Western PA Local News category, Page 691
Leechburg Area School District appoints new superintendent
Leechburg Area’s David Leech Elementary School library had a buzz of excitement Wednesday night. After months of uncertainty about leadership, the Leechburg Area School Board made the school district’s interim superintendent, David Keibler, its superintendent. Keibler was appointed, 8-0. Director James Dunmire was absent. The vote received an ovation from...
Tornadoes topple trees in Ligonier Township, tear off roof in Allegheny County
Keith Hood was up around 3 a.m. Wednesday because a storm had knocked out his power, struggling to close a bedroom window when he heard “the train” coming. “It scared me,” said the resident of Berkley Road in Ligonier Township. “It was loud and ferocious. We’ve lived here 27 years,...
Richland public works director retires after 2 decades
After 24 years of service to Richland Township, Jerry Reichart is resigning from his position as public works director. His last day of work will be June 14. The board of supervisors accepted his resignation at their meeting on May 1. The board also appointed Mike Kuhn as an interim...
Hempfield Area Project 18 students share civics lesson at West Point Elementary
Students of Hempfield Area High School’s Project 18 class visited with fourth graders at West Point Elementary on Wednesday. Project 18 is a state and local government class that originally was spearheaded by the state of Pennsylvania in response to 18-year-olds being given the right to vote. The elective class...
Driver in fatal crash intended to sell drugs found in car, prosecutors claim
A Sewickley Township woman told investigators two days after she was involved in a fatal crash that she intended to sell the drugs that investigators found in her car’s center console. “Oh, wow. There was a lot of stuff in that car,” Ahna L. Malik said in a recorded interview...
Burrell eyes closure of Stewart Elementary School
Fewer students and an aging building could spell the end for Stewart Elementary School in Lower Burrell. Burrell School District directors scheduled a public hearing for next month on permanently closing the school that sits on prime real estate along Leechburg Road in the heart of the city. A public...
Event in North Park celebrates lives lost to cancer
In November, Paul McDonnell lost his wife of 30 years, Terri, to pancreatic cancer. “We did hospice at home, and I didn’t do any support groups when she was sick,” he recalled. “There was too much care that had to be given.” After Terri’s passing, he took the suggestion of...
DA seeks death penalty in fatal Blawnox warehouse shooting
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty against an Allegheny Township man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and shooting another man at a Blawnox warehouse in March. Sean Black, who turns 43 on Thursday, is accused of shooting Courtney Smith, 30, multiple times early in the...
Westmoreland commissioner calls for resignation, impeachment of Register of Wills
Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton and called on the state Senate to initiate proceedings to have her removed from office. Hamilton was not at the courthouse on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment. A Hempfield Republican,...
Leaders cite memories of vibrant downtown Jeannette as renewal effort kicks off
When she was a child, Cherie King remembers visiting a store on Clay Avenue in Jeannette with her grandmother to buy a pair of shoes. By her 20s, the memories centered around going out at establishments downtown. Jeannette was different then, but there’s no reason a vibrant business district can’t...
Hempfield school board must close $3M deficit in next year’s budget
The Hempfield School Board will vote next week to adopt a preliminary 2024-2025 general fund budget, which includes a $3 million deficit. The proposed budget includes nearly $106.6 million in total revenues and about $109.6 million in expenditures, according to district business manager Paul Schott. This is a 0.36% decrease...
Judge rules Pine-Richland parent can’t challenge school district’s transgender policy
A Pine-Richland parent suing the school district over its transgender nondiscrimination policy does not have standing to do so because her child has not been affected by it, a federal judge has ruled. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman IV issued his 17-page opinion in the case, which...
Prison toilets and more: Items from former Hempfield lockup are hitting the auction block
Who wants to buy a used prison toilet? Judging by the volume of calls auctioneer Bill Anderson has received about the sink-and-toilet combos that are being auctioned from the former state prison in Hempfield, some people are considering the purchase. “The county put out the legal notice for the auction...
Mt. Lebanon Catholic school accuses state inspectors of bullying, intimidation
A yearslong dispute over whether the state has the right to regulate a Mt. Lebanon Catholic school’s before- and after-school program has landed in federal court amid allegations that the school is being subjected to a religious and politically motivated attack. South Hills Catholic Academy on Tuesday filed a lawsuit...
Westmoreland Heritage Trail Poker Run set for next month
Westmoreland Heritage Trail officials will host their annual festival and poker run June 1 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Murrysville. Each participant in the poker run will stop at five checkpoints along the trail to choose a playing card. At the end of the event, participants will have a...
Live Casino Pittsburgh releases summer concert lineup of local artists
The three venues at Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield will put on a summer concert series, with a lineup comprised of local artists. The performances are free. Here’s the lineup for each of the venues: Sports & Social May 10: Brothers Kelly May 17: Tres Lads May 24: Metro May...
Family feud: Lawsuit says Post-Gazette publisher wants to sell paper as brothers clash
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette publisher and editor-in-chief John Block wants to sell the paper as well as its parent company, Block Communications Inc., according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in an Ohio court. The civil suit in Lucas County Common Pleas Court was filed by Block Communications CEO Allan Block, John Block’s...
Murrysville acid mine remediation a ‘generational opportunity’ to clean Turtle Creek
The Murrysville Area Watershed Association gained the support of Export officials Tuesday night for an acid mine remediation project that would prevent additional heavy metals and other elements from entering Turtle Creek. The association initially pitched Murrysville council on the project more than two years ago, after working with Monroeville...
‘Oh, Baby!’: Millie’s ice cream flavor celebrates Mother’s Day, women’s health
Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream has unveiled a new flavor just in time for Mother’s Day. Partnering with Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation, a portion of sales from the “Oh, Baby!” flavor will fund women’s health research. This collaboration celebrates motherhood and highlights the need for advancements in women’s healthcare. It...
Plum School District to honor 22 retiring employees with special reception
The Plum School District is preparing to bid farewell to nearly two dozen employees with more than 550 years of combined service to the district. The district plans to honor its 22 retirees with a reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. May 28 at the high school library. It will be...
Longtime Alle-Kiski Valley pediatrician remembered as devoted ‘country doctor’
Dr. Charles Ashe is a familiar name for many Alle-Kiski Valley natives — he may even have been one of the first people they ever met. For about 40 years, Ashe worked as a private practice doctor and, later, as an Allegheny Valley Hospital pediatrician. He was willing to drop...
$5M donation made to AGH cardiac program by Mario Lemieux Foundation, Highmark
The Mario Lemieux Foundation on Wednesday announced a $2.5 million donation to Allegheny General Hospital’s cardiac electrophysiology program. The donation was matched by Highmark, hospital leaders said during an announcement at the North Side hospital. The joint $5 million gift will mark the creation of the Mario Lemieux Center for...
17 regional writers to be showcased at Mt. Pleasant author expo
Writers from across Southwestern Pennsylvania will take part in an author expo Saturday, May 18, at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library. It will be from noon to 3 p.m. at the library, 120 S. Church St. Library Director Sarah Buzzard said she was inspired to organize the event after meeting...
Westmoreland happenings: Antiques and collectibles sale, art exhibit, Mother’s Day breakfast, more
Art • Barbara L. Jones, retired chief curator of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, will be the speaker at a free lecture at 7 p.m. May 13 at the Greensburg Art Center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Jones will give behind-the-scenes look at some of the many exhibits that...
New Kensington-Arnold includes 1.5% property tax increase in proposed budget
A small property tax increase will help to keep the New Kensington-Arnold School District moving in the right direction, according to board President Tim Beckes. The school board voted 8-0 Tuesday night to approve the district’s $46.2 million proposed final budget for 2024-25. Board member Terry Schrock was absent. It...
