Land bank fosters new life for more than 170 abandoned Westmoreland properties
When Jackie Sobel and her father, David, were looking to put down roots for their craft brewery, they knew new construction wasn’t going to be right for the vibe they wanted. “We were looking for something that had a lot of character,” she said. They perused Westmoreland County Land Bank...
The Stroller, Nov. 28, 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. All-star volleyball games to feature local high school players The We...
Former Kiski treasurer, supervisor claims discrimination in civil suit
A former Kiski Township secretary and treasurer who briefly served as a supervisor is seeking more than $50,000 from the township in a civil suit alleging she was discriminated against because of her gender. In her complaint in Armstrong County Court, Sherry Lynn Tamski claims she was paid less while...
Giving Tuesday donations grow in importance for local nonprofits, leaders say
On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Casa San José Executive Director Monica Ruiz-Caraballo often spends much of the day scrolling through social media, admiring the hard work of fellow nonprofit organizations across the region. Posts and stories from her own group, a Western Pennsylvania-area resource center that works with the local...
Roadkill deer collection not a job for the faint of heart — or stomach
Thanksgiving week is a good time of year to be doing Steve Boeser’s morning job. Boeser will admit it’s not glorious work. The 56-year-old Washington Township resident is contracted by Murrysville to pick up roadkill deer. But the colder the weather, the easier his job is. On a late-November morning,...
1 dead in Wilkinsburg shooting
A man was fatally shot Monday evening in Wilkinsburg, authorities said. Allegheny County homicide detectives are assisting Wilkinsburg police investigating the shooting, reported at about 7:15 p.m. in the 900 block of Hill Avenue. The man was identified Tuesday afternoon by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner as Darryl M. Nelson,...
New Kensington council reluctantly approves garbage contract with 73% increase in bills
New Kensington council members conceded Monday that they had little choice but to approve a garbage contract that increases bills by 73%. They heard from residents upset that their garbage bills will spike next year but ultimately voted, 4-1, to award a five-year, $15.3 million contract for solid waste, household...
Officials say time capsule reflects current spirit of Westmoreland County
When the next generation of Westmoreland County employees opens a time capsule in front of the courthouse, they’ll see photos and documents of life in 2023. They’ll even see a covid-19 in-home test. As snow flurries danced in the air, a small group of Westmoreland employees gathered for a quick...
Westmoreland commissioners paint bleak financial picture in proposed 2024 budget
Westmoreland commissioners have four weeks to make final tweaks to a 2024 budget that is not expected to raise taxes but could all but exhaust the county’s surplus of funds. Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved a preliminary $464 million spending plan that calls for expenses to outpace revenues by nearly...
Why get your flu shot and covid booster at the same time? Experts weigh in
Pharmacies, clinics, and primary care providers are offering the 2023-2024 updated covid booster and this year’s flu vaccine—and it’s both safe and convenient to get both vaccines at the same time, according to medical experts. In fact, you can get both shots in the same arm, said Dr. Graham Snyder,...
Westmoreland certifies election results
Westmoreland County’s election board on Monday issued a final certification of the 2023 election results. The three-member board of county common pleas court judges signed off on the results of about 195 races including the election of a new board of commissioners, row offices, district judges, school boards, township supervisors...
Chinese national pleads guilty in Greensburg meat cleaver attack, deportation expected
A Chinese national is expected to be deported after pleading guilty on Monday for attacking his Greensburg roommate with a meat cleaver in August. Liwu Tian, 57, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault as part of a deal with Westmoreland County prosecutors. Because the case is concluded,...
Cranberry Township McDonald’s franchise owner fined over child labor violations
The Cranberry Township-based company that operates five McDonald’s restaurants in the region has been fined for violating federal child labor regulations. The U.S. Department of Labor said it found that Endor Inc. employed 34 children to work later and longer than permitted by law. The department’s Wage and Hour Division...
Bethel Park restaurant serves 400-plus free Thanksgiving dinners
During their Thanksgiving vacations, Sara Impellicceiri and members of her family would partake in free holiday dinners. “But I never helped volunteer for one, because I just never had the opportunity,” the Bethel Park High School junior said. “So being able to do this has been a great experience.” She...
Pittsburgh pop radio fixture Clarke Ingram diesVideo
If you listened to Top 40 radio in the Pittsburgh area between the mid 1970s and the mid 2000s, chances are good that Clarke Ingram touched your life in some way. The Pittsburgh native, who died Saturday at 66, was not just a mover and shaker in the Top 40...
Gala dinner to serve as finale for Westmoreland 250 celebration
Organizers of this year’s observance of Westmoreland County’s 250th anniversary are inviting the public to reflect on the year-long celebration at an event on Dec. 6. The Golden Gala Dinner is set for 5-8 p.m. at the Antiochian Village Conference Center, 140 Church Camp Trail, off Route 711 in Fairfield....
Gas prices drop for 10th straight week, but could rise if OPEC cuts oil production, analyst says
With the national average price of gasoline declining for the 10th straight week, motorists are enjoying the longest downward trend at the pump since the summer of 2022, an industry analyst said. “The timing couldn’t be better as Americans head into the holidays, leaving them with more in their wallets...
New Kensington woman accused of locking 2 kids out in cold, leaving toddler unattended inside
New Kensington police accused a woman of locking her two school-age children outside in the cold and leaving her naked toddler unattended with water boiling on the stove after getting drunk and falling asleep. Police said she also spit on an officer and threatened to kill another officer and his...
Ross Township proposed 2024 budget calls for tax hike
Ross Township commissioners presented a proposed 2024 budget that includes a real estate tax increase. The budget, as presented Nov. 20, includes more than $27.4 million in expenditures and a matching amount in revenues. Both categories sit at about a 10.4% increase from 2023. The increase from the 2023 budgeted...
Parts of Pittsburgh region could see snow next 2 days
Western Pennsylvania could see its first significant snowfall of the season Monday and Tuesday, though totals are expected to vary widely across the region, forecasters say. Snow is expected in the northern and eastern parts of Southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as areas of higher elevation in Fayette County and parts...
Alle-Kiski Valley natives find joy through skydiving
Andrew Kenny finds peace of mind among the clouds. It’s just that it comes while jumping out of an airplane and descending to Earth as a competitive skydiver. “It was just something I had always wanted to do,” said Kenny, 34, a Plum native. Some 2,300 jumps after his first...
No tax increase expected for Bridgeville
Bridgeville’s real estate tax rate is expected to remain the same next year, maintaining a consistent level since 2019. Borough council plans to vote Dec. 11 on adopting the 2024 budget, which calls for a rate of 6.5 mills on buildings and 10 mills on land. The budget for the...
Law enforcement warns of potential security risks with Apple’s new NameDrop feature
Police departments across the country are warning Apple users about potential privacy concerns after a new iOS update. The update includes a new feature called NameDrop. Apple on its website touts NameDrop as a way to “quickly share contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch.” Apple said its...
Pittsburgh’s West End Bridge to see accessibility improvements
Pittsburgh nonprofit Riverlife will provide $2 million for design and engineering to improve accessibility on the city’s West End Bridge. The nonprofit last week announced the investment “to create accessible connections leading to the West End Bridge from the Manchester-Chateau and West End neighborhoods.” In a statement, Riverlife said the...
In brief: Hampton area happenings, week of Nov. 27, 2023
Basketball boosters host Wizards The Hampton Boys Basketball Boosters Club will host the Harlem Wizards for a fun-filled fundraising event. The appearance is scheduled for Dec. 4 at Hampton High School. Doors open at 6 p.m., and festivities begin at 7. Formed in 1962, the Wizards have played more than...
