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...
Derry Township woman killed in Route 119 collision in Salem
A Derry Township woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash Friday morning on Route 119 in Salem. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said Melissa S. Dustin, 37, of Torrance died of blunt force injuries in the collision. The crash was reported at 8:41 a.m. just south of the Route 22...
Westmoreland happenings: Story time with Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa, seminar, more
Christmas event • A story time with Mrs. Claus will be at 4 p.m. Nov. 30 at Keystone Railhouse Event Center, next to Gary’s Chuckwagon, 115 S Second St., West Newton. Sponsored by West Newton Public Library as part of the borough’s light up celebration. Church News • Greensburg Church...
Outdoor dog park/bar opens in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
It’s a doggie debut for Pittsburgh. The Dog Penn is a newly opened, off-leash dog park and bar in the Strip District where folks can bring their dogs along for bar-themed fun and fellowship. The concept combines drinking with doggie socializing in a relaxed, controlled setting. Married co-owners Alissa and...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: Nov. 22
The following is a regular feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz:...
Jay Leno visited Hempfield restaurant after fall
The show must go on. And, so too, must lunch. Celebrity talk show host Jay Leno reportedly visited Hempfield’s The Boulevard restaurant after injuring himself in a fall last week. The Boulevard owner Bobbi Lynn Frye in an email told TribLive Leno had lunch at the restaurant after his fall...
Cheswick man sues Allegheny County, claims jail guards stood by while he was stabbed
Shawn Daniels had just attended Mass at the Allegheny County Jail and returned to his cell on Pod 3C the evening of June 5, when, he said, two other inmates entered his cell and attacked him. Daniels, of Cheswick, was stabbed nearly 40 times, police said, with an orange spork...
New Kensington’s The Feisty Goblin expanding again, preparing for Star Wars game event
After less than two years in business and two expansions already, a tabletop gaming store in downtown New Kensington again needs more space while preparing for a major Star Wars event. The Feisty Goblin, opened in April 2023 by Arnold couple Christine and Jim Radeshak, will move to a new...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 22-24
This Saturday is Light Up Night, and just a few days later we’ll officially usher in the holiday season with Thanksgiving. It’s time to embrace the cheer — or not — with festivities around Pittsburgh this weekend. Here are five ideas for things to do. Phipps Holiday Magic Embark on...
Contract for surveying, soils testing at Springdale High School soccer field OK’d
Allegheny Valley School District hired a design firm to begin planning for artificial turf at its soccer field, the first step in making improvements to the field at Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School that could become home to the district’s football team. The school board approved an agreement with FieldTurf USA,...
The Stroller, Nov. 22, 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. Volunteers needed to prepare...
Morning Roundup: Chartiers Valley schools go remote amid ‘concerning note’
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2024: Chartiers Valley schools go remote amid ‘concerning note’ Students in Chartiers Valley School District will be learning remotely Friday as officials investigate a “concerning note.” After-school events and activities Friday were canceled, and the district...
PUC OKs smaller West Penn Power, Columbia Gas rate hikes
Customers of West Penn Power Co. will be hit with a rate hike beginning next year, and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania customers will see their natural gas bills rise starting Dec. 14. The price hikes, though, will be less than the region’s two utilities initially requested, according to the state...
Penn Hills sets tight rules for future hookah bar proposals, but existing lounges stay status quo
Hookah bars are now a conditional use in Penn Hills, months after a shooting at Ballers Hookah Lounge & Cigar Bar killed two, wounded seven and raised concerns about nuisance businesses in town. The zoning amendment, approved Nov. 18, only impacts future proposed hookah bars, defined as “any establishment that...
Penn Hills draft budget calls for 2-mill tax increase, though not all officials are on board
Penn Hills residents would see a 2-mill tax hike under the draft budget for next year, though at least some council members believe a smaller increase could keep the municipality on sound fiscal footing. The property tax raise floated by Manager Scott Andrejchak would bring the millage rate from 6.444...
Opus 2 Orchestra marks 70th anniversary with music from its founder
Next month, Evan Reichenfeld will continue a musical tradition that began in the late 1930s, when his great-grandfather Eugene emigrated to the United States from his native Hungary. Reichenfeld, 28, a middle school music teacher in the Woodland Hills School District, took over a few years ago as conductor for...