School districts use technology to curb student vaping on campus
Tim Skoog keeps an unusual collection in his office at Franklin Regional School District. As the district’s director of safety and security, Skoog has confiscated hundreds of e-cigarette cartridges, or vapes, for his “vape graveyard” — a reminder of his efforts to decrease e-cigarette use on campus. “You really don’t...
Skateboard decks painted by Greensburg Salem students on display in advance of auction
At the Greensburg Salem School District, art has wheels. Eighteen hand-painted skateboard decks decorated by high school students are being auctioned off for charity through a collaboration between the district and the Greensburg Business and Professional Association, also known as Shop Greensburg. The boards feature colorful imagery ranging from outdoor...
The Stroller, April 14, 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 bank seeking donations The Allegheny Valley Association of Churches...
Westmoreland happenings: Spaghetti dinners, bingo, speaker series, more
Church News • St. James Church, New Alexandria, will present the third installment of the speaker series “Living as Healthy Disciples” at 6 p.m. April 17 in the church social hall, 306 St. James Lane. The topic will be grief and loss. Bob Brinker, a counselor at Catholic Charities, will...
Pittsburgh’s Girls of Steel preparing for world robotics event in Houston
Ava Miller may be a member of a robotics team, but she’s learning about a lot more than just robotics. Miller, 16, is a sophomore at Plum High School and one of about 40 girls from 17 schools in the Pittsburgh region who are members of the Girls of Steel...
Summer Lee, Bhavini Patel face off in contentious Democratic primary for Congress
In October, Edgewood Councilwoman Bhavini Patel announced she would challenge U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, in the upcoming primary election, running against the fiery progressive for a second time. Five days later, on Oct. 7, Hamas attacked Israel, and suddenly war in the Middle East dominated the race for Pennsylvania’s...
Anonymous donor, church give $5K toward Plum student lunch debts
A Plum church and an anonymous donor have given more than $5,000 toward paying student lunch debts in the Plum School District. The anonymous donor gave $4,300 to pay off the entire balance owed at Pivik Elementary. Food service director Jessica Griggle said it’s the largest donation toward delinquent lunch...
Fitness centers donate books to Charlie Batch charityVideo
Three fitness centers in the region donated 3,200 new and gently used children’s books to enhance reading and literacy through a charity founded by former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch. “It was a great donation, for sure. It will help provide books for our summer reading program and our Batch...
Exceptional Citizens Expo offers ‘very inclusive’ experience in Ross
When it comes to vehicles, size can matter. “Everyone loves the big trucks,” Ross police Chief Cristyn Zett said. “So you can’t go wrong with excavators and giant dump trucks and huge fire engines to climb in and climb around.” Plenty of suitably large emergency and maintenance vehicles were on...
Family of late Chief Justin McIntire buys guitar made in his honor at police fundraiser
A custom guitar honoring fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire fetched $2,000 at auction Saturday to benefit the Harrison Police Department. In a crowd of about 100 people, it didn’t go to just anyone. McIntire’s sister, Tiffany Black, came out on top of a friendly bidding war with her husband,...
Democrats Bach, Dziados seek opportunity for fall race to unseat Reschenthaler in Congress
Democrats in Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District know there is a steep hill to climb. Businessman Ken Bach of Smithton or retired U.S. Navy veteran Christopher Dziados of South Strabane will attempt in November to oust three-term Republican incumbent Guy Reschenthaler, who has represented the six-county district since 2019. Both Bach...
4 taken to hospital after carbon monoxide detected at group home
Four residents of a group home in Unity were taken to a hospital Saturday after firefighters discovered elevated carbon monoxide levels in the building. A furnace malfunction caused the issue, according to Wayne Forsyth, deputy chief of Marguerite Volunteer Fire Department. Initial reports indicated a possible chimney fire. Upon arrival,...
High heels in Greensburg help mark continued struggle against gender violence
Krystle Karas isn’t a fan of high heels. “We are fans of comfort,” said Karas, 41, of Delmont, who along with more than 1,000 other men and women walked one mile Saturday morning in downtown Greensburg to send a message of support of victims of gender-based violence. There was both...
Multiple state roads in Allegheny County remain closed after flooding, but list dwindling
Heavy rainfall tapered into a drizzle early Saturday morning, but some state roads in Allegheny County remain closed due to flooding as of 1:30 p.m, according to PennDOT: • 10th Street Bypass between the Fort Duquesne Bridge and Fort Duquesne Boulevard • Route 8, between Route 130 and Negley Run...
Barges break free on Ohio River in Pittsburgh; marina damage extensive, Sewickley Bridge reopens again
More than two dozen barges broke loose Friday night and floated uncontrolled down the Ohio River, causing extensive damage to at least two marinas and prompting temporary closures of the West End, McKees Rocks and Sewickley bridges. Twenty-six barges broke free about 11:35 p.m. Friday from a location near the...
Delmont nonprofit wants to honor local gunsmith, highlight local history through plaques
A gunsmith who helped cement the rifle’s place in American history and two of Delmont’s landmarks will be adorned with plaques from the local historical society, if fundraising plans are successful. Jacob Earnest was born near Greensburg, and as an adult lived in the large brick house that today is...
The Stroller, April 13, 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. Spring luncheon to raise funds for Peoples Library Peoples Library will...
Allegheny Township strikes deal with laborers, keeps public works in house
Allegheny Township has ratified a five-year agreement with its eight public works employees. The contract is retroactive to Feb. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2029. Negotiations resulted in higher pay and quicker advancement but greater health care costs. Workers’ premium contributions rise to 17% for a single plan and...
Pittsburgh man faces ethnic intimidation charges in connection with Squirrel Hill synagogue vandalism
Police arrested a Pittsburgh man on charges of ethnic intimidation and institutional vandalism after, they say, he inscribed a possible hate symbol onto the doors of the Shaare Torah Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. William Murray, 33, was arrested after police were contacted Monday by synagogue staff. The staff sent photos...
Jeannette couple donates $10K to help cover cost of fixing ladder truck damaged in fatal fire
Jeannette business owners stepped up this week to help the city cover about half the $20,000 it will take to repair a ladder truck that was damaged in a March 20 fire that killed five members of a family of eight. “They blew me away when they came in (Thursday)...
Rostraver couple’s $1M donation will help complete Westminster College science center
Bill Maurer of Rostraver got the straight to the point when asked about his family’s $1 million donation to Westminster College. “I’m getting old,” he said. “I know there’s a need for all independent colleges as opposed to a state school, and I think it’s appropriate for those who can...
Police, New Alexandria officials investigate $88K in missing borough funds
State police are investigating after $88,000 went missing from New Alexandria’s coffers. The probe comes after borough council in March fired Chuck Ferry from his role as secretary-treasurer. Ferry could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, the small municipality of about 400 people is tightening its belt as it copes...
‘It is fitting’: Westmoreland courthouse law library renamed for woman who showed caring, compassion to all
If a defendant unable to afford representation walked into the law library at the Westmoreland County Courthouse looking for help, librarian Betty Ward treated them the same as an attorney with decades of experience. Watching Ward work was on-the-job training, said Pamela Snyder, who served as librarian assistant since 2016....
Monroeville insurance agent accused of taking $60K from clients
A Monroeville insurance agent is accused of taking $60,000 from customers by offering services that didn’t exist, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. Henry announced felony and misdemeanor theft and fraud charges Friday against Chad G. Skena, 47, of Monroeville. Skena, who operates an insurance agency in his name,...
U.S. Steel stockholders approve $14.9B Nippon merger during protest
Environmental activist and entrepreneur Qiyam Ansari isn’t excited that U.S. Steel is making him money. He bought $300 worth of the Pittsburgh-based steel giant’s stock at about $15 a share in 2019. By the time U.S. Steel announced Friday that 98% of voting shareholders approved a $14.9 billion merger deal...
