Unsung heroes brave the bitter cold to keep Pittsburgh movingVideo
Timothy Jones knows cold. But bundled in a heavy coat and snug-fit, black wool cap, the Shaler man appeared unfazed Tuesday morning as he quietly paced in one of the region’s coldest spots: a narrow walkway, exposed to the elements 60 feet above the ice-covered Ohio River, at the lock-and-dam...
Subzero temperatures require caution and planning
The region’s bout with frigid temperatures is not to be taken lightly, area doctors say. While Western Pennsylvania is familiar with the cold, it’s been some time since low temperatures dipped below zero, and that makes the cold more dangerous than usual. The last time it was this cold was...
Hempfield high school boys basketball coach resigns amid investigation
Less than a week after Hempfield Area announced an investigation into boys high school basketball coach Bill Swan, he has resigned from his coaching duties. Swan was placed on paid administrative leave from his coaching and guidance counselor positions Jan. 14 as the district investigated an allegation that school officials...
Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons spark legal scramble for Western Pa. lawyers
For defense attorneys representing people in Western Pennsylvania charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the last two days have been frenzied. President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned everyone charged in the Capitol riot four years ago, clearing the way for the release of hundreds of...
Gainey claims progress with Highmark on payments to Pittsburgh, but skeptics abound
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Tuesday announced that Highmark, one of the largest nonprofits operating in the city, is willing to make financial contributions to the city — but only if other major nonprofits pay up, too. In a statement, Gainey portrayed Highmark as taking a significant step forward to...
In brief: North Allegheny area happenings, week of Jan. 20, 2025
Bradford Woods fills commission posts Bradford Woods Council voted unanimously to appoint its members and others to borough commissions and local posts during its Jan. 13 meeting. • Vince Cannella will serve as the borough’s emergency management coordinator. • Kevin Rhule will serve on the Planning Commission. • Rich Andrus...
Greensburg mother pleads guilty but mentally ill to young child’s attempted murder
A Greensburg woman could face up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced this year for the attempted first-degree murder of her 8-year-old child. Skye C. Naggy, 32, pleaded guilty but mentally ill Tuesday to six criminal offenses in connection with an incident in which prosecutors claimed that,...
Lawyer for New Florence woman charged in mother’s slaying explores insanity defense
A New Florence woman will be evaluated by a psychologist to determine if she can be held criminally responsible for the killing of her mother last year. The lawyer for Melissa Sue Fox-Beacom told a county judge during a court hearing on Tuesday that questions remain about his client’s mental...
Lack of road salt deliveries prompts Jeannette mayor to declare emergency
Time is ticking for Jeannette officials to secure road salt, and Mayor Curtis Antoniak declared a public health emergency as the city’s supply dwindles. City manager Ethan Keedy said Tuesday he was checking with other suppliers after five salt orders this month totaling 500 tons have gone unfilled by Compass...
Sheetz creates playable Fortnite map, contest with $25K in prize money
You can already go on a “Sheetz run” in real life and earn points using the convenience chain’s rewards program. But savvy Fortnite players will soon be able to go on a virtual Sheetz run and compete for up to $10,000 in prize money through a custom map in the...
Chartiers Valley thespians recognized for fall show
Bringing the magic to a Chartiers Valley High School play paid off for its cast and crew. The school’s fall show, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” received three wins and nine nominations from the High School Drama Awards, sponsored by Prime Stage Theatre. “There was so much love and...
Greensburg man charged after dog’s severe infection noticed at bar
A Greensburg man was jailed over the weekend and his dog seized after police said it had a severe infection related to an improper tail docking procedure, according to court papers. The dog’s injuries were reported to authorities while Bryan J. Thompson, 56, was at Harry’s Bar Friday with the...
‘This is a big deal for Greensburg Salem’: District launches mental health program for its educators
Doug Sweitzer believes he can help transform the personal and professional lives of Greensburg Salem School District staff. A former employee of the Red Lion Area School District in York County, Sweitzer will train about six Greensburg Salem teachers in a mental health program after approval by the school board...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Jan. 20, 2025
Voting open through Jan. 27 for Penn Hills student’s sticker design Voting is open for the 2025 Allegheny County Elections’ “I Voted” sticker contest, and a Penn Hills 11th-grader’s design is one of the 10 finalists. The Elections Division received submissions from high schools across county. Mya Patterson’s design features...
Man in standoff had 2 guns, tried to blow up house, New Kensington police now say
A man involved in a standoff with police last month in New Kensington was handling two loaded guns and might have tried to blow up a house with a natural gas explosion, according to new charges filed against him. New Kensington police withdrew their initial charges against Burnell Johnson, 26,...
Independence, WVU health systems partner for newborn ICU at Westmoreland hospital
Westmoreland Hospital’s unit for newborn babies in need of intensive care now is under the management of West Virginia University Medicine’s Children’s Hospital. It’s a switch from the Greensburg hospital’s previous relationship with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Announced Tuesday, the partnership began Jan. 1 and has overseen at least...
Snow means flurry of work for road crews across Western Pennsylvania
Many, if not all, municipal road crews around the area might agree with Plum public works director Bill Binnie: “It’s like Groundhog Day.” And it’s true — snowflakes flew on a daily basis for the first 16 days of January, said Timothy Cermak, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in...
Frigid now, but forecasters say coldest temps still to come
More than 300 schools and community centers closed down Tuesday as the region battled subzero wind chills and blustery conditions. But we haven’t even felt the worst of it yet, forecasters said. “The coldest night will be tonight, and we should be looking at -8 or -9 tomorrow morning,” said...
Morning Roundup: Firefighters battle blazes in Leetsdale and South Greensburg
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 21: Fire in Leetsdale Crews battled a fire in Leetsdale early Tuesday morning. The Leetsdale Volunteer Fire Department responded after 3 a.m. to a home along First Street. Fire officials posted to Facebook that crews were getting...
The Stroller, Jan. 21, 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. Free meal distribution planned...
Many Western Pennsylvanians put politics aside for moment as Trump sworn in a 2nd time
As temperatures in Washington, D.C., lingered around 27 degrees Monday morning, state Rep. Jill Cooper sported an electric-heated jacket as she bounced between events celebrating the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Frigid temperatures, making the inauguration the fourth-coldest one on record, forced festivities indoors — the first time since Ronald...
Martin Luther King’s legacy celebrated in Greensburg
Garrett Mock was born decades after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg student says it’s up to people of all ages and races to carry on the civil rights leader’s legacy. “It’s up to us to carry on the...
Western Pa. schools go remote as temperatures plummet
Hundreds of Western Pennsylvania school districts have moved to remote learning Tuesday morning as an arctic blast of near-record-low temperatures are anticipated through Wednesday. Pittsburgh Public Schools, whose 20,350 students make it the largest district in Allegheny County, will go remote Tuesday, officials said online. A number of others, including...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• Shaler Area High School student Ivy Wegner won honorable mention in the 10th-12th grade category of the WPCTE (Western Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English) Flash Fiction Contest. Wegner’s entry, “The Key,” was one of only five who earned this award in her grade category. Students were asked to...
PennDOT to host virtual meeting on next round of Highland Park Bridge work
The public will get a look at the next phase of improvements to the Highland Park Bridge on Wednesday. PennDOT officials will host a virtual meeting at 5 p.m. to discuss future work plans and traffic restrictions for the project, slated to begin in 2027. The next round of work...
