North Huntingdon family sues UPMC Children’s over treatment of son, mother
A North Huntingdon woman is suing UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, claiming doctors performed unnecessary surgery on her son and staff concocted criminal allegations against her when she complained about the boy’s treatment. The woman, Dawn Lewandowski, was found not guilty of disorderly conduct and harassment Monday in Allegheny County...
Harrison police investigate shots fired at Sheldon Park
Harrison police are investigating after a flurry of gunshots rang out early Wednesday. Officers responded just after midnight to the area of Park Avenue, near the Sheldon Park housing plan, an Allegheny County-run apartment complex behind Heights Plaza. “We responded after several people called to say they heard gunshots. We...
Tarentum gets boost in $4M fix of failing water system
Tarentum officials are one step closer to ensuring a long-term solution to the borough’s aging water system and avoiding a tax increase to pay for it. Manager Dwight Boddorf said the failing distribution system, with 100-year-old lines and routine collapses, can’t guarantee access to clean water in future years. He...
Woodland Hills school board member censured for sharing confidential district emails online
Woodland Hills School District Board of Directors voted Tuesday to approve the censure of board member Darnika Reed during a special meeting. The vote was 5-4. The school district in a statement said that Reed had “made a series of social media posts in which she shared internal district email...
Attorney says Arnold police chief facing trial for theft was entrapped by integrity test
What prompted state authorities to test Arnold police Chief Joshua Stanga’s integrity remains undisclosed as a criminal case against him moves forward. Stanga, 41, of Arnold was ordered Wednesday to stand trial following a nearly two-hour preliminary hearing before Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak. The hearing was moved there...
The Home Stretch: Here’s the election news for Oct. 30
Six days to go and the presidential race continues to heat up. Massive rallies, celebrity guests and controversial remarks are the hallmarks of the campaigns for the White House. Here’s what’s going on and what can be expected today. Where is everyone? Candidates are state-hopping at an impressive rate today....
Acting Pittsburgh police Chief Ragland wants to be a steady hand, not a ‘superhero’
After working in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for more than three decades, Christopher Ragland this week said he’s hoping to provide steady leadership and bolster recruitment as he steps into the role of acting chief during a turbulent time for the force. Ragland takes the helm of an understaffed...
Mt. Pleasant councilman earns independent music awards 4 years in a rowVideo
Andy Davis may want to consider a standing airline reservation for Nashville each fall. For each of the past four years, the Mt. Pleasant resident has headed south to accept one — or more — Josie Independent Music Awards. The Josies are the country’s largest independent music awards ceremony, given...
Hempfield residents share concerns about Fosterville Road, where speeds reach triple the posted limit
Terri Wolfinger didn’t hold back when asked about safety issues on her Hempfield street. She says cars and trucks routinely speed down Fosterville Road, residents can’t walk or bicycle along the street and motorists come close to rear-ending vehicles pulling out of driveways. Wolfinger said she’s yelled at drivers to...
Westmoreland happenings: Spinning exhibit, cabbage roll dinner, meetings, more
Art • The Loyalhannon Spinners Guild will host a free display of some of their finished works and the raw fleece and tools used to get wool ready for spinning through Nov. 14 during regular operating hours at the Greensburg Art Center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Membership in the...
Fundraiser to benefit veterans programs features oldest living Steelers player
A North Huntingdon veteran who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957 will be the keynote speaker at a program next month to support veterans and veterans groups in the area. Bill Priatko, 93, a second lieutenant in the Air Force, will discuss his experiences during the program at 5:30...
Allegheny Township man charged in Vandergrift gas station crash that burned 1 person, caused serious damage
Charges have been filed against an Allegheny Township man who police said crashed into a gas pump at Vandergrift’s Kochka and Son Towing on Sept. 10, starting a fire that burned a customer and caused significant damage to the family-owned business. Cole Briscoe, 33, fled the scene on Sherman Avenue...
Memorial vigil held for Roxanne Bonnoni of Natrona instead of her 12th birthday party
A birthday celebration for a young Harrison girl Wednesday night featured typical things one might expect to see. There were balloons, lit candles, stuffed animals and the traditional sing-along. However, the mood was vastly different, and the observance went on without its guest of honor. Roxanne Bonnoni was killed by...
Nikki Haley to rally with Dave McCormick in Marshall
U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick is scheduled to host a rally Wednesday in Marshall — with a special guest. The rally is set to start at 7 p.m. at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, located along Slade Lane in Marshall’s Warrendale neighborhood. Plans are to have McCormick joined by former U.N. ambassador...
As Latrobe hires patrolman, council eyes early retirement incentive for senior officers
Latrobe has expanded its police force to 16 officers with the hiring of Patrolman Andrew Ong. The 11-year veteran of law enforcement was recognized for a lifesaving rescue during his previous stint with the Blairsville Police Department. Ong, who was sworn in at Latrobe council’s Monday meeting, is credited with...
Turnpike to host Route 130 interchange open house for Penn Township residents
Penn Township residents will have an opportunity to learn more about where the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stands in its design of an interchange for Route 130. Residents will be able to look over a display on the project and speak with turnpike representatives Nov. 19 at Penn-Trafford High School, said...
Latrobe considers doubling real estate transfer tax, adding assistant public works director
Latrobe officials are considering doubling the city’s real estate transfer tax, to 1%, increasing revenue from that source to an estimated $155,000 for the pending 2025 budget. While the budget remains under development, city manager Terry Carcella said he anticipates the city will be able to hold the property tax...
Excavator bucket strikes, kills man in Stowe, OSHA investigates
A man was killed Tuesday in Stowe when an excavator tipped over and its bucket struck him, according to Allegheny County police. Police were dispatched to the 2200 block of Robinson Boulevard around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. Detectives determined a 52-year-old man was struck by the bucket of the excavator that...
Public invited to candlelight vigil for Roxanne Bonnoni, Harrison girl killed by vehicle
A vigil will be held Wednesday night in Harrison for Roxanne Bonnoni, the 11-year-old girl who was killed by a vehicle Aug. 20 near her home along North Canal Street. Amber Bonnoni, Roxanne’s mother, said people can attend to honor her daughter on what would have been her 12th birthday....
The Stroller, Oct. 30, 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. Household items welcome for...
Franklin Regional won’t use Boston education tech company to survey students, staff and parents
Franklin Regional school board members decided not to move forward with a grant-funded, multi-year survey of students, staff and parents aimed at improving communication among all parties. The board voted 4-3 to reject a proposal that would make use of a “school climate survey” with questions developed by Boston-based Panorama...
Hempfield gets green light to explore possible new fire station
Hempfield officials got the OK this week to negotiate a potential land partnership with the school district to possibly build a new fire station. Township supervisors approved the measure that could bring the new station to Hempfield Area School District property near West Hempfield elementary school. That location is ideal,...
Jeffrey D. Smail, Unity auto dealer, enjoyed family, life
Jeffrey D. Smail was a man who worked hard in his family’s successful automobile dealerships east of Greensburg while dedicating himself to his family and enjoying traveling around the world with his wife. “He was one of the most kind and caring and generous persons. He made everyone feel welcome....
Nature focus of artwork featured in Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s 40th annual auction
The works of 18 artists reflecting on the theme “Water is the Mirror of Nature” will be spotlighted in the Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s 40th annual art auction benefit. The largest fundraising effort for the Ligonier Township-based watershed group, this year’s auction will be held Saturday at the Latrobe Country Club...
‘In the dark’: Pittsburgh council rips Gainey cabinet over secret deal with Scirotto
Pittsburgh City Council members were livid Tuesday after learning that three top aides to Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey knew about a secret deal to allow police Chief Larry Scirotto to return to refereeing college basketball after a year on the job but said nothing. The chief last week announced his...
