Go Laurel Highlands sets workshop for tourism grant program
Mark Brown’s family has lived in Westmoreland County for six generations. He’s been running Hemlock Lane Designs for 24 years. Brown, 59, of Jones Mills said that a tourism grant funded through a 5% county lodging tax has allowed he and his son, Shawn Hresko, to promote their furniture business....
Hammers ring out during blacksmith gathering in Ligonier Township
Pieces of red-hot steel were shaped into close to 200 useful or decorative items Saturday as area blacksmiths gathered for the annual Hammer-In event at Laughlintown’s Compass Inn Museum. Visitors watched in the museum’s forge as about 20 members of the Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmiths Association hammered out a variety...
Inaugural Community Day event celebrates Lower Burrell
The inaugural Lower Burrell Community Day event was a hit with residents Saturday at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park. The event, from 1 p.m. to dusk, benefits the Lower Burrell City Parks. More than 45 vendors lined the shaded park as attendees enjoyed live music, food trucks, artisans, a...
Jeannette groups, Red Cross install smoke detectors in city homes in wake of fatal fire
Michael Gendek had a sense of relief Saturday as volunteers updated the smoke detectors in his family’s second-story Jeannette apartment. Since the family moved into the Harrison Avenue rental dwelling in October, he said, the state of the detectors “has just always been a concern. We just wanted to make...
South Buffalo police stronger than ever, officials say as they eye new station
About five years ago, the South Buffalo Township Police Department comprised two officers and a lone civilian SUV that was converted for police use. On July 15, the township hired its fourth full-time police officer, at $23 an hour, who, unlike some of his predecessors, will patrol in a purpose-built...
Search on for missing Jefferson Hills man
Jefferson Hills police are asking for the public’s help in their search for a missing local resident. Police said Josh Klingensmith left his home on Lewis Run Road sometime between 11 p.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Friday, leaving behind his wallet and cellphone. Klingensmith, who is considered endangered, was last...
Benedum estate listed for $2.9M near Ligonier
The Benedum family no longer has any heirs to carry on the family name, or to own and operate the family residence near Ligonier. Butterfly Farm, owned by the late philanthropist Paul G. Benedum, known by most as “Benny,” died from a heart attack while visiting Florida in May 2023....
The Stroller, July 27, 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. Evening of fun planned for children experiencing grief Good Samaritan Hospice,...
Franklin Regional grad takes over Independence concussion management programVideo
When Alex Fleming was helping the Franklin Regional Panthers football team win the PIAA’s 2005 AAA championship, he wasn’t thinking much about concussion protocol. But as the 2007 Franklin Regional graduate moved on to Davidson College — where he played football while pursuing a biology degree before earning his medical...
Some say 7% boost in Pa. Medicaid funding is not enough for nursing homes; Sen. Kim Ward agrees
A 7% increase included in the recently passed Pennsylvania budget for nursing home residents on Medicaid — upping the total to $120 million — will help facilities caring for the elderly but won’t cover the gap between cost of the care and the state’s Medicaid reimbursement, a nursing home official...
Tido’s Corner in New Kensington to feature local musical, comedic talents
Every hurdle, every obstacle and every challenge only drove Toriano Wilson to keep going. After many delays and more time than he thought, Wilson, who goes by “Tido,” is just about ready to open Tido’s Corner, an entertainment venue, in his hometown of New Kensington. Located in the former Kafa...
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
WASHINGTON — Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally. “What struck...
Sen. Ward says she will work to ensure potential Democratic presidential ticket including Shapiro loses
State Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, pledged to try to avoid becoming Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor — something that would happen should Gov. Josh Shapiro leave office before his term ends. “I’m going to fight as hard as I can to make sure I don’t become lieutenant governor … that it never...
Trump says he’ll return to Butler for another rally
Former President Trump said he will return to Butler County, the site of an assassination attempt against him, for a rally to honor the life of the firefighter killed in the shooting. Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday afternoon that he will be holding a “big and beautiful rally”...
Jeannette company sued after rescinding job offer based on medical marijuana use
An Indiana County man is suing a Jeannette plastic lumber manufacturer, claiming company officials violated state employment laws when they rescinded a job based on the results of his drug test. Michael Howard claims in a two-count lawsuit filed this week in Westmoreland County that he was improperly rejected for...
Police arrest man in Versailles stabbing rampage that left 1 dead, 2 hurt
After drinking tequila and smoking marijuana, an out-of-control Washington County man tore through a Mon Valley duplex Thursday night, killing one man, attempting to stab another and forcing a woman into a headlock before apologizing and fleeing the scene with a dog, police said. Allegheny County Police on Friday charged...
Superior Court reverses judge’s bail denial in Sewickley torture case
Three months after an Allegheny County judge denied bail to a suspect accused of torturing a man in Sewickley, an appeals court ruled that he must be granted bail. Pennsylvania law says that every criminal defendant is entitled to bail unless they face a potential life prison term or there...
Stamp bags, needles and toys: Jury finds Munhall man guilty of murder in fentanyl death of son, 2
With thousands of empty stamp bags strewn throughout the parents’ Munhall apartment — mixed in with donuts, cookies and their three children’s toys — it was a matter of if, not when, the fentanyl would harm the kids, a prosecutor said. “Day after day, week after week, room after room,...
Leechburg Area officials plan lawsuit against Westmoreland County over tax assessments
Leechburg Area School Board members say they intend to file a lawsuit against Westmoreland County and possibly one against the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The lawsuits would be aimed at bringing about a solution to demands from West Leechburg residents to fix what they say is an inequity in the...
Oklahoma Borough looking for new mayor, council member
Elected officials come and go in small towns, where most serve in an unpaid and part-time capacity, but it’s not often that a mayor steps down and leaves council to appoint a replacement. Oklahoma Borough Council will be doing just that following the departure of two-and-a-half-term Mayor Don Emerick. His...
Allegheny Valley School District retains Rajgopal as finance, business operations director
With numerous capital projects in the works, Allegheny Valley School District has retained its director of finance and business operations. Board members Wednesday approved a new contract for Hamsini Rajgopal. The contract becomes effective July 1, 2025, and expires June 30, 2030, but board President Nino Pollino said there was...
Plum School District settles discrimination claim with job applicant for $5K
The Plum School District will revise its application process as part of an agreement settling a discrimination allegation. The district agreed to pay Eile Demkee $5,000 to resolve Demkee’s claims. That amount, inclusive of attorney’s fees and costs, will be paid by the district and/or its insurance carrier. The district...
West Deer man arrested in connection to Frazer shooting
An argument at a Frazer auto salvage yard led to a shot fired and a West Deer man arrested, according to Allegheny County Police. Jonathan Nealer, 40, is charged with felony aggravated assault in connection with the shooting of a man in his leg last week at Hloznik Auto Salvage...
Site of former LA fitness eyed for new store in Bethel Park
The scene of a demolished building that housed fitness centers is proposed as the site for a new store. Bethel Park Council approved the preliminary/final plan for Floor & Décor, to be located at 3000 Oxford Drive, where there previously was an LA Fitness and before that, Bally’s. “I have...
New Kensington-Arnold officials promise repairs to dilapidated veterans memorial
As they’ve gotten older, Michele Eckman and her husband, Richard, don’t travel back to the Alle-Kiski Valley from their home outside of Dallas as often as they used to. So when they came to the area in June, they made a point of stopping by Valley High School in Richard’s...
