Pitt’s plan for a $250M biomanufacturing facility in Hazelwood moves forward
The University of Pittsburgh has received approval from the city’s Planning Commission to build a biomanufacturing facility in Hazelwood. The $250 million facility will serve as a cell and gene therapy innovation hub in the Hazelwood Green development along the Monongahela River. University officials have said about three-quarters of the...
Blawnox Council recognizes youth baseball team for undefeated season
The Blawnox Colts, a youth baseball team, and its coaches were recognized by Blawnox Council on Sept. 13 for their undefeated championship season. Led by general manager Randy Adams, the players successfully made their way through the Allegheny North’s 17 and younger league this year. The team is a part...
4 free covid tests to be available, federal department says
A program that previously mailed free covid tests to households across the country will restart on Monday, allowing people to order another set of at-home tests for free, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. “Beginning Sept. 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive...
U.S. Steel to test technology for capturing carbon emissions at Mon Valley Works
U.S. Steel plans to test new technology to capture emissions at its Mon Valley Works in Allegheny County. The Pittsburgh steelmaker is partnering with the National Energy Technology Laboratory to use an “advanced membrane technology” to capture carbon dioxide emissions from the Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock. The unit is...
Oakmont Council passes new social media policy
Oakmont council passed a new social media and communications policy at its Sept. 18 meeting, defining what is expected of borough employees and volunteers who are active on social media. Council member Tracey Holst initiated the policy’s creation, stating that borough employees need to have guidelines for what is acceptable...
Oakmont woman gets life in prison for starvation, torture death of 3-year-old girl
No one was there. No one sat in the courtroom gallery wearing shirts that read “Justice for Bella.” No one told the judge what a great 3-year-old that Bella Seachrist was. How she loved to dance and would eat anything. How she was a giggly, bubbly, playful and loving child....
Allegheny Township taps new emergency coordinator, accepts police chief’s resignation
Allegheny Township filled one of its vacant public safety positions and will begin to advertise for another one. The supervisors appointed Matt Johnston, 29, of Allegheny Township as the township’s emergency management coordinator. The board also accepted the resignation of police Chief Duane Fisher, who will become the police chief...
Greensburg police seek help in identifying fraud suspect
Greensburg Police are seeking help from the public to identify a man who purchased $3,200 worth of items using someone else’s Home Depot credit card. Police Chief Charles Irvin said the suspect on July 31 bought four electric hot water heaters, four spools of electrical wire, a set of wrenches...
Jeannette art exhibition investigates realms beyond perception
Twenty artists participating in a new exhibition at a Jeannette art gallery seek to bend the lines of reality. A free opening reception for “And Beyond” will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at You Are Here. The exhibition will remain on display until Oct. 28. The pieces...
Oakmont woman gets life in prison for starvation, torture death of 3-year-old girl
No one was there. No one sat in the courtroom gallery wearing shirts that read “Justice for Bella.” No one told the judge what a great 3-year-old that Bella Seachrist was. How she loved to dance and would eat anything. How she was a giggly, bubbly, playful and loving child....
Western Pennsylvania school districts receive email swatting threats
Several Western Pennsylvania school districts were the target of swatting emails this week, authorities said. They included Mt. Lebanon, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland and South Park in Allegheny County and Belle Vernon and Derry Area in Westmoreland County. The school districts reported receiving threatening messages via email on Tuesday and Wednesday....
Oakmont council celebrates pastor’s retirement
Members of Oakmont Council honored the Rev. Steve Wilson at their meeting Sept. 18. “I met him over 30 years ago,” said Oakmont mayor Sophia Facaros. “He was refereeing our son’s indoor soccer game. I was a coach at the time. I remember I turned to look at him and,...
Oakmont gets a step closer to hiring new police officer
Oakmont has narrowed its search to five candidates for one available full-time police officer position. The position was originally advertised by the borough in early August with applications due in-person by mid-August. Chairman of the borough’s Civil Service Commision, Les Leasure, presented council members with an update Sept. 18. Five...
Release of suspect in $1.6M drug case ignites political firestorm in Allegheny County
Allegheny County court officials are still trying to figure out how a man accused of carrying $1.6 million in fentanyl in Pittsburgh was released from custody this month, and now another judge is reportedly involved in the snafu. A nationwide arrest warrant was issued for Yan Carlos Pichardo Cepeda, 27,...
First Responders Back the Blue event set to roll out in Hyde Park
An event honoring first responders is coming to Hyde Park later this Saturday. The inaugural First Responders Back the Blue event will be held Saturday at the Hyde Park Heritage Pavilion, 291 Railroad St., said Jay Zanotti, president of the Hyde Park Volunteer Fire Company. The event is hosted by...
Freeport Area approves $13K to replace roof of salt storage shed that dates to 1960s
For a small school district with limited finances, stretching a dollar is a year-round school board proposition. Residents attending Freeport Area School District’s board meeting were reminded of that last week. This time it wasn’t computers, textbooks or teaching positions hovering over the chopping block but protection for the district’s...
Leechburg’s David Leech Elementary among state’s 13 National Blue Ribbon Schools
A Leechburg Area elementary school is celebrating earning a prestigious national distinction. David Leech Elementary School has been named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The district announced the news Tuesday on its official Facebook page. The school is one of 13 recognized in...
Arnold mayor seeks regulation on use of minibikes
Mayor Joseph Bia said he plans to rein in youths riding minibikes recklessly on Arnold’s streets before they injure somebody, including themselves. Bia brought the matter before city council at its meeting last week. “We’ve got a big problem with kids riding minibikes through the streets,” he said. “They’re breaking...
Serra Catholic student killed in school van crash in Dravosburg
A 15-year-old girl was killed Wednesday in a school van crash in Dravosburg, authorities said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the girl as Samantha Lee Kalkbrenner of Dravosburg. Three other juveniles, all students at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, were injured and taken to a hospital in...
Westmoreland happenings: Underground Railroad program, stuffed pork chop dinner, bingos, more
Fundraisers • Jeannette Knights of Columbus hosts bingo at 7 p.m. Fridays in Mersinger Hall at Ascension Church, 615 Division St., Jeannette. Doors open at 6 p.m. and early birds begin at 6:30 p.m. Players younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Food will be available. Details: 724-523-9244....
1 killed in Route 819 crash in Greensburg
It appears speed and drugs were factors in a fatal head-on crash Wednesday morning in Greensburg, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. Robert J. Glendening, 37, of Hempfield was driving a Chevrolet Cruze southbound in the northbound lane of Route 819 just before 6 a.m. when the car collided...
Morning Roundup: 2 hurt in garbage truck crash in Overbrook; vandalism in Squirrel Hill; 2 shot in Mt. Oliver
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Sept. 20: 2 injured after garbage truck crashes in Overbrook Two people were reported injured when a garbage truck crashed Tuesday in Pittsburgh’s Overbrook neighborhood. Surveillance video showed the truck traveling down a hill before hitting several vehicles...
Derry man claims plea deal to domestic violence will support family
A Derry Township man told a Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday he would plead guilty to domestic violence charges to help his family. In doing so, Kane Markle will have limited contact with his two children, according to terms of a plea deal. The deal will enable his parole from...
Blood donations fall short by two-thirds in region, nonprofit says
Blood collection organizations say donations are down at least 25% — a trend they’ve been unable to break since the pandemic. The American Red Cross announced a national blood shortage last week upon receiving 30,000 fewer donations than expected in August. That’s a 25% decrease from the 12,500 donations it...
The Stroller, Sept. 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. New Kensington to celebrate Fridays on Fifth The monthly Fridays on...
