Zappala won’t charge cops who killed Upper St. Clair man amid mental health crisis
After a nearly yearlong review, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. announced Friday he will not charge the South Hills police officers who in January fatally shot an Upper St. Clair man wielding a knife while in the throes of a mental health crisis. The DA, however, criticized...
Talked about for 3 decades, new Norvelt fire station to be dedicated
Norvelt firefighters no longer have to fold in the side mirrors of their engines to get the vehicles in and out of their station. They now have four larger truck bays at their disposal in a new station in Mt. Pleasant Township that is more than double the size of...
Plum ministry proposes 2nd church on property
A Plum ministry says it’s running out space and wants to build a second church on its property. In an application to the borough, Jubilee International Ministry says it has outgrown its 125-seat, 4,220-square-foot church on Center-New Texas Road, across from O’Block Elementary School. It’s proposing an additional 6,100-square-foot, single-story...
‘Part of history going down’ as tower at former Fort Pitt Brewery razed in West JeannetteVideo
Colleen Ott stepped into the cold from her West Jeannette home Friday morning to get a good look at history happening on her street. She raised her cellphone to take a picture of an eight-story brick tower at the former Fort Pitt Brewery site being torn to pieces. She’s been...
Have you seen a red-bellied woodpecker? In Pittsburgh region, it’s a possibility, birder says
When Brian Shema began taking part in the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count more than two decades ago, red-bellied woodpeckers were a very rare sight. The red-headed bird’s historical range was the central and southern states. They’re not suppose to be here, traditionally speaking. But these days, Shema said...
Sharday McGee’s journey of resilience and culinary passion leads to Bouji Bites
Sharday McGee, owner of Bouji Bites, is busy. Whether the corporate finance supervisor turned catering entrepreneur is finishing off a hot honey sauce for her Cajun salmon, making her beloved mac and cheese, or frying nine turkeys for Thanksgiving, a smile is always on her face. McGee wears a Bouji...
Penn-Trafford video production class telethon unites community to support Make-A-Wish
It’s crunch time for Penn-Trafford High School’s video production class. The class of 26 students is in the final days of piecing together its 4½-hour broadcast raising money for Make-A-Wish — a nonprofit that grants experiences to children with critical medical conditions. “We’re putting a puzzle together, but we’re missing...
Murrysville council approves 2025 budget with no tax hike
Property taxes will remain at 12.05 mills next year in Murrysville, after council members voted to pass a $17.3 million budget for 2025. The municipality’s $17.28 million budget includes $3.8 million in capital spending. Capital projects for next year will include grant-supported bridge work along with $100,000 for new police...
Sharpsburg magistrate announces candidacy for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge
District Judge Matthew Rudzki of Sharpsburg wants to become a judge for the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Rudzki announced his candidacy to become a county judge Dec. 4, a few days after the death of Judge Alexander P. Bicket. Bicket, 68, of Mt. Lebanon died on Dec. 2...
Plum homeowner accused of trying to blow up his house with natural gas
A Plum man’s apparent change of heart might have saved the borough from another house explosion, according to court documents. Neil Andrew Yetsko, 39, is charged with risking a catastrophe by creating a natural gas leak in his home then leaving town with two candles burning inside the home, police...
Westmoreland happenings: Suicide prevention training, turkey dinner, more
Christmas event • Level Green Presbyterian Church, 105 Olive Drive, Trafford, will host a free live Nativity Dec. 13 on the church front lawn. Visiting with the animals will be at 6:45 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. Carol singing will be afterward. Hot chocolate, hot cider,...
Grief, relief felt as Unity woman’s remains recovered from sinkholeVideo
Feelings of defeat and doubt creeping into the minds of first responders were replaced with relief Friday morning after a Unity woman who disappeared into a sinkhole was found about 80 hours after the search for her began. The body of Elizabeth Pollard, 64, was found about 12 feet southwest...
Irwin church gives new life to Westmoreland family court waiting area
A few people had honest words Thursday about the previous state of a waiting room outside family court at the Westmoreland County Courthouse: outdated, dreary, worn and a collection of random things. But thanks to Calvary Church in Irwin, those descriptive words are all positive after a $10,000 renovation project....
The Stroller, Dec. 6, 2024: 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 seminar to discuss...
1 killed, 1 wounded in Penn Hills shooting
One man was killed and another is in stable condition following a shooting late Thursday night in Penn Hills, police said. First responders were called to the 200 block of Universal Road shortly before midnight and arrived to find Vanderlee Stevenson, 21, of Penn Hills with multiple gunshot wounds, according...
Condition of New Kensington-Arnold schools feeds need for comprehensive plan
The New Kensington-Arnold School District has potentially millions of dollars’ worth of maintenance and repairs needed at its buildings but no plan, yet, on how to get the work done. Officials want to devise a five-year plan for buildings and grounds. It could include projects ranging from remodeling a loading...
Arnold man impaired by alcohol, marijuana in crash that seriously hurt 2 in New Kensington, police say
An Arnold man had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit and tested positive for marijuana after a crash in New Kensington in which two people in another vehicle were seriously hurt, according to New Kensington police. Police charged Brett Matthew Hedeen, 32, on Thursday with felony aggravated...
Westmoreland’s preservationists receive kudos from historical society
Two organizations and three people were honored recently by the Westmoreland County Historical Society’s 2024 Arthur St. Clair Historic Preservation Awards. The awards are presented annually to people, organizations, businesses or educational institutions that have contributed to the preservation of Westmoreland County’s historic places, documents, records or stories. The awards...
Northern Lights, trains, kayaker among prize-winning images in Go Laurel Highlands contest
Keeping her sights aimed sky-high earned Scottdale resident Christina Stoner two prizes in this year’s Go Laurel Highlands photo contest. Stoner won second place in the contest’s “nature” category with her image of the Northern Lights, captured over Acme Lake. Her photo of a fireworks display lighting the sky above...
Lt. Governor Davis to highlight health insurance deadline during Greensburg stop
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is scheduled to visit Greensburg on Monday afternoon to remind Pennsylvania residents to sign up for medical coverage through Pennie, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Davis is slated to make an appearance at Adagio Health with Pennie Executive Director Devon Trolley and Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner...
Testimony in 2nd day of Jordan Brown civil case recounts crime scene, police interviews
When state trooper Harry Gustafson arrived at the Lawrence County farmhouse early Feb. 20, 2009, he spotted a 4-year-old girl standing in the front doorway, crying. “I bent down to her, and she said, ‘My mommy’s dead. My mommy’s dead.’” Gustafson picked her up, put her on the couch in...
Man hospitalized after being shot in the face in Clairton
A man was recovering Thursday after being shot in the face in Clairton. Allegheny County Police said officers were dispatched around 1:35 p.m. to the 300 block of New York Avenue for a shooting at the City of Prayer. First responders found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to...
WESA, WYEP staff ratify 1st union contract
The journalists and content creators at Pittsburgh’s nonprofit radio stations WESA and WYEP finalized their first collective bargaining agreement Thursday. Over two dozen staffers unionized with the SAG-AFTRA labor union two years ago, and, according to a press release, have bargained in good faith with Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting, which operates...
Family holds out hope as search continues for missing Unity woman at sinkhole site
More than 72 hours have passed since authorities believe Elizabeth Pollard vanished into a sinkhole above an abandoned mine in Unity, yet her family remains hopeful that she will be found alive. Her niece, Tabitha Pollard, relayed a message Thursday on behalf of Pollard’s husband and son. “They are still...
Upper Burrell fire hydrant fee to jump slightly next year
Most Upper Burrell property owners will pay a few dollars more next year for fire hydrants. Township supervisors approved the municipality’s 2025 budget by a 2-0 vote, with Ken Slahtovsky absent, on Wednesday night. It keeps property taxes at 12 mills, but increases its fire hydrant fee by 0.01 mill....
