The Stroller, Nov. 9, 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. Food collection to benefit local families in need Vandergrift Police Department...
Unity mother reflects on ‘the worst 4 months of my life’ as probe into daughter’s killing stalls
Bruna Vesco Leonard had a few video chats with her 25-year-old daughter on the evening of June 9. Brianna Lartz was visiting a friend in Jeannette, and they were getting ready to eat dinner. Hours later, Leonard was panicked to hear about a shooting at the friend’s home. Leonard said...
St. Brendan’s in Franklin Park hosts Cookie Walk Nov. 18
The Cookie Monster would love this, not to mention Santa and his elves. St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church of Franklin Park will hold its annual Holiday Happenings Craft Show and Cookie Walk on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than two dozen vendors will offer handcrafted goods...
Butler Health System losses nearly doubled in 2023, according to financial statements
Butler Health System’s losses almost doubled in the fiscal year ending June 30, according to newly released financial documents. The system, which in January merged with Excela Health to create Independence Health System, lost $43.3 million in fiscal year 2023. Butler Health reported $22.8 million in losses in the fiscal...
Union workers at West View Water Authority poised to strike as contract negotiations drag on more than a year
Members of the Utility Workers Union of America Local 416 at West View Water Authority could go on strike at any time. Union president John Witheral said members voted in May to authorize a strike after negotiations with the authority stalled but have held off. Their last contract, a five-year...
First lady Jill Biden highlights Western Pa. workforce development efforts during Pittsburgh stop
First lady Jill Biden visited Pittsburgh on Wednesday and praised the region’s efforts in expanding workforce development programs and other career training initiatives — including a major one in New Kensington. Pittsburgh was designated a “workforce hub” in May. That provided federal funding and other assistance to existing workforce training...
Boil-water advisory extended for Ligonier, Laurel Mountain, portions of Ligonier and Fairfield townships
A boil-water advisory has been extended as the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County awaits the results of a third precautionary test following a water main break in Ligonier Township on Sunday. Spokesperson Matt Junker said the latest water sample was taken Wednesday and tests take about 24 hours to get...
Westmoreland political leaders take contrasting view of election results
Westmoreland County Democratic leaders had high hopes but few expectations with regards the handful of county races on Tuesday’s ballot. While Republicans maintained control of county government, the more than 31,000 votes received by an underfunded and untested candidate who was on the campaign trail for just two months signaled...
How Steve Zappala was reelected as Allegheny County DA running on the GOP ticket
Ben Wren parked himself Tuesday night in the back of Cupka’s Cafe II on the South Side, the “war station” of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala’s reelection effort. Politicians, supporters and reporters flowed like koi past Wren’s table. He constantly checked information on two tablets and a laptop....
Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund officials visit Flight 93 memorial, meet with community
“You are not forgotten.” That was the message Allison Turkel wanted to make clear for anyone who responded to the Flight 93 crash site in Stonycreek on Sept. 11, 2001. Turkel, who was appointed in March as special master of the federal Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund, was joined by...
First lady Jill Biden highlights Western Pa. workforce development efforts during Pittsburgh stop
First lady Jill Biden visited Pittsburgh on Wednesday and praised the region’s efforts in expanding workforce development programs and other career training initiatives. Pittsburgh was designated a “workforce hub” in May. That provided federal funding and other assistance to existing workforce training programs in the region. Pittsburgh is one of...
Unity supervisors express concern over Greater Latrobe’s multimillion-dollar revitalization project, planned tax hikes
When Mike O’Barto learned of Greater Latrobe school board’s multimillion-dollar revitalization plan that will raise taxes through 2039, he said he thought it was “ludicrous.” The district will proceed with the plan after 19 months of study, review and public comment, with an expected cost between $182 million and $198...
Nearly half of all Westmoreland write-in votes came from Greater Latrobe school board races
When John Petrarca saw the number of write-in votes in the Greater Latrobe school board election for four-year seats, he said it was “hard to believe.” Nearly half of the 22,259 total write-in votes cast in Tuesday’s election in Westmoreland County were done so in the two races for Latrobe...
Bipartisan Norwin School Board victors say they hope to promote respect, avoid polarization
Members of the bipartisan “We aRe Norwin” slate of candidates will form a majority on Norwin School Board, according to unofficial election results. All five members of the slate were leading in unofficial vote tallies from Tuesday’s election. Tim Kotch Sr. led with 11.2%, and Nina Totin came in second...
Ohio just legalized recreational marijuana. What does that mean for Pennsylvania?
On Tuesday, Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational use of marijuana after having a medical-only program in place. Now all of Pennsylvania’s neighbors, except West Virginia, allow recreational marijuana use. Pennsylvania passed medical marijuana laws in 2016. Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients must now be diagnosed with at least...
Innamorato’s win caps a wave of women’s political victories in Allegheny County
Sara Innamorato’s victory Tuesday night means that Allegheny County will see a woman as its top elected official for the first time in history. Only men have served as Allegheny County executive since the position was created more than 20 years ago. “I stand on the shoulders of so many...
Incumbents win most council seats in Monroeville, Pitcairn
Two Monroeville Council incumbents won reelection in their wards as Democrats, and a Republican defeated a former council member for another seat, according to unofficial Allegheny County results. In Ward 2, Eric Poach earned another four-year term by defeating Timothy J. Lionelli, 810 votes to 538. Bob Williams faced no...
Pittsburgh native brings directorial debut, ‘Two Lives in Pittsburgh,’ to Three Rivers Film Festival
When Brian Silverman was growing up in Mt. Lebanon, his parents often took him along to the many cultural events they attended around Pittsburgh. That early exposure to the arts made an impression on Silverman, who’s now 55 and living in Los Angeles. He’s returned the favor to his hometown...
Sweeney wins seat on Allegheny County Common Pleas bench, 6 judges retained for new terms
Democrat Patrick A. Sweeney on Tuesday won this year’s only open seat on the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court bench, collecting nearly 59% of the votes cast to defeat Republican nominee Anthony DeLuca, according to unofficial results. “Allegheny County voted for reform, for a justice system where systemic biases and...
Brannock, Suchevits win Harmar supervisor seats
In a race where only 29 votes separated the four candidates, Erik Brannock and Robert Suchevits were able to claim two Harmar supervisor seats. According to unofficial but complete results from the Allegheny County Elections Division, Brannock, a Democrat, led all vote-getters with 437 votes, or 25.93%. Suchevits, a Republican,...
Frey, Hollibaugh, Wiegand win West Deer supervisor seats
An incumbent and two newcomers won four-year supervisor seats in West Deer. John Hollibaugh and Jo Resciniti were on the ballot for a seat representing District 3, and Josh Wiegand and David Harrison were on the ballot for a seat representing District 4. According to complete but unofficial results from...
Republicans sweep Bridgeville Council seats
Republicans won the three Bridgeville Borough Council seats up for election on Nov. 7, defeating two incumbent Democrats in the process, according to unofficial Allegheny County results. Receiving the most votes were GOP candidates Jason Sarasnick, 828; Jason Ferri, 722; and Shane Franchick, 692. Council members Joseph Colosimo and Nino...
Conley retains Upper Burrell supervisor seat
Mike Conley will serve another six years on Upper Burrell’s board of supervisors. Conley, 60, had 438 votes, or 62.48%, compared to 263 votes, or 37.52%, from challenger Cari Armstrong, 40, according to unofficial but complete vote tallies from the Westmoreland County Elections Department. “I certainly appreciated all the support,”...
GOP takes 3 out of 4 Bethel Park Council seats
Republicans took three out of the four council seats up for election on Nov. 7, according to unofficial Allegheny County results. Ward 4 incumbent Todd S. Cenci joined Kimberly Kamenicky, Ward 2, and Jim Jenkins, Ward 6, in winning on the GOP tickets. Democrat Viola Garis won in Ward 8....
Veterans Day observed with activities across Westmoreland County, region
Those who have served in the armed forces will be recognized during the following Veterans Day programs: • WCCC The Center for Healthcare Solutions and Unity in the Community will hold a free Veterans Suicide Prevention Walk and Human Services Fair Friday on the main campus of Westmoreland County Community...
