Police say Unity woman bought guns for minor boy
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story had an incorrect age for the boy. A Unity woman was arrested over the weekend after state police said a boy at her home was found with 14 guns that she bought for him, according to court papers. Rhonda M. Campomizzi, 54,...
In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Feb. 19, 2024
Class of 1974 plans 50-year bash The Penn Hills High School Class of 1974 will have its 50th reunion at 6 p.m. June 8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Monroeville. The cost is $65. The gathering will include appetizers, food stations, dessert, nonalcoholic beverages, a photo booth and a...
Eco-friendly dream home up for $1.25M in Clinton
Pat Hebda is saying goodbye to her beloved eco-friendly home in Clinton Township for the last time. Hebda, 74, is selling her dream home, dubbed “Dream’s End,” a 60-acre estate designed with an emphasis on being environmentally friendly. The asking price is $1.25 million. Hebda’s husband of 40 years, Jim...
U.S. appeals court hears argument over missing dates on Pennsylvania mail-in ballots
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard argument Tuesday over whether county elections officials in Pennsylvania must count mail-in ballots that are missing the date on their outer envelope. Voting rights advocates argue that the date is irrelevant to whether the ballots are legitimate and cast on time, while...
Latrobe exhibit to focus on Fred Rogers’ role as helper
Latrobe native Fred Rogers’ efforts to help others is the focus of a month-long exhibit that begins Saturday at the Latrobe Art Center. Presented in partnership with the Fred Rogers Institute at nearby Saint Vincent College, “Fred Rogers: Celebrating A Lifelong Helper” will kick off with an opening event from...
Hearing set to reveal cause of Fern Hollow Bridge collapse
More than two years after the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge sent six vehicles tumbling into a Frick Park ravine in a disaster that raised dire concerns statewide about bridge safety, federal officials are set to reveal the findings of a painstaking investigation into the cause. A virtual hearing...
North Hills School District renews contract with assistant superintendent
Beth Williams renewed her contract as North Hills School District assistant superintendent. She will remain in the role for at least the next five years. “I was lucky enough to have them choose me to come back,” Williams said during a January school board meeting. “I’ve had the honor and...
Books donated in honor of School Board Appreciation Month in North Hills School District
Books were donated to libraries through North Hills School District in January. In celebration of School Board Appreciation Month, North Hills board members’ family and friends hand-picked a book for each member to donate to school libraries throughout the district. Allison Mathis, Helen “Dee” Spade, Samantha Ellwood, Sandra Kozera, Phil...
Morning Roundup: St. Patrick’s Day Parade details; nearly 3 dozen cats rescued from Westmoreland home
Here are a few morning news items for Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. St. Patrick’s Day Parade details Parade committee members have released the details for Pittsburgh’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16. The celebration is set to begin at 10 a.m. as parade participants gather near the Greyhound...
The Stroller, Feb. 20, 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. Lobby volunteers needed at Allegheny Valley Hospital Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison,...
Accordion players enjoy instrument’s resurgence
The Accordion Club of Natrona Heights might need to change its name. These guys and gals aren’t just sitting around playing old-timey polkas — they can really jam. “We like to get together and kind of show off what we can do,” said club founder Gabe Ziccarelli, 77, whose lightning-fast...
Harvison Road bridge in Penn Township slated for summer removal
A bridge carrying Harvison Road over the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County’s Penn Township will be removed this summer, according to the turnpike commission. The commission announced in 2021 that it would remove the bridge as part of a $300 million-plus project to widen the toll highway between the Monroeville...
Norwin hires firm for superintendent search
Norwin will pay a Harrisburg-area consultant nearly $20,000 to oversee the school district’s search for a new superintendent. The school board Monday split 5-4 on hiring Templeton Advantage LLC of Newport, about 25 miles northwest of Harrisburg. Templeton will charge Norwin $17,000 for its services, plus a maximum of $2,500...
Pittsburgh commission to vote on controversial plan addressing homelessness
Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission is poised to vote Tuesday on a controversial zoning change meant to tackle homelessness, one of the city’s most vexing and intractable problems. The move, pushed by two City Council members, would permit regulated homeless camps Downtown complete with utilities and perhaps even tiny houses. They would...
Mark Smail, 62, carried on the family automotive business, was active in community
While Mark A. Smail had the responsibility of operating the family’s successful automotive dealerships east of Greensburg, he also made it a priority to spend quality time with his family and enjoy life. Smail enjoyed boating in the Florida Keys in the summer, going to the family’s lodge in Ontario’s...
Fentanyl killed their kids. Now these moms are supporting Casey’s fight against the deadly opioid
Peggy Heidish’s son, Zachary, died last June of a fentanyl overdose just two months after he completed an inpatient recovery program to combat his opioid addiction. Heidish, of Edgewood, said her 35-year-old son came back home that spring in high spirits and was ready to move on with his life...
Bethel Park appoints new police chief
Bethel Park’s new police chief is a 23-year veteran of the department. Following his unanimous approval by municipal council on Feb. 12, Dave Arnold was sworn in by District Judge Ron Arnoni. In leading the department, Arnold succeeds the late Timothy O’Connor, who served as chief from 2015 until his...
Indiana Township supervisors vote against livestreaming meetings
Indiana Township remains the only community in the Fox Chapel Area School District to not livestream its meetings after an effort to allow virtual attendance was denied via slim margin. Supervisors on Feb. 14 voted 3-2 not to broadcast their sessions. Mayor Albert Kaan (District 2), Deputy Mayor Darrin Krally...
Indiana Township hires new full-time officer
A Springdale High School alum has become the newest Indiana Township police officer. Supervisors unanimously voted Feb. 14 to hire Damian Brand. The 2017 Dynamo grad shook hands with township leaders that evening before taking photos with family members and police Chief Steven Colucci. Brand worked as a West Deer...
Fitness room opening helps mark Pine Community Center’s 15th anniversary
The new fitness room at the Pine Community Center represents a two-for-one deal. A pair of smaller rooms minus a wall dividing them equals a sum that effectively is greater than its parts. “This is a dream come true,” fitness coordinator Lynda Brletic said. “For the past year and a...
Carnegie theater company ‘Stage 62’ celebrates its 62nd anniversary
Stephanie Ottey acknowledges that most organizations wouldn’t celebrate their 62nd anniversary. But the newly-named president knows that the 62nd anniversary holds a different meaning for Stage 62, a Carnegie nonprofit theater company. Stage 62 started in Bethel Park in 1962 as an adult education theater project, and has since evolved...
Delmont officials consider options for former police station
Delmont officials would like to use the area previously occupied by their police department, and also make some much-needed updates to the building’s handicapped access. They’re hoping a federal grant focused on large facilities projects could help them transform the former police station into a public community area. The American...
Indiana County woman dead, child hurt in head-on crash along Route 217 in Derry Township
An Indiana County woman died and a 10-year-old child was flown to a hospital for treatment Monday after a head-on crash in Derry Township, officials reported. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said Regina L. Endress, 49, of Josephine, Burrell Township, was pronounced dead at the scene on Route 217 near...
West Overton Village to host wedding showcase
Those interested in celebrating their special day at a historic site are in luck — West Overton Village will host a free wedding and event showcase with local vendors from 2 to 5 p.m. on April 14. West Overton is long established as a museum site that most recently returned...
Frazer volunteer fire departments get boost for equipment purchase and upkeep
The portable radios inside the vehicles at Frazer Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 are so old, members can’t find parts to repair them when something goes wrong. “They’re one of the first models that Motorola made,” Chief Ryan Sieminski said. “They were in there way before I started, and that...
