Civilian vigilante group’s sting leads to dismissal of child porn charges against Hempfield man
A Westmoreland County judge on Monday dismissed hundreds of child pornography charges against a Hempfield man identified in a sting operation by an online Texas-based civilian vigilante group. The continued prosecution of Thomas James Hibbard, 62, had been in question since late December when Judge Tim Krieger ruled evidence collected...
At the library: Here are some upcoming programs at Northland Public Library
Siblings category topped Summer Reading program Northland Public Library recently shared its Top 4 most popular reading categories from last year’s Bookshelf Bingo Summer Reading program. The top categories were: 1. Siblings 2. Coastal setting 3. 300 pages or less 4. Action & adventure Mark your calendars: This year’s Summer...
Plan for outdoor area at Latrobe Hospital tabled as officials await more from Independence
Plans for an outdoor activity area at Latrobe Hospital won’t be approved until Independence Health System shares more information with the city’s planning commission about how it will be used. Representatives from Independence Health’s Johnstown-based engineering consultant, H.F. Lenz Co., told the planning commission last week the 2,500-square-foot fenced-in activity...
Vandergrift’s 2 fire departments, short on money and manpower, explore merging
When called upon, Vandergrift No. 2 firefighters almost always arrive at an emergency scene in short order. But, in just a couple of years, by Chief Albert Wells’ estimation, the dwindling department could have trouble getting its sole engine out the door. That’s part of why it’s exploring a merger...
UPMC to require masks again as flu, viruses surge in region
Update: On Wednesday, UPMC said it a statement it is recommending, rather than requiring, masks in its facilities. This is a departure from Monday’s statement that masks were required. People visiting UPMC hospitals and health care offices should plan on wearing a mask, effective Wednesday. Affiliates of the Pittsburgh-based health...
Pittsburgh combats overtime costs with new measures amid warnings of budget crunch
In years past, Pittsburgh scheduled public works employees for overtime if snow was forecast overnight or on weekends. Road-clearing crews would sometimes spend an entire shift waiting for snow that wouldn’t fall until morning — and getting paid for it. No longer. Now, workers are assigned to be on call...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• Emma Flanders was named to the dean’s list at Miami University for the fall 2024 semester. • Emily Lagnese was named to the president’s list at Miami University for the fall 2024 semester. • Gabrielle Boyer, Emma Brunger, Andrew Clouse, Dylan DiNapoli, Liberty Earley, Ray Eschenbach, Brooke Feldkircher, Michael...
Harmar, Norfolk Southern at odds over Denny Estates rail crossing
Harmar isn’t exactly buying what Norfolk Southern is pitching when it comes to an assignment at the rail crossing in Denny Estates. Solicitor Craig Alexander told Harmar supervisors during a recent meeting that negotiations with Norfolk Southern on the assignment of the crossing have hit a roadblock. “They are changing...
Jury finds Pitcairn man guilty of 1st-degree murder in slaying of Uber driver
A jury found Calvin Crew guilty of first-degree murder on Monday, exactly three years after he forced Uber driver Christina Spicuzza to ferry him across eastern Allegheny County for nearly an hour before marching her into the woods in Monroeville and fatally shooting her. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward...
Officials mum after Munhall police shoot man in holding cell during scuffle
Munhall officials remained tight-lipped Monday after a borough police officer shot and wounded a 38-year-old man overnight during a scuffle inside a holding cell in the municipal building. “There’s not a lot I can say right now,” Munhall Mayor Rob Falce told TribLive. “It’s been turned over to county investigators.”...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• North Allegheny’s student newspaper, The Uproar: The Student Voice of North Allegheny Senior High, was named a 2024–25 Distinguished Site by Student Newspapers Online for the sixth consecutive year. The Uproar consists of 22 members: Jaycee Mae Faber and Grace Thomas, co-editors-in-chief; Fiona Engel, news and features editor; Annika...
Tarentum gets state boost to continue waterline upgrades
Tarentum taxpayers are getting a boost from the state to address waterline woes, putting the borough one step closer to remedying a severely aged system. The borough is set to receive about $51,000 to replace a waterline along Tripak Boulevard, which has been an area vulnerable to breaks. It is...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Feb. 10, 2025
Plum School District settles litigation with firm The Plum School District will pay $10,000 to settle a construction consultant’s lawsuit claiming the district breached a contract and did not pay it for services. The school board approved the settlement with Dennis Russo and Rucon in December, but did not release...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Feb. 10, 2025
Middle school thespians to stage ‘SpongeBob’ Linton Middle School is staging “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition” at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22 and 2 p.m. Feb. 23. All shows will take place in the auditorium, 250 Aster St. The one-hour show is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $5...
Morning Roundup: At least 13 injured in Crawford County explosion
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Feb. 10: Over a dozen injured in explosion in Crawford County At least 13 people were reported injured after an industrial fire and explosion Sunday morning at the Parker Lord Corp. in Saegertown in Crawford County. TribLive news...
The Stroller, Feb. 10, 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. Bingo to raise funds...
In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area
Blue paint, chiseled stone selected for Wexford Interchange PennDOT recently released the results of its aesthetic design survey for the Wexford Interchange project. The department asked the public for input on the color of the steel beams and the concrete texture of the abutments and piers. The survey, which garnered...
Saint Vincent College, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit to host career expo for aspiring teachers
After hosting an educator career fair last spring, Saint Vincent College and the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit knew they needed to take a different approach. “I think we both recognized the need to try to target a couple of different audiences,” said Tracy McNelly, chair of the college’s education department, “because...
Device debate: Gov. Shapiro’s proposed tax rate gets pushback from skill game operators
Operators and manufacturers of electronic skill games say they’ve been anticipating Pennsylvania might soon take a tax bite from their revenue, but they protest that Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 52% tax is excessive. “It would kill all of us,” Jordan Scanlan said. “We would never be able to stay open....
Westmoreland museum marks Black History Month with art-filled observance for all
It was celebration time Sunday for Laurie Johnson-Wade of New Kensington, who brought her seven grandchildren and two of her daughters to Greensburg for a lesson in Black history — the arts, singing, painting and poetry. “It’s a celebration of all things good about our history,” said Wade, a descendant...
2 injured in mutual stabbing at Arnold apartment
Two men were injured in a stabbing at an Arnold apartment Sunday, according to officials. The stabbing happened around 7:30 a.m. along the 2000 block of Freeport Road. Officials said it was an isolated incident and the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. The men stabbed each other, said...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2025
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...
Plum’s John Anthony’s grows from a good-time bar to family restaurant over 40 years
For her 21st birthday, Gina D’Acierno’s parents bought her a bar. The next 40 years would see D’Acierno grow from a bartender into a business owner, and John Anthony’s evolve from a rowdy bar into an Italian restaurant with a focus on quality, consistency and treating diners like family. “In...
Plum’s John Anthony’s grows from a good-time bar to family restaurant over 40 years
For her 21st birthday, Gina D’Acierno’s parents bought her a bar. The next 40 years would see D’Acierno grow from a bartender into a business owner, and John Anthony’s evolve from a rowdy bar into an Italian restaurant with a focus on quality, consistency and treating diners like family. “In...
Westmoreland happenings: Spaghetti dinner, comedy dinner nights, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations...
