Morning Roundup: 5 shot in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood
Here are some news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 10: Five people injured in Middle Hill shooting Three people are in critical condition, among five injured in a shooting late Wednesday night in Pittsburgh’s Middle Hill neighborhood. Police responded at 10:45 p.m. to a ShotSpotter alert for multiple rounds...
Springdale, Riverview may team up in softball, wrestling, golf
Bitter rivals in Lower Valley high school athletics scene may be teaming up in three sports. Allegheny Valley school directors are considering a cooperative sponsorship agreement with the Riverview School District for its softball, wrestling and golf programs. “We believe that creating positive, meaningful relationships with our neighbors such as...
Chomper, the rescued Kiski River alligator, to serve as animal ambassador
The Kiski River alligator that led officials and volunteers on a weeklong search will call Pittsburgh home — for now. The alligator was safely delivered Monday evening to an undisclosed alligator foster residence in Allegheny County. The location is kept secret to protect the people caring for the animal and...
The Stroller, Aug. 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. 1973 Springdale HS champion teams to be celebrated Allegheny Valley School...
Tarentum boaters have until Oct. 31 to remove items from boat docks
A decision by Tarentum Council to eliminate boat docks at Riverview Memorial Park has enraged longtime users who feel they are scapegoats for what they called the borough’s swankier aspirations. Boaters have until Oct. 31 to dismantle sheds, roofs and other amenities because of concerns over a lack of state...
North Allegheny hosts Just for Girls sports camp
Competition can sometimes keep girls from trying a new sport in school, said Michelle Ruiz, the health and physical education teacher at Marshall Middle School. With Just for Girls camp, held July 31-Aug. 4 at the North Allegheny School District, girls were introduced to two to three different sports each...
Gateway principals go on Come Join Our Gator Family tour in Monroeville, Pitcairn
For their Come Join Our Gator Family tour, Gateway’s elementary principals made sure to bring the beloved school district mascot. And this Gator was a true Friend. “I volunteered,” Ramsey Elementary Principal Katie Friend said during a break from wearing the mascot costume’s head. “I’m having a lot of fun...
Hempfield high school project plan is millions of dollars over budget, must be revised
Contract bids for the first phase of the Hempfield Area Senior High School renovation project are millions of dollars over budget, and the project must be revised before construction can begin. That’s what architects from SitelogIQ told the Hempfield Area School Board at a public meeting Wednesday afternoon. The architects...
Route 66 in Parks Township reopens following road project
Part of Route 66 in Parks Township, also known in that stretch as River Road, has reopened to traffic following a road project. PennDOT announced on Wednesday that the section of the state road that follows the path of the Kiski River has opened after being closed for a pipe...
Pittsburgh-area health insurers request rate increases
The Pittsburgh region’s biggest health insurers are seeking rate increases for plans on the individual market, some up to 13%, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Highmark Inc. is asking for an average rate increase of 11.2% and the Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc. insurance plan is requesting an increase of...
Former Pittsburgh animal control officer revives lawsuit over cruelty charges
A former Pittsburgh animal control officer is fighting back against animal cruelty claims he said cost him his job and his reputation. James Genco III, 48, of Pittsburgh, filed an amended lawsuit this week in federal court against three people whose comments led to animal cruelty charges being filed against...
Riverview School Board to interview candidates Aug. 14 for 2 vacancies
The Riverview School Board has two vacancies to fill. Superintendent Neil English said board members Jeanine Hurt-Robinson and Jane Miller have resigned from the panel. Their resignation letters weren’t immediately available. In an updated statement Wednesday, the district said that after consulting with the county department of elections, the school...
Sustainable Pittsburgh selected for clean energy workforce initiative
Sustainable Pittsburgh wants Southwestern Pennsylvania to be a leader in the growing field for clean jobs. The Downtown Pittsburgh-based nonprofit has been selected by Jobs for the Future as a Quality Green Jobs Regional Challenge Member. The organization will join other groups across the country to prepare individuals for climate-resilient...
License plate replacement events planned in Westmoreland
Two free events being held by state Rep. George Dunbar this month will help Pennsylvania motorists who have peeling or hard to read license plates get a replacement. The representative is working with Penn Township police from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday in the green parking lot at Penn...
Marching Foxes hit the field in preparation for 2023-24 season
The Marching Foxes are in full swing preparing for the upcoming season. The 2023-24 Fox Chapel Area marching band began band camp Aug. 7, with members learning the ropes before the group’s annual performance at Kennywood. That presentation will be during the Kennywood Fall Fantasy Parade on Aug. 20. The...
Derry Township man held for court in 16-year-old murder case
During one of their daily meetings to use drugs, Timothy Smartnick said Charles E. Ream told him a secret. They were at a hotel in Monroeville sometime in 2009 or 2010 when Ream said he went to Samantha Lang’s Derry Township home in 2007. Smartnick testified during Ream’s preliminary hearing...
Young entrepreneurs featured at Plum’s Monday Market
Talk about a gift that keeps on giving, and teaches a life lesson, to boot. “I wanted a bike last year, and instead, my dad bought me a log splitter,” 11-year-old Wyatt Sheaffer said. “And to buy my bike, I just split a lot of wood and make some money.”...
Wooden boxes stocked with food, supplies placed in Wilkinsburg to aid underserved residents
A wooden box stands at the corner of Wilkinsburg’s Laketon Road and Douglas Drive. Behind a purple door adorned with the expression “Explore your full potential” are shelves stocked with everything from nonperishables such as boxed macaroni and cheese, long-grain rice and canned corn to jars of baby food, socks...
New Kensington-Arnold teacher advances to principal of H.D. Berkey Elementary
A New Kensington-Arnold elementary teacher has been advanced to principal. Brian Heidenreich is the new principal of H.D. Berkey Elementary, the district’s first and second grade school in Arnold. He replaces Nicole Roberts, who retired. Heidenreich was hired at a prorated salary of $84,356. He was chosen from six candidates,...
Washington County group turns unwanted plastic into usable furniture
Recycling can be frustrating. Many haulers only accept certain types of plastic (typically those labeled No. 1 or 2). But a nonprofit in Washington County has found a way to take a large amount of typically non-recyclable plastic and turn it into usable items such as park benches, which local...
Rankin man jailed in 2 Westmoreland drug cases
An Allegheny County man was arrested Monday because, authorities say, he sold 1,500 stamp bags of drugs to an undercover police officer in North Huntingdon, according to court papers. Damar D. Pearson, 21, of Rankin is being held at the Westmoreland County jail. Investigators with the Westmoreland County Drug Task...
Red Cross offers $10 movie gift card to blood donors
The American Red Cross is offering a $10 movie theater gift card to all blood donors during the month of August. Donors are able to select a movie theater of their choice and will receive an electronic gift card after they give blood. The initiative comes after the nonprofit reportedly...
Free backpack giveaway Thursday welcomes all Kiski Area students
Nothing screams back-to-school like a new backpack. Kiski Area School District faculty, staff and volunteers are making sure any students enrolled in the district have access to a new backpack this year with a free giveaway event Thursday at Kiski Area High School. The Back to School Backpack Bash, in...
Churches unite to host back-to-school block party for students in Leechburg
A new scholastic-themed street party is coming to Leechburg. The inaugural Back 2 School Block Party will welcome students from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday along Main Street, between First and Second streets, for free food, refreshments, games and more. Music will be provided by DJ Jonathan. The event...
Liquor license auction open for some Southwestern Pa. counties
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) on Wednesday issued an invitation for bids for a set of expired restaurant liquor licenses, including some available in a handful of Southwestern Pennsylvania counties. Twenty expired licenses are being auctioned Sept. 27. One license each is available in 20 counties, which includes one...
