Western PA Local News category, Page 482
A year later, families of teens killed in North Park crash remain overcome with grief while fighting to move onVideo
Twice a week, Ellie Tourney eats lunch on a stone bench near her son’s grave. She doesn’t want her youngest boy to feel like he has been forgotten. Nearly a year has passed since Jonathan Tourney and Taylor Orlowski were killed on Christmas weekend when the speeding SUV they were...
Scott-based service provider Mainstay marks 25th anniversary
An organization that fills a vital need for a quarter of a century can be considered as a mainstay. Meeting those criteria is a Scott-based nonprofit that goes by the name, appropriately enough, Mainstay. Founded in 1999 for the benefit of people who have intellectual disabilities and/or autism, Mainstay Life...
1st day of deer rifle season is busy for some deer processors, not so much for others
Mike Galup has hunted with his grandfather since he was a kid, and this year, was no exception. Galup, 29, of West Deer, and Matt Ciocca, 85, were up at 5 a.m. and in the woods an hour later on Saturday — the first day of rifle season — to...
Small Business Saturday fosters community, local sales in Irwin
Small Business Saturday is Tracy Alaia’s favorite day of the year. “It’s so nice to see the community out and about supporting all of these great small businesses,” said Alaia, 52, of Level Green, who owns Feathers Gift Shop in Irwin. Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday...
Shoppers near and far embrace New Kensington’s Shop Small Crawl
Kim Denne stood at a table in her gift shop on Saturday, winding white, green and red string around a wooden plaque in the shape of Santa Claus. As each customer entered, Denne greeted them, telling them that all of the products in the store — from the pottery pieces...
Chevy Chase lights Rivers Casino Christmas tree, brightens ‘Vacation’ fans’ spirits
The Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh had a special guest light its Christmas tree on Friday night. Actor Chevy Chase, who played Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and other movies in the “Vacation” franchise, plugged in the tree. But not before he declared “Drum roll, please!” just as Griswold...
Erie slammed with lake effect snow, Shapiro declares disaster emergency; dangerous cold forecast into next week
Some portions of Erie County were under almost 3 feet of snow Saturday in the middle of the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend, with a forecast of frigid temperatures to start off the week. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation of disaster emergency. Shapiro said parts of Erie...
Jeannette art gallery to host exhibit honoring retired Seton Hill professor
Jeannette art gallery You Are Here’s next exhibit holds professional and personal meaning for co-owner Jen Costello. The exhibit features work created by former students and friends of Maureen Kochanek, who retired from Seton Hill University this year after 42 years teaching art history. “I had Maureen as a professor...
Former Meier & Sons Hardware building to get 2 new tenants
John Meier & Sons Hardware in Murrysville was filled with tools from 1953 until its closing in 2022. Soon, it will be filled with tools for self-defense and improved physical performance. The Murrysville branch of ATA Martial Arts, and Gallagher Performance will be the new tenants following a building-wide remodel...
The Stroller, Nov. 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. Gift program benefits victims...
3 businesses debut in Westmoreland County — mobile gaming, custom framing, barbershop
For Joe Perriello, opening a mobile video game business is the perfect mesh of work and family. In January, Perriello of Penn Township will launch Rolling Video Games PGH — a 25-foot trailer decked out with seven TVs and 10 gaming consoles that can be transported to children’s birthdays, graduation...
‘It keeps my brain sharp’: 88-year-old Norwin library staffer reflects on decades-long career
At 88, Marge Vessalo could have been retired decades ago. But the North Huntingdon resident has no plans to give up her one-day-a-week job at the Norwin Public Library in Irwin. “Retire from the library? Probably never. I think that it is good for the brain,” said Vessalo, who started...
Where’s Legion Keener Park? New sign points the way in Latrobe
Latrobe’s Legion Keener Park is no longer a hidden gem of the community. Officials this week unveiled a new illuminated sign that points the way for visitors to reach the park and adjacent Memorial Stadium — by turning right from Jefferson Street onto Chestnut Street. “It’s something we’ve needed for...
Proposed Leechburg budget has no tax increase
Leechburg’s proposed 2025 budget calls for no tax increase. The budget includes over $1.3 million in expenditures with just over $1.2 million in revenue according to the borough’s proposed budget. The gap will be filled by a projected $100,000 surplus from this year’s budget. “The proposal has no millage increase,”...
While Black Friday is ‘more of a season’ than a single day, people still shop for deals, tradition
Andrew Presutti has memories from when he was his son’s age of shopping on Black Friday, and this year was making new ones with his 5-year-old, Ryder. The father and son from Buffalo Township were found Friday morning at Macy’s at the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer, where Ryder was getting...
Protecting children or government overreach? Western Pa. reaction mixed on Australian social media ban
Olivia Edwards understands the intent behind Australia’s recent blanket social media ban. “It makes sense,” she said. “The thought behind it is protecting children.” The new law established some of the most stringent internet usage restrictions outside of China and other non-democratic regimes and could be considered a precedent for...
Aquinas students perform ‘High School Musical on Stage!’ in Hampton
High school students at Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton portrayed fictional counterparts in “High School Musical on Stage!” The cast of 52 students performed in the theater adaptation of the Disney movie on Nov. 15-16 in the Rhodora J. Donahue Multi-purpose Building. “High School Musical” is director Mike Flynn’s...
Roof leak wipes out toy drive contributions at Pittsburgh health center; donations sought
Staff at the UPMC Mathilda H. Theiss Health Center in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood were met with an unwelcome surprise Friday morning. A roof leak on Thanksgiving damaged the health center and ruined the donations they had collected so far for an annual holiday toy drive. Dr. Jonathan Yadlosky, the...
Bethel Park district judge co-authors book on navigating success
In co-authoring a book called “Navigate Your Path to Success,” Bethel Park resident Ron Arnoni writes from experience. The longtime district judge served his home municipality and Upper St. Clair has a career in public office dating back to when he served on borough council and then as mayor of...
Shoppers venture out to stores on Black Friday, some lured by the chance to snag Taylor Swift merch
Black Friday was plenty busy around 10 a.m. at the Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield — at least until a false fire alarm went off. But while some headed — albeit very leisurely — for the exits, most took a quick look around and then continued their Black Friday shopping. Braelyn...
Braddock man, 52, found fatally shot inside vehicle
A Braddock man was killed early Friday and the suspect who shot him remains at large, authorities says. State police found Henry Freeman, 52, dead inside his vehicle on the 400 block of Library Street in Braddock about 1:45 a.m., state police said. He had been shot several times. Freeman...
Teen accidentally shoots brother in Port Vue home, police say
A teenager late Thursday accidentally shot his younger brother in the leg while showing off a gun to friends in their Port Vue home, authorities say. Allegheny County Police charged Jahwon Glenn, who turned 16 Wednesday, with aggravated assault. He is being prosecuted as an adult. Glenn was arraigned around...
$50M Route 119 project that includes roundabout will upgrade intersections in Fayette CountyVideo
Traffic signals at two intersections on Route 119 are slated to be removed as PennDOT officials hope to improve safety on a section of the highway just south of Westmoreland County. “It all started with a desire to reduce crashes at these intersections,” said Jeremy M. Hughes, assistant District 12...
$11.4M New Kensington budget doesn’t raise taxes
Property taxes would not change under New Kensington’s proposed $11.4 million budget for 2025. Council approved the spending plan on a 3-0 vote, with members Dante Cicconi and Corey Pistininzi absent. The property tax rate would remain at 32.03 mills. Under the budget, the city would spend about 5.7% more...
3 hurt in crash on Route 356 in Allegheny Township that shut down the road for a time
Three people were injured in a crash Friday that closed a section of Route 356 in the Piper Road area of Allegheny Township for about an hour Friday afternoon, a Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said. One person was trapped in their vehicle, the dispatcher said. Three people, two from one...
