Patrick Varine stories, Page 93

Monroeville boxing promoter Derek Gionta had just put on a successful evening of fights in March 2020, and planned to continue cards in larger Pittsburgh-area venues. Then the covid-19 pandemic hit. Sports in general went by the wayside, to make no mention of a full-contact sport like boxing. “I stepped...

Franklin Regional students will have the choice of whether or not to wear masks when the 2021-22 school year begins on Aug. 23, based on the health and safety plan approved by school directors earlier this week. The school board adopted the plan by an 8-0 vote — director Jane...

Over the past several years, Export officials have been undertaking projects aimed at revitalizing the 110-year-old borough. They range from Eagle Scout flower planters to the relocation of the borough veterans’ memorial to the nearly complete construction on a replica of the old Export train station, built by Kacin Companies...

A few years ago, Scott DeBerry of Uniontown needed a French drain around his home, but there really wasn’t room to bring a backhoe in to do the digging. “He hand-dug the whole perimeter. That was an incredible amount of work for one person,” said Shawn Bernarding of Dormont. “He’s...

With employers across a variety of industries in search of workers, PA CareerLink Westmoreland County will host an Aug. 12 job fair. “Employers in this region are really in need of workers,” said Janice Albright, administrator for PA Career Link Westmoreland County. “We’ve been open for quite a while, but...

Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...

Pittsburgh ballet dancers come to Delmont library The Delmont Public Library will host an Aug. 20 “Alice in Wonderland” program by members of the Pittsburgh Ballet. The interactive dance program is for children in preschool through fifth grade. There is no cost, but registration is required. There is a limit...

When Carol Palcic of Southwest Greensburg met her new co-workers at the YWCA, she felt like she’d hit the jackpot. “The volunteers, the board and staff have all been tremendous,” said Palcic, who came on board as executive director for the YWCA Westmoreland County in early June and was officially...

Singing and performing have been part of Manu Narayan’s life since he was 5 years old, taking singing lessons from Greensburg instructor Nancy Burke. That led the Murrysville native to be part of local children’s performing groups, roles at Apple Hill Playhouse and Greensburg Civic Theater, and then auditions at...

Growing up on a Wisconsin farm, Kate Manka of Murrysville said her family always preferred mutts. “They just have an overall better disposition,” Manka said. “I had a mutt in Chicago from my brother’s farm – the mother was a springer spaniel-Labrador mix and the father was a border collie....

Members of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and nonprofit partner FortyX80 will host an informational session Friday in Monessen to discuss a new apprenticeship program focused on information technology. The session will introduce attendees to Apprenti PGH, which is modeled on a program first launched in Seattle by the Washington Technology...

Here are just some of the news and events taking place in the Star’s coverage area in the coming weeks. To submit items, email pvarine@triblive.com. Murrysville drug take-back yields 82 pounds of pills Nineteen police departments from across the county — including Murrysville — recently took prescription pills gathered over...

As part of the Franklin Regional transition program for community preschoolers, district officials held an outdoor StoryWalk, featuring the beloved storybook character, Pete the Cat. The event was held on three evenings at the newly renovated Franklin Regional Primary School, the former Sloan Elementary, to accommodate all registered students and...

Two people were taken by ambulance after being injured in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday night in North Huntingdon, according to county emergency officials. Eastbound Route 30 was partially closed for just under an hour after the crash, which was reported at 8:48 p.m. A Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said two...

The death of a 64-year-old Stowe Township woman, reported missing July 28 after family members had not seen or heard from her in three days, is under investigation by the county coroner. Allegheny County Police were seeking information last week on the whereabouts of Patricia Moran, 64. She was last...

A Brackenridge man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a July 2019 robbery of more than $100,000 from the Allegheny-Ludlum Brackenridge Federal Credit Union. Thomas George, 66, pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery, according to acting U.S. Attorney Stephen Kaufman. According to court records, on July 10, 2019,...

The Delmont Recreation Board will host another Family Fun Night beginning at 5 p.m., July 31 at Newhouse Park. The evening will begin with live music by the Phisbins, with food from the Premiere Pizza and refreshments from Yellow Bridge and White Valley Distillery. Guests are asked to bring a...

The Route 136 bridge over the Youghiogheny River was closed for a little over an hour Tuesday night, following a head-on collision between two vehicles in West Newton, according to emergency officials. A Westmoreland County 911 supervisor said occupants of both vehicles were trapped following the crash, which was reported...

A 22-year-old man from Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. A 46-year-old Chinese national from Mt. Pleasant. A 26-year-old man from Buffalo, N.Y. All three face charges of human trafficking in cases connected to the greater Pittsburgh area. And, on Monday, state police announced charges against three people accused of running a human...

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that state officials cannot transfer money from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Oil and Gas Fund — derived from natural gas drilling on state forest land — to the state’s general fund to help balance the annual budget. The PA Environmental Defense Foundation...

Murrysville officials will contract emergency repairs to a storm sewer line that is collapsing in the Villas at Heritage Estates, the second time they encountered the issue in the housing plan off Sardis Road. “The work is beyond the ability of public works,” Chief Administrator Jim Morrison said. “The engineer...