Prosecutors refute defense claims, say there’s no doubt Unity woman was murdered
Westmoreland County prosecutors on Wednesday issued a stern rebuke of claims made by the lawyer of a Unity man charged with killing his former girlfriend. Prosecutors said the lawyer for Thomas Stanko in court documents filed last month falsely claimed it was accepted as fact that no evidence supports claims...
Porch pirate steals packages in Greensburg, Fox Chapel, Plum; Indiana County man charged
An Indiana County man is accused by state police of taking packages delivered to porches in Greensburg, Fox Chapel and Plum and then putting the stolen goods up for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Troopers said they found numerous stolen packages at John D. Manning’s home in Armstrong Township, just outside...
Employees cut by feds could get Pa., Allegheny County jobs
People who lose their federal government jobs are being recruited to fill positions with Pennsylvania and Allegheny County government. It remains unclear how many of the more than 16,000 federal employees who live in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area will be affected by the cuts. But, on Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro...
Hotel Saxonburg closes after 193 years in business
Saxonburg’s longest continually operating hotel, restaurant and bar is closed. Ownership for the Hotel Saxonburg broke the news in a social media post on Wednesday. “After much consideration, the decision has been made to cease operations due to health issues, rising costs of food and the growing expenses associated with...
Local entrepreneur donates $20,000 to McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority
An unexpected — and much-appreciated — $20,000 donation recently was made to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority by local entrepreneur, Jason Wolfe. Wolfe, owner of The Wolfe Companies, who lives in McCandless with his wife and family, made the donation as a way to support the nonprofit. The donation will...
New Kensington-Arnold’s Project SEED packs 100,000th bag of food for children in need
A child in the New Kensington-Arnold School District received a special bag of food for this weekend. Project SEED, which stands for “Something to Eat Every Day,” marked a milestone Friday, distributing its 100,000th bag of food in the school district. The project combats childhood hunger during the school year...
Ex-Pittsburgh police commander claims secret recordings were part of misconduct probe
A former Pittsburgh police commander claims that he hid body-worn cameras inside his officers’ vehicles as part of an official investigation into misconduct, and therefore he is entitled to be represented by city attorneys in an ongoing lawsuit over the issue. Matthew Lackner, 50, of Mt. Lebanon, is suing the...
It’s high school musical season! Here’s what’s on stage
It’s the time of year when the region’s high schools bring together their stage-loving students for spring musicals. Below is a listing of Western Pennsylvania’s upcoming high school shows. Apollo-Ridge: “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” March 13-15 Avonworth: “Sweeney Todd,” April 4-5, 11-12 Baldwin: “The Lightning Thief,”...
Discord dominates Pittsburgh politics after Ragland’s abrupt departure
It was a day of finger-pointing in Pittsburgh politics. City leaders blamed each other Wednesday for the abrupt resignation this week of Christopher Ragland, the former assistant police chief and Mayor Ed Gainey’s pick to lead the police force. Gainey accused City Council members of hounding his nominee until he...
Scottdale man charged in death of passenger in 2021 crash
A Scottdale man was arrested Wednesday on state police accusations that he was driving a pickup truck that crashed, causing the death of his passenger. Earl Brooks Gilbert IV, 38, is charged with homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment and related offenses in connection with the 2021 death of Brandalyn Pomaibo,...
Westmoreland happenings: Basket fundraiser, Cubcake Wars, turkey dinner, more
Church news • Zion Lutheran Church, Greensburg, will host Lenten worship services and luncheons Thursdays during Lent through Maundy Thursday at the church, 140 S. Pennsylvania Ave. The service will be at 12:05 p.m. and lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. No lunch reservations required. Lunch cost: $5. •...
Real ID deadline is approaching
The deadline is quickly approaching to acquire a Real ID to fly domestically. Starting on May 7, anyone 18 years of age or older will need a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly domestically or visit certain Federal and military facilities, as well as enter nuclear...
Detroit man pleads guilty but mentally ill to fatal Greyhound bus stabbing on Parkway East
A Detroit man who called his victim a “demon” pleaded guilty but mentally ill Wednesday to the fatal stabbing of a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus in 2023. Javon Garrett, 20, admitted to stabbing Cozell McQueen late at night on July 30, 2023, as the bus traveled along the...
Springdale’s Colfax School to be demolished this month
While one Springdale structure is having some trouble coming down, another — the former Colfax Upper Elementary School building — should be demolished this month. “The demolition of the original building has already begun,” said Jan Zastawniak, spokeswoman for the Allegheny Valley School District. “The contractor anticipates the entire original...
3 Western Pa. federal buildings listed, then removed, to be closed or sold
The Trump administration on Tuesday released a list of hundreds of federal properties it says it could close or sell, including offices for the Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service, after deeming them “not core to government operations.” The list, which has since been taken down from the General...
Morning Roundup: Pedestrian hit by car in Duquesne; McKees Rocks Bridge closure delayed
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, March 5: Pedestrian struck, critically injured by car in Duquesne A person was hospitalized after being hit by a car Tuesday morning near Kennywood Park in Duquesne. TribLive news partner WTAE reported first responders were called to the...
McKeesport man killed in crash near Kennywood Park
A McKeesport man was killed in a single-vehicle crash near Kennywood Park in West Mifflin on Sunday morning. Dion Morgan, 43, crashed along the 4100 block of Kennywood Boulevard around 4 a.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office. He was declared dead at the scene. The cause of...
The Stroller, March 5, 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. Maple sugaring demonstration offered...
Arnold police seek man who allegedly attacked 2 men with a gun in separate incidents
An arrest warrant has been issued for a man accused of attacking two men with a gun in Arnold in separate incidents on the same November day. Arnold police filed charges Tuesday in two cases against Roger Moore, 37. Moore is accused of threatening to shoot the victims, saying he...
Ash Wednesday: Tradition meets convenience when it comes to buying ashes
Online shopping has become a way of life — even for the Catholic Church. In preparation for Ash Wednesday, a rising number of religious leaders are forgoing the tradition of burning palms and instead buying ashes on the web. “Actually, the manufactured ones stick better and are darker,” said Joan...
Greensburg man on trial for rape of young child
Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a Greensburg man accused of raping a 3-year-old child in 2019. James Swanson, 48, is charged with three felony counts of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in connection with allegations that he had repeated sexual contact...
Suicide, accidental deaths in Westmoreland dropped in 2024, coroner says
Westmoreland community relations and prevention Director Tim Phillips knows the county is doing something right in its efforts to reduce accidental drug overdose deaths. There was a nearly 15% decrease in those deaths in 2024, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office annual report released Tuesday — which also noted...
Western Pa. residents flock to Pittsburgh to rally against Trump’s policies
Trisha Cleckley traveled by bus almost two hours from her Beaver Falls home on Tuesday morning to get to Pittsburgh in time to be part of the city’s 50501 anti-President Donald Trump protest. A pro-democracy and pro-human rights national movement, 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement. Pittsburgh’s...
Shaler seeks residents’ thoughts on master plan for parks
After years of discussions about park improvements and the potential addition of a recreation center, Shaler is seeking resident input about the future of its dozen parks in a survey. The extensive questionnaire comes as a result of recommendations made by the Kiwanis Park Focus Group in May 2024, Shaler...
Lenten season fish fries scheduled in Westmoreland
The following Friday fish fries are scheduled through the lenten season: • St. Pius X Parish, 222 Summit St., Mt. Pleasant, from 4 to 7 p.m.. Dine in or takeout, cash only. Menu: $15 dinner includes baked or fried fish served with macaroni and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, breadstick, dessert...
