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...
Sharpsburg awarded $10 million for waterfront housing, recreation project
Sharpsburg officials are hoping a growing chest of state and federal money will bring them something the borough hasn’t had since the 1800s — a direct connection to much of its riverfront property. On the heels of a $25 million federal award in June, Sharpsburg got a state award this...
No more booths: Turnpike set to expand Open Road Tolling in coming years
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission gave more details this week about its timeline for ditching toll booths in favor of Open Road Tolling (ORT). All toll roads east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension will be converted to ORT, a system that electronically charges motorists at highway speeds, in January...
Allegheny Valley looks into cellphone restrictions for students during classroom time
Is there a reason why the Allegheny Valley School District isn’t restricting students’ access to their cellphones during instructional time in the classroom? That’s the question school board directors asked administrators Wednesday to look into. Board member Larry Pollick suggested the district implement a policy restricting cellphone use in the...
Leechburg Area hires new business manager
Leechburg Area School Board members hired a new business manager at a special voting meeting Thursday night. Gregory Cessna was hired in a 7-0 vote. Board members Anthony Townsend and Andrew Pallus were absent from the meeting. The hiring comes after the district’s previous manager, Teresa Edinger, resigned in May...
Immerse yourself in arts and culture: A weekend of diverse events in Pittsburgh
If you’re looking to fill your weekend with all things arts and culture, there is no shortage of events happening in and around the city this weekend. From performances that reflect the beauty of the African diaspora to the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh’s Summer Picnic, start planning out your...
Chestnut Street home in Sewickley on the market for $1,795,000Video
For Robyn Carson Jones, a house is more than brick and mortar — it’s a place to create family memories. When she and her husband were renovating their current Sewickley residence for their three children, they included an in-law suite for her mother so she could be close by during...
Bidding process underway for demolition of Colfax Elementary School in Springdale
Plans continue for the eventual demolition of Colfax Elementary School in Springdale. The Allegheny Valley School Board on Wednesday authorized district administrators to seek contract bids for the demolition of the Colfax building, which sits along Colfax Street. The building is 99 years old. It closed in 2018 and has...
Scott Township native participates in Navy outreach with children in Vanuatu
A Scott Township native currently serving in the U.S. Navy continues to make an impact, this time at a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The Navy reported that Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Joseph Dezamits participated in activities with students at the Kawenu Primary School, Port Vila, Vanuatu, during a community...
Morning Roundup: 2 arrested in Clairton killing; USDA doing rabies bait drops
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, July 26: 2 arrested in Clairton shooting Two people have been arrested in connection with a fatal July 12 shooting on Madison Avenue in Clairton, county police said. Allegheny County Police arrested Thomas W. Walker V, 27, of...
Charges against Mercer man accused of killing, dismembering transgender teen held for court
A murder charge filed against a Mercer County man accused of killing a transgender teen and dismembering their body was held for court on Thursday. State police charged Dashawn Watkins, 29, of Mercer with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in the death of...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 26-28
Another summer month is almost over! As we say goodbye to July, the calendar is still packed with events. If you’re in the mood for goats, dinosaurs, tunes or treats, give one of these events a spin this weekend. Goat Fest PGH Adorable goats have become an integral part of...
Alle-Kiski High School Reunion News – July 26, 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 Hi Class of 1959 will have a reunion at 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Hill Crest Country Club,...
The Stroller, July 26, 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. Summer festival on tap at Concordia Lutheran Ministries The 143rd annual...
Rural Ridge Tunnel in Indiana Township to close for 5 weeks
A deteriorating Indiana Township railroad bridge with cracked concrete and water damage is scheduled to close for five weeks for restoration. The Rural Ridge Tunnel along Little Deer Creek Valley Road is nearly 130 years old and signs of its age are apparent, police Chief Steve Colucci said. “The repair...
1 man dead, 2 hurt in Versailles Borough incident in which suspect fought with, injured police officer
One man is dead and a second man and a woman were hospitalized Thursday night after an altercation in Versailles Borough that started at one residence and spilled over to the adjacent home. Police said a suspect was arrested only after he fled the scene. He was apprehended in McKeesport...
Feds sue National General over alleged insurance scheme
The federal government on Thursday sued National General Holdings Corp. alleging that the insurance company — with a large call center in Moon — ran an eight-year scheme defrauding hundreds of thousands of people across the country. The 70-page suit, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District...
Derry Borough issues tall order for Bigfoot portrayal
If you’re at least 6 feet tall and weigh more than 150 pounds, Derry Borough has a role for you. Borough officials are searching for someone to appear in costume as Bigfoot as they look to tap into the growing interest in the hairy creature and the local history of...