Western PA Local News category, Page 640
$300K in upgrades set for Ambridge Avenue Park in Leet
A committee of Leet residents have worked to find an appropriate location to honor township residents who have died while serving their country. The last honor roll was on the side of a brick wall of the former municipal building. Committee members said it was not a very prominent place,...
City planning commission to review plans for Latrobe Sheetz store update
Sheetz is planning an update and reconstruction next year of its convenience store at Route 982 and Ligonier Street in Latrobe. The city’s planning commission is expected to review plans for the project at its July 1 meeting, but council members got an early look during their session this week....
Property taxes to jump 5% to support Hempfield Area budget
Property taxes in Hempfield Area School District will be going up nearly 6% to support a 2024-2025 budget approved Monday by the school board. The $109.6 million budget will increase the district’s tax rate from 85.76 mills to 90.76 mills. It was approved in an 8-1 vote, with board member...
Working conditions are driver of national teacher shortage, federal education deputy says at Pittsburgh conference
When people ask Cindy Marten what she does for a living, she does not tell them she is the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. After 34 years as an educator and school administrator, she tells them she is a teacher. “I was born, literally, to be a...
Mt. Lebanon native, other local swimmers to dive into Mon to fight pancreatic cancer
The covid pandemic put an end to many athletic competitions and uprooted the lives of most everyone around the world. For 63-year-old Judy Caves of Mt. Lebanon, it was the start of something special. “During covid, when all of us couldn’t swim in pools, we started swimming in rivers,” Caves...
Unity firefighters set 6-month trial for paid daytime crews
The seven volunteer departments in the Unity Township Fire Bureau are investing in their personnel to ensure they have crews available to respond to emergencies. Beginning July 1, the departments are launching a duty crew program for a six-month trial. Their aim each weekday is to have one fire truck...
Pittsburgh airport advises travelers to arrive up to 3 hours before flights
Passengers could see long security screening waits at the Pittsburgh International Airport this summer, and airport officials are advising travelers to get there extra early, especially for early morning flights. Airport officials issued a travel alert Monday, advising passengers to get to the airport between two-and-half and three hours early...
Westmoreland increases capacity at reopened juvenile detention center
The Westmoreland County juvenile detention center in Hempfield has hired enough staff to double its capacity three months after a limited reopening in March, officials announced Monday. The detention facility that makes up half of the Regional Youth Services Center was temporarily shuttered last year amid a series of negative...
Kids 15 and younger need adult supervision at Highland Park pool
Children ages 15 and younger will need to be accompanied by an adult to enter Pittsburgh’s Highland Park pool this summer, a city spokesperson said Monday. The rule that kids must be supervised by someone who is at least 21 years old is not in effect at any other city...
Pittsburgh photographer captures the magic of weddings with a business-savvy lens
Adam Michaels is a wedding photographer who knows how to tell a story — his lens captures every detail, candid conversation and some of the most wanderlust-inducing moments of a couple’s big day. On a balmy spring afternoon, Michaels, owner of Adam Michaels Photography, sits in his studio setting up...
Freeport specialty baker launching Rollin’ Along food truck
Freeport resident Lori Zarichnak wasn’t keen on any of the pumpkin rolls she ate while growing up in Western Pennsylvania, so she decided to do something about it. “I like to bake, and I used my degree in chemistry to come up with a pumpkin roll recipe that I would...
Pine heats up for Community Day
At least it’s not raining. That seemed to be the consensus among folks who attended Pine Community Day as temperatures topped 90 degrees on the afternoon of June 22. Yes, it was a scorcher. But in place at Pine Community Park were plenty of ways to beat the heat, from...
Mutual Aid EMS planning July 5 blood drive
Mutual Aid EMS is hosting a blood drive July 5, two months after paramedics became the first in Westmoreland County to carry blood to emergencies. The drive, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the agency’s EMS base at 561 W....
Dr. Iulia Vann nominated as new Allegheny County health director
Allegheny County could soon have a new health director after a six-month search. Dr. Iulia Vann was nominated by the Allegheny County Board of Health Monday in an unanimous vote from the nine-member board. Vann, a Romanian native, has served as public health director for Guilford County, N.C., since 2020....
Directors nix proposed sale of former Jeannette school site, seek development of property
A tentative plan to sell long-vacant property in Jeannette to the Westmoreland County Housing Authority has been nixed. Jeannette City School District directors this month voted against the sale that tentatively called for the housing authority to pay $28,000 for the land. Superintendent Matt Jones said the property remains for...
Jeannette City School District holds line on taxes in $24M budget
The millage rate for Jeannette City School District property owners will remain steady for the 2024-25 school year. School directors this month unanimously approved the $24 million spending plan. A deficit of about $615,000 will be covered by the district’s fund balance, which sits around $6 million. Increased costs related...
Memorial 5K in memory of Mike Reese set at Mammoth Park
An event in memory of the late state Rep. Mike Reese is set for July 6 at Mammoth Park. The Mike Reese Memorial 5K — Roast, Run and Family Fun is $50 for adults and $25 for people under 21. The donation includes the run, food, drinks and entertainment. Youth...
Eaglet takes 1st flight from nest at U.S. Steel’s Irvin Plant
A bald eagle was fortunate enough Sunday morning to take flight for the first time from the nest at U.S. Steel’s Irvin Plant in West Mifflin. It happened at 7:24 a.m., to be exact. The No. 7 has followed the eaglet, fittingly dubbed Lucky, through its young life, according to...
Late Secretary Lorraine Zebrine ‘dedicated to Cheswick’
Lorraine Zebrine was dedicated to her job as Cheswick’s borough secretary. She was always willing to step up to a challenge or take on additional responsibilities. Just ask those who knew her well. “During her time — I’ve been on council 42 years — there are few people who have...
5 injured in Schenley Park stabbing
Five people were injured in a stabbing Sunday night at a Schenley Park soccer field, Pittsburgh police said. Two men arrived at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, each with stab wounds, shortly before 11 p.m., police said. Paramedics transferred one of the men to a local trauma center in serious but stable...
St. Joseph High School eyes expanding band and chorus to meet growing demand
St. Joseph sophomore Louisa Palumbo misses the chance to showcase her musical chops in school. The 15-year-old participated in chorus throughout middle school at Mary Queen of Apostles in New Kensington and said it helped her grow not only as a singer but socially. “It’s nice to be a part...
Pedestrian struck, killed while walking on Route 119 in Fayette County
A pedestrian was killed over the weekend after being hit by an SUV on Route 119 southbound in Fayette County, according to state police. Troopers said Dorian L. Mills, 37, of Uniontown, was walking in the right hand lane of Route 119 in Bullskin at 2:15 a.m. Saturday when he...
North Allegheny area briefs, week of June 24, 2024
Franklin Park festival Franklin Park’s Festival in the Park is scheduled for June 29 on the lower fields at Blueberry Hill Park, off Blaine’s Way. The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. and features inflatable attractions, food trucks, activities, entertainment, a petting zoo, ax throwing, and live music. The night...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of June 24, 2024
Plum hires teachers Three teachers are among new hires the Plum School Board approved at its June 18 meeting. Gretchen Weber was hired as a business, computer and information technology teacher at the high school with an annual salary of $56,000. Megan Walters will be paid $54,300 to teach social...
In brief: Bethel Park area happenings, week of June 24, 2024
Summer Spectacular fireworks Bethel Park will hold its annual Summer Spectacular fireworks display at 9:40 p.m. June 29. Suggested viewing areas include Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 1524 Hamilton Road; St. Germaine Church, 7003 Baptist Road; Hamilton Presbyterian Church, 4500 Hamilton Road; Cool Springs, 1530 Hamilton Road; and Lowe’s, 5775 Baptist...
