Western PA Local News category, Page 513
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...
Turtle Creek man indicted on charges he robbed 7 businesses over a year
A Turtle Creek man already charged with shooting a Monroeville police officer multiple times in January was indicted in federal court on Tuesday, charged with robbing seven businesses at gunpoint over the course of a year. Jamal Brooks, 32, is named in an 18-count indictment handed up in U.S. District...
Dave McCormick joins Republican chorus calling for local judge to resign
Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick joined a group of Republican lawmakers in calling for the ouster of Pittsburgh District Judge Xander Orenstein as he lamented progressive policies and their impact on crime. McCormick held a news conference Tuesday in Moon with police union members, local Republicans and conservative commentator Ben...
Clinton backs Harris, defends Middle East policy during Pitt-Greensburg campaign stopVideo
Former President Bill Clinton gave an impassioned plea in support of Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign stop Tuesday afternoon at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Clinton spoke before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 200 who jammed into the Campana Chapel and Lecture Center in Hempfield. His...
History, community combine at Bradford Woods coffee shop
Imagine “The Sound of Music” with Julie Andrews’ voice supplanted by kazoos. Sure, cacophony may come to mind. But for the folks who raggedly buzzed the melody of “Do Re Mi” during Open Mic Night, the operative word was fun. And that’s what Christi Wilcox wants people to have when...
Vacancy emerges on Jeannette council after member resigns
Jeannette City Council is in need of a new member. Chad Krawtz submitted his resignation, which was effective immediately, on Sunday, said city solicitor Tim Witt. Letters of interest are being accepted until Nov. 13 by city manager Ethan Keedy. Council likely will vote on Krawtz’s resignation during its Nov....
Goat Donut Co. to host grand reopening in Leechburg, introducing new lunch menu
Jeremy Smail never expected Goat Donut Co. to evolve the way it has when he and his wife, Ashley Coudriet, opened the business in February 2022 in Leechburg. “We owned the building, and we really didn’t have a solid plan for it,” Smail said. “We just thought about what could...
