Penn-Trafford Star category, Page 78
Penn-Trafford board to vote June 29 on reopening plans
The Penn-Trafford School Board is expected to vote June 29 on a health and safety plan to reopen its schools in August as a result of a survey that found an overwhelming percentage of parents want to fully send their children back to school, the district said. The 7 p.m....
Many Westmoreland taxpayers not noticing extended discount period
Many Westmoreland County residents aren’t taking advantage of this year’s extended discount period for property taxes, and it’s causing headaches for local tax collectors. Earlier this spring, the county commissioners extended the deadline for the 2% property tax discount — which usually ends in April 30 — through Aug. 31...
Penn-Trafford staff, parents create memorial to 2nd-grade teacher Greg KeeferVideo
When second-grade teacher Greg Keefer walked into the cafeteria at Harrison Park Elementary School, fellow educator Beth Miller described the scene as “complete chaos.” “Kids would be jumping up to high-five him, and he loved every minute of it,” Miller said. Keefer’s popularity among students made it all the more...
With casinos reopening, Trafford native Jimmy Vaccaro discusses an unusual time in the gambling business
A 74-year-old Trafford native who has been in the casino business since 1975, Jimmy Vaccaro has seen pretty much everything the gambling industry has to offer. Then the casino floor fell silent in March. And people started online wagering on Russian pingpong matches because all North American sports went dark....
Overdoses continue to drop in Westmoreland, but traffic deaths jump 50%
Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha’s 2019 annual report released Monday showed an expected decline in drug overdose deaths for the second consecutive year, but it also disclosed a dramatic 50% increase in traffic fatalities. The local traffic deaths, which jumped from from 18 in 2018 to to 27 in 2019,...
2 more coronavirus cases, no new deaths reported in Westmoreland County
Two new covid-19 cases and no additional deaths were reported Thursday in Westmoreland County. The countywide case total is now 455 with 38 deaths, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. County Coroner Kenneth Bacha reported 32 coronavirus deaths, less than the state’s number, but Bacha’s office has not updated...
Penn Township man charged in fatal Route 30 crash in North Huntingdon
A Penn Township man is charged with homicide by vehicle and related criminal offenses for his role in a rear-end collision Jan. 21 on Route 30 that claimed the life of a North Huntingdon man. Chad Gregorini, 44, is accused of driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone in...
Westmoreland green phase: No temp checks at courthouse, offices opening
Westmoreland County is moving to green status on Friday, meaning courthouse visitors won’t need a temperature check to enter, and some restrictions on access to row offices will be lifted. Gov. Wolf announced last week that Westmoreland would be joining other counties in southwestern Pennsylvania in moving from the yellow...
Senior Spotlight: Penn-Trafford’s Robbins finds confidence during ‘miracle’ lacrosse career
Editor’s note: Each day, Trib HSSN will spotlight WPIAL spring athletes whose senior years were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. John Robbins uses the word miracle to describe his lacrosse ventures. He literally holds his varsity letter close to his heart. “Four years ago, I was considered not good...
Penn Township hiring agency holding drive-by resume dropoffs
A Penn Township employment agency is giving job seekers the chance to drop off their resumes Thursday without ever leaving their car, thus maintaining safe social distancing while enhancing their chances for a new job. The drive-through job fair at Express Employment Professionals will give those who are laid off...
Penn-Trafford freshman Mallory McRae achieves hunting’s rare ‘Triple Trophy’
Mallory McRae already accomplished something her dad didn’t while hunting: kill a bear. But the Penn-Trafford freshman recently achieved a rarity: She killed a bear, a buck and a turkey in the same license year. McRae, 14, achieved the “Triple Trophy” honor after getting her turkey earlier this month in...
Penn-Trafford video students snag awards, adjust to producing amid pandemicVideo
The students who create Penn-Trafford TV, the school district’s in-house television broadcasts, brought home 16 nominations and six awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Mid-Atlantic Region High School Production Awards. Both are school records. But there was barely any time to enjoy their success before schools...
Penn-Trafford nurse wins Highmark nursing excellence award
In 2014, Lisa Popovich of Penn Township would never have guessed she’d now be in her fourth year as a Penn-Trafford School District nurse. She certainly wouldn’t have guessed that she’d be receiving one of the Highmark Foundation’s Advancing Excellence in School Nursing Awards. “This was never on my radar,”...
Penn Township manager resigns; interim manager named
Penn Township’s secretary-manager for the past six years resigned earlier this month and an interim replacement has been named. Alexander Graziani, 49, of Greensburg, resigned from his post on May 4, said Michael Korns, township solicitor. “The township will do well and it has good leadership,” Graziani said when contacted...
Penn-Trafford students still holding out hope for high school musical coronavirus put on holdVideo
They memorized their lines, perfected their dance steps and were hitting their marks on stage night after night as 43 Penn-Trafford High School students rehearsed for their spring musical “Footloose.” Jen Haberberger, a high school art teacher, was in her fifth year as faculty sponsor of the PT Drama Guild’s...
East Suburban clinic reports data breach affecting 500 patients
East Suburban Sports Medicine Center, an athletic training and physical therapy center with branches in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, announced a data security breach that affected more than 500 Pennsylvania residents. Last spring, two patients told center officials that, when they ran a Google search for their names, the results...
Penn-Trafford sets new dates, plans for graduation, prom
Penn-Trafford officials have set two alternative dates this summer to hold the commencement ceremonies that were canceled for May 26 because of Gov. Wolf’s order banning large gatherings and the closing of schools in the state. Commencement is now scheduled for June 26. But if that date must be postponed,...
Easter Bunny brings joy to Trafford neighborhoodVideo
Genevieve Delsignore waited excitedly in the driveway of her Hillcrest Drive home, ready to show off her blue and pink dress to the Easter Bunny leading a parade of firefighters and Trafford Elementary School teachers through the neighborhood. “I’m excited to see the Easter Bunny, because I like when he...
Irwin, Trafford cancel council meetings
Trafford has canceled its April 7 meeting because of the shutdown restrictions and Irwin has canceled its council meeting on April 8, opting for a virtual meeting on May 13, if Gov. Wolf’s order against public gatherings remains in place. Council members will meet via a social media platform that...
Coronavirus derails Penn-Trafford student’s dreams of competing in Irish dancing world championshipVideo
A Penn Township teenager’s dreams of competing in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Ireland next month were dashed when the U.S. government imposed a 30-day ban on travel to the Republic of Ireland in hopes of slowing the spread of the coronavirus that causes covid-19. “I was pretty devastated....
Harrison City woman serves as ‘Miss Smiling Irish Eyes’ as Pittsburgh cancels annual paradeVideo
A Penn-Trafford graduate was looking forward to walking in the annual Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade as Miss Smiling Irish Eyes, but officials canceled Saturday’s event as a precaution for the spreading coronavirus. “I am disappointed, but I know that the city and the (St. Patrick’s Day Parade) committee is...
Penn-Trafford to host Princess Party fundraiser
The show must go on and so must the fundraisers. The Penn Trafford Drama Guild’s cast of “Footloose” will host a Royal Sing-A-Long with your favorite princes and princesses on Friday, March 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Penn Trafford High School cafeteria. The event will feature...
Penn library to hold chess tournament
Students will get a chance to test their chess skills against youngsters in their age group at a chess tournament on March 14 the Penn Area Library, Municipal Court, Harrison City. Tournament play begins at 1 p.m. and will continue until all rounds are completed. The junior division is open...
Concert, vendor show in Jeannette will benefit cancer charity
When Rocco Monteleone of Penn Township was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2018, the outpouring of support was immediate. Friends, neighbors and community members quickly formed Rocco’s Warriors to raise money for the 2-year-old’s treatment, and were devastated when he succumbed to the disease a few months later...
Penn-Trafford to induct 12 into first Hall of Fame class
A chef, school nurse, Pittsburgh area sportscaster, physician, historian, veteran, volunteer with several community organizations and former high school principal are among a dozen Penn-Trafford graduates to be inducted into the school’s inaugural hall of fame class. The Penn-Trafford High School Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes alumni and school associates...
