Franchising equal parts rewarding, rigorous for new owners of McDonald’s stores in Penn Hills
Eugenia and Michael Cassidy took over the two McDonald’s stores in Penn Hills last year, and, so far, they’re “lovin’ ” it. But there’s more to getting in on one of the world’s most recognizable brands than just pooling together at least $500,000 in nonborrowed funds, the minimum for prospective...
4 found dead in suspected Hempfield murder-suicide; victims include children ages 1, 5
Dick Shawley held back tears while standing on his Hempfield front porch Friday morning after learning four of his neighbors are dead in what police deemed a murder-suicide. He recalled all the times he gave the kids — Connor, 1, and Evelyn, 5 — money for their birthdays and Christmas...
Roundup: Missing Pitt med student found dead
A missing 30-year-old University of Pittsburgh medical student has been found dead. The body of Luis Espinoza, who had been missing since Monday, was found Friday around 8:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Sterling Street in the city’s South Side Slopes section. Espinoza was last seen around 10:30 a.m....
Leechburg regionalization discussions terminated, officials discuss next steps for policing
Police regionalization conversations have halted in Leechburg. Borough council voted to “terminate any activities with regard to police regionalization with Parks Township.” The motion passed, 4-2, with council members DJ Zelczak, Robert Raypush, Chuck Pascal and Alan Tarr voting to stop such discussion, and council President Tom Foster and Lorrie...
The Stroller, Jan. 24, 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. Bowl-A-Thon to raise money...
Iron Horse Bridge rehab seen as ‘linchpin’ in effort to expand trails — and Connellsville’s economy
The Great Allegheny Passage bike trail between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md., has been a boon for communities that sit along it — and business owners hope a nearly $4 million study will provide a blueprint for boosting its impact in the region. A key component of the study will be...
Penn Hills woman creates safe space for student-athletes
Three years ago, Gigi Snodgrass was looking for a purpose. She had just retired from the Penn Hills School District where she worked as a paraprofessional for 17 years. Her husband, Jeff, was still working, and Snodgrass, 67, was adjusting to her new schedule. “The house was clean, the dishes...
Fayette County skier places in Junior World Championships moguls competition
Fayette County native Jessie Duda came away from the freestyle skiing Junior World Championships proud of her performance. Duda, 19, of Brownsville was one of 12 U.S. athletes to compete against dozens of freestyle skiers from across the world at the Junior World Championships, held the second week of January...
Some Unity residents look forward to easier ride on proposed Route 981 realignment
Unity resident Tracy Lemmon is among those who are eagerly awaiting construction of a new alignment for Route 981 that PennDOT is planning south of Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. “I’m actually very anxious for it,” she said during Thursday’s public display of plans for the second section of the Laurel...
Wilkinsburg man accused of shooting at police in Penn Hills arrested in Florida
A Wilkinsburg man who Allegheny County Police said shot at two officers in October in Penn Hills was arrested Thursday in Fort Pierce, Florida. Pittsburgh detectives — who had a court order to conduct surveillance on Darrell Barham’s vehicle — were investigating early Oct. 17 when police said Barham, 40,...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• Penn Hills High School students Mary Cooper, Maria Hernandez and Sydney Smith received the Women in Science Award and a full scholarship to Seton Hill University. The Women in Science Day was held Dec. 20 at the university. The annual event is held to honor high school students who...
Hearing begins for last defendant in torture death of Oakmont girl, 3, to determine degree of guilt
Wooden signs throughout the Oakmont house and decorative pillows in the entryway featured words like “home,” “family” and “happy.” The kitchen pantry was stacked with snacks like peanut M&Ms, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Bugles and cake mix. The refrigerator was stocked with frozen meats. And yet, police said, nearly 4-year-old...
Norwin Art League to hold painting classes
The Norwin Art League in Irwin is holding painting classes for beginning and advanced painters for children and adults. Oil painting classes for beginners and advanced painters start from 6:30 to 9: 30 p.m. on Mondays, weather dependent. Classes for more advanced students will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30...
Hempfield considers next step in possible demolition of former state prison
Hempfield supervisors are set to vote Monday on seeking bids for the demolition of the former SCI Greensburg state prison. Township manager Aaron Siko said if supervisors approve the measure, a contract could be awarded in March. With $2 million from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program designated for the...
North Huntingdon rejects housing plan intended for Altman Farms neighborhood
North Huntingdon officials rejected a plan to subdivide a parcel to build about 50 houses in a section of the Altman Farms neighborhood. Commissioners contend the additional traffic and layout of the plan would create unsafe conditions for the neighborhood. Maronda Homes applied for approval to subdivide a 37-acre tract...
2 nabbed in burglary spree of 11 bars in Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette counties
State police announced Thursday that two people were arrested in connection with a string of bar burglaries in three counties, including Westmoreland, where $17,500 in cash and alcohol was stolen. Preliminary hearings are scheduled next week for David Alan Rice, 33, of Charleroi, and Stephanie Denise Hankle, 30, of Monongahela....
Fee hike for parks, ballfields on the table for Murrysville council
Murrysville officials next month will consider raising fees for groups renting its park pavilions, facilities and athletic fields. “The reality is, costs go up,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Michael Nestico said. “That includes things in our everyday lives as well as the cost of municipal government.” Fees for pavilion rentals at...
Hempfield Area renews contracts for assistant superintendents
Hempfield Area’s assistant superintendents will remain in their roles for another three years following a contract extension approved by the school board Tuesday night. Assistant superintendent of elementary education Kimberlie Rieffannnacht has been in the role since 2020. Her predecessor, Matthew Conner, has served as assistant superintendent of secondary education...
Murrysville area: Space program, park hikes, comedy fundraisers and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Space program at Murrysville community center The Murrysville Recreation Department will host “Mad Science: Space Phenomena” from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 at the Murrysville Community Center at 3091 Carson Avenue. Franklin Regional students do not have school on Feb. 14....
Norwin area: Dinner for senior citizens; liquor license transfer approved, more
Norwin to host dinner for senior citizens The Norwin High School Student Council will sponsor its annual free Senior Citizens Dinner for Norwin residents age 55 and old from noon to 2 p.m. March 2 at the high school cafeteria. The doors will open at 11:30 p.m. for the dinner,...
Lower Burrell steel plant explosion claims Tarentum man’s life
One of three people injured Wednesday in a Lower Burrell steel plant explosion has died. Daniel R. Vakulick, 20, of Tarentum was identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday. He died after being injured in an explosion at Braeburn Alloy’s Steel Division. He was one of two...
DA offers immunity to school van driver who had cocaine in system during crash that killed Serra Catholic student
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is offering immunity to a school van driver injured in a high-speed, fatal crash that killed one of his passengers to ensure his testimony against the two men accused of causing it. According to medical records in the case, van driver Richard Maleski tested...
Pine-Richland School Board rejects proposal that sought to punish members for not signing document
The Pine-Richland School Board again fell into turmoil as it sought to revise its Board Procedure policy at a meeting Jan. 22. Though most changes met with little to no debate, a brief spat arose when board member Amy Terchick sought to revise a policy that asks members to sign...
Some Cheswick residents could experience low water pressure in upcoming nights
Some Cheswick residents in the upper part of the borough could experience low water pressure in the overnight hours beginning Friday and lasting up to a few nights. On Friday, one of the borough’s booster pumps will be taken out of service for necessary repairs, borough officials said. The booster...
Pittsburgh area chefs, eateries snag semifinal nominations for 35th annual James Beard Awards
Three Pittsburgh restaurants and their chefs are getting national attention after being named semifinalists in the 35th annual James Beard Awards. The chefs at vegan restaurant Apteka, located in Bloomfield, have been nominated for the fourth straight year for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic award, covering New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Maryland...
