Western PA Local News category, Page 431
Pine-Richland Middle School students set to rock crowds with ‘School of Rock’ musical
Pine-Richland Middle School students will begin a series of three performances of “School of Rock” this evening, Jan. 31. The musical, based on the 2003 comedy film, follows a wannabe rock star who, through a case of mistaken identity, begins teaching students rock and roll at an elite prep school....
Hempfield woman charged after 7 cats found dead in Unity home
A Hempfield woman is accused by state police of leaving seven cats behind when she moved out of a Unity home, according to court papers. The felines were found dead amid garbage in the apartment after the new owner reported hiring a contractor to clean it out, troopers said. The...
Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family Services caseworkers hold 1-day strike
Union members who work for Armstrong County Children, Youth and Family services and the county Assessor’s Office staged a one-day strike Friday. Over a dozen union members of the Service Employees International Union Local 668 union workers walked the picket line outside of the Armstrong County Courthouse. They gathered at...
Latrobe Municipal Authority hikes rates, asks customers for voluntary water conservation
Latrobe Municipal Authority customers will see a 50-cent hike in usage and debt service rates beginning Saturday and increases in sewage rates two months later. The authority meanwhile is asking customers to voluntarily conserve water since drought conditions have left levels below normal in its reservoir. A recent spate of...
Pete Ramage, longtime pillar of Etna, dies at 86
In Etna and among those who knew him, Pete Ramage will be remembered as someone who always “stepped up.” The longtime community pillar died on Jan. 17 at 86. Ramage was born Oct. 30, 1938, to the late Peter and Margaret Ramage. He graduated from Etna High School in 1956...
Greensburg Salem High School students use art, manufacturing skills to honor school board
As Lola Slavnik put the finishing touches on her landscape painting during art class at Greensburg Salem High School, she had no idea her work would be shared with the community. Prints of Slavnik’s painting were among the handmade gifts given to the district’s nine school board members in January...
Shaler Area High School student suspended amid allegations a weapon was brought on school bus
A Shaler Area High School student has been suspended as local police investigate a report that they brought a weapon onto a school bus, according to district officials. The district’s school resource officers were notified of the rumor Thursday, according to a statement released by Superintendent Bryan O’Black and Assistant...
Latrobe, Mutual Aid officials in talks to return ambulance, crew to city hall
Talks are underway for Mutual Aid EMS to once again house an ambulance and crew at Latrobe’s city hall after the service has been without a station in the city for nearly two years. Mutual Aid moved its equipment and personnel out of bays at the city building in April...
The Stroller, Jan. 31, 2025: 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 transportation available to...
Lifelong Hempfield resident announces run for township supervisor
A lifelong Hempfield resident wants to serve as a township supervisor. In announcing her candidacy, Becky Durbin said she intends to focus on implementing a community alert system, supporting the township’s fire departments and the public works department. It’s important, she said, to maintain green space and make good decisions...
Hempfield family uses cold to make rainbow blocks for front yard igloo
The Szekely family of Hempfield wasn’t about to miss its second chance at building an igloo. “We tried in 2018, but the weather wasn’t cold enough,” said Marta Szekely, who lives with her husband, Matt, and their children near Hempfield Park. There isn’t much traffic in the Szekelys’ neighborhood, but...
Westmoreland Symphony’s ‘Love Stories’ evening features renowned cellist
The Westmoreland Symphony will present a special Valentine’s weekend concert titled “Love Stories” with special guest artist Zlatomir Fung at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg on Feb. 15. The centerpiece of the evening is Dvořák’s “Cello Concerto in B minor” featuring Fung. “He’s a brilliant cellist and an artist on...
Pittsburgh woman settles civil rights lawsuit against city, Allegheny County for $70K
A Pittsburgh woman who sued Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh over claims of civil rights violations, false arrest and violent treatment has settled her federal case for a total of $70,000. The county last week paid Joanna Obuzor, 41, of the city’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood, $62,500 after approval from...
Community mourns loss of Penn Hills officer
Members of the Penn Hills community are mourning the loss of a young police officer. The Penn Hills Police Department announced the passing of 26-year-old Ryan Kingerski of Monreoville on social media Wednesday morning. “Officer Kingerski served with unwavering commitment and professionalism, always putting the safety and well-being of our...
Summer Lee, Pittsburgh officials, advocates slam ‘deplorable conditions’ at region’s subsidized housing
Pittsburgh officials and housing advocates are grappling with how to address serious safety issues at privately owned, publicly subsidized housing complexes throughout the region. During a Wednesday City Council meeting, advocates painted a disturbing picture of babies living in apartments plagued by mold, families finding raccoons living in their ceilings...
Plum High School students introduced to various careers during 3rd Career Day
Plum High School students were introduced to new careers or able to learn more about ones they are already interested in Thursday during their school’s annual Career Day. About 160 speakers from the community were expected. They were split up among 45 rooms, with three to five presenters each, with...
Prosecutors reveal suspected motive for St. Clair mother’s murder
Westmoreland County prosecutors contend a long simmering period of discord between a New Florence woman and her mother provided a motive for her killing in late 2023. According to a court filing, investigators believe the Dec. 11, 2023, fatal shooting of 71-year-old Alice Robson was the culmination of years of...
Tupelo Honey reopens in Station Square after rectifying rodent issue
The biscuits are back. A Southern-themed comfort food bar and restaurant in Station Square has reopened after addressing pest management concerns discovered last year by the Allegheny Health Department. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar first opened in January 2022. In October, the restaurant closed after receiving several pest citations....
Police say man shoots another, then himself in Bethel Park
Police say they responded to a Bethel Park home Thursday after a man shot another man and then himself. Authorities did not immediately identify either man; both were reported to be in critical condition at unnamed area hospitals. The incident occurred in the 500 block of Chessbriar Drive, which is...
Clairton man nabbed in West Newton drug sting
A Clairton man is behind bars after police said he sold 160 bricks of drugs to a confidential informant in West Newton and took $30,750 to settle drug debts, according to court papers. Ismail A. Hamlin, 28, is facing numerous drug and weapons violations in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties as...
Murrysville area: Free tax prep, book study group and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Free tax preparation AARP is currently taking appointments to help area residents prepare and file their 2024 taxes. Appointments are required in advance for sessions that will take place Feb. 21 and 28, March 14 and 28, and April 11 at the...
Irwin man who can’t recall killing girlfriend sent to prison for up to 20 years
An Irwin man who has no memory of killing his girlfriend at a Monroeville hotel three years ago will serve at least 71⁄2 years in state prison. Matthew Gribschaw, 40, pleaded guilty but mentally ill in November to third-degree murder for killing Rochella Anderson, 49. On Thursday, Senior Judge Katherine...
‘You left a hole in our soul’: Man who killed 3 in Homewood gets life
Each person who stepped to the front of the courtroom Thursday wondered the same thing about Ronald Steave. How could he have murdered Nandi Fitzgerald — the mother of his own son — on New Year’s Eve 2021? How could he have seen Fitzgerald’s 12-year-old son, Buddy, who he knew...
This year’s 18 Under Eighteen helping to shape the future
Deer Lakes senior Zier Williams has earned a reputation for his toughness on the football field, rushing for nearly 2,900 yards as a Lancer. Off the field, the teen has become known for compassion and promoting positive change. Williams, 18, has made it a mission to fight for the underdog...
Cold snap stresses waterlines, authority workers in New Kensington
Water authority crews in New Kensington are among those run ragged this month fixing leaks and breaks caused by the region’s severe cold snap. Though the recent sub-zero weather caused a lot of waterline breaks, it wasn’t quite as bad as some social media posts make it out to be....
