Light ’em up: Synchronized light displays becoming more popular since pandemic
Western Pennsylvania saw its first decent snowfall Dec. 18. But it’s been “snowing” at Dr. Lou DiToppa’s house for a while now. DiToppa of North Huntingdon has been ramping up his Christmas decoration display for a few years. It began with brightly lit snowflakes around his house, front yard and...
The Stroller, Dec. 22, 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. Help available to apply for Dollar Energy Fund assistance Allegheny Valley...
Plum School Board considering 6.2% property tax increase
Plum residents already hit with a spike in their borough property tax bill also might see an increase in the largest part of their bill: the school district’s property tax. Ryan Manzer, the district’s chief financial officer, presented several options, including a 6.2% tax increase for the 2024-25 school year....
Residents, business leaders say Westmoreland tax hike could stunt growth, hurt pocketbooks
“Why was the tax hike so big?” That was the question asked by Westmoreland County residents and business owners who reacted to the commissioners’ decision to raise real estate taxes by 32.5% next year. It could have been done in smaller increments over the past few years, some people said....
Victims of murder-suicide in Green Tree identified
The victims of Friday’s murder-suicide in Green Tree have been identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiners Office. They are Kevin Benjamin Smith, 38, and Kristen B. Smith Jr., 40. Police are investigating the incident during which which one of the men fatally shot his relative and then took his...
Clouds hamper annual winter solstice walk in Murrysville
Westmoreland Conservancy officials got decent weather but unfortunate cloud cover for their annual winter solstice walk on Thursday evening. The shortest day of the year saw the sun setting at 4:57 p.m. About 16 participants were hoping to see it in spectacular fashion from an observation deck built by a...
Bell Acres businessman convicted of $15 million fraud asks for reduction of his 1-year prison term
The Bell Acres man convicted in the largest tax fraud ever in Western Pennsylvania is asking a federal judge to reduce his sentence. Joseph Nocito, 81, was ordered to serve one year and one day in federal prison. Following his sentencing in September, he was allowed to remain free on...
Penn State names chancellor for its Greater Allegheny campus
A chemist who has focused on endeavors such as student success and improved health care access in McKeesport has been chosen as Penn State Greater Allegheny’s new chancellor, the university announced Thursday. Along with her other qualifications, Megan Nagel already has been doing the job in an interim capacity since...
Complaint alleges juveniles at the Allegheny County Jail being denied access to education
The Education Law Center on Thursday filed a formal complaint with the state alleging that juveniles with learning disabilities who are housed at the Allegheny County Jail are not being provided a proper education. The complaint was filed against Pittsburgh Public Schools, which is the host school district for the...
Westmoreland commissioners approve $4 million stake for airport expansion
Westmoreland County will provide the final piece of financing needed to double the size of the terminal building at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe. The county’s airport authority will receive $4 million from Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. “We want to support our assets in our area. This is...
Teen who fled Westmoreland juvenile shelter faces new charges
The teenager charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting last year in New Kensington is facing additional criminal offenses related to an attack against a shelter worker and his disappearance from an unsecured facility this month. Assistant District Attorney Jackie Knupp said Thursday those new charges warrant the...
Shooting death of well-known Lower Burrell pub owner shocks residents
The death of well-known restaurant and bar owner David “Mogie” Magill left residents in Lower Burrell and beyond reeling. Magill, owner of Magill’s Grill and Mogie’s Irish Pub, was gunned down about 9 a.m. Thursday as he arrived at his business. “We’re all devastated, shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” said Wendy...
Eligible Richland firefighters, EMS volunteers to receive $300 tax credit
Active volunteer firefighters and emergency responders in Richland once again will be able to receive a tax credit under Act 172, Pennsylvania’s volunteer service credit program. Richland board authorized approval of Act 172 at their Dec. 20 meeting. The program provides a financial incentive to active volunteers in fire companies...
Las Vegas man gets house arrest, probation for gift card scam used at Hempfield, Monroeville and Frazer Sam’s Clubs
A Las Vegas man was sentenced Wednesday to one year of probation for using counterfeit credit cards with stolen bank account information to buy gift cards at Sam’s Club locations in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. Hector Ofelio Podio Gutierrez, 31, was ordered by a federal judge in Pittsburgh to spend...
Federal prosecutors get 6th extension for possible indictment of former Greensburg police chief
A sixth extension to file a potential indictment has been granted by a federal judge in the case against Shawn Denning, the former Greensburg police chief. Prosecutors said in a court filing that they continue to have discussions with Denning’s attorney in seeking an additional 60 days, pushing the deadline...
About 500 Penn Township residents will have new voting ward in 2024
New boundaries for Penn Township’s five voting wards are set to go into effect Jan. 1. Judge Harry Smail on Thursday approved an order authorizing the Westmoreland County Elections Bureau to revise and alter the voting districts after a months long process to redraw the boundaries. His ruling came at...
Ross adopts 2024 budget with no tax increase
Ross commissioners in December approved the 2024 township budget with no tax increase. The real estate tax rate remains at 2.7 mills, with residents owning property with an assessed value of $134,200, the median in Ross, paying the township an average of $362.34 on their tax bills. The budget includes...
Glassport man dies at Allegheny County Jail
A 41-year-old man died at Allegheny County Jail on Thursday morning, three days after he was arrested on a bench warrant. Jail officials did not name the man, but defense attorney Casey White confirmed that his client, Richard Sciubba II, of Glassport, died at the jail Thursday morning. He had...
Westmoreland commissioners blame past fiscal neglect in approving 32.5% tax hike
A 32.5% property tax increase approved Thursday by Westmoreland County commissioners was necessary, they said, to balance the county’s 2024 budget while allowing the county to preserve some fiscal reserves. Commissioners cited spiraling costs to pay off existing debt, increases in the cost of health benefits for employees and added...
Oakmont Council approves Local Remedy Brewing’s conditional-use application
Oakmont residents will see a new addition to the borough’s shopping district in 2024 after council approved Local Remedy Brewing’s conditional use application in a 6-0 vote Dec. 18. Before the vote, a public hearing was held to discuss the conditional use of the proposed site. According to borough Solicitor...
Leechburg Area superintendent announces resignation, is hired by the Penn-Trafford School District
Leechburg Area School District is losing its superintendent of seven years. Tiffany Nix submitted a letter of resignation Thursday announcing she accepted a post as assistant superintendent with the Penn-Trafford School District. “We’re very happy that Dr. Nix will be joining the Penn-Trafford team,” said Penn-Trafford Superintendent Matthew Harris. “She...
Pennsylvania Turnpike preps for 5.2M holiday drivers, up from 2022
Regional highway travel during the extended holiday week is expected to see an uptick of about 2% compared to the same time the previous year, while air travel should see a slightly higher gain. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is preparing for the increase in holiday travel on the state toll...
Snakes, lizards, spiders coming — monthly — to Pittsburgh Mills in Reptile Show & Sale
Anyone who has never had the chance to see an axolotl up close is in luck. The slippery little aquarium creature, made popular by the Minecraft video game craze, will be on display at the Pittsburgh Reptile Show & Sale making its new home at the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer....
Oakmont Borough swears in 9th full-time patrol officer
Oakmont Mayor Sophia Facaros swore in the borough’s ninth full-time patrol officer on Monday night. After a four-month application, interview and testing process, Officer Tyler Condron was officially hired. He was up against five other applicants who completed a physical agility test, a task that commonly includes officers completing sit...
Oakmont officer recognized for exemplary service during domestic call that injured Verona chief
Oakmont police Officer Tyler Jaecke was recognized by borough council Dec. 18 for assisting the Verona Police Department during a domestic violence call Nov. 20. “(Jaecke) intervened and stopped a violent attack on a female victim and secured the scene for the victim and the injured Verona officer to receive...
