Funeral fund established for 3-year-old girl who died in Natrona
The extended family of 3-year-old Karma Murray-Sinicki, who died Wednesday in Harrison’s Natrona neighborhood, has established a GoFundMe to assist with the cost of funeral services. “Sweet little Karma passed away unexpectedly at 3 years old,” read the fund created by the child’s aunt, Rachel Kish, of Greensburg. “Mom &...
Resident, 71, and his dog killed in West Deer fire in which ammo exploded repeatedly
Fire crews attempting to knock down a West Deer blaze Wednesday were hampered by heavy rounds of ammunition exploding in the back of the home, authorities said. “When we got on scene, there was heavy fire — about 60% involved — and a solid half-hour of ammunition going off,” said...
Police investigate child’s death in Harrison following ‘medical incident’
Police are investigating the death of a child Wednesday in Harrison. Harrison police Chief Brian Turack said township officers responded to Pine Street for a medical incident involving a 3-year-old child inside of a residence. He said Allegheny County Police were subsequently requested to the scene to handle the investigation....
Former Highlands teacher gets house arrest while awaiting trial on sex assault charges
Former Highlands School District teacher Sean Dicer can stay at his Brackenridge home while awaiting trial on charges he sexually assaulted former students. Dicer has been in Allegheny County Jail since Dec. 4, when county police arrested him on charges that include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful...
1 dead after West Deer fire
One person is dead following a fire Wednesday morning in West Deer. Emergency crews responded at about 11 a.m. to the 100 block of Trump Road for a fully involved house fire. Kasey Reigner, public information officer for the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services, confirmed the fire involved a...
Audubon closes 2 nature stores, expands programs at Buffalo Creek, Succop, Beechwood Farms
The new executive director at Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is making changes to connect more people with the outdoors. Chris Bason said that reconfigurations at Buffalo Creek and Succop nature parks will create more opportunity for birding, a passion shared by more than one-third of U.S. adults, according to...
Highlands goes to remote learning for the week; other districts take it day-by-day
Highlands School District students will stay home the remainder of the week. Frigid temperatures, combined with the aftermath of Sunday’s monster snowfall, prompted the decision for remote learning for the rest of the week, administrators said. “Conducting remote learning all week was not expected,” Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said. “The safety...
Fox Chapel’s Cooper-Siegel library opens $2.5M expansion, ‘a space where ideas can flourish’
Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel has started a new chapter, one that bolsters its mission of cultivating a community of lifelong learners. On Jan. 23, the library opened its $2.5 million expansion of the facility’s lower level, complete with a Makerspace, small group study rooms, common area with tables...
Scott Blasey to headline benefit concert for Highland Hose in Tarentum
Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Company in Tarentum is getting some big-name fundraising support next month. Pittsburgh rocker Scott Blasey, lead singer of The Clarks, is lending his voice to help raise money for the fire company at an event at the Brackenridge American Legion on Feb. 7. Blasey and the...
Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services lands $242,700 federal boost for turnout gear
Members of the Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services will now be easily identified as a cohesive department with new turnout gear emblazoned with their call number — 102. The protective gear will replace outdated items and also reflect the merged department, comprised of Aspinwall and Sharpsburg, Chief Mike Daniher said....
Brick House Chic closing in Tarentum
A popular women’s shop is leaving its storefront in Tarentum. Brick House Chic Boutique along East Fourth Avenue posted the announcement to Facebook, saying “We didn’t want to move, but it’s beyond our control. I’m hoping we find a wonderful new home.” The store’s last day is Feb. 5. Opened...
Line replacement in Tarentum expected to improve water quality
Tarentum will replace water lines on Davidson Street as part of an ongoing effort to upgrade deteriorating infrastructure. The work targets aging, dead-end water lines that have contributed to circulation and reliability issues, Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said. “It’s a very intentional, problem-
focused investment rather than a standalone repair,” he...
Building the Valley: Veteran-owned 12 Bravo BBQ seeks to spotlight Harrison VFW
Frank Frantz isn’t afraid of a little heat. The South Buffalo resident is becoming known locally for his tangy “Bravo” barbecue sauce and slow-cooked brisket, sold the past few years from a roving food truck. He has joined fellow chef James Palumbi of Saxonburg in opening an indoor version, 12...
Lawmakers, pet advocates push bill spurred by pet cremation scandal
State Sen. Nick Pisciottano said the state’s framework for pet cremation oversight is “a little like the Wild West.” The legislator, whose district includes Plum, Monroeville and parts of the Mon Valley, proposed Senate Bill 950 to strengthen consumer protection and criminalize the mistreatment of pets after their deaths. “Pets...
Fox Chapel Area conference draws 600 educators for lessons on embracing technology
Flying drones and other cutting-edge equipment were showcased during a regional workshop in the Fox Chapel Area School District to prepare educators for the future and illustrate how technology can simultaneously drive learning and joy. The Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference on Jan. 19 drew more than 600 teachers, K-12...
Highlands teachers seal 5-year, early-bird contract
Highlands School District teachers locked up a five-year contract that awards them a 3.5% average salary increase each year through 2030. The school board on Tuesday approved the contract with the Highlands Education Association, well ahead of the current agreement’s June 30 expiration. “The deal is the result of a...
Harrison Hills to host global Great Backyard Bird Count
Part of a global birding event is happening in Harrison. Harrison Hills Park is the place for birding enthusiasts, nature lovers and novices alike to gather Feb. 14 for the Great Backyard Bird Count. “This is a great way for anyone of any experience to participate in a fun, interesting...
Tarentum officials lobby PennDOT to repair ‘hazardous’ bridge
Tarentum officials fear a small bridge near Mill Street has become a big safety problem, especially for pedestrians. Visible rebar and crumbling concrete dot the West Seventh Avenue Bridge, a 40-foot span that connects the east and west sides of town. PennDOT has deemed the span, owned by the state,...
Pleasant Valley fire chief passes torch to son after decades on the job in O’Hara
When the fire whistles sounded at 6:30 a.m. Jan. 12 in O’Hara, Butch Michalowski trudged out of his house and into the bitter cold — despite officially retiring two weeks earlier from his role as Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Company chief. “I’ll probably never stop,” he said, laughing. “I’ve been...
Court postponed for Patrick Vereb in Harrison pet cremation scandal
Alleged victims of Patrick Vereb, the man accused of taking money for pet cremations and disposing of the animals in landfills, will have to wait a bit longer for his trial. The 71-year-old from Hazelwood was scheduled Thursday for a non-jury trial in Allegheny County Court. That has been pushed...
Frankie’s Friends in New Kensington helps rescue 40 cats from hoarding situation
Frankie’s Friends nonprofit veterinary clinic in New Kensington is seeking help from the public after saving a hoard of 40 cats from a Westmoreland rescue shelter. Officials declined to name the rescue organization because no charges have been filed against it. The investigation continues. “The cats are sick, skinny —...
Tarentum road closed after garbage truck collides with tree
Motorists who use Ormond Street in Tarentum will need to detour. A portion of the road is closed, between 10th and Roup avenues, after a garbage truck struck a tree early Friday. A borough post said the closure is for immediate safety concerns. Public Works and emergency crews are on...
Harrison hospital opens $6.2M rehab center for stroke, surgery recovery
A $6.2 million tech-forward rehab facility opened Thursday at AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison, making it the only stroke and surgery recovery center of its kind in the region, according to Allegheny Health Network officials. “This is equipment that few centers have,” said Dr. Mark Rubino, the hospital’s president....
At least 2 pets unaccounted for after house fire in Turtle Creek
Emergency crews battled a house fire in Turtle Creek late Wednesday. Firefighters were called to the 500 block of McMasters Avenue, according to TribLive news partner WTAE. Allegheny County dispatchers said there were no injured people taken from the scene. Turtle Creek Fire Department First Lt. Mike McAllister told WTAE...
Reversal brings back 900 federal workers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Nearly 1,000 federal employees laid off by the Trump Administration last April from the agency meant to protect workplace safety will be able to return to the job. Terminations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were overturned Wednesday, meaning a return to the office for scientists, engineers...
