Proposed Leechburg budget has no tax increase
Leechburg’s proposed 2025 budget calls for no tax increase. The budget includes over $1.3 million in expenditures with just over $1.2 million in revenue according to the borough’s proposed budget. The gap will be filled by a projected $100,000 surplus from this year’s budget. “The proposal has no millage increase,”...
While Black Friday is ‘more of a season’ than a single day, people still shop for deals, tradition
Andrew Presutti has memories from when he was his son’s age of shopping on Black Friday, and this year was making new ones with his 5-year-old, Ryder. The father and son from Buffalo Township were found Friday morning at Macy’s at the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer, where Ryder was getting...
Protecting children or government overreach? Western Pa. reaction mixed on Australian social media ban
Olivia Edwards understands the intent behind Australia’s recent blanket social media ban. “It makes sense,” she said. “The thought behind it is protecting children.” The new law established some of the most stringent internet usage restrictions outside of China and other non-democratic regimes and could be considered a precedent for...
Aquinas students perform ‘High School Musical on Stage!’ in Hampton
High school students at Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton portrayed fictional counterparts in “High School Musical on Stage!” The cast of 52 students performed in the theater adaptation of the Disney movie on Nov. 15-16 in the Rhodora J. Donahue Multi-purpose Building. “High School Musical” is director Mike Flynn’s...
Roof leak wipes out toy drive contributions at Pittsburgh health center; donations sought
Staff at the UPMC Mathilda H. Theiss Health Center in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood were met with an unwelcome surprise Friday morning. A roof leak on Thanksgiving damaged the health center and ruined the donations they had collected so far for an annual holiday toy drive. Dr. Jonathan Yadlosky, the...
Bethel Park district judge co-authors book on navigating success
In co-authoring a book called “Navigate Your Path to Success,” Bethel Park resident Ron Arnoni writes from experience. The longtime district judge served his home municipality and Upper St. Clair has a career in public office dating back to when he served on borough council and then as mayor of...
Shoppers venture out to stores on Black Friday, some lured by the chance to snag Taylor Swift merch
Black Friday was plenty busy around 10 a.m. at the Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield — at least until a false fire alarm went off. But while some headed — albeit very leisurely — for the exits, most took a quick look around and then continued their Black Friday shopping. Braelyn...
Braddock man, 52, found fatally shot inside vehicle
A Braddock man was killed early Friday and the suspect who shot him remains at large, authorities says. State police found Henry Freeman, 52, dead inside his vehicle on the 400 block of Library Street in Braddock about 1:45 a.m., state police said. He had been shot several times. Freeman...
Teen accidentally shoots brother in Port Vue home, police say
A teenager late Thursday accidentally shot his younger brother in the leg while showing off a gun to friends in their Port Vue home, authorities say. Allegheny County Police charged Jahwon Glenn, who turned 16 Wednesday, with aggravated assault. He is being prosecuted as an adult. Glenn was arraigned around...
$50M Route 119 project that includes roundabout will upgrade intersections in Fayette CountyVideo
Traffic signals at two intersections on Route 119 are slated to be removed as PennDOT officials hope to improve safety on a section of the highway just south of Westmoreland County. “It all started with a desire to reduce crashes at these intersections,” said Jeremy M. Hughes, assistant District 12...
$11.4M New Kensington budget doesn’t raise taxes
Property taxes would not change under New Kensington’s proposed $11.4 million budget for 2025. Council approved the spending plan on a 3-0 vote, with members Dante Cicconi and Corey Pistininzi absent. The property tax rate would remain at 32.03 mills. Under the budget, the city would spend about 5.7% more...
3 hurt in crash on Route 356 in Allegheny Township that shut down the road for a time
Three people were injured in a crash Friday that closed a section of Route 356 in the Piper Road area of Allegheny Township for about an hour Friday afternoon, a Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said. One person was trapped in their vehicle, the dispatcher said. Three people, two from one...
Student news: A roundup of accolades
• Five Fox Chapel Area High School students placed at the annual M&M Lake Erie Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament. The team of juniors Joanna Li and Zachary Rubin won first place in Policy Debate. Senior Swati Mylarappa and freshman Ottilie Happold each were named Merit Speakers, which is equivalent...
DAR honors Revolutionary War patriot in Hampton
Looking forward to 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, more than 40 people gathered Nov. 9 to honor Pvt. John Walter, a Revolutionary War patriot. The Kushkushkee Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution organized a grave-marking ceremony at his...
Camp Guyasuta features new showstopper with illuminated waterfall
Christmas in Guyasuta will have an extra special glow this year as organizers introduce the newest feature, an illuminated waterfall. The winter-themed extravaganza is scheduled Nov. 30 at the Scouting America-owned campgrounds and is a fan-favorite to kick off the holiday season. “There is no better way to get into...
2 injured after head-on collision involving pickup, Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus
Two people were taken to a hospital Friday morning following a head-on crash involving a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and a pickup in Penn Hills. According to Adam Brandolph, deputy chief communications officer of Pittsburgh Regional Transit, the crash happened near the intersection of Frankstown Road and Coral Drive. He...
Documentary pays tribute to longtime Hampton police officer
This holiday season undoubtedly is a difficult one for the Kirsopp family of Hampton. For the first time, Robbie, Ray and Rachel are facing the challenge of trying to celebrate without their father, township police Sgt. Robert James Kirsopp, who died May 1 at age 52. But his children and...
Tarentum Bridge reopens after icy shut down
The Tarentum Bridge was shut down for a brief period Friday morning because of icy conditions. Both sides of the bridge closed around 8 a.m. after a minor accident so city crews could salt the road, New Kensington police Chief Bob Deringer said. Eureka Fire Rescue confirmed there were reports...
Westmoreland happenings: Christmas greens sale, music concerts, senior citizen news, more
Church News • Greensburg Church of the Brethren will host a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver....
UPMC sees $371 million operating loss in first 9 months of 2024
UPMC in its most recent financial disclosure blamed a $371 million operating loss on increased medical utilization and rising pharmacy costs. The Pittsburgh-based health care giant reported a $371 million operating loss in the first nine months of 2024. That’s up from the $177 million loss reported during the same...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Now that we’re all full and well-rested after a Thanksgiving feast, we’re ready to work off some calories by getting out and about this weekend. Whether you’re into music, comedy or some holiday fun, here are a few things to check out around town. An Evening With Chevy Chase “National...
Doubling real estate transfer tax in Latrobe would hurt 1st-time buyers, Realtors say
Real estate agents say Latrobe’s proposal to double its real estate transfer tax, to 1%, would create an undue burden for first-time homebuyers looking to settle in the city. Justin Capouellez, government affairs director for the Realtors Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and the Mon Valley, told city council this week...
Fairview students find canine company with Stryker, district’s 3rd therapy dog
Things have gotten a lot more paws-itive at Fairview Elementary School in Indiana Township. And it’s all because of Stryker, the newest therapy dog serving the Fox Chapel Area School District. The 1-year-old mixed breed motivates students to be on their best behavior. At the school store, students can exchange...
Fox Chapel Area educators collect 2 carloads of goods for Blawnox Community Food Pantry
Members of the Fox Chapel Educators Association held a fall drive from Oct. 22 to Nov. 13 to collect food and other items for the Blawnox Community Food Pantry. This is FCEA’s second year of donating goods for the pantry’s Thanksgiving food drive and baskets. Two carloads of donations, collected...
Gunshot wound victim walks into hospital after report of 31 shots fired in West Oakland
A man with a gunshot wound walked into a Pittsburgh hospital Thursday afternoon after police had received reports of nearly three dozen gunshots being fired in the West Oakland area. Officers went to the area of Ellers Street between Whitridge Street and Passage Way just before 3 p.m. after getting...