Lawyer for Unity man charged with girlfriend’s killing claims authorities can’t prove crime was committed
The lawyer for a Unity man charged with killing his former girlfriend more than four years ago said authorities may not have jurisdiction to prosecute the case in Westmoreland County. Thomas Stanko maintains he did not kill Cassandra Gross, said his attorney, Marc Daffner, during a pretrial hearing Monday. Gross,...
Hempfield woman pleads guilty for causing Route 30 crash last year in North Huntingdon
A Hempfield woman pleaded guilty Monday to charges that she was under the influence of drugs when she caused a vehicle crash last year in North Huntingdon that left a woman seriously injured. Melinda Gail Fesh, 56, was charged following the July 28, 2022, head-on crash on Route 30, near...
Wilkinsburg man gets 25 to 50 years for killing Tarentum woman
A Wilkinsburg man will serve 25 to 50 years in prison for killing the mother of his child in Tarentum in 2021. DaShawn Frederick, 28, pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree murder, making terroristic threats and endangering the welfare of children. The sentence was negotiated. Investigators said Frederick had been in...
Pa. State Police: Snapchat shooting threat ‘not credible’
State troopers said they increased their presence at some schools Monday after being alerted to a Snapchat message containing a threat to carry out a shooting at “Central High School.” Police from Troop A in Greensburg said they do not have evidence to suggest the threat was credible and determined...
Stowe man gets at least 21 years in prison for killing 2-year-old girl
Javonne Swinton read the letter she wrote to her daughter. “How I miss you so much,” it began. “You are a soul so pure of love and happiness, it can heal broken hearts.” Brielle Swinton, who would have turned 5 in February, was killed on Dec. 30, 2021, by her...
Halloween events scheduled for North Allegheny area
There’s lots of Halloween fun in the North Allegheny area this month: Providence Heights Alpha School The Student Council at Providence Heights Alpha School will host a Trunk-n-Treat in the La Roche University parking lot, 9000 Babcock Boulevard, on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Lots of...
Proposed Monroeville budget holds tax line
Despite an anticipated 2.4% increase in expenditures, Monroeville’s proposed 2024 general fund budget maintains a real estate tax rate of 4 mills. If council adopts the final budget as proposed, the owner of a property valued at $110,600 — the municipal median, according to Allegheny County — will continue to...
Ross woman gets prison sentence for fatal hit-and-run
A Ross woman is headed to prison for fatally striking a woman with an SUV and then fleeing the scene after drinking at a nearby bar in January. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kelly Bigley on Monday sentenced Erin Lee Petroski, 40, to three to six years in prison in...
Greensburg’s Invisible Man Brewing will relocate to Rialto building
Invisible Man Brewing Co. is joining forces with another established Greensburg business owner as they move to set up shop in the former Rialto Bar & Bistro, which was shuttered in 2022 after a series of violent incidents. After Oct. 26, fans of the beer created at the brewer’s Pennsylvania...
$250,000 improvement project slated for Aspinwall Park
More pickleball courts are coming to Aspinwall. But it’s going to take a while. A large-scale park refurbishment is being financed with a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Plans include adding four pickleball courts, constructing a pedestrian walkway and a multipurpose court, installing fencing,...
Pennsylvania opens lottery registration for chance to buy rare whiskeys
Lottery winners will have the opportunity to shop from over 4,400 bottles of rare whiskeys, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced Monday. State residents and licensees have until 5 p.m. Friday to opt in to the lottery at the limited-release lottery web page at fwgs.com. The event will feature six...
Fatal New Kensington fire ruled accidental
A house fire that claimed the life of a New Kensington man over the weekend was accidental, the city’s fire chief said Monday. Scott Fularz, 45, died Saturday at Allegheny Valley Hospital, where he was taken for treatment of smoke inhalation. A neighbor reported the fire at 723 Kennedy Ave....
Allegheny County Council proposal would ban single-use plastic bags
Allegheny County Council is set to consider a ban on single-use plastic bags that largely mimics a similar measure recently implemented in Pittsburgh. The measure is set to be introduced to County Council on Tuesday. Council members Anita Prizio, Olivia Bennett, Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis and Paul Klein are sponsoring the legislation....
‘Portals’ poster invites viewers to identify, explore landmark Westmoreland sites
Since the 1970s, the Irish Tourist Board has had an iconic poster to help promote Ireland’s capital city. “The Doors of Dublin” depicts multiple entrances to the city’s Georgian homes. Now, Westmoreland County has a “Portals of Westmoreland” poster, helping to celebrate the county’s 250th anniversary this year. Unveiled Friday...
Remember When: Elizabeth Smith steamboat left historic mark in nearly 30-year run
For those who love history, one of the great treasures in the Alle-Kiski Valley is an antique shop on Market Street in Leechburg named Ruman & Kraft. This summer, the shop acquired a framed photograph of the steamboat Elizabeth Smith. The Elizabeth Smith became famous in 1936, when she sank...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Oct. 12-18, 2023
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, the Tribune-Review’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate,...
Kids take plunge for pumpkins as Greensburg Y kicks off Family Fun Nights
Some kids picked their pumpkins from the pool instead of from a patch during the annual Fall Fest at the Greensburg YMCA. One of the popular activities during the free evening of fun for families was “fishing” for pumpkins. Kids were encouraged to decorate their pumpkins after either selecting them...
Building the Valley: Lelulo’s Pizzeria owner deepens roots in Plum with expansion into full restaurant
Patyn McCune started working at a Plum pizza shop in 2011, answering the phone and cleaning dishes. “I had no idea how to make pizzas,” she said. One night, with an hour left in the day, she was left alone with a driver. Instead of an easy end to the...
Highlands Region 3 race decided in spring, but voters in regions 1 and 2 have multiple options
Highlands School District voters will have an array of options in the upcoming election, with eight candidates seeking five positions on the board. In Region 3, the race was all but decided in the spring when 18-year-old Democrat Eli Majocha and Democratic incumbent Kristie Babinsack won the top two nominations...
In brief: Beggars Day, ALICE training, other Hampton area happenings, week of Oct. 23, 2023
Museum hosts Beggars Day The Depreciation Lands Museum, 4743 South Pioneer Road, Hampton, will host Beggars Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29. Children are invited to participate in the custom of “begging,” the door-to-door tradition that predates trick-or-treating. Youngsters can dress in their favorite costumes from the past,...
In brief: Plum, Oakmont area happenings, week of Oct. 23, 2023
Plum Area Ladies Society Plum Area Ladies Society will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road. The theme for the refreshments and Friendship Basket is “Fall Harvest.” The speaker, Eric Selinger, is presenting “Rock Talks: Actually, Disco Didn’t Suck.”...
In brief: Monroeville budget hearings, veterans honored, week of Oct. 23, 2023
Monroeville budget hearings set Public hearings for Monroeville’s 2024 proposed budget are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 in council chambers at the municipal building, 2700 Monroeville Blvd. The final budget is subject to council approval. To view the proposed budget, visit
www.monroeville.pa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=66. Trick-or-treat times Monroeville Halloween...
Suspect arrested in death of Butler County teen hit on bicycle
A Butler man accused of hitting a teen bicyclist with his vehicle and fleeing has been taken into custody, Butler Township police said. Joshua A. Rivera, 38, was placed in the Butler County Prison, the department said on its Facebook page. The incident happened about 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Dutchtown...
Morning Roundup: Temps to warm up in Western Pa.; Beaver humane society facing ‘crisis’
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Monday, Oct. 23: Temperatures to warm up in Western Pa. Western Pennsylvania is getting a taste of winter Monday morning, but it’s not going to last. The coldest air was north of the city, National Weather Service meteorologist David...
Albert, Hamacker vie for Westmoreland sheriff
Westmoreland County voters elected a Democrat in 2019 to serve as the new sheriff. Six months later, Sheriff James Albert announced he had switched his party registration to Republican, leaving Democrats with just one elected official in county government. Albert, 73, of New Alexandria will seek second term in office...
