Maddie Aiken stories, Page 6
Student loan relief explainer for Pennsylvanians: who qualifies and when to apply
The Biden administration soon will roll out the most far-reaching federal student loan relief plan in American history — and borrowers must heed dates to benefit. In August, the administration announced it would cancel up to $10,000 of student debt for non-Pell Grant recipients and up to $20,000 for Pell...
Latrobe in talks to add electric vehicle charging stations downtown
Downtown Latrobe could welcome numerous electric vehicle charging stations in the near future. On Monday, Sept. 26, the Latrobe City Council discussed the logistics of adding nine electric vehicle charging stations within the city limits. City Manager Terry Carcella said the city needs to install stations eventually as electric cars...
Free college? Some Allegheny College students won’t pay tuition anymore
Some Allegheny College students don’t have to worry about tuition bills anymore. The Meadville college announced it is introducing a Commitment to Access Program that will cover all tuition costs for in-state students whose family income is $50,000 or less. The program, which will kick off in fall 2023, will...
Dollar General robbed in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood
A man robbed a Dollar General Monday night in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood, police said. At around 9 p.m., the man walked into the East Warrington Avenue store with a gun and demanded money, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. He left with an undisclosed amount of money, police said. No one...
Some Western Pa. students grapple with post-covid learning loss
Before the pandemic, Alana Griffin said her son was advanced in his academics. Now, she said, she considers the 9-year-old to be at an average level. Her other son, who is 8, needs to catch up in reading and math, she said. Though her children see a weekly tutor, the...
Pittsburgh fugitive apprehended after car chase
A Friday car chase led to the apprehension of a Pittsburgh fugitive with multiple warrants against him. Tariq Mahdi, 29, is in custody after fleeing from Allegheny County sheriff’s detectives. Mahdi faces numerous charges, including burglary, strangulation and aggravated assault. Detectives identified the vehicle that Mahdi was driving on Friday...
13-year-old boy charged in shooting of critically wounded teen in Swissvale
Allegheny County police have charged a 13-year-old boy in a shooting Friday in Swissvale that left another boy in critical condition. The shooting happened at about 2:40 p.m. in the 7500 block of Short Street. The wounded boy, also 13, was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound...
Carlow University, WCCC to create dual agreement program
A Carlow University education will soon be even more accessible for Westmoreland County residents. The university, located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section, and Westmoreland County Community College have partnered to create a dual agreement program. The program, which will provide a “direct, smooth pathway” to a Carlow bachelor’s degree, aims to...
Pine-Richland to host community town halls on strategic plan
Pine-Richland wants your input. The school district will host three community town halls over the next four months as it prepares to flesh out its 2023-2027 strategic plan. The first town hall meeting will be held on Oct. 12 at Eden Hall Upper Elementary. The other two are tentatively scheduled...
Latrobe Art Center turns 20, plans to host October celebration, auction
The Latrobe Art Center’s humble beginnings trace back to June 2002, when the center started out as a one-room gallery space. More than two decades later, the center boasts a café and two additional galleries. Executive Director Michael Tusay said it’s been an “incredible journey.” “It’s been incredible to see...
Free pierogi samples at Gosia’s Pierogies in Unity this weekend
Curious to know what a sweet potato pierogi tastes like? You’re in for a treat this weekend. Gosia’s Pierogies will host a fall pierogi kickoff from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the business’s Unity distribution center. Attendees can enjoy free pierogi samples, and those who purchase 10 dozen...
Pine-Richland receives recognition for RAMS Way initiative
All six Pine-Richland schools have received recognition for RAMS Way, a district-wide initiative that aims to foster a positive school environment. The Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network announced that Pine-Richland’s initiative met its School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports requirements for the 2021-22 academic year. The PBIS approach seeks to...
Woman who fatally hit 6-year-old boy on bike in Glen Hazel charged by Pittsburgh police
An arrest warrant has been issued for the woman who Pittsburgh police say fatally hit a boy on his bicycle in July. Rhonda Wood, 63, is charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, careless driving involving death, and a stop sign violation, according to police. At around 8:20 p.m. on...
Penn State asks for historic boost in state funding
Penn State will push for a 47.5% increase in general support funding from the state after receiving approval from its Board of Trustees on Friday. If legislators greenlight the historic request in the 2023-24 state budget, the university would receive $357 million during the next academic year. That’s $115 million...
Beer at Beaver Stadium: Penn State board approves alcohol sales
Happy Valley might have just become happier – Penn State’s Board of Trustees has approved alcohol sales for all 21-and-older fans in Beaver Stadium. Numerous beer stations will be placed throughout the stadium, though none in close proximity to the student section. Fans will be able to purchase up to...
Mt. Pleasant prepares for first Glass & Ethnic Festival without beloved longtime mayor
Mt. Pleasant Borough Manager Jeff Landy recalls that, in years past, planning the borough’s annual Glass & Ethnic Festival was filled with laughter and humor. This year, however, things were different. “It’s an empty feeling,” Landy said. On Friday, Mt. Pleasant will kick off its first Glass & Ethnic Festival...
Penn State officials hope for 47% increase in state general support funding
Penn State officials plan to aim high in their 202-24 state funding request. On Friday, the Board of Trustees will vote on whether to approve a request for an additional $115 million in general support funding from the state. If approved by legislators, that would bring the university’s general support...
First Amendment likely prevents Pine-Richland from disciplining student after racist Homecoming sign incident
Pine-Richland School District likely does not have the legal authority to discipline a high school student whose homecoming proposal sign went viral on social media and left members of the community dismayed, according to an attorney with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. The First Amendment likely prevents the district from...
Wexford antique store Twin Pine is a curated experience
At 7 years old, Martin Edward would jump in the car with his grandparents and drive to huge antique shows throughout the region. That’s when Edward became “enamored” with interesting pieces — and now, he’s sharing that fascination with the Pittsburgh region. Last fall, Edward opened Twin Pine, a Wexford...
Dolly Parton child book gifting program headed to the Latrobe area
A free book every month is on the horizon for children in the Latrobe area thanks to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and community support. More than 400 area children from birth to age 5 could benefit from the program, regardless of family income. The Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation...
Motorcyclist injured in New Kensington accident
A motorcyclist is in the hospital after an accident on Tuesday evening in New Kensington. The accident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. in the 1100 block of Seventh Street, according to a Westmoreland County dispatcher. EMS transported the motorcycle driver to an area hospital, the dispatcher said. No further information...
Airline experts encourage high school pathways to aviation industry
Airlines can talk about workforce opportunities with as many high school students as they want, but without adult support and collaboration, they won’t attract as many students to the industry. That’s according to Glenn Ponas, the director of high school outreach at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Ponas was...
Leaf disease continues to ravage Pa. beech trees
There’s a disease wreaking havoc on beech trees in Pennsylvania. Beech leaf disease currently is found in all but two of the state’s 67 counties. Caused by microscopic nematodes, the disease infects native American beech trees and commonly planted European ones, said Mihail Kantor, an assistant research professor of nematology...
Latrobe landlords speak out against proposed rental inspection requirements
Landlords who own property in Latrobe aren’t happy about a proposed ordinance that would require all rental units to undergo routine inspections. About a dozen landlords showed up to the city’s council meeting this week to voice concerns over the inspection requirement, which council tabled after mounting disapproval from the...
California wildfire smoke makes its way to Western Pa.
Friday evening’s hazy skies were the result of smoke traveling from California, where wildfires are raging. The smoke traveled through jet streams to the Midwest and East Coast, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jenna Lake. It isn’t uncommon for this to occur if the western states experience several wildfires,...
