Western PA Local News category, Page 444
Hempfield lawyer announces campaign for county judge
Hempfield attorney Matt Schimizzi on Wednesday announced his candidacy for a seat on Westmoreland County’s Court of Common Pleas. Schimizzi, 41, is making his second run for a judicial post after finishing third in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in 2019, in what was among the expensive local judicial...
Workout class, spaghetti dinner slated to support Penn Township mom diagnosed with breast cancer
When Justine Holmes has a tough day raising her 8-month-old daughter, Bella Jo, she looks to the example of her cousin-in-law, Stefanie Cortazzo. Cortazzo of Penn Township is a stay-at-home mom to five boys, ranging from ages 3 to 16. She’s never missed one of their sporting events, Holmes said...
The Stroller, Jan. 16, 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. Valentine Snowball planned for...
Law firm excited to take over iconic Pittsburgh billboard
Law firm Pond Lehocky is hoping to make itself better known to Pittsburghers, taking over a massive billboard overlooking the city from atop Mount Washington. The new ad replaced Iron City Beer on the well-known billboard earlier this week. “We see it as an honor to have our name on...
North Huntingdon fire crews work to douse flames at Otis Drive fire
A number of North Huntingdon’s seven fire departments worked Wednesday night to douse the flames that ripped through a home along the township’s Otis Drive. Firefighters were dispatched to the 1400 block of Otis around 7:40 p.m. according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. No injuries were immediately reported, according...
Investigation into Hempfield high school basketball coach continues, assistant coach fills in
Hempfield Area School District will continue to compensate high school basketball coach and guidance counselor Bill Swan more than $90,000 as it investigates a complaint against him. Swan has been placed on paid administrative leave from his coaching and guidance counselor positions as the district investigates the allegation — which...
McCandless police chief graduates from FBI Academy
A yellow brick means a lot to McCandless police Chief Ryan Hawk, as it signifies his successful completion of training at the FBI National Academy. Hawk is part of the 292nd graduating class of the academy, located in Quantico, Va., where he trained for 10 weeks. Only he and one...
Which products contain Red 3, the dye now banned by the FDA?
Cookies, concoctions and candies like Dubble Bubble could be in double trouble after the Food and Drug Administration announced a ban of Red. No. 3 food dye . The dye gives some foods, beverages and medications its cherry-red color. Its use is banned for more than three decades after the...
As wind chills plummet below zero, officials undeterred: ‘It’s winter’ in Western Pa.
Burrell Superintendent Shannon Wagner makes a flurry of decisions before 5:30 each morning, especially this time of year. On Monday, when temperatures are expected to nosedive below zero for the first time since 2022, Wagner will be up at 4:45 a.m. to review road conditions with Upper Burrell and Lower...
Theft from Evgeni Malkin’s home not tied to organized burglary network, police say
The person who stole three Stanley Cup championship rings from Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin’s Sewickley Heights home doesn’t appear to be linked to any national operation targeting sports superstars, Allegheny County Police said Wednesday. Police have made no arrests in the case. Malkin discovered his home had been burglarized...
3 of 4 gas leaks in Gibsonia between October and December caused by excavation work, Peoples says
Four gas leak incidents occurred on residential streets between October and December in Gibsonia, according to residents and Peoples Natural Gas. Three of the incidents — those that occurred on “Oct. 31, Nov. 12 and Dec. 18 on High Meadows Drive, Woodhill Drive and Forestwood Drive, respectively” — were the...
Man arrested for gift card scheme at Frazer Walmart sentenced to 1 1/2 to 3 years
A Chinese national’s gift card scheme that ended after Frazer police busted him in May has landed him in jail for at least 11/2 years, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. Zhixiang Chen, 20, pleaded guilty in Lawrence County Court to corrupt organizations and organized retail crime. As part...
Ligonier Valley Police Commission to ‘start from square one’ in naming citizen member
Ligonier Valley residents will have to wait until at least Feb. 11 to learn who will represent Ligonier Township as a citizen member on the police commission. The Ligonier Valley Police Commission’s vote in December to reappoint Scott Gongaware as the citizen member was ruled invalid by a Westmoreland County...
Jury finds undercover Pittsburgh cops used excessive force in Kopy’s Bar brawl
A jury on Wednesday found that three Pittsburgh police officers working undercover at Kopy’s Bar six years ago violated a man’s constitutional rights by beating him and filing felony criminal charges against him. But the same jury determined that that man, Frank DeLuca, was not entitled to any damages for...
New Kensington-Arnold School Board agrees to limit possible tax increase
Any property tax increase in the New Kensington- Arnold School District will not be higher than its state- imposed limit. At a special meeting Tuesday, the school board voted unanimously to tell the state it will not seek to raise its property tax rate by more than 6% for the 2025-26 school...
Rubio vows to prioritize freeing Oakmont teacher from Russian prison
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio on Wednesday vowed to prioritize the release of Marc Fogel, an Oakmont history teacher who has been detained by Russia since bringing a small amount of legally prescribed medical marijuana into the country in 2021. Rubio’s comments came during a nomination hearing before the U.S. Senate....
Gun confiscations down at Pittsburgh International Airport last year
The number of guns Transportation Security Administration officers confiscated at Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh airports dropped slightly in 2024, officials announced Wednesday. TSA stopped 42 handguns at Pittsburgh International Airport’s security checkpoint last year, down from 44 in 2023, spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said. Pittsburgh accounted for nearly half of all guns...
Police continue to investigate apparent homicide in Shaler
The investigation into a body found Dec. 26 in Shaler is still ongoing, according to Jim Madalinsky, public information officer for the Allegheny County Police. Allegheny County detectives are investigating the body as a homicide because the victim had an apparent gunshot wound to the head, but Madalinsky said he...
North Hills-based AARP Chapter 595 donates books and money to local libraries
For its holiday season community service project, the North Hills-based AARP Chapter 595 donated $1,000 and more than 100 books to Hampton Community Library, Northern Tier Regional Library and Shaler North Hills Library. The chapter’s community service chairperson, Leslie Molyneaux, said because seniors and children are among the libraries’ primary...
Burrell schools mull new schedules for reconfigured buildings
Burrell School District parents and staff are taking a close look at schedules at Bon Air Elementary and Huston Middle schools as both buildings prepare to accommodate an extra grade next year. With the closure of Stewart Elementary, fourth graders will attend Bon Air and fifth graders will be sent...
Film class: 4 Shaler Area School District 6th graders part of statewide movie-making project
Four sixth graders in the Shaler Area School District are wearing some cool T-shirts. The image on the front is inspired by the “Wizard of Oz” film. The text on top reads “I am a proud member of the team making this movie.” “We sent the students who are part...
Bridgeville searching for new police chief
Bridgeville hopes to have a new police chief by early spring after the Jan. 3 retirement of Chad King. The borough posted the position in mid-January, said Manager Joe Kauer. Applications are being accepted through the end of February, and Kauer anticipates having a candidate identified by early spring. Sgt....
Westmoreland happenings: Chili cookoff, art exhibit, pancake breakfast, more
Art • The Greensburg Art Center will host an exhibit “In Your Wildest Dreams” Jan. 19 to March 7 at the center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. A free reception with food and music will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 19. Public welcome. Business News • Greensburg Business...
What’s so great about Wegmans? We went to the Erie store to askVideo
Wegmans is coming. Wegmans is coming. Wegmans executives said they are eyeing late 2027 as the target date to open their recently announced Cranberry location and hinted there could be more stores coming to the Pittsburgh area. So, why the hoopla? A TribLive journalist drove to the Erie store this...
PennDOT seeks public input on aesthetics of Wexford Interchange
PennDOT is inviting motorists to chime in on the aesthetics of the Interstate 79/Route 910 Wexford Interchange Project in Marshall through Jan. 31. An online survey asks for color and concrete texture preferences, which will help determine the project’s look. There are two color options: • Nautilus Blue, a lighter...
