Cleanup of Bushy Run Battlefield tornado damage could take months, officials say
Standing at the head of one of Bushy Run Battlefield’s wooded trails on Monday, it’s hard to tell that a footpath through the trees ever existed. Downed trees, branches, leaves and debris completely block the way, leaving clearings where there once was forest and thickets where paths were once passable....
In brief: Herald area events for the week of July 1, 2024
First Fridays returns First Fridays in Sharpsburg returns July 5. North Canal Street will be closed between Main Street and Bonaventura Way from 6 to 9 p.m. for the event. Multiple vendors are expected to participate, and several borough businesses are expected to be open later than usual. First Fridays...
New Kensington-Arnold to consider extending superintendent’s contract
The New Kensington-Arnold School Board will vote Tuesday on extending the employment of Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. Sefcheck’s original five-year contract started July 1, 2021, and runs until June 30, 2026. The new five-year deal would start Tuesday and end on June 30, 2029 — effectively extending his employment by three...
Get your fill of fireworks in and around Pittsburgh before, on and after the Fourth
In addition to Pittsburgh, several municipalities will have fireworks displays before, on, and after the Fourth of July. Wednesday • Tarentum: 10 p.m., Dreshar Stadium, First Avenue • Hampton: 9:30 p.m., township soccer fields • Findlay: 9:45 p.m., Leopold Lake Thursday • Brentwood: 9:30 p.m., Brentwood Park • Butler: Dusk,...
Plenty of 2023-24 success stories for Hampton Township Rotary Club
The end of June marked the conclusion of the 2023-24 year for the Hampton Township Rotary Club, during which members demonstrated their commitment to Rotary International’s principal motto: Service above self. Tom Baker, the club’s president for the year, compiled a list of Rotarians’ success stories. Among other acts of...
Long-troubled Shuman to reopen Tuesday under new management
Three years after the troubled Shuman Juvenile Detention Center was shut down and its license revoked, the facility will reopen Tuesday on the same site in Pittsburgh but under new management, giving Allegheny County a dedicated place to keep troubled youths for the first time since 2021. Highland Detention at...
Fox Chapel Area’s Colin Lazzara named a W.Pa. Positive Athlete for dedication to Unified Bocce
When Colin Lazzara entered his freshman year at Fox Chapel Area High School, the pandemic had students learning from home, creating less than ideal circumstances. His senior year, however, ended considerably different, filled with many accomplishments and topped with his selection as the 2024 Western Pennsylvania Boys Alternative Sport Positive...
Connellsville man accused in road rage incident in South Greensburg
WPA 7/2A Connellsville man is accused of causing $2,680 in damage to another motorist’s vehicle during a road rage incident last month in South Greensburg. Borough police said Michael James Gravely, 36, directed racial slurs at the other driver while both were stopped at a red light on Route 119...
Hampton Rotary sponsors annual Firecracker 5K
This year’s Firecracker 5K in Hampton will be held on July 4, just as it has been for the past 18 years. The Hampton Township Rotary Club sponsors the event, which brings roughly 120 runners from all over the Pittsburgh area. “We think it’s a great opportunity to bring people...
Teen sentenced up to 25 years in prison for shooting death of Monessen classmate
A month ago, Bethany Altomore accepted her son’s high school diploma. His cap and gown were draped over an empty chair at Monessen High School’s Class of 2024 graduation, a memorial of sorts for Amari Altomore, who was killed in 2022. “Then we had to go to the cemetery to...
Inner Groove Brewing announces MikelParis collab, limited edition beers
Inner Groove Brewing has announced a collaboration with musician MikelParis of the rock band O.A.R. Two limited edition beers will be available at Inner Groove Brewing — inspired by MikelParis’ new album titled “Snidbits,” which was released in February. Inner Groove Brewing said the beers will be available on tap...
Chartiers Valley School District’s budget holds the line on taxes
Property owners in the Chartiers Valley School District will pay the same in school taxes for the upcoming year. The $78.4 million budget, approved by the school board June 25, keeps the millage rate at 20.1909 mills, signaling no tax increase. Owners of a home in the district valued at...
Lawsuit accuses Washington County of not allowing mail-in voters to fix ballot errors
Seven Washington County voters sued their board of elections Monday, alleging the board’s decision to not relay information about errors on mail-in ballots — and therefore not giving them a chance to cure those errors — violates their constitutional right to vote. The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil...
Collier Community Day ‘a nice night out’
Collier Township’s Community Day sounded like a good time to township residents Gordon and Beverly Gathany. The couple, who moved to Collier from upstate New York seven years ago, frequent the township’s community center and park and looked forward to the Community Day event. “It’s a nice night out,” Beverly...
Red Cross hoping for at least 190 blood donors at drive in Hempfield
In January, American Red Cross officials declared an emergency blood shortage in the U.S., citing a 20-year all-time low in donors. The Red Cross supplies roughly 40% of the nation’s donated blood and blood components like plasma. Red Cross officials will host a July 15 blood drive at Charter Oak...
Norwin OKs contract for Superintendent Natalie McCracken
Norwin’s new superintendent, Natalie McCracken, has a five-year contract with a 4.2% increase in the base salary she was to receive as the school district’s assistant superintendent. School board directors Christine Baverso, Bill Bojalad, Raymond Kocak, Tim Kotch Sr., Heath Shrum and Matt Thomas voted to approve the deal at...
Elaine Jasso pours heart into Sheldon Park’s Booker Center
Elaine Jasso has become a surrogate grandma to hundreds of children in Harrison. As program coordinator for the Deborah D. Booker Community Center in Sheldon Park, Jasso, 73, plans daily activities at the facility that’s run by the Allegheny County Housing Authority. Sometimes, her role is to provide a listening...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of July 1, 2024
School board passes budget with 1-mill tax increase The Penn Hills School Board unanimously approved a final budget June 25 for the 2024-25 school year that includes a minimal tax increase. The budget is balanced with revenues and expenditures of just over $100,300,000. A portion of the revenues will go...
Deer Lakes student with rare genetic disorder searching for perfect bone marrow match
Caisen Bedillion is a typical teenage girl who loves cheerleading, roller coasters and horror movies. The 13-year-old from West Deer, however, has endured an atypical amount of medical challenges. “Since she was born, she had a number of medical problems and delays at every turn,” said her mom, Erin Bedillion....
Where to watch Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July fireworks
The time of year has come again to celebrate patriotism, eat hot dogs and watch colorful balls of fire explode in the sky. Pittsburgh knows how to do the Fourth of July. The City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration is set to begin at 4 p.m. Thursday (July 4). There...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of July 1, 2024
Plum school board considering drone policy The Plum School Board is considering a new policy governing the use of drones on district property. Under the proposed policy, the use of any non-district owned or operated drones for any purpose would be prohibited on district property. School employees and students may...
Morning Roundup: Woman injured after being hit by vehicle in Squirrel Hill
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, July 1: Woman injured after being hit by vehicle in Squirrel Hill A woman is in critical condition after she was hit by a car in Squirrel Hill on Sunday night, according to Pittsburgh police. Police spokeswoman Cara...
The Stroller, July 1, 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. Rubber ducky race to raise funds for Leechburg anniversary A rubber...
Universal Lunch initiative would mean free meals for all students, regardless of family income
Hungry kids can quickly turn into hangry students. Rumbling stomachs can lead to classroom distraction and discipline issues, research shows, along with feelings of isolation for children whose families struggle to afford school lunches. “Not only do we see the benefits of full bellies in academics, but it’s social, too,”...
Mt. Pleasant Area School Board OKs 1-mill property tax hike, $38.1M budget
Mt. Pleasant Area School District property owners will see 1 mill added to their tax bills to help support the district’s 2024-25 budget of more than $38.1 million. That final spending plan approved Wednesday, June 26, represents a decrease from the $38.8 million tentative budget total proposed in May, when...
