Western PA Local News category, Page 631
Oakmont’s vegetation-control goats back to work after escape
Phyllis Anderson has jokingly referred to herself as “the GOAT,” (Greatest of All Time) since Oakmont brought in working goats two years ago to clear brush along the Allegheny River. But the assistant borough manager wants residents to know that the goats’ escape from their enclosure this week was no...
Police find drugs, $57K after arresting accused drug dealer in New Kensington
A New Kensington man police say was dealing drugs, including cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana, was arrested Wednesday morning. Tarique Taron Godson, 31, was apprehended after city police and officers with the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force carried out a search warrant at a house in the 400 block...
North Huntingdon switching public alert system
An upgraded emergency alert system will provide more notifications to North Huntingdon residents, but it will cost the township nearly twice as much as it’s paying for the old platform. The township is shifting from the Nixle alert system to the Everbridge Inc. platform, as of July 15, said Jonathan...
Oakmont Country Club work could produce harmless natural gas odor
If residents near Oakmont Country Club catch a whiff of natural gas this summer, it’s probably nothing to worry about. The club, which will host the 2025 U.S Open golf tournament next June, has construction underway, including some projects involving natural gas work. The club insists members and nearby residents...
Derry Borough man receives 2 years’ probation for threats, ethnic intimidation at Latrobe bar
A Derry Borough man who authorities said pointed a gun at two men and directed a racial slur at them told a Westmoreland County judge Wednesday that he made a great mistake. “It’s been quite a burden on my soul,” said Charles Noel, 68. Noel will spend two years on...
Arnold man charged in fatal North Braddock vehicle-pedestrian wreck
An Arnold man was driving under the influence of marijuana when he fatally injured a 75-year-old man in North Braddock in November, according to Allegheny County Police. County police charged Tyrell Jimmie Knight, 37, with charges including homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Harry Harold King...
Murrysville area: Senior parking passes, memorial bonfire fundraiser, ‘Christmas in July’ and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Garden work party The Delmont Public Library’s “Delmont Diggers” group will host a summer garden weed-and-mulch work party on July 12. Volunteers of all ages are invited to bring garden tools, shovels and gloves if available, to help clean up the library’s...
Bethel Park School Board adopts budget, approves tax increase
Following the June 25 Bethel Park School Board meeting, district taxpayers are faced with a 1.5222-mill real estate tax increase, bringing the new rate to 26.0748 mills. The increase comes with the board’s adoption of a $110.4 million final general fund operating budget for the 2024-25 school year. For a...
California Gov. Gavin Newsom to campaign for Biden in Pittsburgh
President Joe Biden’s campaign is calling in reinforcements. California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to visit Pittsburgh on Friday to energize the president’s base following his rocky debate performance. Newsom, a Democrat and one of Biden’s staunchest allies, will join Western Pennsylvania leaders for a rally at 1 p.m. A press...
Fox Chapel Area Rotary honors Shady Side Academy grads at annual luncheon
The Fox Chapel Area Rotary honored 10 Shady Side Academy seniors for outstanding leadership and academics. “These are outstanding students who represent the very best the academy has to offer,” said Bob Trimble, club president. “They not only have earned top grades taking difficult subjects but also found time to...
Damage to Westmoreland covered bridge minor; oversized trucks cause for concernVideo
Westmoreland County crews promptly repaired cosmetic damage caused this week when a flatbed trailer struck the entrance of the Bells Mills Bridge in South Huntingdon. Still, concerns remain about the ongoing problem of oversized vehicles squeezing through and damaging the historic wooden covered bridge, the last such span in the...
‘All hands on deck’: Police gear up for Pittsburgh’s July 4 fireworks
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi, like many area residents, admires the iconic view of Downtown that motorists get when emerging from the inbound Fort Pitt Tunnel. He just doesn’t want motorists watching Independence Day fireworks from there Thursday night. “People like to stop on the bridge to watch; people...
Hampton recognized as a Common Sense District
Common Sense, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students and families thrive in a world of media and technology, has recognized Hampton Township as a Common Sense District. The recognition acknowledges the school district’s commitment to creating a culture in which the entire community is invested in helping kids...
Carlynton School Board passes budget with 6.6% tax increase
A tax increase in Carlynton School District will help fund specialized educational services and future capital projects, district officials say. Directors in June approved the district’s $35.9 million budget, which includes a 6.6% tax increase. “We understand that any tax increase is significant, and we do not take this decision...
Paging Kamala? Summer Lee says VP Harris is ‘obvious choice’ if Biden steps down
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee has joined a growing chorus of elected Democrats weighing in on the fallout from President Joe Biden’s lackluster debate performance, emphasizing the gravity of the presidential race and suggesting that if Biden were to step aside, Vice President Kamala Harris is the “obvious choice” to replace...
Pittsburgh furry convention names Gray Paws Sanctuary as its 2024 charity
Anthrocon has named Gray Paws Sanctuary its charity for the 2024 Pittsburgh furry convention. The White Oak nonprofit, which helps older dogs in the greater Pittsburgh area, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. “This is amazing to be selected as the charity for 2024,” co-founder Darla Poole Brescia said Wednesday. Gray...
Aquinas Academy in Hampton honors students with awards
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton wrapped up 2023-24 by presenting end-of-the-year awards to students for various academic and athletic achievements. Among the recipients were winners of school-level awards: • Joshua Schlemmer, Aquinas Award, given to the upper school student who through academic achievement, love of God and contributions to...
Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg honor 43 in latest Hometown Hero banner ceremony
Although he didn’t talk about it much, Charles Galbraith was proud of the two years he served in the Army. Galbraith is one of 43 veterans, first responders and local officials who were honored Saturday evening at St. Clair Park with Hometown Hero banners in Greensburg and Southwest Greensburg. Galbraith...
Bail for Ligonier Township man who was focus of April police standoff set at $150,000
A Westmoreland County judge on Wednesday set bail at $150,000 for a Ligonier Township man who has been behind bars in connection with a domestic dispute and hourslong police standoff in April. Thomas U. Crary, 47, had been held without bail since his arrest. In seeking bail to be set,...
Golf outing benefits Franklin Park Scholarship Fund
Taking a Monday off for a round of golf is a good thing, at least for high school students from Franklin Park looking for extra college funds. All the proceeds from Franklin Park’s 21st annual Community Scholarship Golf Outing, to be held July 29 at Shannopin Country Club in Ben...
Hard lemonade the latest collaboration from Turner Dairy and Pittsburgh Brewing
A year after launching IC’d Tea, Turner Dairy Farms and Pittsburgh Brewing Co. are back with another twist on a Pittsburgh favorite. Turner’s Hard Lemonade will hit shelves Monday, July 8 as a limited-edition offering from the iconic local brands. A release from Turner’s describes the beverage as a balance...
St. Aidan continues festival tradition in McCandless
For more than 30 years, the St. Aidan Festival has been a local summertime tradition, drawing in thousands for fun, food, fellowship and maybe even a little bit of faith. The festival draws around 10,000 people over the four days, with this year’s event held from July 31 to Aug....
New Kensington-Arnold superintendent’s contract extended despite proposal to shorten it
One board member’s effort to shorten a contract extension for New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck failed Tuesday night. The board ultimately voted 8-0 to give Superintendent Chris Sefcheck a new five-year contract that will run from Tuesday through June 30, 2029. It replaces his previous and initial five-year contract that...
Anti-discrimination Penn Hills Advisory Council commended for ‘energy and drive’
When Ronald Saunders saw an FBI report that named Western Pennsylvania as a hub for hate activity, the longtime civil rights activist knew he had to step in. After consulting with Richard Stewart, former president of the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, he got in touch with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission...
Learn about the coyote lifestyle at Murrysville Community Park
Coyotes are not out there hunting for your tiny dog, Pennsylvania wildlife experts say. But they are opportunistic predators, and smaller canines are similar enough to the rabbits, squirrels and other small game that coyotes regularly hunt. A Pennsylvania State Game Warden and local wildlife expert will be on hand...
