Centurions football announcer honored for more than 30 years of dedication
After more than three decades announcing football for the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions, there’s not much happening on the field that could surprise Ben Falcone. But he wasn’t prepared for a sneak play by family members and GCC administrators, who honored his 35 years behind the microphone during halftime of...
Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-70 work to trigger Cranberry detour, Westmoreland restrictions
Work on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 70 will cause a detour in Cranberry and restrictions in Westmoreland County beginning on Monday, according to officials. Weather permitting, a nearly 2-mile detour will be in place from 6 a.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27 for eastbound turnpike travelers at...
Trial begins in fatal shooting of 1-year-old struck by stray bullet in Spring Hill
Allegheny County prosecutors admitted Friday that Marvin Hill is not the man who fired the stray bullet that killed 1-year-old Zykier Young as the child lay in bed in Pittsburgh’s Spring Hill three years ago. But they said Hill is guilty of criminal homicide anyway, because he was armed with...
New Kensington man pleads guilty in federal tax fraud case
A New Kensington man pleaded guilty Friday in federal court on charges that he prepared false tax returns, collecting more than $130,000 in fees in the process. Harvey Smith Jr., 58, of New Kensington, pleaded guilty to preparing false tax returns through multiple clients by way of his tax preparation...
Clean energy funds investment can aid hard-hit communities
If the region can boast there are workers here who are trained in the semi-conductor industry, it could be a boon for economic development. That’s the thinking of Mary Salony, the executive director of the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board. And the group is set to receive $1.4 million in federal...
Butler’s Mike Kelly again votes against Jim Jordan for House speaker
A Republican congressman from Western Pennsylvania again voted against U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, being named House speaker. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, instead voted for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. Jordan for a third time failed to garner the necessary votes to become speaker. This comes about two...
Export council candidates want to continue borough’s recent upswing
Export has been on an upswing over the past few years, taking full advantage of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail passing through the center of the borough and revitalizing its downtown business district. Four candidates who will compete for three open council seats are looking to keep that going. “I think...
Penn Township family receives community support after house fire
Greg Benson and his wife, Donna, had no idea their house was on fire Thursday evening. “A passerby came beating on the front door. We have two chocolate Labs, and I thought it was my oldest son just trying to irritate the dogs,” said Greg, 65, of Penn Township. “I...
Unity plans senior holiday luncheon, Santa drive-thru event
Unity’s annual holiday luncheon for seniors and Santa Claus drive-thru for children are set to be held on the same day this year — Dec. 1. The township’s senior holiday luncheon is for those age 55 and older, and it’s been a tradition for more than 18 years, according to...
Police continue to investigate New Kensington shooting
A man remained hospitalized Friday morning after being shot Thursday afternoon in New Kensington. The shooting in the 1000 block of Kenneth Avenue, near McCargo Street, was reported to Westmoreland County 911 around 3:20 p.m. No arrests had been made as of Friday afternoon, said Melanie Jones, a spokeswoman for...
$3M Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off winner sold at Butler County gas station
A scratch-off lottery ticket worth $3 million was sold at a Butler County gas station, the Pennsylvania Lottery announced Friday. The “$3 Million Diamonds and Gold” scratch-off was sold at Rummy Mart on South Main Street in Chicora. The store gets a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. The...
Dropped cellphone leads to arrest in McKeesport killing
A Mon Valley teen dropped his iPhone after fatally shooting a 47-year-old man this March — and that, combined with surveillance footage of the crime, led to his arrest this week, Allegheny County Police said. Sanchez Spence, 18, of McKeesport, remained in Allegheny County Jail on Friday after being charged...
Cope, Felack on ballot for New Kensington-Arnold School Board seat
The only contested race in the New Kensington-Arnold School Board election this fall will pit an incumbent board member against a state representative’s legislative aide in the district’s Region 3. Incumbent board member and retired teacher John Cope and Eric Felack, a legislative aide for state Rep. Abby Major, will...
Westmoreland Land Trust scenic drive traces part of 18th century Forbes Road
Motorists who take a drive along the Westmoreland Land Trust’s newest road ramble may get a sense of the hilly terrain Gen. John Forbes’ British soldiers had to cross on foot in the mid-18th century, when they seized the site of present-day Pittsburgh from their French foes. They will also...
Nationally recognized magician to perform at Casino Theatre
Spending countless hours practicing magic in his bedroom as a youngster growing up in West Kittanning paid off for Tim Kutch. “I’d lock myself in my room practicing my magic tricks and then test them out on my family,” said Kutch, 39. Kutch, a practicing minister and part-time professional master...
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to replace water mains with $37.3M in state funding
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority plans to replace about four miles of water mains in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights and Squirrel Hill South neighborhoods. The authority said it has secured a $37.3 million funding package from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority for the project to replace aging and undersized water...
Morning Roundup: Vehicles slam into homes in Duquesne and Wilkinsburg
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Oct. 20: Vehicle smashes into house in Duquesne A vehicle crashed into a house in Duquesne early Friday morning, Tribune-Review news partner WTAE reported. No one was reported injured in the crash, which occurred just before 2 a.m....
The Stroller, Oct. 20, 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. Plum Education Association to host Festival of Honor fundraiser The Plum...
Hempfield celebrates township’s past, future at 250th anniversary gala
Hempfield closed out a year of celebrations surrounding its 250th anniversary at a gala Thursday night. About 200 township residents of all ages attended the event, held at Live Casino Pittsburgh’s venue space at Westmoreland Mall. “We’re recognizing Hempfield Township as a part of the founding of Westmoreland County 250...
Leechburg Area School Board candidates weigh in on biggest issues facing the district
Voters in the Leechburg Area School District will select from seven candidates in the Nov. 7 election to fill five seats on the Leechburg Area School Board. An eighth name on the ballot, former school board member Karen Freilino, resigned Sept. 20. Although her name remains on the ballot, Freilino...
1 person flown for treatment after 2-vehicle crash in Hempfield
A medical helicopter was dispatched to airlift a patient injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday night in Hempfield. The crash was reported just before 8:30 p.m. at Route 30 and West Penn Drive, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said. Traffic was restricted on Route 30 as crews from Adamsburg Fire...
Crews battle blaze at Penn Township home
Crews from multiple fire departments were battling a blaze Thursday evening that caused extensive damage to a Penn Township home. The blaze was reported about 4:45 p.m. in the 300 block of Mt. Manor Road. Harrison City and Westmoreland City fire departments were the first to respond to the scene....
Expanded industrial park eyed for Westmoreland County growth
Jason Rigone could only marvel at the transformation that took place over the last 12 months as he peered down across the vacant countryside in East Huntingdon Thursday. He was surveying what is now more than 78 acres of flat ground ready to serve as Westmoreland County’s newest site for...
Insanity claim to be explored for Penn Township man accused of killing father, aunt
The lawyer for a Penn Township man charged in the murders of his father and aunt in 2021 told a Westmoreland County judge he will explore a potential insanity defense for his client. Defense attorney Brian Aston said an investigation is underway to determine if there is enough evidence for...
Man shot in New Kensington, airlifted to hospital
A middle aged man was shot in New Kensington on Thursday afternoon, according to police. About 3:30 p.m., police blocked off the 1000 block of Kenneth Avenue for a shooting. A landing zone was set up at Valley High School. Investigators at the scene directed all inquiries to the Westmoreland...
