CSX workers at site of damaged rail lines near passenger station in Connellsville
CSX workers were at the site of an apparent derailment of freight cars about 200 yards south of the Amtrak passenger station at Water Street in Connellsville. According to CSX spokesperson Sheriee Bowman, at approximately 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, two boxcars derailed within the CSX Connellsville yard. The railcars remained...
Historical society, author will mark 75th anniversary of Donora smog disaster
Seventy-five years ago this October, residents in the Mon River mill town of Donora noticed something wrong with the air, something different from the typical steel-industry smog that characterized the region at the time. The nearby U.S. Steel Donora Zinc Works had released two dangerous gases, hydrogen fluoride and sulfur...
Greensburg Salem set to reject outdoor classroom bids; basketball court taking shape
Greensburg Salem is rethinking its approach to developing an outdoor classroom at the high school as construction proceeds on a new basketball court in a grassy area behind the middle school. Superintendent Ken Bissell said he would like to get community input while the district considers other potential facility projects,...
Westmoreland Fair provides educational opportunities for students prior to fall classes
For Madison Davis, the Westmoreland Fair has conflicted with the start of her college classes for the past three years — but it hasn’t stopped her from making the most of her fair experience. Davis, 20, of Dawson, is a junior majoring in nursing at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly...
Deer Lakes provides alternative gym class to emphasize mental well-being
Lauren Hedderman believes that to do well, people must feel well, and that’s exactly what her “Mental Toughness” class at Deer Lakes High School aims to accomplish. “Students seem to love it. I think it’s a break within their day to focus on themselves,” Hedderman said. The course started at...
Latrobe Italian Festival returns for 2nd year, catalyzes growth for local community
Michael Ciotti says he’s been going to Italian festivals his whole life Since he was born in the city, it naturally made sense to create the Latrobe Italian Festival soon after opening his local business. The festival returns to Thompson Street this weekend for the second year, honoring the city’s...
East suburban real estate transactions, week of Sept. 10, 2023
Monroeville MLM Bros 2020 LLC sold property at 2802 Broadway Blvd. to Erhan Tuncbilek for $45,000. Philips RS North America LLC sold property at 1740 Golden Mile Highway to Icon Golden Mile Partners LLC for $400,000. Plum Frederick Hohman sold property at 324 Ligonier Ln to Luis Summers and Rebecca...
North Hills area real estate transactions, week of Sept. 10, 2023
Etna Estate of Thomas Perka sold property at 29 Elm Ln to H Town 4 LLC for $55,000. Estate of Ralph Perry sold property at 6 Oakland St. to Antonio Martinez for $40,000. Hampton John Castellano sold property at 4818 Stonebridge Drive to Alec Micahel and Maria Rzoski for $850,000....
1980s Pittsburgh rockers Haywire plan full-band reunion shows in New Kensington, Warrendale
When three members of the 1980s Pittsburgh rock group Haywire reunited in 2021 for a couple of intimate acoustic shows, they had a great time, but something was missing. Two things, actually: bassist Pete LaCava and drummer Steve Juffe were both in the throes of cancer treatment. Lead singer Arte...
Menu specials will welcome diners at 14 eateries during Greensburg Restaurant Week
Bay of Fundy salmon, Syrian specialties and generous servings of pumpkin waffles and pancakes are among the flavorful options awaiting diners who partake of the offerings during Greensburg Restaurant Week. Slated Monday through Sept. 17, the semi-annual event showcases the diverse menus of 14 restaurants in Greensburg and nearby communities,...
Westmoreland political leaders eye state judicial contests to lure voters
Westmoreland County’s political leaders said Election Day 2023 could set the stage for the following year’s presidential election. With a ballot devoid of high-profile contested county races this fall, officials said they expect to work overtime to ensure voters are motivated to head to the polls or vote by mail...
The Stroller, Sept. 10, 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. Murder mystery fundraiser to benefit library Community Library of Allegheny Valley...
Church bells to ring again in Leechburg after successful $30,000 fundraiser
A defunct church belltower in Leechburg will soon be operational again, thanks to the fundraising work of church volunteers the last five months. “I had a Jesus moment,” said the Rev. James Arter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of the moment last Tuesday when he opened the church mailbox and...
Prime Stage Theatre to host open auditions for upcoming season
Prime Stage Theatre officials will host open auditions for their 27th season Sept. 16-17 in Pittsburgh. Auditions for the “Season of Courage and Discovery” will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 and 4-9 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Prime Stage Studio, 840 West Saw Mill Run Boulevard in...
‘Oppenheimer’ hype – Pittsburgh connections to the atomic age
J. Robert Oppenheimer’s brilliant mind belonged to the atom, his loyalty to the United States, his passion to the New Mexico desert. But the beating heart of the American Prometheus belonged to a woman who grew up in Aspinwall. Yes, Aspinwall, childhood home of the great physicist’s wife, Katherine “Kitty”...
‘Oppenheimer’ hype brings lesser-known aspects of atomic age in Pittsburgh to fore
J. Robert Oppenheimer’s brilliant mind belonged to the atom, his loyalty to the United States, his passion to the New Mexico desert. But the beating heart of the American Prometheus belonged to a woman who grew up in Aspinwall. Yes, Aspinwall, childhood home of the great physicist’s wife, Katherine “Kitty”...
A little bit of German, a lot of county fair to be found at Sprankle’s Octoberfest in Saxonburg
Yes, you could find beer flowing into waiting steins, polka music drifting through the air and the occasional lederhosen or dirndl darting through the crowds at Sprankle’s Octoberfest in Saxonburg. But strolling through the fairgrounds Saturday, you would be just as likely to run across a 20-foot python, a rescue...
‘Homecoming’: Sisters of Mercy, St. Xavier’s Academy alumni return to Unity to celebrate opening of new nature preserve
Barbara Mance was sitting in her English class at St. Xavier’s Academy on March 16, 1972, when the fire alarm went off. She walked downstairs, assuming it was just another fire drill. She and her classmates were joking that “maybe the old place is finally burning.” Upon arriving outside, they...
Local, state, federal officials to mark 22nd anniversary of Flight 93 crash on 9/11
Monday will mark the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, as well as the crash of United Flight 93, meant for an additional attack that was foiled by the plane’s passengers. Local, state and federal officials will be in attendance at ceremonies...
Indiana County coroner identifies trapped quarry worker, rules death accidental
The Indiana County Coroner’s Office identified a quarry worker who died after becoming trapped in a limestone hopper on Friday, ruling the death accidental. First responders were called just before 10:30 a.m. to rescue Eric Matthew Komlosky, Sr., 39, of Indiana, who had become trapped at Ridge Limestone, a quarry...
Kiski Township man ordered to trial on multiple felony charges
A Kiski Township man accused of stealing an SUV to flee after assaulting a family member and then eluding capture by police who spotted him the next day has been order to stand trial on multiple felony charges. James Francis Sabino, 37, of the 300 block of Riffler Road was...
Commissioner candidate has surgery for injuries suffered in 2021 Election Day attack
A Democratic candidate for Westmoreland County commissioner is temporarily off the campaign trail after having surgery Thursday to repair lingering injuries suffered during an attack at the polls on Election Day in 2021. Lisa Gephart, 56, of Mt. Pleasant Township remained hospitalized Friday and is recovering and expected to return...
Westmoreland home repair program filled before program launch
A new $1.6 million program to stop future blight has more than enough potential applicants even before Westmoreland County officials were ready to formally announce its launch. Brian Lawrence, executive director of Westmoreland County’s Redevelopment Authority, said referrals from other agencies have “overprescribed” what officials expect to be a popular...
The Stroller, Sept. 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. 9/11 Moving Flag Tribute planned in Harrison The 9/11 Moving Flag...
Magnet fishing couple pulls piece of Harrison history from Allegheny River in Lawrenceville
You never know what you might pluck from the Allegheny River. Magnet fishing enthusiasts George and Suzanne Murphy Haught have pulled up boat parts, locks and even a gun. “I pulled out a washer from a barge that was the size of a dinner plate,” said George, who began the...
