Patrick Varine stories, Page 31
Murrysville dance school will open 2nd location in Plum
Technically, Donna Zerjav of Murrysville runs Donna’s School of Dance in her spare time. In her day job, Zerjav works as a claims adjuster for Erie Insurance. But “Donna the claims adjuster” isn’t how most people know her. It’s “Donna from Donna’s School of Dance.” That’s because the business has...
Parents, students get a look at newly renovated Gateway Middle School
Gateway School District students entering fifth through eighth grade are getting a chance to tour their newly-remodeled — and consolidated — middle school this week. Gateway Middle School in Monroeville opened its doors to incoming students starting Monday, after extensive renovations over the past three years. It will consolidate the...
Morning Roundup: Penn Hills playground improvements vandalized
Here are a few news items for Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024: Penn Hills playground damaged Penn Hills fire officials are looking into vandalism and damage at the newly improved Rosedale VFD Memorial Park. Fencing around the park was discovered ripped down on Tuesday. “We’re discouraged to see this damage performed,”...
2 dead in Homestead shooting
Allegheny County Police are investigating the death of a man and woman found Tuesday in Homestead. Police were called to the 100 block of West 15th Avenue shortly after 4 p.m., responding to a report of shots fired. They received no response when hailing residents at the home, and a...
Firm suggests closing 16 Pittsburgh Public schools, opening 2 new ones
Pittsburgh Public Schools officials have received recommendations to close more than a dozen schools and potentially merge Carrick and Brashear high schools. A consultant hired by the district said, through a facility use report, that the urban school system should close 16 of its schools and open two new ones,...
Murrysville council approves luxury lot subdivision off Wiestertown Road
After sitting through a 3-3 tie vote in June and the deferral of a decision in July, developer Paul Fischione and his attorney were ready for a vote on their proposal to create 24 luxury lots off Wiestertown Road in Murrysville. Attorney Bill Sittig said his client wasn’t interested in...
Hempfield, state officials see $16M site near Route 30 as community. emergency response hubVideo
Looking out over the bare dirt across 43 acres in eastern Hempfield, township Commissioner Jay Anderson was reminded of his days as a Boy Scout leader. “You’d arrive at Scout camp and it’s just this big open area, but then everyone starts getting set up and before long, it really...
State police to increase late-night patrols in Export
State police will increase late-night patrols in response to recent reports of car break-ins in Export. Lt. Michael Sbardella was at council’s Aug. 6 meeting to address concerns about thefts from vehicles along Lee Street, Pierce Street, Italy Road and Lincoln Avenue. Sbardella said he would speak with midnight-shift officers...
Monroeville: Vendors sought, church yard sale, concerts, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com.. Pitcairn Fall Night Market vendors sought Pitcairn’s Fall Night Market, an all-ages, family friendly event, is slated for 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Broadway street from Dan’s Floral to Dick’s Sports Bar. Sale items may include homemade...
Monroeville: Middle school opening, local concerts, history speaker series, more
Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com.. School hosts community night Gateway School District will host an open house and community night Aug. 20 at the newly renovated Gateway Middle School, 4450 Old William Penn Highway. A ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. with Mayor...
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Summer Fest continues to growVideo
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region’s third annual Summer Fest drew hundreds of people to Hempfield’s sun-drenched Twin Lakes Park on Sunday. The festival that was born out of the pandemic to replace a flagging fundraising event for the nonprofit now serves as its biggest fundraiser. Gabrielle...
Morning Roundup: No injuries in Elizabeth house fire
Here are a few news items for Sunday, Aug. 4: No injuries in Elizabeth fire No injuries were reported in an overnight fire in Elizabeth, emergency officials said. First responders were called to the 200 block of Ross Street shortly after 1:30 a.m. for a house fire. An Allegheny County...
Murrysville recreation officials, businesses look to put unique twist on community yard sale
Murrysville officials and local businesses will team up to host a community-wide yard sale this fall with a few unique twists, including a crew that will come haul away the items that don’t sell. “I think part of what stops people from doing neighborhood yard sales is the thought of,...
From barbecue to bubbles: Residents celebrate at Delmont DazeVideo
From pork barbecue to a foam bubble play area, the beautiful weather Saturday between the morning and afternoon showers was icing on the cake for attendees at the annual Delmont Daze festival. The borough’s annual community celebration included food, live music, games, a dunking booth with town officials, a parade...
Arrest made in fatal Mount Oliver shooting
Allegheny County homicide detectives have made an arrest in connection with a fatal shooting Saturday in Mount Oliver, which police say stemmed from a fight the day before. Police were called to the 100 block of Amanda Street around 12:30 p.m. where they found Dana Burks, 49, who appeared to...
2 teens charged with shooting one another in West Mifflin, 1 in critical condition
A teenager is in critical condition after he exchanged gunfire with another teenage boy this week in West Mifflin. First responders were called to Midway Drive around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday and found two male teens who’d been shot. They were taken to area hospitals, one in critical condition and...
Oakmont native sentenced to life in kidnapping, murder of Bethel Park woman
An Oakmont native was sentenced to life in prison Friday following his conviction in the 2019 kidnapping and killing of a Bethel Park woman. John Matthew Chapman, 44, of Oakland, Md., was found guilty in May of kidnapping and killing Jaime Feden, 33, of Bethel Park under the pretense that...
Police: Ohio Twp. crash victim was shot in the torso
A Pittsburgh man has been identified as the person who died following a car crash Friday evening in Ohio Township. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Jordan Nathan Ross Geiger, 18, was the victim. Police say he suffered a gunshot wound to his torso. First responders were called to...
Fifth Avenue remains closed after Bluff building collapse
A stretch of Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Bluff neighborhood remains closed after an unoccupied building collapsed on Wednesday, city public safety officials said. First responders were called to the building, near the intersection of Marion Street and Fifth Avenue, shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday. Public safety officials said a search...
Find a ‘cooler weather’ road trip in Western Pennsylvania
Bruce Gezon of Murrysville is no stranger to a nice, scenic drive. Gezon, a member of the Sports Car Club of America’s Hall of Fame, has been designing rally courses for a half-century. With late-summer temperatures continuing to stay in the 80s and 90s, spending an afternoon outdoors might not...
‘Frog Week’ part of nonprofit’s goal to draw attention to backyard creaturesVideo
AAron Capouellez grew up around frogs and toads — from the age of 5, his family had a backyard pond where both amphibians thrived. It fostered a lifelong love of nature and led Capouellez, 28, to change course in his education and pursue a master’s degree in biology. It also...
Bill adds free-speech protection against frivolous ‘SLAPP’ lawsuits
A new state law provides some additional free-speech protection to Pennsylvania citizens and groups who find themselves in court after criticizing powerful interests, such as real estate developers or political figures. House Bill 1466 was signed into law July 17 by Gov. Josh Shapiro, protecting free speech on public-sector issues...
Franklin Regional grad takes over Independence concussion management programVideo
When Alex Fleming was helping the Franklin Regional Panthers football team win the PIAA’s 2005 AAA championship, he wasn’t thinking much about concussion protocol. But as the 2007 Franklin Regional graduate moved on to Davidson College — where he played football while pursuing a biology degree before earning his medical...
Morning Roundup: 2 arrested in Clairton killing; USDA doing rabies bait drops
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, July 26: 2 arrested in Clairton shooting Two people have been arrested in connection with a fatal July 12 shooting on Madison Avenue in Clairton, county police said. Allegheny County Police arrested Thomas W. Walker V, 27, of...
Trump announces 1st Pennsylvania rally since assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump has announced his first rally in Pennsylvania since the July 13 assassination attempt at a rally in Butler Township. Trump will return to the state for a July 31 rally at the New Holland Arena in Harrisburg. Trump sustained an injury to his ear after shooter...

