Western PA Local News category, Page 592
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Aug. 12, 2024
Back-to-school event to feature giveaways The Penn Hills School District is hosting its annual Back-to-School PHamily Fun Fest from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 17 at Penn Hills High School. Students’ first day of school is Aug. 20. While the Fun Fest is taking place at the high school, it...
Hempfield, state officials see $16M site near Route 30 as community. emergency response hubVideo
Looking out over the bare dirt across 43 acres in eastern Hempfield, township Commissioner Jay Anderson was reminded of his days as a Boy Scout leader. “You’d arrive at Scout camp and it’s just this big open area, but then everyone starts getting set up and before long, it really...
State police to increase late-night patrols in Export
State police will increase late-night patrols in response to recent reports of car break-ins in Export. Lt. Michael Sbardella was at council’s Aug. 6 meeting to address concerns about thefts from vehicles along Lee Street, Pierce Street, Italy Road and Lincoln Avenue. Sbardella said he would speak with midnight-shift officers...
Pittsburgh food vendor settles with Labor Department over overtime abuse, worker threats
A Pittsburgh food vendor has paid workers $15,000 in back wages and damages for refusing to pay workers the mandated overtime rate and threatening employees, the U.S. Department of Labor said Monday. Simon’s Food Concessions, located in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood, denied time-and-a-half wages to six employees for work beyond the...
Jeffrey A. Manning, veteran Allegheny County judge who presided over high-profile criminal cases, dies at 77
In court, whether as a prosecutor or judge, Jeffrey A. Manning controlled the room. With a commanding presence, deep knowledge of the rules of evidence and a knack for the most minute of details, Manning was known for his brilliant legal acumen, an occasional short temper and a quick wit....
Couple accused of smuggling drugs into Westmoreland prison
A husband and wife are accused of smuggling drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison by concealing them in a suit jacket needed for a court appearance, according to police. Westmoreland County detectives detailed in court papers numerous conversations John Joseph Kukonik, 35, had with Olivia A. Weber, 46, while he...
Fox Chapel graduate crosses the globe to learn new language
Summer vacation for most college students is about earning some extra money or sitting back and relaxing. Others, however, decide to learn a new language. That’s true for Fox Chapel graduate Daniel Thomas, who spent his summer studying Japanese in Okayama, Japan. Thomas, a rising junior at the University of...
Plum holds solemn vigil for those lost in house explosion a year ago
At 10:23 a.m. Monday, Plum paused to remember those who died in a house explosion in the borough’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood exactly one year ago. Church bells at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church were among those that began chiming at the precise moment Paul and Heather Oravitz’s home exploded...
Deer and drought kill Schwirian Farm Sunflower Festival
Days before the popular Schwirian Farm Sunflower Festival was set to begin, deer ate about a half-million sunflower blossoms at the farm, which gave organizers no choice but to cancel. Leslee Schwirian, who owns the Forward Township farm alongside her husband, Jay, said there were only about 10 flowers left...
Jeannette EMS plans to remove former station from bankruptcy estate because of liens on property
If there are no objections filed this week, the former Jeannette EMS station will be removed from the organization’s bankruptcy estate, according to court filings. Because of liens on the property, the South Sixth Street station and its contents have no value to the estate, attorneys said in a notice...
North Huntingdon woman charged with providing alcohol, corruption of minors
While investigating a fatal dirt bike crash in North Huntingdon, police said they learned that a township woman had regularly been hosting drinking parties for teenagers in the community, according to court papers. On Friday, they arrested Kimberly Strashensky, 53, on charges of child endangerment, corruption of minors and providing...
Meet Thelma Tambellini, Wholey’s longest-tenured employeeVideo
She doesn’t eat seafood, but that hasn’t stopped a longtime employee from making a career out of crustaceans and fish at Wholey’s in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Thelma Tambellini, 65, the longest-employed staff member at Wholey’s, is easy to spot in her standard uniform featuring a bright-blue Wholey shirt and name...
Wreck knocked out power to part of Lower Burrell, closed Leechburg Road for hours
A wreck closed Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell for nearly 12 hours Monday. Leechburg Road, the main thoroughfare through the city, was closed between MacBeth Drive and Edgecliff Road from 3 a.m. to 2 p.m. after a vehicle struck a utility pole. The vehicle sheered a utility pole, which fell...
Morning Roundup: Burning ban issued in North Franklin; 3 injured in North Versailles crash
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Aug. 12: Burning ban issued in North Franklin A temporary ban on burning has been enacted in a Washington County township as dry weather is expected to continue this week. Trib news partner WTAE reported that North Franklin...
Blair County frozen custard stand posts naming contest for groundhog discovered in claw machine game
A groundhog is looking to make a name for itself after being rescued from a claw machine at a Blair County frozen custard shop. The Meadows is taking suggestions for a name for the animal that is in line to become the third-most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania. A $25 gift...
In brief: Hampton area happenings, week of Aug. 12, 2024
Back to school Hampton Township School District students report for the first day of the new academic year on Aug. 22. Also on the district calendar are: • Sept. 3 — School board work session, 7 p.m., Hampton Middle School library. • Sept. 9 — School board voting meeting, 7:30...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Aug. 12, 2024
Plum plans ‘Meet the Teacher’ events at schools Ahead of the start of the 2024-25 school year, the Plum School District will hold new “Meet the Teacher” events at its schools on Aug. 14 and 15. The event replaces the self-guided tours and open house. Teachers and staff will be...
The Stroller, Aug. 12, 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. Local food shuttle expands hours, service areas The Fresh Food Shuttle...
In brief: Herald area events for the week of Aug. 12, 2024
AMLE names Dorseyville Pa.’s first School of Distinction Dorseyville Middle School has been recognized among 17 schools nationwide as a 2024 School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education. AMLE, an international membership organization, recognizes exemplary middle schools, while supporting them through a process of strategic vision-setting to...
State funding to boost Main Streets could assist local communities
Only $20 million is up for grabs statewide for small cities and boroughs looking to improve their downtowns, but local officials say they’re optimistic the money could head their way. The money is designated for a new Main Street Matters program that aims to foster economic growth and development for...
A father who can’t forgive, a shooter who can’t forget
George Nicholas still insists he acted in self-defense nearly 35 years ago when he shot and paralyzed the stranger in the middle of the night. It was Nov. 30, 1989, and Nicholas thought a man he’d argued with over a traffic dispute was attacking him with a shotgun in Pittsburgh’s...
Residents: New senior citizen building in Irwin ‘top of the line’
It’s back to their roots for Libby and Ted Fenster, McKeesport natives who are among the first residents to move into the four-story, 50-unit Grand View Senior Residences in Irwin. “I love it here. Everything is just top of the line,” said Libby Fenster, who moved into the Westmoreland County...
Proposed new Derry-Ligonier power line to follow path of existing one
Rosslyn Kemerer is breathing a huge sigh of relief now that a proposed new high-voltage power line connecting Derry and Ligonier is set to bypass her family’s small Ligonier Township farm. Others who have property in the path of the utility line FirstEnergy expects will help minimize power outages may...
A good run for Hampton’s 1st Talbot Shuffle
Two girls joined their male counterparts in the culminating race of the inaugural Talbot Shuffle at Hampton’s Fridley Field, and they happened to be sisters. “Are you going to tell them I beat her?” one of them inquired after pulling away near the finish line, nearly 2 miles after they...
Richland celebrates 30th annual Community Day
With students in the Pine-Richland High School Band performing as they marched up the midway, so came the start of the 30th annual Richland Township Community Day. Members of Richland American Legion subsequently raised the U.S. flag while sisters Claire and Raegan Dosch provided vocal harmonies for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”...
