Western PA Local News category, Page 827
‘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...
Dick’s Diner in Murrysville evacuated after chemical spilled in basement
At least 20 customers and employees were evacuated from Dick’s Diner in Murrysville on Saturday afternoon after customers complained of a burning sensation affecting their eyes. The incident happened at the restaurant along Route 22 shortly before 1 p.m. General manager Erik Retzer said 911 was called when the ill...
$13K in cash, guns taken from dead man’s home in Unity, state police say
State police are investigating the burglary of a deceased man’s home in Unity. The burglary happened between Dec. 11 and 19 on Pershing Circle, state police said in a release issued Thursday. Police did not identify the man. According to state police, two firearms valued at $1,300 were taken —...
3 injured in Uniontown stabbing
Three people were injured in a stabbing incident reported Saturday morning in Uniontown. One person was taken to a hospital while two others were treated in the 60 block of Butler Street, according to a Fayette County 911 supervisor. The injury to the person who was hospitalized was not life-threatening...
Peoples Gas seeks state approval of rate hikes in 2024
Peoples Gas is proposing base rate increases for customers that could take effect in September if approved by Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission. If the entire increase is approved, residential customers who annually use 80,000 cubic feet of gas and are served by the company’s Peoples Natural Gas division will see...
Trial ordered for Vandergrift teen accused of beating 63-year-old man with his own walking stick
A teenager accused of beating a 63-year-old Vandergrift man until he fell to the ground and then continuing the assault by beating the man with his own walking stick was ordered to stand trial. Jackson Mills, 15, of the 200 block of Holmes Street in Vandergrift was charged Oct. 31...
The Stroller, Dec. 30, 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. HOPE Center accepting donations The Alle-Kiski HOPE Center is seeking donations...
Popular inhaler Flovent to be discontinued, replaced with generic; doctors expect confusion
The new year is a time for fresh starts — and it certainly will be one for people who rely on the asthma inhaler Flovent. The widely used maintenance prescription inhaler is being discontinued in January, and it will be replaced with an authorized generic — a medicine that is...
Outgoing Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald reflects on 12 years
Many things make Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald swell with pride when discussing his 12 years as the county’s top elected official, but one accomplishment appears to connect them: no increase in property taxes. “We’ve been able to hold the line on the cost for the homeowner,” he said. “At...
Pittsburgh set to record 2nd least snowy year since 1880
On Friday, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh issued an advisory for 2 to 4 inches of snow Saturday in eastern Preston and Tucker counties in West Virginia. It’s something meteorologists there haven’t had to do often. This year is on track to be the second-least snowy year on record...
Family ties apparent at Westmoreland County district judge swearing-in ceremonies
When it comes to electing district judges in Westmoreland County, the position sometimes remains all in the family — a fact never so obvious as at the swearing-in ceremonies Friday for judges who won their seats in the November election. Of the nine district judges who were sworn into office...
Power outage in Greensburg traps 4 in courthouse elevator
The wheels of justice may grind slowly, but for four people riding in an elevator Friday at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg, those wheels actually ground to a halt. Senior county Judge Al Bell was one of four people trapped inside the elevator for about 45 minutes when a...
Victim in fatal Derry Township crash identified; Route 217 reopens
Officials have identified the person who died in a three-vehicle crash Friday afternoon at the intersection of Route 217 and Industrial Boulevard in Derry Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson identified the victim as David Leonard, 72, of Derry. Carson said Leonard, traveling in a red Nissan Rogue traveling south...
Allegheny County Jail now offering treatment for opioid use disorder without a prescription
A month after reaching an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Allegheny County Jail officials announced Friday that incarcerated people with opioid use disorder can now be treated with buprenorphine as part of their medication-assisted treatment program. Even patients who don’t have a prescription will be able to benefit...
Police say wanted men arrested during Verona traffic stop; 1 had 100 heroin stamp bags tucked in his buttocks
One of two men arrested in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle grocery store in Verona last Saturday had 100 stamp bags of heroin tucked in his buttocks, police said. Fred Crawford III, 27, of the 400 block of Penn Street in Verona was charged with a felony count...
Greensburg Salem elementary teacher, aide arraigned on abuse accusations
A report from another teacher prompted the investigation that led to the arrests this week of a teacher and aide at Greensburg Salem’s Robert F. Nicely Elementary School on accusations they mistreated three students in a special needs classroom, according to police. “It seems that somebody from the classroom at...
East Deer property owners to pay less in township taxes in 2024
Township taxes for East Deer property owners will decrease in 2024. Commissioners set the 2024 millage rate to 4.65 mills, a 0.25-mill or 5% decrease from this year. It’s the township’s third tax cut since 2015, Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said. Property with a median assessed value of $49,700 would...
