Lunch Box: Weekend fun, Century III Mall scuffle, scam artists, Jim Roddey remembered
Here are some noon headlines from TribLive, Friday, March 8, 2024: • Who is going to tear Century III Mall down? The owners of the blighted Century III Mall said in court papers filed this week that they have contracted with a company to raze the property, but they claim...
Westmoreland approves polling site changes for April primary
Westmoreland County’s election board announced a series of changes to polling locations for the April 23 primary. Election Bureau Director Greg McCloskey said a growing reluctance among churches and school districts to serve as host sites for live voting on Election Day had led to a series of changes over...
Upper Burrell to fix Michael Drive, Menk and Laing roads this summer
The Upper Burrell supervisors have paved the way for improvements on three roads this summer. Supervisors awarded contracts on Wednesday to seal coat Michael Drive and Laing Road and do overlay work on Menk Road, said township engineer Mike Moore of Bankson Engineers. Work is to be completed by Sept....
Grandma B’s in the Hill District serves breakfast with a side of personality
On any given morning, laughter, jokes and smiles fill Grandma B’s Café in the Hill District. The smell of bacon cooking fills the air. A sign on the wall reads “Always Be Grateful.” Customers say they feel the warmth and love when they walk in. The atmosphere truly feels like...
Derry Area School District plans makeover for Trojan Stadium entrance
When Derry Area High School football fans arrive for their team’s home games this fall, school officials hope to welcome them with an upgraded stadium entrance. The school board this week voted to seek bids for the revamped main entry, which is intended to provide a better experience for those...
Rail yards, crossings in 32nd District get $7.1 million investment
Freight rail infrastructure in Penn Hills, Verona and Oakmont is set for upgrades after two railroads and a construction firm received a combined $7.1 million in state grants. PennDOT announced the funding in December as part of a $42.5 million package for 25 rail projects across Pennsylvania. State Rep. Joe...
West Deer officials say new municipal building was necessary: ‘There is nowhere else to go’
Construction is ahead of schedule on the $10.6 million West Deer municipal building, which is expected to open by late October. People can watch daily progress through a livestream on the township’s website. “It looks great,” Supervisor John Hollibaugh said. “I’m happy with the progress, and I think everyone will...
East Deer, Lower Burrell gear up for big St. Patrick’s Day events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Two large St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are being held in the Alle-Kiski Valley on Saturday, March 16. St. Patrick’s Day weekend will see the largest event to date at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s East Deer headquarters. Irish City Celebration, an almost-all-day event, is expected to draw nearly 2,000 — more than...
Blawnox War Memorial to be upgraded through committee project
The Blawnox War Memorial will soon be updated and upgraded as part of a borough fundraising effort. Located at the intersection of Freeport Road and North Avenue, the memorial was established in 1991. Its inscription reads, “Dedicated to the men and women of this community who served in all wars.”...
2024 Easter events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Brackenridge • Free Easter celebration, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30 at Generations House of Worship, 1160 Parkside Drive. Children 11 and younger will receive candy bags and there will be a scavenger hunt for children 12 to 18, bounce houses and food trucks. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/ghoweastercelebration2024. Cheswick...
Morning Roundup: Overnight crash cuts power in 4 Pittsburgh neighborhoods
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, March 8: Crash shuts down West Liberty Avenue; power outages reported Multiple Pittsburgh neighborhoods were left without power Friday morning following a vehicle crash along West Liberty Avenue, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. The station reports that...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: March 8-10
It’s the weekend. If you are not attending the opening weekend of the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show at the David Lawrence Convention Center, here are some other ways to spend it. Pierogi contest The St. Practice Day Pierogi Contest and Charity Crawl starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday on...
Anyone can be a victim as fraud losses hit record high
Almost two years ago, Carol Sepesky’s computer went black. The only thing the Monessen resident could see was a message, supposedly from Microsoft, asking her to call customer support. So she did, and paid $600 to someone posing as a company representative to fix her computer. When they asked for...
The Stroller, March 8, 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. Seed-sharing library opens in Harrison Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522...
Ethiopian-American new pastor in Lower Burrell says church is about community
The Rev. Owar Ojha Ojulu’s path to Grace Community Presbyterian Church in Lower Burrell is nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Ojulu, 46, recently was named minister of the church at 2751 Grant St. “Church is about the community. Church is about healing people. There’s no church...
Blackthorne Estates plans to build new golf facility, open course in spring
Golfers can return to the course at Penn Township’s Blackthorne Estates community this spring. After being closed to the public in 2023, the course will reopen this season and a new golf facility will be built, according to an agreement reached this week between Blackthorne Investors and the township. The...
1 shot dead in altercation outside Penn Hills bar, police say
Allegheny County Police are investigating a fatal shooting Thursday night outside of a Penn Hills bar. Police said 32-year-old Andrew William Miller of Verona was shot in the chest outside the World Class Tavern in the 600 block of Long Road. Miller was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital, where he...
Norwin Rotary gets another nice crowd in Irwin for its annual Chili Cook-off and Wing Thing
The 14th annual Chili Cook-off and Wing Thing organized by the Norwin Rotary was held Thursday evening at several locations in downtown Irwin. Visitors could sample chili or wings for a nominal fee, and proceeds go the Norwin Rotary Back Pack/Gift Card Project. The initiative gives needy Norwin students back...
At least 1 person flown to hospital after Sewickley crash
At least one person was flown to a hospital Friday night following a vehicle accident on Dick Station Road in Sewickley. The call for the crash came in around 7:40 p.m., according to a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher. Dick Station Road was closed to address the crash. The dispatcher was...
Jim Roddey, 1st Allegheny County executive, has died; officials praise his years of service
Jim Roddey, Allegheny County’s first chief executive, died Thursday. He served as county executive from 1999 to 2004 and was a former chairman of the county’s Republican committee. He was 91. Roddey was honored for his service to the Republican committee at its annual Spirit of Lincoln fundraising dinner at...
Century III Mall owners joust with Allegheny County DA over razing blighted property
The owners of the blighted Century III Mall said in court papers filed this week that they have contracted with a company to raze the property, but they claim that the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office is interfering with their ability to carry out the demolition. A hearing on the...
Intellectually disabled parents sue Allegheny County CYF for taking away their baby
Andrew and Lauren Hackney’s daughter was 7 months old when they took her to the pediatrician because she’d been refusing her bottle. The doctor diagnosed her with dehydration and recommended she be evaluated at a hospital. Within weeks of the baby being admitted for treatment, a caseworker with Allegheny County’s...
Aspinwall officials to address parking via study
It is no secret parking is a problem in Aspinwall. Multiple residents have brought their concerns before council and requested that something be done. “It was one of, if not the most, commented on areas in resident feedback collected during the creation of the comprehensive plan, and it’s something that...
Murrysville Golf Club likely to remain open under renewed lease
The Murrysville Golf Club is expected to remain open after an arbiter paved the way for current management to continue operating the course. A court-appointed arbiter ruled last month that a three-year lease renewal be awarded to J.K. Golf, the company that operates the public course. James Creenan, lawyer for...
Westmoreland DA: fatal officer-involved shooting justified in North Huntingdon drug buy
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli has ruled that use of deadly force was justified in an officer-involved shooting Sept. 5 that resulted in the death of a suspect in an undercover narcotics investigation in North Huntingdon. Dontae D. Warner, 30, of McKeesport was found dead in his vehicle...
