Behind the art: Justice, mercy, moderation set stage in Westmoreland courtroom
Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county. One day in early November, a defendant in Judge Christopher Feliciani’s criminal courtroom looked to the ceiling at three century-old oil paintings, pondering their meaning aloud in an exchange with the judge. There’s one labeled...
Puppet-inspired music video earns international acclaim for Greensburg’s Derek Woods BandVideo
Members of the Derek Woods Band have had to pull some strings over the years while building their reputation as a group, working to establish themselves and gain a fan base beyond western Pennsylvania. The band has performed nationally but embarked on its first coast-to-coast U.S. tour in 2023, a...
Pittsburgh diocese merges two parishes into one, dropping total to 60
Two Catholic churches will be combined into a new parish in 2024, diocesan officials announced Saturday. The Saint Maria Goretti and Our Lady of the Angels parishes will become the Saint Pio of Pietrelchina Parish on Jan. 1, Bishop David Zubik said. The new parish will serve the Bloomfield, Garfield...
Shoppers flock to New Ken for 3rd annual Small Business Saturday
Mary Ringbloom grabbed an ax by its wooden handle Saturday afternoon and lunged toward at a target on the nearby wall. The ax missed the bull’s-eye, ricocheting to the ground. “Try to hold it steady and throw hard,” said her coach — and co-owner of the ax-throwing venue — Brian...
Shoppers forgo the internet, fill Oakmont business district for Small Business Saturday
When Mystery Lovers Bookshop opened in 1990 on Oakmont’s brick-lined Allegheny River Boulevard, it didn’t contend with online shopping. There was no Amazon Prime service, no Target app, no click-n-ship from Walmart.com. But co-owner Tara Goldberg-DeLeo said the quaint bookstore, with its checkerboard floors and the smell of fresh paper...
Customers flock to downtown Irwin for Small Business Saturday
Diane Mullen walked up Main Street in downtown Irwin on Saturday afternoon with bags filled with purchases. Mullen and four friends from Latrobe spent the day sampling the small boutiques, shops and niche stores that make up Irwin’s thriving downtown on what has become the one of the busiest days...
Crawford Run Road in East Deer reopens after Clarks Run bridge repairs are completed
Crawford Run Road in East Deer and its sidewalk near Meadow Avenue have reopened. The closures, which began on Sept. 25 were required for repairs to the Clarks Run bridge No. 1. The work included replacing an outlet wall, pouring new pavement, building concrete curbs, a sidewalk, installing new guide...
Jeannette’s Sparkle of Christmas parade grows
Jeannette’s annual Sparkle of Christmas parade is set to be twice as big as last year’s, according to parade co-coordinator Michelle Langdon. “There’s a bigger interest in participating this year,” she said. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and head down Clay Avenue. The Sparkle of...
New Kensington residents facing 73% increase in garbage bills for 2024
New Kensington residents could see their garbage bills jump by more than 70% next year. City Council is set to consider a five-year garbage collection contract and set the annual fee during a special meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall. According to the meeting agenda, council will...
Taxes to rise for majority of residents under proposed West Deer budget
West Deer officials are putting the final touches on a proposed $10.8 million budget for 2024 that will see a tax increase that outweighs an accompanying decrease for most residents. The paradox is due to the establishment of a half-mill fire tax approved by voters Nov. 7 in a referendum....
2023 holiday happenings in the A-K Valley
Allegheny Township • Freeport Theatre Festival will present “The Nativity — A Christmas Delight” at 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at the theater located at the Steele Family Farm off Route 356 on White Cloud Road. Donations will be accepted. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-295-1934. Apollo • Apollo Area...
Lower Burrell officials see momentum in business growth, but there’s still more work to do
What once was an empty building in the Burrell Plaza could now be home to businesses that will reap nearly $35,000 in tax revenue for Lower Burrell. Schaedler Yesco, a Harrisburg-based wholesale electrical distributor, will host its grand opening at the Burrell Plaza in the coming months. The store already...
Holiday Happenings in the Fox Chapel area
North Optimist toy drive The Pittsburgh North Optimist Foundation’s toy/gift drive is being held Dec. 9 from noon until 3 p.m. at the Lauri Ann West Community Center’s parking lot, 1220 Powers Run Road. Santa will be there to hand out candy canes! Unwrapped toys and gifts will be donatied...
The Stroller, Nov. 25, 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. Local students to participate in annual Rotary Choral Festival Highlands Area...
Legends of Pittsburgh fitness center eyes April opening at former Holy Martyrs in Tarentum
The potential owners of the former Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum are moving forward with their original plan to open a fitness center inside the shuttered facility and build a practice field alongside it. This comes just one week after Legends of Pittsburgh co-owner Stefan Lundberg was told the floor...
Penn Township approves preliminary land development plan for independent living facility
Penn Township commissioners voted last week to approve the preliminary land development plan for an independent living facility proposed for Harrison City-Export Road. The 119-unit facility was proposed by contractor Concordia of Monroeville for 21 acres of land behind the Westmoreland Country Club. Commissioners tabled the vote Oct. 18, primarily...
Greensburg Y stresses wellness with new yoga, sound therapy, gym sessions
The Greensburg YMCA is offering residents a chance to counteract the stresses of the holiday season with a series of new yoga and sound therapy sessions. “Peace on Earth Sound and Yin Yoga” will be available in four, hourlong weekly sessions beginning at 7 p.m. Monday Sound therapy is effective...
Pittsburghers react to news of hostage swap, temporary ceasefire in Israel and Gaza
Leaders of Pittsburgh Jewish and Palestinian organizations had mixed reactions to Friday’s start of hostage exchanges and a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Associated Press reported 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and one person from the Philippines were released Friday, and Israel released...
Hunt for ideal Christmas tree is on at area farms
Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farm in Derry Township opened for the holiday season Friday. In addition to cut-your-own trees, the farm offers hayrides along with fresh-made wreaths and a gift shop. The sale of hot chocolate and snacks benefits local volunteer firefighters. The Fraser fir is the most popular variety among...
Write-in candidate secures 3rd Latrobe City Council seat
A write-in candidate has secured one of three open seats on Latrobe’s City Council, according to unofficial election results. Dawn Vavick received 179 total write-in votes — two of which were from absentee or mail-in ballots. Incumbent council members William Yuhaniak and Ralph Jenko won the other two seats, with...
Trooper says man clocked driving 100 mph in Harmar was selling drugs found in his car
A Pittsburgh man was accused of being a drug dealer after a state trooper pulled him over for driving 100 mph on Route 28 in Harmar and found cocaine and marijuana in the vehicle, according to authorities. Shontal Anthony Austin, 47, of the 6700 block of Apple Street in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar...
Frazer police agreement includes 3% increase for officers
Frazer police officers will see a 3% annual increase in hourly wages for the next three years as part of an agreement between township supervisors and the Frazer Township Police Association. Supervisors earlier this month approved a collective bargaining agreement between the township and the Frazer police association through the...
Pittsburgh ice skating event brings together different faiths
The Rev. Jonathon Jensen says it’s remarkable how unremarkable it is — at least for Pittsburgh. For the third year, Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Muslims will lace up their ice skates, groove to music and grab a slice of pizza together Saturday at Hunt Armory in Shadyside. “We’re all very...
Duff Park walking trail section will be closed for bridge repairs in Murrysville
A section of the Duff Park walking trail in Murrysville will remain closed through the new year for repairs to two pedestrian bridges. “They’re getting pretty bad,” said Murrysville Mayor Regis Synan. The section of trail which will close is normally accessible through the Roberts Trailhead on Route 22, via...
Casey touts Senate legislation to improve coal miners’ access to black lung benefits
It’s been difficult for Tony Kodric to breathe since an injury a decade ago ended the Uniontown man’s 36-year career as a coal miner. He’s seen specialists, repeatedly measured the oxygen in his blood and battled coal companies. Despite Kodric’s efforts, the federal government won’t grant him monetary benefits for...
