Western PA Local News category, Page 785
Westmoreland student musicians to perform at annual Young Artists Competition recital
Franklin Regional student musicians had a strong showing in the annual Young Artists Competition, hosted by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Seton Hill University. Panther students swept the competition’s Level I instrumental category, and earned nine spots on the winners’ list. Winners will take part in a recital Sunday at...
Fajita Pete’s coming to Ross
Fajita Pete’s, a Tex-Mex chain that is slowly making its way up from Texas, is set to open its doors on Feb. 12 at The Block Northway in Ross. Located on Northway Mall Drive, the 1,733 square-foot restaurant will serve Tex-Mex cuisine, including its namesake fajitas, in single orders and...
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority pauses collection enforcement after uncovering billing error
Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority customers who spotted bad math on recent bills aren’t alone. A notice went out to customers Feb. 8, warning a “small number” of them may have received incorrect information on their monthly bills. Customers have not been charged incorrectly, according to Doug Komandt, WPJWA executive director,...
‘These new leaders’: 13 Pittsburgh cops promoted during ceremony
More than a dozen Pittsburgh police officers were promoted Friday, including several to some of the force’s highest-ranking posts, during a ceremony in the City-County Building, Downtown. Three commanders took the oath to become assistant chiefs, overseeing the roughly 800-strong Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The new assistant chiefs — Chris...
Fire destroys South Huntingdon houseVideo
A fire destroyed a multi-story wooden house along Boy Scout Road in South Huntingdon house Friday. Firefighters from Turkeytown, Smithton and Scottdale fought the blaze, which was reported at 11:45 a.m., a Westmoreland County Public Safety Supervisor said....
Accused killer nurse indicates she will plead guilty in Western Pa. insulin deaths
A Harrison nurse charged with killing two nursing home residents and attempting to kill 17 others by deliberately giving them lethal doses of insulin indicated her wish to plead guilty during a short court appearance Friday. Heather Pressdee, 41, appeared to be frustrated with her defense attorneys when they asked...
Trib Lunch Box: Potholes, retirement, Monster Jam, Valentine’s Day
Here are some noon headlines from TribLive, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024: Potholes at Pittsburgh Mills are mall owners’ responsibility Drivers, watch out if you venture up to the Mills mall in Frazer. It’s a familiar concern, according to Frazer Supervisor Lori Ziencik. “We get constant complaints,” Ziencik said. “Calls come...
‘Gentle Larceny’ a 1-man show featuring Ligonier actor will be staged at Unity hotel
When he started planning his nonprofit theater company, former University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg professor Stephen Schrum wanted to look for works that strayed from the traditional theater production. Without a dedicated venue to perform in, Schrum said he hoped to adapt the medium to fit into new and unique...
Vandergrift leaders address online criticism, urge residents to share concerns in person
Public criticism comes with being an elected official, but Vandergrift officials think it’s going too far. At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Lenny Collini brought up criticisms of the mayor and council appearing on social media. “I’m extremely uncomfortable with the social media going around about our town,” Collini said....
Feds accuse Sewickley retirement fund administrator of embezzlement amid missing millions
A federal judge this week issued a temporary restraining order against a Sewickley man accused by the U.S. Department of Labor of embezzling millions of dollars from retirement funds that he and his company administer. Authorities say at least $8 million could be missing and unrecoverable from 17 funds overseen...
Morning Roundup: 1 injured in industrial accident in Chartiers; missing Jeannette teen found safe
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 9: 1 injured in industrial accident in Chartiers One person was sent to a local trauma center Thursday after an industrial accident in Chartiers Township, according to Ambulance & Chair EMS. The EMS service said it worked...
Highlands purse policy has parents angry over lack of privacy
Brackenridge resident Liz Myers says being a “girl mom” sometimes means having to stand up for certain rights. A Highlands School District policy that bans middle school students from carrying purses, belt bags and fanny packs around the school has Myers fighting for her daughter’s privacy, she said. As outlined...
A treat for your sweet: Chocolatiers across region pull out all the stops for Valentine’s Day
There’s more to Valentine’s Day than roses and a box of chocolates — although a sweet cocoa treat never disappoints. Businesses across the region have found clever ways to elevate their offerings and make gift-giving a unique experience. From brandy-soaked cherries to bacon dipped in dark chocolate, these sweets help...
The Stroller, Feb. 9, 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. Annual bird count event planned in Harrison Hills Park Friends of...
Higher chocolate prices unlikely to deter Valentine’s Day buyers
As Joe Dastolfo was buying a box of chocolates for his wife’s Valentine’s Day gift, he didn’t consider the price. The Hempfield resident was shopping this week at McFeely’s Gourmet Chocolate in downtown Greensburg. “I don’t care about the price,” he said. For those who do care, the wholesale price...
2024 fish fries in the Alle-Kiski Valley
To have your nonprofit’s fish fry added to this listing, send information as soon as possible to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. All menus are subject to change and availability. Events begin either Ash Wednesday or Friday, Feb. 16. Allegheny Township Markle Volunteer Fire Department, 470 Joyce St., 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through...
Potholes at Pittsburgh Mills are mall owners’ responsibility, not Frazer’s
Grant Becker had just left work at the Pittsburgh Mills shopping complex in Frazer when he heard a giant crunch. Becker’s car hit a pothole on Pittsburgh Mills Boulevard that he said was more like the size of a crater. “It was humongous,” said Becker of Springdale Township. “It had...
Lower Burrell looks to revamp old tax office into community space
Courtney Kobelenske is excited about the possibilities a new community center in Lower Burrell can provide. “I think it would work well for people that need it. We could use it, other individuals could use it,” said Kobelenske, who organizes the AK Inclusion Games and helps to coordinate work opportunities...
Gibsonia man charged in fatal hit-and-run in McCandless last March
A Gibsonia man has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 78-year-old pedestrian last year in McCandless. Karl Vincent Scott, 36, was arraigned Wednesday, Feb. 7, charged by McCandless police with causing an accident involving death or injury. Police say Scott struck Donald Leach of Wexford at about...
Mon Incline set to reopen following monthlong closure
The beleaguered Monongahela Incline will get new life again. The incline, which connects Pittsburgh’s Station Square to the city’s Mount Washington neighborhood, is set to reopen sometime this weekend, pending a state inspection, Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced Thursday. Transit officials said repairs are nearly complete and state inspection workers will...
EPA grant sends 75 electric school buses to Pittsburgh, Southwestern Pa.
Getting to school for thousands of students in Southwestern Pennsylvania is getting a bit quieter and a lot cleaner. Three school districts in Southwestern Pennsylvania will receive 75 new electric school buses thanks to funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pittsburgh Public Schools, the largest district in the region,...
Police investigate crash in Washington County that killed McMurray man, Venetia woman
A McMurray man and a Venetia woman died when their vehicles collided Thursday afternoon in Washington County. The motorists were dead at the scene on Route 837 in Carroll Township, according to a report from the county coroner’s office. That office has identified one of the crash victims as Michael...
Vandergrift man convicted in sexual assaults of 2 children
A Westmoreland County jury deliberated more than five hours before returning guilty verdicts against a Vandergrift man for the sexual assaults of two children. Following a three-day trial that ended Wednesday night, Timothy Robert Johnson, 38, was found guilty of nine felony counts including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, conspiracy, indecent...
Westmoreland sheriff appoints new chief deputy
Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert on Thursday announced the hiring of his fourth chief deputy since taking office in 2020. Albert, a Republican who was elected to his second four-year term last fall, named Jennifer Shipley as his second in command. Shipley, 37, of Youngwood has worked in the Sheriff’s...
Westmoreland County commissioners approve $2.7 million boost in pay
Raises for Westmoreland County’s union and nonunion employees will cost taxpayers an additional $2.7 million in 2024. Commissioners ratified a union contract and approved pay hikes for nonunion workers Thursday. A new three-year labor deal with the Service Employees International Union Local 668 and Healthcare Pa. includes average raises of...
