Western PA Local News category, Page 833
Panther students stay busy during the holiday seasonVideo
From the high school down to kindergarten, when Franklin Regional students aren’t busy studying, they found plenty of ways to get into the spirit of the holidays. The FR Thespians Club hosted a senior breakfast as part of its run of “A Christmas Carol” performances, eighth grade art club students...
1st employee of Northland Public Library named Ross Citizen of the year
The first employee of Northland Public Library has been honored by her hometown. Willa Neil, 79, received the 2023 the Durachko-Gottfried Ross Township Citizen of the Year Award at the December commissioners meeting. After volunteering at the Shaler North Hills Public Library during her high school and college years, she...
Prisoner swaps with Russia should include Oakmont man, delegation says
More than a dozen members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation are calling on federal officials to include Marc Fogel in any potential prisoner swaps made with the Russian government. Fogel, a Butler County native who lives in Oakmont, has been detained in Russia for more than two years after he was...
Stewart Elementary students raise over $3,000 for Children’s Hospital with holiday market
Students at Stewart Elementary School on Thursday set up shop to sell candy, toys, crafts and other items to their peers as part of their annual holiday market. But the proceeds weren’t going to them. Instead, the money was being collected by Stewart administrators who then, at the end of...
Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain, Boyce Park open slopes this weekend
Hidden Valley skiing fans can hit the slopes Friday, and those waiting for Laurel Mountain will be able to head downhill starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. Vail Resorts announced opening dates and holiday hour for ski and snowboard operations at its Laurel Highlands locations. Hidden Valley Hidden Valley Resort opened...
Murrysville area: Native plant program, MMA fight night, ‘Winter Wonderlab’ and more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com. Native plants program A staff member from Rust Belt Natives will host a Jan. 16 presentation on gardening with native plants at the Murrysville Community Library. Participants will learn how to create a low-maintenance, environmentally friendly garden space, how to choose the...
Memorials to slain Lower Burrell pub owner a testament to his popularity; no new details emerge
The usually vibrant activity outside Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell was gone Friday, giving way to makeshift memorials dedicated to the bar’s owner. And as friends, family members and the community grieve the loss of David “Mogie” Magill, 64, the investigation into his death continues. Magill was shot to...
Pittsburgh firefighters finalize new contract with city
The city of Pittsburgh and the union representing city firefighters announced a new contract Friday that includes wage increases, new parental leave and health insurance policies, and modernization upgrades to fire stations. The contract covers the next five years with members of Pittsburgh Fire Fighters, IAFF Local No. 1. IAFF...
Morning Roundup: 9-car chain-reaction crash in Strip District; fire in Duquesne
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Dec. 22: 9-car crash in Strip District under investigation An early Friday morning crash in Pittsburgh’s Strip District caused a chain reaction involving nine vehicles and city police are trying to figure out what happened. One vehicle was...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 22-25
We’ve made it to the weekend. It is three days off for some with Christmas Day on Monday. In between those final shopping stops at the mall, local retailer or Peoples Gas Holiday Market, here are some other ways to spend it. Christmas Day at Pitt The annual Christmas Day...
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...
