Murrysville family revives father’s homemade haunted house tradition
Anna Moore loves Halloween. The 16-year-old Murrysville resident’s family has thrown large Halloween parties since she was small. But what really interested her were stories about the homemade haunted house her father Michael used to build when he was her age. “I’d seen the old pictures and it was really...
National Weather Service confirms tornado in Highland Park, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar
A tornado passed through Pittsburgh’s Highland Park and Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhoods Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service confirmed Thursday. The EF0 tornado, the lowest level of tornado strength, touched down along Stanton Avenue in Highland Park around 5 p.m. Wednesday, continuing along Campania Avenue in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, the weather service said. The...
Greater Latrobe superintendent to step down, cites need to focus on health, family
Superintendent Mike Porembka is preparing to step away from Greater Latrobe, the school district where he has worked for more than 25 years. Porembka announced his plan to resign to school board members during an executive session after the board’s Tuesday meeting and followed that with a letter to the...
‘It wasn’t my signature,’ NAACP treasurer testifies at hearing for retired Pa. AG investigator accused in $175K theft case
For District Judge Henry Moore, it came down to one charge — forgery. He grew quiet after listening to five hours of testimony in the case against a North Versailles woman accused of stealing money from the Pennsylvania attorney general’s North Huntingdon office and the McKeesport branch of the NAACP....
Allegheny Co. judge hears arguments on contested ballots in Senate race
The final vote count in Allegheny County for the general election is nearly finished, but there are a handful of ballots to adjudicate. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay heard arguments in court Thursday from local Republicans and Democrats on how to address about 1,200 provisional ballots that...
Despite 8% increase in spending, 2025 Westmoreland budget avoids tax hike
Despite a projected 8% increase in spending next year, Westmoreland County commissioners aren’t planning on a tax hike in 2025. The commissioners Thursday approved a tentative budget of $412 million that keeps the tax rate the same, but uses money from its reserves to cover a nearly $32 million projected...
Steelworkers union boss rips PR blitz pushing U.S. Steel-Nippon deal
United Steelworkers International President David McCall is well aware of the cracks forming in his union’s opposition to a sale of U.S. Steel to Japan-based Nippon Steel as the companies press their advertising blitz, but he is not backing down. McCall swiftly came out against the $14.9 billion acquisition when...
Then and Now: Beloved Boyd transformed into Lauri Ann West Community Center
The 1950s-era Boyd Elementary School was so beloved in the Fox Chapel Area that community members wouldn’t let it sit empty when it closed in 1983. Two residents spearheaded the opening of Boyd Community
Center, which opened that same year in the brick building off Powers Run Road in O’Hara....
Fundraiser for Burrell’s Unified Bocce team pairs up students for new experience
Bocce season for area high schools will start to heat up soon, but Burrell’s team was serving up some cool drinks Thursday morning in New Kensington. Burrell’s Unified Bocce team, now in its third year, is part of the Special Olympics Interscholastic Unified Sports program. Sixteen students are on the...
Pittsburgh police staffing woes spark concern among council members
Several Pittsburgh City Council members on Thursday voiced concerns about dwindling staffing levels for the city’s police force and called for an increased police presence throughout the city. Council members said they wanted to see more police at community events, mingling with people in the neighborhoods they protect and responding...
Murrysville area: Holiday events, Alzheimer’s program and more
Holiday events • Export Light Up Night will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 outside the Export Fire Department at the corner of Washington and Lincoln avenues. The evening will include a fish fry at the Export Moose from 3-8 p.m., a dance performance by DeStella Dance Centre, live...
Luxury consignment store focused on handbags opens in Aspinwall
Feroce Luxury Consignment Boutique is the newest business venture for Kelley Costa of Allison Park. Costa, a handbag aficionado, is never caught out-and-about without a beautiful handbag, and she’s on a mission to make owning a quality handbag easier and more budget-friendly. She opened Feroce earlier this month at 405...
Tax rate same in Marshall proposed budget
Marshall’s proposed 2025 general fund budget calls for the real estate tax rate to remain at 1.42 mills. The township board of supervisors will vote on adopting the $10.43 million spending plan at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the municipal building, 525 Pleasant Hill Road. “Marshall...
‘Wasted life’: Judge lectures murderer before sending him to prison in Wilkinsburg slaying
A Hazelwood man convicted of breaking into a Wilkinsburg home and killing a man who had moments before been holding his 11-month-old granddaughter will spend the rest of his life in state prison. Brandon Franklin, 27, offered no apology when given a chance to speak Thursday at his sentencing for...
Beattie students cook Thanksgiving meals for North Hills Community Outreach
Some local students are giving a helping hand to weary cooks this year by selling Thanksgiving meals to go, as well as cooking extra for those who may not be able to afford the expense. First- through third-year culinary and pastry arts students at A.W. Beattie Center Career Center in...
Ingomar VFC in McCandless gets new air supply truck
Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company in McCandless is excited to show off its new air supply service fire truck. The Sutphen walk-in rescue vehicle features a mobile air compressor to supply and refill self-contained breathing apparatus. The mobile air supply truck is the only one in the McCandless and most likely...
Slides restrict traffic on Milltown Road in Penn Hills
A section of Milltown Road in Penn Hills has been restricted to a single, alternating lane because of two slides. The affected part of the road is located between Newfield Drive, not far from Community Market, and Hulton Road, near JD Auto Body. Traffic is being controlled with temporary traffic...
Monroeville area: Steel City Con, Alzheimer’s program, Symphony East holiday luncheon, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Holiday cookie sale at Cross Roads church Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 2310 Haymaker Road, Monroeville, will hold its annual holiday cookie sale Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. until sellout. For $15, patrons can purchase an empty box and walk through...
PTO volunteer logs more than a decade at Hartwood Elementary School
A familiar volunteer face has graced the halls of Hartwood Elementary School for more than a decade. PTO member Kristen Gulakowski of Indiana Township is in her 10th year of volunteering almost daily to make student life for more than 400 children more enriching, fun and festive. “My kids keep...
The Block Northway in Ross hosts gingerbread house display
Guests visiting The Block Northway this holiday season will be treated to a sweet display. More than 80 gingerbread houses have been created by individuals, families, students, Girl Scout troops and various organizations. The exhibit will be in the south corridor lower level between DSW and Lands’ End through Jan....
Drone operators need certifications, license from FAA for public safety and commercial uses
People who want to operate a drone for public safety and commercial purposes are required to get a license or certificate through the Federal Aviation Administration. Some of the regulations state that an operator cannot fly more than one drone at a time and cannot fly one near manned aircraft...
Eyes in the sky: O’Hara police drone, operator serve multiple communities, purposes
O’Hara police Officer Maria Sciacca had a bird’s-eye view over the land where former President Donald Trump was shot and former Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Corey Comperatore was killed. Two others also were wounded in the July 13 assassination attempt of the Republican presidential nominee July 13 at...
No tax increase planned in Fawn
Fawn residents haven’t incurred a property tax increase in 26 years, and they’re not likely to see one in 2025. Supervisors approved a tentative budget of nearly $1.8 million. The proposed tax rate would remain 3.04 mills. The owner of a home with the township’s median assessed value of $72,750...
Proposals sought for café at Northland library in McCandless
The much-anticipated addition of a café at the Northland Public Library, currently under renovation, is coming closer to reality as requests for proposals have been advertised. The café is included in the cost of the approximately $4 million renovation for the library, which is located on Cumberland Road in McCandless....
Tarentum Lions Club charity event returns from pandemic hiatus; tickets selling fast
A longstanding Alle-Kiski Valley charity fundraiser is making an in-person return after being sidelined by the pandemic. The Tarentum Area Lions Club will host its Jack Marino Charity Dinner with the goal of raising money to help people in and out of the region. Proceeds benefit the Allegheny Valley Association...
