Hundreds take icy dip in the Yough to celebrate 2024
Instead of a morning snooze, 2024 began, for several hundred people, with a dip in the ice-cold Youghiogheny River. “It’s a good way to start the new year,” said Shawn Hayes, 44, of Dawson as he waded into the river carrying his 2-year-old daughter, Paisley, on his shoulders. Hayes, who...
Mother, daughter accused by Lower Burrell police of filing false auto insurance claim
Lower Burrell police filed felony charges against a woman and her daughter accused of filing a false hit-and-run claim for a vehicle to collect the insurance. Sharon L. Zaborowski, 55, of the 1400 block of Babcock Boulevard in Shaler was charged Dec. 19 with three counts of filing a fraudulent...
Former Tamburitzans host ensemble’s show at Gateway High School
Four years of performing with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans wasn’t quite enough for Frank Bozicevic. So after he graduated, he remained involved the multicultural song-and-dance ensemble by driving its tour bus. Along the way, he and one of the members at the time started dating, and eventually they married. Today,...
2024’s 1st babies born at Allegheny Health Network, UPMC hospitals
Three babies were born within a minute of each other shortly after the new year at UPMC and Allegheny Health Network hospitals. Two of the three babies were born at 12:45 a.m. at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, officials said. Couple Jonathan Mrockosky and Emily Helbling of Zelionople had a daughter, Madison....
Medical examiner IDs man found fatally shot on porch of his Carrick home
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man found fatally shot New Year’s Eve on the porch of his Carrick home. The medical examiner’s office identified the victim Wednesday as Lonnell Newkirk, 44. Pittsburgh police said Newkirk was found shot in the chest on his front porch in...
Man arrested in connection with fatal stabbing in Pittsburgh
A Pittsburgh man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of another man during an apparent domestic dispute in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood on New Year’s Eve, Pittsburgh police said. The suspect, Martin Lopez Hernandez, 33, of Pittsburgh, is accused in the fatal stabbing of a man who...
The Stroller, Jan. 1, 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. Kiski Area students plan talent show The Kiski Cavaret Talent Show...
Pittsburgh First Night festivities welcome in 2024
Pittsburgh hosted a double celebration Sunday evening as it ushered in 2024 on the 30th anniversary of Highmark First Night Pittsburgh. The production began at 6 p.m. Downtown and included a 14-block area of the Cultural District with feature live music, dance, theater, visual arts, magic, kids’ activities and a...
Woman dies after crash on Parkway West
A woman was transferred to a local hospital following a crash on the Parkway West on Sunday morning, and she was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Laurel Ann Cardillo was driving a gray SUV and entered I-376 eastbound in Robinson when she exited the...
Top Alle-Kiski Valley news stories for 2023 marked by tragedy, deaths
Tragedy struck in Brackenridge just two days into the new year, setting a tone for more somber and heartbreaking news that eventually followed in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The year also had tense moments, from a messy implosion in Springdale to multiple sightings of alligators in — of all places —...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum hypnotist puts mind over matter
Step into Jan Lee’s Tarentum office and you may eventually enter a different mental state. But her type of hypnosis isn’t the kind that you’d see at a comedy show. Lee, 62, of Harrison worked as a psychiatric nurse for more than 35 years, which she says was likely what...
Man struck by vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood
A man was in stable condition after being struck by a hit-and-run vehicle Saturday night in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood. City police found the man was alert and conscious, but complaining of leg and abdominal pain, after he was struck at about 10:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of Arlington Avenue....
Suspect, officer injured as Pittsburgh police answer gun call in Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood
A suspect and a responding Pittsburgh police officer were injured Saturday evening when police responded to a report of two men with a firearm inside a vehicle in the city’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood. At about 6:45 p.m., officers approached the vehicle in the 7200 block of Everton Street and found a...
Man found fatally shot in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood
Pittsburgh police found a fatally shot man inside a home in the 2200 block of Arlington Avenue Saturday night. Officers responded shortly before 8:30 p.m. to a 911 call for shots fired inside the residence in the city’s Arlington neighborhood. The man was identified as Grant Maynard Gibeault, 25, of...
Police: 3 men arrested after killing Murrysville man over $400K debt
Authorities have arrested three men in the death of a Murrysville businessman whose body was discovered Friday in Clarion County. George Dayieb, 57, of Murrysville, had been reported missing and endangered to Murrysville police. He was found by investigators inside a trailer with a single gunshot wound to the back...
Arnold Council reorganization expected to include actions on police chief, city manager
Arnold’s police chief is expected to be out, and its manager is anticipated to return in January. Council is slated to vote on demoting police Chief Eric Doutt to patrolman and rehiring former City Manager Mario Bellavia during its reorganization meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the public safety...
‘New year, new me’: People from Western Pennsylvania make resolutions for 2024
As we say goodbye to 2023, the time has come to set New Year’s resolutions for 2024. But not everyone chooses to set them — and more importantly, not everyone sticks to them. Improved fitness came out as the top 2024 resolution at 48%, according to a Forbes Health/OnePoll survey...
‘Prayer and Perfect Pairings’ combines holiday food traditions, fundraising for Greensburg diocese
Priests in the Greensburg Catholic diocese are on point when it comes to both homilies and homecooking if the annual “Prayer and Perfect Pairings” event is any indication. “It’s a fun adventure and also a great way to help fund our mission here,” said Bishop Larry Kulick, a Leechburg native...
The Stroller, Dec. 31, 2023: 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. Happy New Year! May the year ahead be healthy and prosperous...
Brackenridge remains resilient 1 year after death of Chief Justin McIntire
Brackenridge isn’t the same. It’s still a sleepy, little river town. But there’s no longer a sense of “it can’t happen here.” Residents know it can — because it did a year ago. On Jan. 2, police Chief Justin McIntire, 46, was gunned down in the streets he swore to...
From Amazon to Independence, these were Westmoreland County’s stories of 2023
The year 2023 marked Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday — its semiquincentennial for those who want to twist their tongues. It was a year filled with celebrations of the county’s heritage and the evolution of some of the county’s institutions and traditions. Amazon confirmed it was the tenant of a massive...
‘A true mitzvah:’ Westmoreland doctor volunteers in Israel to help civilians
Dr. Sharon Goldstein has spent the last few weeks of 2023 in Israel, riding long distances in an ambulance, treating patients impacted by war. “The other day, I started in Jerusalem and ended up in Tel Aviv,” she said. “They cover a large area. It’s hard work. Mostly, we’re on...
Free tax preparation program seeking volunteers for Western Pa. sites
Jason Werner didn’t know much about taxes when he volunteered to help prepare them for others. The Atlanta native, attending the University of Pittsburgh in pursuit of a finance degree, had worked in high school and done summer jobs. But his parents always did his taxes. “I had no prior...
Youngwood Borough to mark 125th anniversary in 2024
This past year saw communities across Westmoreland County celebrating the 250th anniversary of the its founding. Anniversary celebrations will continue in the New Year for one municipality — Youngwood Borough will commemorate its 125th anniversary in 2024. Established in 1899, Youngwood became incorporated as a borough in 1902. It encompasses...
Westmoreland 250: Area natives have made their mark
Westmoreland County has played an important part in the development of Pennsylvania and the nation, so it seems natural that many of its sons and daughters have made major contributions of their own. As 2023 comes to a close — and with it, the 250th anniversary of the founding of...
