Wooden footbridge in Brackenridge will connect sections of Three Rivers Heritage Trail
A wooden footbridge is coming to First Avenue in Brackenridge to connect the borough’s two sections of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. It will span a water intake well near Morgan Street and provide a link in the borough’s walking trail, which was partially constructed last year. “The (well) structure...
La Vigneta Winery expanding operations in Buffalo Township
A Buffalo Township winemaker is pouring her entrepreneurial energy into expanding the family winery. Francesca Howden is the petite Italian force behind the 12-year success of La Vigneta Winery in Buffalo Township. “My parents always made wine when I was growing up. Dad always made it in the basement,” Howden...
Fire-damaged Second Avenue Commons homeless shelter on track to partly reopen in November
After a June fire displaced about 175 homeless people staying at Second Avenue Commons in Downtown Pittsburgh, officials are hopeful the five-story shelter will reopen in time for winter. The first three floors are on track to restart services in November, when winter shelters typically open to provide added indoor...
Former Catholic church, 10-bedroom rectory on the market in Duquesne
A former church and rectory previously owned by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is for sale in Duquesne. The former Holy Name Church, located at 32 S. First St., is listed by Nicholas Haller of Agresti Real Estate, based in Erie, for $349,900. The current asking price has been slashed...
Best Buddies part of Quaker Valley High School’s football team
On a recent steamy Sunday evening in July, Bradley Herrmann maneuvered his power chair onto the sideline to capture some video. The same evening, John Lytle carried a bag with water bottles, Willy Winnowski checked to make sure the tee was set up for kickoffs, Brody Holles stood ready to...
Morning roundup: Pittsburgh police raid homeless encampment; bridge closes in Forward Township
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Aug. 9: Pittsburgh police serve search warrants for encampment policy violations Police said detectives seized quantities of crack cocaine and lorazepam pills believed to be intended for sale from two tents located on Grant Street between First Avenue...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Aug. 9-11
After a long, rainy week, it’s time to relax and enjoy some downtime. From performances to parties, from celebrity appearances to festivals, Pittsburgh is jumping this weekend. Join in the fun with these events. Idina Menzel at the Benedum Center Broadway legend — and real-life Disney princess — Idina Menzel...
The Stroller, Aug. 9, 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. Western Pa. toy run to benefit children’s charities The 33rd annual...
Alle-Kiski High School Reunion News — Aug. 9, 2024
Publicize your class’s high school reunion announcement. Send information as soon as possible to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. • Ken High Class of 1958 will have a reunion Sept. 19 at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell. Classmates...
School start dates getting earlier in some districts
If it seems like the first day of school is getting earlier each year, you might not be too far off. It just depends on which district you live in. An analysis of the first day of school for students found some have inched up the start date over the...
Inaugural Iron City Car Cruise at East Deer brewery could feature almost 800 vehicles
An epic car cruise is brewing next Saturday in East Deer, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. and MaxMotive officials say. The two landmark businesses have paired up for the Iron City Car Cruise on Aug. 17 at the brewery. The event already has 650 car registrations, said Rachel Semelbauer, brewery spokeswoman. The...
$21.5M in upgrades proposed at Greater Latrobe high school campus
Greater Latrobe School District is mulling over a consultant’s proposal for updating aging climate control systems, lighting and other equipment at the senior high and junior high at a projected cost of $21.5 million. Siemens representatives presented the proposal at this week’s school board meeting, citing an estimated $8.2 million...
Jeannette residents pack council chambers to support police dog program that was recently scrapped
Jeannette residents pleaded with council members Thursday to rethink a decision to end the city’s police dog program, while criticizing the move that has put two canines out of work. “We just cut eight feet out of that police unit,” resident Kathie Tanyer said. “Those dogs are invaluable.” A police...
‘Cheap fake’ video clip posted online misstates Fetterman’s pick to win Pennsylvania
During a Newsmax segment lasting more than eight minutes Wednesday, Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said a half-dozen times he thought Vice President Kamala Harris would win Pennsylvania in the general election. But Fetterman misspoke once, using the word “he” instead of “she,” in another portion of the interview on...
Westmoreland Land Trust unveils preliminary plan for parking, trails at Unity preserve
An expanded network of trails, multiple parking areas and an enlarged farm stand space along Route 30 are elements of a preliminary master plan the Westmoreland Land Trust unveiled this week for its St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Unity. About 25 people turned out for a Wednesday afternoon gathering to...
Kennywood, Idlewild to close Friday because of Tropical Storm Debby
Kennywood Park in West Mifflin and Idlewild Park and SoakZone will be closed Friday because of expected bad weather. Company officials cited remnants of Tropical Storm Debby moving through the area as their reason for the closure. The announcement was made via the amusement parks’ websites Thursday. All tickets for...
Unity woman accused in $2K theft from neighbor
A Unity woman is accused of using a man’s vehicle without his permission for a day and making almost $2,000 in unauthorized purchases and withdrawals with his credit card and bank debit card, state police at Greensburg said. The suspect, Bruna M. Leonard, 54, of Tabby Lane, is accused of...
Westmoreland register of wills to leave office 4 months early
Westmoreland County’s Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton will leave office four months early. County officials on Thursday confirmed that Hamilton, the three-term Republican officerholder who last spring was stripped of her administrative duties, said she will resign her elected position effective Sept. 3. Hamilton previously agreed leave Dec. 31...
Rural Ridge Tunnel closure, Brian Kelley concert could create traffic tangles in West Deer
A tunnel closure in Indiana Township and a high-profile country music concert in West Deer could create a traffic nightmare Friday. The 130-year-old Rural Ridge Tunnel on Little Deer Creek Valley Road is scheduled to close at 7 a.m. Friday for five weeks of repairs. On Friday night, former Florida...
Beefed up: Western Pa.’s burger scene gets bigger and bolder
Look out Pittsburgh — restaurant burgers are getting bigger and more creative. The classic burger that once graced most menus has evolved into beefy specialty creations at most eateries. “Gone are the days of your traditional burger,” said Cicero’s Bar & Grill co-owner Olivia Rapone. “They’re not as simple anymore.”...
Hampton, Deer Lakes mull cooperative wrestling program
Hampton Township and Deer Lakes school districts could be teaming up on the wrestling mat. The school board in Hampton is scheduled to vote Aug. 12 on approving a cooperative program between the districts. Deer Lakes has no wrestling program, but some students are interested in participating in the sport....
Records show Trump rally gunman Thomas Crooks practiced dozens of times at Clairton rifle rangeVideo
New details surrounding the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Butler last month were released Thursday, as a Capitol Hill lawmaker shared documents showing the gunman made dozens of visits to a local gun range and police released body camera footage of the moment an officer spotted the...
Pittsburgh Grass Open at South Park Fairgrounds once again deemed a success
After another successful weekend of grass-court volleyball, Ned Bacheson is looking forward to what the future holds for Pittsburgh Grass Open tournament. A total of 740 players across 326 teams took part in this years event, held July 26-28, at the Allegheny County Fairgrounds in South Park. That number is...
Man’s 19th birthday ends with woman shot dead in Monroeville and a confession
Joselyn Thomas screamed her last words, police said. “A.J., stop, A.J. stop.” It was Wednesday afternoon, and Thomas, 18, of North Versailles, had been arguing with Albert Williams III, a witness told police. Investigators said the witness heard three gunshots inside the bedroom of unit G in the Cambridge Square...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Aug. 9-11
Looking forward to a celebratory weekend after a rainy week? There’s lots to do on those precious days off. Take a look at five events to enjoy this weekend: The Stroll in Ligonier Take a walk back through time this Friday night at The Stroll. This event will be held...