New Kensington, surrounding fire companies undergo training drill at county housing apartments
Fire drills aren’t just for school students. For the men and women who fight fires on a regular basis, a drill is a chance to test out the logistics of their department’s response, to see what does and doesn’t work and to find out how to adjust emergency procedures. Members...
Victim in critical condition after Strip District shooting
Pittsburgh Police have charged a man with attempted homicide after they say he shot another man early Friday morning in the city’s Strip District neighborhood. Police were called to the 1100 block of Penn Avenue around 2:15 a.m. for reports of a man brandishing a weapon and threatening people inside...
Filling the void: major mine subsidence project set for Belle Vernon area
When Tom Wilson was growing up in North Belle Vernon some 60 years ago, he and his friends would sometimes sneak into the opening of an abandoned mine, searching for fossils or some buried treasure. Fast forward six decades, and Wilson has signed up for a state project to fill...
Florida fire truck collector buys 1980 American LaFrance engine from New Kensington
A retired New Kensington fire truck was expected to leave the city before sunrise Saturday, beginning the first leg of a journey to its new home in Florida. Steve Vinson, 73, a retired pharmacist, bought the 1980 American LaFrance through an online auction with a bid of $6,800. He flew...
Arnold struggling to gather money to replace 30-year-old fire engine
While a collector has taken an old fire truck off New Kensington’s hands, firefighters and officials in Arnold are struggling to replace their 30-year-old engine. Arnold has $225,000 from federal grant funding set aside to buy a new truck, according to Rick Rayburg, the city’s community development director. But a...
The Stroller, Nov. 23, 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. HOPE Center accepting household...
Services for 700 families at Tarentum center in jeopardy under Allegheny County budget talks
Harrison’s Ashley Griffin said she will be devastated if the Highlands Family Center in Tarentum is forced to cut programs. The East Fourth Avenue facility is a one-stop shop for children and adults, providing services that include a diaper bank, food pantry, financial counseling, story times and employment assistance. The...
Greater Latrobe School Board divided over plans for roof, future of junior high
Some Greater Latrobe School Board members want to move forward with seeking proposals for replacing the junior high roof. Others first want to see an updated district facilities presentation from consultant SHP. It remains to be seen what opportunities the public may have to hear that presentation after it was...
17-year-old boy charged 2nd time for threats targeting Chartiers Valley School District, police say
Allegheny County Police have charged a 17-year-old boy who is accused of writing a threatening note that disrupted operations at Chartiers Valley School District on Friday. District officials reported on the Chartiers Valley website that students would learn remotely on Friday and that after-school activities were canceled “out of an...
2 light installations will illuminate on Light Up Night, along with fireworks and Christmas trees
Soaring more than two stories high, a new art installation will transform Mellon Square Park. “Aurora: Illuminating the Holiday Magic of Mellon Square Park” in Downtown Pittsburgh will debut on Light Up Night at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Aurora refers to arches of light, which is fitting. “It was amazing...
Second electronic billboard going up in Tarentum
More than a year after it was approved, Tarentum’s second megawatt billboard is finally expected to light up the borough’s western side. Weleski Transfer along West Fourth Avenue got the go-ahead from council to erect an electronic sign, 14 feet tall by 48 feet wide. “We’re excited it’s moving along,...
Andrew McCutchen joins Yinzgiving to prepare, deliver Thanksgiving meals
Andrew McCutchen will join 180 volunteers helping to package and deliver more than 2,000 Thanksgiving meals across Pittsburgh as part of an event called Yinzgiving. “It means a lot that we’re able to participate in something like this,” McCutchen told TribLive on Friday. “It’s giving; it’s helping; it’s being a...
Springdale Junior-Senior High School renovation projects could involve more work
Construction of restrooms at Springdale Junior-Senior High School will be contained to the auditorium lobby area. In a consensus poll of Allegheny Valley School Board members, eight members agreed to that concept as presented by Terry Thompson of the Foreman Group, the design and construction services firm hired by the...
Police looking for suspect in Hempfield Walmart wallet theft
State police are looking for help from the public to identify a man who they say took a woman’s wallet from the Hempfield Walmart store and lied to her that he had it. Troopers said the woman used the self checkout at 10 p.m. Nov. 13 when she forgot her...
Police: West Newton garage applied inspection stickers without examining vehicles
A West Newton auto shop is facing criminal charges after state police said employees there were putting inspection stickers on vehicles they didn’t actually inspect, according to court papers. When a state trooper visited Martinelli Auto Service in August for an audit, he reported seeing two vehicles with new inspection...
Pittsburgh to deploy more than 100 police officers Downtown for Light Up Night
Pittsburgh Public Safety will have a strong presence at the city’s Light Up Night celebration Downtown Saturday. More than 100 police officers will be deployed throughout the area, and the bomb squad will perform protective sweeps ahead of events, officials said Friday. The police bureau’s motorcycle and mounted units will...
Santa makes early appearance in Penn Hills, and Rosedale Food Pantry benefits
Santa made an early appearance Nov. 20 in Penn Hills with a special visit to the Berkshire Hathaway office on Frankstown Road. Staci Rullo of Penn Hills invited the public to her real estate office for free photos with Santa and cookies. “We have been doing this for many, many...
Data Justice Project aims to improve lives of Black Pittsburghers
Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood is vibrant — but it also has the lowest life expectancy rate in the city at less than 65 years old. The statistics can stigmatize the neighborhood, according to data experts. While there is currently no explanation for the disparity in Larimer, causes will be investigated in...
Franklin Park to host meeting on proposed tax increase, budget adoption
A proposed real estate rate tax increase of 0.3 mills in Franklin Park for 2025 will be voted on at a special meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the municipal building on West Ingomar Road. Borough council will consider the increase with the adoption of the 2025 budget. The...
Former West Deer supervisor returns to fill board vacancy
A former supervisor is the newest member of West Deer supervisors in District 1. The supervisors appointed Jeffrey D. Fleming to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Vernon Frey, who left the board because of a change in residence. “He (Frey) is still in the township, but has...
Chicago woman declines plea bargain in catalytic converter theft ring case
A Chicago woman who cooperated with Westmoreland County prosecutors in relation to charges stemming from an organized catalytic converter theft ring believed the case against her was going to be dropped, her attorney said Friday. But when Maria Padilla, 39, arrived for a hearing, she learned otherwise, said attorney Samir...
‘Like the Wild West’: Spike in dumping at Agan Park prompts Springdale to pursue stricter rules
Springdale is cracking down on dumping at Agan Park. Council on Tuesday directed the borough’s interim manager, Jason Dailey, to develop a no dumping policy at the Springdale Township park. They also directed him to distribute that policy to borough staff and the Agan Park representatives. Agan Park is located...
Latest plan for Pittsburgh pets would make dog spays, neuters free for low-income residents
Pittsburgh officials want to change the rules for a program that offers free spay and neuter services for cats and dogs. Only low-income residents would be eligible for free spay and neuter services for pet dogs, Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said. Previously, there were no income limits on the...
2024 Christmas events in the A-K Valley
Cheswick • Christmas in Cheswick will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 in Memorial Park and on Maclean Avenue. Sponsored by the Springdale High School Marching Band Boosters and Cheswick Recreation Board. There will be vendors, a basket raffle, food trucks, crafts, children’s activities, a DJ and free...
Westmoreland County Transit Authority accepts commuter bus from River Valley
The Westmoreland County Transit Authority will add another commuter bus to its lineup. The River Valley Transit Authority, based in Williamsport, reached out about transferring a 2015 commuter bus it purchased with the help of grant funding, Westmoreland County Transit Authority Executive Director Alan Blahovec said. The vehicle seats 53...
