Saint Vincent professor seeks public participation in spotted lanternfly research
Saint Vincent professor and entomologist Michelle Duennes was walking the lots at a Steelers tailgate last year near Heinz Field. But she wasn’t looking for the perfectly grilled kielbasa. She was looking for spotted lanternflies. “We were also looking at the license plates of people who came from out-of-state,” Duennes...
Poker convictions flushed for Derry lawyer
Hunting wasn’t in the cards for Derry Township attorney Larry Burns. So Burns went to court to ask that he once again be allowed to participate in the hobby he enjoyed for decades before he was convicted in 2009 of gambling offenses. He was operating what authorities said were illegal...
New St. Xavier Nature Preserve to host visitors, Sisters of Mercy, Catholic academy alumni for open house
For the first time since 1972, the St. Xavier property off Route 30 in Unity will open its doors once again — this time, as a nature preserve. The 248 acres were home to the former St. Xavier Academy and Convent, which was the oldest institution of the Sisters of...
The Stroller, Sept. 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. Let us know about your Halloween happenings The Valley News Dispatch...
Survivors, advocates shine spotlight on suicide as cases rise in Westmoreland County
Sue Soltis of Derry Township can empathize with those who have been touched by the rising number of suicides in Westmoreland County, which accounted for a record number of 62 deaths last year. She found help with a Survivors of Suicide bereavement support group in Pittsburgh when her family was...
Police: Woman found shot in car in Wilkinsburg
A woman was hospitalized in critical condition after being shot on Thursday afternoon while seated in her car in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County Police reported. Officers were dispatched around 4 p.m. for a shooting in the area of Pennwood Avenue and Rowland Connector. Police said the 65-year-old victim was found with...
Summit Hose Company’s fall festival continues through Saturday at Riverview Memorial Park in Tarentum
Apollo brothers Noah and Elliott Gould surveyed the Riverview Memorial Park landscape in Tarentum from the highest point possible Thursday night. With smiles on their faces, the boys sat down on large cloths and launched themselves down a bumpy, colorful slide to start their first experience at the three-day fall...
Arrest made in Clairton homicide after standoff in McKeesport
A Clairton man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting Aug. 25 was arrested Thursday after a short standoff with law enforcement in McKeesport, the Allegheny County Police said. The suspect, Edwin Wiley-Biggs, 42, was arrested by the Allegheny County Police Department’s SWAT team when he peacefully came out of...
Kiski Township officials draft ordinance to end alligator ownership; police fear more gators are in Kiski River
Kiski Township officials are clamping down on alligator ownership in the township after two reported alligator sightings in recent weeks along the Kiski River. In light of the recent capture of a juvenile alligator some nicknamed Chomper in August and a rogue alligator named Neo that remains at large after...
Indiana man accused of threatening Homer-Center School District
An Indiana man was arrested Thursday after allegedly sending a threatening video to a Homer-Center student in which he was seen wielding a shotgun and indicating he was arriving at Homer-Center School District, state police at Indiana said. The suspect, Spencer T. Baker, 18, is accused of sending the video...
Nonmonetary bond questioned in multi-million dollar fentanyl, cocaine arrest
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is challenging the release of a New York City man accused of trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine after he was granted nonmonetary bond by a district judge. Yan Carlos Pichardo Cepeda, 27, is charged with two felony counts of possession with intent...
Aldi in Hempfield nears opening day
The Aldi grocery store announced for Hempfield in February will open in a week. The store, located at 6207 Route 30 in the Hempfield Plaza, will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily starting Sept. 14. Customers can arrive at 8:45 a.m. for the official grand opening of the...
Community Bands of Westmoreland County brings ‘familiar’ music for all ages to community college
The Community Bands of Westmoreland County has performed in Washington, D.C., Gettysburg, Lancaster County and at the Flight 93 Memorial, but their at-home shows have been limited. This weekend, the group will bring its set of classic rock, marches, show tunes and patriotic selections back home for a performance at...
Tailgate turmoil: North Shore development cuts into game-day experience for Pitt, Steelers fans
Dustin Helm arrived on the North Shore 90 minutes before parking lots opened for the first University of Pittsburgh football game of the season, as he has done for the past seven-plus years. When the lots opened last weekend, Helm attempted to turn left in Lot 7C and make his...
Programs offered at Monroeville Public Library
Monroeville Public Library is offering numerous programs for adults. • Death Café, Sept. 16, in-person event. Doors open at 1 p.m. Please arrive early, as the event will start promptly at 1:30. Arriving late can be disruptive to the conversation. Participants will break out into small groups and begin with...
Hanna’s Town to host fifth Antiques & Collectibles market in 50th season
Historic Hanna’s Town will host its fifth Antiques & Collectibles market of the season this weekend, continuing its 50th year of the tradition. The market, which started in 1974, will feature more than 100 vendors offering a variety of vintage items, ranging from $1 to hundreds of dollars in cost....
Pittsburgh man charged after botched phone sale at turnpike plaza in Hempfield
A man was hospitalized after state police said a robber took $650 from him and ran over his foot before fleeing a service plaza along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Hempfield, according to court papers. Kierre D. Williams, 28, of Pittsburgh was arraigned this week and is free on $25,000 unsecured...
Two new Allegheny Township businesses now hiring in Hyde Park Plaza
Two new businesses are hiring in Hyde Park Plaza, Allegheny Township. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Dollar Tree have signs posted with contact information for potential employees. The stores are located where a former Big Kmart once occupied about 85,000 square feet of retail space. Township officials have not provided opening...
NA alum is Navy commander in Hawaii, helps in Maui fire tragedy
When huge wildfires struck the Hawaiian island of Maui in August, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Mowry, a McCandless native, conducted search-and-rescue missions with fellow crew members of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, the “Easyriders.” Their worst enemy? The smoke. “In the first 72 hours, my squadron, HSM-37, provided initial search-and-rescue...
Officials, nurses hope new Pa. licensing program changes will help with staffing shortages
Amid ongoing nursing shortages, RNs and LPNs from other states will find it easier to begin working in Pennsylvania starting this week, as the state takes its first steps toward joining the Nurse Licensure Compact. The interstate agreement allows nurses to more easily take their licenses with them across state...
‘Jammin’ Into Fall’ benefits Hampton nonprofit
Musicians have a history of helping worthy causes, and members of the North Hills band Altered Egos want to keep up the tradition. They’re the featured attraction for the benefit Jammin’ Into Fall for Spenser’s Voice, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the PA Market, 108 19th...
Historical society readies for annual Murrysville Heritage Festival
Considering the disdain children seem to have for putting away their clothes, Carol Interieri isn’t sure what they love so much about colonial-era laundry demonstrations. “They just can’t enough for some reason,” she said with a laugh. Intrieri and other members of the Murrysville Historical Preservation Society will put local...
Downtown panhandler arrested for trying to throw woman onto Parkway East, police say
A Downtown panhandler tried to throw a woman off a bridge over the Parkway East on Wednesday night, police said. A criminal complaint filed against Jonathan Boyle, 42, said he was panhandling near Fort Pitt Boulevard and Smithfield Street around 7:40 p.m. when he attacked the woman and tried to...
Norwin area: Irwin police to get golf cart; craft and vendor show in Irwin, and more
Irwin police to get golf cart Irwin police will have another vehicle to use during the many community events that are held in the borough. Irwin Council on Sept. 5 accepted a fully-outfitted golf cart from Brad Harrison, owner of Harrison Auto Sales of North Huntingdon. Mayor Jeff Clem said...
Murrysville area: Corn maze, bike raffle, local live music and more
Corn maze opens The Gearhard Farms corn maze is open through Oct. 29 in Murrysville. The maze is cut into a different pattern each year, and participants are invited to try and map out the picture as they make their way through. The maze is open Fridays from 5-9 p.m.,...
