to continue their sports journey at the collegiate level. They are: Anthony Annichine, Tiffin University, baseball; Grant Argiro, Colgate University, football; Jackson Bojanic-Hubbell, Penn West-California, football; Roman Chiacco, University of Mount Union, football; James Cook,...
Duolingo’s owl mascot dead, company says
Duolingo has announced that its mascot — the iconic owl Duo — is dead. The Pittsburgh-based language learning app told the public the news via an “important message” on its social media pages. an important message from Duolingo pic.twitter.com/jTTT680yVs— Duolingo (@duolingo) February 11, 2025 “Authorities are currently investigating his cause...
Greensburg plans zoning review for 1st time in 30 years
Greensburg is planning to revamp its zoning ordinance. It’ll be the first review of the city’s zoning ordinance in about 30 years, said Alec Italiano, director of planning and development. “There’s been a lot of Band-Aids put on the current code,” he said. City officials are seeking proposals from consultants...
Hempfield Area eyes million-dollar roof replacements at 3 more schools
After voting in December to replace the roof at one of its elementary schools, Hempfield Area school directors will decide next week whether to add three additional roof projects onto the district’s to-do list. The board in December hired Garland Co. Inc. to replace the roof on Fort Allen’s gym...
Deer Lakes social worker says broad work experience readied her for the job
Logan Donahue didn’t envision a job as a school social worker, but she couldn’t be happier with her new role at Deer Lakes School District. Her job experience includes work with a forensic psychologist, the homeless and people suffering traumatic brain injuries. She said the breadth of work adds to...
Free energy audits can boost efficiency, lower costs
Home energy audits are being offered to property owners in Sharpsburg with the goal of boosting utility efficiency and lowering heating bills. But there’s also a chance the assessment could lead to free attic insulation or a hot water pump for qualifying residents. “We want to find out where the...
Bethel Park chili competition nets $6,000 for nonprofits
A fine way to fend off winter’s chill is a bowl of chili. Or, as was the case at Bethel Park’s inaugural Battle of the Bowls Chili Cook Off, sampling small paper cups’ worth of cooks’ creations. And while guests of the Feb. 1 event at the Bethel Park Community...
3rd grade students trying to collect Valentines cards from every state
Students at Mary Queen of Apostles School in New Kensington are feeling the love. Third graders are on a mission to collect Valentine’s Day cards from all 50 states by Friday. They’re more than halfway to their goal. With two days left, students are still hoping for cards from Alaska,...
Pine-Richland School Board takes next step in implementing controversial library policy
Pine-Richland School Board took the next step in eventually implementing its controversial library policy at its meeting Feb. 10 in the latest of a series of contentious and sometimes rowdy meetings. Board members offered numerous amendments to the proposed policy and even some supposed attempts at “compromise,” which were met...
Winning $600,000 lottery ticket sold in Upper Burrell
Someone who bought a lottery ticket in Upper Burrell is $600,000 richer today. A jackpot-winning Pennsylvania Lottery Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket was sold at The Little Store along Seventh Street Road. It matched all five balls for the Monday drawing — 7-16-18-37-38. “I don’t know who it is...
Pine-Richland custodian sold drugs and alcohol to students, police say
Police have accused a Pine-Richland School District custodian of selling drugs and alcohol to high school students. Keon Barrett, 23, of Saxonburg allegedly sold alcohol and a THC vape to students on school grounds, according to a criminal complaint. One student told police he paid Barrett $20 in November to...
Morning Roundup: Homestead man pleads guilty to gun, drug charges
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Feb. 11: Homestead man pleads guilty to gun, drug charges A Homestead man pleaded guilty in federal court to gun and drug charges and agreed to a 35-year prison term, Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced Monday. Erik...
Public schools embrace Shapiro plan to cut $378M in cyber tuition costs
Gov. Josh Shapiro is proposing unprecedented funding for Pennsylvania’s K-12 public schools, including $526 million in supplemental funding for poor districts, $125 million to help pay for building projects and $111 million to support student mental health and safety. Jeannette City School District Superintendent Matthew Jones said he’s most interested...
The Stroller, Feb. 11, 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. Evening of remembrance to...
Developer appeals Unity zoning decision against proposed solar farm to Westmoreland court
Developers of a proposed solar farm in Unity have appealed a 3-2 decision by the township zoning hearing board to deny a needed special exception for the project. The appeal filed recently in Westmoreland County Court claims the board’s Dec. 18 decision against the solar array that is planned for...
Norwin School Board censures controversial director; he vows lawsuit retaliation
The Norwin School Board on Monday voted to censure one of its directors over what the board majority deemed offensive language in a social media post aimed at other school board members. Directors Bill Bojalad, Ray Kocak, Tim Kotch Sr., Heath Shrum, Matt Thomas and Nina Totin voted to censure...
Westmoreland County Community College hires next president after 8-month search
Westmoreland County Community College’s next president will take office in July. The WCCC board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to hire Kristin Mallory, vice president for academic affairs at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Md. Selected from about 150 applicants, Mallory will start a three-year term July 1 with a...
Date set on tear down of Springdale power plant boiler house, weather permitting
The end is near for the last remaining edifice at Springdale’s former power plant. Officials from Springdale Police, property owner CPERG and demolition contractor B&B Wrecking and Excavation held a public meeting Monday on the planned conventional demolition of the boiler house. Sam Miller, the plant manager, said crews plan...
Trial begins in brutal Clairton stabbing death
Nicole Koontz expected her husband to pick her up from work at a Bethel Park bakery on Jan. 21, 2021. But she hadn’t heard from Anthony Koontz by the end of her shift, so she asked her nephew for a ride. When Koontz got to their house on Mendelssohn Avenue...
Last Downtown homeless encampment closed; city and county officials cite success at resettlement
The last Downtown Pittsburgh homeless encampment — on the Eliza Furnace Trail — has been closed as of Monday, city and county officials said. People experiencing homelessness who used to reside there have been transitioned into more stable housing as recently as this past weekend. They were part of the...
Custodian at Pine-Richland High School accused of selling THC vape cartridges, alcohol to students
A Pine-Richland High School custodian was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling nicotine, THC vape cartridges and alcohol to students on school grounds. Keon Ency Barrett, who the district identified as an evening custodial employee, is charged with delivery of scheduled substances, criminal use of a communication facility and two counts...
Fallen concrete from railroad overpass closes lane of Bridge Street to Millvale Riverfront Park
Fallen concrete from a railroad overpass has temporarily closed one lane of Bridge Street in Millvale, which many use to access Millvale Riverfront Park. In a statement Feb. 10, the borough said the overpass is owned and maintained by Allegheny Valley Railroad, which it said is “currently assessing the situation.”...
Death penalty trial remains on hold for New Kensington man charged with toddler’s murder
The lawyer for a New Kensington man facing a potential death sentence told a Westmoreland County judge Monday a defense-hired expert must review medical evidence before the case can proceed to trial. Keith Dale Lilly Jr., 35, has been in jail without bond since his arrest in 2020 on charges...
New Alzheimer’s test developed at Pitt could provide earlier detection
Small amounts of the protein found in those with Alzheimer’s disease can be detected years before it shows up in brain scans of those with the disease, new research published Monday in Nature Medicine found. The test was developed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “Our test identifies...
