Some residents shocked by news of potential closing of Stewart Elementary
Sharon Nealer’s jaw dropped Thursday when she heard the news that Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell might close. “I’m shocked. I think it looks perfect the way it is,” said Nealer, who was shopping along Leechburg Road just a few blocks from the school. Burrell School District officials have...
North Allegheny mock crash demonstrates dangers of impaired driving
At least one person died and several others had major injuries as a result of an accident involving impaired driving on May 9 at North Allegheny Senior High School. Actually, that was the scenario portrayed by student actors in a mock crash aimed at the 2024 graduating, in the hopes...
Pittsburgh man charged in $25,000 regional theft scheme at Lowe’s stores
A Pittsburgh man was arrested Thursday in connection with what state police described as an organized retail theft scheme involving $24,800 worth of merchandise from Lowe’s stores in Westmoreland, Butler and Allegheny counties. Jesus A. Serna-Real, 38, of the city’s Knoxville neighborhood, is accused in a number of retail thefts...
Applications sought for Jeannette improvement grants
Applications open Monday for grants being awarded by the Jeannette Initiative. Vice president/secretary Kristina Rugh said $4,000 will be available for any nonprofit located or operating in Jeannette. Organizations or businesses that aren’t nonprofits can apply with a nonprofit partner, she said. Grants will be awarded in increments of up...
Shapiro announces investment in Hempfield site, touts proposed program expansion
As he looked over a former mining and industrial site in the Bovard section of Hempfield, Gov. Josh Shapiro saw much more than just a faded field. “I see real possibility in this dirt, and in this old slab of concrete,” Shapiro said Thursday. “There is real promise in this...
Pine Township Youth Council works toward a better future
Members of a forward-looking group of students continue to work toward a better future. The Pine Township Youth Council was founded in 2022 by Udi Akolkar, now a Pine-Richland High School senior. The group has the purpose of giving students an understanding of the function of local government while advancing...
Route 711 bridge to be named for 2 Ligonier-area Medal of Honor recipients
Two Ligonier-area soldiers from different centuries received the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in battle, and both will be recognized again when a local bridge is named for them. Officials will gather at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ligonier Township to dedicate the span that carries Route 711 over Loyalhanna...
Suspect in Mount Oliver drug deal shooting arrested in Plum
A Clairton man accused of shooting a person during a drug deal in Mount Oliver in April was arrested Wednesday night in Plum. Plum police arrested Dorian Randell Ingram, 29, after an anonymous woman said she saw him at a residence in the 100 block of Unity Center Road. The...
Amazon gives inside look of distribution warehouse in North VersaillesVideo
Walking into Amazon’s 140,000-square-foot distribution center in North Versailles on Thursday was a bit of a “full-circle” moment for Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “When I was growing up, we had the Eastland Mall here, which was a leader in its time,” said Davis, a native of nearby McKeesport. “It...
Former Hempfield Area transportation provider First Student will lay off 80 local workers
Transportation company First Student is laying off 253 workers, including 80 in Hempfield, after Hempfield Area and Allentown school districts chose different bus transportation providers for the 2024-25 school year. The company posted an alert on the state WARN layoff alert site indicating it would close two facilities, one at...
$2.6 million winning lottery ticket sold at Murrysville Shop ‘n Save
A $2.6 million jackpot-winning lottery ticket was sold Wednesday at the Shop ‘n Save store on Route 22 in Murrysville. The jackpot winner purchased a Quick Cash ticket through the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Cash 5 program, according to the Pennsylvania Lottery. The Shop ‘n Save store will receive $10,000 for selling...
No Pine-Richland tax increase expected
Pine-Richland School District’s real estate tax rate is expected to remain at 19.5867 mills, as stated in the 2024-25 proposed final general operating fund budget approved by the school board May 6. The board plans to vote June 10 on a final budget that includes total expenditures of just over...
Bus driver, dentist hurt in Fern Hollow Bridge collapse sue Pittsburgh, 3 engineering firms
A Pittsburgh Regional Transit operator hurt when the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed under his bus more than two years ago filed a detailed lawsuit Thursday against the City of Pittsburgh and three engineering firms, accusing them of negligence in failing to correct longstanding problems with the heavily corroded span. Daryl...
Events in Westmoreland, Allegheny counties will mark Migratory Bird Day
Avian admirers in southwestern Pennsylvania will mark World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday. In Westmoreland County, the Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club is encouraging residents to take part in the Global Big Day, hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and its eBird app. Participants are asked to observe and...
North Huntingdon man accused of rape
A North Huntingdon man was arrested and jailed Wednesday on rape and sexual assault charges. Township police said Shon M. Harrity, 47, sexually assaulted a girl for two years. The allegations were reported to investigators this week by a family member of the accuser, according to court papers. Harrity is...
Collier to bring back Community Day; officials say it’ll be better than ever
Collier Township, years ago, held a community day event that featured a few vendors at Webb Park. That event faded away about a decade ago, but township officials are looking to bring it back on a grander scale. “We’re bringing it back to give back to the community, but we’re...
Morning Roundup: Alligator found in Beaver County creek; house fire in Carrick
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, May 10: Alligator found in Beaver County creek A small alligator was found swimming in a Beaver County creek on Wednesday afternoon. It was safely captured and taken to an area pet store. Bystanders spotted the 2½-foot gator...
Motorcyclist dead following crash outside Mercy Hospital
A motorcyclist has died following a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday evening just outside Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh’s Bluff neighborhood. An EMS team performed CPR on Donte J. Hairston, 33, of Clairton before he was taken to the hospital following the crash. Pittsburgh police said a vehicle collided with Hairston’s motorcycle at...
Shortage of local police, 2 violent crimes have Verona residents on edge
Diana Danko always thought her neighborhood along Second Street in Verona was safe. That was before two violent crimes happened within hours of each other on April 14 — a Sunday when no borough police officers were on duty. “It’s very concerning,” said Danko, 55, who lives just blocks from...
Historical society program will explore Latrobe’s legacy of military service
The generations of Latrobe area residents who have provided military service to their country will be highlighted May 17 and 18 when the Latrobe Area Historical presents the program “Honoring Our Veterans.” The presentation is set for 9:30 a.m. each day at the society headquarters and museum, 416 Weldon St.,...
The Stroller, May 9, 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. Staycation Fair planned by AK Valley Historical Society The Alle-Kiski Valley...
Freeport auditors call it quits after missing state deadline
Freeport has another overdue audit and, right now, no one willing to complete it. Council this week accepted the resignations of the borough’s three auditors, who bristled at a push to give the books greater scrutiny. Audits were due to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development on April...
T-shirt collection for charity underway at Fox Chapel Area High School
Fox Chapel Area High School students are collecting T-shirts for a nonprofit that creates port-accessible garments for children with life-threatening illnesses. Shirts of all sizes can be dropped off throughout the month at 611 Field Club Road. The collection drive is sponsored by the Fox Leadership Council junior class in...
Fox Chapel Area School Board passes proposed 2024-25 budget with 3.75% tax hike
Fox Chapel Area School District property owners should expect to pay 3.75% more in real estate taxes next school year. Board members voted 6-3 at their meeting May 6 to pass the district’s proposed $119.5 million budget for 2024-25, using a tax hike and money from the district’s fund balance...
Blawnox Council welcomes a new member whose budgeting skills will be relied upon
Blawnox Council has a new member. Council voted 5-0 May 8 to appoint Matt Stanczak to fill the vacancy created by former Councilwoman Meghan Kennedy, who resigned from her elected post last month. Councilwoman Katie Specht-Coban was absent. Kennedy was appointed to council in 2016 and has since served as...
