Judges find Westmoreland register of wills in contempt of court
Westmoreland County’s embattled Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton faces a potential jail sentence for failing to comply with multiple court orders from two judges. Common Pleas Judges Harry Smail Jr. and Jim Silvis on Tuesday found Hamilton in direct criminal contempt on three counts: disobedience or neglect by an...
District pursues 2nd phase of Hampton High School renovations
The second of three planned phases of Hampton High School renovations could begin next spring. Representatives of construction management firm PJ Dick, which served as project manager for the first phase, presented a tentative timeline at the school board’s May 6 work session. They estimated the total Phase II cost...
Volunteers needed to raise flags in memory of West Newton veterans
Volunteers are needed Saturday morning in West Newton to help raise nearly 400 flags in honor of local deceased veterans. Now in its 30th year, the West Newton Avenue of Flags display will be on view until June 1 at the West Newton Cemetery, 210 Vernon Drive. The nonprofit program...
In brief: Herald area events for the week of May 6, 2024
Author to discuss ‘Yinzer’ book at free event The community is invited to hear Dick Roberts of Fox Chapel, author of “Growing Up Yinzer,” sharing his memories behind the book during a free event from 2 to 4 p.m. May 19 at the Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers...
Ambulance stationed in Jeannette again, at least temporarily
An ambulance is once again stationed in Jeannette, at least temporarily. A Mutual Aid EMS ambulance has been based out of city hall and the fire station for about nine days. Its previous home in that part of the county — the old Rescue 14 ambulance station on Edna Road...
Carnegie Boys and Girls Club gets visit from Charlie Brown characters, actors
Carnegie-area thespians gave some of the community’s youngest an opportunity to go behind the scenes with a recent production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Actors from Stage 62 visited the Boys and Girls Club in Carnegie to teach the children songs, dance moves and choreography. Stage 62 also...
Questions about crime, remodeling plans delay New Kensington vote on Valero liquor license
Pepsi Gamble fears alcohol sales at the Valero gas station in New Kensington could lead to trouble. Speaking during a public hearing Monday on a liquor license transfer for the store at Seventh Street and Constitution Boulevard, Gamble cited “the amount of not civil society” she sees in the area...
Residents voice displeasure over lack of upkeep at Cribbs Field in Verona
Like many residents of Oakmont and Verona, Colin Wiehagen would like to know what is going on with Cribbs Field. Wiehagen, an Oakmont resident who works in Verona, has children who use the fields for baseball and softball. The fields, where some of his fondest memories were made, have seen...
Hundreds turn out for Sip & Style Fashion Fundraiser to benefit Aspinwall school
Hundreds were drawn to a fashion-filled afternoon May 5 to benefit Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall. The annual Sip & Style soiree took place at the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel. Co-chairpersons and friends Lauren Shepherd of Hampton and Jayna Varley-Ifft of Fox Chapel returned as...
Jamil Bey takes over as Pittsburgh planning czar
An Overbrook resident with a doctorate in geography is Pittsburgh’s new planning director. City Council unanimously approved Jamil Bey as the director of the Department of City Planning. Bey will oversee a roughly $9 million budget and 56 full-time employees at the department, which manages land use, zoning and neighborhood...
Blawnox War Memorial upgraded with new bricks to honor veterans
New military veteran bricks have been added to the War Memorial in Blawnox in time for the borough’s Memorial Day parade and service. The bricks have the name of a soldier, military branch, service years and, if space allowed, commendations such as a Purple Heart and other medals. About 30...
Florida man who ripped off feds in $97M health care fraud gets 10 years in prison
A Florida man responsible for $97 million in health care fraud across three separate schemes in Western Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida will spend 10 years in federal prison. Daniel M. Hurt, 60, of Fort Lauderdale was also ordered to pay that amount in restitution. On Tuesday, Hurt’s attorney said...
Pittsburgh passes new tax break to tackle high office vacancies Downtown
Developers who transform Downtown Pittsburgh’s empty offices into housing or new commercial uses will now qualify for special tax relief as city officials try to revitalize an area with significant vacancies and declining property values. Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a new tax break — which can last for...
Burrell High School senior prepares her 2nd 5K for mental health awareness
A Burrell High School senior is hoping to capitalize on the success of an event last fall that boosted not only people’s mental health, but their physical well-being as well. Grace Nesko, 18, will be hosting a 5K wellness run and walk June 1 at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial...
Verona woman killed in Allegheny River Boulevard crash
A 70-year-old Verona woman was killed Tuesday morning when her vehicle veered into opposing traffic on Allegheny River Boulevard, according to Allegheny County Police. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Dorothy (Jill) Demko of Verona. Police said Demko’s Ford EcoSport crossed the center line and struck...
Greensburg council to vote on body-worn camera grant, event approval process
Greensburg is expected to outfit its police force with its first set of body-worn cameras. City council will vote next week to accept a $140,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to purchase 27 body-worn cameras — one for each of its police officers, said Chief...
Newest Pirates’ team dog scores official name
And his name is … Slugger. The Pittsburgh Pirates revealed the name for the team dog on Monday. The club introduced the pup last week, and a poll was opened for Pirates fans to vote on a name for him. Slugger emerged victorious with 31% of the vote. Bandit, Rookie...
Repairs to leaking cable in Strip District continuing, Duquesne Light says
Repairs to fix an underground cable that has been leaking dielectric fluid in Pittsburgh’s Strip District will continue Tuesday, according to a statement from Duquesne Light Co. The outbound lanes of Liberty Avenue in the Strip between 26th and 28th streets will remain closed as work progresses. A reopening date...
New Kensington gift shop, Ethical Hope, seeks to make a difference around the world
Each of the items for sale in Meredith Hedeen’s New Kensington gift shop has a story behind it. They come from all over the world: hand-painted ceramics made in home studios in San Juan de Oriente, a town in Nicaragua; hand-sewn goods made by a seamstress at a cooperative workshop...
The Stroller, May 7, 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. Open house Wednesday at Apollo library First-timers and regular patrons alike...
National Geographic author inspires Acmetonia students to explore nature in their own backyards
Science writer Jason Bittel knows that talking about exotic animals or adventure-seeking experiences to a group of fourth grade students can elicit amazement. But Bittel’s message to students at Acmetonia Elementary School on Monday was that taking in your own surroundings — even if just in the Alle-Kiski Valley —...
Man arrested for terrorizing North Braddock pastor now charged in cousin’s death
The man arrested for pointing a gun at a North Braddock pastor inside a church on Sunday has been charged with killing his cousin earlier that day. Bernard Polite, 26, is charged with criminal homicide in connection with the shooting death of Derek Polite, 56. Two of Derek Polite’s cousins...
Hempfield: Demolition plans advancing for former state prison
Nearly a year after purchasing the SCI Greensburg property, Hempfield is securing funding and establishing a timeline on demolition of the former state prison. “We are basically wrapping up demolition plans currently,” township manager Aaron Siko said. The 350,000-square-foot prison was built to hold 900 inmates and employed about 360...
Greensburg woman stopped with loaded firearm at Pittsburgh International Airport checkpoint
A Greensburg woman is accused of attempting to make it through a security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport with a loaded gun, Transportation Security Administration officers said. The 9mm handgun was loaded six bullets and had one bullet in the chamber when it was discovered Friday. Officials said it was...
New principal selected for Central Catholic High School
Central Catholic High School students will be greeted next school year by a new principal. John Wallace will be the first lay person to be the top administrator at the school in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood in its nearly 100-year existence. Wallace’s appointment by Bishop David Zubik is effective July 1....
