Men get probation for poisoning 25 birds at Lawrence County farm
Two men convicted of poisoning 25 migrating birds four years ago will each serve one year of federal probation. Robert Yost, 51, of New Galilee, Beaver County, and Jacob Reese, 26, of Enon Valley, Lawrence County, were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Yost, the owner of...
Penn Hills graduate identified as man killed in Youngstown explosion
Authorities have identified the man who died Tuesday in a natural gas explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, as Akil Drake, a former Penn Hills resident. The blast shattered the facade of Realty Tower, which houses a Chase Bank where Drake worked, killing him and injuring seven others. One person remains in...
Pittsburgh considers sharpshooters in parks to reduce deer population
An expansion of Pittsburgh’s deer hunting program will bring limited archery into additional parks, and the city might bring in U.S. Department of Agriculture sharpshooters in some areas. The city last year launched a limited archery pilot program in Frick and Riverview parks. Thirty archers culled 108 deer and donated...
North Hills High School announces graduates
Congratulations to the North Hills High School Class of 2024. Class officers are Avery Gallagher, president; Alyssa McCoy, vice president; Colter Mathis, treasurer; and Abigail Stewart, secretary. All graduates, as reported by the school district: • A-B — Michael Adams, Helene Addink, Jack Alexander, Zoey Allen, Davian Altdorfer, Saulo Alves,...
Gateway speech instructor’s final promotes gratitude
Phil Randolph has been a full-time Gateway High School teacher for 18 years. “I first student taught here right out of college in 2005, and they’ve kept me around ever since,” said Randolph, who teaches English. In addition to serving as the boys’ volleyball team head coach, junior class council...
State representatives to discuss pharmacy benefit manager regulation at roundtable event
Western Pennsylvania state representatives will hold a roundtable discussion Thursday at Westmoreland County Community College to discuss proposed regulations on pharmacy benefit managers with regional pharmacy stakeholders. State Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Pittsburgh and Eric Nelson, R-Hempfield, will host the discussion from 8 to 10 a.m. to talk about Benham’s bipartisan...
Springdale to play home football games at Burrell, Freeport in 2024 season
Without a home field this season, Springdale’s high school football team is planning to play two home games at Freeport’s football field and a pair of games at Burrell’s Buccaneer Stadium. During a school board discussion last week, Allegheny Valley School District Superintendent Pat Graczyk said the Dynamos football team...
1786 log cabin estate listed for $3.9 million in Fox Chapel
An original log cabin from the 1700s is still going strong as the oldest residence in Fox Chapel. And now it’s for sale. Originally known as Summer Seat, the cabin was bought from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1786 for just under three British pounds. The log cabin portion remains...
Spork Pit Barbecue closes on Pittsburgh’s South Side
After being open less than a year, Spork Pit Barbecue has closed. The idea was to transform the former Double Wide Grill on Pittsburgh’s South Side into a new dining concept of ribs and wings, pulled pork and brisket as well as retain some vegan and vegetarian dishes the Double...
Pittsburgh poised to fund 2 Juneteenth events after controversy over dueling celebrations
Pittsburgh has figured out a way to defuse a controversy over dueling Juneteenth celebrations: Give money to both. The city is now poised to help fund two separate Juneteenth events next month after a longtime event organizer last week condemned Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration for initially proposing to steer cash...
Hampton Community Library launches summer reading program
Hampton Community Library’s summer reading program starts June 1 and runs through Aug. 10. Register for in-person programs at the library and start reading to earn raffle tickets for prizes. Please note there are no children’s programs the week of July 4. Also featured at the library: • Saturday Storytime,...
Ex-home health aide sentenced to probation for sexually assaulting Pittsburgh client
A Pittsburgh woman took a deep breath from her motorized wheelchair as she prepared to describe the impact of being sexually assaulted last year by her home health aide. “I was once a vibrant and outgoing person,” the victim said in court Wednesday. “I would not wish this on my...
Richland American Legion Post 548 pays Memorial Day tribute
From preschoolers to high school students to veterans, the Memorial Day service sponsored by Richland American Legion Post 548 featured a wide age range of participants paying tribute to those who gave their lives for their country. Youngsters from the RYF Preschool at the Pine-Richland Youth Center led the singing...
Westmoreland happenings: Brass concert, summer reading program, more
Fundraisers • A strawberry festival will be held 3 to 6 p.m. June 1 in the basement of Trinity United Church of Christ, 139 N. Main St., Greensburg. Menu: ham barbecue sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad, strawberries, ice cream, cake and beverage. Cost: $11; younger than 6, free. Dine in...
Penn Hills schools show disparities in state safety and mental health awards
Should Pennsylvania schools have to compete to afford keeping students safe? Officials in the Penn Hills School District, which missed out on a piece of $32.2 million in competitive school safety and security grants, say no. “The fact that we’re constantly having to fight for money to keep our schools...
Pa.’s fracking wastewater could be a reliable source of lithium, study says
Newly published research by a University of Pittsburgh doctorate student estimates that up to 40% of the lithium needed in the U.S. could be extracted from wastewater created by unconventional drilling operations in Pennsylvania. Most batteries used in technology — like smartwatches and electric cars — are made with lithium,...
Police say West Wilmerding fire chief choked fellow firefighter
West Wilmerding’s fire chief faces a court date on assault charges, after police say he choked another firefighter during an emergency call in May. James R. Pusey, 33, of North Versailles was charged Tuesday with simple assault and misdemeanor terroristic threats. According to a criminal complaint, West Wilmerding was one...
Clairton man killed by train
A Clairton man has died of injuries he sustained when he was struck by a train Tuesday evening, according to the Allegheny County coroner’s office. Richard Knox, 63, was struck by a train shortly before 7 p.m. along the 1200 block of North State Street. He was taken to the...
Morning Roundup: Grand jury charges Cranberry man in cruise ship strangling
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, May 29: Cranberry man charged in cruise ship assault A Cranberry man has been charged in federal court with strangling another person while aboard a cruise ship. A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Quintin Owens, 27, of...
Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell to be auctioned, starting bid at $1.14 million
With progress made at Burrell Plaza, all eyes have turned to Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell. The shopping center off Leechburg and Wildlife Lodge roads will be auctioned off online from June 10 to 12, according to a listing. The starting bid is $1.14 million. “From a city standpoint,...
The Stroller, May 29, 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. Poker run to raise money for homeless veterans Ride for Homeless...
Rustic Ridge family that lost home to explosion awaits completion of new house
As Rick and Beth Napoleon planned their new house in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood, they knew it had to be different. “With every decision, we’re pretty much trying to do the complete opposite of the last house,” Rick Napoleon said. “Every decision is the opposite. We want something new, different...
Plum board approves budget with 6.2% tax hike
Plum School District property owners will see their real estate tax bills go up 6.2% next year. The school board voted 8-1 Tuesday night to adopt their estimated $74.3 million spending plan with the tax hike for the 2024-25 school year. Board member Lindsay Arenth dissented. The 6.2% increase includes...
Greensburg Diocese asks county detectives to probe failure of worker background checks
The Westmoreland County Detective Bureau is reviewing a request by the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg to investigate what the diocese describes as a potential conspiracy to conceal the criminal background of a now-former Irwin parish cemetery employee. Spokesman Cliff Gorski said Tuesday the diocese has asked county detectives to determine...
TribLive captures 4 Golden Quill awards, 20 finalist nods
TribLive captured four Golden Quill Awards and was a finalist for 20 others at the 60th annual awards dinner Tuesday night at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania announced the winners of the Golden Quills, a competition that honors professional and student excellence in print, broadcast,...