Open mic nights in Jeannette to provide new outlet for local performers, artists
Performers looking to share their artistic craft are getting a chance through new monthly open mic nights in Jeannette. It’s an opportunity that hasn’t been regularly available in Jeannette since the Keynote Cafe, once a popular spot for local musicians, closed in 2019. Councilman Chad Krawtz said he hopes the...
New Kensington preparing for city’s 4th business-boosting Fridays on Fifth season
No matter how much baklava Amy Johnson makes, it’s never enough for some warm-weather Fridays in New Kensington. Johnson opened her specialty bakery, Sweet Tillies, in December 2020. It has been open for each of the city’s annual Fridays on Fifth events, which began in 2021 and launches its fourth...
Springdale to undergo water rate study
Springdale Council is taking a closer look at its water rates in the wake of the borough increasing rates by $1.25 per 1,000 gallons for all customers in this year’s budget. Council on Tuesday authorized a study into the rates at a cost not to exceed $18,500. Valuation and Rate,...
Turnpike closure scheduled between Pittsburgh, Irwin exits this weekend
Ten miles of the eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike between the Pittsburgh and Irwin exits will close for six overnight hours Sunday. The closure will be from 12-6 a.m., weather permitting. During the closure, turnpike crews plan to do maintenance work such as drain cleaning, road sealing and sweeping. Traffic will be...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: April 19
The following is a new feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz: 1. Pittsburgh-area river traffic resumed this week with a few restrictions when the barge operator and U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the location of a sunken barge on the Ohio River. The sunken barge was one of how many...
Mock crash teaches Valley High students dangers of distracted driving
A mock crash Friday morning outside Valley High School in New Kensington was meant to teach students about the dangers of distracted driving. The district staged the crash for juniors and seniors with New Kensington police and several emergency service providers. A Life Flight helicopter was among the emergency vehicles...
Rostraver man killed in crash on I-70
A Rostraver man was killed Friday morning when his car crashed along Interstate 70 in Rostraver. State police said Joseph E. Troyer, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene after the eastbound Ford Focus he was driving struck a tree with its passenger side and flipped onto its roof, trapping...
Verona secures sidewalk funding for business district, key areas to boost walkability
Walking through Verona will become easier in the next few years. The borough will add or rehabilitate several stretches of sidewalk to better connect key destinations. Substantial portions of Center Avenue, Second Street, Wildwood Avenue, James Street, East Railroad Avenue, West Railroad Avenue and Grant Street will see sidewalk improvements...
Fairfield farm to host 2nd Ag Appreciation Day
Extended evening hours will offer more time on Saturday for visitors to take in the animals, machinery and products at the second annual Agricultural Appreciation Day hosted by Matson Farm in Fairfield. “We expanded the hours to see if that suits more people,” said Connie Matson, who owns the beef...
Morning Roundup: Human remains found in Aliquippa; Pittsburgh Zoo collects electronics
Here are some of the latest news items from Friday, April 19. Human remains found in Aliquippa Human remains were found in a building in Aliquippa Thursday, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The remains were located in the area of 5th Avenue in the city. The scene has been secured...
Springdale students capture 1st place, valuable skills in stock market game
Before entering Nick Spehar’s economics class at Springdale High School, Casey Sprinkle wasn’t sure what the difference was between the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Now, at the end of the year, he and two of his peers, Shane Parsons Jr. and Owen Scheuring, are budding stock market experts....
Beef farmer fulfills dream with opening of Tubmill Creek Provisions in Ligonier
Farm-fresh goodness has arrived at a cafe in downtown Ligonier. John and Kitty Goodish of New Florence have been married for 50 years and opened Tubmill Creek Provisions on March 6 in a historic building dating back to the 1930s. Cafe is really an understatement, as the new business blends...
The Stroller, April 19, 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...
Tours of Hempfield manufacturer can lead to jobs for area high school students
Seven of 11 area high school students who toured Hempfield’s General Carbide complex Wednesday are looking to come back to work there. “To see these kids coming in and getting excited about manufacturing is pretty amazing,” said Mona Pappafava-Ray, CEO of the maker of finished tooling, wear parts and components....
Plum mobile home park owner argues expansion denial deprives residents of flood protection
Plum’s rejection of a mobile home park’s expansion plan, in part because of flooding concerns, denies the people already living there protection from flooding that the expansion would provide, the owner argues in court filings. Following a hearing last September, Plum’s zoning hearing board in November rejected a proposal to...
From Bulgaria to Squirrel Hill: A Holocaust survivor shares his story of survival
For roughly 80 years, Albert Farhy has held onto a button-sized piece of yellow cloth cut into the shape of a star that the Nazis forced him to wear as a teenager in Bulgaria during World War II. On Monday, the Holocaust survivor held up that fabric — an emblem...
Federal investigators in Pittsburgh help shut down Russian-linked online scams that affected over 1 million people
Federal officials in Pittsburgh announced Thursday they’ve seized four web domains with Russian ties that were used to steal the personal information of more than 1 million victims in spoofing scams. Among the victims were two elderly Pittsburgh-area residents. According to court documents, one of those victims lost a total...
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announces its new superintendent of schools
Seton LaSalle Catholic High School Principal Lauren Martin will have a new job next school year. Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Bishop David Zubik has appointed her superintendent of Catholic Schools effective July 1. The superintendent search began in January after Michelle Peduto announced her retirement after five years as superintendent...
Preteen girl testifies during preliminary hearing for New Kensington man accused of raping her
A New Kensington man will remain in jail as he awaits trial on charges of sexually assaulting and raping a preteen girl two years ago. District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. held for trial Thomas Lee Burruss, 48, after a preliminary hearing Thursday that featured the testimony of the alleged...
Kiski Area School District hires familiar face as new superintendent
Kiski Area’s school directors didn’t look far to find their choice as the best qualified person to be superintendent. That turned out to be Assistant Superintendent Jason Lohr, whom they unanimously voted to succeed Misty Slavic. Board President Todd Sterlitz said after the news about Slavic’s sudden resignation broke in...
Scottdale contractor ordered to serve extra prison term for home improvement thefts
Scottdale contractor Jason Pirl said life just got away from him after he suffered two heart attacks in October 2020. His health crisis in the midst of the raging coronavirus pandemic left his home repair business in tatters. Then ongoing alcohol and gambling addictions made his problems worse, Pirl said....
Westmoreland development leaders say zoning changes could boost middle-income homebuyers
Westmoreland County needs affordable housing for middle-class workers, and more options for builders seeking to provide it. “We heard it pretty loud and clear that there is a need for housing options,” said Brian Lawrence, executive director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment and Land Bank, referring to the public meetings...
Monroeville area: Farmers market, aromatherapy workshop, senior resource fair, more
Email news briefs to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com. Farmers market begins May 11 The Monroeville Farmers Market will kick off its 2024 season from 9 a.m. to noon May 11 at the Monroeville Mall between Dick’s and Best Buy at 501 Mall Circle Drive. It will take place weekly through mid-November...
Who killed Deborah Waggoner? Police seek info on 1990 homicide at Hempfield car wash
State police have evidence that might help them solve a 1990 homicide at a Hempfield car wash, but they need some leads. The possibility that troopers can crack the case still exists, especially with the technological advances since Deborah June Waggoner’s death 34 years ago, Trooper Steve Limani said. But...
Irwin veteran finds balance through martial arts, wants to help other vetsVideo
After nine years as a member of the Marine Corps infantry, Jeric Fry of Irwin felt he was fully prepared to enter civilian life when his oldest son was born. “I got out in 2014, and I kind of assumed I’d be in a good place,” said Fry, 37. “I...
