Fatal shooting stuns Indiana County community as police search for suspects
Tears welled up in Lillian Clemons’ eyes as she stopped her vehicle in front of the Chevy Chase Community Center. With a cup of coffee in her hand, she took in the yellow police tape surrounding the building and recounted how much the residents rely on the center, which regularly...
Knights of Columbus groups serve local communities despite controversial namesake
The legacy of 15th-century Italian explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus has sparked controversy in recent years, but there remain about 100 Knights of Columbus councils in Western Pennsylvania. “When you join the Knights of Columbus, you swear to do charitable works,” said Albert Borgony, grand knight for a Westmoreland council....
Fate of Schenley Park Columbus statue unknown as legal case continues
More than three years after the Pittsburgh Art Commission voted to remove it, a large statue of 15th-century Italian explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus still stands, partially shrouded in tattered plastic sheeting in a plaza at Schenley Park. The fate of the hotly debated statue remains unknown pending the conclusion...
Pittsburgh Mills mall owner optimistic about property’s future, but mum on details, after averting sheriff’s sale
After paying off millions in delinquent assessment fees for the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer, owner Namdar Realty Group says it’s looking forward to the mall’s future but, so far, hasn’t said what that future will be. The Mills mall was scheduled for sheriff’s sale last week, but Namdar paid...
Bethel Park yard screams Halloween
Welcome to Kings School Cemetery, at least for the Halloween season. That’s what the sign says in the suitably decorated yard of Bethel Park resident Joe Villella.” “Every year, we have a different theme,” he said. “Last year, I had a carnival theme.” Whatever he and his family members choose...
Local Jewish leaders reviewing synagogue security in wake of Hamas attack on Israel
Local Jewish leaders are taking steps to ensure the security of worshippers at Pittsburgh-area synagogues in the wake of Saturday’s surprise attack on Israel by Hamas militants. The director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said Sunday that, while there have been no threats made against...
Vigil attendees, IUP students express shock, fear over nearby off-campus shooting
Indiana University of Pennsylvania student Christine Berry of Pittsburgh’s North Side had a “sense that something (bad) might happen” at a homecoming party Saturday night at a local community center a couple of miles from campus. Berry said she told friends not to go the party, not to walk the...
Fatal Indiana County shooting marks 540th mass incident this year, according to gun violence group
White Township joined the likes of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg as communities struck by a mass shooting when gunfire erupted early Sunday morning at a party at the Chevy Chase Community Center. One person died and at least eight others were wounded in a chaotic scene that state police described...
Girardi, Karaica seek Lower Valley district judge seat
The former presidents of Springdale and Cheswick borough councils will square off in their pursuit of the district judge’s seat in the Lower Valley. Michael Girardi, 37, of Cheswick and Mitchell Karaica, 51, of Springdale are seeking to replace David Sosovicka, who is not seeking reelection. Judicial elections are nonpartisan,...
Off-campus shooting near IUP the latest for university community to endure
The shooting at a party near the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus early Sunday morning marked the latest in a string of incidents involving IUP students in the past decade. IUP spokeswoman Michelle Fryling confirmed that the party at the Chevy Chase Community Center was not affiliated with the university,...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Sept. 27-Oct. 4, 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,...
‘So many things that you can do’: From upcycling to alterations, Heidelberg seamstress shows variety of talents
Your dresser drawer has a limited amount of space. So maybe it’s time to say goodbye to that Pink Floyd or Pitt Panther shirt you haven’t worn in years. If so, say hello to Kait. Heidelberg resident Kaitlyn Alyce thrives on converting discarded fabrics into new creations, taking recycling a...
Building the Valley: Becky’s Closet keeps Freeport native’s memory alive, helps Harrison community thrive
When Freeport resident Pat McCurdy’s daughter passed away from cancer in 2022, McCurdy couldn’t bear to part with her daughter’s belongings. “Becky had lots of clothes and lots of shoes, and I didn’t want to just throw everything away,” said McCurdy, a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison....
Remember When: Canals played a pivotal role in 1800s transportation along the Allegheny and Kiski rivers
Before the construction of dams, travel on the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas rivers was dependent on seasonal rains. At times, the water in the river channels was not deep enough for boat traffic. The earliest boats used on the rivers had very shallow drafts. They were canoes, rafts, flatboats and keelboats....
Westmoreland Coroner: Salem man killed in Route 22 crash
A Salem man was killed in a crash on Route 22 in Murrysville on Saturday evening after a suspected impaired driver ran a red light and hit his car broadside, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office and municipal police. Michael D. Poholsky, 65, was driving a Chrysler Concorde on...
Brackenridge ghost tour to bring A-K Valley history to life
A Ziegfeld Follies girl, a descendant of a U.S. founding father and U.S. Congressman Henry Marie Brackenridge will come to life during the annual Ghost Tour at Prospect Cemetery. They are among 13 “spirits” who will tell their stories during the event, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday....
Sewickley area real estate transactions for the week of Oct. 8, 2023
Bell Acres Jermaine Benjamin sold property at 114 Hamilton Drive to Emme Harding for $389,900. Franklin Park David Hartman sold property at 2309 McAleer Road to Ananthapadmanabham Manikandan for $342,500. Mary Wilson sold property at 2347 Wilvan Ln to Florian and Audrey Rajakovich for $708,000. Xiaoshu Zou sold property at...
Fox Chapel area real estate transactions, week of Oct. 8, 2023
Etna Sean Brett sold property at 179 High St. to John Reese for $150,000. Indiana Hidden Falls GP LLC sold property at 115 Hidden Falls Pt to Gregory Cummings for $636,248. Keith Turnbull sold property at 214 Indianola Drive to Robert Bliss for $50,000. Cheryl Heresco sold property at 219...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of Oct. 8, 2023
Forest Hills Rosemary Forester sold property at 316 Edgewood Road to Nicole Sefonek-Weiss and Jeffrey Michael Weiss for $311,081. Monroeville Gina Giacchino sold property at 275 Shady Ridge Drive to Christie Foremsky for $170,000. Ryan William McNatt sold property at 601 Spring Run Drive to Tilak Joshi for $249,900. Oakmont...
North Hills area real estate transactions, week of Oct. 8, 2023
Etna Sean Brett sold property at 179 High St. to John Reese for $150,000. Franklin Park Xiaoshu Zou sold property at 1818 Franklin Run Ct to Shailesh Ozarkar and Pranati Talnikar for $550,000. Scott Thistle sold property at 2576 Matterhorn Drive to Nicholas Adam and Anne Catherine Bassett for $465,000....
New Kensington celebrating 70th anniversary of Willie Thrower’s ‘1st Snap’
In the world of sports, New Kensington’s Willie Thrower cemented his place in history when he became the first Black quarterback to take a snap in the NFL in 1953. In his hometown, he was known as a humble, hardworking and family-oriented man, said Melvyn Smith, a longtime friend of...
Tenants unknown as new ‘tech flex’ building breaks ground at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park
Armstrong County officials are mum on identifying possible tenants for a new 30,000-square-foot tech development project at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park in South Buffalo Township. The news of construction commencing on a “tech flex” building was announced Wednesday in a news release issued by Darin Alviano, the executive director of...
Seton Hill students target Greensburg’s empty storefronts as part of regional initiative
If Greensburg eventually finds a way to fill vacant storefronts in downtown, the city may have three Seton Hill students to thank. Jake Starek, 20, of Harrison City is one of the trio at Seton Hill University participating in an initiative designed to study the potential for a health care...
Greensburg Salem considers revised fees for use of school, athletic facilities
Some fees will be going up, at least one will be going down. All are meant to be more consistent, as the Greensburg Salem School Board considers a revamped, simplified schedule of charges for using district facilities. The board is expected to vote Wednesday on the single-page fee breakdown that...
The Stroller, Oct. 8, 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. Free concert series at the Syria Shrine Center to conclude season...