No tax increase expected at Highlands
New tennis courts and a revamped track are among the projects in the tentative Highlands School District budget, but the $1 million worth of work isn’t expected to cause a tax increase. The proposed $53 million spending plan would maintain the property tax rate at 25.13 mills. If approved, the...
Housing authority may expand parking with purchase of vacant Jeannette school property
A tentative agreement is in the works for the Westmoreland County Housing Authority to buy long-vacant property from Jeannette City School District for $28,000. Authority director Mike Washowich said he hopes the property can help expand parking for nearby Jeannette Manor residents and caregivers. But officials plan to examine the...
New children’s librarian looks to jump-start a love of reading for area kids
Do you remember your favorite childhood story? Mine was the Three Little Pigs. But not just any version of the tale — the version my dad told me at bedtime. My father has always been a great storyteller, and his bedtime stories were special to me because of the little...
‘Force of nature’ Patty Ameno dies at 72
The Kiski Valley is missing one of its most dogged, outspoken voices. Longtime environmental activist and Kiski Valley resident Patty Ameno has died. Ameno, 72, of Hyde Park died Friday, according to friends, who are flooding social media sites with expressions of grief and condolences. Ameno was known by friends,...
Security film to be installed on windows at Jeannette high school building
Security film will be added to windows and glass in several areas at Jeannette Junior/Senior High School after state police did a vulnerability and risk assessment at the building, according to school district Superintendent Matt Jones. The film will be added to glass in the front vestibule and areas near...
A snapshot of Michael Werries, who spent his life photographing the Alle-Kiski Valley
Take any sports event, emergency scene or community gathering in Springdale over the past 50-some years, and there’s a good chance Michael “Mick” Werries photographed it. A devoted documentarian and diehard Dynamo, Werries started capturing football games after graduating from Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School in 1969 and never looked back....
Bethel Park student wins Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful award
George Washington Elementary School student Nora Buchanan won first place among third graders in the statewide Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Litter Hawk Youth Award Program. The poster she made for the contest features people picking up trash, with the declaration: “We must all pitch in … open your eyes to litter.”...
Canadian wildfires pose threat of smoke to Western Pa. once again
Pennsylvania skies could be clouded by wildfire smoke again this summer, according to meteorologists. Canada’s wildfire season has begun, and air quality alerts have spread across the United States. Air quality alerts are in effect across northern Iowa, and as the smoke spread southward and eastward Monday, parts of Minnesota...
Pittsburgh council refuses to OK controversial $1,200 payment to ex-city worker
Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday refused to authorize a controversial $1,200 payment to a former city employee for his work as a contractor amid widening concerns over the use of city credit cards. Council voted unanimously to not approve the payment to Mario Ashkar following warnings by Controller Rachael Heisler...
North Hills High School students connect with community
The question continues to be asked of youngsters: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Some people on the verge of retirement still don’t know, let alone teenagers who face making life-establishing decisions. But North Hills High School staff members want to make sure their students have...
Delmont stormwater fees will start in 2025, newly formed authority president says
A new Delmont stormwater authority will function as a utility and assess a stormwater fee on property owners, a borough official said this week. The fee will be based on the amount of impervious surface on a given property, councilman and authority board President Stan Cheyne, with the goal of...
Squirrel Hill deli hit with consumer alert after rodent droppings, mice found
The Bagel Factory, a deli in Squirrel Hill, was hit with a consumer alert following an inspection by the Allegheny County Health Department. The report identified several high-risk violations, including the presence of rodent droppings on food contact surfaces within storage and hallway areas, marking a repeat offense. Additionally, inspectors...
Westmoreland City Post Office reopens
The Westmoreland City Post Office reopened Wednesday morning, nine days after an SUV crashed into the building. Postal customers were asked to use the office in Manor during the temporary closure. The SUV crashed into the Walnut Street building May 6. No one was hurt. A postal service spokesman did...
North Hills School Board to vote June 6 on 2024-25 budget
North Hills School District’s proposed final budget for the 2024-25 includes a real estate tax increase of .67 mills. The school board will vote June 6 on adopting the $99.98 million spending plan, according to the district. With the proposed increase, North Hills’ real estate rate would rise to 20.37...
CNX plans $1.5B hydrogen fuels plant at Pittsburgh airport, but wants federal tax credit to build it
HARRISBURG — Natural gas producer CNX Resources said it plans to build a $1.5 billion facility at Pittsburgh’s airport to make hydrogen-based fuels, but only if President Joe Biden’s administration allows coal mine methane to qualify for tax credits that are central to the Democrat’s plan to fight climate change....
Pittsburgh man pleads guilty to attack on IUP officer
A Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty Tuesday in connection with an attack on an Indiana University of Pennsylvania police officer who was investigating a false report about a robbery, according to Indiana County District Attorney Robert F. Manzi Jr. Cameron Raubaugh, 20, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and false reports. State...
Scott firefighter recognized after life-saving action during Chartiers Valley musical
Although Hannah Salerno was well-trained in emergency medical services, she didn’t expect to use those critical skills at Chartiers Valley Middle School’s spring musical last month. Salerno, 22, of Scott was working as a volunteer stage manager at the middle school’s production of “The Addams Family” on April 13 when...
New Castle police chief says noise complaint may have led to fatal shooting
A deadly shooting Tuesday afternoon in New Castle may have been spurred by a noise complaint, according to New Castle Police. Officials said officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired along East Washington Street at 4:17 p.m. Officers found an adult man, who has not yet been identified,...
Officer injured, suspect in custody following Downtown Pittsburgh foot chase
Following a foot chase Tuesday afternoon in Downtown Pittsburgh, police arrested a man and recovered a stolen vehicle and firearm. Authorities said officers on foot patrol near Wood Street spotted a stolen vehicle just after 4 p.m. Officers got behind the vehicle in a patrol car and on bicycles near...
Morning Roundup: 4th person charged in Rivers Casino roulette scheme
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, May 15: 4th person charged in Rivers Casino scheme Pennsylvania State Police on Tuesday announced a fourth person was arrested in connection with a scheme to rig electronic roulette betting at Rivers Casino. Police in March announced two...
Plum School Board censures member, calls for resignation
Plum School Board’s president called for fellow board member Ronald Sakolsky’s resignation late Tuesday following a vote to censure him. The resolution to censure Sakolsky, approved in a 7-2 vote, accused him of publicly sharing confidential or false information about the school district and its superintendent. “Time that should have...
Westmoreland happenings: Pizza fundraiser, shoe collection, plant sale, more
Class • YWCA Westmoreland will offer a class, “Apple Basics,” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 3, 4, 10 and 11 at the YWCA Mansion, 424 N. Main St., Greensburg. Cost: $20. Reservations required: 724-834-9390 or ywcawestmoreland.org. Fundraisers • Lincoln Heights Civic Association will have bingo from 1 to 3...
The Stroller, May 15, 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...
Plum recognizes first responders to Rustic Ridge tragedy
What Peter Troxell remembers most about the August day when a house exploded in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood is that it was hot. As a fire police officer with the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department, it was Troxell’s job to make sure the first responders who needed to get to...
Immune therapy drugs show promise in treating esophageal cancer
Gary Hines didn’t want to lose his hair. The Harrison resident, diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2021, worried about looking his best for his son’s wedding. “I was all worked up,” said Hines, 60, retired after 30 years with the Harrison Township Water Authority. “Turns out, I never lost one...
