Extreme cold prompts opening of warming shelters in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Armstrong counties
As single-digit temperatures loom in Southwestern Pennsylvania’s forecast for early next week, warming shelters in Allegheny, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties will be available for those seeking a break from the cold. Temperatures in the Pittsburgh area are forecast to dip from 6 degrees on Monday to as low as minus-10...
Former Jehovah’s Witnesses member convicted of raping child in Butler County
A Butler County man has been convicted of raping a pre-teen child as a result of a statewide grand jury investigation of members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. A Butler County jury on Friday found Shaun Sheffer, 46, of Harmony guilty of three counts each of rape and indecent assault,...
Westmoreland housing authority honors former chairman as it taps former Pa. Sen. Regola to lead board
Dan Wukich came to the Westmoreland County Housing Authority a quarter century ago as a disruptor. He is leaving with a plaque on the wall in a conference room that bears his name. Wukich, 86, of Penn Township resigned from the board at the end of December and was honored...
Widow of Corey Comperatore, firefighter killed at Trump rally, to attend inauguration events
The widow of a Buffalo Township firefighter killed at President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler County over the summer plans to be in Washington for inauguration-related events. “It’s an honor to be invited. I am always so honored when the president invites us to spend time with him, and...
The Stroller, Jan. 18, 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. St. Joseph HS plans...
Contamination threatens recycling programs with Harrison Hills and Westmoreland Cleanways
Audrey Bensy of Fox Chapel unloaded a trunk full of flattened cardboard boxes on Friday and stacked them neatly into the public recycling bins at Harrison Hills Park. She is among a drove of people who drop off plastics, aluminum, glass and paper at the blue bins near the park’s...
Oakmont jeweler reminisces after almost 5 decades along Allegheny River Boulevard
Rob Hallett and Kyle Kotchey are finding it difficult to retire. The owners of Robert Hallett Goldsmith in Oakmont, a jewelry store and studio, they’ve been designing and making one-of-a-kind jewelry since 1980. Their custom pieces have become intertwined with the generations of customers who have walked through their shop...
Pittsburgh police say Oakland pedestrian hit by vehicle is in critical condition
A woman walking at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Neville Street in Oakland was in critical condition Friday night after being struck by a vehicle, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. The news release said the incident happened as about 7:20 p.m. The woman, who was unconscious when first responders...
Police: Murrysville ambulance driver injured in Plum crash
A Murrysville ambulance driver transporting a patient from Plum was injured Friday evening in a crash involving another vehicle. An Allegheny County 911 dispatcher said the crash occurred around 6:45 p.m. along Route 286 and Old Frankstown Road on the Plum side of the Plum/Monroeville border. Plum Police Sgt. Scott...
McKnight Elementary students earn first place at Philadelphia civics competition
Students from McKnight Elementary School recently returned from Philadelphia with a first-place prize in hand after competing in the Citizenship Challenge, a civics competition. The competition, organized by the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement, asked students to consider whether the Constitution should be amended to remove the Electoral...
Author of book rejected by Pine-Richland School Board wants to visit district
Alabama-based author Randi Pink announced her hope to visit Pine-Richland after the district’s school board voted not to include her novel, “Angel of Greenwood,” in its ninth -grade language arts classes. The novel, a young adult romance set during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, was rejected 3-5-1 during the board’s...
Kiski Township hires interim manager to keep basic functions afloat as it seeks full-time replacement
Jason Dailey has become the go-to managerial stopgap for municipalities in the Alle-Kiski Valley facing the sudden departure of their chief administrators. He might have his work cut out for him in Kiski Township. The township supervisors hired Dailey this week just days after former Township Secretary Patrick Bono abruptly...
Highlands students get up-close glimpse of medical careers at UPMC St. Margaret
With one arm in a sling, Highlands seventh grader Emily Svorcek struggled to put her socks on using only her other hand. “I was pretending I had a stroke,” said Emily, 12, of Harrison. “It makes the difficulty pretty real.” The demonstration was part of a career expo hosted Friday...
Forensic pathologist: Ligonier woman found buried in Cook died by homicide
Exactly four months after the remains of a Ligonier woman were found buried on a property in Cook, a forensic pathologist has ruled her death a homicide. Amy Shipley, 45, was reported missing Sept. 13, five days after she was last seen. Ligonier Valley police and FBI Pittsburgh’s evidence response...
North Huntingdon won’t form police oversight board
North Huntingdon police department’s actions won’t be reviewed by a resident-based oversight board. Township commissioners this week rejected the concept of creating a police oversight board that would review any complaints lodged against officers. Only one of the seven commissioners voiced their support for the idea during a meeting on...
Freeport high school renovations could cost up to $55M, raise taxes for years to come
Proposed renovations at Freeport Area High School would cost between $20 million and $55 million and result in tax increases for years to come, officials said. The $20 million proposal would include upgrades to roofing, lighting, windows and heating and cooling, while the $55 million plan would also include sewage...
Sharpsburg launches plan for $1 million self-contained energy system
Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis said the new year will usher in a public works project that is expected to be a game-changer for the borough. Allegheny County Health Department has awarded $1 million to Sharpsburg to build a resiliency microgrid, a self-contained independent energy system. Eyed as a series of...
‘I view public service as a gift’: U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan stepping down
Every day after the close of testimony in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial — no matter how emotional or gruesome the evidence — U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan and the team of prosecutors met with the victims and family members. They answered their questions, explained the intricacies of the legal system...
Charleroi glass plant closure delayed until April, layoffs will come in several waves
The owners of a Charleroi glass plant that makes cookware have delayed its scheduled closing for about two months until April 30, which is a move that impacts about 240 workers, according to a notice the company filed with the state. Corelle Brands LLC is moving its production from the...
Norwin director’s lawsuit: District criticism hurts electability
A Norwin School Board member revised his federal lawsuit that claims he was a victim of unlawful retaliation that violated his First Amendment rights. The suit is related to criticism by the school district and former superintendent of a post on social media. Alex Detschelt, a school board member from...
In brief: Happenings in the North Hills area
Tickets available for ‘Seussical Jr.’ The North Hills Middle School Drama Club will present its winter musical, “Seussical Jr.,” at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 in the school’s auditorium, 55 Rochester Road. Nearly 100 students in grades 6-8 are involved in the production as cast members, ushers and...
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit to host info session on special education certificate program
The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit will hold an informational session next week on the special education certification process. Slated for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22, the session is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree who is interested in pursuing a special education certificate. The program allows individuals to obtain...
In brief: Hampton-area happenings
AARP meetup to feature local historian The Allison Park AARP Chapter 3736 will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Feb. 13 in St. Ursula’s social hall, 3945 Kirk Ave., Hampton. This month’s entertainment will feature historian Jonathan Klemens, an expert on local lore and a frequent speaker and presenter...
Freeport’s new sewage treatment plant to cost $134K more than expected
A new West Penn Power policy will force Freeport to spend an additional $80,000 on electrical work for its new sewage treatment facility. Crews must lay power lines between the perimeter fence and control room underground instead of overhead, leading to the change order requested by Robert Horvat of KLH...
Feeding the Spirit, YWCA Westmoreland to fight food insecurity
Feeding the Spirit and YWCA Westmoreland County are teaming up to raise money for people facing food insecurity. The two Greensburg-based organizations will host the “Pay-it-Forward Chili Challenge” from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 2 at Greensburg Hose Co. No. 2, 137 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Attendees will be able...
