Window manufacturer’s student exchange program emphasizes the importance of skilled trade jobsVideo
High schools have made a concerted effort in recent years to introduce students to the skilled trades and make them aware of well-paying career opportunities that do not require a college degree. A Penn Township company is taking that concept international. Ventana USA, a custom window manufacturer, is working with...
Police regionalization makes progress in Leechburg, other communities
After months of discussion, the committee exploring a merger of Leechburg and nearby police departments is in what one committee member called “the last mile” of deciding the future of policing there. A draft charter agreement that would define how a merged police department would operate was presented to Leechburg...
Judge finds DA’s office failed to give evidence to defense in Pittsburgh triple slaying
A judge Wednesday refused to throw out a death penalty case in a Pittsburgh triple killing despite finding that prosecutors failed to turn over evidence to the defendant. As a result, the jury trial for Ronald Steave will go forward Monday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. Steave, 32, is...
Vance laments high prices, promotes drilling in Pittsburgh visit
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance appeared Thursday afternoon in Downtown Pittsburgh, where he praised the city’s industrial history, lamented rising prices for Pennsylvanians and said drilling is the answer. “The most important thing to do to lower prices is to unleash Pennsylvania energy,” Vance told more than 300 cheering...
Fields or Wilson? Steelers fans weigh in before big game
If Sarita Pearce had her way, Mason Rudolph would still be quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I don’t care what anybody says, I love Mason,” said Pearce, 64, of Lincoln Place. “Anytime they would bring him in, he did well.” She’s not thrilled with the Steelers’ current quarterback situation. “I’m...
The Stroller, Oct. 17, 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. Festival to celebrate autumn...
Fractured Allegheny Township supervisors limit their own speech in 2-1 vote
Mike Korns spent about 10 minutes Monday night making his case against a resolution that would limit the ability of citizens and his fellow Allegheny Township supervisors to speak at monthly meetings. “We are supposed to debate and deliberate on these motions,” he said. “We’re actually supposed to try to...
Harbor Freight plans January opening in New Kensington
Harbor Freight’s store in New Kensington will open in late January, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday. In Riverview Plaza along Tarentum Bridge Road, it will be the company’s 67th store in Pennsylvania and fourth in Westmoreland County, said Donna Walker, a spokeswoman for Harbor Freight in Calabasas, Calif. “It will...
Burrell schools contend with whether to keep 5th grade at the middle school after next year
Burrell School District officials are grappling with one of the oldest questions in public education. For decades, schools generally have used the same format for organizing grade levels: the oldest students attend high school and the youngest students attend elementary or primary school. But what about those students in the...
Dominus High School staffs up, plans for remodel of Wilkins office building
Dominus High School, a start-up entrepreneurial academy in Wilkins with ties to the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship, has made some crucial strides toward a fall 2025 opening. For one, it has its founding principal: M. Louis Robinson III, a self-described “social edupreneur” with about 20 years of experience...
Sharpsburg Community Library to offer remote item pickup, similar to Amazon lockers
By the end of the year, patrons at Sharpsburg Community Library will be able to order a book for remote pickup, much like they order clothes or other items for delivery to Amazon lockers. Leaders said the initiative will address barriers to library services, including limited transportation. Many people in...
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...
Ligonier inmate dies in Westmoreland County jail
Westmoreland County officials report that a Westmoreland County Prison inmate from Ligonier who was found unresponsive in his cell Oct. 11 had committed suicide. Coroner Tim Carson said appears the death of Charles Madden Jr., 53, was a suicide. No foul play is suspected. A final autopsy report is pending....
MAWC recovers over $826K in stolen funds, upgrades cybersecurity efforts
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials said the water and sewer utility has recovered more than $826,000 that was stolen in what it called a “vendor impersonator scheme.” The authority was targeted in June by scammers who posed as a vendor awaiting payment for work as part of the agency’s...
Antique wooden bar stolen from vandalized Donegal Township B&B
A business agreement for the takeover of a Donegal Township bed and breakfast went south when police said the prospective owners ransacked the interior, shot up glassware and disappeared, taking the establishment’s antique bar with them. State police are looking for a Kentucky woman who they believe scammed the co-owners...
Gainey pitches vision of Downtown Pittsburgh as entertainment, residential hub
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey made a pitch Wednesday for his vision of Downtown as a vibrant residential neighborhood that serves as a hub of art, culture and entertainment. During a forum on development held at Point Park University, Gainey trumpeted progress in revitalizing the Golden Triangle and painted a rosy...
EXPlore: Pittsburgh Tech Week kicks off with diversity in AI discussion
People of color make up about 37% of the tech industry, while white people account for a little over 60%, according to a 2023 Techreport. Intersectionality of AI & Inclusion was the topic of discussion on the opening day of the EXPlore: Pittsburgh Tech Week on Monday at Google’s Bakery...
Unpasteurized apple cider could cause health risks
Is that apple cider pasteurized? Your health might depend on it. Drinking unpasteurized glasses of apple cider could cause health risks, the Washington Post reported. Though most juice sold in the United States has been pasteurized, unpasteurized apple cider is more common at orchards and farmers markets, which are popular...
Tribute bands take Western Pennsylvania by storm
These days, it’s easy to book the Beatles for a wedding, go to a local bar and see Queen or score inexpensive tickets to see Motley Crue. As long as you’re okay with a different band lineup, that is. Tribute bands — groups of musicians who play sets imitating big-name...
New Kensington Democrat seeks to unseat Murrysville’s Jill Cooper in 55th State House race
In a divisive political atmosphere both locally and nationally, Democrat Davon Magwood is proud to be running a race against incumbent state Rep. Jill Cooper that puts negativity aside. “I love that we’re running campaigns where we’re not attacking one another,” said Magwood, 38, of New Kensington, who has worked...
Buffalo Township Sheetz closure imminent ahead of 6-month rebuild
The Sheetz location in Buffalo Township will be torn down and rebuilt much sooner than at least one township official expected. The gas station and convenience store along Route 356 will close Oct. 27, with an anticipated reopening sometime in April, Sheetz confirmed. Workers will be offered other jobs with...
Democratic state rep, Republican newcomer vie to replace retiring state Sen. Brewster in 45th District
Voters in the 45th state Senate race will choose between a two-term state representative from West Mifflin and a political newcomer from Plum who are vying to replace a retiring state senator. State Rep. Nick Pisciottano, 34, of West Mifflin won the Democratic primary over Makenzie White of Brentwood while...
Trafford man accused of numerous drug deals with undercover officer
The amount of money and drugs being exchanged by an undercover North Huntingdon officer and a Trafford man increased over seven controlled buys between August and Tuesday, according to court papers. At their first meeting Aug. 19, Vondae Duane Freeman, 38, is accused of giving the undercover officer a few...
Bear hunting season opens across state this month
Bear hunting season is underway in Pennsylvania with more than 200,000 hunters expected in the field this year, though the state game commission expects just 3% of them will come home with a bear. Archery hunting has started in specific regions and will continue through Nov. 29, including two Sundays,...
Veterans court offers redemption chance for former service members
John Novotnak knew he needed help. The U.S. Army serviceman whose eight-year career included a tour of duty in Iraq, struggled after he was discharged from the military in 2008. Novotnak, 43, of North Huntingdon was charged in 2022 for the second time with drunken driving when he finally concluded...
