Western PA Local News category, Page 7
The Stroller, April 17, 2026: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Tickets on sale for...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from April 9-15, 2026
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, TribLive’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate, please...
Brackenridge awarded $13.2M from state for water plant upgradesVideo
Brackenridge got a major boost from the state this week to upgrade its water filtration plant and rectify previous concerns from the Department of Environmental Protection about aging mechanisms. The borough landed more than $13 million — a $5.7 million grant and a $7.4 million loan — through the Pennsylvania...
Strawpump fire department regains its service area in North HuntingdonVideo
The Strawpump Volunteer Fire Department regained its status this week as the primary responder for its service area in eastern North Huntingdon, 18 months after its territory was split between two neighboring departments following a poor insurance rating. “We are just excited to be the primary fire service for our...
Sharpsburg chili cook-off fundraiser postponed until October
A beloved Sharpsburg Community Library food-themed fundraiser has been postponed. The annual Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off was originally planned for April 18 at Roots of Faith. It has now been pushed to early October. Organizers are working to confirm a new date and time. “We’re cooking up something bigger...
Southwestern-themed cantina expands with dinner and bar hours in O’Hara
Brunch, dinner and cocktails are now on the menu at Gordo’s Cafe & Cantina in RIDC Park, O’Hara. Owner Brian Gorder is looking to spread the news that there’s something for everyone at the Southwestern/Mexican-themed eatery featuring made-from-scratch food and cocktails. “We’re so excited to launch our cantina menu,” he...
New Kensington’s Willie Thrower family to join Bears brass at NFL Draft to honor league’s 1st Black quarterback
This fall marks 73 years since Willie Thrower’s monumental moment in football history when he became the first Black quarterback to take a snap in the modern NFL. Legendary Chicago Bears coach George Halas called on Thrower, a New Kensington native, in a game Oct. 18, 1953 against the San...
Earth Day cleanup aims to make ‘Sharpsburg shine’
Sharpsburg residents are encouraged to get their hands dirty Saturday, April 18, for a good cause. Sponsored by the borough and the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization, an Earth Day cleanup will be from 9 to 11 a.m. “Sharpsburg is a community that takes pride in working together,” Mayor Kayla Portis said....
Diocese of Greensburg bishop joins clergy nationwide weighing in on Trump, Pope Leo XIV discourseVideo
Diocese of Greensburg Bishop Larry Kulick said Thursday that Pope Leo XIV is “speaking from his rightful position” in criticism of President Donald Trump and the Iran war. The polarizing debate between the president and the pope has pushed onlookers to opposing sides. But Kulick views Leo’s continued calls for...
Pittsburgh cop’s use of force under review for striking handcuffed woman in face
Pittsburgh police, claiming they were prompted by community concerns, have asked an independent use-of-force expert to investigate after a city police officer was filmed striking a woman in handcuffs during a drug-related arrest. A Pittsburgh police spokeswoman on Thursday said the male officer, who she did not name, struck Angel...
Parks Township nuclear waste cleanup expected to take 6 to 8 yearsVideo
To residents, cleanup at a Parks Township nuclear waste dump will look like a few trucks leaving the site every week, said Nicholas Melin, commander of the Pittsburgh District of the Army Corps of Engineers. Behind the site’s electric fence, 10 trenches containing about 33,000 cubic yards of materials will...
Organizer of Draft Bash event on North Side forges ahead while awaiting permit
Even though Pittsburgh event producer William “B” Marshall is still waiting for full permit approval with one week to go before the 2026 NFL Draft, he’s moving ahead with plans to bring 40 largely minority-owned art, food and merchandise vendors to the southwest corner of Allegheny Commons Park West throughout...
As clock ticks down, NFL Draft site takes shape on North ShoreVideo
With one week to go before the NFL Draft begins on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, construction crews remain busy on site. Steve Farago, the NFL’s director of event operations, said Thursday that work on the North Shore and Point State Park sites is progressing as planned and remains on time. “This...
Pittsburgh rental market underwhelms as NFL Draft nearsVideo
With one week before thousands of people descend on Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft, some who hoped to cash in by listing rental properties may be disappointed. While most city hotels were fully booked more than a month ago — with a handful of rooms expected to fetch around...
Murrysville lawyer testifies alleged road rage incident a ‘non-event’
A Murrysville lawyer facing criminal charges for what Westmoreland County prosecutors contend was a road rage incident nearly three years ago told a judge the encounter was a “nonevent.” Brad Funari testified during the second day of his nonjury trial Thursday that his former wife and her father fabricated claims...
Pittsburgh medic chief lauds good Samaritan in Allegheny River rescue
Without the help of an unknown stranger, things could have turned out much worse for a freezing man who fell into the Allegheny River early Wednesday morning. The stranger heard the man’s cries for help and called 911 before clasping on to the man’s arms, holding him above the water’s...
Limits on commercial water use at Beaver Run Reservoir sought by environmental group
An environmental group on Thursday asked Westmoreland County commissioners to ban the removal of water by fracking companies from Beaver Run Reservoir during periods of drought. Gillian Graber, executive director of Protect PT, a nonprofit citizen environmental group, said the concerns were brought to the commissioners after similar requests made...
Sage’s Army marks 14 years of support for those fighting substance abuse
Hempfield nonprofit Sage’s Army marked its 14th anniversary this week with a celebration at its headquarters on Route 30. Founder Carmen Capozzi lost his son, Sage, to an opioid overdose in 2012. He started Sage’s Army shortly afterward. It quickly grew from a Facebook page into a nonprofit recovery community...
Proposed Mt. Lebanon School District budget calls for 3.5% tax increase
Mt. Lebanon School District’s proposed budget calls for a 3.5% tax increase for property owners. The $129.2 million proposed spending plan maintains all district services and programs, and has no furloughs, said Patricia Connolly, the district’s director of operations. The proposal increases the district’s millage rate from 30.95 mills to...
Leaky roof at Plum High School requires emergency repairs
Plum School District seems poised to replace sections of its high school roof after recent leaks into the building. “It’s 30 years old, it’s beyond repair, it’s out of warranty,” Superintendent Rick Walsh told school board members at a planning meeting Tuesday. The emergency repairs, set to be completed by...
Lawyer for Mills mall a no-show, hearing on citations from Frazer postponedVideo
Lawyers for the limited liability companies that operate the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills did not show up for the scheduled court hearing on Thursday. District Judge Michael Girardi continued, or postponed, the hearing until early May. Girardi was supposed to hear arguments regarding 32 continued citations stemming from the condition...
Fox Chapel Area students turn tinkering into innovation
Students from across Western Pennsylvania put their innovative spirits on display during the Tinkercast “Make It Wow” competition last month at Fox Chapel Area High School. More than 2,000 elementary students converged for the creative showcase, which served as a sneak preview of a statewide design challenge in May. Founded...
Lawsuit accuses Shady Side Academy of firing nursing director who raised concernsVideo
The former director of nursing at Shady Side Academy, a private pre-K through grade 12 school in Fox Chapel and Pittsburgh, is suing after she said its administrators repeatedly directed her to disregard state regulations governing how medications are delivered in school and interfered with her ability to do her...
Report: Spirit Airlines may liquidate its assets as soon as this weekVideo
Spirit Aviation Holdings could decide to liquidate its assets as soon as this week, according to Bloomberg News, a move that would likely strand travelers and leave Arnold Palmer Regional Airport without a commercial carrier. The Bloomberg report cites sources familiar with the matter, who say the discount carrier faces...
Vandergrift street improvement project to boost mobility and downtown aesthetics
McKinley Avenue in downtown Vandergrift is reaching the final stage of a makeover that started last year. The McKinley Avenue Improvement Project will boost mobility, access to local businesses and neighborhood beautification, said Aleesha Kelly, a resident who helps nonprofits with improvement projects. Kelly led the McKinley Avenue effort, which...
