Allegheny County manager warns council that rejecting proposed tax hike would be ‘catastrophic’
Allegheny County’s manager is warning County Council that failure to approve a property tax hike near the level proposed for next year could be disastrous. Council members, led by President Pat Catena, began pushing back immediately after County Executive Sara Innamorato in October proposed a 46.5% tax hike to help...
Pine property tax to remain lowest among county municipalities
Pine’s property tax rate remains unchanged at 0.998 mills, the lowest among Allegheny County municipalities, in the proposed 2025 budget. The budget has been designed to accommodate the maximum allowable homestead/farmstead exclusion, 50% of the median assessed value of residential property in the township. Overall general fund revenues are projected...
Pine hosts Holiday Dazzle
Pine’s annual Holiday Dazzle will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Pine Community Center. Holiday Dazzle is Pine’s first and biggest holiday event of the season. This year’s event will include inflatables, train rides, carriage rides, live performances, a visit from Santa along with his...
Bethel Park resident leads effort to provide socks for people in need
With the approach of winter, plenty of feet will have added protection thanks to the Walk On with Walter Paul Foundation. After the unexpected passing of Walter Paul Miller II at age 44, his sister Mandi started an effort in his memory to collect socks for donation to those in...
Bethel Park U.S. Marine Corps Captain shares his story at Veterans Breakfast Club
Eric McElvenny was 132 miles into the 140.6 miles of the Ironman World Championships in beautiful Kona, Hawaii. Every bone, muscle and piece of skin on his body hurt. He couldn’t take one more step. “I am in physical pain,” McElvenny said as he described that moment to the room...
Veterans honored, remembered at student-planned Plum High School tribute
Jennifer Killmeyer doesn’t fit into her Army uniform anymore, but her daughter does. Madison Killmeyer, 16, a junior at Plum High School, wore her mother’s uniform Monday in a showcase of military uniforms that was part of her school’s Veterans Day tribute. “I really like it. It’s cool we’re the...
As Gainey prepares 2025 Pittsburgh budget address, some wonder how realistic his plan is
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Tuesday will formally present a budget proposal that curbs spending without reducing services or hiking taxes, even as the city’s revenues dip. While Gainey will likely use his annual budget address as an opportunity to paint a rosy picture of a spending plan that funds...
Casino worker charged with dealing fake blackjack hands
A Rivers Casino employee has been charged with dealing nearly 200 fraudulent hands of blackjack between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Jamie L. Smith, 33, of Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood, was seen on video surveillance by police and gaming enforcement agents overpaying patrons on winning...
Murrysville proposes ’25 budget with no tax hike
Murrysville council will consider a 2025 budget that does not call for a tax increase. The municipality’s $17.28 million budget includes $3.8 million in capital spending. Capital projects for next year will include grant-supported bridge work along with $100,000 for new police equipment and vehicles and the replacement of HVAC...
Burrell family, school organization share opportunity to spread Christmas joy
Bringing Christmas joy to children internationally has attracted a third generation of a Lower Burrell family, as well as their friends and peers. Burrell High School seniors Miley Kariotis and Will Doutt, as well as their peers in the Reading Railroad club, assembled and packaged 25 shoeboxes Friday for Operation...
Morning Roundup: Teen shot in leg in East Hills; Sheraden man arrested following high-speed chase
Here are some overnight new items for Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. Teen shot in leg in East Hills Pittsburgh police are investigating after a 16-year-old was shot early Sunday morning in East Hills. Police were called to the 2300 block of Wilner Drive around 2:45 a.m. after receiving a ShotSpotter...
In brief: North Allegheny area happenings, week of Nov. 11, 2024
Holiday Happenings event St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church in Franklin Park will host Holiday Happenings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 23. The event will feature dozens of vendors with quality crafts such as home decor, jewelry, pottery, clothing and specialty foods. A cookie walk will provide dozens of festive,...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Nov. 11, 2024
Grant to fund roof work at Plum High School The Plum School District has received a $500,000 state grant that will be used for roof work at the district’s high school. The district has identified about 30,000 square feet of the high school’s 152,000-square-foot roof that needs to be repaired...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Nov. 11, 2024
Volunteers sought to help plant trees The Penn Hills Shade Tree Commission needs volunteers to help plant 15 trees from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 16 along Allegheny River Boulevard. The planting will take place rain or shine. The organization is partnering with the Allegheny River Boulevard Preservation Association (ARBPA)...
The Stroller, Nov. 11, 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. Happy Veterans Day to...
In brief: Herald area events for the week of Nov. 11, 2024
Beware fraudsters spoofing Fox Chapel police Fox Chapel police are warning residents to be aware of calls claiming to be the police department asking for documents and personal information or seeking money. In a fraud alert posted Nov. 4, police alerted the public about scammers who are spoofing the police...
Environmental groups appeal Slickville pipeline project permit
Two environmental groups are appealing the state’s approval for a nearly 14-mile natural gas pipeline through Bell, Loyalhanna and Salem townships, claiming the project would contaminate the environment and pose a hazard to wetlands. Protect PT of Penn Township and Three Rivers Waterkeeper of Pittsburgh filed a joint appeal last...
Receding from view: Aging veterans organizations struggle to draw fresh recruits
U.S. Army Reserve veteran Jim Reesman practically grew up around the American Legion post in Brackenridge. His grandfather was a sailor, his father a Marine. His grandmother and aunt were bartenders. Reesman, who lives in Tarentum, enlisted in 2012, did a tour in Iraq in 2017-18, and got out in...
1st female military pilots remembered
Growing up, John Marsh did not fully grasp the significance of his mother’s role as a pilot serving in the military during World War II. His mother, Marie Barrett Marsh, was one of about 1,800 women accepted into the Women Airforce Service Pilots program — created in 1942 to bolster...
Check out these upcoming programs at the Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg libraries
The Cooper-Siegel Community Library and its Sharpsburg branch offer a variety of programming for visitors of all ages. To view a complete list of offerings, visit coopersiegel.librarycalendar.com. Events at both libraries are listed and can be viewed according to age group and location. Registration is required for most programs as...
Human trafficking focus of discussion at Jeannette High School
The extent of human trafficking in the local community, and how to prevent it, will be the subject of a discussion Tuesday evening in Jeannette. Officials from the Westmoreland County Human Trafficking Task Force will be joined by the Blackburn Center to discuss the prevalence and dangers of human trafficking...
Chartiers Valley schools to be remote Monday after threat made
All Chartiers Valley School District schools will be on a remote learning schedule Monday after a “credible threat” was made against one of its schools, district officials said. District officials and local law enforcement discovered the threat and, “out of an abundance of caution,” made the decision to close all...
Residents able to escape house fire in Shaler
Firefighers responded to a house fire in the 100 block of Wise Lane in Shaler on Sunday night. Emergency dispatch indicated at least two people in the home were able to escape. The call came in about 7:20 p.m. Firefighters from more than 12 companies in the North Hills responded....
Westmoreland County doubles scope of 2024 demolition program
Westmoreland County is doubling down on knocking down blighted properties this year. Commissioners this month approved demolition of an additional 13 dilapidated properties and, in doing so, signaled an expansion of a wide-ranging effort to reduce what is estimated to be as many as 1,500 blighted buildings throughout the county....
Rate hikes, but no tax increases proposed for Freeport’s 2025 budget
Monthly charges for sewage and trash collection would go up for Freeport residents next year, but the property tax rate would stay the same, under the borough’s proposed $2.5 million budget. Sewage ratepayers could expect a $7 increase per bill, bringing the debt service surcharge to $47. That’s a hike...
