Westmoreland County suspends new purchasing director
Westmoreland officials for the second time in less than a year suspended the director of the county’s purchasing department. Daniel Ellingsen, who has been on the job since mid-November, was placed on paid leave early last week for undisclosed reasons. His suspension was changed to unpaid starting Wednesday, Commissioner Ted...
Staffing agency owner who served Charleroi area accused of harboring illegal aliens
A Belle Vernon man pleaded guilty this week to two counts related to accusations that he ran a temporary staffing agency that provided workers who were illegally in the United States. Federal prosecutors said Andy Ha, 28, also failed to pay taxes related to those employees. Ha pleaded guilty to...
Members of North Allegheny community learn how to react in active shooter scenarios
While random gun violence can be unpredictable, knowing how best to react could help prevent tragedy. That was the message relayed to residents Feb. 19 during the Active Shooter Community Educational Night at Marshall Middle School. About 70 members of the North Allegheny community, local hospital workers, church leaders and...
Excessive force lawsuit alleges Clairton police officer sicced K-9 on motorist
A Clairton man is suing his local police department, claiming he was mauled by a police dog after being pulled over for going through a stop sign last year. Te’mon Jackson, 19, filed the lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday against Officer Fred L. Hill Jr. alleging battery and the...
Police say man with cocaine in his system caused fatal Homestead crash
A man had cocaine in his system and was driving more than 100 miles an hour just before he caused a fatal crash in Homestead in July, police said Wednesday as they announced criminal charges. Jesus Luciano, 37, of the Homestead area was charged with homicide by vehicle and other...
Man fatally shot at Tube City Cafe in McKeesport
A man was fatally shot Wednesday morning in McKeesport. The victim was shot during an argument at the Tube City Cafe in the 900 block of 5th Avenue, according to Allegheny County Police. First responders answering a 911 call at 11:51 a.m. found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. They...
Feds claim Allegheny County man had illegal guns, child porn, violent ideology
An Allegheny County man who authorities claim had numerous guns and espouses a “racially motivated, violent extremist ideology” is now facing a charge of possessing child pornography. Aidan Harding, 20, of Crescent, was indicted Tuesday by a grand jury in U.S. District Court. Harding remains in custody following a Feb....
Ligonier Township: More funding needed to complete bridge, sidewalk for high school students
Ligonier Township has received a little less than half the state funding it sought to construct a pedestrian bridge and sidewalk for students who walk from adjacent Ligonier Borough into the township to reach Ligonier Valley High School. Local officials say students’ safety is at stake since they now must...
Westmoreland happenings: Burger bash, children’s night out, bingos, more
Children’s event • The Cook Township Community Center will host a Kids Night In for children age 5 to 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. March 7 at the center, 1714 Route 711. Cost: $5, includes cheese pizza, drink, games and a dance party. Parents may register their children and...
Nature journaling set for Twin Lakes Park meadow
A Westmoreland Land Trust programmer will conduct eight sessions this spring of natural journaling — writing one’s observations of nature — to chronicle the seasonal changes from March through June at the meadow at Twin Lakes Park east of Greensburg. Paula Purnell, the coordinator of education programming for the Land...
Arnold councilman champions regionalizing New Kensington, Arnold police forces
If New Kensington and Arnold are able to share a school district, the cities should also be able to share a police department, according to an Arnold councilman. “It’s time,” said Aaron Moore, who was elected to Arnold Council in the 2023 election. He said he received positive feedback to...
New Hampton-based theater company to offer 4 showings of ‘Be More Chill’ musical
Beginning Feb. 27, Hampton-based theater company Soulshine Performing Arts Collective Experience will stage four showings of the “Be More Chill” musical at Sunken Bus Studios in Ross. Lacey Overholt, the company’s creator and show director, said the performances will be the first for SPACE, which she opened in January. A...
Jefferson Hills resident prepares for intense swim-bike-run competition
When she has the will, Ebtehal Badawi makes her way. As an artist with a strong desire to promote acceptance and understanding, the Jefferson Hills resident launched an initiative called Pittsburgh Builds Bridges, based around her painting of an arched span adorned with clenched hands of various colors and religious...
Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders recommend closing 14 schools
After years of discussion and potential closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders this week released recommendations for the district’s restructuring — including the shuttering of 14 schools. Because of declining enrollment, underutilization and aging infrastructure, the feasibility report advised the district to close the following schools:Allegheny 6-8Arsenal PreK-5Fulton PreK-5King PreK-8Linden PreK-5Manchester...
New garbage carts rolling out for Shank customers in Lower Burrell
Lower Burrell residents who use Shank Waste Service for garbage collection will have to make sure all of their trash fits into the new cans they’re getting — and they won’t be alone. The Lower Burrell-based waste hauler is moving to automated collection, with garbage trucks that use a mechanical...
Boy, 17, charged with making threats against Greater Latrobe Junior High, 2 students
A 17-year-old boy was charged as a juvenile after state police said he made threats on social media. The threats were posted in a Snapchat group chat. They were directed toward two female students, ages 16 and 15, and Greater Latrobe Junior High School, troopers said in a news release....
Indiana Township junior takes editing reins at Fox Chapel Area student-run magazine
Fox Chapel Area High School junior Karsten Buchert is passionate about telling tales. Buchert, 16, of Indiana Township, serves as student editor-in-chief and the first-ever layout editor of Fox Tales Quarterly, a student-run online and print magazine highlighting positive news and happenings in the Fox Chapel Area School District and...
Morning Roundup: Tractor-trailer fire closes Parkway West; delivery driver shot at in North Braddock
Here are some news items for Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025: Trailer fire shuts down Parkway West Four fire companies responded to a vehicle fire late Tuesday night that shut down a section of the Parkway West (Interstate 376). The fire, in the cab of a tractor-trailer in the westbound lanes,...
Monroeville Giant Eagle recalls bread
Giant Eagle officials have issued a voluntary recall of multi-grain sourdough bread sold at its Monroeville store on Monroeville Boulevard. A limited amount of bread, sold at the store’s bakery, was incorrectly labeled as “multi-grain Tuscany,” resulting in an undeclared sesame allergen being potentially present. It was discovered during a...
The Stroller, Feb. 26, 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. HOPE Center updates winter...
East Allegheny becomes 1st U.S. public school district to integrate ‘immersive reality technology’
Step into a classroom at East Allegheny School District and it can immerse you in places all over the world. With the latest technology, it’s like experiencing virtual reality — without looking into a headset. Instead of putting on large goggles, the room around you is filled so that you...
Hempfield supervisors spend $222K on vehicles after debate
Hempfield supervisors Monday approved spending $222,000 to buy four vehicles in a move that sparked opposition from one board member. Supervisor George Reese questioned the quotes township officials got for the vehicles, all of which are being purchased from Smail Ford. “That perception out there is that all this (spending)...
Lawsuit filed against Aliquippa VFW owners on behalf of man ‘brutally’ attacked inside lodge
The owners of an Aliquippa VFW club are accused of negligence after an employee allegedly failed to protect one of its members from being brutally beaten inside the club earlier this year. Personal injury and civil rights attorney Todd Hollis recently filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of Aliquippa resident...
More than 2 dozen teaching positions cut at Chartiers Valley, but 17 new jobs created
Faced with a looming $9 million budget deficit next school year, the Chartiers Valley School Board voted to slash jobs districtwide. Directors voted 6-3 at a contentious meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25, during which they approved two measures that eliminate 30 teaching positions and a handful of secretaries and support...
Bocce tournament brings together students of all abilities
Hempfield Area School District hosted the first round of interscholastic playoffs Tuesday for Westmoreland County North and South Division Unified Bocce teams. Eight schools participated in last night’s competition. Teams of students with and without intellectual disabilities joined together to compete in the popular Italian bowling game, where athletes aim...
