How Namdar Realty profits from Pittsburgh Mills and other ‘dying’ malls
The owner of Pittsburgh Mills mall has built a real estate empire by buying dying malls and letting them deteriorate before selling off property and walking away, leaving helpless communities in its wake, according to officials where Namdar Realty Group owns assets. New York-based Namdar boasts a portfolio of nearly...
Elon Musk to appear in Pittsburgh on Sunday
Elon Musk’s political action committee said that the supporter of former President Trump is coming to Pittsburgh on Sunday to hold a town hall. The announcement on America PAC’s website says Musk’s event will take place at 2 p.m., but it does not give a location. Anyone wishing to attend...
Panther Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh closed for safety reasons
The city of Pittsburgh announced Saturday that the Panther Hollow Bridge in Oakland has been closed to traffic “amid an abundance of caution.” The closure follows recommendations from PennDOT and an inspection consultant, implemented as a public safety measure until further analysis can be conducted, according to a news release....
Jeannette whittles list of properties targeted for demolotion
John Gelsdorf was glad to hear Friday a rundown home on property he owns in Jeannette is slated for demolition. He said he is “totally in favor, the place is a disaster and that’s being kind. It needs to come down.” City officials agree. Gelsdorf’s property at 901 Zimmerman St....
The Stroller, Oct. 19, 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. Tuition assistance offered for...
Poll workers perform civic duty despite ramped up rhetoric
Tonia Clark doesn’t tolerate bad behavior. The Allegheny Township resident pays particular attention to the motto during twice-a-year stints as a municipal election worker. “If anyone comes in and is nasty to us or name-calling, I won’t put up with it,” said Clark, who serves as judge of elections at...
Fire damages Greensburg auto garage
A former auto sales garage in Greensburg was extensively damaged Friday when a truck caught fire as a worker was using a torch on the undercarriage of the vehicle, Greensburg’s fire chief said. The fire, which was reported at 4 p.m., gutted the interior of the building at the corner...
Norfolk Southern to repair potholes at Tarentum railroad crossings
Norfolk Southern is closing several of its railroad crossings in Brackenidge and Tarentum at the same time on Monday and closing two others on Tuesday. The simultaneous closing of the crossings during the day has prompted the Highlands School District to have a remote learning day on Monday. The school...
Democratic Westmoreland commissioner: GOP-spurred double-voting probe a waste of time
An investigation by Westmoreland County detectives into possible voter fraud prompted by a Republican state representative finding duplicate names in voting rolls in Westmoreland is a waste of time, the county’s Democratic commissioner said Friday. Rep. Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, initiated the probe by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. “You...
Lawyers argue whether Pittsburgh triple homicide defendant’s intellect should bar death penalty
A judge Friday delayed jury selection in a triple homicide case in Pittsburgh that was supposed to start after the weekend as lawyers continued to fight over whether the defendant ought to face the death penalty. Prosecutors are seeking capital punishment for Ronald Steave, 32, whose alleged victims include a...
2 longtime Westmoreland food businesses change hands
Hempfield high school sweethearts Halie Altman and Cole Rendulic have always wanted to open a business together. When the owner of Angelo’s Cucina and Catering in Hempfield stepped down, the couple of nearly a decade knew their opportunity had come. Like Altman and Rendulic, Irwin resident Shakib Ahmady also is...
No time to wait! Once-in-a-lifetime comet still visible in Western Pa.
If you look up at the night sky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of a rare, ancient comet — as long as you’re looking in the right spot. The Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet, which has been visible to the naked eye this week in Western Pennsylvania, will once again...
Aldi to offer cheapest Thanksgiving basket in 5 years
Increased prices can mean increased stress when it comes to planning holiday meals — especially at Thanksgiving. Shoppers at Aldi can expect some relief as they prep for the big feast, according to the discount supermarket chain. Aldi will offer its lowest-priced Thanksgiving basket in five years during this coming...
Tapped from pandemic struggles, Buffalo Township brewpub Cellar Works to close
It’s almost last call at Cellar Works Brewing Co. in Buffalo Township. After more than seven years of business, the craft brewery will close Oct. 26. Members of the Cellar Society, an annual subscription that comes with discounts, presale priority on beer and more, are invited to a final party...
Charles ‘Teenie’ Harris Archive gallery gets permanent space at Carnegie Museum of Art
Charles “Teenie” Harris photographed a young Roger Humphries, at age 4, in black and white, sitting behind a miniature drum set with two drumsticks in his hands, playing in a classroom. Humphries was tagging along with his older brothers before he was of age to attend school and sat in...
Police: Wilkins man was driving nearly 90 mph before fatal North Versailles crash
A Wilkins man charged with homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter turned himself in at Pittsburgh Municipal Court on Friday, according to the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Aaron J. Butler, 20, of Wilkins was driving in North Versailles on April 7 when police said he struck another vehicle. The other...
Honored alums return to Plum High School to inspire today’s students
The five graduates to join the ranks of Plum School District’s distinguished alumni this year include average students who became remarkable people. “I was a solid ‘C’ student when I went to high school,” said Jeffrey Schmeck, 66, a 1976 Plum graduate who has lived in San Antonio for 38...
Sewickley Township man accused of dousing neighbor, houses and vehicles with flammable liquid
A Sewickley Township man ordered last month to be released from jail to inpatient treatment in connection with an incident involving his neighbor was arrested Thursday night after state police said he lit a fire outside of a home in his neighborhood, according to court papers. Kurtis C. Baker, 33,...
Youngest Delmont Visionary Committee member, 9, builds community sled bin
Roscoe List loves sledding. And he loves helping people. For those who know the 9-year-old Delmont resident, it will then come as little surprise that List opted to combine those two things and recruit his parents to help build a bin he plans to fill with sleds and install in...
Citizens Bank in New Kensington Giant Eagle slated to go virtual
Citizens will replace its bank branch inside the New Kensington Giant Eagle with a virtual assistant in January. The “interactive teller machine” includes two-way video communication, said Mark Rendulic, Pittsburgh market president for Rhode Island-based Citizens. With it, customers can do about 90% of what they would do in a...
Chartiers Valley Middle School hires new assistant principal
Chartiers Valley Middle School has a new assistant principal. Regina Kim, 38, of Bethel Park, was hired by the school board Oct. 8. Kim has worked in Pittsburgh Public Schools for 16 years, where she taught English Language Arts, middle school mathematics and social studies at Pittsburgh Sunnyside. She also...
New Stanton resident collects winter clothing, essential items for community members in need
Three years after launching a winter clothing drive for New Stanton area residents, Linda Hauger’s goal remains the same — keep at least one family warm through the chilly months. Hauger’s first drive collected about 50 gently used and new coats and an assortment of hats, mittens, gloves and sweatshirts....
Slide stabilization, retaining wall slated for Bluff Street Extension in Bridgeville
Bridgeville is eyeing a fix to a borough road damaged by a landslide this spring. Council on Oct. 14 authorized the public bid of a slope stabilization and retaining wall improvements project on Bluff Street Extension. A tentative bid opening is scheduled for Nov. 6. Borough Manager Joe Kauer said...
Purple Tour pumps up music, Pitt students, during early voting at Soldiers & Sailors
Music was bumping outside Pittsburgh’s Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum on Fifth Avenue Wednesday as part of a dance party encouraging people to vote early in the presidential election. Dubbed Party to the Polls, the event was part of a 40-stop nonpartisan Purple Tour across the country encouraging...
Murrysville trail camera catches rare, unique piebald buck
The wildlife trail cameras set up by Bill Powers of Murrysville keep catching some of the area’s more elusive creatures. On Thursday, one of his PixCams cameras recorded a brief shot of a piebald white-tailed buck moving through the woods. Powers prefers not to identify the locations of his cameras....