New homeless shelter in Youngwood funded by $2.1M in federal cash
A homeless shelter planned in the Youngwood area would fill a need in Westmoreland County, the director of a Greensburg nonprofit said. A planned family shelter with 10 separate living units could make it easier for those living south of Greensburg, said Kristin Zaccaria, executive director of Homes Build Hope...
Morning roundup: McKeesport shooting victim identified; crews battle Murrysville fire
Here are a few news items for the morning of Feb. 25, 2025: McKeesport cemetery shooting victim ID’d Police have identified the body of a man found shot to death last week in a McKeesport cemetery. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Daniel Anthony Smith, 21, of Duquesne as...
The Stroller, Feb. 25, 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. Cash bash to benefit...
Finalized schedule for Burrell’s Huston Middle School prioritizes academics, aligns time for cocurriculars
A focus group charged with recommending proposals to a reconfigured Charles A. Huston Middle School next year landed on a schedule administrators say prioritizes academic time and maintains integrity for each grade level. The middle school task force — a group of parents and teachers that have met over the...
Ending diversity push or fueling student anxiety? Trump administration’s anti-DEI stance sparks debate
The Trump administration’s plan to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives on college campuses has sent universities scrambling to determine how to follow the guidelines or risk losing federal funding. Local colleges said they still are considering how to respond to U.S. Department of Education demands issued Feb....
Giant Eagle on Rodi Road could see remodel after Penn Hills Council approves liquor license transfer
Giant Eagle could be gearing up for a remodel of its Rodi Road store after getting permission to sell alcohol there. The Cranberry-based grocery chain is exploring whether to use a liquor license secured at auction last year to sell beer and wine at its location along Penn Hills’ primary...
Ex-school van driver denies sexually assaulting student, pleads no contest to showing porn
A former school van driver originally accused of sexual assaulting one of his intellectually disabled passengers in Pittsburgh pleaded no contest on Monday to a reduced charge of corruption of minors. As part of the plea deal, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office withdrew more serious felony counts of institutional...
Greensburg man found dead after going through ice at Deep Creek Lake
A Greensburg man died over the weekend after the side-by-side vehicle he was riding on went through the ice at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. Maryland Natural Resources Police public information officer Vincent Dortenzo said David T. Linsenbigler, 58, of Greensburg, was found submerged Saturday with the side-by-side vehicle. Linsenbigler...
Republican challenger sets sights on Lavelle’s Pittsburgh council seat
Republican Jacob Dumont on Monday announced he’s running for Pittsburgh City Council, aiming to unseat council’s president, Democrat R. Daniel Lavelle, in November’s general election. Dumont, 33, of Marshall-Shadeland, operates Northside Action Media, an online platform covering news from around Council District 6, which he now hopes to represent. The...
Former Vandergrift cop had sex with teenage girl about 100 times after starting job in 1990s, state police say
A former Vandergrift police officer is accused of having sex with a minor about 100 times in the early to mid-1990s, when he worked as a part-time patrolman for the borough. A criminal complaint filed by state police alleges former Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Depanicis invited a 14-year-old girl to his...
Westmoreland juvenile detention center could double its capacity
Plans remain on course for the potential doubling of the number of teens confined at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield, Westmoreland County’s juvenile detention board members said Monday. The facility closed in June 2023 following a series of state inspections that were critical of its operation. It reopened...
On release from Westmoreland jail, ex-inmates often have to hoof it
John Boettger says his automobile shop in South Greensburg has seen a number of unwanted visitors over the past year. Boettger on Monday told members of Westmoreland County’s prison board that released inmates have become a common sight walking along the roadways near his store. He asked officials to find...
Penn State breaks THON fundraising record with over $17 million
For the first time ever, Penn State’s THON fundraising total surpassed $17 million raised in the fight against pediatric cancer. The IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon’s exact total was $17,737,040.93 — beating THON 2024’s record-breaking total of $16,955,683.63 by more than $780,000, the university announced Sunday. View this post on Instagram A...
Burrell Unified Bocce team receives playoff-worthy departure
Burrell’s Unified Bocce team got a fine sendoff from first responders and Bon Air Elementary youngsters while en route to a playoff match Monday at North Allegheny High School. Their bus was escorted between Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell fire departments, and Lower Burrell police, as it made its way...
Oakmont restaurant owners speak up against food truck ordinance
A proposed ordinance meant to regulate food trucks in Oakmont, while not encouraging their use, could have a negative impact on borough restaurants. The operation of food trucks not affiliated with borough restaurants is what brought about the proposed ordinance. Borough Manager Scot Fodi said Oakmont officials have been contacted...
University of Pittsburgh reviews doctoral admissions amid federal funding cuts
After ceasing new doctoral offers of admission on Friday, the University of Pittsburgh has since confirmed it is in the early stages of developing new advanced degree admission offers within fiscal constraints caused by federal funding cuts. “The university is in the early stages of extending Ph.D. offers of admission...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Feb. 24, 2025
Plum launches 2025 military banner program Plum is launching its 2025 military banner program to honor those who have served in the military or who are currently serving. Orders include a single-sided, 2-foot by 3-foot, 18-ounce vinyl banner to be displayed along Mike Thomas Way from Memorial Day through Veterans...
In brief: Bridgeville, Carnegie area news and events, week of Feb. 24, 2025 and beyond
Park grants awarded in Carnegie Carnegie was awarded $200,000 from state grant funding to make the Irishtown Tot Park and Carnegie Municipal Park more accessible to children with disabilities. It’s part of funding authorized by the Commonwealth Financing Authority in January to improve local parks and economic development projects. The...
Carlynton’s elementary schools have new leadership
New principals are taking the reins at Carlynton School District’s Carnegie and Crafton elementary schools. Tyler Roberto, 41, of Emsworth was named principal of Crafton Elementary. She started Feb. 11. “What brought me to Crafton was a desire to work closer to home and to return to elementary education,” Roberto...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Feb. 24, 2025
Municipality seeks paving bids Penn Hills is seeking bids for its 2025 road work program. Between paving and associated work, the chosen contractor would cover about 54,400 square yards. Sealed proposals are due by 10:30 a.m. March 26. A mandatory prebid meeting is planned for 1:30 p.m. March 11. Contractors...
Paralyzed man narrowly escapes fire that killed 3 in Kittanning
One of the people who survived a massive duplex fire that killed three people in Kittanning said he was able to get out because a boy knocked on his door to alert him to the blaze. “We had just enough time to get out,” Robert Campbell said. Surveying the damage...
Morning Roundup: Crews battle fire in Port Vue; 2 injured in Whitehall crash
Here are some overnight and early-morning new items for Monday, Feb. 24: Port Vue home damaged in fire A fire in Port Vue caused heavy damage to a home Sunday on the 1000 block of Alquin Street. The fire was reported shortly before noon. Port Vue Fire Chief Brandon Hale...
The Stroller, Feb. 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. Maple syrup to be...
Butler author considers William Trent among ‘founding fathers of Pittsburgh’
William Trent is not necessarily a name that would come up in the typical American history class. But Butler native, historian and author Jason Cherry knows better. He knows Trent was considered one of the most influential backcountry merchants of the 18th century and was among the men who cast...
Firearms meet varying fates after moving through law enforcement
From 2022 to the end of last year, Pittsburgh police took in more than 2,700 firearms used in crimes, some confiscated via court order and others simply turned in by people who didn’t want them anymore. But only a little more than 570 of those guns were destroyed. Almost 650...
